Chapter Text
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the International Boxing Federation’s Women’s championship matches!”
Well… this was certainly a way to go about my weekend.
Lily wasn’t quite sure how or why she decided to agree to this weekend out. Don’t get her wrong, she loves a night out! Especially the weekly ones spent with Yoona’s and Kyujin. But usually they spend these nights out at the park, or in Lily’s dorm.
Not in a packed, noisy, and very overstimulating arena.
Originally, the plan was to go and eat out. Kyujin finally landed a job at a bookstore, and began to earn money just like her unnies. The three weren’t able to go out, due to the youngest girl’s constant insistence that they’ll go out “when she gets the money to take them out.” Lily thought this behavior was cute, how Kyujin would do her best to treat both her unnies out. Yoona… just found it annoying, but got the reasoning behind it.
Today was the hotpot day. All three had been craving the food for months now, and Yoona was especially excited. Months of hanging out in Yoona and Lily’s shared dorm had come to this, and tonight they were ready. That was… until noon came around.
And here Lily sat, clumped together in a cold and honestly uncomfortable arena, sitting in the middle of two empty seats, waiting for her friends to return. The main fight wasn’t even for another hour, so the girl had to settle for whatever fight was going on. It was for the featherweight title, and the two women fighting couldn’t be more opposite from one another.
The black haired boxer who had been absorbing punches the entire round was tall, maybe around 5’7. Sweat dripped off of her toned arm muscles as she guarded with her forearms, her face contorting as each blow landed. The other boxer beating into her was the opposite. She was a lot shorter, about 5’3. She had blonde hair with a hint of her black roots fading in, and was currently throwing punches from every corner, left and right.
The crowd roared in excitement, yelling cheers of encouragement. All the noise would overwhelm the average person, Lily falling right into the uncomfort. However, everyone seemed to yell with excitement, watching the blonde boxer continue to jab her opponent left and right. The taller girl’s arms were raised, slowly dropping as her opponent gradually backed her into the corner of the ring.
The taller boxer held on, arms close to her face. The short girl swung her arms quickly, her gloves connecting to the other girl’s forearm with each punch. As the blonde’s punches gradually slowed down with each hit, the taller girl finally saw an opening and jabbed her in the stomach hard, sending the other girl back a few inches.
“Wow! That punch from Shin sends Kim back, finally stopping her relentless attack. Is that enough to create an opening and keep the featherweight title for another year?”
The comment from the announcer angered the shorter girl- Kim, who stared ahead to her opponent, Shin. This was a ticking time bomb ready to explode, and the detonation was right before Lily and the crowd’s very eyes.
Shin falls back into her proper fighting stance, arms lowered and in front of her chest as she rearranges her footing. Her opponent looked down for a bit, arms hesitantly covering her face. Soon, the blonde haired girl looked up, her legs spread quite a bit larger than her opponent. Kim’s feet were planted on the floor, making minor adjustments as she breathed in and out.
Christ Almighty.
Lily could only look on in awe as the crouched Kim rushes forward, each footstep somehow lighter than the last. It takes Shin somewhat off guard, and she goes to cover her face with her forearms. The shorter girl began to predictably beat into the other girl’s arms, her hands moving faster than the camera and giant LED screen above the ring could capture.
In quick succession, Kim continued to beat down at Shin. Each hit progressively getting stronger than the last, the crowd began to cheer as Shin silently winced, trying to hold on. However, Lily soon found out three things about the blonde boxer today.
1: Kim was relentless.
Every hit that landed was just as quick as the last. Shin felt it, and her guard slowly broke, hands fighting her mind as she began lowering down her arms. Kim kept going with the assault, the shift slowly heading up towards Shin’s head.
2: Kim was brutal.
It was obvious to everyone that Kim put everything in the punches she threw. Ignoring how Shin kept stumbling back and wincing, Lily could see it with how Kim’s body was. Her jabs were clean, arms kept straight as her body turned with each hit, the bodyweight falling onto her leading foot and right into her fists. Even while sustaining injuries of her own, the shorter girl continued to put her whole body into the fight.
But most importantly-
“Ouch! That jab-cross-hook combo was a bold move for Shin, but it seems to be working in her favor. Kim is now on the defensive, what will this title become?”
She stumbles back far, only a foot away from the corner post. The taller girl breathes in deep, loosening her body as she falls back into her fighting stance. Kim must have been seeing stars, Lily was sure of it. After all, her eyes on the big television screen above them had almost a hazy look to them, a bruise forming under the left eye.
Shin kept pushing for an attack, but Kim kept holding on. She successfully slipped away from a jab, barely ducking to further the distance between them as she gathered her energy. Shin was relentless, but she didn’t realize the most important thing about Kim.
The black-haired girl went in for another combo, her leading arm stretched out as she went for another hook. Kim quickly slipped away again, blocking the hook with her left forearm. With a quick look up and down, she hurries back to create distance, widening her stance as if it was the beginning of the match, Then- as if coming from out of nowhere, she attacks.
Her body leaps forward, and she throws a left-handed jab to the face, making Shin block it. Kim smiled, this is exactly what she hoped for.
Watching the taller girl’s head knock back a little, Kim’s body twists, and her right hand swings from behind her and connects directly into Shin’s jaw.
Thud!
The crowd around Lily roared into shouts, yelling and screaming as Kim was pulled back from Shin. She finally took a deep breath, her stance still wide as if ready to fight again. Shin was on all 4’s, taking a knee as she tried to stand up.
1, 2, 3, 4-
Shin shakily stood, Kim’s eyes widening and raising her fists once more.
5, 6, 7, 8-
Thud!
3.
Kim was an unpredictable bundle of lightning, ready to strike at any time.
Shin rested her head on the ground, her eyes closed as she groaned, and Kim faced the crowd. Thousands of people roared her name and she couldn’t help but smile and raise a fist in the air. However, something irked her, and it made her turn around.
Kim extended a hand out to Shin, helping pull her up and face the crowd with her, smiling wide.
“In a very sportsmanlike and kind gesture, meet the IBF’s brand new women’s featherweight champion, Kim Jiwoo!”
“Lily-unnie!”
The girl’s head perked up and looked for the source, just to see Kyujin and Yoona scooting towards her. Yoona held a drink holder, holding three cups and Kyujin held a big tray of fried chicken, smiling widely. Lily laughed, letting her friends settle in beside her.
“Kyujin-ah, you bought so much food! Isn’t this a little excessive?” Lily asked the youngest girl, still trying to settle into her chair.
Yoona grabbed her drink from the carrier and distributed the two other filled drink cups accordingly, sipping on her soda. “I tried telling her not to spend too much. Yet- here we are.”
The youngest girl droned on, calling “Yoonaaahh!” The two other girls laughed, getting silent as a sudden announcement echoed around the arena.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are just one more fight away from the match of the night! However, we think you’ll be just as excited for this one!”
Yoona scoffed, crossing her arms and looking at the screen above and the ring below. The two other girls waited patiently, watching as the lone girl opened her mouth.
“That has got to be one of the stupidest ways anyone has introduced a match yet…”
Sitting up in her chair, Lily tries to give reasoning. “Well- maybe it’s just for the theatrics, you know? Give the people a good show.”
“Can the show come faster? I want some action, damn it!” Kyujin huffs out, eating another piece of chicken.
Two women walk out from opposite sides of the ring, looking the same yet somehow vastly different. Both of them were skinny and tall, like the other fighter from before. However, their hairstyles varied this time. The one from the right side had a layered haircut, wispy bangs falling on her forehead, showing her brown hair. The one on the left…
The one on the left was simply stunning.
She had messy blonde hair, some kind of brown roots peaking through. Her jawline was nice, angular in a way. That was about all Lily could notice anyway. Yoona on the other hand seemed to be more… focused on this boxer.
“On the right corner, hailing from Osaka, Japan: At 65 kilograms, our current junior welterweight champion, Nakamura Kazuha!”
Kazuha raised her arms up, her muscle mass light but visible. Lily sat almost half bored, making eye contact with Kyujin as she nodded in agreement. However, their shared eye contact drifted to Yoona, right beside Lily as she looked… eerily honed in.
“And the challenger for tonight! At 64 kilograms: Shining as bright as the rising sun, Bae Jinsol!”
Bae simply smiled, listening to the crowd cheer. A hand went to her ear, leaning forward as if unable to hear the overwhelming support for her. Albeit tacky, it does the job to make the arena go crazy for her, causing Kazuha to roll her eyes.
Was this match supposed to be important? Yes, it was a championship challenge.
Was this also what the tickets paid for? Also yes.
Did Lily and Kyujin find any relative interest in this match? Absolutely not. Lily found the match a little childish, especially with the challenger’s attitude, and Kyujin just seemed bored by the fact that it wasn’t the boxer they came to watch.
However, was Yoona focused on the fight the whole time?
Oh, hell yes.
10 grueling rounds passed, and both boxers stood panting, arms still up as if to try and fight another round. Kazuha stood tall, trying to keep composure as her body moved with each breath she took. Breaths going in and out, her body lifted and relaxed slowly. Bae, on the other hand, struggled to even lift her head up, body slouched as she held her stance.
“Well, well, well! That was a fight tonight, wasn’t it folks!”
With even more noise, the crowd was just as lively as it was from the fight beforehand, and Lily even got in the spirit of cheering alongside Kyujin and Yoona. Still cramped together in an uncomfortable and now warm arena. The three stared down into the ring, watching the two women stand face to face.
“Damn, ‘Zuha. You might have almost tired me out.”
“Oh- cut the shit, Bae. I’m not the one panting facing the floor, am I?”
“No, you are not, Nakamura. But- you are the one holding onto your stomach pretending like you aren’t breathing as hard as I am.”
The banter was heard throughout the arena, the crowd ooh-ing and laughing at Bae’s remarks. The announcer walks out, hair combed finely and a smile that could pierce through any heart. He comes to the middle of the two boxers, microphone in hand.
“Well, well, well! Looks like this great match is over. I’d say what a shame… but the main event is right after this fight! No offense to you two, of course.”
Kazuha and Jinsol rolled their eyes at the announcer, awaiting the results.
“You expecting to win again, ‘Zuha?”Jinsol asks softly, finally standing properly to face her. Even in a disheveled state, she still brings her signature stupid smile.
This causes Kazuha to click her tongue and roll her eyes, resting her arms at her hips. “Duh, especially since you’re over here panting like a horse.”
“Horse? That’s new. Is it because I’m hung-”
“Ooohh-kay, you two! The judges have your scores prepared. Are we prepared to greet our newest welterweight champion? Or will that title stay with our reigning champ for another day? Let’s ask our fighters- how are we feeling?” The interviewer asked, nervously awaiting any answer from the two.
The boxers make eye contact, before Jinsol leans in, talking into the interviewer’s microphone. “Well, pretty good. Even considering all the things that happened in the round.” She adjusts the strap of her sports bra, locking eyes with Kauzha and smiling. “Besides. You don’t get to fight this son of a bitch every day. Miss Nakamura did well, so I applaud her But- as well as me? Ehh… we’ll see.”
“Glad to see your mic-hogging obsession still continues into a title fight, Bae. Feels like you put more effort into your jokes than your fighting.” The sea of fans ooh and jeer Kazuha, causing Lily and Kyujin to look around in shock. Jinsol responds back, giving an audible “Hey!” before her rival continued on with her comments.
Lily sighed, looking around the arena as the post-match interview continued on. Everything seemed rowdier than the first fight, and the energy changed. She could feel the anticipation of the crowd, awaiting the match of the night. What was the match? Lily couldn’t tell you, since she was too busy trying not to be overwhelmed by everything happening around her.
“Wow, I still can’t believe your friend gave you these tickets for free, Yoona. You sure whoever offered these doesn’t have a crush on you?” Kyujin asked from Lily’s right side, and as she looked to the left, Lily saw Yoona roll her eyes.
The tallest girl laughs at their youngest friend’s remark, looking at the time. “No, she doesn’t. I know this because she’ll tell me everyday how I’d be the last person she would ever end up with.”
Lily interjects, taking the attention away from one another and onto her. “I don’t know… that’s a pretty romantic gesture, Yoona.”
“Eugh. Gross. She would never.”
“And with a tied score of 87-87, the judges declare this match a draw!”
The three girl’s conversation was stopped, staring up at the screen to look at the boxer’s reactions. Kazuha’s brow furrowed, looking down towards the judges table in confusion. Jinsol, on the other hand, had her eyes widened like she was a deer staring at a pair of head lights. The crowd booed louder, and the group of girls silently watched as they tried to understand what was happening around them,
Well, Lily and Kyujin silently watched and tried to get some semblance of understanding what was around them.
“Are you kidding me? A draw? C’mon, Kazuha would have won easily! Don’t give that newbie this bullshit, she barely held her own.” Yoona yelled, causing the two other girls in the group to give each other a look.
This is-
New? Yeah, this is pretty new.
Think she’ll calm down by the last match?
Hopefully.
Fifteen minutes pass, and the stadium is filled with anxious energy. The shocking result from the last match did anything but calm the crowd’s nerves, seen most evidently in the people around the three.
Yoona had finally calmed down from her small moment, causing Kyujin to tease her immensely. Lily should have figured Yoona was into boxing. After all, if her friend gave her tickets to a boxing match, would she not be into boxing as well?
It was either that, or she wanted to see a game. Although… knowing Yoona, it was probably just because she wanted to see a game.
Kyujin’s index finger taps on her thigh rapidly, impatiently waiting for the match to start.
“I’ve heard good things about tonight. I heard it’s the lightweight champion’s first defense for the title! Must be scary having to prove your worth in front of… Yoona, how many people can fit in here?”
The older girl shrugged, which made Lily giggle. “How am I supposed to know, Kyu? It’s my first time here too, you know. I’ve never actually watched my friend’s matches. Not for a while, at least.”
Lily and Kyujin looked at Yoona, with the same curiosity creeping into their minds at once. Lily spoke, asking “Hold on, Yoona. You know one of the boxers here?”
“Ah- yeah? I mean- I wish I didn’t… she’s a pain in my ass sometimes, y’know? Like, real pain-“
“Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve waited for this very moment!”
The arena roared again, and the three girls' attention got dragged to the stage below them. Lily couldn’t see much, but judging by Kyujin and Yoona’s excited muttering, it was a sight to see. Now she really wanted to see this.
“The challenger for tonight: Weighing at 61 kilograms, Seoul’s regional boxing champion: Hwang Yeji!”
The crowd erupts into more cheers, as another moderately tall blonde-haired girl runs out. With a smile on her face, she waves to all the fans, looking towards the other entrance with her team.
“Is that her, unnie? That your friend?” Kyujin asked, leaning forward as she stared below
“No- it isn’t.” Yoona answered back, with her attention on the screen.
The younger girl suddenly comes to a realization, turning to a confused Lily.
“Hold on. If she isn’t the boxer you’re talking about, then that means-“
“Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve waited for her presence the whole night!”
A shorter boxer began to slowly walk out from her entrance. She was accompanied by her team, along with Bae and Park from earlier.
“She was the former featherweight world champion, who clawed her way up to junior lightweight and made junior lightweight world champion.”
Lily finally managed to get a proper look down below, and she was surprised. This other girl was no taller than 5’4, and she had a charm none of the other boxers did. Her face was stoic, with a small scar on the bridge of her nose and right by her jaw.
Her hair was cut short, layered up to the top of her shoulder. Lily couldn’t pin what it was, but her gaze couldn’t fall away.
“Standing at 62 kilograms: You know her, you love her, the ice cold reigning lightweight champion:”
The camera finally panned away from a wide shot to one of the champion’s face, which left Lily shocked. This girl had a rugged charm to her, one reminiscent of a school-girl’s crush ‘bad boy’ crush. Lily, against all forces, found that her focus was glued onto the boxer the entire time.
“Give it up for Oh Haewon!”
The crowd cheered again, continuing to be as energetic as ever, with Kyujin and Lily watching in awe. Yoona sighed, as she drew the two’s attention right back to her.
“Yeah, the friend who gave me the tickets?” She asked, staring right at the screen with the two boxers in frame.
“That,” Yoona points right at Haewon, moving forward for more emphasis. “Is the one who gave us our tickets.”
Lily and Kyujin’s necks turned at an alarmingly fast speed, the latter reacting immediately.
“What? That- she’s your friend? Yoona-unnie- since when?!” Kyujin huffs out, being extra dramatic.
As her two younger friends argue, Lily thinks about diffusing the argument. However, the face of Yoona’s friend appears on the big screen yet again, captivating the girl.
Who knew, Yoona?
You’ve got one hell of a friend, don’t you?
A very cute one, I might add.