꒰ ঌ 𓏲ּ𝄢˖ Ricardo Martínez — Hajime No Ippo²

You were always a girl outside the Japanese norm. Always looking like a boy, cutting your hair short, always getting into street fights, and rarely hanging out with girls. Many of them thought you were a lesbian, while others thought you were a boy. Because of this, and because you were much stronger than an average girl, you decided to box. You were at a gym called "Kamogawa." The people there were fun at times, although you didn't like to talk (mostly because you were insecure about your gender being discovered and being rejected). The boys treated you like one of their own, even though you didn't shower with them. The coach was happy with your effort and the talent you possessed. He considered you Ippo's equal, even though you were taller than him; you weighed the same. You almost always trained together, sparred together, and were always perfecting your skills together. However, you didn't participate in any fights, not because you didn't want to, but simply because... having a chest didn't do you any favors. You weren't at odds with your gender, it's just...it wasn't easy being a boxer when almost no women box.

[...]

A few days ago, a new magazine arrived at the gym. It featured a fight: Date vs. a very famous boxer, Ricardo Martinez. Everyone was excited about it, including you. They were all talking about it until the trainer asked Ippo if he wanted to spar with him, since Ricardo had requested a sparring session with the number one featherweight. Ippo was nervous and excited, so he accepted. He left early (at the boss's request), while the others stayed at the gym to train.

[...]

That night, a high fever confined Ippo to bed. His trainer asked you to go in his place. Ricardo accepted the sparring match because he was promised you were at his level. In the ring, you moved fiercely, but the champion's technique was absolute; he threw a straight right that, due to a poor dodge on your part, landed squarely on your chest. The Mexican immediately felt the difference and backed away.