Ippo Makunouchi wakes up one morning to discover he's become a girl—and he's not the only one. At the Kamogawa Boxing Gym, the entire crew has been transformed: Takamura is now a stunning beauty, and a frantic blonde researcher named Marie from Italy's Florence Institute of Curse Studies arrives with a confession. A cursed trophy in the gym's basement has unleashed a gender-reversal curse on everyone present, and Marie's power alone can't undo it. To break the curse, they must heal the "sorrow"
Hajime no Ippo: The Gender-Swap Curse Chaos - Takamura Becomes a Woman, Invades! ~The Curse Runs Wild and the Missing Trophy~
Morning light cut thin stripes through the old wooden gym.
Ippo let out a small breath in front of the mirror.
Long black hair. Pale skin. A round face. In the mirror, as always, stood a girl who was him.
"...Day five, huh."
The voice that slipped out was high, clear as a rolling bell.
Five mornings now since the curse had turned him into a girl. Ippo had gotten fairly used to this body.
No—"used to it" wasn't right. "No choice but to get used to it" was closer.
(Still can't believe that's my face.)
Ippo stared hard at his reflection.
Gentle eyes. Slightly drooping brows. His own features were definitely in there somewhere. But the jawline was round, the lips small and red. However you looked at it, a girl.
He remembered what Marie had told him yesterday.
"A woman's body is built for delicate movement. Don't rely on brute strength—move with suppleness in mind."
(Delicate movement, huh.)
Ippo clenched his fists and took a light stance.
Whoosh, whoosh—the sound of cutting air rang out, light and clean.
(...Not bad.)
Ippo moved his feet, as if confirming once more the nimble sensation from hitting the sandbag yesterday.
Step. Shift the weight. Relax the shoulders, extend the arms.
(My center of gravity's lower. My hips are light. ...With this, I can move faster.)
In front of the mirror, Ippo repeated the jab motion over and over.
"...All right."
Ippo gave a small nod.
Becoming a girl's body—there were things he'd lost, that was certain. But in exchange, there were things he'd gained.
(How strong can I get with this body?)
Ippo was trying to think positively.
But at the same time.
Every time he saw the long-black-haired girl in the mirror, something deep in his chest gave a small, sharp ache.
(Still... I want to go back to normal, fast.)
Ippo looked away from the mirror.
In the center of the gym, Marie sat before an old black rotary phone.
"Hello, Luca? It's me, Marie. ...Yes, that's right. There's something I need you to look into."
Marie held the receiver to her ear and began speaking, her expression serious.
Her long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. Her emerald-green eyes narrowed, as if peering through the phone at the person on the other end.
"The records of the 1952 East Japan middleweight title match. ...Yes, exactly. There was an engraving on an old trophy. ...Mm, please."
Ippo settled down near Marie.
Marie glanced at him and gave a small smile.
"...Hm? The champion at the time? ...Yeah, yeah. ...I see. ...He retired, lost his wife and child, and died alone... ...His name? ...The records are damaged... ...Right, got it. Thank you, Luca. I'll call again."
Marie set down the receiver and heaved a deep sigh.
"...How did it go?"
Ippo asked.
Marie shook her head, looking a little sad.
"I couldn't find the champion's name. The records seem to have been lost in the wartime chaos... But I did learn that after he retired, he lost his wife and child."
"I see..."
Ippo hung his head.
(So it's not going to be easy after all.)
"But I'm not giving up yet. There has to be a way."
Marie lifted her face and looked straight at Ippo.
Her eyes held a strong light.
Ippo's heart skipped at that gaze.
"...I'll search too. Together with you."
Ippo looked back into Marie's eyes.
Marie's eyes widened for an instant, as if surprised.
Then she smiled—softly, like a flower blooming.
"...Thank you, Ippo."
That smile sparkled in the morning light.
Ippo felt a warmth spreading deep in his chest.
(Marie's always doing everything she can for me.)
He was sincerely grateful for her.
"Yo! Ippo! Marie!"
A cheerful voice burst in from the gym entrance.
Turning around, there stood Aoki and Kimura.
Both of them had girls' bodies now.
Even as a girl, Aoki wore the same bright expression. His short hair bounced energetically.
Kimura stood beside him with a wry grin.
"Good morning, Aoki, Kimura."
Ippo stood and greeted them.
"Hey, Ippo. Cute as ever today."
Kimura said with a smirk.
"P-please stop, Kimura..."
Ippo's face went red.
"Ahaha! He's blushing! Blushing!"
Aoki pointed and laughed.
"...You two, honestly."
Ippo laughed, looking troubled.
That was when it happened.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
From outside the gym, a heavy sound rang out, like something striking the wall.
"...What was that?"
Kimura turned his gaze toward the sound.
"An earthquake?"
Aoki tilted his head.
"...No. Those are footsteps."
Marie said, her expression serious.
"Footsteps?"
Ippo looked at Marie.
"...Very heavy footsteps. Like a huge animal walking this way."
Marie stared fixedly at the gym entrance.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound grew louder and louder.
And then, the next moment.
Clatter!
The gym door flew open with force.
"UOOOOOOOOOH!!!"
Standing there was Takamura Mamoru—now a woman.
Black hair falling to his waist. Sharp black eyes. And on his chest—
"W-what the hell is that outfit!?"
Aoki's eyes went wide.
"Hah? This?"
Takamura lifted his own chest with both hands.
"I figured I'd put this weight to use instead! So I tried wearing one of those women's sports bras!"
Takamura grinned proudly.
"...I mean, it suits you, but something's just—off in a lot of ways."
Kimura said, exasperated.
"Shut up! I'm gonna be the strongest in this body! Woman or man, I'm still Takamura Mamoru!"
With that shout, Takamura leaped onto the ring.
"Watch this! See how fast I can move in this body!"
Takamura started shadowboxing.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The movement was so sharp and fast you'd never guess it came from a girl's body.
"...Amazing."
Aoki murmured.
"...Takamura's incredible, as always."
Ippo was also captivated by Takamura's movement.
"Hahaha! How's that! Even in this body, I'm the strongest!"
Takamura stopped shadowboxing and puffed out his chest.
"...I mean, it's amazing, but, uh, your chest is bouncing, so it's kind of..."
Kimura looked away.
"Don't sweat it! This is a weapon too!"
Takamura patted his chest with a thump, thump.
"...A weapon, huh."
Ippo smiled wryly.
"Oh, Takamura. Good morning."
Marie called out to him.
"Yo, Marie! You find a way to break the curse yet?"
Takamura hopped down from the ring.
"...No, not yet. But I'm starting to grasp some leads."
Marie shook her head.
"I see. Well, don't rush it. This body's not half bad, anyway."
Takamura grinned.
"...Not half bad?"
Ippo was surprised.
"Yeah. I've never had a body this light. And this chest weight makes for good training. It'd be a waste to break the curse."
Takamura said that, then lifted his chest again.
"...Are you serious?"
Ippo looked at Takamura in disbelief.
"Dead serious. ...But, well, if you're saying you want to go back fast, I guess I could help out."
Takamura patted Ippo on the head.
"...Takamura."
Ippo looked up at Takamura's face.
"...What's with those watery eyes? Creepy."
Takamura looked away from Ippo.
"...Sorry."
Ippo gave a small laugh.
(Takamura always talks harsh, but he's really kind.)
Ippo felt he'd caught a glimpse of Takamura's clumsy kindness.
After that, Takamura called Marie over to a corner of the gym.
"...Hey, Marie. That trophy thing—is it really gonna be a lead to turn Ippo back?"
Takamura asked in a low voice.
"...Yes. The source of the curse is almost certainly that trophy. But I can't be certain yet."
Marie answered with a serious expression.
"I see. ...That guy, Ippo—he acts like he's fine on the surface, but I bet he's really anxious. That honest-to-a-fault idiot, he'll force himself to smile no matter what."
Takamura glanced toward Ippo.
"...You really do watch over Ippo, don't you."
Marie smiled.
"Of course I do. I'm his senpai. ...So, you—I'm counting on you. Turn him back for me."
Takamura bowed his head to Marie.
"...Yes. I'll do everything I can. I swear I'll turn Ippo back to normal."
Marie nodded firmly.
"Ippo, could you come here for a moment?"
Marie beckoned to Ippo.
"Yes, what is it?"
Ippo hurried over to her.
"...There's something I want you to try today."
Marie looked steadily into Ippo's eyes.
"Something you want me to try?"
Ippo tilted his head.
"...Yes. I want you to try touching that trophy in the basement."
Marie said with a serious expression.
"Touch the trophy?"
Ippo was startled.
"...Yes. It's possible that you might be able to see the past memories sealed inside the trophy. By touching the source of the curse directly, we might grasp some kind of lead."
Marie squeezed Ippo's hand tightly.
"...But it might be dangerous. Even so—will you try?"
Marie's hand was trembling slightly.
Ippo squeezed her hand back.
"...I'll do it. I'll try."
Ippo looked straight into Marie's eyes.
"...Thank you, Ippo."
Marie smiled, looking relieved.
Ippo and Marie headed down to the gym's basement.
The basement was dim, with a damp air hanging in it.
A single bare bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a faint light around.
Old sandbags and cardboard boxes were piled up along the walls.
And there, at the very back of the basement, it sat.
An old bronze trophy.
About a foot tall. On its base was engraved "1952 East Japan Middleweight Champion."
Its surface was tarnished, covered in countless scratches.
"...So this is the source of the curse."
Ippo stared at the trophy.
"...Yes. When you touch it, it's faintly warm. Almost like it's alive."
Marie stood before the trophy.
"...Ippo. Don't push yourself. If you feel anything strange, let go immediately."
Marie impressed this on him.
"...Understood."
Ippo nodded, then nervously reached out toward the trophy.
And the moment his fingertips touched its surface—
—Thump.
His heart gave a great leap.
"...!"
Ippo nearly pulled his hand back on instinct.
"...Are you okay, Ippo!?"
Marie looked at him with worry.
"...I-I'm fine. ...More importantly, I definitely felt it just now—it's warm."
Ippo reached for the trophy once more.
This time, slowly, he cupped it in both hands.
—Thump. Thump. Thump.
His heartbeat quickened.
Heat flowed from the trophy.
It was like someone's body warmth.
"...Ugh, ah..."
Suddenly, a fierce pain shot through Ippo's head.
"GAAAAH!!"
Ippo clutched his head and sank to the floor.
"Ippo! Ippo!"
Marie's shouting voice sounded far away.
His vision warped and twisted.
And then, the next moment.
An unknown scene spread out before Ippo's eyes.
—It was a dim hospital room.
A woman lay on a white bed.
She was thin, her face pale.
Beside the bed sat a man.
He gripped a boxing glove and held the woman's hand.
"...Dear."
The woman murmured in a frail voice.
"...What?"
The man peered into her face.
"...I don't think I have much longer."
The woman smiled.
"...What are you saying? You're going to get better, absolutely. I'm going to become world champion, and make you and our child happy."
The man gripped her hand tightly.
"...Thank you. But it's enough. Meeting you—I was truly happy."
With that, the woman quietly closed her eyes.
"...Hey, hey! Stay with me! Hey!"
The man shook her body.
But the woman didn't move anymore.
"...No way... no way...! You're leaving me behind...! I got strong for you...! Without you, it's all meaningless...!"
The man broke down sobbing.
And then he gripped the trophy that sat beside him.
"...This sorrow... I won't give it to anyone... I'll lock it away inside my heart... forever..."
The man gripped it hard, hard—as if pouring his sorrow into the trophy.
"...Ippo! Ippo!"
Marie's voice reached him.
Ippo gasped and came back to himself.
Before him spread the dim basement.
"...Marie."
Ippo was crying.
"...Ippo, are you okay? What did you see?"
Marie held his shoulders.
"...A man... he lost his wife... he was grieving... He locked that sorrow inside the trophy..."
Ippo said in a trembling voice.
"...I see. So this trophy really does hold a powerful sorrow. That sorrow must be the core of the curse."
Marie stared at the trophy.
"...But I still don't k
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