Of course, Ryoma doesn't reset to give Liam room to breathe. It's a calculated adjustment to herd the Canadian exactly where he wants him.
Liam isn't trapped yet, but he's already standing dangerously close to his own corner, with far less space to maneuver than he'd like.
And it doesn't take him long to realize it.
"This isn't distance…"
"…it's a cage."
He tests it with a cautious step to his left, but Ryoma slides with him.
Liam immediately shifts the other way, and Ryoma mirrors that movement just as effortlessly, taking another small side step to seal off the lane.
Ryoma hasn't thrown another punch. Yet somehow, Liam already finds himself with nowhere comfortable to go.
"…never thought he'd be the one pressuring me like this."
Liam tries another move, flicking a probing right hook, little more than a decoy before trying to buy himself an exit toward his right.
But Ryoma doesn't bite. Using his reach, he simply snaps a quick jab straight down the middle.
Dsh!
