Alvarez doesn't answer right away. His eyes move from Ryoma to Kurogane, then back to the folder resting on the table. After a brief pause, he picks it up again, flipping it open as if to review the contents once more.
But he isn't reading, not really. The pages turn slowly under his fingers, but his mind is elsewhere, caught in the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
On one side, the calculation is obvious. As a businessman, growth isn't optional. It's survival, and he knows exactly what's standing in front of him right now.
Ryoma Takeda, whether this kid wins or loses the unification fight almost doesn't matter. What matters is the event itself. If it delivers, Alvarez's name rises with it. His promotion gains credibility, not just locally, but beyond.
