Tam Nakano adjusts the championship belt on her shoulder, the leather warm against her skin and the weight a familiar comfort she thought she'd lost forever. The locker room smells of sweat, hairspray, and the faint chemical scent of disinfectant - smells that defined her career, now triggering both pride and anxiety.

Six months ago, she had stood in this same spot, eyes stinging with unshed tears as she handed over the World of Stardom Championship. The memory of that moment still feels raw - the murmurs of the crowd, the sympathetic looks from her Cosmic Angels teammates, the crushing weight of uncertainty about whether she'd ever return to the top.

"Two-time champion," she whispers to her reflection, running a hand along the golden plates of the belt. The lights above hum softly, casting harsh shadows that make her appear more tired than she feels. The victory over Natsuko Tora should have erased her doubts, but instead, a new fear has taken root.

She flexes her injured arm cautiously, half-expecting pain to shoot through the muscles. It had healed, the doctors assured her repeatedly, but she can't shake the feeling that her body has become fragile - a porcelain championship waiting to shatter.

The sound of her teammates' laughter echoes from down the hallway, reminding her she's not alone. Natsupoi's cheerful voice, Saori's distinctive laugh, the others joining in - her Cosmic Angels family. Yet despite their support, Tam finds herself craving something more, someone she can truly lean on without feeling like she's burdening her teammates who depend on her leadership.