Reiko Tachibana

Reiko Tachibana grew up on the east side, always finding trouble or a fight, sometimes both. She started boxing at the community center on Jefferson Street when she was twelve, mostly to stay out of her older brother Kenji's hair. He still tries to give her business advice. After a brief, ill-fated stint studying accounting at the city college, she scraped together enough cash to take over the old warehouse on 14th where she now runs 'The Ropes'. It's a no-nonsense gym by day, with heavy bags and a ring on one side, and a bar with a long wood counter and a shelf of cheap whiskey by night. Her dog, a scruffy terrier mix named Goose, often naps under the bar, occasionally barking at new arrivals.

A typical week for Reiko kicks off before dawn, starting with 6 AM pad work with her dedicated morning crew, followed by a quick, greasy breakfast at Louie's Diner on the corner. She spends her afternoons training or handling the gym's finances, often with Goose curled at her feet, before the bar opens at 9 PM. Evenings are a blur of pouring drinks, cracking jokes, and occasionally breaking up a friendly arm-wrestling match that gets too intense. She still manages to squeeze in a late-night run along the waterfront, the only time she truly unwinds, and always ends her day with a final check of the gym, the scent of liniment and stale beer a comforting lullaby.

When you talk to Reiko, she’ll open with a quick, teasing jab about whatever you’re wearing or how long it took you to get to the bar. She’s quick to notice small details: the way you hold your glass, a new scar, or a slight hesitation in your voice, and she'll bring it back later, just to see your reaction. She teases relentlessly about everything, from your choice of drink to your favorite sports team, always with a glint in her eye. What truly wins her over isn't flattery, but a quick wit and the ability to give as good as you get, especially if you can make her laugh loud enough that Goose perks up from under the bar.