Post by Yujiro Fujiwara on Oct 1, 2017 13:29:32 GMT -5
“Mr. Fujiwara, sorry to bother you—”
“But, may we ask you a question?”
He didn’t say a word. However, Yujiro Fujiwara turned his head slightly towards the sound of the voices as he continued to do his sit-ups.
The voices belonged to a couple of students from the City of Angels Dojo. Catrina and Juan were their names. They were siblings, separated by a year and a half or so. They joined the wrestling school at the same time; life long dreams and such. They were model students, hard working and always attentive. Often times they could be seen training and brushing up on their skills while their peers were at home resting.
Yujiro alway took note of all the extra work the two siblings put in. He respected them for their work and reverence to the sport.
After he finished his set of sit-ups, Yujiro sat up and turned his full attention towards the duo. “My apologies for the rudeness,” Yujiro said. “If I do not complete my sets in full, it throws me off just a bit.” He used his forearm to wipe some sweat away from his forehead. “Now please, ask any question you’d like.”
The siblings both took a seat on the floor next to him.
“Well, I know this won’t happen for either of us for a long time.” Juan ran his fingers through his hair. “But, I kinda’ want to know...what is it like being a champion?”
It was a good question, one that isn’t normally asked or taught in wrestling school. “But perhaps it should be taught,” Yujiro thought to himself. “Maybe that way people would be prepared when they finally captured a belt.”
“What is it like being a champion, hmm?” Yujiro repeated the question. “Well, there are two answers to that question. One is the glamorous response. The other is the raw response. Let’s start with the most pleasant one, yeah?”
Yujiro nodded his head. “Being a champion is a great honor, one that not everyone is afford. If you are a champion, you are considered to be one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in that particular promotion. In most case, it means that you are a cut above the rest.” Yujiro paused for a moment. “When you are holding that championship belt, all eyes are on you. The promotion, the fans, and your peers are always looking to see what you are going to do, what moves you are going to make. You are always in the limelight.”
Those were the pleasantries; and Yujiro said them with a mild smile on his face. But as he finished his sentence, his demeanor changed a bit. His smile faded and he became a bit more serious.
“However, being a champion is a double-edged sword. You are always in the limelight—but you are also always under the microscope. Every move you do end up making, right, wrong, or inbetween—it shall be analyzed and scrutinized over. That is by the media.” He nodded. “And as champion, your peers will see as target. To most them, you stop being a human. They see you as a mere means to an end. A means to success, a means to fortune, a means to that belt itself. And therefore, those will be willing to do anything to take you out.” He paused. “They will resort to deception. They will resort to slander and lies. They will resort attacks—anything to gain an advantage over you.”
He let out a small sigh.
“So as I said, being a champion is a honor—but it is also very taxing as well.”
The two students nodded their heads. However, Catrina then spoke up.
“How do you stay steadfast then?”
“Another lovely question,” Yujiro responded. He then let out another sigh. “In my opinion, the most important thing to being steadfast as a champion would be to stay true to who you are.” He nodded. “Chasing and holding a championship belt, it can sometimes change you. You can become so entrenched and absorbed in obtaining or keeping it that what brought you to the dance in the first place.
“That is something I have held onto while I’ve been holding on to the Redemption Heavy—” Yujiro caught himself mid-sentence. His minor flub up caused him to laugh a bit. “Excuse me. The New Generation Wrestling Championship.”
“Those ware wise words.” Juan nodded his head. “Thank you, Mr. Fujiwara.”
Yujiro waved his hand. “It’s quite alright. Thank you for asking the question and giving me another opportunity to teach.”
“Thanks for being an awesome teacher.” Catrina gave him a small smile. “And, I’m not sure if you hear this very often, but thank you for being an awesome champion as well. I don’t know if Mr. Johnson has told you, but we study and analyze each of your matches. So we’ve seen your reign and all the hard work you’ve put in.”
“I appreciate that very much. Thank you for your support and your kind words.”
“It’s no problem,” juan replied. “Well, we should get out of your hair and leave you to your preparation. We’ll probably jump into the ring for a bit.”
“That’s right. You’ve got a big match coming up.”
“You two are no problem at all.” Yujiro shook his head. “In fact, if you’d like to spar, it would be a great help, and a great honor.”
“Of course!” they both shouted in unison.
———
Salutations, and welcome to another one of these wonderful audio logs. For those of you all who do not know or recognize the sound of my voice, my name is Yujiro Fujiwara. Who am I? I am a man who has worked his fingers to the bone to get to where he is. I am a man who has endured massive amounts of pain and adversity. I am a man who has stood strong, no matter what or who has challenged him. And I am your New Generation Wrestling Champion, but of course.
Ms. Richards, I have a vital question for you—how does it feel?
How does it feel to have been defeated by a man you considered a joke? How does it feel to have been defeated by a man that you considered to be a paper champion? How does it feel to have been defeated by a man whom you and your entire crew have always considered to be underneath you?
...No need Ms. Richards, I shall answer for you. Wouldn’t want you sidestepping the truth of the matter, now would we?
It cuts to the core. It’s embarrassing, and it’s painful.
A part of me would like to say I feel and empathize for you. However, I can not truly say that with a good conscious. Any distress, indignation, pain, or rage you are feeling are the result of your own delusional self-righteousness.
Perhaps you shall be more mindful next time.
—Do you know what I love about facts, Ms. Richards? It’s that they stand out on their own. You may try to dress them up, you may try to spin them in your favor, but in the end they shall stand up and reign supreme. And that facts in this case are that you lost to me. No bullshit. No shenanigans.
Just a beautiful running powerbomb and a fateful three count.
Some more facts?
Mediocrity does not surround me. I worked my way through the Global Cup and became its first winner. Despite his fuckery, Matthew Shields shall always be considered one of the best to ever hold the NGW Championship—and I defeated him on in four separate matches. And by the time I walk into Dissension I will have massed 119 days as champion with three successful defenses, including one of over Ms. Richards.
I shall not deny your talent Ms. Richards; I know a good wrestler when I see one. And yet, I have done something you have yet to do here—establish a legacy. Whether you like it, whether anyone likes it, the name Yujiro Fujiwara has been permanently engraved within the tomes of Redemption and New Generation Wrestling. And there is nothing you can do to tarnish it.
That legacy shall be continued to be built upon on at Dissension. Face me once, face twice, face me a thousand times—I shall stand steadfast and continue to prove that I am a mighty warrior…
See you soon, Ms. Richards.
