New Years plans

[zen_of_kabaji]

I wonder what everyone else is planning for New Years. I know I will be going back home. Because school starts soon and I also need to get into better shape if I want to try out for the International Team. I really hope I'll make it. I know there isn't much of a chance because of my tennis. I might be a Power Player, but there are stronger ones out there. Like Gin-san of Shitenhouji. I'l also a Copy Player. But I also know that you can't win copying. The best I can do it play to a stalemate. Which I guess is good because I can pretty much seal away any really strong opponent. But a stalemate or a No Game is not a win and I'm sure whoever the coach is will want a win... But I still want to play. I want to try my hardest against the very best the world has to offer.

So I've got to get stronger. I've got to get stronger and make myself a better choice. And maybe get stronger so that I can help Hyotei even more this year.

Comments

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

If this helps to settle your mind, I may not be trying out for the International Tournament.

If it helps. We could train together. It would be good to play against someone on equal footing.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

.... I suppose it does in a way...

Usu. I would. I wouldn't mind at all training together against someone like you. There's no one at Hoytei that can feild my heaviest hit except for Atobe-sama and he's hurt. Thank you for the offer, Gin-san. I will try to be a good opponent for you.

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

And no one here that I can play evenly against.

I believe you would be a more than adequate opponent, Kabaji-san.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

I...know the feeling. It's very frustrating sometimes. To play and not be able to use your full strength against an opponent, becase they're your friend and you don't want to hurt them... But you can't tel lthem that because then they get mad at you for holding back on them...

Usu. I will try my hardest. When do you wish to start?

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

I have never been met with anger over a refusal to play a match with someone before. Though I imagine that can make it harder on a person.

I will be coming to Chiba late tomorrow and staying until mid-day Thursday. Any time between then is good.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

I...have just never refused. But maybe, I could tell them I don't want to, if they ask me...

Usu. Perhaps Tuesday?

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

I do refuse. Very few have questioned me on that. Testing their strength by playing against me is pure folly unless they know what they are doing.

That would be fine, yes.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

....But I wish to test my strength against you... and you against myself... that's not wrong, is it? To want to play against someone strong?

Usu. I will meet you for a match and training then

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

It is not wrong if doing so causes no harm to yourself or the other. I believe we can test our strength and not end up injured. And I believe that by playing against someone like yourself would be a greater test of my strength. Something I am sure you could agree with.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

Usu I can. And I think you can really understad it better than most. That the hardest opponent you'll ever face is yourself...I can offer you that test...as well as get stronger myself.

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

What do you mean you may not be trying out?! You can't honestly expect us to leave you here to recite your sutras by your lonesome the entire time we are gone! You will drive yourself insane with the boredom and constant silence! And you know perfectly well that you would be a wonderful asset to have with us should we find ourselves against the strongest power players in the world! Don't you want to test yourself against them, Gin-san?

[master-of-zen.livejournal.com]

When you put it like that... no.

But I never said it was for certain. I still may decide to join.

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

Just like I'm trying to encourage Kabaji-kun here with, give it a try, at least. And you could continue to be a good training partner for him by giving him someone to strive to be better than throughout the entire tournament.
Not to mention, this is an experience you shouldn't miss out on, Gin-san. None of us should. We may never again get an opportunity like this to see things from all around the world up close and personal, or build friendships with the other players who call those countries home. You might even meet some fellow monks, Gin-san~!

screened to Koharu

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

.... I don't care what people say about you being...perverted...you are a good person, Koharu-san.

Screened to Kabaji-kun

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

Heh heh heh~ Don't worry, Kabaji-kun, I'm used to being called that. And...I admit at times, I have allowed my loneliness to get the best of me so that I behaved in a way that I myself admit was inappropriate and suggestive, not to mention I am playful by nature. So I can't say they are wrong for calling me that.
But that does not mean I do not care for others. Quite the contrary, and I am always happy to lend a helpful hand or a helpful word of advice where I believe it will be of good use.

And you are a good person yourself, Kabaji-kun. One with a heart of gold and enough sincerity to make an angel jealous. So how can I not help but wish to be your friend~?

Re: Screened to Koharu-san

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

It's not right though, to call you names. I know how much it hurts to be called things...So if people say that and I'm around, I'll try and tell them not to. Because that's just the way you are... Just like Atobe-sama is proud and Oshitari-san is sly.

.... >//////< I....I wish to..be friends too...

Re: Screened to Kabaji-kun

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

It's sweet of you to stick up for me, dear~ But don't worry about it. I doubt people will stop thinking that way about me no matter what someone says to them. And I will not stop being who I am just so it fits into their comfort level. I have learned to grow used to them and their words. So the best I can do is continue as I am and force them to recognize me and accept who I am. And try to have them realize that there is more to me than the rumors that flow about me.

~! Good~ Then you have yourself a fiend~ Call upon me whenever you may need me, my dear~

Re: Screened to Koharu-san

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

.....I...I guess... You're a strong person as well. I always let words get too me. That's why I'm always so lucky to have Atobe-sama as a friend. He never lets people say bad things about me so I never feel hurt anymore.

Usu. I will. And you too. You can always as me for anything. I'll try my best to make it happen.

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

You're doing it again, Kabaji-kun. What have I been telling you~? No doubting yourself. Doubts will lead you to defeat before you even start a match. So chin up, ne~? There is nothing wrong with being a copy player, and they are perfectly capable at playing well and winning. I would know. ...I date one myself, after all.
Just do what you do best, and do what you can to become even better at it. And from the looks of things, Gin-san is even offering to help you on your way in doing so, so don't get yourself down. And whatever you do...have fun with it~ Because what's the point otherwise, ne~?

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

.... S...Sorry, Koharu-san...

Usu. Usu...but the ones that win are usually doubles. I played doubles once...With Atobe-sama. I played against both opponents to a standstill by myself pretty much.. So I guess copy is easier to do in doubles....

Usu. I will try hard. And Gen-san is helping a lot. I don't have anyone whos strong or big like I am... So it will be nice to have someone I can train with and maybe even look up to...

Usu. I will try and have fun.

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

It's alright, sweetie~ Just remember to have more faith in yourself. You are a much greater man than you give yourself credit for.

It is true that copying is much more easily accomplished when you have a doubles partner with you, but that doesn't mean a partner is required. However, to test yourself and how far you can go with things, perhaps you should consider the prospect of bettering your skills as a doubles player as well. You may find that you excel in the realm of doubles and it may be where you will find the key to unlocking that untapped strength you are capable of wielding.

I'm certain Gin-san will be happy to teach you things and help you train yourself in a manner that is better suited for a power player. He does a lot to keep his strength the way he is. And it intimidates me sometimes, I admit~ But I admire him for it. I know I could never do some of the things he tries at times, because I am not built that way. But I think you will be able to keep up with him. You are a strong man like he is, Kabaji-kun~
...Just don't mind him too much if he asks you to sit beneath waterfalls with him. He has a small fixation on doing that~

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

...usu...

I've only played it that once with Atobe-sama. You play doubles right? With that friend of yours. Was it hard to do?

Usu. I think he can too. He's the strongest person I know. Stronger than even me. But I'm not scared of that strength. Because it would be like being scared of me. And I will try hard to give him a worthy opponent.

...Waterfalls... I suppose I could do that too.

[pinkcomedy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do play doubles. With Hitouji Yuuji. I can't say it was difficult for us at all. We bonded easily when we first met as first years in middle school, so it seemed only natural for us to be partners in everything, including tennis. We understood how one another thought, and that's important in doubles. That, along with communication and a common interest. If you can't do that, then you cannot play doubles properly. So...if you are wishing to play doubles, it is best to find yourself someone that you can feel this way with. And once you do, myself and Yuuji will gladly help you better your skills in doubles, if you so wish~

Just make sure you are always prepared to defend against something powerful with Gin-san. He won't hold back on you, and every hit he makes is packed with force and will place strain on your arms. Take it from someone who's taken one of his balls to the face. Oh ho, that could interpreted as something so very naughty~ His hits can hurt you if you aren't careful.

You may actually enjoy it yourself. However, it isn't a task for the lighthearted nor someone who hates sitting under a rush of freezing cold water in the middle of winter.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

Your friend wouldn't get angry or jealous if I came for pointers? Though I suppose I could ask Oshitari because he's just as experences as you. He's very good at it. But maybe. It will depend on the team set up and what the coach wants, if I make it. But if I could do doubles as well, it would mena more of a chance for myself and also for another person.

Usu. I've returned Taka-san's version of his power shot...and copied that too. In the end I broke my wrist doing it. But that was a while ago. I've gotten much much stronger since then.

Usu. I will try hard.

[yukiseiichi.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you will end up as part of the team, Kabaji-kun, but if you are worried about your tennis style, practice and find something in it that brings you confidence. I can't say i've ever played a copy player before, it does seem like a great skill to have and very troublesome to play against. What sort of copying is it? Can you copy everything?

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

But isn't Niou-san's Illusions a kind of copying as well? Well...I don't do Illusions... I'm still me. But I learn by seeing. I only need to me shown things once. It's that way with school anda lot of things. If someone shows me how, then I can do it. I copied Atobe-sama's piano playing... and I can copy the cooks on TV... and I copied Chinen-san and Sanada-san to fight the yakuza to get back Atobe-sama.

I could probably copy your yips...if I saw them enough.

But it can backfire too. I just have the technique...not the practice behind it. A copy is a copy, but the real thing is authentic.

[yukiseiichi.livejournal.com]

Niou's illusion is difference and it doesn't work on me, neither does any deceiving technique, that's why i'm curious. Copying is completely different then illusions.

I do wonder if you can copy me, but the yips you can't really see, you only notice when it's too late. I believe I'm immune to it too.

Maybe the copy is not as effective as the real thing, but every technique has a weakness, which you probably copy as well, if you train yourself to find that weakness you can exploit it.

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

Usu. Copying is differnet. It's not deception or trickery. I just do the same thing you do, the same way.

Usu... I was using that as an example, but it was a bad one. But...maybe this would be better. When I played against Tezuka...I copied the Mugas he did... I finally lost because it stormed and I never did those moves in the rain, and thus didn't have the ability to play with them.

Probably... I just never thought of it like that. It's always served me well, It's sort of...psychological to have your best tennis moves and stradegies suddenly returned to you. However, it's a thought and maybe something I can start working towards, so that I don't just copy.

[yukiseiichi.livejournal.com]

If that's your tennis, you should look into making it better rather than changing it. Being physically strong is good, but I'm not, as far as muscles go. Being really strong might seem good at first but power players usually end their career because of injuries because they push themselves too much the wrong way. I think your technique is pretty effective, you just need to work with it, na ^_^

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

Usu. I know that really well. I broke my wrist once already. But I will work on it more. And maybe, sometime...if it's not a lot of trouble, I would like to try against you. I know there's a lot of...drama...what with Atobe-sama and his...obsession rivalry with Sanada-san. But I would still like to...

[yukiseiichi.livejournal.com]

It's not trouble at all Kabaji-kun, After the tournament, whenever you are ready. Different from Atobe and Sanada, maybe we should actually try and finish the match, na ^_^

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

Usu. After the tourniment then.

.... Usu... Evenif I lose terribly, at least we'll finish. I'm beginning to doubt they ever will.

[whitetrickster.livejournal.com]

Aw, Kabaji, isn't it? Cheer up dude, have some confidence. If I've heard of you, you've gotta be good.

[atashitaki.livejournal.com]

Oh no... no no, why are you thinking like that, silly Kaba-chan? You are a wonderful tennis player and strong, so very strong~ Why would you worry about that?

Something I have learned over the years is that there is always going to people better than yourself. All you can strive to do is be the best that you can be. Be who you are, Munehiro-kun, as that is a wonderful, gentle person. Be who you want to be.

And if those tournament people do not choose you, well, I will have some words to say about that!

[zen-of-kabaji.livejournal.com]

....Sorry, Taki-hime... I know I shouldn't worry... But I still do.

Usu. I will try harder not to get down on myself... I'll do my best.

...I'll try to get in...just so you don't have to scare them to death.