A/N: Here it is finally, the conclusion of the famed battle that has tested The Double Whys (Yu/Yosuke) strength and emotional turmoil. Let's find out once and for all how they end up as Yosuke's well-being remains in total jeopardy. Oh and Nightly, if I could take a job for WWE Creative, I would be all over it! Hahaha. Any who, here we go!
Chapter 7: Tandem Mayhem Part 4: Who Won?
This was surely it for Yosuke and he was down and dazed, blood trickling down his nose in moderate amounts. Yu was initially in full on panic mode, but his stare-down with Chie gave him a warm sensation that made his cheeks feel rather hot, but nonetheless it gave him the confidence boost he needed at the most crucial moment as Kanji went for the cover.
ONE! TWO!— *BOOM*!
Yu acted in an instant and produced a shocker of a move which could have hurt him in the process. Just before three hit, he leaped up to the top rope in a springboard formation, bounced upward and executed an aerial missile dropkick, striking Kanji square in his right ear, forcing him to break the count and saving Yosuke for now at least. The crowd roared with cheers in response.
"Yeah! Go Yu-kun go!" Chie passionately yelled.
"Woo! Senpai you're so amazing!" Rise said rather flirtatiously while Chie glared at her from behind, unbeknownst to Rise.
"Fucking Rise, why does she always have to be so damn clingy when it comes to Yu-kun? Ugh wait, why am I getting mad about it? Gah goddamn my thoughts! They've been just so haywire lately!" Chie thought while shaking her head rather violently, which did not escape Yu's notice as he slumped back into his corner so Yosuke could make a proper tag.
"Oh yeah! I said it once before and I'll say it again! Sensei is da man!" Teddie said coolly while dancing in celebration. Chie and Rise both laughed at his ridiculous Elvis impersonation.
Just like that, the count was void and Kanji and Naoto were put into instant shock as Naoto's mood began building into sheer malicious frustration as she attempted to drum up a mental plan for domination in the matchup once and for all.
Kanji managed to reach for Naoto and tagged her into the match while Yosuke somehow mustered up enough energy to tag in a much fresher Yu into the match.
"My my, how interesting…I guess it's you and me Yu-senpai. Time for you to experience a tidbit of my wrath for a change. I promise you that you will not succeed, as I could well imagine you could never do so with your parents as well." Naoto said smugly, knowing Yu's weak spot very well.
Yu simply gritted his teeth and circled around, getting himself mentally ready to tie up with Naoto.
"Hmm, silence as per usual. Fine then, have it your way, let's have some fun." Naoto said deviously as they finally tied up. Naoto went for a stiff kick to Yu's calf which was successful, sending Yu onto one knee already. He realized that he severely underestimated her leg power when it came to kicks, which was ironic considering that he was the one playing soccer with Daisuke, who was also in the audience, firmly in Yu's corner while looking on in concern.
"Taste this you unwanted bastard!" Naoto exclaimed as she went for a roundhouse kick to Yu's head, but he caught Naoto's right leg just in time, but the ever cunning detective princess thought ahead and went for an enzuiguri kick to the back of his head but he ducked and Naoto landed on her knees. Yu capitalized and connected with a quick superkick right to her face, sending her down. He quickly went for the cover only to get a two count for his effort. Something clicked in him, something ferocious…he couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly but he knew he had to act without hesitation. He quickly helped Naoto up, and proceeded to perform a double backfist combo into a spinning side kick into her mid-section. He then walked behind, grabbed her in a headlock-type hold. He took a deep breath, hoisted himself upwards, and did a backflip while holding Naoto's head, slamming her back and head first into the ground with him on top, ultimately performing a move known as a Standing Shiranui.
She was dazed and Kanji was still trying to come to so Yu knew this his time to clench things. He dragged Naoto towards the center of the ring, and went for his aerial finisher. He springboarded from the top rope and performed his patented Corkscrew 450 Splash, initially performing a backflip formation but twisting himself the opposite way and proceeded to land chest-first to finish it once and for all, but fate had other plans as Naoto narrowly avoided it, but not before taking a portion of the splash to her left side. Yu went for Plan B and proceeded to hoist Naoto up for his Release Powerbomb finisher, but she escaped his grip, and dropkicked Yu from behind, sending him crashing into Yosuke's corner, who finally snapped back into reality, crimson nose and all. He saw an opportunity to prove himself and without warning, he tagged Yu and inserted himself into the match, much to Yu's surprise.
"Yosuke! What are you—" but Yosuke took his time to interrupt while Naoto was collecting herself.
"Don't worry partner, I think I can do this! Just sit tight and when the time is right, we'll finish this together!" Yosuke said enthusiastically. Yu nodded and went to his corner.
Naoto tagged in Kanji and he immediately went in to attempt to give Yosuke a running big boot to the face, but Yosuke ducked it, only for Kanji to attempt a clothesline to a running Yosuke, which he also managed to duck, and subsequently countering Kanji's attempts by performing a backflip kick, striking Kanji square in the forehead. He went for his Spinning Heel Kick and connected with his finisher. He then tagged in Yu and instructed him quickly.
"Come on bro! Double Superkick! Let's finish this son of a bitch!" Yosuke yelled.
Yu stepped in and then they readied themselves, and they connected with the Double Superkick…but not on Kanji, he proceeded to pull the referee in front of him, causing the referee to take the full punishment of Yu and Yosuke's double finish.
"FUCK! I can't believe that this is happening! You goddamn coward ass cheaters!" Yosuke yelled as he began to throw a temper tantrum.
"Yosuke look out!" Yu ran in the line of fire as Naoto rushed into the ring with a steel chair, crushing Yu right in the head, even though the shot was meant for Yosuke. Yu stepped in and took one for his team, which might not have been such a good idea.
Yosuke was distracted as he was forcefully turned around by Kanji, who kicked him right in the groin, and proceeded to perform a swinging neckbreaker on Yosuke, rocking him pretty hard.
"Naoto, it's time! Now's our chance to get these punk bitches!" Kanji yelled as Naoto got the memo and proceeded to the top rope.
Kanji dragged Yu in position and Naoto performed her 630 Senton on him, putting him away since he was still technically the legal man in the match. Naoto quickly dispersed from the ring back to her corner as Kanji went for the cover, but not before he grabbed the referee and shook him.
"Hey wake up damn it! I'm going for a fucking cover here!" Kanji screamed in frustration.
The referee eventually came to and began his count…
ONE!...TWO!... THREE!
DING! DING! DING!
Before anyone could blink, the match was over. Kanji and Naoto used dirty tactics, but unfortunately for Yu and Yosuke, they put in a tremendous effort, but it paid off in favor of Kanji and Naoto, which would mean that they advance in the ranks, while the fallen team would have to regroup after a valiant effort.
"HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! And the new number one contenders for the IWA Tag Team Titles, Kanji and Naoto, The IGDs!" The announcer yelled to a mix of cheers and boos, with the boos eventually overshadowing.
"Yeah! See you at the finish line you punkasses! Come on Naoto, let's go celebrate and let the two lovers sulk in their bullshit emotions." Kanji said while performing his signature flex.
"Yes, let's depart for the festivities Kanji-kun." Naoto said simply as they walked to the back and retreated the area rather quickly.
Yu and Yosuke eventually stood up to a standing ovation for their efforts. Chie was in tears for their loss but she was cheering for them debatably harder than anyone else in unison with everyone else.
"Man I'm sorry partner… I guess I got way to ballsy back there… I let you down. We let the others down. I don't deserve to be in your team man…" Yosuke said with tears in his eyes as he held the microphone.
It was Yu's turn to grab the microphone as he clutched his head from the brutal chair shot.
"All that matters is that we tried Yosuke, we may not have won, but surely the owner of this league is impressed with us by now hopefully. So, there's no need to apologize." Yu said as he extended his hand in friendship and respect.
Yosuke complied and they embraced in the ring. Rise, Chie, Teddie and Daisuke soon joined them as they left the arena with a more positive attitude.
Yu took a mental look at himself and Yosuke as a team. He knew they going to be alright and that they would reach the top someday. Unfortunately, tonight was not their night but they had to regroup and come back stronger than ever. After this contemplation, he collided with Chie, his hands-down best female friend since he first arrived in Inaba April of the preceding year.
"Don't worry Yu-kun, someday you guys will get there, we just need to train harder. Hmm, as a matter of fact, come by the Flood Plain tomorrow and we'll get started then!" Chie said with her fist in the air.
"Sure Chie, I'd like that. Now let's get the hell out of here and go home." Yu said. He hesitated for a while before he called to her again.
"Chie?" Chie turned around immediately.
"Hmm, what's wrong Yu-kun?" Upon asking this, Yu threw out an open toward her, she got the memo as she proceeded to give Yu a hug, partially for the sake of consoling him. Yosuke noticed this and stared at Yu slyly from afar.
After a few seconds passed, Chie turned a little red before quickly departing.
O-okay, I'll meet you at Samegawa tomorrow Yu-kun. I'll see you later!" Chie said happily as she ran off to head home.
"Whoa dude, what was that all about?" Yosuke asked in teasing fashion.
"Heh, well something clicked in me and I just decided to do it. And Yosuke….I'm afraid you've been right all along." Yu said, slightly embarrassed, he never like to admit he was wrong, especially when it involved his now obvious feelings for Chie.
"Bro, don't tell me…" Yosuke scoffed in disbelief. Yu simply nodded and continued.
"Yep, I think I've fallen for Chie, and I think I've fallen real hard…" Yu said with a red face. Luckily they were outside the arena, which was rather rowdy anyway as they were focused on Minato's main event match, so they were alone.
Yosuke was surprisingly understanding but still couldn't help himself.
"Heh, I can't say I'm surprised partner! Aww how adorable, my partner has a thing for Miss Satonaka!" Yosuke teased, not being able to resist.
"Hey stop that shit man! It's just a damn 'thing' as you claim, it's much more than that…" Yu said as he reflected on his and Chie's good times together.
"I know I know man. Hey don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I promise." Yosuke stated sincerely.
"Thanks Yosuke." Yu said.
"No problem bro, you up for some Aiya? I'm starving man!" Yosuke said while holding his stomach.
Yu chucked as he nodded in agreement as they proceeded to the Northern Shopping Center, where they enjoyed beef bowls, and were even joined by Kou and Daisuke.
The entire time they were at Aiya's, Yu couldn't help but constantly think about his impending training session with Chie the next day. He eventually decided he would spill the beans to her right then. Even though he was taking a huge personal risk in terms of friendship status, he knew what he had to do.
In regards to their wrestling career, he and Yosuke knew they would get back on their feet soon as soon as the opportunity strikes. Unbeknownst to them, someone very familiar to Yu was watching the entire match from somewhere in the arena. That could be a major sign of things to come….
END
There you go! A Cow and Chicken style ending! Anyways, there you have it! Yu and Yosuke's first major match together ends with a crushing defeat. In other news, Yosuke likes to tease, Chie seems a tad suspicious, and Yu finally realizes he is hopelessly in love with Chie. But who from Yu's past was watching their match rather intently? Only time will tell…Anyway, take it easy folks and see you next time!
9:56 PM: Anthofitzgerald needs to head on the road (to Rhode Island). Not really.