A.N.: All right, everybody, we're almost to the good parts. This will finish up with Matsu and clear the way to the rest of the story. Bear with me now...
To those who are curious, I'm pulling from the manga AND the anime. And I've still got a lot of surprises planned...
I think I've said too much. Onwards, to the fic!
-thought sharing/speaking-
Matsu was really mad. It took almost three days before he would speak to me again, and then it was just to yell at me.
-Just how long are you going to sulk, pal? Yeah, I took over your body and caused a row, and that was stupid. But come on, how can you let them pound away on you like that?-
-I told you, I'm a boxer, not a street brawler! I mean, you beat up Tachikawa with your bare fists IN THE RING! Along with all the first-years who tried to stop you and Tachikawa's friends when they tried to run off. Since then, everyone's so tense around me, it's like they're walking on eggshells.- He looked to the first-years who were practicing near him, they gulped and focused on what they were doing too intensely to be convincing. -You may enjoy being feared but I DON'T!-
Ouch.
"Matsu!"
"Oh! Capitan!" immediately he dropped into a very respectful bow. "I abjectly apologize for yesterday!"
"It's all right, Matsu. I'm just glad you're standing up for yourself."
"Huh?"
"You're enthusiastic about boxing, and practice diligently, but I've always wondered if you had real fighting spirit. I can't say I condone your actions, but they do settle my doubts." Finally, someone who understands. "You're still my choice for the second-year representative.
"Wow! Thanks!" Inside his body, I was overwhelmed by the sheer joy pumping through his mind.
"Keep up your training." Then he left. Probably to help the first-year who got tangled in his jump-rope.
"I will!"
-Great! Everything's going according to plan!-
-Yeah right!- and the good mood was gone, replaced by his previous anger at me. He grumbled as he adjusted his gloves, then went at the punching bag. Hard.
-Hey! That's a pretty powerful right you got there!-
-Huh? You think so?-
-I KNOW so!- With a punch like that he could K.O. just about anybody, but he never shows his stuff in a fight. Still, his passion for boxing seems real…I bet when he gets into the ring and goes up against a proper opponent, he gets that 'eye of the tiger' thing going, and shows the world the killer beast that lurks within Matsu the Dud.
"Hey Matsu, with your match coming up…let's spar, get you used to actual fighting."
"Sure…"
I was…how do I describe this fight?
-You're barely trying! You're supposed to be a boxer, not a punching bag! This is no different than the last two beating I saw you take!-
-Easy for you to say.-
Matsu had his head handed to him by a friendly opponent.
I waited until he was on his way home to tear into him.
-That was downright PATHETIC! Why do you even TRY to fight? You shut your eyes every time the other guy throws a punch!-
-After being bullied for so many years…I can't help flinching when I think a punch is coming. It's become a deeply conditioned reflex.-
-Oh, I don't know why I'm even trying! You talk so much about boxing, but you just shut down in the ring! I mean, boxing is still fighting, even if it does have rules. But for you it's just another way to get bullied! You do have footwork and power, both of which are important, but what you lack is guts! Che, you're clearly the type who freaks under pressure, and that's going to sink you every time! I'll bet you'll puke your guts out on the day of entrance exams and flub them, too!- He flinched, making me change tactics. Matsu is a friend, after all. -You need my help in the worst way! The first step is getting the right kind of experience.-
-Meaning your kind of fight—a street brawl!-
-What's wrong with that? Anyway, it's not all about using your fists. There's a science to it, too. You've got to get some guts, learn to bluff.- Up ahead, I spotted the perfect target. Pretty boy, arrogant, trying to walk tough with his hands in his pockets. -Check this guy. A punk wannabe, too cool for school. Give me control, I'll show you what I mean.-
"D-don't get me in trouble…"
I angled our walk so that when we passed the punk, our shoulder slapped his. It wasn't even that hard, but the wuss still whined at it. Er, the punk, not Matsu. He grabbed our shoulder and made his ridiculous attempt at being tough.
"Hey, pal. How 'bout an apology?"
Considering that Matsu had one of the gentlest faces I've ever seen on a guy, I had to work to put on my scariest, most irritated face and growl as best I could. "SURE! I'm sorry I didn't knock you down and kick the CRAP out of you!"
"N-never mind!" he bolted. I gave Matsu back control, laughing at the wuss.
-See? It's easy! Now you try it.-
-I can't do that! That's just brute intimidation!-
-You idiot! What do think wins fights? You gotta use your eyes, voice and face. Done right, intimidation can settle fights before the first punch is thrown.-
-There he is! That's the guy, Samejima.-
For a moment there, I could have sworn Matsu's heart stopped beating. "He-he's-"
"You the sorry punk who threatened my bud here?" Man, was his nose turned up. Looks like he's taken a few too many blows to the face, then forgot to see a doctor after.
-You know him?-
-Every boxer in the area knows him! He's Samejima of the Rinju Junior High boxing team! It's said he's dragged guys he didn't like to the gym and put out their eye, or broken both their arms, things like that. He makes Tachikawa look like Mother Teresa.-
"Hey, punk, you on the Imawano Junior High boxing team?"
"Er, yeah?"
"There's a guy from your school, Matsu, who's supposed to be my opponent in the upcoming match. You tell him he won't be leaving the ring in one piece."
The threat was too much for Matsu to take and he fainted. It should be noted, however, that even though he was out cold, his balance kept him on his feet. Samejima had no idea, which made it easy for me to take over.
"I'll give you a sample of what's in store for Matsu…"
I smacked his hand away. "I'm Matsu, pal. I dunno if you're Samejima or Sasquatch, but a baboon-faced moron like you shouldn't be copping such a tough-ass attitude."
His buddies gasped. "No one insults Samejima to his face!"
"I just did." Then to Samejima, "What's your hurry anyway? We'll meet in the ring soon enough. And I'll rearrange that scrunched up nose for you." He didn't like that.
"That'll be the day!"
The day of the match Matsu managed to get the locker room to himself to have his own little panic fest.
-What have you done?! He's going to murder me!!-
-Hey, what are you doing?!-
-I'm getting out of here!- We fought for control of his body, with me just barely keeping control.
-C'mon! You're about to get your precious match! Isn't that what you always wanted?! This is your shot, Matsu! Your chance to show your stuff! It doesn't matter who your opponent is!-
-Yes it does! Samejima will take me apart!-
-How do you know? You've never fought him!-
-I don't have to! He clearly has more skill, power, and guts! I have absolutely no chance! I was never cut out for boxing…it makes no difference how much passion and effort I put into it, nothing will make up for my lack of talent and courage…-
-You'd rather quit than even try to win one fight?-
-I-I can't… help it.-
That made me mad. I didn't even think; I just took control of his fist and planted it right in his face. Knocked him off the bench he was sitting on.
-I've had it with you. I'm sick and tired of being in your body. You keep thinking like Matsu the Dud, making excuses in order to avoid your moment of truth. But that moment has arrived, and it's time to start thinking like Matsu the Boxer. Unless you're the one that's an insult to the sport.- That hit him hard. -Win or lose, you have to go out there and do it. But if you're out there and you turn all pathetic again, I hope Samejima murders you so I can get out of here.-
Strangely enough, that seemed to get through to him, because when he left to have his match, I was still in the locker room.
"He's gone without me."
"That's because he's finally made a choice."
Once again, I did NOT scream, but I did yell at Botan for sneaking up on me. She ignored me and continued talking.
"With you in his head, arguing against his doubts, he realized he could no longer allow those doubts to hold him back." And she grabbed my hand and we went to watch Matsu's match.
Samejima landed some hard blows, but Matsu just ignored them, knocking that punk on his ass. Then when he tried to cheat, my buddy just took the blow on his helmet and knocked him out. Hard. The ref. declared Matsu the winner, and the crowd went nuts. Good. It's about time someone cheered for him. Maybe now he won't get picked on anymore.
I can only hope.