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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:27 pm 
Power Pro Legend
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Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
September 30, 2036
Tsutenkaku Tower, Shinsekai, Osaka
13:09


I handed my 1000 yen note to the man behind the counter to enter the observation deck of the Tsutenkaku Tower, perhaps Osaka’s most famous landmark. On this clear, crisp fall day, I came up here to look on-high at the people of Osaka, the people my team represented, and to think--primarily to think--about what to do moving forward. I stood in the circular, golden room, flanked on both sides by tourists and locals alike, all entranced by the pseudo-opulence presented by the tower, and the not-so-pseudo stunning view of the city the tower afforded.

I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the other groups of people sharing the view with me.

“Didn’t Johjima tell you what he was doing the other night?” a young man in a blue sweatshirt said to the other, older man he was with.
“No.” he bluntly responded, eyes fixated on something else.
“Man… whatta a *(censored)*’ asshole.”

“...thirty.” said a woman who looked as if she was single handedly trying to reinstate ganguro fashion.
“You’re kidding me!” another woman, less garish, responded.
“Nah, and he rode…”

“Oh? And what’s that all about?” said someone on their phone, walking aimlessly around the deck.

“...never really been one for milk.”
“Yeah, but this is
special milk.”
“Don’t like that...”

“...really felt that ‘happy,’ per se.”
“You should come with me to yoga...”


I continued to look out the window. The streets below all leading to a hexagonal intersection, no longer in use for regular traffic. The autobuses passed by, almost rhythmically, every 10 minutes. With the passing of each bus, and therefore the passing of another 10 minutes, my thoughts began to really take hold.

I can’t believe any of this. I’m where I want to be and still, I’m not happy with where I am. I… every time something good happens to me, I seem to find a way to make it bad for myself. Why? Why do I do that? Why do I always think things are one step away from calamity?

Someone bumped into me, snapping me back to reality.
“Oh, shit, sorry.” He said.
“Uh, no worries.” I responded.

He walked away.

...I always seem to talk to myself in circles. I always go back to being afraid of making a mistake, or putting myself out there, or making myself vulnerable, or making an actual effort to be myself in front of others, or… whatever. I always *(censored)* wax poetic about that shit, and… why? Does it do anything to help me? I mean, honestly, it seems kinda clear that it most certainly does not. So why the hell am I doing it all the time?

I once again snapped back to the intersection. An autobus drove by. Another 10 minutes gone.

There are people on that autobus. People living their own lives with their own thoughts and fears and wants. To them, I’m no one. I’m probably a person they’ll never meet. To them, I don’t even exist. Damn… Maybe… Just looking out the window is enough today. We’ve got three more games to go until this horrid half-a-season comes to a close. That’s something to look forward to, no? I’ll just look out this window, appreciate the afternoon sky, and meditate on the future and not knowing what it’ll bring.

The sun’s light shone through the tower’s slanted window, from it the deck was comfortably warm. I looked out at the city, all its people living their own lives, self-absorbed in their own narratives. I wondered what their stories might be, who they might meet, and what may affect those tales. But I realized that, more than anything else, I had my own story to tell… somehow.

September 30, 2036
3L Apartment Complex, Unit 318
17:49


Before I left the Tsutenkaku Tower, I made sure to drop a 100 yen coin into the box in front of the Billiken statue, and rub his toes.

“This is really the way things are meant to be, huh?” I asked it
Naturally, it provided nothing but it’s wily smile in response.
“Haha. Please give us some luck, will ya?”


I sat on my couch, grabbed my phone, ordered dinner, and popped in my headphones.

Although the future may be uncertain, and maybe full of mistakes and failures, it’s the only thing that’s definitely coming. So… I’ll be ready for it.

I’m an Azuma, after all.

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 1:09 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Posts: 11487
Location: Skaia
Favorite Team: Rangers
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2012
[eyes emoji intensifies]

this is excellent writing as usual, tweav. legitimately brought tears to my eyes

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:11 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 3, 2036

This is it. This is finally it… Our last game of this lost season. Wonder if we’ll actually make it to 55? Hah! Now that’d be something.

At least we’re guaranteed the first draft pick for next year, if nothing else. Nonetheless, we’ve got the Eagles hosting to close us out.

Osaka Foxes (55-85-4) - 21
Rakuten Golden Eagles (77-63-4) - 20

Image

2|0|4|0|0|3|5|1|5|1 21|30|2 Foxes
1|2|0|4|0|1|4|1|7|0 20|33|0 Eagles
F/10

Foxes:

Lineup:
1. Izumi - 3B (6-7, 3 2B, BB, 2 RBI [52, 53])
2. Iijima - 2B (3-8, 2B, 2 RBI [69, 70])
3. Kobayashi - SS (5-5, 2 BB, 2 2B, 2 HR [32, 33], 8 RBI [102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109])
4. Suzuki - DH (1-6, BB, 1 RBI [73])
5. Nishizawa - CF (5-7, 3 2B, 2 RBI [80, 81])
6. Imanami - C (4-6, 2 2B, SF, HR [12], 4 RBI [61, 62, 63, 64])
7. Nakamoto - 1B (2-6, BB)
8. Abe - RF (1-6, BB, 1 RBI [61])
9. Hamazaki - LF (3-7, DP, 1 RBI [22])

Pitcher(s):
Mishima (4 IP, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 K, 1 BB)
Kobayashi (2 ⅔ IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 K)
Osada (1 ⅓ IP, 1 R, 1 ER)
Yamamoto (0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER)
Fujii (2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER)

Eagles:

Lineup:
1. Hijirisawa - CF (1-6, ROE, K, DP)
- Shimauchi - PH [CF] (0-1)
2. Morimoto - RF (4-6, 2B, ROE)
- Ginji - PH [RF] (1-1, HR [2], 2 RBI [18, 19])
3. McGehee - 3B (2-7, K, 1 RBI [128])
4. Jones - 1B (4-6, BB, HR [31], 1 RBI [82])
5. Masuda - DH (5-7, 3 2B, 4 RBI [40, 41, 42, 43])
- Matsui - PR
6. Fujita - SS (5-7, 2B, 3 RBI [64, 65, 66])
7. Okajima - LF (4-7, K, 2 2B, 4 RBI [24, 25, 26, 27])
8. Shima - C (2-7, HR [7], 2 RBI [68, 69])
9. Fujita - 2B (3-5, K)
- Iwasaki - PR [2B] (1-1)
- William - PH (0-1)

Pitcher(s):
Mima (2 ⅓ IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB)
Fukuda (2 ⅔ IP, 0 R, 1 BB)
Hasabe (1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB)
Koyama (⅔ IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB)
Miyagawa (1 ⅔ IP, 6 R, 6 ER)
Saito (1 ⅔ IP, 1 R, 1 ER)

MVP:
Image
Kobayashi: Had perhaps the greatest line I’ve ever seen, going 5-5 with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 2 homeruns and an astonishing 8 RBI

WP: Fujii (9-7)
LP: Saitoh (3-4)
S: --

--

“GOOD *(censored)* LORD.” whistled out of me after Fujii finally recorded the final out of this absolutely insane and grueling game.

We all walked back into the clubhouse.

“Holy shit, boys… If we didn’t win this one, I--I don’t know what I would’ve done. Like, honestly, good god. Good win, I suppose, but seriously don’t do this to me.”

This game featured a staggeringly low, considering the score, 4 lead changes and an amazing 41 combined runs scored on 63 (63!) hits. It all started to look a bit grim in the second inning, when our notably average fielding shortstop, Tomochika Kobayashi, let two groundballs slip right in between his legs and two runs would score for the Eagles, giving them their initial lead.

Kobayashi immediately made up for this in the next frame by hitting an absolute monster 2-run homerun to give us the lead once again.

The Eagles would go on to take the lead back, but with the bases loaded, Suzuki (of all people) walked to tie the game. Nishizawa then did his thing with a single down the line to once again, bringing the lead back to us.

And then all was good, right? We piled on the runs and managed to fly into the 9th with a tremendous 7 run lead. But… the bullpen pulled one of its usual disappearing acts.Yamamoto had a shameful outing, not even recording an out and letting up 6 runs. Fujii would come in and let up the tying run, sending the game to extras.

In the 10th, there was a miracle: Izumi blooped a single to center with one out to give us a lead and making the score an insane 21-20.

Fujii somehow managed to shut the door in the bottom half, and that was that. The highest scoring game in NPB history was over.


“This was kind of an amazing game. Almost a microcosm of our entire season so far, no?” I looked around the clubhouse, and for the first time, everyone (Even Suzuki!) was there, “An amazing offensive performance, a… uh… ‘interesting’ showing by the bullpen, and somehow, someway, a win. We may have only won almost like ⅖ of our games this year, but goddamn… some of the ones I was here for were exciting, haha!”

I stood up.

“This half a year, I’m going to be honest with you all, did not go as I had planned or even as I had hoped. We faced a lot of adversity, and wound up with the worst record in the league for it. There were times when I didn’t know what to do--what I could even do--and I wanted to leave. I know that may sound selfish, and I’m sorry that that’s how I felt. You guys didn’t deserve that… didn’t deserve me not giving it my best, and I’m sorry.” I sighed, “I’m sure this wasn’t what you guys wanted either, right? A last place finish like 40 games out of first place. But hell, we took that last *(censored)* game from the jaws of defeat, and that’s something that we can be proud of!”

There was a chorus of “yea!”s in response. A small one, sure, but one nonetheless.

“This last game, these final feelings, these are things we’ve gotta bring forward into 2037. We’ve got a chance to be something special… I can feel it in my bones. There is a surprising amount of promise on this team and there is sure a boatload of potential. Once we put it all together--once we get our goddamn act together, we’ll be right up there with the best. Put your faith in me, boys, and put your faith in yourselves. We can do this. The Foxes will be losers no more, count on that.

Now go home, get some rest, enjoy your winter, and come back with a fire that won’t go out. Bring it in.”

I put my hand out hoping, praying, that others would join in.

God, I hope at least a little bit of that got through to them…

It was slow, but a trickle of players came to join me. First Kobayashi, Izumi not too far behind. Then Asao and Fujii… More and more joined in.

“Alright.

Osakaaaaa Foxeeessssss!”

--

Also, goddamn, Kobayashi was named Player of the Month for September, batting .397 with 7 homeruns and 36 RBI… Pretty damn strong finish to the year.

Image

--

AgentP wrote:
[eyes emoji intensifies]

this is excellent writing as usual, tweav. legitimately brought tears to my eyes

holy shit, tysm! That really means a lot c':

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:45 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:29 pm
Posts: 11487
Location: Skaia
Favorite Team: Rangers
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2012
GOOD GOD that score.......

#1 in the draft and #1 in my heart <3

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NAPOLI FOR MVP

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post count doesn't matter

BrewersFuzz wrote:
PEDs wrote:
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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:33 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 4, 2036
3L Apartment Complex, Unit 318, Kobe (Azuma Residence)
9:01


“...of the Month, Tomochika Kobayashi will take honors, batting an amazing .397 during September. He also hit 7 homeruns and racked up 36 RBI. There are some calling for him to take home the MVP this year, but…”
“He’s definitely not playing for a contender.”
“Haha, certainly not. The Foxes ended up finishing dead last this year, 41.5 games out of first place in the Pacific Lea--”

I switched off of Nippon Sports Now! and onto the much more relaxing Yakuza Wives show that has been a guilty pleasure of Yuki’s for a couple years now.

A gorgeous woman in her 30s named Kiyomi, was talking to her husband (maybe??) about… their daughter. And how afraid she was that she would be growing up in a dangerous environm--holy shit, she really looks like Tsuzumi…

Her husband, faced blurred, was, predictably, not receptive of her fears and dismissed her. She didn’t take too kindly to his dismissal and insi--wow, she really does look like Tsuzumi though, huh?


“...She really does look a lot like Tsuzumi. She’s absolutely stunning, though.” My thoughts broke out of my head, “...hunh.”

I found myself staring at the screen, at this woman with her dark brown, wavy bob haircut and vibrant brown eyes, arguing with a literal member of the literal yakuza and I was completely enamored.

I shook my head.

“Wha…?”

I shook it again, eyes closed.

“What the hell am I thinking about?”

I went into my bedroom and grabbed my bag.

I popped open my laptop and opened up my season’s Google Sheet to look at some of the year’s final stats.

---

Fielders:

Name, Average, HR, RBI, OPS, Games Played [144 games/season]
Taiji Izumi, .303, 5 HR, 53 RBI, .733 OPS, 143 games

Tabito Iijima, .277, 12 HR, 70 RBI, .679 OPS, 139 games

Tomochika Kobayashi, .336, 33 HR, 109 RBI, 1.004 OPS, 144 games [led the league in doubles w 51 [11th highest all-time]]

Tadahiko Suzuki, .236, 17 HR, 73 RBI, .691 OPS, 142 games

Masaya Nishizawa, .316, 6 HR, 81 RBI, .777 OPS, 142 games

Yoshi Imanami, .306, 12 HR, 64 RBI, .796 OPS, 139 games

Meiya Nakamoto, .283, 7 HR, 67 RBI, .665 OPS, 143 games

Kazuaki Abe, .274, 10 HR, 61 RBI, .703 OPS, 140 games

Kazuki Hamazaki, .332, 4 HR, 22 RBI, .791 OPS, 106 games

Hideki Asao, .375, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .905 OPS, 46 games

Akashi Shirasaki, .000, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .000 OPS, 7 games

Sakuya Kanno, .167, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .453 OPS, 12 games

Saita Uchimura, .310, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .700 OPS, 75 games

Yamato Hoshi, .195, 3 HR, 25 RBI, .489 OPS, 108 games

Shinpei Sato, .250, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .871 OPS, 17 games

--

pitchers up next bby

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:03 pm 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
Pitchers:

Name, ERA, IP, K, BB, WHIP, Appearances, W-L (S)

Hiromasa Mishima, 6.80 ERA, 139 IP, 109 K, 43 BB, 1.81 WHIP, 26 App, 3-11

Shousei Fujii, 5.87 ERA, 133 1/3 IP, 54 K, 31 BB, 1.66 WHIP, 27 App, 9-7

Hiroshi Kobayashi, 6.00 ERA, 120 IP, 57 K, 35 BB, 1.60 WHIP, 25 App, 2-13

Takayuki Inoh, 7.42 ERA, 108 IP, 53 K, 47 BB, 1.79 WHIP, 23 App, 3-13

Kensei Suda, 7.09 ERA, 120 2/3 IP, 57 K, 29 BB, 1.68 WHIP, 25 App, 6-8

Kouta Tanaka, 5.18 ERA, 107 2/3 IP, 45 K, 33 BB, 1.56 WHIP, 55 App, 4-5

Ryo Iwasaki, 5.52 ERA, 102 2/3 IP, 55 K, 26 BB, 1.41 WHIP, 78 App, 0-6 (1)

Itsuma Yamamoto, 5.36 ERA, 82 1/3 IP, 25 K, 28 BB, 1.66 WHIP, 78 App, 7-5 (19)

[injured for the entirety of Ryu being there with a broken leg] Kiyoshi Kagami, 2.68 ERA, 87 1/3 IP, 45 K, 32 BB, 1.28 WHIP, 15 App, 5-3

Shoji Ohhara, 3.77 ERA, 121 2/3 IP, 67 K, 28 BB, 1.31 WHIP, 78 App, 7-3 (1)

Fumito Kaga, 6.48 ERA, 90 1/3 IP, 59 K, 23 BB, 1.66 WHIP, 78 App, 6-6 (2)

Sakuma Osada, 5.74 ERA, 73 2/3 IP, 40 K, 18 BB, 1.43 WHIP, 75 App, 3-5 (9)

Our lineup was actually surprisingly solid, but it was completely undermined by perhaps the worst pitching staff across the board in NPB history. It’s a shame we didn’t have Kagami as a weapon at all in the back half, since he was by far the best pitcher on staff. Our team ERA was 5.73… Third best team batting average in the league though, at .286! (Knights led both with 2.90 and .298, respectively. As a team). Well, on to next year.

Also!

Final Standings for year:

Pacific League:

1. Kyoto Knights: 95-42-7
2. Rakuten Golden Eagles: 77-63-4, 19.5 GB
3. Chiba Lotte Marines: 72-69-3, 25.0 GB
4. Fukushima Bears: 67-73-4, 29.5 GB
5. Saitama Seibu Lions: 57-80-7, 38.0 GB
6. Osaka Foxes: 55-85-4, 41.5 GB

Central League

1. Sakai Samurai: 93-48-3
2. Yomiuri Giants: 89-52-1, 5.0 GB
3. Niigata Toki: 60-81-3, 33.0 GB
4. Chunichi Dragons: 59-80-5, 33.0 GB
5. Sendai Sakura: 59-82-3, 34.0 GB
6. Hiroshima Carp: 58-84-2, 35.5 GB

Worst record in the league baby!

--

hoowee took me three gd years, but finally done with the season lol. I've got quite a bit more planned for this bad boi, so I hope y'all'll stay tuned :eyes:

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:56 am 
Wiki Contributor
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Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 4:34 pm
Posts: 3441
Location: Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky
Favorite Team: Tigers
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: Don't Own
You know, 55-85-4 doesn't sound nearly as bad as the season seemed.

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:42 pm 
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Favorite Team: Athletics
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
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Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
You should release Suzuki he's terrible

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:07 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
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Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 22, 2036
3L Apartment Complex, Unit 318, Kobe (Azuma Residence)
9:03


-bzzbzzzbzzzbzzzzzz-



-bzzbzzzzbzzz--

…….

9:22

-bzzzzzzz--

“..nuuhnnh”

My arm heavier than a dying star, I reached over my body to slap my phone sitting on the nightstand.

-bzzbzzbzz-

“..nnuu..gh?” Not my alarm?

I forced my eyes open to look at the screen.
Oh shit
Laisei was calling me.

I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Despite my best efforts, I could only get the vague shape of “hello” out.
“Uhh… Ryu?”
“Yuh?”
“...Am I, uhhh, waking you?” Laisei responded quietly
“N-nooo. Nah, I’m gud.”
“Er, okay. Uh, well… I was just calling with a proposal. You want to come down to Blue Stadium tonight? I’ve got a seat in my suite with your name on it.”

Suddenly I was very awake.

“Huh?”
“First game of the Japan Series is tonight, and even though you’ve moved pretty far forward on your path, I would love to have you there.”
“R… really?”
“Hell yeah! It’d be a pleasure to have you there, kid.”
“Even though--”
“Yes, even though you’re with the Foxes.”
“Wouldn’t that look bad though?”
“What? No, not at all. Besides, we’ve got my man Kenichiro working the cameras tonight, I’ll let him know not to look our way.”
“... You can just do that?”
Laisei chuckled, “It’s one of my superpowers.”
“Well, I mean, how the hell could I refuse?”
“Haheyyy, that’s what I like to hear! Tsuzu’ll be thrilled.”
“Oh? Tsuzumi will be there?”
“Yeah, of course. You don’t think I go to all these games alone, do you? Jack might’ve been a loner most of the time, but shit, I couldn’t bear to watch the games by myself. Tsuzumi’s usually there with me. Oh! And Mayumi’s gonna be there tonight too.”
“...”

...

.
.
.

“Uh… Hello?” Laisei tapped a few buttons on his phone.
I was there, but I certainly couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t even really think.

May-chan’s going to be there… Mayumi Tominaga, the goddamn IDOL is going to… be ther… e… be there with me… Also who is going to be there, I am. I--May-chan, I’m going to meet Mayumi. HOLY SHIT.

“Y--huh? Oh sorry, musta cut out there for a second.” I managed to reply, god knows how much later.
“Hunh. Must’ve.”
“So… May-cha--uhh, Ms. Tominaga’s going to be there too?”
“I manage to drag her to a few games a year, hahaha. This one’s too big for her not to come. Hell, I think she might’ve even wanted to, which is pretty surprising.”
“Wow.”
“Uhh, yeah.”

OH MY GOD, MAYUMI’S GOING TO BE THERE. wait. that’s right. Laisei’s *(censored)* dating May-chan. Why wouldn't she be there? WAIT, that means she’s just gonna be like… casually chilling there. OH GOD… I’ve had a crush on her since… I dunno, I was 16? 17??? What the hell am I gonna do??

“Well, uh, I guess I’ll see you tonight then?” Laisei must’ve had enough of my silent contemplation.
“Oh, right, yeah. Yeah! See you guys and gals tonight.”
“Hahah! See ya, kid.”

He hung up.

“Guys and gals?” … why’d I say that?

--

detroittigers15 wrote:
You know, 55-85-4 doesn't sound nearly as bad as the season seemed.

honestly yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Still a .382 winning percentage nonetheless lol

Baseballteen9500 wrote:
You should release Suzuki he's terrible

He's pretty dang bad, but there's no one else!

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:37 am 
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Powerprosfan31 wrote:
there's no one else!


do you need someone to do some more coughs international scouting?

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NAPOLI FOR MVP

"All people are good for something. The important thing is finding what." - Tom

post count doesn't matter

BrewersFuzz wrote:
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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 12:45 am 
Power Pro Legend
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
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Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 22, 2036
Blue Stadium, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto
18:19


-beepbeep-
I tapped my door handle to lock my car in the employee lot of Blue Stadium, a place I genuinely figured I would never be again. This Wednesday’s air was cool and damp.

The Knights have their first game of the Japan Series (the equivalent to the World Series) tonight against the Yomiuri Giants. This is the first time the Knights have made the Japan Series in 7 years, which is honestly a surprisingly long time for them--seeing that they’ve made the Japan Series 8 times in their 21-year existence. Laisei’s confident in his guys, I’m sure, but he’s bound to be nervous about all this.

“Although probably not as nervous as I’m gonna be…”

I still am absolutely shocked that Mayumi Tominaga is going to be in the same place as me. She was one of the most profitable idols--or, hell, artists--in the 2020s. In fact, her biggest song, “Tripping For My Love,” is still played pretty often on pop stations and in cafes. After her idoling came to its logical end, she moved forward to becoming a news reporter, which I’m sure is a pretty banal career, comparatively.

That all aside, and more importantly, I’ve had a huge crush on her since she started out. I was always too embarrassed to actually
go to one of her concerts, since it would’ve probably been an absolute minefield of very out-of-place 20-something guys foaming at the mouth and pre-pubescent girls. ...and then me? No thanks. It seems my patience has paid off though, since now I can actually get to, like, for real meet her…

I opened up the door to the Left Field Main Office, with the small waiting room waiting for me on the other side as it always was.

“Oh, hey Ryu!” Tsuzumi was sitting in one of the darker grey chairs near the door. “Must look a bit weird with me not behind the desk, huh?”
“Heheh. I gotta say though, you do look pretty natural as a guest. Maybe not nervous enough, though.”
She snuck a laugh behind her smile, “Laisei’s pretty scary up there, eh?”
“Ohh, just the worst.” I couldn’t help but smile. “How you been?”
“Good! The last couple of months of the season are always a bit crazy, but I’ve been managing.”
“Nice.”
“Yeah… You know,” Tsuzumi stood up, “I’m happy to be seeing you again. And this time it’s only been a month!” She chuckled and said with a finger raised, “I’ve wan--”

The door swung open behind us, almost hitting me in the process.
“Whoa!” I recoiled, hit a chair, and tumbled backwards, falling straight onto my back. “nhh…”
“Oh shit!” Laisei’s voice bounced off the walls, “Sorry, kid. Lost the handle there for a second, haha!” He looked down at me, “Oh, uhh, you alright?” he asked, noticing me in a heap

I grabbed his outstretched hand, “Yeah, yeah. Just… hurt my pride is all.” I brushed myself off, took a deep breath, and looked at the doorway where Laisei was standing. Behind him, almost like a shining beacon, stood a woman, 175 cm tall, with long, flowing black hair and a concerned look on her perfectly symmetrical face carrying a brown paper bag.

Holy *(censored)* shit.

It’s May-chan.


AgentP wrote:
Powerprosfan31 wrote:
there's no one else!


do you need someone to do some more coughs international scouting?

hohoho, oh me oh my, I am always down for some international scouting ; ) altho there cooould be something coming down the pipeline ; )))) (I am still running on that JPPY 2013 grind though lmao, but seriously if you're willing, I'd love to grab some playas

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 1:15 am 
Power Pro Legend
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:29 pm
Posts: 11487
Location: Skaia
Favorite Team: Rangers
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2012
Powerprosfan31 wrote:
AgentP wrote:
Powerprosfan31 wrote:
there's no one else!


do you need someone to do some more coughs international scouting?

hohoho, oh me oh my, I am always down for some international scouting ; ) altho there cooould be something coming down the pipeline ; )))) (I am still running on that JPPY 2013 grind though lmao, but seriously if you're willing, I'd love to grab some playas


unfortunately, unless 2018 passwords are somehow compatible with 2013, i can't help you out at the moment

for future ref tho, are 2012 passwords usable in 2013? i thought i remembered that being a thing maybe (i don't have my ps3 with me rn but i may Acquire it in the future if it could help 8) )

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:26 am 
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 22, 2036
Blue Stadium, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto
18:33


“Oh my god, are you alright?” May-chan, err… Ms. Tominaga asked me.
“Wha--huh?” I couldn’t say anything.
“Uhh,” she tilted her head, “you all good?” She asked again, earnestly.
“O--ohh, haha, ye--yeah, I’m allll good. Don’t worry about me! Wow, uh, hahaha… Yeah, I’mma good, I’m good.” Holy shit, SHUT UP
Her smile illuminated the night sky peeking in through the now, slowly, shutting door, and instantly a calmness covered me like a cashmere blanket. She looked me directly in the eyes and laughed softly. “Oh, phew.”
Tsuzumi walked over to the scene and sighed, she looked unimpressed. “Yeaaahh, ol’ Ryu here’s pretty accident prone, so don’t go worrying too much about him, Mayumi.”
Mayumi chuckled again, “There’s always one, huh?”
Tsuzumi nodded. It seemed like the two of them were close.

Laisei went back outside, “Forgot my keys in the car.” he declared as he opened the door, exposing the room again to the brisk autumn air.

And there he left me. Alone with Tsuzumi and Mayumi.

After making sure I was alright, Mayumi turned her attention to Tsuzumi. I watched them talk to each other, hopefully without looking too creepy.

“So Tsuzu,” Mayumi put down the brown bag on the chair Tsuzumi was just recently sitting in, “how’s the apartment hunt going?”
Tsuzumi shook her head, “Wellllll, not too great, I have to say. Reika’s looking for some stuff closer to the park for me, but... it’s all a bit out of my, uhh, ‘comfort zone’ in terms of how much I’m willing to spend. Plus all there is around here is one bedrooms, and I dunno if Tsuyoshi’s still gonna be living with me after this year, and--ARGH it’s just all so stressful and annoying, you know?”
“Hmph, oh I absolutely know. I’m honestly shocked that Arakawa hasn’t found anything for you yet though. She’s normally pretty quick with that apartment stuff, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, usually. But, I dunno, I think my situation’s just a bit too up-in-the-air at the moment to really be properly ‘apartment hunting.’”
“I get that. Still though, that kinda sucks, huh?”
“Yeah, it really sucks.”
“I remember back when I was looking for my first apartment away from home… The agency I was with at the time really wanted me to live in some like *(censored)* hostel for a few months.”
“No shit.”
“Yes shit. It was a room with five other beds in it. I was only 14 then, so I didn’t know any better, but thankfully my mother was tooootally against the idea. It took her a, uhh, surprising amount of time to convince them that a teenage girl in the public eye shouldn’t be renting a bed to make ends meet.”
“Did they actually end up making you live there, though?”
“Yes!”
Tsuzumi shook her head, “What the hell?!”
“That’s what I was saying! I had to live there for three months, and honestly, you know… it was pretty great hahaha. I met a bunch of people who were visiting the country, some people who couldn’t afford anything else, ooh and one person, a woman in her 30s from Australia, that gave me this.” Mayumi reached into her coat pocket and pulled out what looked to be an adorable ceramic frog, a dull shade of green, and clearly well loved.
“Oooh, what a cute little guy.”
After showing Tsuzumi, she quickly put it back into her pocket. “Isn’t he? I’ve carried him ever since, and that was, god, more than 20 years ago now. She said it was for good luck and prosperity, and to tell you the truth, I’ve had both of those since he hopped into my pocket.” She smiled broadly, clearly happy thinking of the woman who gave her her little frog.
She continued, “The hostel really kinda… I dunno, blew my world? Expanded my horizons? Whichever of those cliches works best here, if either of those are actually even sayings, haha.”

Mayumi took a short breath, “But, anyways, what I’m trying to say is that these things work themselves out, even if at the time they reaaally don’t seem like they’re going to. You’ll find your home, Tsuzu, don’t worry.”
“Wow,” Tsuzumi’s face crunched, “thanks Mayumi. I… I really needed to hear that.”
“You know we’re always here for you, kiddie.”

The edges of Tsuzumi’s mouth curved up slowly, forming a beautiful smile. While her smile came into being, I couldn’t help but notice how similar their relationship was to mine and Laisei’s. Mayumi--a calming force, like Laisei, to Tsuzumi--a nervous youngblood worrying about something ultimately not worth worrying about. Wait… how old even is Tsuzumi?

The door swung back open, this time much slower.
“God, Laisei, what the hell took you so long?” Mayumi asked without even looking
“Turns out our old buddy Goro’s here, Tsuzu! I was catching up with him out in the parking lot.”
She took a few steps back, “Oh no…”
“Don’t worry, haha! I didn’t tell him you were here.”

Mayumi looked at me with an eyebrow raised.
I shrugged. I didn’t know what the hell they were talking about either.

Laisei was trying, and failing, to hold back hysterical laughter.
“Ohhhh, we should probably get upstairs now, huh? Game’s bound to start without us.”
“Right behind you, boss.” Tsuzumi quickly responded.

The three of them began the herculean climb up the two flights of stairs that lead to the Executive Suite.

I just stood there for a second, staring at Mayumi.

God… Look at her…



NONO GOD, Gross, Ryu! Act like a *(censored)* human, yeah? She’s just another person. We’ve gotta keep it cool. She’s just another person...


After regaining my composure, I trundled behind, up the stairs, to look out onto the field I had dreamed of playing on.

--

AgentP wrote:
unfortunately, unless 2018 passwords are somehow compatible with 2013, i can't help you out at the moment

for future ref tho, are 2012 passwords usable in 2013? i thought i remembered that being a thing maybe (i don't have my ps3 with me rn but i may Acquire it in the future if it could help 8) )

They sure are! altho I can't remember if 2012's success modes are any good lol

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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:45 am 
Power Pro Legend
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:29 pm
Posts: 11487
Location: Skaia
Favorite Team: Rangers
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2012
Powerprosfan31 wrote:
AgentP wrote:
unfortunately, unless 2018 passwords are somehow compatible with 2013, i can't help you out at the moment

for future ref tho, are 2012 passwords usable in 2013? i thought i remembered that being a thing maybe (i don't have my ps3 with me rn but i may Acquire it in the future if it could help 8) )

They sure are! altho I can't remember if 2012's success modes are any good lol


OH that's siiiiick I may be able to help out if I ever get access to my PS3 again lmao

Uhhh if I remember right, it's one of the university ones, with Mantsuman, Saikyo, and ... Pawafuru

I think those are right. I always had fun with them

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NAPOLI FOR MVP

"All people are good for something. The important thing is finding what." - Tom

post count doesn't matter

BrewersFuzz wrote:
PEDs wrote:
i think we banned him cause he was an idiot
glad i never got banned for that


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 Post subject: Re: The New Knights | The Osaka Foxes
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 12:08 am 
Power Pro Legend
Power Pro Legend
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 6444
Location: Yes
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and DS
Favorite Japanese title: (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2011
October 22, 2036
Blue Stadium, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto
19:15


The off-white walls of the executive box shone bright under Blue Stadium’s lights. The suite was lavish, which I suppose made sense considering who it belonged to. There were three luxurious looking chairs, a small blue loveseat, and even a kitchenette with a 2-seat bar in a corner in the back of it. There was also a woman, probably in her mid-50s, waiting inside.

Laisei walked up to her, “嘿,郭。 她手里拿着一些威士忌。 想要什么?” And spattered some gibberish. Is… that Chinese?
「哦,谢谢你,赖赛。 我可以带你的外套吗?」 She responded.
“当然。 谢谢。” He took off his coat and handed it to her. He turned to the rest of us, “She’s gonna take our coats.”
I looked at him blankly.
“What?” He asked with a grin, “I told you I was like an eighth Chinese.”

Mayumi put down the brown bag she was, once again, carrying and took off her gorgeous black, knee-length trench coat. I took a peak at the tag and, naturally, it was Burberry. A coat that could easily run ¥250,000. Absolutely no surprise there… She handed the jacket to the woman, who closed her eyes and bowed her head as she took it.

I took off my, comparatively, paltry bomber jacket and handed it to the woman as well. The pile of our four coats were now just about at her nose. She nonetheless, closed her eyes and bowed her head when I gave her the coat, I did the same in return.

She hurried out of the room.

Laisei took a seat in one of the chairs closest to the windows. An “Ahhhh.” escaped him as he sat down. Mayumi put the bag she was carrying down on the bar, took out a bottle with what looked like whiskey in it and effortlessly clunked it down on the counter. With hands both deft and gentle, she took out two glasses, placed two ice cubes in each, and poured some of the golden brown alcohol into them. She carried both cups over to where Laisei was sitting and took the chair next to him, silently, almost perfectly landing square in the middle of it. If it didn’t sound completely insane to me, I would’ve thought that it was a motion she had practiced. Tsuzumi hung back near the bar with me.

“Hellooooo, earth to Azuma.” She knocked on the side of my head.
“Ah.” It was a bit annoying, “Huh? Damn. What?”
“You’re staring.”
“...Oh shit. Have I been that obvious?” I whispered.
“Uh, yeeeah. You have.”

She walked to the back of the bar and grabbed a couple more glasses. “You want some?”
“Uhhh, what is it?”
She turned the bottle around and pointed to the label, “You can read, right?”
I wasn’t used to her being curt, “Oh. Yeah.”
It read “Hibiki 30 Years,” which meant… completely nothing to me.
“Uh… What is it though?” I asked once again.
She sighed. “Hibiki.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“Whiskey. Pretty damn good whiskey, too.” She put down the two glasses, “You want some, or no?”

Alcohol and I aren’t the… best of friends. I dunno if it would be wise to start drinking in front of May-chan. Or, hell, Laisei either. He’s seen me pretty much at my worst when it comes to drinking… That *(censored)*’ shoulder octopus…

Nonetheless though, it would probably be bad to refuse Tsuzumi here, yeah? I should just grab some. Just one glass. How bad could it be?


“Sure, I’ll take some. Yeah.”
“Ooookay.”

She took a couple ice cubes and clinked them into the glasses. Her pouring skills were lacking a bit, if I’m to be honest, especially compared to May-chan. She handed me one of the glasses and we both took a seat on the deep blue loveseat. It was strangely comfortable despite its minimalistic style.

First pitch wasn’t for another 10 minutes at least, so we had some time to kill.

I took a sip of the whiskey Tsuzumi poured me.

This is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. I could feel the warmth of this liquid gold travel its way through my body. Slowly, with only the one sip, I felt my fear and discomfort melt away. It was like I was a whole new man, experiencing something so far out of my comfort zone that I had transcended being.

“Wow.” Emerged from my mouth, “This is amazing.”
Tsuzumi took a much bigger swig than I had, “Ahhh.” The noise she made was of one seasoned in this kind of drinking, “It’d better be, one bottle of this stuff’s ¥617,000.”

Incomprehensible. I had nothing, this was the most expensive perishable I had ever been in contact with, let alone actually ingested. I had no idea how to process what Tsuzumi had just told me. Six-hundred-seventeen-thousand yen? For a bottle of booze?? That’s like a made up number.

“Mmm. What?” I managed.
“Yeeahh,” she said, a laugh hidden beneath it, “For some reason, Hibiki only ages them up to 30 years, and this is their most expensive option. Laisei tried it once at some party and he said that he ‘could never go back to anything else for the rest of time.’”
“I can understand that.”
“Yeah, honestly.”

I took another sip. And again, the same thing, the warmth touched my soul.

“Hey, Ryu.” Tsuzumi put down her glass and turned on the loveseat to face me. Her body was very close to mine. “I’ve been meaning to tell you…” She looked down at her lap, “Or, well, I just wanted to say thank you for not, I dunno, judging me after the Takenaka museum. It… It meant a lot.”
“Whoa, where’s this sincerity coming from all of a sudden?”
“Oh, shut up.” She smiled, “Seriously, thanks for just letting me talk about all of that. It felt… nice to get it off my chest.”
“Hey... of course. That’s what I’m here for! And I was serious too, I really am honored that you told… me. It’s tough to talk about your past, believe me, I get that. Especially when it’s something so… formative? It meant a lot to me too, honestly. To, you know, hear about it, heheh.”
“Hmhm.” Her laugh was soft and succinct, almost like it surprised even her.

She looked into my eyes without saying another word. Her light brown eyes began to thin as a smile soft as velvet snuck onto her face. All I could focus on was her face and my breathing, which was much more measured than I would have anticipated. She turned back towards her glass, though her smile lingered with me for a moment longer.

Hunh.

She took another sip of our night’s opulent libation.

--

AgentP wrote:
OH that's siiiiick I may be able to help out if I ever get access to my PS3 again lmao

Uhhh if I remember right, it's one of the university ones, with Mantsuman, Saikyo, and ... Pawafuru

I think those are right. I always had fun with them

yeeeet, it's pretty nice

ooh that sounds right, I'm sure they're fun lol, they always seem to be

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