Ohtori Choutarou

[Crack Week] Mission Log #327

2005-10-05T17:03:37Z

I've decided that it's best to work my way up; I have to get used to working solo, to being on my own. No backup. I'll prove my worth.

Tonight I rescued a young woman alone from the advances of a boorish hoodlum. Small fry, perhaps, but to her I'm sure it meant the world. The fight must begin somewhere.

She was in costume -- but she said she was fighting a different war than the one I fight on the streets.

Not a war against crime. She didn't exactly explain what it is that she was fighting against -- I didn't ask. She was distracting me. I wonder, now, if she was trying to hide something. Should have thought of that at the time.

I don't think she quite understands how risky the streets are. I tried to impress upon her how dangerous it can be -- that there are real criminals who won't hesitate to prey on a woman who dresses like that -- but I'm not sure she was paying attention.

I'm not sure I was paying attention.

I need to act more professional. There's no reason I should have been so distracted by her clothing.

Her voice.

Her--

The Scud is a professional superhero.

Time to get some sleep; only two hours before I have to get up and go to class. I hope the espresso machine in the dorm lounge is working; I'm going to need the caffeine.

If she hadn't been wearing gloves, I could have lifted her fingerprints off of my costume... Why didn't I at least ask for her codename?

[Crack Week] Superheroes can't just ... /retire/.

2005-10-04T15:57:37Z

He's getting too old, he says.

You're too young, there's too much risk, he says.

You have too much to live for, he says.

Try being a normal teenager. Go out, fall in love, get good grades. Go to college. Grow up and raise a family. Live a good life. Go into the family business, be a lawyer like your dad. Continue your fight for justice that way.

Yeah. Just like good ole' dad.

I don’t think so.

There's a reason I took up the cause! There's a reason I put on the costume, took up my weapons! This isn't a part-time thing, an after-school job that I can just quit! This isn't a hobby! Who's going to track them down if we retire? Who's going to bring them to justice? Who's going to keep the streets safe?

So I had a close brush with death!

So I almost died!

So I got lucky!

So what?!?!

I'm not going to turn tail and run away from danger with my cape between my legs!

So the Silver Pair's over. So I'm not welcome back in the secret HQ. So he took away my costume and the latest gadgets.

So what?!

Does he really think I'm that unprofessional and unprepared, that I wouldn't have stocked away extra stuff, that I wouldn't have secured my own ride, that I wouldn't have prepared spare costumes, that I wouldn't have made sure I had other alternatives just in case the unthinkable happened and he died?

I can fight crime on a budget.

This may be the end of the Silver Pair -- but the Scud will continue to fight the good fight.

I'll never put down the mask.

hyouteilion @ 2005-10-01T21:02:00

2005-10-02T20:04:04Z

I'm sure I told you several times earlier, but why not again?

Happy Birthday, Saeki-san.

[ Private: I've got to do that again. I wonder if I could talk Shishido-san into going? Hanae-chan would for sure. Somehow I doubt Hiyoshi would be willing to come along... I'll never forget the look on his face when Saeki-san did that. ]

Because we are Hyoutei.

2005-09-23T16:54:49Z

Today we play Seigaku again.

This time, we'll win.

hyouteilion @ 2005-08-14T09:55:00

2005-08-14T16:55:51Z

Last night could have gone better.

Then again, it could have gone much worse.

Overall, I think I'll consider the operation a success.

...a party?

2005-08-04T14:21:01Z

[ Private: What does he mean, I'm being annoying? I've been doing my best to not be annoying!

He won't even tell me what I'm doing that's annoying! Just telling me that out of the blue during practice...

He thinks I'm being annoying? I'll show him annoying, then! ]

[ Fuji-san: I've just received an invitation from the Tennis Rotary about some sort of party -- seems they're up to no good again. Give me a call, all right? I have an idea, if you're interested... ]

I admit nothing.

2005-07-27T19:20:34Z

Found taped to the Hyoutei Boys Tennis Club's door:

'Tis noon-day and the Hyoutei boys
   Do sweat and practice on the courts:
All tired are the regulars
   And the freshmen out of sorts.

"Beware your buchou," Taki cries!
   "His eyes see all, his ears shall hear--
Beware his furious reprimands
   Or your dire fate draws near!"

He takes his racket well in hand:
   Long time the weary foes he's fought--
Now resting he at our coach's knee
   He watches those he's taught.

And as in idle sport they play
   The Hiyoshi, with eyes of flame,
Comes hurtling 'cross concrete and clay
   To catch them at their shame!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
   The vorpal racket goes snick-snack!
They'll wish they're dead, and hang their heads
   As glowering he moves back.

"Back to your drills, back to your lines,
   Get back to work," Hiyoshi snaps!
"I won't repeat, get on your feet--
   Or run a hundred laps!"

'Tis noon-day and the Hyoutei boys
   Do sweat and practice on the courts:
All tired are the regulars
   And the freshmen out of sorts.

[ Private:
One, two! One, two! And through and through
   The vorpal racket goes snick-snack!

Really, I need to teach Hiyoshi to lighten up.

Carroll-san would probably forgive me. ^ ^ ]

((OOC: Please ignore the lack of correct sentence structure and poetic forms; Ohtori thinks bad poetry is more fun anyway.))

hyouteilion @ 2005-07-19T11:08:00

2005-07-20T09:10:17Z

[ Private: Hiyoshi won't mind too much if I skip afternoon practice today, right? ]

Ah-ha, silent treatment again for me. ^ ^

2005-07-11T16:05:01Z

Was that really worth the practices you are probably going to be pulling now, Ohtori?

Oh yes. It was.

hyouteilion @ 2005-07-08T15:41:00

2005-07-08T22:43:50Z

[ Private: At least Hiyoshi has stopped with the practices from hell. I think he enjoys it.

We'll see how he enjoys a bit of friendly vengeance, then! ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-07-02T08:32:00

2005-07-02T15:37:49Z

[ Shishido-san: Have you found out who was distributing that videotape yet? It really is starting to bother Hiyoshi, all of the mushroom stuff, and it's not showing any signs of stopping. ]

[ Private: I think Hiyoshi is ready to explode. He's holding it in, but he really isn't happy about all of the teasing and joking going on. I admit to being part of it at first, but he's right, it has to stop. It's only a couple more days until the confirmation ceremony to officially make him Buchou; teasing is all right, but it's starting to be get too disrespectful.

I'll have to talk to Masaharu-kun and find out if he's gotten any leads on the source of the video yet as well. It's got to be one of the kids from the theater group. ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-06-25T12:18:00

2005-06-25T19:29:23Z

I wonder if my dormmates really think I'm unaware of what a G-string is. I didn't think the first time I explained, true, but everyone who's ever played a stringed instrument has heard that old joke before. Yes, ha ha, my G string snapped. Very, very funny.

I'd like to know how it snapped, though. I replaced the entire set just a few months ago, and I've never had a lower string go out on me before the higher ones before now.

If it hadn't happened during juries, I wouldn't have cared so much. I had to borrow Nishimura-kun's instrument to finish out the performance. I'm certain I didn't score well. I just can't play someone else's instrument.

I'd also like whomever it is that keeps leaving girls' underwear on our door to stop now. I find it a little bit funny now that I've stopped being embarrassed by it, but it's starting to irritate Hiyoshi.

[ Private: ...Hiyoshi and I are getting along again now, I think. Maybe. Then again, maybe not. ]

Maa, bored.

2005-06-13T06:48:04Z

[ Private: I haven't gone out in a while to do anything interesting.

Understatement! Not since that disaster in February, anyway. It's about time I got to doing something.

I'll be more careful this time. No more buildings.

Let's see what they're doing this weekend, hm? ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-05-25T13:09:00

2005-05-25T20:13:33Z

[ Private: It's strange that I don't make public posts anymore. I used to write a lot more than I do now. A lot's happened, though.

I'll be glad when graduation is over and the new school year starts. There's so much to be done. Things will be very different with the seniors gone.

I'll do my best to support Hiyoshi. I still haven't made the decision for singles versus doubles yet; I need to talk to him first and see what he thinks the team will need.

I think it will be better to start off with a strong doubles base.

Shishido-san hasn't said anything to me about what will be happening after graduation.

But that's no longer any of my business. ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-05-22T20:19:00

2005-05-23T03:28:16Z

[ Private: I'd like to know who is responsible for this. I'd like to give them a good fist to the jaw.

Violence never solves anything, and I'm not the fighting sort. I'll just have to deal with it in another way.

Things are moving more quickly, now.

It seems like all my time is taken up with preparations and practice. Rehearsals, performanaces. Another reason not to like the end of the year, I guess.

I need to write more. Maybe when things settle down. Maybe there will be more things to write about than 'I went to school. I went to practice. I came back to my dorm room and studied. I played tennis.'

But then again, it's nice not spending a lot of time thinking about unnnecessary things. ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-05-08T09:22:00

2005-05-08T16:24:30Z

[ Private: It's been a long time. I've been pretty busy for the past month. That's the best way to keep things.

No time for thinking. Just do. ]

Still holding on; things are looking up.

2005-04-04T08:18:00Z

[ Private: Well, the message has been left, at least. I hope that Saeki-san's mother passes it along to him. I should get his number myself; there's no excuse. I should have taken the opportunity Friday. I'm sure Fuji-san will give it to me if I ask.

I'll try again tomorrow evening if he does not call back; Father's quite correct in that this cannot be postponed any longer. I've been lucky enough that the meeting with Nishimura-san went well. It's not often that I've felt intimidated and grateful at the same time. It will take a long time to work off those hours, though.

Neechan was surprisingly patient with me this weekend.

I wonder if Hiyoshi will return to the dorms soon. ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-04-02T20:04:00

2005-04-03T04:09:26Z

[ Private: Well. That's that.

He can't disregard me any longer. I've made my point.

Now -- I guess it's time to start rebuilding. Or trying to. ]

[ Note to self: Somehow, I'm relieved.

04/01
Hiyoshi def. Ohtori, 7-6 ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-04-01T11:59:00

2005-04-01T20:00:36Z

[ Private: Just a few more hours, and then we'll know.

Hiyoshi had better be ready.

I won't back down. ]

Pull it all together, make it all make sense.

2005-03-17T16:58:23Z

[ Private: An hour to kill before morning practice, and I'm showered and dressed and have no more homework to take care of. I could be doing something productive with this time. I should go out jogging. I don't want to. I'm calmer now than I was last night. I thought about calling someone but I can't let myself get into that habit when I lose. I imposed on Fuji-san enough after the loss to Jirou-senpai.

Hyoutei doesn't lose.

I've let myself become spoiled by being a strong doubles player. I know that now. I depended too much on Shishido-san and concentrated too much on my doubles play. I can hold my own against most in singles, but my losses to Jirou-senpai and Oshitari-senpai make the places where I've slacked glaringly obvious. Losing has been good for me. I should tell myself that more often. Losing is good for me. Cuts me down to size and shows me what I need to work on. It makes sense in my head.

All I want to do is hit something.

I'm calmer than this. I'm better than this. I don't get this easily frustrated, I don't lose it like this. I came so close to hitting Kashiwa when he told me I was losing my edge. I had to force myself to put down my fist. I don't fight. I haven't needed to fight in a long time, there's no excuse for this. I should not be this dependent on someone else to calm me down and direct me. I have more control than this. No wonder Hiyoshi thinks so little of me as a singles player.

I'm letting too many things affect my game. I thought confronting Hiyoshi would help -- and it has, but it's also caused problems. He doesn't talk to me now; it's like we never were friends, and I hate that. I knew this would happen, but I don't like it, dammit.

I need to look at things calmly and objectively. It was more my own fault that I lost than Oshitari-senpai's fault. ~~I have to face the things affecting the way I am playing. I have to~~

I'm getting better physically. The rest between the match with Jirou-senpai and Oshitari-senpai helped, as well as Suzuki-sensei's advice. The bruised ribs are still affecting me, and I need to watch them more, but it's not as bad as it was when I played against Jirou-senpai. I have to be a hundred percent by the demonstration match, and if that means forcing myself not to go to the absolute limit so that I can avoid injury, so be it. If I injure myself in these practice matches, I won't be able to play Hiyoshi equally in the demonstration.

~~I just have to last that long. Just a couple more weeks. If I can make it until the demonstration, I'll tell Suzuki-sensei about~~

I will play him equally. I'll prove that I'm not just a doubles player, and that he's wrong, and then I will figure out how to be friends with him again.

Win or lose. ]

((OOC: ~~Strikeouts~~ are deleted.))

If you were looking to destroy a friendship, you've done a good job of it.

2005-03-08T05:05:04Z

[ Private: Well done, Choutarou. I must say that went even better than anticipated.

Sarcasm is not really my forte. ]

I'm much more tired than I should be.

2005-03-05T21:01:40Z

That was a great match yesterday, Jirou-senpai! I learned a lot.

[ Private: Well. Good going, Choutarou, getting your ass kicked with half the club watching. Since Shishido-san isn't around to say it to me, I might as well say it to myself, right?

I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready at all. My side aches and my head hurts and I wasn't ready. I can't afford to waste any more time, but I can't rush this, either.

Jirou-senpai manipulated me on the court, and I overstretched myself. I knew I would lose, but I never thought it would be that bad.

Ice and I have become great friends recently.

It's funny that my wrist didn't bother me at all while playing. ]

[ Fuji-san: Thank you for last night. I've thought about things, and I believe I've made my decision at last. ]

[ Note to self: Visit Suzuki-sensei after practice.

03/04
Akutagawa def. Ohtori, 6-3 ]

Fitting for a suit with tails; do you dress left or right, sir?

2005-02-27T20:08:27Z

[ Private: I shouldn't have come home for the weekend. I should have known Neechan would want to make me play dress-up and go to Harajuku.

I don't get this Elegant Gothic ... thing.

That's not me in the mirror; it's a good thing I'm not expected to talk or do anything but pretend to be aloof and dramatic and let her hang on my arm.

--I don't like getting my photograph taken like this.

I don't think I look particularly sexy in it, either; she's got to be lying about that.

~~There's just something wrong with my older sister saying I look sexy with her dressed up in this stuff.~~

I'm so glad I've never run into anyone from school like this. ]

((OOC: ~~Strikeouts~~ are deleted.))

hyouteilion @ 2005-02-16T19:17:00

2005-02-17T03:17:13Z

[ Hiyoshi only: Did you move my picture? ]

hyouteilion @ 2005-02-10T18:27:00

2005-02-11T02:30:26Z

I'm home.

I'll be returning to school on Monday.