Love-Hate Relationship.

01.04.22 Boston, Massachusetts

*The successful defense at the last Proving Ground episode wasn't something that would surprise Arata Asakura, or anyone else. As the Japanese man kept saying from the very beginning, that match was predetermined before the crowd even knew who the Spring Break Thriatlon's winner was. Mainly because none of the people taking part in it was at the level that was required not only by the Grand Championship, but most of all by Arata himself. Therefore, even in the moment, when two opponents appeared, instead of one, the man did not have the slightest problem with that. The most important belt at Proving Ground, remained in his possession. However, when this warm-up was over, the man had to return to more serious matters, namely to the match with Emmanuelle. But what kind of duel was it? Contrary to all the battles they fought, this time they were surprisingly on the same side. Of course, apart from what happened during Dimensional Warfare, where Arata chose her as his teammate. As it turned out later, it was not the best decision. But Emmy was always the kind of person that you never could be sure how she was going to behave. Sometimes she fawns like a cat, and a few seconds later she is ready to attack. It was this unpredictability that was a great asset that Arata intended to take advantage of. Even if he knew that this tag team match was a one-time situation, they both wanted to win. For various reasons, but there was also one that brought them together. Neither he nor she liked to lose. Therefore, in order not to have to deal with it, they could live with their annoying company.*

*Even though Arata and Emmanuelle weren't best friends, they couldn't avoid each other all the time. Sooner or later they had to talk to each other, so a few hours before the show started, they met in the corridor next to the stairs. Both of them, still dressed in their usual clothes, looked at each other coldly and without wasting time welcoming, they immediately started this business conversation. Emmanuelle was the first one to say anything.*

"I don't care if you are my partner, or anyone else. I'm going to go into the ring with my head held high and get out the same way. So you better not ruin anything."

*The blonde man just rolled his eyes, followed by the obvious irritation on his face. Then, as if nothing had happened, he added a few words from himself.*

"As long as you are more useful than my previous tag team partner, I'll be watching your back. Unless you decide to take an example of him and walk away in the middle of the match. Well, I guess I wouldn't even be surprised. Not the first time you would disappoint me, Emmy."

*Seeing the woman's reaction, it was obvious that Arata's comment had upset her. The girl's raised voice was also not a good sign.*

"How dare you compare me to that Swindle Shelldrake? Maybe our last collaboration did not end well, but that was a different situation. Human life was at stake, okay? But if we are only talking about wrestling, you can count on my professionalism and I hope you give me the same from yourself, dickhead." Emmy shook her head disapprovingly "I can't believe you've compared me to this waste of space. Though sometimes I feel like you're doing it on purpose, just to see how long I'll tolerate you."

*Arata just shrugged his shoulders, which was enough response for Emmanuelle. However, only a couple of seconds passed, before the man spoke again.*

"First of all, watch your mouth, bitch. Second, I don't put you on the same level as this jerk. I know perfectly well that you are much better than him. It doesn't change the fact that my trust in you is extremely small. But you know what? Maybe it's not that bad. Since I can remember, I've always prefered to team up with people, which I thought were my big rivals. You know...There is a reason why they say to keep your friends close, and enemies even closer. After all, no one knows you as well as someone against whom you've fought a lot of battles. Mainly because they were forced to analyze your every single move and habit. For this reason itself, sometimes I have the feeling that such a relationship is more useful than friendship when it comes to tag team wrestling. Why? You are aware of who your partner is. There are not many expectations, so you don't go through all this high school drama in case of betrayal. This is about pure professionalism. Isn't that a perfect arrangement?"

*Emmanuelle looked at him, trying to understand what he was really talking about, but Arata said nothing else. In the end, the woman decided to break the silence.*

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that this arrangement gives us an advantage over most of the tag team division, which believes that a good relationship is enough to build a decent team. This is like the biggest bullshit which I have never liked in this business. Moreover, mixing friendships with careers has never been a good solution, it is even a toxic move. I guess you've seen it enough times yourself to make sure that most of these friendships end when they don't do well. Even if these people have known each other since they were little kids. What's more, I am pretty sure it is especially frustrating for them that teams made of two individualists do better than them, and there's nothing worse than seeing strangers enjoying what you and your loved one have always wanted. However, you know yourself that life is not fair. You cannot always have everything, so you have to choose one. Friendship or glory? In our case, the answer is very clear. So if we wanted, we could even be tag team champions, Emmy. However, the only problem is, whether our love-hate relationship will be able to bear it. Let's find out tonight, and maybe in the near future, we will surprise the whole world."

*After these words, Arata started walking down the corridor without waiting for Emmanuelle's response. After all, it didn't matter to him what she thought about his speech. Arata just knew he was right about everything he said.*

30.03.22 Osaka, Japan

*One day before the flight to America, Arata spent the whole day looking after his children. It gave him a lot of joy, as he had not seen them for a pretty long time. After all, being part of the wrestling industry required him to devote a lot of time to it. Time that no money can make up for. Even so, Arata knew his dedication would help them have a better future, and that was the most important thing to him. Especially since it wasn't like he was seeing the kids twice a year. The man tried to come back whenever he had a free moment, and then spent literally every second with them. To such an extent, that he could only catch a breath from all these childish games and complaints, when they went to sleep. Even then, Arata understood the value of time. That's why, he decided to grab the camera and set it on the glass coffee table in front of the black leather couch.*

*As the shot opens, the viewer immediately notices the Grand Champion, Arata Asakura, sitting in front of the camera lens. The man looks a bit different than usual. Namely, there is not even a sign of elegant clothes on him, which had always been an important element of his wardrobe. Instead, he's wearing matching bright gray sweatpants and a black T-shirt with the adidas logo. That was something that he had quite a lot these days, because his girlfriend became the ambassador of this brand.

At first glance, you can see that it is quite late because the room is almost fully filled with darkness. In fact, the only source of light is a small lamp behind the couch. Another sign of this, is also the visible fatigue on the face of the man, who is rubbing his eyes with the fingers of one hand. Then he places his hands in the crossed arms position. Moments later, a calm, but firm tone of voice that obviously belongs to him echoes through the room.*

The relationships we have are quite different. While some are more complicated. Others are reckless and focused only on pleasing themselves. However, it is usually the first kind of those relations that we focus the most attention on. Why? Because while everyone likes to feel relaxed and have fun, the most difficult things usually bring the most benefits and I say it from my own experience. Because I have quite a lot of such relationships, which is rather not surprising. Especially considering the fact that I have a difficult personality. What's more, everyone knows that I don't like many people. Above all, many realize that I despise even more of them. Therefore, as long as I can, I simply ignore their existence, because spending more time on them would be a waste. However, there are a few such people with whom, even if I am not very friendly on a daily basis, their company could do something good for me if we both wanted to. Of course, in a purely professional context, Emmanuelle is one of them. That's why, contrary to what many say about our upcoming cooperation, I'm even happy that it is happening. Mainly, because I know exactly what kind of competitor and human Emmy is, which gives us an advantage over the rest of these experimental teams. Because that's the truth. This match is one great experiment. This is all about checking how long you can tolerate the person you don't like. The point of this is to see if your ego is more important, or maybe what matters most is the will to be victorious. However, such a thing only makes sense in the case of people who have some bad blood, but don't know each other well. Giovanni and Casonova. MYOJIN and Shelldrake. What they have in common is a temporary conflict over who should wear gold around their waist. Whereas what is between me and Emmy is something more personal, that has been going on for over a year. It is a competition that does not belong to only one place. However, that doesn't mean we hate each other to the core. All I can say is that Emmy irritates me a lot, but I never had such a strong feeling like hatred towards her. Moreover, it seems to be a similar approach on her side as well. And if only for that, that is why I have no doubts that not only will we not try to kill each other, but we will also come out victorious. Therefore, I dare to say, our longer story does not put us in a losing position. It actually makes our relationship unique and it is something everyone should be absolutely afraid of.

*A smile full of arrogance flashes across Arata's face. However, his expression becomes serious again, as he moves on to discussing those that he will face.*

I like to stay organized, so let's start at the very bottom. By that I mean, of course, the duo that had a little war over who would have in his possession this piece of shit...or if you prefer, we can call it the Warrior Rising Championship. Whatever. Anyway, I don't even know which of you is currently a belt holder, because for me, what is so close to your hearts, is only a spot to fill to reach a triple crown status in the future. That's why, I guess it doesn't matter which one of you I start with, so let the lucky one, acknowledged by a real champion, be Giovanni. Congratulations! I am pretty sure that this is the first time that someone that important noticed your mere existence. In the end, usually those who matter in this industry are rather interested in higher stake than just a low card belt. Something that belongs mostly to rookies or the average competitors. Unfortunately, people like you are delusional enough, that certain things go unnoticed. That's why, it seems to you that if you are in a championship picture, then you are relevant. Moreover, it feels to you that having something that practically everyone can win, gives you the right to define yourself as a prodigy. Well no. If someone like you claims to be a natural born wrestling genius, Giovanni, I don't know who the fuck I am. Legend? God? Or maybe something else on a higher level. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that being average is not a success. Telling yourself that this is enough is the first step to failure. And you know what, Giovanni? When I think about it now, I understand why you treat wrestling as an art. Because your wrestling career also is going towards failure, if you keep on sticking to this approach. I always thought artists were smarter. I always thought that such people can imagine more than an ordinary person. However, it turns out that in every social group there are those who are meant to be the greatest, but also some who pretend to be like that. And to be honest, I don't care if you act like that or not. For me, it's just sad that people have zero ambition. It is disappointing how laziness and the satisfaction with mediocrity spread like a plague. However, it's not like you can't defend yourself against it. If you care about something, bad values would never take control over you. As an artist, you should know that the author is always in charge of his work. Therefore, the hopelessly weak self-image you have created is only your fault.

*The man just shrugs his shoulders in slight contempt, then continues his speech.*

The same can be said about Casanova English. Though his case is filled with hypocrisy. What I mean? The point is, this kid wants to be an example of the fact that if you move your ass, you can mean something to the world. So why don't you do it yourself, English? Unless your current position of an edgy weird boy is the peak of your ambitions. What a great role model, no fucking joke. However, this is probably too strong statement, because you don't care about being admired by people, or at least that's what you are trying to act like. Though, I personally feel that you care more about what people say, than you can actually admit. That is why, you can't make up your mind about who you actually are. You try to fucking please eberyone, which is impossible. Once you say you want equality for everyone. Other times, that you are only interested in inflicting pain on others. Where's the point in all this? I know most of you hear the word 'logic' for the first time in your life, but you can't possibly be that stupid. You can't be so desperate to pretend to be a bad boy and a good guy at the same time. Not only are you wasting your time doing this to please all these people, but also you are making yourself look like a fool, because to me you are nothing more than a joke. So let me tell you something. What these people think of you doesn't matter. if you are good enough, they may hate you and they will come to watch you anyway. I am a perfect example of this. Most of them can't stand me. Others would even wish I was dead. However, no one can deny that I am the absolute best in the industry. You can't say the same about yourself, kid. It is really time to grow up. It is not a playground, it is a battlefield. The sooner you understand it, the better for you.

*The man runs his fingers through the strands of blonde hair. Before moving on, he takes a deep breath. When he speaks again, the satisfaction can be heard in the tone of his voice.*

Karma's a bitch and people still don't fear it. What usually comes with it is not the feeling of guilt or realizing that they might have acted differently. People like Swindle Shelldrake have a grudge against being punished for being absolute dickhead. Don't you think it's kind of childish to be pissed off for something you deserve? Especially since you seemed to be enjoying yourself quite well, when you decided to sabotage me. As you can see, it is not a pleasant feeling. Although, can we even call what I did a sabotage? Don't get me wrong, I don't care about your feelings for me. However, you attacked me during the match and left me. How was that clever? Did you really think that if you did something like that to the champion, then people would be interested in you? Or maybe you thought that you would push yourself into a championship match with me in this way? Welp, no. All you deserved was a fucking lesson. Because for me, this is a disgusting and stupid behavior that I had no intention of ignoring. Perhaps you felt confident, because I didn't confront you immediately, Swindle. However, I neither forget nor forgive. You could even say I'm a bit vindictive. The thing is, I'm not going to tolerate an attempt to humiliate me by such a piece of shit like you. You are literally no one in comparison to me, so I had to remind you where you belong. However, I didn't think it would be that easy, that I don't even have to do anything. My presence itself was enough for you to lose the match on your own. So I hope you can see the difference. I got fucked over by you. While you lost by your own fault, just because I decided to watch the match of my homie, MYOJIN, up close.

Since I mentioned MYOJIN, let me clarify that I'm not going to talk much about him. Perhaps Project Honor Universe is not that aware, but we know each other much better than everyone seems to realize. Besides, they not only have that superstar appearance as opposed to their tag team partner. It is not my habit to speak badly about my people. So it's nothing personal, MYOJIN. Let the better one win, but I can already tell you that it will be Emmy and I.

*After he has already mentioned all the participants in this match, Arata begins to head towards the end of his speech.*

For some, this match is a showcase in front of competitors from a higher level. For others, it's a chance for a little revenge. While for me it is nothing more than making a statement about what tag team wrestling is. For me, this is a chance to show everyone that professionalism and skill set are what create a real team, and not relationships that can fall apart in the blink of an eye. Emmanuelle and I will give you an example of this next Friday. And who knows what will happen after that. Perhaps we will move in different directions. Or maybe the most shocking tag team will be created. Anyway, I'm a master at doing the unexpected. So you have to be ready for everything.