Kyoto Knights | The Knights of Nippon!

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:38 pm

Yeah, there were some really bad ones when searching "compound wrist fracture"...

And, good! I figured I needed to flesh out Jack, since I never did so before.

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:18 am

May 31, 2006

5:41 AM

It's been 19 days since my injury. In other words, it's been 19 sleepless nights since my injury. The combination of horrible pain, which is barely contained by the painkillers I was given, and the fact that I'll never be able to play baseball again. Well, at least not in the conceivable future.
I feel as if all I'm doing is going through the motions, like I'm not really controlling myself.
Everything is a blur. I can't focus. I can't think! I can't do anything...

I'm just lying here in my bed, listening to Dan's awful snoring. Staring at the ceiling. That's all I've been doing for the past 2 days. I skipped class. And I'm damn close to flunking out of computer science. But who cares?
I have nothing to live for, really. Hell, what does anyone have to live for? In the grand scheme of things, nothing anyone here does will matter. Time is infinite. This small window, ultimately, doesn't matter to the future. Eventually, people are just going to flat out forget of the existence of people who're significant currently. I mean, some people don't even know what the Holocaust was! How is that possible?! How?!

People outside of the ones that I've directly met don't even know who I am, let alone my name. I'm not going to make a name for myself. Not without baseball, at least. I mean. What can I even do? I'm not that great at anything. Baseball was my best shot at becoming someone that people will remember in the future, albeit for a limited time.

That's all I've wanted. That's all I've wanted since that day 11 years ago. The day when the Braves won the World Series and I decided that I was going to be a pro ballplayer. I wanted to become something. I wanted to make a difference in the world. I just wanted people to remember my name for years to come.

It's really quite embarrassing, but I've thought about just ending it all on more than one occasion in this short 19 day span. I've thought about death, and how it really is the beginning of something new. It's the best possible gift to be bestowed to someone. It allows them eternal peace. And, depending on your beliefs, eternal bliss. I've always wondered what death was like, really. Is it just everything going dark, and me just disappearing? Do I turn into a ghost, cursed to roam the Earth with no one to speak with, only being able to observe for all time? Do I go to Heaven, or Hell, and live there? What happens? It's the one question that is truly unanswerable. Since people who die are, well, dead. Though, a friend of my mother once said to her (since he had a heart attack, and was dead for a few minutes) that "dying is the easiest thing you'll do."

It makes me think, you know?

Why am I alive? Why did this happen to me?

Why did my way of life have to be abruptly ended by a freak injury?

Why?

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:59 am

So. Dramatic.

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:09 am

WHY? WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DO THIS TO JACK? WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?

I'm almost in tears.

Paul McCartney15 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:30 am

philliesfan134 wrote:

WHY? WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DO THIS TO JACK? WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?

I'm almost in tears.

Maybe you're getting a bit to into the story.

That post was quite depressing.

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:32 pm

philliesfan134 wrote:

WHY? WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DO THIS TO JACK? WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?

I'm almost in tears.

I appreciate your enthusiasm!

heehee

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:12 pm

June 2, 2006

6:29 AM

"Come on man, is it really worth it?! Think about it! There's much more to life than baseball!"
"I... No. There isn't."
I kicked the chair I was standing on back.

6:30 AM

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

I awoke with a huff to both the sound of my alarm, and the shock of the dream I just had.
Dan was, as usual, awake and looking in my general direction. He really scares me.
"Weird dream, eh, Jackie?" He said
"...Nah. Just startled by my alarm is all..."
"Alright, whatever. I had this awesome dream, kehhhhehehe. There was this girl, and we-"
"NOPE, DON'T CARE DAN."
"Alright, your loss. Kehhheehehe"

I got out of bed, put on some pants that my mother sent me. I couldn't find a shirt, so I just wore the one that I wore yesterday. "Whatever. Nobody'll notice." I thought to myself to rationalize it.
It really sucks having a class at 7:30 in the morning. Especially since it's a class I don't particularly care for, computer science.

7:31 AM

I walked into class, all of 1 minute late, to see no computers. Apparently there was a new student, and the already filled class just got one more member to push it over the threshold.
"Mr. Allen, I see your late." My teacher, Mr. Whitman said
"Yeah... Real late." I answered, very annoyed
"Anyways, as you can see there aren't any computers left."
"Well, shoot, what am I to do?"
"Observe with anyone of your choosing, Mr. Allen. With your wrist as it is, you wouldn't have been able to do anything anyways."
"Oh, uh, alright."

I quickly scanned the class to see that all eyes were on me.
I, of course, knew no one in this class.
Well, I did know one person, Allen Jackson. But he was a real asshat.
I noticed someone was motioning for me to come over to them.
Since it was my only option, I complied.

I walked over to where they were sitting and saw that he had a small Japanese flag on his bag. He was Japanese, so I paid no mind to it.
"Kevin Matsumoto, nice to meet you 'Mr. Allen'." he said as he was motioning for a handshake
We handshook. And then I proceeded to watch him work magic on his computer for 90 minutes.
We didn't speak at all during the class, since he was so engrossed in his work.
Once class was over, though, he asked me a question. "Why are you in this class, Mr. Allen?"
"Well... Jeez... I dunno. I'm not too big with computers, and I'm not the biggest fan of science."
"I can tell. Listen, you're depressed aren't you? About... Hm... About your wrist. Why?"
I was taken aback. I hadn't said a word to him, and he knew about my depression. He even knew why. Which, I suppose, is fairly obvious if you know me. But I've never even seen this kid.
"... I'm... I'm not depressed."
"Really now? Come on, man. Tell me what's up. It's good to talk to people."
"... I suppose. I've been playing baseball almost all my life. And, not to sound arrogant, but, I was pretty damn good. On May 12, while diving to make a catch, I fractured my wrist and broke my elbow."
"And why does that make you depressed?"
"Well... I guess it's because baseball was my life. I had planned on going on to the pros, which was totally possible."
"Hm... I see. Mr. Allen, why don't you come by my dorm later today, after your classes. I think that I have something that will cheer you up."

I went to the rest of my classes for the day, continually thinking about what Kevin said.

4:50 PM

I walked into the building where Kevin's dorm was. Which was the same one as mine.
I walked into his dorm, which was 2 doors down from mine.
How had I not noticed this kid before?

I knocked, three times, before he came to the door.
He opened it, and he was in a suit and tie.
"W-why are you dressed like that, Kevin?"
"Haha, I'm a big fan of suits. And, my mother always used to tell me 'look your best when meeting someone new!'"
"Oh. Um. Okay. So, what was it that you thought could help me?"
"Have a seat in this chair here, I'll be right back."
"Uh, okay."
I had a seat in that chair right there.

detroittigers15 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:13 pm

Freaking Dan.

Paul McCartney15 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 12:48 am

I am in love with this Dan Daniels character.

I WANT A STORY ARC WHERE JACK GETS THE FLU AND DAN TAKES OVER THE KNIGHTS FOR A WHILE, DAMMIT!

That would be beyond kick ass.

Like, seriously.

As for the whole sitting in the dorm room chair thing.

My dirty mind is telling me one thing will happen. My other mind is telling me the normal thing will happen.

Both scenarios pretty much turn out the same here.

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:08 am

June 2, 2006

4:53 PM

Kevin came back in with a tray and two cups on it. They were steaming.
"My mother always gave me tea when I was tense. You would be surprised how well it works, Jack." Kevin explained as he handed me a cup
"Tea, eh? Well... I've never really been a fan of it, but I suppose I can't just leave it here, now can I?"
Kevin took a sip of his, sat down in a chair across from mine, and crossed his legs.
"Give it a try, Jack. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
"Alright."
I prayed to myself it wasn't poisoned or anything, and took a sip.
By God, this is the best damn drink I've ever had.
"Damn, Kevin, what is this?"
"Haha, secret family recipe. My grandmother would roll in her grave if I ever told anyone."
I suppose I'm not to know.
"Anyways, Jack," Kevin put down his tea "let's talk about your depression, shall we?"
"...Uh... Okay..."
"Jack. You've already told me about baseball. But, can't you just go back to it?"
"Well, no. No, I can't. Not with these injuries. No."
"I'm really sorry to hear that." He leaned back in his chair "But, why does that matter so much to you?"
"I already told you! Baseball was my life! I've got noth-"
"And it still can be your life."
"W-what?"
"You can take a managerial position. Hell, you go become a GM if you want! You seem to be intelligent, Jack. And, with your injuries, it's obvious that you always give it 100% effort. I think that you would be suited well to being put in a managing role."
"Manager, huh? Wait, no. No! I don't want to be a manage! All I've ever wanted to do was play baseball!"
"Why's that, Jack?"
"H-huh?"
"Why did you want to play baseball as a profession?"
"I guess because... Well, because I love the game."
"Passion goes a long way in an office, my friend."
"I don't want to be in an office!"
"That's true now, but, who's to say it'll be in the future. I'm simply throwing out idea, Jack. Remember, you are who you make yourself to be, nothing more, nothing less."
I am who I make myself to be...? I suppose he's right.

We talked for a little while longer, I had about 7 more cups of tea, and then I was made the long, 10 yard walk back to my dorm.
Dan was at his desk when I walked in. He was looking at something animated... Something that was very bad, and was animated...
I opened my mouth to ask what he was looking at, but I didn't feel like opening that can of worms.
"Keehhhhhehehehhhhhhhh"
*shudder*

12:11 AM

I laid down in my bed, and for the first time since my injury, my mind wasn't racing.
I suppose what Kevin said, and that amazing tea, really hit me.

"I am who I make myself to be."

He's right. I shouldn't let this injury get to me.

I've only got the future to look forward to. No reason to continuously stare into the past.

Paul McCartney15 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:30 am

All I have to say is: Keheheheheheheh! Keheheheheheheh!

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:12 am

So, Kevin has a connection with the Knights?

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 12:36 pm

He might!

EDIT: 4,000th post!

Powerprosfan31 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:02 am

June 15, 2006

4:02 PM

Finally. It's been a tough year, with my injury and all, but I'm finally done with my freshman year in college.
In the short span of 2 weeks that I have known Kevin Matsumoto, he has quickly become one of my best friends.
Routinely, for the past 2 weeks, I've been going over to his dorm for some of his tea to calm my nerves.
The Japanese are truly amazing when it comes to natural remedies.

5:19 PM

As I just finished packing my things to head on back home, Dan came up to me.
He was holding some sort of figurine.
"Kehhhhheheheheheh, Jackie, how do you like this?" he asked me
"Uh... It's nice, Dan."
"Kehehehehehehe, that's what I thought too!"
"Uh... okay, Dan. I've, uh, got to get back to packing now..."
"Kehehehehuh? Okay."
He left.
I grabbed the last thing that needed packing, my baseball glove. I stared at it a long while before deciding that it would be best to leave it here.
"Hey, Jack, won't you miss that thing?" a voice said from the door
"What?"
"I said, 'won't you miss that thing?' regarding your glove. Your once cherished treasure."
Turns out it was Kevin, in his suit again.
"Dude, why do you always wear a suit?"
"I told you, man, I love me my suits."
"Whatever man. Here, can you grab my glove?"
He went over to my bed to get my glove, and saw Dan, undressing, in the corner.
"WHOAWHOAWHOA, Daniels, keep it PG, man." Kevin said
"Kehehehehehehhhhhhhh, just airing out, surely you understand."
(Why does Dan do this? ...Hold on... I don't have to room with Dan anymore! Huzzah!)
"Jack, why are your arms raised?" Kevin asked me, as I held my arms up in the doorway.
"Oh, uh, no reason."
"Okay. So, uh, bye bye now, Dan."
"Keheheheheeh, byeeeee."

5:36 PM

"Hm... That Dan fellow..." Kevin started
"Pretty weird dude, right?"
"No, not at all. Hm..."
Kevin put his hand on his chin, and stopped dead in his track. I continued on.
Kevin caught back up to me.
"Unaccepting mother, alcoholic abusive father, and a horribly deprived childhood. No television, no video games, all study... Yeah, that's it. Hm... Also very poor." He proclaimed
"Uh... What?"
"Oh, just 'diagnosing' Dan's childhood."
"You got all that from your brief meeting with him?!"
"What can I say, I'm nothing short of an Ace."
"Heh, I would say so."

Kevin and I walked out of the dorm, and were free of college.
I mean, only for a little while, but still.

detroittigers15 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:42 pm

Kevin Matsumoto: Ace... Therapist?

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