GYPSY
Sumisu started wandering, and eventually carried the cross of his expulsion all the way to America.
The grim spectacle of the Arizona highway pained him.
He was in the middle of nowhere and, with no chance of hitching a hike, his destination of Florida seemed to be getting further and further away.
The gray asphalt went on forever....
KRAUSER: "Now that's a surprise. Dankeschön!"
KRAUSER: "Saeba told me all about you. You really walked all the way from Arizona? Hahahaha! You're crazy, kid! It's a pleasure to meet you. Come on in."
SUMISU: "Mr. Krauser, is it really OK for a kid like me to..."
KRAUSER: "Don't even say it. Saeba, Kajiwara and Mito are like sons to me. Which makes their disciples, you, Higaki, Mizuki and Toy, my grandsons."
KRAUSER: "Someone who loves wrestling as much as you do is no stranger in my house."
KRAUSER: "So, how's everyone doing? You'll have to forgive me, the more we grow old the more we'd rather chat than fight."
KRAUSER: "... Come, get on! Watch out for Django though, he's a bit crazy."
SUMISU: "Krauser.... Saeba.... Thank you."
KRAUSER: "Listen up, Sumisu. You need to use your head, not your mouth. If you've got nothing smart to say, it's better to stay silent. Also, avoid those fancy traning machines."
KRAUSER: "They exist to make a man pretty, not to train the body of a wrestler. We must rely on the wisdom of the past, that's something that modern science cannot compete with."
KRAUSER: "'What was old is new again,' as they say. Make use of your own weight."
KRAUSER: "Think of wild animals. They stretch their muscles because they're conditioned to survive."
KRAUSER: "The human body's no different. We can use our own weight to strengthen our muscles."
KRAUSER: "Equipment doesn't matter, what matters is...... commitment."
KRAUSER: "The world of wrestling is changing. Everyone's turning their heads, trying to spot the man who'll lead the next era. And so, pretenders start to assert themselves."
KRAUSER: "Who's going to be in charge? That's the question that divides men. Why can't we just come together as one?"
KRAUSER: "A pyramid is built of many stones. Everyone needs to cooperate. But for that to happen, we need to unite under one ideal."
KRAUSER: "If we could do that, then the day will come for us to leave our pasts behind and join hands again.... It would be a time of peace and harmony."
KRAUSER: "Wrestling is a living thing. It changes and evolves with the times. You should never be satisfied with the way you are. Always try to perfect yourself."
KRAUSER: "Conceit is death. You must keep learning, exploring... the great unknown."
KRAUSER: "There could never be a wrestling textbook. There's an infinite number of differences between each athlete."
KRAUSER: "Human beings are like raindrops, each with a different shape. It's essential to approach each athlete as an individual."
KRAUSER: "You need to be mindful of your personal strengths, like your speed, flexibility, physique.... 'Work hard and you'll be saved' is what a dumb priest would tell you."
KRAUSER: "A leader must pave the path to the future. It's grueling work."
KRAUSER: "Let me teach you something practical. There's a technique I've locked away a long time ago, but it could be just right for you..."
KRAUSER: "Phaze didn't like it, he called it 'immoral'.
KRAUSER: "The opening match is the most important one. It's the overture to the main event. If the audience gets bored, the whole show will fail. It needs to grab their attention."
KRAUSER: "Do you know what happens when the undercard is lousy? The crowd goes cold before the main event even starts."
KRAUSER: "Everyone's got a role to play. The business side is easy, the competitive one's hard. It takes diligence, boldness and vision."
KRAUSER: "Youth is both noble and sinful. Cherish this moment."
KRAUSER: "I have an old German proverb for you. 'The truth is too harsh for fools, and the world is full of them. So no one wants to hear it.' Farewell, give my regards to the others."
Sumisu left for Thailand. Following Krauser's advice, he kept training diligently.
His reason for going to Bangkok was to learn muay thai.
'The Strongest Muay Thai Fighter in the World', Chanpus, generously agreed to train him. After arriving at the hotel, Sumisu was able to relax for the first time in a long time.
Until, suddenly, the phone rang. Sumisu picked up the receiver, and was shocked to hear the voice on the other side....
"Sumisu...."
SUMISU: "Reiko....!"
REIKO: "I'm staying at a hotel nearby. Why don't you come over? I'll be waiting for you..."
SUMISU: "Why, do you need to tell me something? What's with her....?
The nightlife of Bangkok was animated and exotic. The outstanding liveliness of the Asia-N market seemed to signal the beginning of a spiritual awakening...
Even after Sumisu's clock struck 11, the city lights showed no intention of going out.
The hotel's neon sign was glowing faintly. A city that never sleeps.. Just like Tokyo, Bangkok was a symbol of those decadent times..
REIKO: "You're late. I thought you wouldn't come."
SUMISU: "Reiko, what kind of game are you playing? Why did you...."
REIKO: "Oh, shut up! I don't like men who talk too much..."
REIKO: "Have some brandy, it'll help you relax."
SUMISU: "I don't drink. My master taught me to keep my body in top condition!"
REIKO: "You really have grown... Oh, damn it, what's wrong with me..."
REIKO: "... Why does my heart flutter?"
REIKO: "Sumisu.... It may be easy to forget, but I am a woman. Of course I'm glad to be loved. Your feelings are not indifferent to me....."
SUMISU: "I need to overcome my weakness. For myself, and for you. It's the least I can do for those who watched over me, and showed me the way."
SUMISU: "Your presence in my heart grows larger and larger every day. I've tried many times to forget you, to force myself not to see you..."
SUMISU: "But as soon as I lay eyes on you, my resolve is blown away. I'm a fool, I..."
REIKO: "Maybe fate played a prank on us. Maybe we never were meant to meet."
SUMISU: "Then too bad. Every second we spent together is precious to me. I wish this moment could last forever."
REIKO: "You're a pro wrestler, Sumisu. You can't afford to be so naïve. That's why you can't beat my brother: because you're too naïve."
REIKO: "You must treat every other wrestler as your enemy, even Akira: he's your opponent, not the man you idolize. Otherwise, you'll never get out of this maze."
REIKO: "I'm a 'Femme Fatale', an animal who feeds on men. I could take everything from you if I wanted to."
REIKO: "But you're not like all the others. I really think you're special. That's why I don't want to lose you...."
REIKO: "What do you want me to do? .... I can't read your mind.... I need you to tell me."
REIKO: "Sumisu...... Just tell me......"
SUMISU: "Reiko...."
REIKO: "Sumisu....."
SUMISU: ".. I'm sorry, I'm not ready yet. I need to know that I can think of you, and only you."
SUMISU: "Just wait for me..... A little while longer..."
REIKO: "Forget it....... Just go! I understand, I really do. This is a very important time for you..."
REIKO: "................ Go, before I change my mind!"
SUMISU: "......... G-goodbye."