I am a man in over my head.

There was a lot of radio silence in the days since his return from Japan. In the couple of weeks since, there had been a great deal of silence between him and Destiny. In fact, it seems like a lot of the friends had grown colder, like the whole revelation created some gigantic divide. A lot of things happened to the friends who affectionately sat in "Section B" over the past couple of months. Duke and Black grew to become pro wrestlers, working side by side with Shinji. Starfish and Betsy wound up settling into a "normal" relationship, if that's what it was. Even Tom had grown more quiet, content to watch his best friend grow even more as a wrestler. Now that life had crawled to being quiet again, Shinji found himself feeling like the previous months were a dream. The only people he had talked to lately were his extended family in Jonathan Collins and his family, and as he sat at the reception quietly, the only person with him at the time was the EXODUS Pro ring announcer, David Zinkus.

"Hard to believe we're at this point, isn't it?" David asked Shinji as he sat quietly. Shinji had been granted a "plus one" and responded by giving it to Tom, who was over at the bar, ordering drinks for single girls who kept coming by...and getting rejected as always.

"Yes, David. It is...nice," he said quietly, deep in thought.

"You know, it's a happy night. Someone would think you're miserable here," David remarked, tapping the man on his shoulder. "I mean, even I'm happy here. This isn't about what we don't have, it's about what we do. We've got great friends, great careers, and we're on the verge of something awesome. Next weekend, we're gonna be in San Fran, but first we'll be making history with the first show for the school," David said with a grin. Realizing he would be there to help out as well, David wound up starting to share the joy of his friends in the opening of (R)Evolution Wrestling, something that Shinji was muted about. With a sigh, Shinji got up and walked away. It wasn't David's fault he couldn't deal with this, it was just not what he wanted.

Shinji walked outside and he found himself relaxed in the quiet. Though he did not resent his friends for being happy, it was not what he wanted. It was not what he expected, and he hated that the first thing on his mind was to dial her. Flipping through his phone were photos of the two of them and happier memories. Pictures of them goofing off and watching movies together, pictures of her offering her hookah to him. There were smiles and there was a lot still, but none of it felt truly right these days. It's like something here went horribly wrong along the way, and as Shinji leaned against the wall, he sighed and shot her a text with an inside joke, just to remind her he was still around. Suddenly, silence was shattered with the voice of someone in one of the catering group's uniforms.

"You know...I thought we were the only ones who ditched receptions. Everyone goes in there and has a good time, and we're here feeding you guys. You get to see all the archetypes. The bride and groom? They're happy, and that's cool. I saw the drunk friend, the jealous girls eyeballing the bride, and all those things. You? You're the guy who didn't bring a date for some reason and brought your buddy," the voice said. Shinji turned around and saw a girl standing behind him, looking surprised someone had talked to him.

"How did you know I brought a friend?" he asked.

"Well, you're Asian, and there's some dude at the bar screaming that his bro Shinji is going to be King of the World, that kind of narrows down who you happen to be," she replied. "So, King of the World, why exactly are you going to rule us all?" she asked him, arms folded.

"I am...professional wrestler. I work for Collins-san," he said. "I am Uchikawa Shinji," he introduced with a polite smile and bow.

"Well, Uchikawa Shinji, I am Summers Jade," she said, jesting of his way of introducing himself. "How about you go back in there and try to have some fun, Shinji?" she asked him, giving him a tiny smile.

"I am just...I am thinking of calling a friend. She is a good friend, one of my best. We are just...there are problems, right now," Shinji lamented.

"Oooh...she put you in the ol' just friends territory, eh? I'm not saying that a guy and a girl can't be friends, but it seems like she knows you're crazy about her," Jade said to him with a raised eyebrow.

"I think she is someone worth keeping," Shinji said with a nod.

"I hope so, because if you're that loyal, maybe someday it'll make sense to her," she replied with a smile and a punch to his arm. "Catch you around, Shinji Uchikawa. I gotta go back in and make sure there's plenty of food for the guests," she said with a grin, giving him a nod before walking off.

Shinji sighed.



The scene starts in front a white wall, where suddenly popping up from below the camera is the best friend of Shinji Uchikawa, Tom Higashikata. In a Kobe Bryant jersey that looks about three sizes too big on him, a big gold chain, and a Lakers snapback with sunglasses on, he nods at the camera, trying to look tough.

"INTRODUCING MAH BOY HERE! HE'S TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE POUNDS OF PURE ASIAN SENSATION, YO! HERE COMES YO FUTURE WORLD CHAMPION, SHINJI UCHIKAWA! THANK YOU BASED SHINJI, TAKE THE MIC!" Tom shouts, Shinji coming into frame as he looks at Tom and raises an eyebrow.

"You look ridiculous," Shinji says.

"I look hype, bro! I didn't choose the thug life, it chose me!" Tom insists, waiting for Shinji to cut his promo.

"Shh, I must speak," Shinji says as he turns to the camera, giving it a nod.

"We are finally here. (R)Evolution Wrestling, the first steps are being taken for the stars of EXODUS Pro. With everything we've done, it is time we ready ourselves for our first matches. I am honored to be teaming with my friend Shozo. I know that Devan Whitmore and Brando Martial will be no pushovers, so I must give it my all to be the best! I have no doubt our match will be great and honorable. We will fight and be a most ultimate team, and we will give you fans a match you will enjoy watching! Soon, you will all want to say it with me, SHINJI, ICHIBAN!"

With that, Shinji smiles and the camera fades.