"And just like that,our last winner for the first round is Gareth with the score 5 against 1!Such a good match we have today!From the easy win from CSMS,Epic Comeback from Popular and both Perry and Gareth have shown an epic play in their own game!I can't wait to see what kind of twist will this tournament bring us!"
First round is over and now to move on to the Semi-Final.My opponent is CSMS,the guy who crushed the last Summer Tournament Runner-Up.I didn't see his face yet nor see what kind of formation does he have.The only thing I can hope is I didn't get beaten up too much.
"Such a worried face you have there,dude"
"Of course I'm worried.I will need to beat the person who just treat a match with Summer Tournament Runner-up as a child play!How can I not nervous?!"
"Just remembered what I told you,okay.Now,go to stage,it seems your turn has come!"
"Okay"
But before I I got called,someone I don't expect to meet is in front of me.That guy is...the Customer Service Guy from that time!
"Ouh,sir!It is nice to see you here!Are you participating in this tournament?I'm pretty sure you did!I just watch your match just now!You did pretty well for a person who just start a few weeks ago,sir!"
Awkwardly I replied, "Yeah,thanks.So,what did you here?"
Why did ask this question!?!Of course he is here to see the tournament!!But he doesn't looks like mind about it and answer me, "I'm here to watch the tournament,of course!I like to watch many people playing the games that I also like too.FIT 21 is really such a nice game!The characters model are very realistic and the graphic make it as if we are inside the game!I might not the big fan of real life sport but when it comes to sport video games,I always in" he said that with a very wide smile.
He might be a nuisance as cashier in the store but as a fan,he must be the best one people ever found!
"Calling CSMS and Popular to come on the stage!Your match will start in a few minutes!Once again,CSMS and Popular,please to come to the stage!Your match will start in a few minutes!"
"Looks like I got called already so bye!If we meet again later,we will again okay?" As I said that,I eventually walk to towards the stage.Even with all those nervousness,I need to overcome it and keep fighting it!
"On my left,we have the guy who make an epic comeback for his first match and show us that he can be very popular,Popular!"I step on the stage with all my nervous still didn't gone and out of nowhere,my nervous start getting higher!I think I know what make me nervous but I just don't want to believe it...My opponent is....
"And on my right,the guy who shown a very excellent performance in this tournament.He didn't even give any chance for Toby to at least get a shot before,and this guy name is CSMS!!" this guy is that Customer Service Guy!
What just happened in front of me?!?I know I said if we meet again but not this fast and not this way!!!In front of me,he just smiling on me and move his body towards the chair in front of the game screen.As we sit,he start talking to me.
"Did I surprised you,sir?"
"More than surprised.I actually never think that you are this good in game!"
"Please remember,sir.How can I actually explain many things about games in such a fast manner without stutter if I don't master it?And you can say,the guy you met at the game centre the other day is just another person"
"Eh,what do you mean?"
"Just an Otaku thing.Something like having more than one persona or something"
"O-ouh,okay"
And kick-off.The game has started.I will start first this so I need to use the advantage I have right now.Try not waste any stamina and focus and having a strong defensive formation and I sure this will wo-
"Did all those thinking keep your mind off for a second,sir?" I don't realize what just happened but the ball is missing right now and he already pass my midfielders!
"I will not let you pass!"
"Heh,I want to see you try" easily he dribbling the ball between every of my players!?I can even see where the goal will go and where will he pass the ball or shoot the all!And without much effort needed to pass my team,he easily score his first goal...
"Looks like you didn't show your stripe for this match,sir?"
"I just not ready enough.This time I will did it!"
The whistle has been blown and the game was started!I have to construct the new plan and try to match this guy play style.I still can't see his proper formation but I can't just sit still and let him get another goal.It is Try and Fail session!
And....yes!I managed to get the ball from him!His play style is kind complicated but I can say that he is playing a defensive formation so that's why I need to offensive!He didn't do much long pass but he is doing dribble and short pass only just now.Okay,time to cross and head!!!
"Is it a goal??!?!And!!!!!"
Please got in!!!
"And oh no!The ball is managed to get catch by the keeper"
"Sir,your strategy against Ph0n1X is not gonna work on me.By now,you must thinking that my formation is defensive but let me tell you something,I can play both"
His words struck me just now.His gooal keeper throw the ball till the middle of the field and the striker is acting as fast as a lighting without giving me a chance.And just like that,he get another score.I tried to balance my formation in both offensive and defensive but it still didn't work out.He keep finding a spot to steal the ball and a space to pass my players.If I keep doing it like this,I'm going to lose!I need to think of another strategy!
*Half Time Whistle blowing sound*
Just like that,the first half has ended with 6-0...Even on the first half,I already did pretty bad.He didn't even try tackle any of my player but most of mine has start to get tired with their stamina keep losing time by time.Can I do this???
"Okay,time to start the second half of the game.I hope both players are more than ready now!"
Despite the feeling that want to end the match now,I need to see it till the end!I will do this!
Just as I look as CSMS,he turned away from me.Looks like he just look at me but why does his looks a bit weird just now?It was as if he looks sad...
I become a bit confused right now,I start looking for Perry if he has a way to beat him.Luckily,he stands in front of the crowd so it easy to see him.He looks worried,probably due to my condition right now.I can't really heard him but I can see he try to said something.He said, "Remember my tips" and that's all I see.But I don't find it useful.I have use all the tips he told me before.I don't think I have more.As I think about it,game is starting.
CSMS has it easy on my front line but I managed to stop him on with my left wing.Unfortunately,this startegy give him an advantage on my left side.I don't have anyone to pass to ball and I can't use any dribbling skill.Argh,he steal my ball!Not gonna end just like that!I sacrifice one of my midfielder and sliding tackle CSMS's player.The tackle is succeed but unluckily,he got a free kick while that midfielder got a yellow card!I start to get much more nervous.He kick the ball very close with the goal and finally with a little bit pass,he get another score.It was 7-0 now...
I can't believe it...I was on doom now.I can't think of anything anymore.
"Sir.No,I mean,Popular,right?" he suddenly speak with me. "May I ask you something?"
"What is that?"
"Your friend give you a tip,right?Then,let me ask you this.Did you really remember all?"
Eh,what did he mean by that?Remember all...I forgot to-
("To enjoy game?"
"Yes,as I said,enjoy the game.You can't possibly go beyond something if you don't do it for certain reason.You want to be a gamer because you want to popular but to strengthen that,you also must love the game that you play.You can't simply said that you play because it is easy because by thinking like that,you will easily find the game boring and left it.That's why I want you to remember this last tips from me.It's okay if you lose 100 times,as long as you keep loving it,you will keep play the game until you become a pro by yourself.Got it?")
I can't believe it!I forgot to enjoy the game!It doesn't matter if I lose,after all.Become popular doesn't mean you need to win every match.I said it myself,it is a Try and Fail session.I found this last tip a bit ridiculous but I think I start to understand it.I mean,even my doctor once said that stress mind and body surely will force all the part to work much better but in return,it will get worse by time but if I relax,I can focus better and might even manage to give more than I can I do.
Breathe in,breathe out...breathe in,breathe out...
"Looks like you finally ready,sir Popular" said CSMS with a smile on his face.
"Yeah,you're not wrong but I not gonna thanks you for anything okay.You just beat me up here,you know"
"Haha,okay.I don't expect for it though"
And then,we continued the game.But this time,rather than focus on my strategy,I actually more on enjoying the moment of fingers pushing each buttons.The feeling of seeing all my players show off their abilities.It was a perfect game to start everything,right?
-A few minutes later-
"The winner for the first match of the second round is....CSMS!!Congrats to him and everyone,please give our wild-card,Popular a big applause for holding again CSMS!Despite being a newcomer in this stage,he manage to surprise us again and again.If we make this tournament again,please join us,Popular"
Like heck I will join.By the team you organize another tournament,I will be pro by then!But yeah,I still proud of myself but a bit frustrated that I lose though.
"No need to be that frustrated,10-4 against the guy who beat Summer Tournaments Runner-Up is much better than give up halfway or not scoring anything,right?"
"Yeah,I did good right!I mean,technically I managed to beat that Toby,right?Hahaha!"
"Okay-okay,don't get ahead right now.Now,I need to ready myself for my next match.Gareth is a pretty strong girl and she managed to be in Top 8 of last year Summer Tournament"
"Ah,sorry about that Perry!I already forfeited the match so you will go the finally now!" said by Gareth who just appear behind us.Then,she leave just like that.She is surely a mystery girl,I think...
"Eh,then,my next match gonna be that cashier guy,right?Can't believe he is here"
"I can't believe you are here too and please called me CSMS,sir.But I need to say sorry too.My workplace asked for some help some I need to forfeit,right now which mean,you are the champion.Congrats"
"Eh?" Perry is left speechless
"Eh?" I also find this thing unexpected
"Eh?" even everyone in the store can't seems to understand what actually happened here...
"EHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?"
-After some present giving ceremony and a bit speech from the winner-
Right after that,we are going back home.From my perspective,ermmm,nope.From everyone perspective,Perry surely look pissed.
"Why did everyone forfeit just now!I don't even have much enjoyment when fighting with Garfield!Why it is only you?!?I shouldn't brought you here if I know this gonna happen!!!"
"What the-?Which part of this is my fault?They just have something coming up and what's wrong with you winning here?You got number 1,dude.Be proud of it!"
"Like heck I will!I rather lose in a match like yours rather than getting an instant win like this!"
"Relax,bro.We still have Summer Tournament after this,right?So,give it your all there.But let me give you a tips!"
"What kind of tips does a newbie like you give to me?"
"Just remembered,by the time we are having Summer Tournament,I will be much better than you expected!And I might even CSMS that time!"
"Hah,don't be so confident,dude!"
So now,my journey on becoming popular continued.There will be many obstacles I will be facing but I will do my best not to easily fall by it.Summer Tournament,you are my next goal!
Summer Session,here I come!!!