"Jaded Hearts".

[C]

I always hated how easy it was for people to become jaded. It is a persistent sin that spreads around, plaguing those with once noble ambitions. It isn't exclusive to those in this sport, however. It also extends to the everyday people; the unsung heroes waiting for their moment to break out of the monotony of life, yet, for whatever reason, they don't.

I was once like that.

When my mother died, a part of me died alongside her. I became dejected and uncaring. I lost who I was. I had been described as a bright boy with a light inside of him, but that light went away. I carried on during my adolescent days going through the motion, not having the faintest of spark within me. I just didn't care. Why should I, after all? Nothing mattered, I thought at the time. There was no point in me pretending or putting on a show for the sake of those who still decided to stick around me. It was a horrid period in my life; a moment in time that I'm sure many of you couldn't quite imagine me having. You all see me as this ray of hope for this sport. This one speckle of joy that can set things right. However, I wasn't always like this. Like many of you, I lost my spark. I lost hope. I know more than any of you could possibly conceive about being jaded. It's a disease. A life-draining ailment that will only grow stronger so long as you let it consume you wholly.

It nearly did. But then, I broke from it. I freed myself from its clutches. And now, I wish for not only myself but for many of you to never feel jaded ever again.

It can waste potential. It can suffocate you from what it is you have long desired. And within this sport, it has affected so many here. It can cause people to change in the worst way possible. Those who come in with stars in their eyes lose that twinkle that made them want to be the best. Their jaded nature can steer them from their initial path towards a journey they can never return from. That's how we get people who are more inclined to be consumed by such darkness. They're willing to hurt others, break them down and ensure that havoc is wrecked because they don't care anymore. After all, it's why Tommy came back and nearly battered MYOJIN after our match. He is the product of that very same jadedness that can leave a lasting taint upon us. It's what I seek to remove and destroy.

And it's what I seek to break you away from, Pandora.

I don't know you well, but from what I've seen from you, you have limitless potential. In a short amount of time, you've already made your mark here, being positioned as a future star. Your ascent is admirable, almost reminding me of mine. However, for all of the talent that I see within you, I also see a woman who is at risk of dimming her own light and falling prey to the same darkness that has consumed others before her. Perhaps you don't care for the honorifics of this sport, and maybe you see me as being the fool here for my seemingly helpless optimism, but I am this way because I was once just like you. I have been through a lot. Had to deal with a lot. And those actions.... once made me go down a path I almost couldn't get back from. There is still so much potential within you; so much good you can achieve with your talents. I only wish to make you see that. Uncover that. Nurture it. 

And so, with this match, I aim to do just that. I don't want you to fall because of your jaded heart. I want you to grow in spite of it.

Because then, this sport will heal. This sport will be better, and like me, you will grow better because of it.