Nak DBD: Fly Away Home

[Derek]

From a safe distance, we watch a plane preparing to land. A caption fades onto the screen: EBWF SUPERSTAR SHINSUKE NAKAMURA IS VISITING JAPAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS. OUR CREW WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

We cut to inside of the cabin, where the King of Strong Style smiles as he sees his homeland come into view out the window. He speaks in Japanese, and the translation appears in the subtitles. “That's always a very welcome sight. I hope they didn't forget about me.”

Shinsuke drags his rolling suitcase through the concourse, stopping occasionally to interact with a fan. His voiceover continues. “As the only Japanese wrestler in the company, I must represent my country. When I am victorious, I can feel the people of Japan celebrating with me. When I fail, I hate to think that I have let them down.”

He poses for pictures with some teenage pop stars on a television set and jokes around with the hosts. We see a clip of the show in progress. The host asks, “So what is next for you, Nakamura-san?”

Shinsuke looks at them thoughtfully and casts a glance back towards the pop stars before speaking. “I am still greatly disappointed that I missed out on my chance to become the King of the Ring, Chuck Taylor was craftier than I expected. My only goal is to redeem myself in the eyes of my people.”

The crowd applauds, and as it fades out we cut to Shinsuke walking through the mass of humanity that is Shibuya Crossing. His voiceover returns. “[I feel stronger when I am here, it is good to be home. I was afraid they would reject me when I stumble, instead they lift me back up. In America, they make fun of me for my obsession with honor. But that's because they don't understand what it means to be fighting for something bigger than yourself. They only care about their records or their titles, about themselves. Maybe they'll prove more successful that way, but then when they fall, no one will be there to pick them off the ground. It was worth the flight to be reminded of that.]”

His phone buzzes and Shinsuke stops in the middle of the walkway to check it, the river of people making their way around him and cars dodging him. The caption reads: EBWF.COM ANNOUNCES A THREE WAY MATCH FOR THE BREAKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP. CARLITO VS ZIGGLER VS NAKAMURA. Shinsuke chuckles and puts his phone away as he finishes crossing the street.

A gigantic projection of a brontosaurus thunders across the glass façade of Shibuya Three, followed by a parade of other creatures. Shinsuke scoffs at the expressions of amazement on the gaijen crew's faces. "[Spectacle. It looks impressive, to be sure. But there is no substance to it. It is just flashing lights, shiny distraction.

Dolph Ziggler can relate to that, can he not? He lives for attention, but has no mass behind his words, no gravity. He is obsessed with stealing the show, but what does that even mean? How does one decide who has stolen a show? Is it by who they all talk about when it is over? Because to be sure, they are not talking about Dolph Ziggler. They were not talking about him when I suplexed the Hurricane off a ladder. They were not talking about him when I main evented Warfare against AJ Styles or had a dream match against CM Punk. And for better or worse, they weren't talking about him when Chuck Taylor proved he still belonged in this industry by eking out a win against the King. For someone whose only goal in life is to get attention, that must eat away at him, don't you think? He became irrelevant as soon as Nakamura entered the United States, and he knows it.]"

Shinsuke pauses to translate his next thought in his head and speaks in English. "He says he likes to show off, but every time we are in the ring together, he will find himself knocked out."

Cut to a clip of Shinsuke holding court at a busy karaoke bar, and another of him browsing fresh produce. A final cut moves him to a Buddhist temple, where he reverently lights candles. Walking out of the temple, a crew member asks him from off-camera, "What are your thoughts on adding another chapter to the rivalry between yourself and Carlito?"

Nakamura blinks at the crew member then bursts into laughter. "[I have no rivalry with Carlito. I have nothing with Carlito. He is simply another man that I have faced in battle, regardless of how many times we meet, I do not consider him any form of rival. I have made my thoughts on him very clear. To me, he will always be nothing more than the spoiled child who manages to fail upwards.

Have you ever heard of the Japanese salarymen? They are the backbone of civilization society here, the middle class with their briefcases and neckties, putting in 50-60 hours at the office without complaint because they put the good of the family and the community first. They make it possible for the artist class to have the freedom to create in. There is a mutual benefit.
Then there are the Hikikomuri. These are the shut-ins, the lost generation. They have made the decision to not contribute. They do not better the world in any way, in fact they only provide a source of shame for their families. Carlito, he will go through his motions. He will walk along the beach and talk about what is and is not cool. But it will only be so many empty words, and once they fade away, the world will continue turning and he will be forgotten. His title reign only as meaningful as the video game achievements on an otaku's television screen, his lasting memory being a drain on the family legacy. To think, being the most shameful member of  the Colon family, I suppose that's impressive in its own way. Go back to your room, Hikikomuri.]

Nakamura reaches down to draw a symbol in the sand garden. "Carlito. Ziggler. I'm coming back to America. And hell is riding with me. Yeaoh." He walks away and the camera pans down to show a crown drawn in the sand. 

[Kamden]

I really love the way you write Nakamura, and enjoyed this roleplay a TON. I think I've read most of yours so far and this one and the Matt "Speedbag" Striker are among my favorites so far.