Chapter 10: Onegai Sensei

After I left the Monkey room I went straight to the Dragon room to meet their Leader whom they called Sensei. I saw him once at the GGC, he is a Japanese-Filipino descent who has the same age as mine. I was really fascinated by how he handles the battle with DareDevil and I really want to learn from him. My goal is to ask him to teach me how to become a GAMBLER.

Start of private conversation:

LOLLIPOP: Sensei, can I talk to you?

Sensei: ???

LOLLIPOP: I would like you to please teach me how to become a GAMBLER? I don't want to be known as the winner by default player anymore.

Sensei: NO!

LOLLIPOP: Oh com'on Sensei! I really want to learn please teach me.

Sensei: I said no. the answer is NO. I know you. You're the stubborn one. You never listen to your leader and I saw how you played earlier.

LOLLIPOP: The battle earlier was just an excuse for me to leave the room and transfer to another. I'm just making it official. Please, Sensei, you're my only hope.

Sensei: Why do you want to be a Gambler so bad?

LOLLIPOP: I have my reasons... have you been in love?

Sensei: If that is your only reason, then count me out of the equation. I don't want to be part of it.

End of private conversation:

He left without saying a proper goodbye. Mukhang masasanay na ako na laging nare-reject. Pero kung gusto ko talagang matuto, kailangan kong kulitin si Sensei hanggang sa pumayag siya.

Napapadalas an pagbisita ko sa Dragon room para makiusap kay Sensei. Halos magmakaawa ako sa kaniya para lang pumayag siya na turuan ako.

Start of private conversation:

LOLLIPOP: Please, I'm desperate. I promise I will listen to everything you said and will be a very obedient student. Just give me a chance. Please, I'm begging you.

Halos araw-araw akong nagmamakaawa sa kaniya, kung pwede nga lang ay lumuhod pa ako para lang pumayag siya. Umaasa ako na balang araw ay pagbibigyan niya ako. Hanggang sa...

Sensei: If ever I accepted you as my student, what do I get in return? What are you going to do once you become a professional gambler?

LOLLIPOP: I will defeat DareDevil.

Sensei: You mean Yujin Akibe, the Japanese-Spanish-Filipino descent and the youngest player in CASINO ROYALE? You're being too ambitious!

LOLLIPOP: Ambitious? Yes, but he is also human just like us. Nothing is impossible.

Sensei: True, but what do I get in return? I'm not going to train you for free.

LOLLIPOP: Once I defeat him in the next GGC. You can have all my winnings and I will have his heart.

Sensei: Your delusional nobody can beat DareDevil in GGC.!

LOLLIPOP: You could have won against him if only you take the match seriously. Am I right? Why did you let him beat you?

Sensei: I came there to have fun. I don't like politics. The GGC is more than just a game. There are things that are happening outside the casino.

LOLLIPOP: I don't get it.

Sensei: It's complicated! The less you know the better.

Mapolitika nga ang GGC, halos magpatayan ang mga manlalaro para lang umangat at mapansin ng mga sponsor. Nabalitaan ko na ito dati kay Allan. Ang mga sponsor ay hindi basta-basta, ang ilan dito ay mga business tycoon, politician, celebrity, at diplomats na galing sa iba't ibang bansa. Kung sakaling mapaboran ka nila ay maari kang humiling ng kahit ano mula sa kanila. Malakas at maimpluwensyang tao ang mga sponsors na pwede kang mabigyan ng visa sa kahit saang bansa, pati ang malaking krimen ay kaya nila ipawalang sala o ang may malubhang sakit ay kaya nila ipagamot sa pinakamagaling at pinakamamahaling doctor.

Hindi na ako magtataka kung marami ang desperadong magpaka-dalubhasa sa paglalaro. Lalo na sa mga taong kapit sa patalim at sa sugal lang umaasa para umangat ang estado sa buhay.

LOLLIPOP: You're the only one who can help me. All I need is to survive until I get the chance to fight him. I need to pass the elimination round, the semis, and then get to the finals in order to battle him right? That's the only reason why I need you to teach me and the rest is up to me.

Sensei: It's crazy and risky, but I like your guts and resolve. I will give you a chance.

LOLLIPOP: Really? You'll teach me?

Sensei: But first, you need to learn the basics. You need to have discipline and as of now, you are lack of it. You are very reckless and you impulsive and rarely use your brain.

Ouch, masakit magsalita si Sensei. Masakit pa sa heartbreak! Pero tama naman siya, lagi ako napapahamak dahil sa pagiging pasaway ko. Kalma lang girl, alam naman nating truth hurts!

LOLLIPOP: Okay, I will have more patience and discipline. what's next?

Sensei: Second, you need to focus and set aside all your feelings.

LOLLIPOP: I can't that's my only motivation. My love for DareDevil.

Kiligin ka Sensei!

Sensei: Stop it! you're giving me goosebumps.

Palibhasa wala ka kasing puso kaya wala kang lovelife!

LOLLIPOP: Serrey!

Sensei: Third, you should not have any superstitious beliefs. It will cloud your judgment and you'll only get distracted. Also, keep a record of all your winnings and losses. It enables us to know your weak and strong points. In casinos, they call it "Regla" (Women's period) We monitor every draw whether it is in favor of the player, banker, or if it is a draw. It is easier for you to decide on your next move it's like reading the card of your opponent, but in a systematic way.

LOLLIPOP: Interesting! Any other tips?

Sensei: Fourth, don't be too cocky or overconfident and set aside your ego. Most especially don't let your emotions get the best of you. That's why we will focus on your emotions. You need to set it aside until you reach your goal to face DareDevil in a one on one battle. Is that understood?

LOLLIPOP: Yes Sir!

Sensei: Another thing is you need to ensure your bank account is always full. What I mean is you need to have enough coins and chips. Do not spend it recklessly.

LOLLIPOP: That will be easy, I'm not a big spender.

Goodbye books! Sa ngayon hindi muna ako dadalaw sa mga bookstore o online shopping para hindi ako matuksong bumili ng libro. I promise, once this is over I'll be back... Konting tiis para sa lovelife!

Sensei: You have to learn how to manage your account, so you will survive until the very end. Don't be overconfident when you gain a lot of coins, you will become reckless. Always do the math. You have to be emotionally prepared if ever you lose all your money. Do not dwell on it too much otherwise, you will lose your concentration.

LOLLIPOP: May math? Patay tayo diyan!

Sensei: Do not be tempted on bribes and other vices remember we need to protect our reputation. If you are going to be a member of our group whatever actions you do will reflect on all of us. Am I making myself clear?

LOLLIPOP: Yes Sensei. By the way, when can we start?

Sensei: We already began. It will be intensive training. You have to endure it. Are you sure you want to do this?

LOLLIPOP: Yes Sensei, if I have to play and battle each and every one of the members here I will do it.

Sensei: That is what I intend to do, but you need to take care of your health too? How can you think properly and create your own strategy if you are lack sleep or skipping y meal? You are going to be a professional gambler, not an addict! Understood?

LOLLIPOP: Yes Sensei!

Sensei: One last question? Why DareDevil?

LOLLIPOP: I'm not an extrovert person and always locked myself in my room the whole time. I only had few true friends. It's weird that we only met on this site, talked most of our time in the cyber world and saw each other thrice on the GGC. To be honest, he is the first person I have a real connection with, he treated me nicely and with respect. He shows concern that others neglect to do. When we are chatting, he is very patient with me and he is also a good listener. He protected me and rescued me in times of need. He made me feel special and important.

Sensei: Sounds like he's a good man. He is not always like that to other players. It means you are very special to him. You may have a chance of winning this game. Now I know his weakness.

LOLLIPOP: Really, what is it?

Sensei: YOU!

End of private conversation:

The training has begun, Sensei thought me the basics of poker games. The traditional poker hand rankings. From the highest possible hand which is the Royal Flush, down to the lowest hand in which there is no pair among the five cards. He teaches me the winning poker hands and what are the best hands and how to calculate the probability of poker hands. He also gave me examples of the different types of pokers hands. The five of a kind, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair and high card.

Wala kaming sinayang na oras. Mula umaga hanggang sa gabi bago ako pumasok sa trabaho. During my break time at work and even after work. We have non-stop intensive training. I'm not the only one who adjusted my schedule, even Sensei sacrifice his own personal time to train me.

I fought players from the lowest rank for a week, until I beat them all. Then, I proceed with the next level. It was not fun at all it was excruciating and exhausting. The more I trained and spend more time in the Dragon room, I really missed playing in the Monkey Room. I missed my team, my friends and most especially I missed daredevil, but I have to endure it and I have to wait for the right time.

It's been six months and I become well-versed in gambling. I improved a lot. I can easily defeat the players who are in the third rank. And was able to beat the second rank players from time to time.

I even visit other rooms to challenge other players. I become fearless and strong. I felt a sudden change in me. My emotions are gone. I feel numb. I had no regret in beating my opponent, no feeling of remorse. Whether they are my friends or part of my team, I took all of their coins and even took their money and priceless possession. The best part is I really enjoyed it. I may be acting badly, but I feel good.

I stayed focus on my mission, never had the chance to chat with my friends. I lost all my connections with the Monkey room. Until I received a private message:

Start of private message conversation:

TongITS: Ghorl, musta na? Miss na kita.

LOLLIPOP: Allan, pasensya na naging busy kasi ako.

TongITS: Pansin ko nga. Nakalimot ka na. Ano ba kasi nangyari sa inyo ni Bossing?

LOLLIPOP: Kalimutan na natin iyon.

TongITS: Sabi ni bossing, pwede ka naman daw bumalik kung gusto mo. Ikaw lang naman itong ma-attitude na umalis sa grupo. Hindi daw siya galit.

LOLLIPOP: Pinapunta ka ba niya dito para kausapin ako?

TongITS: Ay hindi, pero if ever daw na magkausap tayo, iyan ang pinasasabi niya.

LOLLIPOP: Kausao mo ba siya ngayon? Paki sabi na hindi na ako babalik doon. Magpapalakas ako para sa susunod na GGC tatalunin ko siya.

TongITS: Nakow mukhang nagalit.

LOLLIPOP: Bakit ano ba ang sabi?

TongITS: Bahala ka daw sa buhay mo. Panindigan mo daw iyang desisyon mo. Sana daw mabulunan ka sa pride mo. Sige na, next time na lang ulit baka mapagalitan ako. Balik na ako sa room namin. Ingat ka!

End of private message conversation:

I am ready to face the Devil, but Sensei told me to wait a little longer. As an obedient student, I did what I am told to do.

Now I'm confused. I have mixed emotions in my goal. Question is... do I really want to fight because of love? Or just because of the feeling of excitement and thrill of being a gambler? I haven't seen or talked to DareDevil since I left the Monkey Room. Do I feel the same?

All I know is that I'm no longer the same person I used to be. I'm not sure if all my hard work and effort will be worth it or just a waste of time. Nevertheless, I'll still take my chances.