Recently, I’ve played Pokémon card games everyday. There is a play-mat always over the kotatsu table in our home. We put the cards on the mat from various decks, spending hours enjoying battles.
The Champions League was held yesterday. My boyfriend didn’t take part in it. Unfortunately, he had drawn a losing number at the lottery before the match. It was possible to lose without playing a game because there were so many people eager to play at the Champions League.
My boyfriend was one of them. Watching the live video of the matches on YouTube, he challenged me with Pokémon card games again and again until I got tired of being beaten by him.
From the first day of dating, my boyfriend has been trying to brainwash me. His trial has been successful. Thanks to his enthusiastic lectures, now I find it fun to play Pokémon card games.
Though, at first, I didn’t understand at all not only the game’s rules but also the meanings of playing games. I asked him why I should play it. He replied, “All the people including the old and young, men and women can enjoy the games because it doesn’t require techniques and money.”
His answer didn’t satisfy me. Neither does it now.
In my opinion, the results of battles depend on one’s techniques and money. How much money does he think schoolchildren can spend to collect cards?
Once I paid 10,000 yen for a pack of cards as he had recommended, which now he uses as if he owned them. I don’t mind that. No anger brings about inside of me. The cards are happier to be used by my boyfriend rather than by me.
His enthusiasm toward Pokémon cards is so amazing.
He is crazy about Pokémon cards. Except for eating or sleeping, he spends almost all the time playing card games.
I don’t understand why he can be so crazy about the game, which seems to produce nothing.
I admit that playing card games is fun. But I can’t help wondering if it is worth spending such much time.
I started to play just because I wanted to understand him.
My boyfriend is such a patient teacher that teaches me how to play the games. Every time I ask, he answers without any hesitation. I know I’m really inflexible. Even when playing games, I’m always serious.
“Teaching is similar to learning.” is his favorite phrase from a comic book. He himself doesn’t tell a lot in his own words. Maybe, “All the people including the old and young, men and women can enjoy the games…” was from a comic books, too.
Even though any words wouldn’t appeal to me, his behaviors are always full of patient, concerns and kindness.
Playing Pokémon card games has developed my point of view. Learning is one of the greatest abilities of humans. That’s one of the things I found through playing cards.
To play Pokémon card games, you must remember a lot of rules: which card brings you a Pokémon, and which Pokémon can attack the enemy. It was great efforts for me to put the cards into the correct places. Then I’ve gradually learned to enjoy the games.
It took much time. I understand how students who are not interested in English would feel like at English classes. Pokémon cards are to me what English is to the students. The time of studying can be a torture for those who don’t like studying.
Then I find one of the answers against the question “why must we study?”
Be patient until you will learn to use Pokémon cards. Then you can enjoy playing games. As for English, that’s true.
“Mew was stranded for four turns because of the Path to the Peak.” “Hmm, does Mew suffer from the Path?” “Yes. Genesect can’t draw cards.”
“Did you remove the Cross Switchers from the deck?” “Yeah, I exchanged them into Escape Ropes.” “That’s nice.”
Those would be incomprehensible conversations for me just a year ago.
Now, I’m happy while I am talking with my boyfriend over the Pokémon cards.
Was it worth spending my time?
Yes, of course.
The more time I spend, the more valuable it has become. Seemingly it produces nothing, but I can see the value clearly with my mind.