Breaking my turtle shell

When I heard Iota Phi was starting up Assassins again, I began thinking of all the crazy stories that happened when I played. For those that don’t know, this insane game was created by my big bro Christopher Takemori, who played this game with his own friends at home. He of course had to tweak it a bit because instead of 5 people playing, we had 100+. I’m unfamiliar with the rules of the game now, but their Task Force was indeed scary. If you weren’t hunting - they were hunting you - and they came HARD on you! At night they would be dressed in all black and rolled up with super soakers. They invaded in an apartment and even shut off the power supply (how did they do this? i have no idea!). I believe this a one time deal since neighbors were hearing screams at night, and a bunch of people dressed in black with “guns”. Oh boy.

One of the best parts were the daily obituaries he wrote each time someone died. They were pretty intricate and funny to read. I somehow managed to win the first round, and was able to make it to the last three? or five? of the second round we played.

It was probably due to the fact that my big bro was the one hosting it, and I wanted to support him. Surprisingly, that game changed my attitude and revealed a whole side of me to aphio as a pledge. As a pledge I was quiet, and always looked down when I walked. I didn’t quite say hi, or even pay attention to my environment or people around me. I kept to myself, or just a small group. It’s not that I was rude, I just looked down a lot —- oblivious to the world. This game made me change this. I was always alert, kept my head up, and continuously scanned my environment. I wore hoodies a lot since I was able to hold on to my water gun in my pocket, and my knife in my other hand. My roommate, Marissa, and boyfriend at the time helped me look out for aphio suspects, my target, and as well as car bombs before I entered any vehicle. At the same time my roommate was also pledging for her sorority so she was also keeping an eye out for actives to greet. She never left the house without her pledge pack, and I was never weaponless.

In addition, I took different routes on the way home or to class. When there was a party going on, we knew it was fair game, and lots of people died. I attempted to do my first kill there — I was dressed as a boy. With the help of some black eyeliner, baggy jeans, and a big sweater,  I literally looked like Mario from the mario brothers. Gross. Well I didn’t make it to the party, but I ended up stalking one of my targets , Sabrina, in front of her apartment —- ironically 3 years later Marissa and I end up being roomates with Sabrina’s roomate, Nami in that same apartment — and I believe a bunch of you guys have been/ lived there too — Allegre 1041! Random note, we’ve been releasing that place ever since it was BUILT through different fraternities/sororities - so yes that means its insanely cheap! haha. anyways back to the story..

Stalking didn’t always work. I somehow was able to kill my first few targets just by walking outside their apartment — perfect timing — hey — I was trying to impress my big bro! I’m not creepy =( Towards the end, it was me and an advisor Andy. Eek. Come on - a pledge vs an advisor? I was really scared!

Since he lived in Sac I didn’t bother to try get him at his apartment. When it became obvious he was stalking/waiting for me at my apartment I started staying at my boyfriends house — which he too started stalking me there. At one point I saw him waiting in front of my door, but I had to leave to go to class! So I ended up going out my window of my room in Tanglewood. I called my friends to pick me up out on the Cowell Blvd. I know right? Madness!!

So how did I win? Andy made a couple of mistakes of running after two of my roommates, Marissa and her sister Andi, mistaking them for me — I guess all asians look alike? haha. But to give him credit, lots of people mistake me for my roommate/ best friend Marissa. But it finally gave me the idea. Using my big bro’s rules - “if a innocent bystander was killed in the process, the attacker couldn’t harm anyone for 24 hours”. When we spotted Andy waiting in front of the apartment once again, Marissa put on my glasses, hoodie, and backpack. She started to walk out the door to my car. She felt something hit her twice. She looked down and saw two cardboard ninja stars. Finally she screamed, go Michelle!! I ran out the door and saw Andy fleeing the scene. He was weaponless, and apparently sandal less - they fell off when he was running away from me. I finally caught up to him, and stabbed him. whew. over! I can sleep in my own bed at night! lol.

My big bro was really proud of me. I surprised the chapter and even myself with the sequence of events. After the game, I continued to keep my head up, and actually greet people with a smile. After several disguises, panic attacks, five cardboard knives (weighted with pennies — they throw so much better!), and popped windows, —I finally opened up. Hopefully for those shy/quiet pledge/actives out there they can open up an easier way. Oooh and to the littles - always try to support/show thanks to your big bro.

[Post by Michelle Jaromay]