Q: I hear you’ve been playing chess, how is that going?
Massu: The best player is probably Bwipo or Nukeduck, and in terms of getting into chess, I don’t know. I just have periods where I play chess for weeks straight and then drop it for two years.
Q: Talk about your reaction to the Worlds Song.
Massu: Definitely I didn’t expect to see myself in the Worlds video this year — let alone ever, pretty much. When I did see it I was mostly really shocked, I had to watch it a few times to actually believe that was me. I was looking at it and thinking “maybe that’s someone else, maybe someone looks like me.” Growing up, I listened to all these songs, watched the music videos, and they’ve been a big part of my excitement for the game. So that’s really nice.
Q: Are you feeling the pressure of your first Worlds?
Massu: I feel like after playing two internationals, I feel pretty comfortable. I still feel nervous, I still feel excited, but I’ve learned how to deal with the emotions better. In terms of that, I’m fine.
Q: What about the expectations on you?
Massu: Whenever I try to go into a game or tournament, I don’t think too much about expectations people have for me, and I try not to set expectations for myself. I just take every scrim, every day, day by day, and try to learn. So instead of having an expectation of where I should be at the end, I just start with where I am and I just gradually like to move forward.
Q: How do you feel you stack up against the top ADC’s?
Massu: I definitely think I’m a lot better than I was at MSI, [but] I still think they have the consistency and game knowledge that I [don’t] yet. But I’m feeling really great about [my growth] and I can keep getting better.
Q: Do you have a fun team story?
Massu: I have one, but it’s long. For me, I really hate bugs, especially ones that FLY. I tend to not kill them and just let them have whatever they want. Me, Damonte, and Arrow were in our apartment, and there was a wasp that flew in. At first, everyone thought it was just a big fly, so we didn’t think much of it, but it started making some pretty big noises and at some point it landed on the floor.
I walked by and I was like “are you sure this is a fly?”. [When they realized it wasn’t] we all ran away into one person’s room, and we made a plan on how to catch. By the time we came out, it was gone and everyone was on edge.
[Then, later] it’s back and we ran back into the room and made another plan. Nobody was actually brave enough to actually catch it or kill it, so eventually [it disappeared again]. Last time we saw it was near our heads randomly, and I don’t know what happened since.
[editor’s note: congrats, you now know about the wasp haunting Massu]
Q: Based on outside perception, fans assume Bwipo and Inspired are hard to work with as a rookie, but you and Busio have said the opposite. Talk about that.
Massu: I mean, I can see why you would think that from an outside perspective, but having played with them I can confidently say that [Bwipo and Inspired] are great teammates. They have a lot of knowledge of the game and they have a lot of knowledge they want to share.
The public opinion about them is maybe misguided because they come off as very cocky or egoistic, but they’re really great teammates, they’re really good at the game, they’re willing to teach everything, and they’re willing to let you mistakes so you can learn.
Q: What champ do you want to play on stage that you haven’t yet?
Massu: Aphelios, but I used to play a lot of ADC Yone in solo queue, so if that ever doesn’t lose me the game instantly […] we have a maybe penta flex