Disclaimer: I own peanuts.


"Who taught you to play Go?"

Shindo stared at the reporter in surprise for a few seconds, before smiling and breaking out into laughter. The reporter looked shocked and hastily asked whether Shindo was alright. Shindo smiled and nodded.

"Ah, it's just that nobody has ever asked me that question before. I have often been asked about my rivalry with Akira-san and about my fast ascension, and even where I learnt my Go. But you are the first person to ask who taught me." Shindo smiled at the thoroughly bemused reporter and looked up at the sky, thrusting his hands into his pockets.

"My teacher was sai."

"No way! The famous NetGo player?!" The reporter was incredulous.

Hikaru nodded. "Yup. I never did beat him…" He trailed off, lost in thought. The reporter pressed on with his questions.

"So, why did sai never play in real life? Was he a pro?"

"No. He played… well, actually, I played for him. He couldn't do it himself. That's why he never went pro."

"Oh wow! But, you know, they do accept people with disabilities into the pro world. He could still take the exam."

Hikaru smiled sadly. "No, he couldn't. It's too late." They were quiet for a few moments, and the reporter was hesitant to break the silence.

"Ah, Shindo-san, do you-"

Hikaru suddenly interrupted, looking at his watch frantically.

"Sorry! I gotta go, or Akira will kill me! Seeya!" He ran off in the direction of the train station, leaving the reporter behind in the dust, mouth still open and pen in midair, still ready to write.


The next day, in Go-Weekly:

Shindo Hikaru, 4-dan, reveals all! The true identity of the mysterious sai?


Author's Note: Been reading HnG again, and this just popped into my head. Myabe I'll write people's reactions to the articles one day.