They play. They continue play and move forward step by step. Sai spoke about superior skill, and they hard move to it. Shindo thinks that God of Go is lonely, because no one can play with him as equal. Shindo believes that someday he will meet Sai. Now Akira is his rival. It is invariably like sunset or sunrise.
Akira thinks more easier. He doesn't know who is real Sai, but he believes that Sai is second Shindo, who is hiding in his the eternal and only one rival. It's okay for Akira. Akira can wait even he is moving forward. He knows that Shindo will go after him until he snaps par. Or overtake. Then Akira will go after him, and Shindo will wait. In any case, they are inseparable. When they were twelve years old, they decided that they would be rivals for each other.
Shindo plays in in the league Honinbo. This title is sacred for him. It is memory about Sai and Torajirou. Akira wants to get the title Meigin like his father. Toya Koyo can be proud of a son. However former Meijin searches of the following of Sai, he plays in all competitions, because he thinks, it will help him find Sai.
Akira and Shindo are eighteens. It is last year, when they can play in the North Star Cup. Suddenly Shindo goes to Korea, he says, that wants to meet Su Yong. He wants to play with him and tests their strength.
Akira is preparing for last game. Unfortunately, he loses when there is only one-step to victory. Ogata said, that he is very young now, but he can win later. Akira wants to retort, but he thinks that want to play with Shindo. Of course, Shindo in Korea and Akira feels lonely.
However, Shindo is sudden as his play. Akira stares at him amazedly and cannot say anything. Shindo hesitates on the doorstep and cannot say anything too.
"You lost", - finally he blurts out and looking seriously. He scowls a little.
Shindo should came back to Japan after three days. Akira isn't counting the days, but he remembers a date very well. Now Shindo is here, on the doorstep.
He lost, yes. But Akira already replays party and now he doesn't feel hurt. He embarrassed smiles and admits Shindo to the house.
"Play with me", - asks Shindo.
He knows where everything is. Shindo smiles and funny looks at the rival. He is fun and crazy. Akira thinks so, but he feels strange ease. They play, and Akira loses. But he didn't notice it. He looks at the Shindo and remembers what they do after play.
However suddenly Shindo bends and kisses Akira. Akira didn't have time to close himself eyes, when Shindo straightens. It was only one minute, but Akira can thought only about cold Shindo's lips. He thought that lips are very cold and already autumn. Shindo can get sick.
Akira stretches to him and kisses too. Shindo closes himself eyes, and the kiss very long.
Then they go to bed and again kiss, and clench each other, and kiss again and again. At the one moment, kisses almost become something new, something strange and give them strange feelings, but Akira says "stop", and Shindo steps back. They have very much time tomorrow and in the future.
Nothing changes between them.
Shindo tells about travel to Korea Akira, ant he tells about it Honda, Izumi and Ichikawa, when they go to the club for play.
Games at home are changes. Its finished kisses and embrace, and sometimes Akira started this. Sometimes embrace become intimate, skin touching skin. And the feel themselves better than ever.
When Shindo turns twenty-one years old, he moved to Akira's home. To Akira Meijin.
"We should train more", - says young own title of Honinbo.
"We can have easier talk about play", - explains Shindo.
"We don't need to choose time for meeting", - smiles he.
His parents only timidly nod. They can't change anything.
Shindo lives with Akira, and that is very naturally. It is their life, fulling are games and kisses. Friends only smiles, and they understand all.
Shindo and Akira don't say about love, but their games speak for itself.