Fanfic100
Beginnings:
Even as a newborn, Touya Akira had been a beautiful child, in his parents' unbiased opinion. His eyes, blue as any newborn's would soon turn the blue-green he would have for life, and his hair was already the black it would be as he got older.
He'd been a quiet baby, too. Other parents would exclaim over how little fuss he made, how calm he was.
So long as one of his parents held him, that is. They learned very quickly that Akira wouldn't tolerate being held by anyone else, and they very quickly gave up trying. The poor baby would be inconsolable, crying hysterically long after his parents had reclaimed him. He didn't much like being laid down alone for a nap, either.
But with his parents, he wouldn't utter a sound.
As he grew older, the boy quickly developed a strong attachment to his father. Despite his overwhelming physical resemblance to his mother – both shared delicate features that made some people mistake the young Akira for a girl – there quickly became no doubt which parent Akira would take after in adulthood. Even before he could walk, he was fascinated by the go stones, and as he grew, he learned very quickly that if he was quiet and observant, he would be allowed to watch his father study and play.
The result of this was somewhat two-sided – on one hand, Akira's father took great pride in that his son was beginning to show the love for the game that he himself had. On the other hand, Akira's naturally quiet demeanour, coupled with his added motivation to stay quiet so he could watch his father meant that Akira spoke late.
Akira's mother worried that her son was "behind" the other children. Her parents and Koyo's own, however, were quick to point out that in all other areas, he was on par, if not ahead of, other children. They suggested it was just some personal oddity, and that he would get over it with time.
"He'll talk when he's ready," Akira's grandparents said. "He's not a stupid boy. He probably just doesn't want to yet."
It was a source of great amusement to Akira's father and consternation to his mother that his first words, when he finally spoke shortly before his third birthday, were, "Can I play go, Father?"