"Shindo-san."

Hikaru jerked his teary face towards the approaching man. He was dressed in a piece of business suit. However, Hikaru did not care about his appearance. His heart was beating quickly. He had forgotten about the game he lost, Ko Yong Ha and the others around him. He mind could only register the man in front of him.

"Yamato-san."

"It's a good game. It's too bad that you last. But it shows that you have improved a lot."

"Thabk you. Where is Sai?" There were a few gasps of surprise and shock around him but Hikaru ignored them. All he could see is the apologetic face on Yamato-san's face and he knew his answer. "He's not coming, is he?"

"I'm sorry, Shindo-san. Sai-sama says that he is busy, so he will not be coming." It hurt him to see the teenager hurting so much from the disappointment. The pain on his face and in his eyes did not suit him, or anyone, for that matter.

"Why? Is it because I lost? I did not mean to lose. He is strong. I did my best. I really did," Hikaru pleaded. Tears that had stopped before came back to his eyes again.

"Shindo-san, Sai-sama is busy, not because you lost your game. And like I said, it is a beautiful game. I'm sure you have done your best. Sai-sama knows it as well." Yamato knew that Shindo would not register what he said, let alone believe it, but he tried anyway. "I'm sure Sai-sama will come see you once he has some free time."

"Sure."

It was obvious that Shindo did not believe his words. Yamato sighed heavily and turned to walk away. After a few steps, he stopped. "Hikaru-kun," he called, never looking back.

Hikaru was startled out of his sorrow. He had never heard Yamato-san called his first name before. "Huh?"

"I do not know how to say this. I know it's not my place, but I want to give you an advice as a friend. Hikaru-kun, do not live your life revolving around Sai-sama."

"Huh?" Hikaru was confused. What did Yamato-san wanted to say?

You should know better than anyone else that Sai-sama is a very accomplished chess master. He is as manipulative as they come. Look back to the first time you met him. See how your life started to be all about him, not yourself. Imagine how your life would have been would have been without knowing him."

Hikaru was speechless. He knew instinctively what Yamato-san was saying was right. "I…"

You would have been the new soccer star, wouldn't you? Instead, here you are – a pro Go player. You could have gone out with your friends from school and have fun but instead, you are having matches and practices all the time. You could have been carefree but instead, you worry about the games and Sai-sama. Did you not see how your life has been revolving around Sai-sama and Go? Did you not see what he is trying to do?"

"I…" Hikaru knew what Yamato-san said was right, but he couldn't stop, couldn't prevent himself from falling deeper into the trap.

Hikaru-kun, Sai-sa…"

"Hikaru," suddenly, a voice interrupted, cutting off whatever Yamato wanted to say.

Hikaru's eyes widened in disbelief. He looked across the hall and there he was; it was not his imagination. "Sai?"