Chapter 3

"Hikaru-chan, thank you for all the ink. Saki sempai was really excited about using it." Kagome hugged her friend tightly by the bathroom window.

"I'm sure your sempai was more excited about you joining." Hikaru teased, stuffing her uniform carelessly into her bag.

Wincing from Hikaru's rough treatment, Kagome continued, "Are you sure you won't come? You're already an unofficial member of the calligraphy club."

"I'm too busy with my tournament soon. Besides Saya, Eri, and Reiko want me to help with their clubs as well." She finished, satisfied with her summer dress from the mirror.

"Hiraku-chan, don't push yourself to much." Kagome said worry clearly in her tone. "How you can handle so many clubs is beyond me."

"I'm unofficial in all of them." Hikaru smiled returning into the school's hallway. "I like to keep myself busy."

"Just don't forget to breathe."

"Don't worry." Hikaru winked, spotting a familiar person by the front door. "Bye bye Ka-chan, I'm going to catch Toya-kun." Hikaru was already out of sight before Kagome could stop her.

"Ka-chan, where's Hikaru-chan?" Saya asked.

"Following Toya-san," Kagome winced from the surprised gasped around her.

"Are they dating?"

"Seriously?"

"What does Hikaru-chan see in him?"

"She's really a mystery."

"Yeah," Kagome sighed. "She's definitely a mystery."

"Go-kun," Hikaru shouted jumping in front of a very startled Toya. "You're dressed up so nicely." She said at his crisp name brand suit. "Got a hot date?"

"No," Toya flustered from the idea. "I have a convention to go to." He quickened his step towards the school gate.

"You have to work on Saturdays. But you just got off from half day too. Why not relax? Want to ditch and go somewhere with me?" Hikaru continued following her target. "Go-kun, Go-kun, Go-kun," She sang a nameless tune.

"Will you stop!" Toya shouted losing his cool exterior. "How many times do I need to repeat myself. My name is Toya. Not Go-kun. Not Goban-san. And definitely not Komi-chan. It's Toya!"

"I didn't think we could be so familiar with each other." Hikaru answered with a straight face. Ignoring her, Toya continued towards the bus stop. After several minutes of silence, and a peaceful moment at the bus line, Toya assumed he had lost his exasperating follower.

"So do you usually work this much? This is the third time this week you've been wearing a suit." Toya clearly assumed wrong. Glaring at the picture perfect sky, Toya learned over the last few months that ignoring her would only create more chatter. Only after counting to ten in his head, Toya answered.

"As a pro, we have the responsibility to do these different commitments. We not only play go, but teach, demonstrate, and play individuals who pay for games." Toya continued in a monotone voice, "It's our job to expand Go as much as we can." He finished his speech, adjusting his tie with a sigh.

"Did you memorize that from a brochure?" Hikaru asked leaning comfortably against the bus post swinging her cell phone left to right.

"No," Toya frown bemused. "Why would you say that?"

"Then how do you get people interested? Or informing them what go is?" Pondering the question, Toya wasn't sure himself. Growing up surrounded by Go, he assumed everyone else interested was the same as him. "This is why old folks or people trying to be old are the only ones playing."

"I do not act old. And there are plenty of people my age playing go." Toya's voice raised with aggravation. "You don't know anything. You're not a pro." Watching the bus door open, Toya stumped in not bothering to say goodbye.

"I think your friend is mad at you dear." An elderly woman spoke next to Hikaru as they watch the bus drive off.

"I know." Hikaru smiled walking away. "That's why it's fun."


Sato Mitsuko never worried about her life. She was raised in a middle class family with an older brother and moderately caring parents. Her mother chose her schools and her father help plan most of her life. Mitsuko was content.

One day, her brother Kenji had brought a follow classmate home. Shindo Yoji was a kind man. He would come over many times, sharing stories about his family. He had an older brother Ryosuke who was a rookie writer, hoping to become a Children's author. Ryosuke had gotten married to a follow writer named Ito Hina, who recently discovered that she was pregnant.

He had a younger brother Masao still was in school, who was dreaming to be an account. His father Heihachi had owned a local antique store. Accidentally he had stumbled upon an antique printer in a newly acquire storage space. Being humorous he printed a few of his son's short stories. Amazingly it was a hit. Slowly Heihachi was becoming a leading publisher in his field famous for printing very few books with his antique printer. They were a normal family that didn't quite fit social mold.

Yoji would tell stories of their father collect random things but never selling them. He would store them in their family shed barely looking at them. Ryosuke love to sing, but was clearly tone deaf. Their neighbor cats would always join when he started singing in the shower. Masao liked to make up jokes. But he was never funny. The only people who seemed interested were their father's go friends. And Yoji himself liked to take pictures. But they were never in focus.

Mitsuko had asked once she saw the failed pictures. "Why do you take photos? They're all out of focus."

He replied with a charismatic grin. "It's the moment I'm getting, not the detail."

During Mitsuko's brother and Yoji graduation from law school, she met the Shindo family. They were exactly what she was hoping for. They carried an air of confidence, which made others feel just a little lacking.

Finally exchanging names and handshakes, she met him. It was the first decision Mitsuko ever made. Luckily it was an important one. He started the conversation with a horrible joke. But to Mitsuko, Masao was the funniest man alive.

Later they married and enjoyed a comfortable life. Masao became an account for the family business. He bought a two-story house, close to her parents and his. He gave a generous allowance, allowing her freedom to buy anything she really wanted. Then they had Hikaru, who was a very easy birth. Life seemed content again. It was worry free.

But suddenly it changed. Her normal yet tomboyish daughter started having fainting spells. The doctor diagnosed it as serve anxiety. So Mitsuko allowed more leniency. She didn't scold about low-test scores. She didn't nag for Hikaru to clean her room.

So when Hikaru asked to sign up for Go classes, Mitsuko quickly agreed. She assumed Hikaru wanted to be closer to her eccentric grandfather. It was nothing. A phase. Soon books about go were everywhere. Hikaru would spend her free time at go salons or her grandfather's. Her test scores went up. She started reading books about ancient Japan, art, and history. She could sit quietly not needing to run around the house.

Heihachi bought her an expensive goban, treating it as a gift for the being interested in Go. 'It'll be good for her. She's a smart girl.' He had said, having no clue about Mitsuko's concern.

Masao continued paying for the fees and her interest in her new books. 'They had the money for Hikaru to indulge in new interest.'

So Mitsuko tried not to worry. But the computer was soon bought from prize money Hikaru had won from a local competition. Mitsuko for hours would not see a glimpse of her daughter. Her friends would call; Hikaru was playing someone from America. They would come over; she would show them a game from Europe. Masao would spend some quality time, only going over games from Asia. It seemed insane.

Distraught, Mitsuko freed her woes to Yoji and his wife Aya. Their son had been obsessed with music, dreaming he would be a rock star. By fate or a lucky star, he was an up and coming artist in the industry. So they decided to get Hikaru favorite cousin, to lure her back into society.

It had worked. Hikaru went on shopping sprees. She would hang out with her old friend Akari. She giggled over boys and worried about middle school exams. Her life didn't revolve around go.

Maybe it was life or growing up, but worries always seem to continue. For Mitsuko it came again in a form of their daughter screaming one Sunday morning. Through traumatic tears, Mitsuko could only hear the name Sai. Hikaru followed her insane actions by running out the door, only to return the next morning, with blood shot eyes.

Mitsuko was beyond worried. She was enraged. She locked all of Hikaru things that had anything related to Go. She arrived at school exactly as the bell rang. Hikaru was strictly not allowed to go anywhere for a two weeks. But Hikaru didn't react. In fact, she seemed to like being guided around. She sat aimlessly in the kitchen, quietly watching the sky. It was eerie. It made Mitsuko's heart break.

Her cousin, taking a tour in Korea decided to bring Hikaru along. It seemed to do the trick. She came back smiling. She applied for Kaiou high school, saying it would challenge her academically. She started collecting fans. Old, new, cheap, expansive, it didn't matter. She silently became older.

Many months later, Mitsuko had peeked into Hikaru room, before her entrance exams. She found Hikaru slumped over her computer, completely obvious to the world. Gesturing towards her noisy husband, he quietly tucked her in, while Mitsuko tidy Hikaru desk. Glancing at the screen, she saw a poem. Curiously she read the words, unconsciously tighten her grip on her daughter's chair.

Sai

Filtering through her mind, she remembered that name very clearly. Mitsuko started to cry. Bewildered Masao, led his wife back to their room, asking what was wrong. Shaking her head left to right, she could only find comfort in his arms.

"What pinch you in the butt?" He joked, receiving no answer. "Bad joke?'

"Yeah," she hiccuped, but gave a small but genuine smile. "It was bad."

Lying in bed that night, Mitsuko had decided. As a parent she would always worry. But instead of fretting over the details, she would go with the moment. She would support her daughter. Worrying too much almost made her lose a very important fact. Hikaru was growing up and she didn't want to miss it because she was out of focus.


"Okasan!" Hikaru shouted from the front door. "I'm off. I'll be back by 6:30 before we go to grandpa's."

Coming out of the kitchen, Mitsuko smiled at her daughter. "Could you swing by the store and get me a new Harry Potter book? It's our new book club topic." She wiped her wet hands against her apron. "I'll get you some money."

"Why didn't you ask Taso-nii for one?"

"Hikaru, I am not going to ask your cousin for a new book every time I want to read something." Mitsuko wrinkled her forehead. "You better not have been abusing his authority. Just because he's the president doesn't mean he can do everything his way."

"Of course not," Hikaru crossed her fingers behind her back. "I'm off." She grabbed her backpack. "Bye Otousan," she shouted slamming the door behind her.

A minute later, pounding footsteps beat down the stairs. Appearing before Mitsuko her flushed face husband pouted.

"Why didn't you stop her?" He quickly sat, breathing quite heavily. "I wanted to play go with her. She's the only one in the family that can beat Otousan."

Patting his shoulder, Mitsuko gave a gentle smile. "Masao, you should let Hikaru handle your father. With your skill you should just stick to playing your brothers."

"Never," he stood placing his hands strongly on his hips. "I'm a Shindo. I will beat Otousan and Ru-chan someday."

"If you say so," Mitsuko returned to her kitchen hoping to finish the salmon rolls that she promised her in-laws.

"Honey," Masao whined, knowing fully well that she didn't believe that he would ever beat them.


"Argh!" Why can't I beat you?" Kawai screamed causing the surrounding tables to pause.

Smack

"Woman, do you need me to throttle you?" He glared only receiving another slap. Waya and Isumi smiled, getting use to the familiar scene. It was their third time there and already they felt part of the group. The salon had a safe and cozy environment that was enduring. It wasn't anything expensive like Toya Meijin's but it was charming.

"How did your friends do Isumi-sensei?" The owner asked placing several cups of tea on the table. Blushing from the title, Isumi bowed his head slightly. "Please you do not need to call us Sensei. We're only here for fun."

"If you pay us, you can call us anything." Waya laughed receiving a quick glare from Isumi. Sheepishly Waya sat down, as Isumi continued talking.

"Honda and Nase passed, while Fukui lost." He paused hearing several comments throughout the room. "Don't worry, Fukui still has some years before he's eighteen. But I think he'll pass next year for sure."

"I'm sure he will."

"We'll be cheering for him."

"Tell him to come more often."

"We definitely will put him in shape."

"We'll bring everyone over sometime." Waya smiled enjoying the carefree attitudes. "Now who's next? I'll beat anyone by 15 mokus."

"Waya!" Isumi spluttered his tea across the once dry goban. "Don't be so cocky."

"Exactly kid, listen to your sempai." Kawai pointed at Waya. "Besides you barely won against me."

"I was distracted by the way you eat. Chump…chump…chump!" Waya quickly ducked dodging from Kawai's strong headlock.

"Wow, its extra busy today." A cheery voice called from the door.

"Shindo-chan!" Cries were heard throughout the room.

"You're back."

"We missed you."

"How's school going?"

With the grace of a pageant queen, Hikaru waved at her admirers stopping besides Kawai and the owner.

"Shindo-chan," Kawai opened his arms, only receiving a heavy backpack.

"Kawai-san could you put this in a locker for me? The lower ones are all taken." Pouting from the treatment, Kawai reluctantly obeyed.

"It's you!" Waya pointed completely shocked that his angel was the she/boy from the picture.

"Hero-kun," Hikaru winked playfully. "Save any more girls lately?"

"No…I don't…I mean…it was nothing." Blushing violet red, Waya shuffled his feet while bashfully giggled to him self.

"How have you been Shindo-san?" Isumi asked directing unwanted attention away from Waya.
"I've been great. But please just call me Shindo or Shindo-chan." Hikaru scratched her head in deep thought. "I don't think I ever asked for your names."

"No you didn't," Isumi smiled holding out his hand. "Isumi Shinichiro."

"Please to meet you Isumi-kun."

"I'm Waya Yoshitaka." Waya eagerly cut into the conversation, praying for another touch from her.

"Please to meet you Waya-kun." Waya felt slightly disappointed from only being called his last name. But no worries, she would call him Yoshitaka soon enough. And maybe, Taka-chan, laughing to him self, he missed the very strange look he was receiving from everyone in the room.

"Um, do you want to play?" Shindo asked, sitting in Kawai's seat.

"Yes," Waya replied happy for the close proximity.

"I think I'll watch." Isumi said to another man asking for a game.

"How many stones?" Waya calmly asked preparing for the game.

"I don't need any." Shindo smiled placing several white stones on the goban.

"But we're pros," Waya said rather confused.

"Let's just see how good I am." Shindo replied with a slight tone of arrogance. "I'm sure you can handle it."

"I don't like to make girls cry." He confidently fought back.

"I'm sure it won't happen."

"Beat him real good Shindo-chan." Kawai leaning directly over her.

"Kawai-san, could you get me a cup of tea? You know how I concentrate better with it."

"Of course," Kawai ran behind the counter.

"You don't know how much I've missed you since you haven't been here." The owner's wife whispered into Shindo's ear.

"I have a fairly good idea."

"You ready, princess." Waya asked placing his black stone.

"Always," making the familiar sound….pachi.


There was something unsettling on how such a sweet innocent girl could be so deadly precise when playing go. Isumi continued wondering, watching her browse through the bookstore. At first when she won, Isumi had thought Waya was distracted by his attraction. So he played her. In total they lost four, very one-sided games. She was accurate. She was chaotic. She was well thought out. She was unexpected. She was a mystery. It was disconcerting to lose so easily to a no name amateur.

"I'll take this one and six of these Mister." She placed a heavy fiction book and six Go-weekly newspapers. 'I wonder if she's a hustler.' Isumi thought still miff from paying these books. 'Why does she need six newspapers.' Smiling at him, Hikaru batted her bright green eyes. "I have a big family. Most of them like go."

'That explains it,' Isumi thought bitterly, handing over the rest of his week's paycheck.

"Don't look so sad Waya-kun." Hikaru leaned against Waya's shoulder. "Most people resign within a half an hour."

"I'm a pro. I don't resign to a…" He stopped remembering who he was talking too.

Knowing perfectly well what he was saying, Hikaru continued for him. "Pros don't lose to amateur right?" Both nodded, slumped dejectedly. "That's why pros still lose games. I feel like you place yourself on a pedestal. Titles and names are just nice rewards. Go is about playing people. Learning from past mistakes to make better moves for the future."

"Why aren't you in Insei?" Waya asked grabbing her free hand. "You need to be a pro."

"Busy with school," Hikaru automatically replied, gently pulling her hand away. "Haven't decided if I want to be pro."

"Who taught you how to play?" Isumi's curious mind started to form.

"A friend," she smiled grabbing her unpaid purchases. "Thanks for the books. Let's play again soon." Before Waya or Isumi could stop her, she had already run out the door.

"She has to be a pro. I bet she could beat Toya in a second" Waya's face crinkled from the name. "I mean someone on her level needs to join."

"She seemed reluctant though." Isumi frowned. "I feel like she's playing for something else though."

"Yeah, I kinda got the feeling like I played her some where." Waya rubbed his chin, trying very hard to remember where he had. 'Its on the tip of my tongue. Someone really important.'

"Well we'll just play her again." Isumi winced putting his rather thin wallet back into his pocket while breaking Waya's thought. "I'm sure it'll jog your memory from playing."

"Good, you got her number." Waya reached to grab Isumi's cell phone completely forgetting the important name.

"No, I thought you did.'

"Isumi," Waya shouted receiving several glares from the quiet bookstore. " Why didn't you get it?"

"You were talking to her for ten minutes."

"We were talking about new action manga. She knows so much." His eyes glazed over with full admiration.

"Well don't blame me for not getting her number. You're the one who likes her." Isumi unsympathetically answered.

"Isumi," Waya was about to continue, before he jumped from the appearing hand. "Kawai-san are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"No," he wickedly waved a cell phone in Waya's face. "I have her number though."

Reaching for the target, Waya missed getting his cheek pinched instead. "Please!"

Sticking his hand out Kawai named his price.

"You're insane!"

"You're a pro!"

Muttering certain profanities, Waya checked he was 200 yen short. "Isumi," he looked up at his dear friend.

"Sorry buddy," Isumi closing the door behind him. Leaving the store, he could still hear Kawai's laughter several minutes away.