Basic disclaimer applies.
Chapter 04 : House Visit
"Kuwabara-sensei... is this really okay?"
The sight of an elderly sitting in the moving train with a partially blond-haired youth might be a strange disproportionate image, but none of them nor anyone around the two was caring enough to comment on it. They were lucky that they get a seat, probably because the rush hour had only barely started.
"I invited you, didn't I? Just relax and enjoy the ride, young one."
He fidgeted on his seat. Kuwabara rolled his eyes. Did the realization that he was taking a train with the Honinbou just dawned on him?
"But we could play on the Kiin... there's no need to play it at your house, right?"
"If you wish to get mobbed by the media, then you're free to try Shindou-kun. That Kosemura guy would have a field trip if he saw me playing a Shodan."
The young boy said a quick "Oh, right", probably to himself. What? Was he really oblivious to the fame that entails title holders?
It didn't add up. The boy regarded his title so highly, yet he's not aware of the responsibilities that followed. Unless...
"Aah, so you're that type," the Honinbou trailed off. The one that only look forward playing the game itself like an obsessed madman, and the title was just a stepping stone to be able to play stronger opponents. It wasn't unlike the former Meijin that complained of how he couldn't freely play someone anymore since he got five titles. Also he got his penchant for disliking interviews.
Will the boy bloomed into such force like the great Meijin though? It was just one of the mysteries that surrounded Shindou Hikaru, Kuwabara's trusted sixth sense whispered. After all, he couldn't understand his odd fixation toward his particular title.
Shindou Hikaru. What a peculiar boy.
"Still, I never thought that Kuwabara-sensei would took a train home. I thought you'll just took taxi or something."
"Why not? My house is just two stations away from the Kiin. We old folks prefer simpler things. Even Touya-sensei sometimes use trains to travel." Also, there's no way he'll foot the taxi bill for the Shodan.
"Touya-sensei too?" the kid look startled. "Ehh... Touya-sensei, taking the train..."
He knew well what the boy's thinking right now. He allowed himself to chuckle under his breath. The image of the intense man taking the public transportation with other normal person was quite bizarre. That man could make a crying child stop with his expression alone.
"Quite a picture eh? Heh heh heh!"
"W-well, if it's Touya-sensei I guess it's okay," he looked embarrassed that the Honinbou knew what he was thinking, "I'm worried about you though, Kuwabara-sensei. You looked like you'd collapse once you get off the train."
Kuwabara Honinbou kicked Shindou Hikaru in the shin, hard.
"Worry about yourself more, boy. Come on, here's our stop."
Hikaru writhed and muttered string of curses under his breath, following the Honibou out of the train with limping steps.
Kuwabara residence was located on an old but well-respected neighborhood, just five minutes walking from the train station. Again, it suited him just like his title.
One of his servants was placing two pairs of indoor slippers down for them while the young Shodan stood on the front entrance, gawked at the sheer size of his house.
"It's even bigger than Touya's house!" Hikaru looked around with open amazement, pranced on the long wooden corridor behind the his host.
"Hoh, so you've been to the Meijin's house?"
"Yeah, for the Hokuto-cup practice with Kurata-san and Yashiro. It has similar style but definitely smaller than this one..." he stopped when he spotted something, "Uh, Kuwabara-sensei. May I use your telephone? I need to tell my mum I'm going home late today. I forgot to call from Kiin since we left in such hurry."
"Heeh, aren't you a responsible son..." he raised his bushy eyebrow at him, "Sure, Shindou-kun. Feel free to make a call."
Hikaru ushered a quick thank you and proceeded to dial his home. Kuwabara turned the other way to gaze at his koi pond, leaving the boy to make his call in peace.
Again, he found the boy's attitude mind-boggling. At one side, he's as rude and boisterous as typical teenager could be. But he never forgotten his please and thank yous, and at time he could be oddly respectful to his seniors and elders. And then threw the fact that he was a go fanatic into the equation, the end result was something akin to a forcing a mismatched puzzle pieces together.
Did Kuwabara really intend to took the headache-inducing beginner under his care? And what could that mean to him and the go world?
Well, they still have a match to play beforehand.
"Sorry for the wait, Kuwabara-sensei. Thanks for letting me use the phone," the boy grinned at him. They continue their walk again, walking on the outer corridor that going around the pond.
"You looked like the type that will go days away from home without any announcement though, kid." Kuwabara decide to tease him a little, "I'm surprised you even remember to inform your folks."
"To be honest, I was what you described me as just until recently..." he looked at him guiltily, "Until one of my friend talked me out of it. I realized I've never really explain my job to my family. At least I owed my mum that much..."
That again. That weird side of him. Hard to imagine that this was the same boy that made nonchalant remarks of the Honinbou's age.
"On your path to be a responsible adult, I see. How old are you again, Shindou-kun? Fourteen?"
"Fifteen, sir. Sixteen this September."
The elderly stopped in front of a shoji door and slide it open. He gestured at Hikaru to come in. There was a goban sitting in the middle of tatami -floored room.
"Ah, so young. Well, show this old man what youth these days could do."
Hikaru sat in front of the goban as soon as Kuwabara sat down himself. His wrinkled hand took a handful of white stones and Hikaru put down two stones. The white stones were even in number, and they took their respective goke to their sides.
"Well, I'm second then," Kuwabara opened the lid for the agehama. "This is our first match, isn't it? I'm looking forward this, young one."
"Me as well," Hikaru did the same with his goke, with the addition of putting his paper fan beside it. "Sensei? If I might ask, why seven moku?"
"Seven moku for seven titles... since you're so hellbent on taking mine," he looked at him sharply with one eye opened, tone laced with the slightest tint of humor and mockery, "Fitting, isn't it?"
Hikaru stared at the goban sternly, unprovoked.
"Sensei, please took this game seriously. Or else I'll defeat you and took your title earlier than intended."
Ooh, this cheeky boy was asking for it.
"As you wish, brat."
The komi was 5.5 moku with Kuwabara taking white and Hikaru taking black. They agreed with the three hours duration with necessary breaks. The tension in the room grew thicker as they made their opening moves.
Kuwabara Honinbou had only saw the Shodan's kifu twice. Once was at the Shin-Shodan Series against Touya Koyo, where he wagered for the boy's win. The second time was his match against the Korean first board, Ko Yeong-Ha because the Weekly Go was making quite a fuss about it. Merely a half moku difference.
Both time he lost, and the play styles couldn't get more eyebrow-rising than that.
Pachi.
Their current game was nearing chuuban , and Hikaru had just made an attack toward one of the Honinbou's important stone.
So it began.
Soon the elderly recognize the Shodan's playstyle. It was mostly the same as his style with Ko Yeong-Ha; fierce and full of traps. The boy has affinity with laying a seemingly unimportant stone, only for it to be extremely helpful thirty, forty moves later. He was flexible, sneaky, and aggressive. His play style was screaming youth at its highest volume.
But in between the throes of burning attack, he sometimes play distinct moves. The old, almost out of place joseki. Its calm calculating nature created a weird, cold contrast with his other hand.
It was, by no mistake, Shuusaku's play style. His old self knew it by heart.
And it bore more resemblance to his match against Touya Koyo.
Narrowing his eyes, Kuwabara faintly remembered that the Go Weekly article about the Hokuto Cup also mentioned Shuusaku somewhere. He made a mental note to check it out later.
He regarded how the game was evolving in front of him. They've exchanged attacks already. Several traps were either sprung or disarmed, and they fought fiercely for territory. The boy was skilled alright. He held up magnificently even when he's playing the Honinbou; his focus was not once wavered as if he's used to play against an opponent of this caliber.
...still, Hikaru was lacking refinement and experience. He had good intuition, but him too favoring risky moves will put him on jeopardy. Just like the hand he previously played.
Looks like it was time for him to speed things up.
With a loud clack, Kuwabara played a decisive move and Hikaru's expression hardened. It nullified his intricate trap and at the same time, messing up his important groups on the bottom left side of the board. A clean cut, a multi-purpose move that was hard to recover from.
Feeling that the tide has turned, the teenager gritted his teeth. He was now holding his fan at his side for support.
Shindou Hikaru had finally witnessed the sharpness of the Honinbou's concealed blade.
"...I have nothing."
After forty more moves, the boy admitted his defeat. This surprised his opponent; Kuwabara was sure that the boy would push it until yose. He was putting up a magnificent fight too, baring all his fangs and claws.
"Thank you for the game," the Honinbou bowed back politely, "that was quicker than I thought though, Shindou-kun."
"This move was just too strong, Sensei," he sighed tiredly, pointed out to Kuwabara's tesuji earlier, "But the one that sealed my fate was your stone at 16-5. There's no way I'll lose for less than 7 moku after that."
Interest piqued, the elder regarded the stone position that Hikaru told him. Odd. It was just an ikken-tobi from his white stone on the lower side. It was supposed to be an ordinary move from him but...
Kuwabara Honinbou sensed a weird feeling in his gut. No. Something was off.
He hunched his back to take a closer look, reading deeper for any possible sequences, any scenario that his innocently placed stone apparently prevented.
"..."
Where was it?
He couldn't see it so far. But judging from Hikaru's play style, there must be something there. But why can't he see anything?
"...Well, a loss is a loss, Shindou-kun. Too bad." Kuwabara said at last, deciding to postpone his review. Hikaru looked dejected, and Kuwabara felt almost sorry.
A huff escaped Kuwabara. What decision should he make from this result?
He was flattered that the boy wanted to learn from him that much, but the condition he gave him... it's not like he could take it back.
"Shall I accompany you to your way out?" Kuwabara offered. Hikaru shook his head.
"It's okay, Sensei. I remembered the way."
"Then be careful."
Kuwabara decided not to accommodate him further. It was considered disrespectful for showing kindness after such defeat, and he was sure the boy wanted to be alone for some time.
It was a solid game they played, really. He would praise the boy if only he's not blatantly challenging him for his title.
Still...
Something about the position that the boy said left a gnawing feeling inside of him. He eyed the board closely, forehead wrinkled even deeper with him narrowing his eyes. The single white stone gleamed temptingly at him under the room's light.
The Honinbou decided to recreate the game from the beginning, probably over a cup of hot tea. There went the rest of his afternoon.
Notes:
-Chuuban: Middle-game
-Yose: Endgame
-Joseki: Standard local play, typically in the corner
-Tesuji: Skillful tactical play
If you're familiar with this series, I trust you to be resourceful enough to understand the rest of them. And if you forgotten some, Sensei's Library is your friend and only one google search away.
Author's Notes:
One of my longer chapter. Hope you enjoy this update.