Interlude: The Boy Who Weaves Riddle on Goban

Kuwabara out of curiosity asked about one family figure his disciple never spoke of. Hikaru talked about Fujiwara no Sai the most of course, he also spoke about his demanding and powerful father quite often but that was because most of Hikaru's life was dictated by his father. He spoke of his other brothers in passing and Kuwabara didn't even get their name as all Hikaru depicted about them were how useful and useless they were to Fujiwara household.

However, Hikaru never mention his mother at all. Aside from that one time he explained why he looked not alike with his brother, that his mother was the third consort of his father.

"Haha-ue?" Hikaru murmured the most respectful honorific for a mother, "Hm… she passed away two summers ago."

Much to Kuwabara's shock his mother was not just the woman who gave birth to him. Hikaru's mother was his first Go tutor, or rather she came from a family of omyouji and curiously she was a fortune teller. She used Go as medium of her fortune telling.

"Go is a game board that at first used to practice art of war and divination." Hikaru murmured, "Haha-ue taught me how to divine using Go and to basic technique play… however Sai-aniue is the one who teach me how to really play Go."

Kuwabara cackled at his disciple, "So, you can tell me my fortune for next month?"

Hikaru chuckled at him softly, "Silly Shishou, Go divination is for divining the fate of the likes of the emperor and nobles, and other aspects that control the prestige of a country… it's not like monthly horoscope on girl's magazine Sakurano loves."

"Silly! I will show you silly! Ungrateful disciple!"

The Fujiwara quirked an eyebrow at him, "Shishou… you're the Honinbou and you ask me to use Go to tell your next month fortune." He said pointedly, 'You have showed me 'silly' Shishou.' was unspoken but implied loudly.

Then by the next day Hikaru did something silly, or outrageous. Kuwabara didn't know which, but he and his students agreed by the scale of Hikaru's madness, this one ranked pretty high. Hikaru started trying to use his mother's teaching to find Sai. Then he got it to his head to incorporate divination technique to his personal joseki, as if it was not already as whacky as it was.

"I think I can start to see something…" Hikaru murmured in crazed daze after he slaughtered Sakurano on the goban even more mercilessly than usual.

Sakurano looked pretty dead; or rather she was in a daze after the worse lost in her career as Go player. Kuwabara was not worried because he knew he had raised the toughest cookies in pro world. However he was really worried about his unstable student who was getting crazier even by standard of Kuwabara School.

"I see…"

Ren, Kuwabara's student who was the closest friend to Hikaru approached him warily. Yeah, Hikaru was someone who even his close friend was wary of when he was in one of his moment. "Hikaru, yeah… we see you beat Sakurano mercilessly… but I don't think…"

"Be quiet." Hikaru said in his cold princely voice that always sent his students to their corner. "I know I see something." He insisted with a hiss.

No one dared to say otherwise in fear Hikaru was going to snap at them. When he was like this everyone but Kuwabara would feel like walking on eggshells around him. If there was one thing his students learned very quickly about Hikaru, it was in spite of his outward fragility and classic beauty he possessed, Fujiwara Hikaru was a dangerous person.

Then again this was the boy who talked about how his own brothers poisoning his meal at least twice a week with deadpan tone, and criticizing the stupidity of method they used to slip the poison. Apparently dislike was a too weak word to describe brotherly bond Hikaru shared with not-Sai brothers. Hikaru's father also implied in daily basis that if he got killed for letting his own guard down, it was his fault and no one else. It was pure Darwinism going in Fujiwara house.

Which was why the first thing Kuwabara taught to Hikaru aside from Go was modern law of Japan. Although… he was not sure that measure he took was a right one as by the next day Hikaru presented him a complete essay of loopholes in Japan's law, and proceed to present another essay the day after on how to abuse the said loophole.

If Hikaru didn't become a Go player, he would find himself right at home as a lawyer. So Kuwabara decided Hikaru was better of as a Go player. After that discovery of his divination skill, Hikaru was back to his cheery double-faced self, much to their relief. However on goban his Go became even more torturing than ever to his opponent, it was like trying to solve an impossible riddle when playing the Go prodigy. Although they still won against him from time to time because of their experience and Hikaru was still wobbling in developing this crazy new Go of his.

Kuwabara supposed he should be happy Hikaru was developing stronger Go, but he was not sure this was a good direction for Hikaru to grow up to. It was like another step that would end up spiraling to insanity.

Chapter 4: Honinbou's and Meijin's Heir

Kuwabara's Residence

Ohara Makoto, the son in law of Kuwabara Honinbou wondered if his father in law won't disown him if he asked the boy he was painting for one innocent request. Then again to his father in law, anything that got in the way of the boy's Go was forbidden under the threat of hellish pain. Sometimes he wondered where he got his bravado to propose his wife to that scary father in law of his.

Then again he was asking for his daughter, this boy was his disciple. Hibari, his wife had repeatedly told him that to her father, Hikaru-kun worth hundreds of daughter in comparison.

"Hikaru-kun?"

The said boy's eyes turned to him, but not even a muscle of his body moved from his position, sprawled on top of antique Chinese long chair like a cat, dressed in simple ochre yellow kimono with an uchikage on top of it. It was woman's clothing, but Hikaru never complain of anything Makoto asked him to wear as long as it was decent. Makoto wondered how this boy could be so still, whenever he painted the boy it felt like he was painting a living doll.

"There is an exhibition next week, and… I wonder if you're willing to lend me a couple of your painting for it."

Makoto murmured as he mixed deep carmine color with ochre yellow to produce more vibrant color. Whenever he painted Hikaru, he liked experimenting with color. He always left the boy's skin in natural color but everything else he mixed colors with random vibrancy to create dream like image.

"I don't mind." Hikaru replied curtly.

Hikaru-kun was undeniably a beautiful boy, slightly tanned ivory skin, eyes as green as zelkova leaves in summer, and long dark hair cascading like silk.

Makoto thought it was a waste for this boy to be stuck with his father in law to be a professional Go player. Hikaru-kun thought otherwise, and wasted all that good looks and good head between his shoulders on Go instead of something greater. Then again perhaps that something greater was in Go to Hikaru-kun and his father in law.

"And Hikaru-kun…" Makoto added nervously, "An art collector came to my house and he is really interested in buying that first painting of you I painted, you know… the one I paint in summer on father's koi pond."

That day Hikaru was whining about his father's alcohol intake and how the heat of summer was not justified reason to indulge in so many can of chilled beer. They shouted at each other and Kuwabara in a moment of losing his temper and perhaps sanity (which he thought was already nonexistent) on his head, shouted and shoved his disciple to his koi pond. Hikaru became soaked to the bond, his green eyes flashed in annoyance, his jaw set and his fingers ran through his wet locks in annoyance. It was an enchanting sight that caught his breath as the boy knelt on the pond, his long hair fanned around him on the water surface and one of the red water lilies caught on it.

Makoto begged Hikaru-kun to not move on the spot and ran to retrieve his sketchbook. He was in a slump and that incident gave him the inspiration he was craving for. He knew the painting he produced that time would be a masterpiece.

It did, Guren no Shounen was his best masterpiece since his career began.

Although Hikaru-kun catching a cold the day after was so not part of his plan, and his father in law threatened to disown him for it. He was surprised Hikaru-kun forgave him in exchange of painting lesson, the boy was so in awe that his painting that was so life like and wanted to be able to do the same. Hikaru managed to do it in less than six month to achieve life likeness of realistic painting.

Unfortunately father in law would rather bit the dust first rather than allowing Hikaru-kun to pursue a career in art.

"I don't mind." Came the same curt answer that snapped him out of his trip down memory line.

Did this boy cared about anything but his Go and missing brother? Makato thought exasperatedly.

"Will there…"

Makoto perked up, "Yes? Hikaru-kun?"

"Will there be anyone who would be interested to buy my painting?" He asked softly.

His brush stopped at that and he smiled at Hikaru. "Hm, I am sure there would be people who love them enough to buy them." It was not about money of course, but loving the artwork enough to buy it for themselves.

"Hm… that would be nice…" Hikaru murmured almost in sleepy voice.

Makoto paused and then turned to his model, "Are you sleepy? You have been posing for hours… would you like to rest?"

Soft snore answered his question and Makoto was glad he put some pillows to go with the long chair so the boy won't get back pain for sleeping on top of hard wooden surface. "In the end he keep stay so still even when he is sleeping." He chuckled amusedly. "But his expression became so soft when he is sleeping, like a child…" He was a child but sometime Makoto forgot this boy was five years younger than his oldest daughter.

Sound of door sliding open caught his attention and he saw Akatsuki Ren, the youngest student of his father in law and perhaps the closest friend of Hikaru came inside his studio. "Crap." He cursed when he saw the scene. "He fell asleep?"

"Yeah." Makoto answered as he wiped his hands, he had finished the last touch of his latest painting.

Ren cringed, "I am not going to be the one who wake him up, not without ten feet long pole."

All students of Kuwabara Honinbou had their quirks, but Hikaru in spite of looking the most normal most of the time was the one with endless quirks. One of it was his penchant to attack anyone trying to wake him up, excluding his master. Ren found himself pinned with a paper cutter on his jugular the last time he tried to arouse the young Fujiwara from his sleep, and since then he vehemently refuse to go anywhere closer than ten feet from sleeping Hikaru.

"Let him to rest for a while." Makoto murmured, "Maybe he is still tired from accompanying father to Nagano."

"Ki'in called." He rubbed his neck as if recalling the close call he had back then. "You know that Hikaru manage sensei's schedule."

Makoto sighed, "Fine… just shout to wake him up."

"This is Hikaru we're talking about…" Ren said pointedly, "He could sleep through animal's stampede, but approaching him when he is unconscious is suicidal."

In the end Ren gave in and with shaky finger he poked Hikaru on his shoulder to wake the boy up. Ren was resigned to his fate when he felt Hikaru grabbed his offending hand and he face-planted to the floor.

"Oh, my apologies Ren… do you need me for something?" He asked waspishly.

Inwardly Ren wondered what prompted him to do suicidal action like waking up their prissy prince. "Hmoof…. Hi…. In ha halhed." He said with his mouth muffled by the floow.

"Then I should pick up that phone quickly." Hikaru murmured as he straightened himself, "Makoto-san, may I take my leave?"

Makoto nodded, "Yeah, I am tidying up… Father would be cranky if he saw I mess up your studio." The room was Hikaru's, a proof his father in law would pamper Hikaru as much as he could if asked. Even if it was for Hikaru's mere side hobby.

"Thank you very much, Makoto-san." Hikaru bowed politely and excused himself to pick the important call.

Then again to his father in law, Hikaru was his new purpose in life. He and his wife had repeatedly trying to convince the Honinbou to retire because of his age. You would have thought Go pro player was an easy job as long as you can maintain a steady win record, but this job was extremely stressful. Especially to Kuwabara Honinbou who struggled to keep his last throne. He always claimed that he didn't want much in his old age, but he wouldn't hand over Honinbou title to anyone.

Anyone but Hikaru now.

Which was why everyone in their household now hoped Hikaru-kun would be strong enough to beat their stubborn father, before he keeled over and unable to enjoy peaceful retirement he should take years ago.

Touya's Residece

"The boy who defeated Akira-kun is Kuwabara sensei's disciple?" Ogata echoed in shock. "But Akira-kun's description of that boy's character didn't fit."

Touya Meijin paused from his game recreation and said, "Perhaps that boy have many different sides… but that child…" He was not sure he wanted to call the Honinbou's disciple as a child because…"He feels out of place."

The 9-dan blinked at that, "Akira-kun said the same thing…"

"Then my son also feels it, the strange and almost mystic air around Kuwabara-sensei's disciple." He murmured calmly. "I am not sure how to explain it but… he feels dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

Kouyou nodded, "For a moment I feel it's not wise for Akira to pursue that boy, but at the rate Akira is going…"

Ogata laughed softly at that, "Ha ha ha… perhaps he indeed in need of a rival, if that boy can beat Akira-kun… he would be the one I should watch out for if I want to push Kuwabara-sensei off of his Honinbou throne." Then he added, "Akira-kun was bored, said Ashiwara… now with Kuwabara-sensei's disciple on the table I am sure Akira is fired up." Although he was not sure associated to that old racoon's school was a good idea.

The Meijin smiled at that, "On contrary while Akira sees that child as someone he has to surpass, he is not going after that rival with mere excitement and competing spirit."

"Eh?"

He took a deep breath, "Akira… he is scared of that boy." He placed another stone. "Just from a glimpse of the game and the boy face to face… I can have to say Akira fears that boy with a good reason." He concluded almost in grim tone. "Chasing while shivering, challenging as fearing… it's something Akira has never experience before…"

Ogata swallowed, 'The disciple of Honinbou… what kind of player he is? Who is he?'

Getsujou Gallery (Exhibition Day)

Ashiwara-san never strike Akira as an art person, apparently he was wrong. In spite of Ashiwara-san was somewhat a friend and more of a goofy brother figure to him, Akira never know that apparently Ashiwara family was an art collector. So since he was young Ashiwara had a lot of acquaintance from art world, and one of the featured artists in this exhibition was a childhood friend of his. Ashiwara also added that the said friend was much older, but he had a baby face and his wife and daughter were one of prettiest ladies Ashiwara had ever seen.

"I am Ohara Makoto, nice to meet you. Touya-kun!" Ohara-san was a brown haired man with lean body, his eyes were darker shade of brown that framed with stylish glasses.

"Nice to meet you too, Ohara-sensei." It felt odd to call someone who was not a teacher or Go player as sensei.

Ohara-san glanced at Ashiwara-san and said, "You know Hiroyuki-kun, while I am happy you bring someone along… I hope you didn't drag Akira-kun with your pushy attitude."

He did, but Akira won't say that out loud.

"Come on! Makoto-nii! I thought you said it's a must to encourage young generation to appreciate beautiful art, painting… and go." Ashiwara-san said, grinning brightly.

Ohara-san sighed exasperatedly, "Well… Touya-kun, I hope you enjoy your visit." He winked at the young Go player. "There are some paintings here that painted by a child your age… and he is really good." He sighed wistfully. "Although he couldn't pursue painting as his main career… but he is very talented and I am sure this exhibition would be a good start to encourage him to produce more paintings."

"Wow!" Ashiwara-san whistled. "So… he is like Akira-kun of artist world."

Akira flushed red, "Ashiwara-san!"

A moment later Ohara-san excused himself to speak to a curator friend of his and the two Go player were left to explore the gallery on their own. Ashiwara-san looked like a kid in candy shop when he went Wow and Ah at every beautiful artwork piece that caught his eyes. Akira had to admit this trip was more fun than he expected, Ohara-san was a good artist.

"Ohara-san is Kuwabara-sensei's son in law, you know!" Ashiwara-san informed him out of the blue.

Akira was surprised by that information, "Really? He is Kuwabara-sensei's son?"

Ashiwara-san grinned, "Unexpected ne? I also wonder how Makoto-nii can get Kuwabara-sensei's daughter… he said he almost got killed though when he proposed Hibari-san."

"Ooh…" Akira sweat-dropped at that, he had never met the Honinbou face to face but he had heard of the title holder's quirky personality. His father called the old man quirky, while Ogata-san called the Honinbou insane geezer that should be in mental asylum instead of allowed to roam free.

"By the way… the main piece of this exhibition is in another room, on the second floor as it's bigger than other piece here." Ashiwara-san read the brochure out loud. "And apparently there is a corner where they exhibit paintings of young artists."

Akira hummed at that, "Since Ohara-san is Kuwabara-sensei's son, is there any of his art that Go related?"

"Well… Makoto-nii has no slightest clue how to play Go even though I tried my best to teach him! He just didn't get the concept of…" He trailed off.

"Ashiwara-pro?"

Ashiwara-san paused and then he beamed at the middle aged man who called his name, "My! Nobi-san! What a surprise to see you here!"

Nobi-san smiled at Ashiwara-san, "I don't really understand art… I can see beautiful ones although I don't really know the value. My close friend is an art collector so I come to accompany him today although it seems I lost him." He smiled sheepishly. "I overheard Ashiwara-sensei asking about Go related artwork… actually there is one painting in young artist corner I saw featured Go." He sighed wistfully. "I was going to ask my friend to help me to buy it… hopefully the artist would be willing to part with the piece, I don't understand art but I do understand Go."

Ashiwara-san whistled, "You have to show us the way to this painting! Akira-kun and I would love to see it!" He turned to his young friend, "Akira-kun, this is Nobi-san… he is one of my old students!"

"Akira-kun?" Nobi-san echoed, "The son of Touya Meijin?"

Akira bowed at the older man, "Hai, nice to meet you Nobi-san… I am Touya Akira."

"Nice to meet you too, Touya-kun." Nobi-san returned. "As for that piece, it's over there… if I am lucky perhaps I will run to my friend there."

Then they followed Nobi-san to another room, it was much smaller than the main room and there are fifteen art pieces in total. Nobi-san quickly led us to paintings that caught his fancy, Akira and Ashiwara's eyes were quickly drawn to the painting. It was a painting of a young man from Heian era, he was smiling with his eyes closed, with his hands folded on top of a goban. The man looked like he was having a sweet and peaceful dream. What caught their attention was not the beautiful man though but the Go related details that scattered across the painting, kifus, spilling stones from bamboo made goke, and scrolls of joseki. The painting was painted with color autumn, gold, ochre yellow, red, brown and olive green, giving it rustic atmosphere.

"Wow!" Ashiwara-san breathed out.

Akira stared at the painting unblinkingly, "So beautiful… the kifu… it's real! I can even read it!" The painting was the biggest in the room, easily twice Akira's height in width and three times in length. So Akira could see every detail clearly, "The scrolls… is that classic Japanese?" It was a shame he couldn't read it.

Nobi-san smiled at him, "Impressive right? The young artist painted a beautiful picture but it's not a mere superficial beauty he captured in this painting… each detail have a story. Can you pinpoint it, Touya-kun? Use your imagination… it's fun, I spent almost one hour staring at this piece to figure it out."

Akira nodded and his eyes locked to the painting, analyzing each detail like reading the board in a game. "This man… he is recreating a game, as both gokes of white and black are by his side." He craned his neck, "And the kifu closest to the goban was the one that record the game he recreated." More than half of the game was already in a mess because the Heian era courtier slept on the goban but because of the kifu he could see how the game went.

"Uwaaah… what kind of joseki used? It's damn old… I even see kosumi used in respond for keima!" Ashiwara-san chimed in. "Is this Heian era joseki? They really didn't play with komi!"

Nobi-san laughed, "I also think the white won at first but then I realized the way black played didn't take komi to consideration!"

Akira's eyes widened at the untouched portion of stones on the goban, "Is that a life and death problem?" He pointed at the goban on the painting.

"It's a hard one!" Ashiwara-san added.

Akira's eyes went down to the kifu, "According to the record the tsumego was left alone but on the goban it was solved… this man recreated the game to solve the tsumego!" This was so fun! He had never thought a painting could be so fun, it was like a riddle. 'A riddle?' An image of long haired boy with deep green eyes flashed on his mind. 'That person… come to think of it his joseki seems not meant to respond to mine, instead he is weaving a complicated formation… a riddle like joseki.'

His eyes wandered to other kifu on the painting, his eyes widened. "That kifu…" He pointed at the image. "The one near that long red scroll."

Nobi-san rubbed the back of his head, "Oh, as expected of Touya-kun… I also noticed out all kifus in this painting, five in totals. This one is odd…"

The other kifus that not depicting the recreated game suggested white players as exceptional one, three of it were undoubtedly a shidougo game but that one was an even game. White won but black's joseki… Akira had only seen one game that resemble this, the joseki was not as complicated as the one he saw firsthand but that shape… there was no mistake! "It's his game!"

"Who?" Ashiwara blurted out in confusion.

Akira whirled to face Nobi-san, "Do you know who the artist of this painting is?"

Nobi-san shook his head, "No… the artist uses an initial." He pointed at small name plate on the bottom, 'Ano Hito no Aki by F.H'

"That person's autumn…" Ashiwara-san read out loud. "Eh… what an odd title, it have so many Go related detail but the title said just that… someone spending his time in autumn season."

Nobi-san laughed softly, "That's one of many questions I would like to ask the artist when I meet him."

Akira's eyes widened at that, "Nobi-san! You… will meet the artist?"

He nodded, "Of course… usually the museum's curator will handle everything, but this painting… the artist hasn't say anything about selling it. So I have to see the person directly to ask…" He informed the young Go player. "If he like my price, I can bring this piece home by the end of this exhibition."

"May I meet the artist too?" Akira asked, almost in pleading tone. "I have questions I would like to ask him!" Perhaps the artist knew that boy! No, he had to!

Ashiwara frowned at his young friend, "Akira-kun?"

"Of course." Nobi-san agreed right away, "I am sure the artist would love to meet a talented young Go prodigy like Touya-kun. Anyone who painted this piece must be a Go lover."

"Thank you very much!" Akira thanked the middle aged man.

Ashiwara rubbed the back of his head in confusion. "I didn't expect you like this painting this much." Perhaps for Akira's next birthday he could purchase a Go related artwork from this artist.

"Oi! Nobi!" A wizened voice called.

Nobi-san turned around, "Sune!" He exclaimed, "Where have you been? I thought you went to look for Ohara-san to get the artist contact number! What take you for so long?!"

Sune-san was shorter than Nobi-san with beak like mouth, "Hm! Don't complain! You know you only have time today as you're going to overseas for business tomorrow so I have to convince Ohara-sensei to get the artist to come today! The artist have no plan to come today at all you know! You're lucky Ohara-sensei managed to get in contact with the artist and he said we can see the artist in second floor where the main piece is featured!"

"Wonderful! So I don't have to wait at all!" Nobi-san exclaimed in joy. "By the way! Ashiwara-sensei and Touya-kun would like to see the artist too, is that okay?"

"I guess as long as the business talk is in private…" Sune-san murmured, "Unlike what you think, most artist didn't like to price their artwork with complicated mumbo jumbo, get their price right and we're all happy." He said as he led them out of the room. "Oh, and nice to meet you Ashiwara-sensei, Touya-kun… I have heard of Ashiwara-sensei from Nobi before but are you an insei?"

"No… but…"

"Akira-kun is stronger than insei." Ashiwara-san boasted shamelessly. "He should have taken the exam last year but well…"

"Ashiwara-san!"

Sune-san laughed, "Well… I don't think it's right to force kid to work young, even if they like the job… everything in the right time and place… look at me! I was a genius kid and my parents tried to get me to accelerated education… worked just fine for me for a while until I lost my interest and convince my parent to let me work on my own pace…"

Akira paused at that, "My own pace?"

"Yeah…" Sune-san murmured, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should… you're young, you have all time in the world before you stretch your wing for real. Nothing good come from rushing things… you will stumble and roll over the cliff before you know it."

"Huh?"

Nobi-san shook his head, "Don't ask, Sune is the genius in which the line between genius and insane is a fine line." He said as they entered the lift to get to second floor.

"Hey!" The other old man protested with a grin.

Ashiwara-san laughed, "You two are good friends."

"We're childhood friends." Nobi-san chortled, "Like brothers."

They reached the second floor shortly and Akira struggled to control himself to not run out of the lift. Nobi-san and Sune-san stepped out first, followed closely by him and Ashiwara-san. It was a slightly bigger than the previous room but only housed a number of gigantic paintings.

"The artist come all the way here today just for you Nobi." Sune-san said pointedly. "Make sure you thank him for all the trouble."

"I am fifty six not six." Nobi-san huffed, "I know my manners!"

The two old men continued bickering like two grade school students. Akira watched them curiously, wondering if this how children his age behaved. If he had a friend his age… he shook his head morosely at the thought. He wanted a rival first before a friend! Yes! Ashiwara-san said he would improve and Go would be more fun if he had one.

"Sune-san!" Ohara-sensei's warm voice called, snapping Akira out of his thought. "Hiroyuki and Touya-kun too?"

Ohara-sensei was standing in front of the main piece and Akira's breath hitched in shock at the sight. It was a painting of a young boy with long dark hair and piercing dark green eyes. He was sitting, half of his boy hidden underneath the water surface. His black jet hair cascading down his back like waterfall and down to the dark water surface. It was a painting of night scene so the water reflected the dark star filled skies, and his hair looked like melting to the water.

"He…"

Ashiwara looked at Akira in confusion, "Akira-kun?"

"Hikaru-kun! This is Nobi-san who is interested to purchase your 'Ano Hito no Aki' and his friend, Sune-san who is interested to but my 'Guren no Shounen' I told you…"

Akira's eyes were still locked to the painting, unmoving as his breath was caught by the sight.

"My!" Sune-san gasped, "You're so young! I didn't expect the artist of that magnificent piece is also the model of Guren no Shounen over here!" Sune-san said, pointing at the painting Akira was staring at. "Such a talented young man!"

"I am flattered."

Akira slowly tore his eyes from the painting, statled to hear deep young voice that haunted him for the last few weeks. Then the boy he desperately looking for appeared, standing beside Ohara-sensei. The same long dark hair and deep green eyes, and he was wearing red maroon hakama top and light ochre bottom that bring out the color of his hair and eyes.

"Go ahead…" Ohara-sensei began, patting the tall young boy on the back encouragingly.

The boy gave Nobi-san a deep respectful bow." I am Fujiwara Hikaru… it's an honor."

Nobi-san looked flustered that such a young boy bowed at him so respectfully especially there was a regal air around the boy, as if he shouldn't bow to anyone but he did. "Eeeto… it's an honor to me too!" Nobi-san returned promptly.

"I find you." Akira breathed out.

All attention turned towards the Meijin's heir, but Akira didn't care as his attention was solely focused on the boy before him. "At last I find you…" So his name was… "Fujiwara Hikaru."

Fujiwara Hikaru's deep green eyes turned towards him and Akira almost couldn't suppress the shiver that ran through his body.

Chasing while shivering, challenging as fearing…

This was the feeling father told him, the feeling when you challenge the opponent you feared.

"You…" His deep regal voice echoed, "Do I know you?"

"Eh?"

Akira felt like a bucket of ice water was pouring on his head as he heard that innocent question. 'He… does not remember me?'

I am sure you think 'What the heck' at the ending...
This fic really go to darker direction and sometimes I wonder if it's because I feel Monogatari is fluffy

As for romance, as said in last chapter don't be worry about it for a looooooooooooong time. Just enjoy the gen for now.
BTW this fic is even more flowery than any I have ever wrote before, to the point it's embarrassing LOL

If I am lucky, I can update Monogatari tomorrow... I am at 7000 words although I am still unsure I like how it turns out.