Chapter 5

To protect him...

Shelly looked at Hikaru who peacefully slept, never ended game lied on the Board – so many times she wandered what this game really was... His last game with Sai – that game left an empty hole in his heart, unspoken words that hurt him badly. That much that another blow cut his desire to stay in his own country, with friends and family – she knew that he had many friends... he wasn't alone, but still his heart made place for two persons, only them. One was gone and other...

Shelly bit her lip her worried face catch other one attention. Soon they would end High School, question was what would Hikaru do then. Staying here wasn't a trouble at all since they had Teacher's from University as well.

"Hikaru has no desire to study on University." said Deryl, who sat near to the bed "No need as well. He won't stay without the reason too."

"I know. That's how he is... We must find a job for him here if we want to protect him from now on." Shelly picked few kifu's from the floor "Leaving him alone won't do."

"Father will keep on supporting him from Japan" said Deryl "Institute won't trouble him. But false name in any other place would bring him into troubles."

"That's true. Call representatives... I will wait in the classroom. School will end in two months, so we don't have much time to loose." said Shelly "Inform teachers as well."

"Shelly are you planning on using your title?" asked Deryl "Ever since I know you, you have never did so... Student Council President, you never used anything above that."

"At least it will come handy now." her eye's focused on Hikaru "That boy was hurt terribly, I could tell from that first moment... I also know that he will some day return home, but as long as he himself won't desire it, that will not happen." her hand rested on Hikaru forehead "As long as he wish to be by our side..." she moved away, realizing what she done.

"Yeah, I realize that." Deryl closed the door after them "Neither our Etoile nor do I could fill his heart. That stupid boy who hurt him is lucky, isn't he?" boy looked at Shelly with sad eyes "It must be hard for you as well, he is a first boy which you took into consideration, isn't he?"

"I just wish for his happiness, there is nothing more to it."

"There is nothing above your words Etoile-sama." Light of the Moon embraced her, in that moment she looked like the princess... like star.

(Etoile, person who is above everyone else – voice of students approved by Headmaster. In this Academy that title was taken very real, even if it wasn't used in everyday live as a name... Her word was an order, her wish was their wish.)

After some time they all agreed that taking Hikaru as Go Teacher for Middle School would be fine idea. It was normal since that was Japan styled school.

"We should call his friend and have him take care of boards and stones" suggested young boy, he looked little shocked or maybe he was in awe. He was just chosen as class representative and it was his first time to see Etoile from such short distance. Only girls sat around her and she was giving warm aura.

"That's right Damien." said Shelly "Don't be so nervous, I'm just like you are..."

In Japan

Isumi stood up and went to mark his win. Waya waited for him already – they were to visit Shindou home to ask about his well being since he haven't contacted them since Golden Week.

"He was really worried back then, wasn't he? And his request was strange... I mean who would go to Shuusaku grave during that period?" Waya took their bag's and handed one to Isumi "Your phone."

"Thanks." Isumi looked at phone and smiled "It's him." in that moment they heard the noise as if someone stopped all of sudden, but Isumi was to happy to think of it.

"Shindou? That's great." Waya moved closer to Isumi so they could both hear

"It's Isumi. I'm glad that you called."

"I'm not Hikaru." said calm voice from other side "I just borrowed his phone."

"Huh? Why?" Isumi asked "Why would you call to me?"

"I'm Deryl. I'm calling 'cos I know that you would do anything to help him out."

"That's indeed true, but did something happened?" Isumi was a little worried, first Hikaru didn't contact him as usual and now someone else had his phone and was calling to his friends. "I must say that it's strange situation."

"I wanted to ask you for something. No... not me, our Etoile have a wish. We would follow her everywhere... No, that's wrong too." voice sounded unsure how to put his words "We, everyone here come to like Shindou, fact that he got Her attention was important here – it made him important to us. Now, he is important for who he is..."

"It's fine, I get it" said Isumi "Hikaru is being protected by someone important and 'cos of that you all come to know him and liked him too."

"Something like that." voice breathed "Anyway Etoile called us yesterday to think of his future after graduation. We want him to stay with us – we were in need of reason for that."

"You can go on..." said Isumi already sure that he can trust and help this guy, for Shindou sake.

Akira breathed hard and dropped his bag, so there was someone who knew where Shindou was, someone trusted enough. Akira heart stopped for the moment when he heard this talk. Later it hit him – Isumi knew all along – why and where his Hikaru gone to.

"Isumi knew from the very beginning, Waya as well." Akira words were silent but wound in his heart pained him. "But who called, not Him – who would use his phone?"

"What? This much? Kaya Board's?" Isumi asked shocked "What for?"

"Let me tell you..."

Slowly Deryl explained everything to Isumi, leaving him rather shocked...

"Waya..." Isumi looked at his phone which now rested on the desk "I doubt that Shindou will return, they can give him everything... they accept him as he is."

"Kaya Board is a gift for Shindou?" asked Waya

"You don't understand." Isumi pulled Waya out of the room "They want to establish Go-class in their Middle School so he could stay with them despite ending High School – since he wasn't interested in University..." Isumi still pulling Waya along passed by Touya without noticing him "And since they are all rich they wish to play on the best Boards – do you have any idea how much twenty Kaya Boards will cost? With best stets of stones?"

"What?" Waya stopped suddenly "You are kidding!"

"I'm not. They just asked me to order them – they don't know where to buy those with best quality, that's why that Deryl called me." Isumi stood before Institute shop, took deep breath and entered...

Etoile – (franc.) star, term used in few anime to describe girl of many talents, most important person at school (mediator) or girl specially treated 'cos of her abilities - to show respect.