A/N: Hello, I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go or its characters
Chapter Fifty-Two: Ooteai Start!
Hikaru's POV
I was playing Sai again since he was playing online all weekend. Ochi and Waya lost their Matches and now it was March.
Scene Change: Study Session
For some reason Waya thought I asked what an Ooteai Match is. The Teacher told Waya to be quiet before Waya said I don't know what it is. "I asked 'when it is' not 'what it is' Waya" narrowing my eyes at him.
I was currently playing a Teaching Game with a 6-Dan. Waya said that he's never seen anyone so stupid making me sigh.
"If I'm stupid do you know the lead Ship in the Yamato Class of the Imperial Japanese Navy World War ll Battleship?" I asked leaning back on my hands. "Or which two Ships were the heaviest Ships ever constructed" I smiled. He was stammering seeming to try and find the answer.
"Yamato and her sister Ship, Musashi, are the heaviest Ships ever constructed. Yamato is the lead Ship of the Yamato Class" I told him.
Everyone started laughing when Waya blushed bright red. The answer was in the question so I can see why he's embarrassed. They started talking about Ooteai Matches after that.
I continued playing the Game with the 6-Dan before the Teacher got upset. He told one of us to stop Akira.
Waya told Saeki to not talk about Touya in front of the Teacher. This made everyone laugh before I continued the Game. After it was finished I went over what she did right and what she did wrong.
I went home after that and waited for when I had to go to the Ceremony. It wasn't long before the day arrived though.
I smoothed out the navy blue Button-Up Dress Shirt I was wearing since I have to leave soon. Putting on my casual black Dress Jacket I put my Phone in my black Khakis. Mom said I look nice making me sigh.
I folded a Violet Handkerchief into my left Breast Pocket buttoning the first two on my Jacket. "I have the First Dan Certification Ceremony soon.
I hope it's okay" I told her. "Don't forget your Application and Resume dear" mom told me as I walked down the stairs. I grabbed my black Satchel from the door side table.
It has what she told me about in it. "I know mom.
I'll see you later" I told her when I put my shoes on. I turned pecking her on the cheek before I left the house. I found Akira on the way so we walked together.
"Hey Waya" I smiled waving when we entered the room. He turned around greeting me.
"Hey you're early. Why is Akira with you?" he asked. I looked to Akira before looking back at Waya.
"Met him on the way so we walked together" I smiled. "Shindou-Kun!" I heard a familiar voice yell.
I turned to see Kurata who looked a bit upset. He told me he's not giving me his Autograph anymore. "That's okay!" I told him before I sighed.
He left so I turned back to Waya. Akira asked how I know him making me smile slightly.
"I went to an Amateur Event and he helped me stop a Vendor and Pro from selling fake Merchandise" I smiled. They were shocked before Waya mentioned that Pros are getting Awards today. Akira's getting the Best Win/Loss Ratio and Longest Winning Streak.
"Why didn't you tell me Akira?" I asked putting a pout to my tone. "I don't think you gave me a chance all the way here" he told me smiling a bit.
That's the first time I think he almost laughed at what I said. "I wonder who our first opponents might be" I chirped before Waya spoke. He said it might be him making me smile.
"I hope it's either of you" I told them before he spoke again. He said it might be a 2-Dan or a 3-Dan instead of a Shodan.
"Shouldn't you be going now Akira? I'm sure people are going to want to talk to you" I smiled. "They can talk to me here, your first Match is against me by the way" he answered.
Ochi came by greeting us before we did the same. Amano-San appeared not long after asking if Akira read the Email yet.
He said Akira's first opponent is someone but the mentioned cut him off before he could say it. "I know Amano-San" Akira told him in a polite tone. A man on Stage said they were about the start the Ceremonies getting the crowd's attention.
I was called up first so I stood on Stage as the man read what he had to. I went back to Akira and we talked till we had to leave.
Time Skip: After the Ceremonies
I was in a room to Waya's left since we had to sit down at a Table. We were told we could open the Envelopes. "They're the Ooteai Matches right?" I asked before I pulled mine out.
"Yes you're correct Hikaru-San" the one across from me said. He continued by saying they're all the Ooteai Matches for this year.
I went to the back of the Booklet to see that Akira was right. He is my first opponent. I smiled at this as I looked at his name.
"Why don't you show him how strong you are?" Sai told me. I had a bad feeling about this Match though.
It's the same feeling I had when mom gets hurt and/or dad gets worse. I know it's not directed towards them but Akira this time. "It seems Akira was right, I'm playing him" I told Waya when he asked what was wrong.
Scene Change: Hikaru's House
I heard mom tell me I had mail from the Go Institute so I went downstairs. I'll be playing Akira on the fourth.
On the fourth I went to the building for the Match. It turns out I was late because Saeki came early to relieve any stress I might be feeling. I left him to wait for a while which I felt bad for.
He told me about his first time making me smile slightly. "I don't stress about Go Saeki, I stress about family and friends" I told him.
I went over to the Match Board when he asked what I was worried about now. "I don't think Akira's going to make it today" I answered simply confusing him. Saeki asked what I was eating for Lunch today but I shrugged my shoulders.
"Would you mind eating out with us today then?" he asked when we took off our shoes. We arrived at the Match Hall which is where the Insei Study Sessions are.
"Who are you playing today Saeki-San?" I asked smiling at him. "Sakurano-San from the women's division" he told me. I nodded since I know her.
I sat down where I was supposed to have a Match with Akira when people started filing in. After the Matches started I knew something was wrong.
Akira isn't here yet and he's been wanting to play me today. I want to check my Phone but it's in my bag in the Break Room. A man told me to come with him making me worry.
As we were walking down the hallway my vision started to tunnel. I put my hand on the wall when it blackened for a second.
When it cleared the man asked if I was okay. "I'm fine what happened to Akira's father?" I asked him. He was surprised I knew it was Akira's father and not Akira.
"I get the same feeling when my parents get hurt or worse but it was towards Akira" I told him. "I see, Akira's father collapsed earlier today so they're heading to the Hospital right now" he told me.
He had a frown on his face before he asked if I needed a ride there. "No that's not necessary. Mom will make me quit Go if I end up in the Hospital again" I answered quickly.
A/N: Hello, I finished writing this at 8:56 P.M. on March 7, 2017.
I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading, see you next time.
