Basic disclaimer applies.
Chapter 01: Disruption
With one huff of breath, the air was filled with white smoke. People had told him to be careful with his health, how it might be dangerous for him if he continued with his smoking habit given his old age. He swatted them away like flies. It was more possible for him to lose his title first than dying due to lung cancer. And he was much older that the former Meijin Touya Koyo that got a heart attack nearly two years ago.
As for his title, he wasn't planning to give it up easily either so tough luck to those who'll think he's going to kick the bucket anytime soon. They had to deal with his annoying laugh for some more times and he knew it. Their frustration amused him greatly.
Nothing really fazed the old Honinbou anymore these days as he had decades after decades of numerous matches under his belt, more winning than losing. The world of higher-ranks of Go professional had jaded the man with its stagnation. Of course, that pesky Judan Ogata Seiji was still hot on his trail. He was a few decades younger than him, yet he has gained momentum lately after seizing the Kisei title. His sudden spike in confidence would guarantee a nuisance, but Kuwabara knew that the man wasn't the most stable one in the emotional department.
That, was the wisdom the Judan must obtain from long journey of playing thousands of different games against different opponents. But for now, as long as the Honinbou still having dozens of tricks under his sleeves, he could rest easy. He still enjoyed playing around with the bespectacled man.
And as much as he's happy with the sense of security, the greatest ripple could be caused by the smallest pebble. A formidable force that's creeping from below.
When people asked about the face of the new generation of the go world, many of them would refer to Touya Akira. The prodigy, the young heir of Touya Koyo's legacy. The young Touya was similar, but at the same time distinct from his father. His play style was much more restricted and structured compared to his father's more adaptive one. Kuwabara also suspected that Touya Akira was equally bewildered by his father's decision to join the Beijing team as much as the other go enthusiasts, but the young boy had too much faith in his father to waste any time to mull over it. It seemed that he has more important goal in mind.
And then there was that boy. Someone that popped up rather suddenly and out of nowhere from no mention-worthy background, but the boy managed to stand out more than the young Touya in his old man's eyes.
Shindou Hikaru, the rumored strongest Shodan.
By his rank alone, it was far cry from the revered prodigy Touya Akira 3-dan. The odd, intriguing part was the rumors surrounding them. Kuwabara had his ears everywhere, being among the oldest go-player around with a reputation. Of course he'd heard the rumor that those two were rivals.
He suspected as much, despite the doubts that those around him had shown. They just didn't get it, as Kuwabara has stated sagely before, that go was supposed to be played by two people.
His single opened eye was twinkling with curiosity. He wondered what kind of future the two would present the go world.
The Honinbou expected years and years of vicious, heated matches between the two youngsters. They would fight neck to neck, keeping each other on their toes. Nevertheless, they would keep the go world interesting for a while.
What he didn't expect was the blond-banged youth with fire in his eyes that appeared before him right now , storming in through the door of the small room, effectively ruining his thought about the far future and his smoking break.
Notes:
- Shodan: 1-dan, beginner dan
Author's Note:
I really enjoy writing Hikaru from other's perspective. It almost feel like a character study. Doesn't help that Hikaru is one hell of a weird boy for people who don't know his circumstances (and how he's very averse to tell other people about it).
And even if this was a part of a series, it could be read separately. The previous fic (White Stone) was focusing more on Hikaru's life outside of go (from Akari's perspective), while this one is my take on what's Hikaru's professional life would be. Yes, in short there will be more go fights here.
I only write on my free times when the mood is right. This is more like an experimental fic; chapters would be short, but at times it'll get longer... something like that. I like the loose feeling of writing like this, keep the inspiration coming with little pressure.
Hope you enjoy this little installment.