Rising from his seat after cleaning up the Go stones, Akira Toya looked around the room, observing all the other people playing their games. There seemed to have been something of resurgence in the interest of Go amongst the public as of late, a good sign for the future of the game. After all, even though he was only starting his own road down this path, sooner or later there would have to be someone else for him to pass the torch onto, a new generation who found this ancient game as beautiful and fulfilling as he did.
As he moved to leave Akira spotted a pair of young pros heading towards the elevator. Checking the clock Akira saw that it was nearly one o'clock, time for the pro matches to resume. That was right, it was Wednesday, Hikaru would be playing in his Meijin 1st Preliminary match today. Perhaps he should stop by to take a quick look. Akira had played his 2nd Round Meijin a month ago at the beginning of September, defeating the then Ashiwara 4 – Dan with an ease that had seemed to depress his Go friend.
There had been something interesting about Hikaru's opponent for today, but he couldn't recall what. He'd only glanced at the name of his opponent for a moment in the Weekly Go listings earlier this week, rather assuming that the opponent wouldn't matter much. That had been when he'd paused to read the annotation that…
Akira stopped just shy of the elevator. That was right, Hikaru's opponent was from the Japanese Go Association's Central Branch, and the game had been scheduled to be played at the Central Branch… in Nagoya. It was a two-hour trip on the Shinkansen, assuming Hikaru didn't choose to stay the night at a hotel and come back on Thursday on the main railway system. Of course knowing Hikaru's distaste for hotel beds he'd likely fork out the 10,500 Yen to come back today. Yes, Hikaru would most certainly be coming home tonight since he'd want to be here for sure. Tomorrow was Akira's Kisei League game against Ogata, and there was no question in Akira's mind that Hikaru would want to see that. Hikaru would play Ogata after all in two weeks and thus would want to see him play someone of comparative skill. More importantly though, Akira knew his rival would be there because it's him who'd play.
As he made his way down the stairs, Akira began to reflect on his upcoming match. This would be his second time facing Ogata in an official match, the player he had played against more times than any other save his father. Last time he'd been dominated, unprepared for the battle before him. Back then Ogata had said that it had not been his nervousness or any intimidation that had caused the loss, but rather a difference in the level of skill between the two. Akira, you are below me. Those words had haunted him for several weeks after, and perhaps in a way still haunted him. Several pros had speculated that it had been a statement made out of frustration, the result of being pushed so hard by his junior, yet Akira had not bought completely into that. Ogata was proud certainly, but never was he one to boast without feeling he could back it up.
Still, what would happen this time? The Ogata he'd faced last time had been fresh and sharp, having only two other tournaments going on at that time and one of them, the Tengen, had been in its early rounds of the Main Tournament. This time though Ogata had more going on. Not only was he playing in the Kisei League, but the Honinbo League was now beginning, he was in the middle of the Meijin Finals series and just had returned this morning from Seoul and the Samsung Cup. Would his mind be as sharp, would the stress of the Meijin Finals have begun to wear on him, or would he still be strong? The answer could easily be the difference in the game.
Opening the gate and closing it again behind himself, Akira began to make his way up the path towards his house. Mother and Father were back home now from Korea, and with a break in the Chinese League matches, that meant that his father could take some time to relax at home. He hated to think it, but at times he preferred it when his parents were away.
Stepping through the door and announcing his arrival home, Akira slipped out of his shoes unconsciously and moved into the main residence. Nodding to his mother who stepped into the hallway to inform him when she would be serving dinner tonight, Akira made his way off to his room.
###
Walking back into the house from the garden in the back, Akira sighed contently. It was certainly a lovely environment to take in after dinner, and so relaxing. There was something about the peace and tranquility of nature, especially at sunset that made the experience all the more fulfilling. Nature was like Go, truly beautiful and serene when in balance, a true art form.
Now though he needed to return to studying, as he would not have time later tonight. He'd need his rest for the ordeal he'd face tomorrow.
Moving down the hallway, Akira glanced at the door to his father's study, pausing as he noticed that the sliding door was slightly open. The lights in the room were on, meaning that his father was inside since his mother never went in there for anything. Glancing about for a moment, Akira then stepped toward the door and peeked through the opening.
Sitting before the goban, Koyo Toya stared down at the board, arms folded as if waiting patiently. Moving his eyes from his father to the board, Akira noticed that there was only one stone on the board; Black had played at the 16-4 star point. His first instinct being that his father was recreating a game, Akira's mind suddenly recalled a similar scene like this from before. His eyes darting to the opposite side of the board, his eyes widened as Akira saw that the white Go bowl was sitting there alone.
He'd seen this once before back in April. His father sitting before the board, his first move made, waiting. For what or who, Akira did not know, and the fact that his father who he respected so highly would sit there waiting despite the absurdity of it all only caused his head to ache with confusion.
Sliding the door open quietly, Akira stepped into the room and moved slowly toward his father. He needed to know, to understand even, why his father sat there waiting for some unseen player to make a move that was not coming any time soon. It was not something that the strong, rational Koyo Toya that Akira knew so well would do, this was not the actions expected from the greatest Go player in the world.
Waiting a long moment longer in the hope of an answer presenting itself, Akira then inhaled as no answer came and then said softly, "Father… is everything all right?"
Neither his eyes or his features moving, Koyo Toya replied, "Yes Akira, I'm just fine."
Waiting again for something more but not receiving it, Akira paused, unsure of whether or not he should say anything. He really shouldn't pry into his father's business, but then… "Father, who is it that you're waiting for?"
His head turning now to view his son with surprise on his face, Koyo then smiled warmly and with a slight chuckle in his voice answered, "Maybe no one I suppose. It must seem strange to you, seeing me sitting here like this. Perhaps it's something of a symbol for all the players I still wish to face. There are many strong players in this world and I desire a game with all of them. I will play all of them, both those who are known to the world, and those who hide."
