"So, you got tapped to record another one of Shindo's games huh?"
Nodding his head as he leaned over the counter in the 5th Floor lobby, Kadowaki answered, "Yeah, since I recorded his match against Toya 4 – Dan in the Young Lions Tournament. I really hope he doesn't play another game like that, it was so intense I could barely follow it, let alone record it."
Nodding, Isumi stared across the counter at the tournament listings on the opposite side; in particular at the Honinbo Tournament listings. It was rather ironic in a way that both he and Hikaru had such similar schedules lately. While Hikaru played his Kisei League match today Isumi had just won his first round match in the Kisei 1st Preliminary yesterday, and next Wednesday both of them played their matches in the Honinbo 1st Preliminary Finals.
Turning to look at Kadowaki, Isumi asked, "So, you made 2 – Dan a couple weeks ago huh?"
"Yeah," Kadowaki answered, "I beat Nakayama to get it. I almost didn't make it in."
Just then the bell for the elevator chimed and as the doors opened out stepped Hikaru. His face stoic and calm as if he'd faced players like Ogata in matches like this a thousand times, Hikaru glanced over and stared right at the pair. Cocking an eyebrow, he made his way over and said, "Good morning Kadowaki, Isumi. Why are you two here on a Thursday?"
Chuckling slightly, Isumi turned to face Hikaru properly and answered, "Kadowaki's recording your game today, I came along to cheer you on since Waya had a job today and couldn't make it."
"Oh thanks Isumi!"
"Hey," Kadowaki remarked with a touch of sarcasm, "try not to play so fast this time huh? You had me sweating last time with that speed Go against Toya."
Flicking his head in understanding, Hikaru's grin lessened slightly. "Sure, I'll think about it."
Chuckling lightly at that, Kadowaki continued, "My, you sound confident. Planning to make short work out of Ogata are we?"
Turning his head away as his expression changed back to that previously stoic mask, Hikaru sighed and then with a slightly cocked head turned to look back at Kadowaki as their eyes met for just a moment. "I guess we'll see soon enough."
The hair on the back of Kadowaki's neck stood on end as if zapped by electricity as Hikaru's eyes had passed over him. Already the beginning of a drop of sweat was forming on his brow. Then just as suddenly the sensation vanished as Hikaru turned away and began to walk off toward the game rooms. As he rounded the counter he took one last glance back at them and with a friendly smile added, "I'll see you both there."
As Hikaru disappeared from sight Kadowaki, whose hand had begun to tremble ever so slightly, watched on for a moment or two longer before turning back to Isumi. "Did you feel that?"
Frowning slightly, Isumi nodded. "Yeah a little. Shindo sure gets intense sometimes. I've seen him like this a few times before. You don't usually see this from him though outside of the higher matches, but you get used to it."
###
Watching the young teenager from his seat at the scorer's table, Amano had to admit that it was hard to believe that this boy was only a 2 – Dan. He seemed so comfortable, as if he knew something that the others around him didn't. While it was certainly true that he'd already won two straight Kisei League matches, even Hikaru had to be aware that the man who sat across from him right now was unlike his previous two opponents.
Rumor and speculation about the supposed bet between these two players had been spreading around the newsroom upstairs for two weeks now, and the possibilities suggested on the terms had ranged all over the place. While several had suggested a monetary bet, others had gone from everything from inclusion into Koyo Toya's former study group to treating dinner. One had even suggested that the loser would agree to cover the winner's travel charges to Seoul for next year's Samsung Cup, although Amano found that to be unlikely. Hopefully after the match he would be able to get a word with one of them on terms of the bet.
It was unusual for Amano to have his notepad out this early before a match writing down small notes, but he just couldn't help but record the scene before him. Just as intriguing as Hikaru's complete calm was the fact that Ogata had arrived so early for the match. Having covered a great many of the titleholder's matches, Amano had to really stretch his recollection to find a time that Ogata had arrived before his opponent, usually preferring the dramatic last minute arrival like his last Kisei match against Akira, even if that had been pushing it even for Ogata. Not only that, but also despite his defeat to Hatanaka last week in Game 3 of the Meijin Finals, Ogata appeared to be quite energized and even eager to play. Last week he'd seemed tired and shaky, as if the fatigue of so many tough games was beginning to weigh on him, but now he was the Ogata of old, strong and focused. He must have really wanted to play this game.
Checking his watch, Amano noted that game time would soon arrive. Glancing about the room, he noticed the other observers to the match. It was a comparatively light crowd from the last few that Hikaru had garnered. Only Serizawa and the young Isumi were present, most likely due to the number of games the other top players were playing in right now. With the start of the Honinbo League it was especially difficult for the top players to have many off days, and it would get even harder next month. If not for his Tengen match today, Amano was certain that Akira Toya would have been present as well.
Motion at the door pulled Amano's attention away from his thoughts, his eyes widened as a grinning Kuwabara entered the room, giving a glance and a head nod over towards Ogata who was watching him suspiciously from his seat before the goban. Hikaru however showed no sign of even noticing the new arrival, his eyes just watching the goban surreally as Kuwabara took a seat next to Amano. As he did so the wily old titleholder turned to grin at Amano and said softly, "Good day for a game isn't it?"
Nodding as he overcame his surprise, Amano answered, "Yes, I think it certainly is Kuwabara-sensei."
A minute later the buzzer sounded and the two players reached for their Go bowls to nigiri. Several seconds after the pair dropped the stones back into the bowls and then exchanged bowls; Ogata would go first. Bowing their heads to one another, the room echoed with the words, "Onegaishimasu." Lifting their heads up their eyes met and the temperature in the room began to rise, bringing a soft cackle from Kuwabara.
Hikaru responded with a stone to the 4-4 star point in the upper left, a move quickly followed by Ogata to the 3-4 in the lower right. It was interesting really, Ogata was playing faster than usual, as if he was anxious. He'd taken quite a lot of time after all in his match against Akira, but now he answered quite quickly. Yes, truly interesting.
Even as that thought crossed Amano's mind Hikaru's stone hit the board, causing Ogata, Isumi, and Amano's eyes to widen, each to varying degrees. Hikaru had played the 3-3 in the lower left corner. Granted this in itself was not overly surprising, as 3-3 was seen quite often at the beginning of games. What was surprising was that in all of his matches that they'd seen, none of them had ever seen Hikaru play that move before. Isumi especially was eyeing that stone with surprise, while Kuwabara just watched on with his usual wry grin.
Staring down at that stone, Ogata glanced up at Hikaru who likewise returned his glare, sparks flying between their eyes. Quite an interesting choice of a move, something different from anything he'd seen the boy play before. Full of surprises Hikaru certainly was. Still, he'd need more than that to beat him.
Taking a stone in hand, Ogata paused a moment and then placed his stone down with force at the 5-3 point in the lower right, a knight's move. There was, after all, no need to rush into the battle. The boy could be unpredictable there, and unpredictable could be very dangerous in such a battle. No, the way to beat someone like this was to slowly grind him down, to limit his options and cage him in, that was the way to victory.
Watching on as Hikaru scanned the board, Ogata reached to pour himself a cup of tea from his tray on his right. As he did so Hikaru placed his stone upon the board. Turning to see where Hikaru had played Ogata smiled inwardly. So the boy had played just to the right of the star point on the right side of the board. He certainly wasn't wasting any time, nor was he allowing him to set up on the side of the board as Akira had two weeks prior. It appeared that avoiding an early battle might not be as easy as Ogata had hoped. Oh well, he'd just have to respond, after all, if he could erase this boy from the board then Sai would be before him, and nobody was going to get in the way of his match of destiny against the Go player who hid in the shadows of the internet, not even Hikaru Shindo. I'm coming to you, Sai!
