Chapter 46: A stayed-in Go Instructor
The police sergeant's frown deepened, and he leaned forward in his roller chair, placing his large hands on the desk. "It's not that we don't believe you, Fujiwara-san. It's just this is the first time a missing person has reported himself. Your situation is highly unusual. And I've been on the force for over twenty years, so that's saying something. The circumstances surrounding your injury are suspicious, too. Are you sure you don't recall any enemies, someone with a grudge or a score to settle?"
Fujiwara did not shift in his chair, but Ogata noticed the other man's fingers tighten around the fan in his lap. "No sir. I frankly can't imagine doing someone else harm. It does make me a little nervous to think I might have an enemy I don't remember, though."
The sergeant grunted and settled back into his chair with an air of faint disappointment. "Well, if you notice anything out of the ordinary – strange cars following you, prank phone calls, that sort of thing – be sure to contact this station. Regarding your efforts to find your family, it's possible that they have filed a report, but in another jurisdiction. I'll send your picture around the network and see if I can scare up any leads," the sergeant said, tapping the flash drive Ogata had given him. "If anything turns up, we'll contact you right away."
"Please do. Thank you very much for your help," Fujiwara said as he stood up, recognizing that the meeting had drawn to a close. He and Ogata exchanged bows with the sergeant before leaving his office.
"This sort of thing takes time. You just have to be patient," Ogata said in the car. "Anyway, you have that MRI scheduled tomorrow. Maybe that will be more useful."
"I suppose so, Sensei," Fujiwara said faintly, buckling his seatbelt. He didn't speak again as they drove down the freeway.
Fujiwara's downcast gaze bothered Ogata. In the short time he'd known the other man, Fujiwara had been quite upbeat overall, especially considering his situation. "I have some commitments today, so I'm going to drop you off at the apartment after lunch. But we could squeeze in a few rounds of speed go first, if you'd like."
The swiftness at which Fujiwara's expression lightened was impressive. "Speed go? That sounds like fun!"
Ogata smirked. "Well, if you haven't played it before, perhaps it will be more fun for me. I hope you're a graceful loser."
"I'm very graceful. Because I don't lose," Fujiwara replied promptly.
"Well, you seem to like trying new things, so maybe you'll enjoy losing."
"I think I'll enjoy beating you again more," Fujiwara said, sticking out his tongue, and Ogata chuckled. New things indeed: he'd never had a go instructor stick a tongue out at him. Not, Ogata hastily clarified to himself, that he particularly wanted to see Touya-sensei stick out his tongue.
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"Ogata-sensei! That doctor's advice worked!" Fujiwara bounced over to the genkan where Ogata was removing his shoes.
"You mean Dr. Yamada's?"
Fujiwara nodded happily. "I was sitting in the garden, that one on the third floor. It's very relaxing, so I've been writing in my journal by the koi pond. Today while I was writing, your neighbor Chen Lian-san walked by and glanced at my journal. She said she was surprised I was writing in Chinese, and I said I didn't realize it was Chinese, that's just how I've always written my notes to myself." Fujiwara plucked a blue notebook off the breakfast table and flipped it open for Ogata. "See?"
The journal's page was covered with vertical rows of very stylized kanji. "You have a nice hand." Tiny, too. That nosy old woman must have been standing very close in order to spy over Fujiwara's shoulder, Ogata thought wryly.
"Thank you. It might seem a little odd, but I was writing about my fan, too." Fujiwara gestured to the ever-present fan, which was resting on the table between them. "I keep experiencing this feeling that I shouldn't have it, that in the past I had lost it, or given it to someone. Perhaps if I keep thinking about it, I'll recall something significant."
"That reminds me. I got a call from the police station today. They haven't turned up any leads," Ogata said gently.
Fujiwara looked down at the table. "I see. But I can't... keep imposing on your hospitality like this."
It had been nearly a week since Ogata had found the other man in the canal. During that time, Ogata had mulled over what course of action he would take in this situation. "Fujiwara-san, it's really not a problem for you to stay here while you're recovering. I have an extra bedroom that's just being used for storage. You're welcome to it."
"But I don't have a way to repay you now."
"Just keep playing go with me. It used to be common, actually, for a go instructor to live with his student. They still do it sometimes in Korea and China, I think. So I don't want you to worry yourself over it."
There was a loud, sniffling noise, and then suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around Ogata. Ogata's mind blanked as soft, damp skin pressed up against his face. Fujiwara's long eyelashes brushed across Ogata's cheek before he pulled away. "Ogata-sensei is so kind!" said the other man, wiping at the tears trickling down his face as he continued to sniffle.
"It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement," Ogata said faintly, relieved that Fujiwara was still too preoccupied with crying to have noticed that Ogata's face had gone red. He ought to have guessed that Fujiwara was the physically affectionate sort, as easily and unashamedly as the man showed his emotions. Not that Ogata minded touching, but usually he was the one initiating it. Fujiwara had caught him off guard.
Perhaps he might have to lay down some ground rules with Fujiwara, like 'no touching the student.' It would be difficult to concentrate on go if he were distracted by thoughts of distinctly non-go-related activities. And Ogata didn't want to complicate matters unnecessarily: he could find acceptable partners easily, but a sensei of such caliber was a matter of once in a lifetime.
"Ah, I feel so much better." Fujiwara dabbed his face dry with his sleeve. "Let's play now!" he said with a coy smile.
Insatiable go-freak, Ogata thought fondly. Fujiwara had his priorities straight.
