Disclaimer: I don't own Hikago. Never did and never will ^^
Notes: Title was courtesy of Shindou-Chan ^^ It sounds really good!! Thank you so much for the help, Shindou-Chan!! :)
Gomenasai~ *dodges various sharp objects flying towards person* This chapter is horribly done and I don't have the strength or the resources to change it…sorry. Everyone is going to murder me!!!! *wails* To Regatto and everyone else [who really made my day, I was jumping up and down when I got your reviews], GOMEN for letting all of you down. :) RL was getting in the way all the time so the chapter was done in half and hour and posted as the technician threatened to lock me in the lab.
I just want to thank all the past reviewers!! *glomps* I was overjoyed *hugs everyone* when I got your reviews! Sorry for this AWFUL chapter, [Regatto, see, I did let you down after all. I'm especially sorry to you] I'll make the next one better, I promise! ^^ And DO NOT review this chapter!![I mean it! I love reviews, but this time I don't deserve them, so DO NOT review!!!]
Sorry again, everyone~ ^^
~Chapter 2~
Dusk fell.
Delicate crimson seeped gently across the sky, tinting the evening light pale amber. The sun, set stunningly at the edge of the horizon, glowed a dusky gold.
The lone car cast its solitary shadow, framed by the graceful silhouettes of falling leaves. Its polished exterior was bathed in the ruby glow of the sunset, accentuating the colour of its crimson body.
A silent figure leaned against it, shrouded in the shifting shadows. Wisps of grey smoke uncurled between elegant fingers, creating a dense cloud like an aura.
The evening breeze picked up gently, dispersing the cloud and sending a gentle cascade of leaves on their downward descent. The man felt the wind tousle his immaculate hair, sending the blond strands awry.
The tip of the cigarette glowed red hot, like the smoldering embers in a dying fire. He looked on idly as the heat faded, leaving the ash to flake off, one by one, the remnants riding the passing wind as they too, began their downward spiral.
The cigarette fell the ground, a mass of glowing flecks upon the asphalt ground. The man casually brought his heel down, crushing it in a punishing grind.
The ashes lay scattered in the wind, their light extinguished.
***
In the Go Institute, Akira could see the sky darkening, colouring a deep blue hue, the lights of nearby buildings around flash on in an orchestrated movement.
The monotonous drone of conversation cut into his thoughts, forcing him to keep his attention focused on. Akira swirled the oolong tea gently, hearing the ice cubes clink against the side of the glass.
He then resumed staring at the point three inches left of Amano-san's right ear.
He really regretted Ogata-san's absence then—the man had a certain manner of speaking that would put even the most avid reporters off asking any questions. Amano-san's voice continued its monotonous drone, punctuated only by pauses for breath and light laughter.
The other man certainly didn't seem to notice that Akira wasn't paying any attention. That was fine by Akira, as long as he was content to do all the talking by himself. In fact, the man seemed more than happy to do just that. He'd supplied most of the information, which meant that all Akira had to do was to look politely interested, smile and nod quietly.
Akira brought the glass to his lips in one fluid motion, all the time keeping his eyes trained on Amano-san. If Go had taught him anything useful in real life, that was the ability to hone his concentration to a fine point.
It was therefore a simple matter to keep his mind on the interview and punctuate the conversation at the appropriate interval with an affirmative noise.
Akira shifted slightly on the seat, careful to maintain his posture. Did entry into the Kisei League really warrant such a long interview? As far as he knew, the thread of conversation had long since departed from that. It had now launched into the uncertain realm of one's opinions on the various leading Go players.
"… Do you view Ogata-Meijin as a potential enemy in the future? How about Kurata-6 dan?" Amano-san questioned.
Akira swirled his tea, pausing to gaze at the ice cubes bouncing merrily in the amber liquid.
His answer came, cold and precise.
" All players are my rivals, and I will treat them as such. There is nothing more to it."
***
The formless shadows flitted lightly, pierced at intervals with the shafts of light that pierced the dense canopy overhead.
He stood up, adjusting his tie and smoothing his hands over the white coat.
The evening light faded into deep sapphire. Ogata Seiji strode towards the Go institute, his dark outline but a diminishing figure in the horizon.
***
Akira repeated," All players are my rivals, and I will treat them as such. There is nothing more to it."
It was the truth. It was the philosophy that had brought him through all the years, and made him the player he was.
The ruthless, determined player.
That grueling afternoon he'd gone through flashed back in his mind. Akira began to replay the game, step by step, adding private comments in certain moves made.
He'd seized the bottom left corner and had begun to invade the bottom right, where a fierce fight had broken out. With that move on 4-17, he had secured he territory there for the most part, but—
A sudden movement caught his eye. Akira dragged his attention back to the present only to see Amano-san stand up and bow. His attention shifted automatically to the doorway, where he spotted Ogata leaning against the doorframe.
"Ogata-sensei," Akira acknowledged the blond man smirking at the doorway with a slight bow.
"I told Shindou-kun that you were here, and that you would be late. To save you the trouble." Ogata said with a fleeting smile.
"Arigatou, Ogata-sensei. But it was not necessary for you to go to that inconvenience."
Ogata waved it off with a small gesture. " Shindou-kun was very upset that you were late."
Ä pregnant silence ensued. "You normally keep your appointments,"
Ogata moved from the door to take a seat adjacent to Akira.
"The appointments with him…" Ogata began.
"Yes?"
"You should keep them."
Akira blinked rapidly at this, trying to follow the last few seconds of conversation. He hid his surprise at Ogata's words.
"Hai, sensei, thank you for the reminder,"
An uneasy silence descended upon the room, each party hesitating over how to continue. The line of conversation was very odd. Akira shot inquisitive glances at Ogata, trying to read his expression, but the older man remained impassive as usual.
Akira stood up. "Then I will keep my appointment, Ogata-sensei," He turned to Amano-san and bowed. Turning to the doorway—
"WHERE have you been?!?! I've been waiting since FIVE, and now its past SEVEN!!" An infuriated voice cut in from the doorway.
"Gomenasai, Shindou. I was engaged by Amano-san for—"
"I don't care! You could at least give me a warning so that I don't have to sit at the steps of the Go Institute waiting for two and a half hours! And who do you normally call irresponsible?!"
Akira glared at Hikaru, hoping that the boy would be sensible enough to keep quiet. Having to launch into a tirade now would be the last thing he wanted to do.
"I said I was sorry, now why don't we go out and discuss this please don't make a scene here Shindou," Akira spilled the words out quickly, hoping to stem the flow of insults about to come from Hikaru.
Akira turned to Ogata, bowing politely before taking Hikaru by the arm and dragging him out of the room. Ogata only turned away in response.
From the hallway, heated shouts resonated through the institute.
"I don't care what I said before this, Amano-san had to conduct an interview—"
"Damn it, at least give me a warning next time, if there is going to be a next time. I will NOT wait for you any more. Can't you at least—"
Amano-san blinked rapidly. "Ogata-sensei, do you have to do that every time?"
Ogata turned the corners of his lips upwards.
***
The car started up in a cloud of smoke, its sleek crimson body cutting through the night. It turned the corner to rejoin the main road, melding seamlessly into the florescent glow of passing vehicles.
This time, in the diver seat, Ogata smiled… and then burst out laughing.
Nooooooooooooooo! This chapter is so horiibly fragmented and disjointed, and the language sucks and it's incoherent again!!!!!!! Why won't the stupid technician let me use the lab a little longer!!!!
Gomenasai~!!!!!*waves arms frantically*