The Game of Go
"Onegaishimasu."
Shikamaru made a rather rude grunt in response and gave Chouji a bit of a wave, indicating that he should go first. Chouji reluctantly placed a smooth black stone onto the lined go board, apprehensively checking Shikamaru's expression as if looking for some sort of reassurance. Shikamaru didn't pay any attention to him, however, and instead invested his efforts in picking dirt out of his nails. After Chouji was certain of where to place his first stone, he eagerly dived for his bag of potato chips and blithely began to munch away. To his dismay, Shikamaru wasted no time in placing his white stone onto the board and then leaned back again against his chair.
"You're so fast, Shikamaru," Chouji said, putting down his bag and then wiping the crumbs and grease from his hands onto his pants. Though as he said this, he didn't show any sign of being surprised. After years of playing go with Shikamaru, he had gotten used to Shikamaru's playing and tried hard not to let it bother him.
"Concentrate on your own playing rather than mine," Shikamaru said calmly. After years of being Shikamaru's friend, Chouji had also gotten used to such tips as these. As an afterthought, Chouji noted that some of the things that Shikamaru told him weren't necessarily always related to go.
Chouji stared at the board in deep thought. This was something, he figured, that must've been a sight to see since he wasn't one to willingly think for long periods of time. Shikamaru didn't seem at all perturbed by this, however, and merely sat calmly across from him, picking away at his callused fingers. Finally, Chouji placed another black stone onto the table.
"You're over-scrutinizing things," Shikamaru said as he placed his white piece down without looking at the board. "You're expecting me to do something resulting in prolonged indecisiveness."
"I thought you said that we should concentrate on our own playing," Chouji muttered, pouring the rest of the contents of the bag into his mouth and chewing furiously.
"Yeah, well," Shikamaru said irritably. "And wipe your hands before you use the stones or my dad will bite my head off for dirtying his go board."
They continued the game this way, muttering comments after each move, until, fifteen minutes after the game had begun, Chouji was forced to admit defeat. Shikamaru silently took the stones off the board to place them back in their rightful bowls.
"You're too hesitant," he said sharply while tidying. "In a situation where the enemy is crowding you, fight back. These things don't always involve using your head. You should have enough common sense to know that."
Chouji gave a weak smile, but couldn't help but feel embarrassed that he was such an unworthy opponent. He stammered an apology, but Shikamaru merely sighed. Chouji couldn't tell if it was from exasperation or something else.
"Don't be so formal," Shikamaru said. "I like playing go with you."
"Because you always win?" Chouji replied, a bit meekly.
"Partly," Shikamaru said, giving him a smirk that somehow lightened Chouji's mood. "But I like playing go with friends."
"I don't understand how you put up with me," Chouji mumbled. "I'm really incompetent, aren't I?"
This time, Shikamaru's expression grew solemn. "You're the strongest guy I know," he said quite clearly. "You may not be the brightest, but that's what I'm here for, isn't it?" With that, he gave him a large rueful grin.
Chouji felt a rush of gratitude for his friend and once again marveled at Shikamaru's maturity, another characteristic that he seemed to excel greatly at. Chouji then felt the strong urge to prove these words true, and puffed up involuntarily with pride.
"Alright then. New game," he said, boldly placing a black stone onto the blank table. "Onegaishimasu."
Shikamaru straightened in his seat and turned to face him. He gave a terse nod of the head and said, "Onegaishimasu."