Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go

Chapter 5: The Meijin's request

"Have you been playing against my father?" Akira asked Hikaru the next day at the Go salon.

"Yes. How did you know? Did your father tell you?"

"No, he just showed me the opening of one game. I recognized it was your style right away. I know your game like the back of my hand."

"Ha ha..." Hikaru seemed pleased by that comment "Did Touya-sensei know that his opponent was me?"

"Maybe... I'm not too sure. Anyway, I only got to see a bit of the game. Can you show me the rest?"

"Alright." Hikaru started laying out the stones of the 3 games he played, beginning with the first. "As you can see, I resigned in the middle of the first 2 games. Touya-sensei was too strong for me. However, my third game was better."

The third game, Akira observed, was the one that his father showed him halfway. "This game, I was able to respond to his moves better," continued Hikaru "At times, I felt that the game was close. However, Touya-sensei had a few unexpected tricks up his sleeve. I ended with a 9.5 moku loss."

"You played well, Hikaru. You did not make any particularly bad moves." replied Akira "It's just that father's moves seemed to come from a higher plane... each one is a work of art. He has improved since his game with Sai."

"That means we have to work harder! When can we ever catch up with Touya-sensei?"

"You sure are ambitious! Think about beating me first!"

"Well, I beat you in the Otaei match last week!"

"Don't get too cocky! I made a mistake in that match, allowing you to win. I certainly won't lose to you in our Kisei match next week!"

"Ha ha, we shall see..."


Kisei fourth round qualifying match, Touya Akira 4-dan vs Shindou Hikaru 3-dan.

"Oneigaishimasu" The game began.

"Shuusaku's Koisumi!" Akira seemed amazed by Hikaru's last move "To play such an old Joseki in a fourth round qualifying match... what is he thinking? Well, I shall punish him for this..."

"Touya Akira! An urgent phone call for you!" Akira's thoughts were disturbed by a voice from the lobby. He left to answer it. When Akira didn't come back after a while, Hikaru followed him, concerned. He saw Akira was shaking, and his face was as white as a sheet.

"What happened?" Hikaru asked.

"It... was mum... she said father had another heart attack... the doctors are operating on him..."

Hikaru was stunned. Then he quickly recovered. "Come on, we have to go to the hospital right away. There's no time to lose!"


"I'm sure Touya-sensei will be alright, just like the last time." Hikaru tried to break the uncomfortable silence outside the operating theatre.

"The doctors asked him to take good care of himself... they said another heart attack can prove fatal..." Akira was unconsolable.

"We'll have to hope for the best... Hey, the doctor's out!"

"How's my father?" Akira was the first to rush forward.

"He's awake now. You can go talk to him." the doctor replied.

"Is he going to be OK?" Akira persisted, fearing the worst.

"We've done our best... try your best to... keep him happy."

"Oh my god... how did this happened?" Akira was suddenly rooted to the spot, unable to move.

"Come on Akira, let's go and see your father." Hikaru grabbed Akira by the arm and led him slowly into the room. Touya Kouyo was awake, looking at them.

"Akira! Hikaru! Why are you here? Didn't you have a game going on?" Touya Kouyo seemed unusually high-spirited.

"Don't worry about the game, Touya-sensei." Hikaru managed to say. Akira was silent.

"What's wrong, Akira? Don't believe what the doctor said. Look, I'm still alive and kicking."

"Father... I'm glad to hear that." said Akira.

"Hikaru... I have a request to make." the former Meijin seemed suddenly serious.

"What is it, Touya-sensei?"

"I know I promised you to keep it a secret. However, it is important to me, and crucial that I ask you now..."

Hikaru frozed. He suddenly realized what the former Meijin was going to say.

"Can I play another game against Sai?"

End of Chapter 5


kathy: Thanks for the tip! I changed my settings already.

mikaii: I prefer Hikaru x Akari too!

thuyhy: Good to see you again!

:)( ), dragon shadows, Legit, KagomeGirl: Thanks for reviewing!