Disclaimer : I don't own Hikaru no Go.
Chapter 11 : Team Japan VS Team China
The next day, 1st day of the Hokuto Cup
This evening Team Japan and Team China would play against each other.
Hikaru woke up so late and missed his breakfast. The fact was he did it on purpose, he knew that Akira might have something to talk to him but he didn't want to, he didn't even want to see his face. He was still mad at him, Why wasn't he? Akira had insulted him. He clenched his teeth when he thought back about what had happened the night before in Kurata's room….about what Akira had said.
It means if he wants us to lose again, he should let you play with him!
Hikaru wanted to stay in his room all day long but he couldn't. He was starving, he hadn't eaten anything yet except a glass of water. He knew he needed to eat something. He knew he couldn't play Go with the empty stomach so he decided to have lunch.
It wasn't surprised him at all when he saw his teammates in the restaurant. It was a lunch time after all. Akira was also there. He decided not to join them and went to another table far away from them.
" Hey, Why doesn't he sit with us?" Without thinking, Kurata asked the question that he had already known the answer. Akira hung his head down in regret. He knew he shouldn't say that.
" He's still mad at me," Why don't you understand? I didn't mean it. I was angry, that's all.
After Akira waited until the angry pro finished his lunch thenhe went straight to his friend's table. When he was in Hikaru's sight, the blond stood up immediately.
" Wait! Shindou!" the 5 Dans ran after him, he grabbed Hikaru's arm, " Listen, we need to talk. Last night, I…" I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.
" Last night we have already talked. Therefore, there is nothing to talk about," the boy with red earrings informed his rival angrily and kept walking.
" Shindou, Wait!" Akira followed him.
" Kurata-san, Why don't we use the same rule as last year?" Hikaru asked his team manager as he reached their table.
" Eh?" the fat pro didn't get it.
" Whoever wins the Chinese get the right to play with Ko," the two-tone-haired pro clarified.
" Shindou, Stop being childish and listen to me," Akira tried to explain.
" No! You listen to me! Who wins the Chinese get the right to play with Ko!" Hikaru repeated the rule, " See you later," Then he headed back to his room.
" Shindou, Wait!"
" Kurata-san, Do something!" Yashiro told the older pro.
" What do you want me to do? What can I do about this?" the manager asked back. He wasn't only their manager but also their friends. Of course, he really wanted to do something but he didn't know what to do.
"…" Yashiro couldn't answer him, he didn't know what to do either. He wished he had known but he didn't.
Hikaru arrived to the game room 5 minutes before the game would start. He didn't talk to anybody, he just tried to concentrate. So did Akira. It was true that the argument bothered them but they didn't forgotten that they were pros. They knew that they shouldn't let their feeling to interfere their games. Though Yashiro wanted his friends to be back the way they used to be so badly but he knew that right now he should mind his own business.
An atmosphere around Team Japan caused a discomfort feeling, the guest and the reporter didn't know why but they could sense it, it was just a feeling. Some asked Kurata what happened to the young pros. Kurata knew he shouldn't tell the truth so he lied. He told them that the boy just wanted to win this game, it was just a hunger of winning…nothing more, nothing less.
Since Lu Lee didn't attend the tournament this year. Wang-Shi-Chin who had played as the 2nd board of Team China in the 1st Hokuto Cup became the first board and the team leader. Zhoa-Shi who had been the 3rd board was promoted to be the 2nd board. Le-Ping, the new player would play the 3rd board with Yashiro.
And so the game began.
It was such a glorious victory for Japan. Akira,the outstanding player of Japan, attacked Wang-Shi-Chin mercilessly like he always did with other players and won hands down.
Zhoa-Shi had thought that he was winning. But when the game entered to yose, he has just realized that he was wrong. Not only that Hikaru's bad move turned to be the good one but his own brilliant move turned to be the bad one that gave the game to Hikaru. Not only that he fell into Hikaru's trap but it seemed that he was the one who buried himself.
For the boy who had played in an international tournament for the first time, Le-Ping was doing quite well but it wasn't enough. Cameras and spotlights distracted him. Yashiro himself wasn't a weak player. In the end, the Kansai pro won by 4 moku.
It was a good beginning. Team Japan won 3-0 against China. People thought it they were still playing like this, Japan could be a winner this year. While Yanghai was comforting his players, reporters and other pros came to congratulate all members of Team Japan. But for Hikaru, it meant nothing. Since Akira and he won, Who would be the first board to play against Team Korea?
A/N : I wanna know badly if it's possible to lit a cigarette by another burning cigarette? If someone knows, please tell me. I want this info for writing a fic.
Liliath : Finally, the game starts.
Mujyakina : Wouldn't you be confused if you were him?
Crywolf and Kagomegirl21 : Ladies and gentlemen, In the red corner we have Crywolf, the true Yongha fan, in the blue corner we have Kagomegirl21, Akira lover, Whose side are you on:)
Kathy : Here as your request :)
