Disclaimer : I don't own Hikaru no Go.


Chapter 12 : The first board against Korea

At night, in Kurata's room

" So? Kurata-san, Who will play with Ko?" Glaring at his manager intensely, Hikaru demanded for an answer. Me or him?

" Err…" What should I say?

" Kurata-san," Akira looked at him.

" Err.." Kurata stammered, " You guys did a great job! I'm so proud of you!" he said it cheerfully hoping to change the subject.

" Don't change the topic, Kurata-san," It didn't work for the blond this time.

" Err…Well both of you win..that means you two have the right…so the one who will play as the first board tomorrow is..You," Kurata glanced at Akira, " Or you," he turned to Hikaru.

" Kurata-san!" the 3 Dans shouted at him.

" I don't know!" the team manager cried out defending himself.

" Why don't you play with each other?" Yashiro suggested.

" What?" Hikaru exclaimed.

" You two play a game, the winner plays as the first board tomorrow,"

" Yashiro, we'll have a game tomorrow, you guys should rest tonight," the fat pro noted.

" A speed Go then, it won't take much time, Okay?" the white-haired pro insisted. He just wanted this to end as soon as possible. This cold war drives me insane!

" Okay," Hikaru nodded.

" Fine," Akira sighed. He didn't want to play, right now he just wanted to apologize to Hikaru.

As the Kansai boy said, it didn't take them a long time to play a speed Go. Akira won. Hikaru lost. He didn't lose because he was a weak player, he lost because he was too emotional. He didn't lose to Akira, he lost to himself.

" Touya will play with Ko-Yongha tomorrow, are you okay with that? Shindou," Yashiro asked his friend.

" …Good luck then," Hikaru whispered and went back to his room.


The next day, 2nd day of the Hokuto Cup

Yashiro got a rematch with Suyon today. The last time he had lost, this time he swore to beat the younger Korean pro. He didn't want to lose to the same person twice. He was so determined, too determined. Concentration was good for the game but if it was too much….

That what happened to the Kansai pro right now, he focused on winning too much. He pushed himself too hard and found himself was under a great pressure. Just like what had happened to Hikaru last night. Yashiro didn't lose to Suyon, he lost to himself.

Apparently, Songhim had underestimated Shindou Hikaru, if not he was a very very untalented player. An-Teson didn't know which one was worse. Hikaru won easily, Songkim lost badly. Hikaru went to see Akira's game. When he saw the board, the first thing that entered his mind was that game…the game that Akira and Yongha had played in last summer.

The game wasn't the same but the way they played didn't change. This game was a highlight of the tournament, both players attacked fiercely, the audience admired them.

" Such a powerful game!" One of the guest commented.

But the higher Dans pros who really knew what Go really was didn't share the same idea. It was true that it was an exciting game but it was thoughtless. This wasn't Go game, it was just a fight, a reckless fight.

Kurata and An-Teson knew what had happened to the boy they had looked after. Akira was born and raised in a Go world. He knew that he shouldn't let his feeling mess up with his game, he knew that by heart. But he couldn't pay his attention to the game. Of course, he wanted to win this game but not like this. Not when he had to win the right to play the gamefrom his friend, his best friend.

While Akira was thinking about Hikaru, Yongha was thinking about himself…about the whole bisexual thing.

In the end, Yongha won by a moku but it was because of luck not still. So, Team Korea gained a victory over Team Japan with a score 2-1.


A/N : Sorry for Akira fan, I'm Yongha fan. But hey, be positive, at least it's lucky winning!

Liliath : Yeah, it's just the beginning.

Kagomegirl21 : Please don't kill me!

Makaii : Welcome to the red corner! ( See? crywolf, You will never walk alone, haha,Even the writer is on your side)

Kathy : Good guess!

siobhn01 : Thank you :)

Angelforceus : Welcome to the blue club! ( Kagomegirl21, You have a friend!)

dragonshadows : Oh, wow, that's new, Thank you !