Disclaimer : I don't own Hikaru no Go.
Chapter 9 : Another Bet
The next morning, on the 6th floor
Ogata-10 Dans was sitting on a bench by the vending machine trying to concentrate. In the next 15 minutes, he was going to have a game with Serizawa, the talented 9 Dans. Both of them were considered as the strongest challengers for Tengen-title. In his opinion, Serizawa was a better player than Nogi-Tengen himself, if he won this game, the dream of having one more title wouldn't be out of reach.
Ogata-Jyudan-Gosei and Tengen…Not bad, I like that.
" Someone has a big game today," he rapidly opened his eyes when he heard that awful song. Bleached bangs swung gently, two vivid green eyes was looking at him.
" It's you," Disturbed by the smiling pro, Ogata was annoyed a bit.
" Ne, How about the same deal?" Grinning playfully, Hikaru suggested.
" Huh?"
" If you win the game, lunch is on me," he repeated the same rule, " If you lose, you buy me lunch,"
" If you are going to buy me ramen, I pass," Seiji declined.
" Ooooh, Can you smell that? I think I smell fear in the air," Giving the other pro his kittenish evil look, the raising star teased.
" You're on it!" Me? Fear? Ogata Seiji doesn't fear!
" Good, the one who pays the bill chooses the shop," Hikaru quickly declared before he ran away.
Damn punk! Seiji thought as he went to the game room. However, I'll never get bored with this kid.
Few hours later,
There is no way to gain back the territory on the right corner. Even though he played well in the middle of the game but… Nogi-Tengen thought as he witnessed the game that likely decided who would be his future challenger…his major threat.
" …I resign, Thank you for the game," One of the new wave lowered his head in defeat.
" Thank you for the game," his opponent bowed in return.
So..it's him. Nogi-Tengen stood up and left the room.
5 minutes later,
" Ah! Touya-kun, How's the game, another victory?" Kousemura greeted the prodigy nosily.
" Good afternoon, Kousemura-san," Touya nodded politely as always.
" So? How is it?" the 3 Dans only smiled softly, " Ha, See? I've told you, Another win, right?" the nosy journalist looked around, " By the way, where's you friend anyway? I'd like to have a short interview with him since he beat Kamiyama-7 Dans," he jabbered.
" If you mean Shindou, we're rival, Kousemura-san," Touya informed him stilly, " Sorry, I haven't seen him yet,"
" Is that so?" the short man sighed, " By the way, speaking of Shindou-kun, I didn't know before that he and Ogata-Sensei are so close," he uttered in disbelief. Had his eyes fooled him? Or had he seen an illusion? " Ogata-Sensei must like Shindou-kun a lot, I've never seen him invite anyone to lunch before," he commented.
" Lunch? Did Ogata-san and Shindou have lunch together?" the black-haired boy exclaimed. I don't know about this. Why didn't Shindou tell me when we met yesterday?
" Yeah, As a matter of fact, Ogata-Sensei said he would buy Shindou-kun lunch," Kousemura narrated.
" Oh, Touya-kun," Out of the blue, Serizawa popped up.
" Ah, Serizawa-Sensei, How is the game?" the journalist asked inquisitively.
" Well…"
" Oh," He lost. thought the reporter in a brown suit.
" Please excuse-me, I should go to congra..err…talk to Ogata-san," Actually, Touya wanted to say ' Congratuate' but it wouldn't be wise to say it in front of the man who had just lost to his upperclassman.
" He's already left," the 9 Dans told him tranquilly, " He goes out for lunch with Shindou-kun?" he informed.
" Shindou?"
" Shindou-kun?"
Flashback started
5 minutes ago, in the game room
" I resign, Thank you for the game," Serizawa bowed.
" Thank you for the game," Ogata said it in his usual calm manner, he sighed in relief. Then he felt a hand on his tense shoulder.
" Well?" It was no one else but his young friend. Who else would ever dare to treat him like a junior high school kid anyway?
" I'm hungry," Smiling victoriously, he was glad to win both the game and the bet. Hikaru's hand was still on the Gosei's shoulder as he leaned over to observe the Goban.
" It's a strong game, Serizawa-Sensei," Shindou commented, " Shall we?Seiji-san," Turning to his friend, Hikaru asked.
Serizawa's system was in a shock state now. This 15-year-old boy dared to place his hand on the shoulder of Ogata-Sensei, the Jyudan and the Gosei. Plus, he had just called this snobbish man by his given name! He had never heard anyone call Ogata-Sensei ' Seiji' before! Not even the ex-Meijin, Ashiwara-kun or Touya-kun! And the most shocking part was Ogata didn't mind at all!
Flashback ended
" You means Shindou-kun called Ogata-Sensei by his first name?" the clumsy short man asked suspiciously.
" Yes, Ogata-kun didn't seem to be offended by that. He didn't scold Shindou-kun or anything," Scratching his chin thoughtfully, he marked, " In fact, it seems to me that he enjoyed his company, I've never seen him this…relax before,"
" Serizawa-Sensei," One of his student called him.
" Ah, I've to go now, Excuse-me," then he left leaving Akira in his own baffling world.
What's going on around here? Why suddenly Ogata-san and Shindou seems to be so close? Even I myself don't call Ogata-san ' Seiji-san', why does he allow Shindou to have such a privilege? I've know Ogata-san for all my entire life but I've never been that close to him…to touch his shoulder, but Shindou…how? Besides, Serizawa-Sensei said that he didn't mind that! Shouldn't he give Shindou his ruthless shooting look instead? Since when Ogata-san becomes so friendly?
dragonshadow : Thanks again :D
kari : Haha, why T-bone steak? Because it's my fav!
gravitationgig : Behind the scene? Umm, from HBO or AXN, I guess.
siobhn01 : Now, you can guess what'll happen next :D
kathy : Oh sad! I hope to hear from you soon.
