Somewhere in the Middle: Ashiwara
Standard Disclaimer. Yumi Hotta, I bow before you. Obata the great.
Ashiwara sat waiting. The rain was sliding down the window in little rivulets against the glass. It should have been snow. It was unseasonably warm this year.
Ten days had passes since the New Year. There had already been so many changes within that brief span of time. He gazed into the room at the people gathered.
Touya Sensei and his wife had returned to Japan semi-permanently after working to further his study of go abroad.
Touya-kun had achieved his three-dan ranking. Now he was only one dan beneath his own. Ashiwara wondered if perhaps this time next year, if he would be the one who was rated below the younger go player. It certainly seemed like he might.
Ogata Judan had met a young lady that he admitted to liking very much. Who knew what would become of that relationship in the coming months? Ashiwara hoped it would blossom. Ogata–san needed to smile more in his opinion.
He himself had adopted a small cat for companionship. Already he had been taught not to leave his go-ke out. They made fun pebbles for his kitten.
All of his extended family seemed to be doing quite well in their personal and professional lives. However there was a sadness that seemed to permeate each of them to a degree. It was because of him, Shindo Hikaru.
The young pro sat completely still and silent on the other side of the hospital waiting room. His shoulders were drawn together and his head hung low. Touya-san was sitting beside him in silent support. Somehow, that small boy had become very important to his friends, and Ashiwara hadn't noticed when it had happened. He had heard Ogata-san and Touya-kun mention his name once or twice in conversation. He hadn't thought it important at the time though.
Maybe he should have paid more attention back then.
Maybe he wouldn't feel so out of place now.
Maybe he would feel like he belonged here with them.
A/N
This is probably the shortest of the ten parts. The next few parts may take a couple days. I am going to look for a beta for the larger pieces. This story is actually becoming a lot easier as a write it. If any one has any concerns, questions or comments please let me know in a review and I will try to answer them at the end of the next segment.