---------(4)-----------
To Touya's surprise, they met Ochi in the lobby of the Go Institute. The current Tengen title holder was still short, with the stockier build of the middle-aged covered in an expensive-looking suit. He had stopped wearing glasses years ago.
"Shindou," Ochi said. His eyes flickered to Touya, and focused on Shindou. "I heard that you are the final challenger," he said to Shindou, sounding as though he was about to demand a game immediately.
Shindou nodded wordlessly. He seemed slightly taken aback by Ochi's strident tone.
Ochi smiled faintly, noting his reaction, and his nose wrinkled, as though to shift the non-existent glasses. "It'll be interesting to see what your skills are like after twelve years," he said. "After all, you left Japan without even defending your first title. I wonder if it was because you were afraid of Touya-san's skills."
Shindou's eyes narrowed for just a split-second, before he replied, "Touya knows that I've never been afraid of playing against him, no matter the outcome."
Ochi shrugged with fake civility. "You have known each other for a long time. I'm sure he wouldn't hold your deteriorating skills against you. After all, you've been playing only with foreigners."
Shindou snorted. "Yeah, right," he said, sounding as though he was about to give a loud rebuttal, before he glanced at Touya. He said instead, "Some of the foreigners I've played with include Korean and Chinese world title champions, and I've held my own so far. I'd like to see you do better."
Indeed, in the intervening years more and more Japanese players were venturing out to play in international tournaments, but some players, like Ochi, still continued to play only in Japan.
Ochi's eyes glinted--strange that he could do that without glasses--at Shindou's reply, and his nose wrinkled once more, as though he was on the verge of sneezing. Touya felt like offering him a handkerchief. "Then I'll see for myself when we play next month," Ochi said. There was a smirk on his face as he took in Shindou's sudden puzzled reaction, before he gave a curt nod to Touya, and squeezed past him towards the exit.
Touya was still wondering about Shindou's reaction--there was no way his rival would be intimidated by Ochi--when Shindou raised a hand, pointing at Ochi. "That guy!" he exclaimed. "That's Ochi!"
Ochi's retreating back stiffened, before the automatic doors opened in front of the departing player. Ochi walked through the exit, and the doors closed again.
Touya glanced at Shindou incredulously. "Of course it was Ochi. Who did you think it was, Shindou?"
Shindou looked sulky. "I didn't recognize him without his sweaters," he said.
Anyone would have pointed to Ochi's absent glasses instead. Shindou, of course, had to be different, Touya thought, before realizing that he was staring at nothing, and Shindou was frowning at him. As usual, when he was thrown by Shindou's weird reasoning, Touya found that he had to grope for the missing end of the conversation. "I thought you were going to shout at him when he belittled you," he said.
Shindou shrugged. "I've been threatened by the best," he said. "Some of the other players at the world title games are even more belligerent--they're good, and they know it." He glanced at Touya. "And then there's you."
"Me?"
"Sure. Wait, let me get a drink first," Shindou walked towards the vending machine, before he turned back to face Touya. "You're my rival, and you challenge me just by your Go. I'm sure you don't go asking if playing with people like Ko Yong-ha has made their skills worse." He thought about it, his eyes turning to the ceiling. "Actually, I know you don't. You don't go to international games that much, but everyone gushes about your 'gentlemanly manners' when you do."
"We're adults, and we should behave as such, Shindou," Touya said.
"Then why is Ko Yong-ha as annoying as ever?" Shindou groused, buying a can of iced coffee. "I just played with him last month in Seoul, and he was acting like he owned the world." He made a face, then chuckled. "Ochi thinks that you wouldn't mind if I er, displayed my deteriorating skills against you," Shindou said. "He's even worse than Ko-san; he doesn't know me, or you, at all."
Touya's eyebrows rose. "What makes you say so?" he asked as Shindou began to drink his coffee nosily, like a teenager.
Shindou put down his can. "You'd throw a fit if I'd let my skills deteriorate, Touya. Don't deny it," he said, a grin on his face. He patted his pockets and came up with a rumpled handkerchief. Wiping his lips, he said, "That's why I always trust your Go. Come on, let's make a move."
-----
It only took thirty minutes to reach the hospital. They had barely stepped out of the car when someone approached, and exclaimed, "Akira, is that you?"
"Takeshi?" Touya said, surprise colouring his voice as he recognized the other man. He was aware of Shindou's visibly startled look, and belatedly realized that Shindou had seldom heard him call another adult by his given name. "I didn't expect to see you here," he said.
His ex-boyfriend's expression was serious. "I came to visit your father. I heard that he had been hospitalized recently," he said.
Touya nodded. "I see," he said, before turning towards Shindou, to make introductions. "Shindou, this is Ueyama Takeshi."
Judging by Shindou's reaction, he had just figured out who Takeshi was. "You're that Ueyama?" Shindou pointed, then looked down at his hand. "Er, sorry." He bowed. "Shindou Hikaru. It's nice to meet you."
Takeshi bowed in return, his eyes curious. "Shindou-san," he said. "It's nice to meet you..." he trailed off, turning to Touya. "So this is Shindou Hikaru! Your rival."
"And you are Touya's boyfriend!" Shindou said.
The two of them examined each other surreptitiously. Both of them were in suits, but Shindou had the knack of looking casual and relaxed even with a tie, while Takeshi was his usual neat and serious self. It was a novel experience to see his Go-life meeting his... well, his other life, Touya decided.
"And how is Touya-sensei?" Shindou asked.
Takeshi blinked at the question, before looking uncertainly at Touya. "But Touya-sensei... I didn't get to see him."
"Why not?" Touya asked. He had assumed that his father was well enough for visitors.
Takeshi frowned, a worried look coming into his eyes. "I met your mother," he said. "She told me that Touya-sensei needed to rest. There was a doctor with her."
A doctor? Dr. Kajima had left for the day--he had said he would come again by only in the evening. Touya was beginning to feel unsettled. His father had been fine when he left just now. He was not strong, but he had said he was looking forward to seeing Shindou. And now... a glance at Shindou showed that Shindou was frowning, too.
"Surely you don't think..." Shindou murmured, his voice very low.
"I'll go and find out," Touya decided. "Takeshi, I'll see you soon."
"Let me know if I can help, all right?" Takeshi said, looking from him to Shindou.
Touya nodded absently, his legs already bringing him to the hospital lobby. Behind him, he could hear Shindou exchange goodbyes with Takeshi, before running steps indicated that Shindou had ran up to catch up with him.
"He'll be all right," Shindou was saying, before they reached the lobby. Then he said "Touya-san!", his eyes widening at the newcomer.
Touya looked up to see his mother approaching them, her eyes large with fright. "Akira-san, I was just about to call you," she said.
-------to be continued--------