CHAPTER 7

By id62000

"Tell me-Why did I come here again?" Kawai san asked as he placed a carefully wrapped package inside his taxi.

"Because I asked you to." Hikaru placed his shoulder pack inside as well and got in, "And I'm paying the taxi fare. Sheesh! Those Geezers were staring!"

"Punk!" scowled the taxi driver, "Don't disrespect your elders!"

Hikaru dodged Kawai san's attempt to ruffle his hair.

"Don't pros come here at all?" Hikaru asked as he straightened out.

"No, not the younger ones. The only reason they'll ever come here is to buy their own kufus. I'm surprised you came for someone else's kufus. I thought you wanted to send copies of your game to everyone or something. But yours was a couple of worthless games anyway, so I doubt anyone will want it even if they're free. So, don't get all high and mighty!" Kawai san threw a cushion at the young pro to keep him quiet, "Right now, Touya sensei's kufus are the best selling ones."

"Touya Kouyo? They had a separate section for his kufus, didn't they?"

"WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?" roared Kawai san glaring at Hikaru from the driver's seat, "The very best Go player alive! And you expect him NOT to have a section of his own?"

Hikaru had no problem with the 'alive' part so he shrugged it off.

"Yeah, whatever!"

"Hey! I'm not taking you back home if you disrespect the best-"

"Alright already!" Hikaru said rolling his eyes, "Start the engine now!"

Kawai san snorted but turned the key.

"What kufus did you buy? That too-so many of them!"

"Honninbo Shuusaku's kufus!"

"You should have bought Touya sensei's kufus instead! They'll teach you something!"

"Honninbo Shuusaku is stronger than even Touya Kouyo!" retorted Hikaru.

"How do you know? They are a 100 years apart. Hey! There is a person stronger than Touya sensei! Have you heard of Sai?" Kawai san honked at a pedestrian crossing the road, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" He yelled putting his head out of the window, "Those morons! They think they can cross the road anywhere, anytime, anyplace!"

"It's a free country!" Hikaru said, purposefully overwriting Kawai san's last comment.

"It's because of kids like you with attitudes like that, we keep on getting that last place in Go Tournaments!"

"OH YEAH?"

"YEAH! And don't talk back to your elders!"

"WHY NOT? And watch the road!"

"BECAUSE YOU WON'T GET ANY HELP FROM ME AGAIN IF YOU DO! I am watching the road!"

"WHO SAID I WANT YOUR HELP? You're going in the wrong side."
"LET'S SEE YOU FIND A KUFU SHOP BY YOURSELF! I'm on the wrong side because I have to cross the road!"

"I WILL AND I - Uh?" Hikaru mentally kicked himself. Never hold a two sided conversation.

"There you are kid! Is that your mother waiting outside?"

"Mom!" Hikaru scrambled out of the taxi and thrust the money at the driver.

"Thanks Kawai san!" Hikaru grabbed the two packages and slammed the door shut noisily.

"Slowly, slowly!" winced the driver, "You're coming tomorrow right?"

"Yeah! Same time."

Kawai san nodded, stepped on the gas and took off.

"Who was that dear? You were shouting at him. Did he ask for more money or something?" Hikaru's mother asked anxiously as she locked the door behind her.

"Nah! He's just a friend of mine from the Go Salon I go to."

"Oh!" Shindou san didn't know which was worse-that man being her son's friend or enemy.

"I'm going upstairs Mom, call me when dinners ready."

"Hikaru, what are those things?"

"Just kufus from the store, Mom"

"Where did you get the money to buy all that?" Shindou san asked as she headed for the kitchen.

"My Pro salary!" came the voice from upstairs.

"If you say so dear. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

Hikaru placed his purchase on the floor and proceeded to open them. One by one, he picked out the booklets.

'Wow! They got the name, county and even the Dans of the player!' Hikaru flipped through the booklet and recognized the strong hands played by Sai.

He curiously watched the game progress, just like Sai would play against me, realized Hikaru. Sai always used to crush me – and he's being no softy against this player.

He turned the page, the opponent was threatening to cut secretly – a Nozoki! – did Sai notice it? He studied the pattern , I would connect these stones here- he vaguely pointed the tip of his fan, which he had unconsciously drawn out, at the right corner of the board, but I wouldn't try and defend – it's a waste of move, I'd rather attack here. Or better- there! That would give the opponent a chance to move to this end and then I'll force these stones towards that end –no! That tsuke is too soon, and I'll lose ground in the middle- I'll attack! Gain more territory! Hikaru paused and curiously turned the page, what had Sai done? Hikaru glanced at the threatening white stones. He's connected and is going towards the middle just as I would!. Hikaru flipped the pages and was amazed. I didn't see that coming! The opponent could have taken in five mokus if I had attacked in the middle – a trap! Sai saw it! But I didn't!

"Hikaru! Dinner's ready!" Shindou san shouted from down.

"Hai! Coming!" Hikaru got up. Sai would say if I had played that game I would have noticed it too. Maybe if I recreate it? Still thinking Hikaru ran down the stairs.