CHAPTER 12
By id62000
"So you passed." Ashiwara looked at the card Akira produced and smiled anime style.
"You didn't expect him to pass a simple driving test?" Ogata san looked pointingly at the game they were playing.
"Oh, right! Gomen gomen!" Ashiwara placed a stone and continued to look at the license, "Can you use it in Japan?"
Ogata san stared at him and Ashiwara hurriedly placed another stone.
"Do you think anyone would go all the way to Spain just to get a license he can't use in –"
"I get it! I get it! Don't be such a stick in the mud, Ogata Sensei" Ashiwara moved his stone.
"Do you want tea Ogata san, Ashiwara san, Kiritsubo san?"
"Black coffee would be nice." Ogata answered.
"Tea, thank you." Kiritsubo san said from his place in front of a recreated game.
"Tea Akira san, like you made that day with the correct amount of sugar and cream. Only you can do that!" Ashiwara piped up.
"Well, if you'll wait a while Touya san, Ikazuchi san and Ikazuchi kun will be here soon" Akiko said as she glanced at the study room clock.
"Is Junior Ikazuchi san really strong?" Ashiwara asked.
"Since he was in France and America so long-won't his Go be…err weaker?" Kiritsubo san asked.
"On the contrary, he used to train against strong amateurs and pros for I hear he plays NetGo often." Ogata san said.
"Then would he have played Sai?" Ashiwara asked interested.
"Probably." Ogata looked thoughtful as he scanned the new situation on the Goban, 'In the end no one knows who Sai really was. Yet,' Ogata san placed a stone, 'Yet, I'm sure Shindou Hikaru has something to do with all this.'
"You have played him haven't you?" Ogata san asked.
"Junior Ikazuchi san?" Akira asked, "Yes, just before I left for Spain."
"Is he strong?" Ishiwara asked curiously.
"There are very few of his age who would be able to compete with him." Akira said humbly.
"In other words you won by…?" Ogata asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Three and a half moku with komi." bowed Akira.
"That's close." sighed Ashiwara, "I'm going down from four and a half to five and a half and six nowadays or…it must be you getting stronger."
"And Shindou Hikaru's?" Ogata san asked.
"It's been a while since I played him, so I don't know." Akira answered.
"The last game?" Ogata asked in an impatient tone.
"Five and a half moku."
"That much already?" Ashiwara asked surprised.
"Wasn't it obvious from the Hotoku match?" Ogata turned to Akira, "Now it will be even less than that I suppose." he commented.
"NO!" Akira clenched his fist, "He's rising fast, but I am not stagnant either! I will keep our difference at five and a half-if not more!"
The Touya study group and Akiko looked at him in surprise.
"Oh! The door!" Akiko made to rise.
"I'll get it Oka san." Akira quickly exited.
Akira tried to regain his lost calm as he crossed the hall. Lately, Ogata sensei had been getting on his nerves…or was it Shindou?
"Hidaka Senpai." Akira bowed and stepped to the side motioning her to enter.
The short haired girl in the Kaio High School uniform quickly shook her head.
Akira walked back to the doorstep. The last person he expected at his doorstep was Hidaka senpai, Girl's Captain for Kaio High School Go club along with her third captain.
"All is well?" he enquired formally.
"Until now – yes."
"Then may I wish your tournament team all the best."
"You may."
"Play well."
"Humph! Leave it to us-no school is good enough to compete with us right now. Should we be happy or sad?"
"Your emotions have nothing to do with the way I think." Akira bowed his head.
"Very well-we wanted to congratulate you on your double wins at the cup and your Dan rise."
"Thank You." Akira bowed.
"However-we came to ask you, would you mind us coming to your salon for training?"
"I do not own any salon. Assuming you are talking about my Father's salon, it is open for all as long as you follow the few rules set."
"Then are we allowed to play team matches there?"
"A few pros do come along now and then – I'm sure they'll be happy to play team matches with you. Amateurs are the majority there though – but they are strong."
"Oh? You won't be there?" Hidaka asked surprised.
Akira hesitated, "Well, yes, once a week - on Fridays. But I go there to play a pro. On other days there are the study groups and the games."
"You go there to play a pro?" Hidaka repeated, "Then you wouldn't go there otherwise?"
"Please don't misunderstand me but I'm busy on other days."
"Of course." Hidaka frowned, "I just thought that since your father owns a salon you would spend some more time there."
Akira bowed, "Lately, I am known for crushing opponents. It disheartens them. It would be better if you play the amateurs. They are almost pro level themselves."
"Well, yes. I see your point. But why do you play with all your strength against inexperienced players?" Hidaka wanted to know.
Akira looked at her straight in the eye. "So that they'll be able to see the gap between us clearly. I have too much experience to play soft hands again."
"Well, crush us if you must - but I don't think many will be interested to play you if you have that kind of attitude." Hidaka glared.
Akira held the stare without blinking, "Those who wish for a strong game will play me. I have confidence in that."
"……" Hidaka gritted her teeth mentally.
"Akira san?" his mother entered the hall, "Is it not your father?"
"No, Oka san. Hidaka Senpai just came to clear a few things."
"Oh." Akiko caught sight of Hidaka, "Won't you come in?"
"We were just leaving Touya san." Hidaka nodded at Akira and left with her friend.
"From school Akira san?" Akiko asked.
"School club Oka san. Father must be busy to come so late."
Akiko placed her index finger to her temple," They must have dropped in to see Kuwabara Sensei."
Akira nodded.
Akiko watched he son close the door and walk towards the study room.