SHADOWY GO
Chapter2: The sharp edge of a rough stone.
The five minute train ride seemed to improve Hikaru's disposition by a small degree. It also helped that Sai had the foresight to keep to himself for once, although it took a lot of control on his part. It was difficult for him to keep silent, there are so many new strange things he'd never seen the likes of and his excitement was just too much to contain. He didn't want to make the boy mad or get him in trouble again, but he really wanted to ask Hikaru about the different carriages that run so fast without any animals or people to pull them. The metal birds, the lights that rivalled the brightness of the stars and even eclipsed that of the moon. The tall towers made of stone and glass, the boxes with the little people inside and so much more. What wonderful things they are, such marvels, it took his breath away if he had any. But Hikaru didn't seem to see the beauty of these things. He went past them with jaded eyes, used them in callous manner, never thankful that he had them.
Sai was lost in thoughts about his host. He wondered why was he awaken from his deep slumber inside the goban and got attached to one so prickly. The boy was not bad or cruel but he was a rude and unrefined youth. Even with all that he felt a connection to him and he doesn't understand why, when they are so contrary from each other. And he wanted to play igo so bad it occupy all his being or what's left of it, while Hikaru couldn't care less about it. Is there a reason for all this things? "Kami-sama, what is it that you want from me? Am I the force that will drive this boy or is this boy my salvation?" Sai whispered softly to the heavens.
They were walking along in silence unmindful of the rest of the passers by with Hikaru also lost in his own thoughts as he crossed the street under the overpass towards the direction of the back alley of the walled garden. Suddenly, he couldn't help but feel sorry about their situation. If he couldn't get rid of it, getting angry all the time is not the solution. Sai seems to be not a bad sort, other than being irritating as hell. Maybe if he can train it to stop talking about trivial matters or just stop talking, that would be nice, he could probably live with it. Then he felt it again, a feeling of despondency.
"Hey, Sai! I feel like someone just died on me. Stop feeling depressed, will you? I promise I'll find a way for you to play that stupid game of yours." Hikaru interrupted Sai's musings.
"Sunday, alright? I have to do chores every Saturday and do homeworks given on Fridays not to mention study." Hikaru was tired and irritated of appeasing the ghost but he felt guilty for making Sai very unhappy although he felt justified for having a reason for his bad temper. But still it didn't sit well with him that he hurt someone or something.
"For real, Hikaru? Ohhh! Hikaruuu, I'm so happy. I'm really sorry for troubling you like this. I really didn't mean to but I'm so happy you found me." Sai felt like dancing, igo had been and is still his passion. He loved that game to the exclusion of everything else.
"Sai, how old were you when you died? You act and sound like a child." Hikaru asked. He really wanted to know.
"I was a young man, I'm not sure exactly but more than twenty summers." Sai said proudly. He was happy that Hikaru was now talking to him more easily now.
"Sai, we're home now so don't distract me, alright?" Hikaru said as he push the rusty metal gate wide enough for him to pass through and then shut it back in place. It's a two storey house and they live on the upper floor. The first floor they leased to a newly wed couple. Just a few feet away directly opposite the gate is an old wooden staircase. He went bounding up two steps at a time and when he reached the door announced himself, "Hey mom I'm home! What's for dinner?" Hikaru always uses the back entrance of their house.
"Hikaru, you're home early. It's a little over five o'clock, you're usually home six." His mother said as she went bustling about busy as a bee.
"So I walked faster than usual." He replied shrugging his shoulders. Actually he would have been home sooner than five since they were let out early. The Home Economics teacher got sick or something and they couldn't find a replacement and since it was the first day of school, it didn't really screw up anything major. But he had to stay behind for an hour as punishment and boy was he glad his mom didn't have to know that or his dad.
"Why don't you set the table, we'll eat as soon as your father arrives. Your sister will be home late so you don't have to set a plate for her. It's Hitomi's birthday so they're going out with friends to celebrate.
"How come I'm not invited? I know her too." Hikaru grumbled. His sister Akari and her bestfriend Hitomi are inseparable since grade school. They are two years older than him and will be graduating soon. His sister studies at Haze Junior High while he is in Sumida Junior High for boys. His school is much further than hers by two miles but has two train stations close by so he only have to walk for fifteen minutes toward his school if he gets off at Tokyo station and less than ten minutes if he chooses Hatchobori. While she has to take the bus after she gets off the train.
"It's a girl's night out I was told. You have your own friends too, right?" His mother took out the plates from the cabinet and handed it to him.
"Hey mom, in case you haven't noticed I'm still in my uniform." Hikaru complained.
"Sorry dear, I didn't notice." Her mother smiled at him and went on about with whatever it is she's cooking.
"I'll change first, I don't want my uniform ruined. I still have school tomorrow." Hikaru placed the plates on the table and went out of the kitchen past the living room towards a three steps staircase situated at the corner two meters from the main door. The raised floor was designed like a veranda complete with wooden pillars and railings. There are four sliding doors; one at the very end of the passageway, two at the side and another one right by the stairs. Hikaru's room is the third door from the stairs.
Hikaru slid the door open entered then shut it again, flung his school bag onto the bed carelessly and started unbuttoning his jacket. "So Sai is there anything you'd like to talk about before I go down again? You have until I finish changing. I don't want you butting in distracting me. We don't want my family thinking I'm going crazy now, do we?" Hikaru teased but at the same time serious.
"Really, Hikaru you're such a disagreeable child." Sai said in a sulk.
"I know but you love me anyway. Ne, ne?" Hikaru copied Sai's manner of speech in a teasing way, taking away the sting of his harsh words uttered earlier.
"Ohhh! Hikaru stop teasing me, such an impossible child." Sai protested but Hikaru knew he made the ghost happy if what he was feeling was any indication.
"Man, you're so easy." Hikaru chuckled, for some reason he felt a sense of satisfaction. Talking to a ghost was not so bad after all.
"So Sai, how good are you at this igo game your obsessing so much about?" Hikaru asked for want of a topic.
"I... I'm not sure Hikaru. But when I play I can see endless possibilities. Each move is a revelation. The stones... chains of events that can be influenced to shape the future. The whole game mirrors the universe and the hand, the hand that create its form... the hand of god." The reverence in Sai's voice made Hikaru shiver.
"Sai, you're truly..." A sudden rap on his door interrupted him which was a good thing since he was about to say, nuts.
"Hikaru, Towa chan is on the phone. Honestly, don't you see enough of each other at school? Don't take too long with the phone, alright? Your father will be home soon, dinner is about ready, and you need to set the table." He could hear his mother's faint footsteps going back to the kitchen.
"Now Sai, you hush, OK? I still haven't got the hang of talking to you in my head. I might blurt something out that would make me sound stupid." Hikaru hastily reminded Sai as he quickly went out of his room and followed his mother to the kitchen.
xxxxxxx
Hikaru woke up on a Sunday morning too early for his liking. He usually sleeps late until ten or when his mother wakes him up. But Sai, the stupid ghost kept bothering him to wake up already. He peered at his alarm clock and got so pissed, six thirty? "Goddamnit Sai, It's too early!" He roared not bothering to care if anybody hears him.
"But Hikaruuu... you usually wakes up at this time." Sai whined.
"Only if there's school, stupid." Hikaru retorted and buried himself again under his blanket with the pillow over his head.
"But Hikaru, you promised will go out today and play igo." Sai complained in a childish fashion.
Hikaru sat up all of a sudden looking dazed. "I've seen men playing igo at the park, we'll try there. The park opens at nine and I doubt those men will be there that early, they're old after all. A few hours will not kill you so just suck it up some more and let me sleep!" Hikaru's voice went up a decibel at the end and just as sudden he returned to his cocoon and ignored Sai's whinings and wailings.
xxxxxxx
Hikaru was bleary eyed sitting in front of the table while his mother set a glass of milk in front of him. He'd rather have tea but his mom is having none of that. His sister Akari was still sleeping and his father was sitting opposite him reading the Sunday news.
"You're a little bit early today, son." His father said without looking up as he turn a page of the newspaper. "It's still eight thirty, usually we have to force you to wake up during Sundays. Are you going somewhere?" His father closed the newspaper, folded it up and looked at him while sipping his coffee.
"Yeah, I'm going to the park to meet an idiot friend and show him around town. He's new around here and I'm the only one he seems attached to." Hikaru said in a bored voice. Sai in the background crying meanie, meanie, meanie in a plaintive voice.
"Why the park? You both will have to pay 50 yen for the entrance." His father said while smiling up to his mom when she put his breakfast in front of him.
"No we won't. Old Kyohei will be guarding the entrance today, although he's stationed at the main gate. I would've prefered he's at the Sendagaya entrance, now I will have to go the long way. " Hikaru grumbled.
"Have breakfast first, Hikaru." His mom placed a plateful of eggs and bacon with several slices of toast in front of him. Usually they'll have fried rice with fish, a heavier breakfast to get through the next meal. But since it's Sunday, he could always eat anytime if he gets hungry again before lunch.
xxxxxxx
"Kyohei san, Kyohei san, ohayoo!" Hikaru laughed as he run through the entrance, past the guard while waiving.
"Hey, you damned brat! Put gozaimasu after that or I'll have you pay next time and it's Aragaki san to you!" The guard shouted after Hikaru's retreating back. He had known the boy since he was a little tot, his parents used to come regularly every week but now only the boy does. The boy uses the park as shortcut to his grandpa's house and back and although they close at four thirty, the boy seems to slip through at will. He doesn't mind though, he'd rather the boy safe going through here than outside.
Aragaki Kyohei's demeanor is misleading, he looks like a gangster with that scar on his left cheek. But everyone who knows him knew his a softie especially when it comes to kids. He looks mean when he's not smiling but there's a twinkle in his eyes.
xxxxxxx
"Hikaru, won't you be in trouble with that guard?" Sai asked worried, he didn't like the look of him.
"Nah! He's alright, he never let me pay ever." Hikaru didn't seem bothered.
"Ne, ne, Hikaru where are we going?" Sai's excitement was palpable and Hikaru felt like he's about to choke on it.
"Hey Sai! Calm down, will you? I can't breathe with you feeling this way." Hikaru protested.
"I'm so sorry Hikaru, I can't help it. It's been so long." There was melancholy in his voice.
"Cheer up Sai! Today we're going to kick some butt, what do you say?"Hikaru trying to lighten the mood.
"Yes, yes, let's do that!" Sai agreed immediately happy with the encouragement.
"Uhmm, Hikaru? What butt? Weren't we suppose to play igo?" Sai a moment later in a puzzled tone.
"Just an expression Sai, it means we're gonna defeat someone." Hikaru explained with much amusement in his voice.
"Ohhh Hikaru, this is truly an amazing place. It could rival the imperial garden of the royal house." Sai overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the massive garden. The forested area, the lovely groves of cherry and plum trees punctuated with green oasis. The brightness of the sun illuminating the wide open spaces while it accentuates the shades of the trees.
"This is the imperial garden, idiot. It's just that it got opened to the public." Hikaru explained.
"Where are we heading Hikaru?" Sai asked again unable to contain himself.
"Last time I saw them was under the pavilion within the Mother Child Forest. We'll go there first."
Hikaru went to the left towards the direction of the bald cypresses and stepped onto the wooded path. When he reached the point where the path splits in two, he stepped off it and went to the right towards the pond. Walking along the edges he picked up some pebbles and threw it into the water and stopped to watch the ripples it made. He then proceeded towards the shaded woodland to look for the pavilion.
xxxxxxx
Sakuraku Yuuichi was sitting under the shade of the pavilion waiting for his friend Tatsumi Kouji to arrive. His joints were bothering him again and he knew he'd be walking slowly and since he didn't want to be late, not that Kouji would mind, he set out early. He's a punctual individual and it's too late to change his habit now but he misjudged the time and arrived too early. Well no matter, he could just enjoy the place. He brought enough tea with him to last half a day and some onigiri if he gets real hungry. He also have with him a foldable goban and the plastic stones. He had a better one at home but cheap ones would do nicely since they're portable.
He was pouring his tea when he heard the rustle of leaves and a loud childish voice arguing with... he turned to look and saw only one person there. The boy must be talking to himself, he concluded. The boy saw him, smiled and approached his direction. He's a good looking kid, a little on the short side but he'll probably shoot up when he comes to that age. The boy was wearing a yellow T-shirt with a number five written in black bold romaji, a thin hooded olive jacket over it, brown shorts that reached below the knees and rubber shoes with white socks folded twice. Yuuichi smiled, he reminded him of his own grandsons at that age. They're all grown up now with families of their own. Looking at something so young made him feel his old age.
"Ojisan, ohayoo." The boy bowed down and grinned at him. Instead of going around to the entrance, he climbed up the seat which was designed as wall for the pavilion. He then sat facing him with his legs folded before him; the thermos, cup of tea and foldable goban between them.
"Do you play go?" The boy asked innocently, Yuuichi thought he looked just like an angel.
"What's your name, boy?" Yuuichi asked. He was amused by the boy's forward nature.
"You can call me, Sai." He smiled in a self satisfied manner which confused Yuuichi. He looked like he just won an argument. Weird name too, Yuiichi thought but weirder names have cropped up for years now.
"Do you play that game, Sai?" Yuuichi hedged a little. If the boy is asking for a game he really didn't want to have to get into a long battle with him. It's rude to not finish the game but he didn't want to make Kouji wait either when he arrives.
"I'm not sure but would you play one game with me, please?" Sai asked with a smile.
"Well, alright." Yuuichi just didn't have the heart to turn down a game. Kouji will have to wait besides he could always finish this quickly. He decided he's not gonna hold back and finish it as soon as possible. Sorry boy but Kouji is my opponent.
He took his thermos and cup and placed them on one side. He then spread the goban open and placed it again between them. He took out two pouches from his bag opened them and gave Sai the pouch with the black stones.
"You can put down as many as four stones as handicap, if you require more than that then you will have to find yourself another opponent." Yuuichi said as a matter of fact. He's not a teacher and if the boy is weak it's not his responsibility to make him strong.
"I don't need a handicap." The boy whispered and he looked like he's about to cry.
"I didn't mean to look down on you, Sai. I'm sorry." Yuuichi felt guilty, he didn't mean to frighten the boy.
"Alright, no handicaps then but you go first." Yuuichi offered, he wanted to give Sai at least that advantage.
"Onegaishimasu." Sai spoke in a respectful manner as he bowed down and Yuuichi did the same.
The game started with Sai placing his stone at the corner and Yuuichi did in kind. They are establishing their territories and he didn't think anything of it but he noticed other things. The boy was left handed, and his right hand would hold the left sleeve out of the way every time he made his move which is puzzling since it is not in the way, and usually people will just push it up to their elbow if it does. If he didn't know any better he would think that this boy is used to flowing sleeves. And that would mean he wears yukata all the time? But he looks comfortable in his present clothing. And he hold his stones beautifully too making him think this boy is no stranger to the game.
It was when he tried to invade Sai's territories and break up his formations when he realized he can't. He has moves to counter with anything he throws at him and when the boy in turn started to make his moves against him he felt powerless to stop it. A move he makes to block his advance only ends up with Sai taking another of his territory. It seems that those stones were placed there just for that specific move he's making but surely he couldn't have predicted what he will do? You can only do that with opponents you're familiar with. Yuuichi was beginning to sweat even with the cool breeze, he had never met an opponent who overwhelmed him so completely. He's an amateur and only plays for fun and although he never entered any competition he knows he can hold his own. He had been playing this game for more than fifty years and how old is this boy?
Yuuichi had played this game far longer than he can remember and he knows when he's beaten. He looked at the boy and was puzzled, he didn't look like he knows what's going on. His face did not have the expression of intense concentration, he looked more like a spectator than a player.
"Makemashita." Yuuichi said softly as he bowed down.
"You're finished already? There are still lots of stones." Sai argued which gives credence to his suspicion.
"I know but it won't matter, I will still loose." Yuuichi smiled.
"That was a good game, who's your teacher?" Yuuichi was curious. That game was not just good but beautiful. If it wasn't rude to continue he would have like to go on and see just how much he will loose.
"Uhmm, it's a secret." The boy grinned mischievously. "Are you waiting for someone?"
"I'm waiting for my friend, Kouji. He's my usual opponent. He should be here soon." That was when he realized that they've only played for under an hour.
"Would you like to have another game with me?" This time it was Yuuichi that did the asking.
"Yeah, it's fine. I'll play until I need to go home for lunch." Sai explained.
"That's alright, I need to go home for lunch too." Yuuichi laughed, for the first time in a long time he felt invigorated.
"I'll introduce you to Kouji when he arrives. Let's see you play him too. I'm sorry, will that be alright?" Yuuichi caught his bad manners.
"That's OK, I promised this day to a friend." Sai smiled playfully.
His words confused Yuuichi again, then why is he here with me? Then he decided it didn't matter. The boy is here now and so is he, they will play until it's time to stop. He offered the boy some of his tea and onigiri, they played three more games which he never won. Kouji never did show up.
(End of Chapter2)