SHADOWY GO
Chapter8: Storm in a teacup.
Hikaru found himself at the entrance of Kaio Junior High at 9:30 am. He had to start out early, going to his meeting place with Yuuichi to tack a message that he can't come and play but will be there next Sunday without fail. He felt guilty doing it since he had to cut short their meeting last time too. Lots of people were already going in and out of Kaio, but he decided to wait for Tsutsui and Kaga by the gate entrance. He actually felt comfortable wearing Haze's uniform, he had to borrow Yuuki's pants to complete the outfit. He was glad Yuuki didn't ask any questions, even told him he need not return it. He always called Yuuki by his first name even if they weren't close. It would be strange calling him Mitani when his sister Hitomi is there, and him calling him Shindou with Akari around.
He saw them as soon they were in sight, they seem to be arguing with Kaga looking violent and Tsutsui his nose in the air. Tsutsui doesn't look much, he's about 3 inches shorter than Kaga, slim of built, nerdy looking with the glasses, and generally looks like a pushover. Kaga on the other hand is tall, about 180 cm, well built, strong if that shaking he went through was any indication, gangster-mean looks, acts like one too, and generally the type you don't wanna meet in a dark alley somewhere. Anyone would think Kaga was bullying Tsutsui, at least that's what he thought at first. But looking closely, he could see Tsutsui holding his own quiet nicely against Kaga. "Well I take off my hat to you, Tsutsui san," Hikaru thought.
"Shindou you're here, good. If you didn't show up, rest assured I would have found you, regardless of your hair color." Kaga by way of greeting.
A threat so early in the morning? Hikaru simmered. "I wouldn't dream of standing up such an illustrious person as yourself, Kaga sempai." Hikaru said with a smile.
"Hikaru, is that wise? Baiting him like that?"
"I doubt he'll get it Sai, he thinks highly of himself."
"And here I thought you were just some rude brat. Very good but don't push it, I'm not stupid."
"Stop it you two. Shindou hold this, will you?" Tsutsui pushed a manila envelope to him while looking for something inside his bag.
"What's this?" Hikaru looking inside.
"It's the copy of our school tournament invitation, entry form and parental consents."
"Huh? Huh? Parental consents?"
"Ha ha ha! Don't worry Shindou, I fixed it for you." Kaga with much amusement. "You'll certainly appreciate this, I asked my vice captain to have his parents signed it, they wouldn't know go from shougi. You'll be using his name today."
"I really don't like this, Kaga. What if we're found out."
"You worry too much, Tsutsui. They won't find out unless you tell them. Besides, we'll be graduating coming March. If they investigate, we'll be long gone and I doubt someone will do that. It's just a school tournament."
"You're both graduating? Then why create a go club when you won't be there for long?"
"Tsutsui always wanted one since the beginning but he couldn't find enough members, if we win this tournament maybe it'll change their mind."
"Why are you helping him Kaga sempai, when shougi is your game?" Hikaru was curious, these two are like night and day.
"None of your business, brat."
"I just wanted to leave something behind, Shindou. And I really love go and I want to share to everyone, how wonderful this game is."
"I tell you Tsutsui, shougi is much more fun than go. Come join our club, I'll teach you myself."
"You already know my answer to that."
"OK, OK, so what's my name then?"
"Sakuraga Ryusei. Listen, you're 15 years old, 9th grade and a student from Haze Junior High. Remember that."
"So... we're both equal. I don't have to call you sempai."
"How about you call me, Kaga sama."
"In your dreams, Kaga."
xxxxxxx
"Wow! So this is Kaio, one of the best schools in the country. Nice buildings, it's more like corporate buildings than a school." Hikaru whistled.
"Yours is a private school too, right?" Kaga asked.
"Yeah, but not as grand as this and certainly not as expensive. Only the real wealthy will be able to afford this, and you have to be an exceptional student to be considered for their scholarship program. Sumida is just expensive compared to a public school but if you really think about it, it's actually cheaper to go to Sumida than Haze if you take into account cram school. You go to cram school, right? To prepare for your entrance exam for high school?" Well we don't, since Sumida has an affiliate high school and university."
"That your reason for going to that school? You thought it all up? I'm impressed."
"Nah, I had my reasons for going there. I just needed the right push to convince my parents."
"You're good, Shindou. You're more clever than I thought. No wonder you're good at go."
"Hey, call me Sakuraga."
"Yeah right."
"Where's Tsutsui? Did he go to the restroom or something?"
"No, he went to the office of the school's game committee to submit our papers. He'll meet us in the auditorium."
xxxxxxx
And boy, is there any auditorium larger than this? It's larger than Sumida's big hall, which was also big. He could see everything was ready; tables with foldable gobans spread open and two goke and timer besides each. He could see students in different uniforms assembled with their sensei. He thought Haze was the only one that didn't have any adults with them. Well, Kaga could pass for one. They saw Tsutsui approached and they waited for him before looking if they have any designated seats.
"Everything went through OK?" Kaga asked.
"Yes, but it still doesn't make me feel better. This is wrong."
"It's only wrong if they find out." Kaga's logic.
"But what if someone recognizes, Shindou." Tsutsui still worried.
"It's Sakuraga. No, not happening. We don't have a go club, and most people or kids I know doesn't play this game. And as you can see my hair is back to normal. They're used to seeing me with colored hair now.
"Stop worrying for nothing Tsutsui, it's a waste of time. Worry about it when it happens and not before."
"For some reason Kaga is right."
"What do you mean by that, brat."
xxxxxxx
They were checking out the big white board for the match up. There's only 6 girls team and 8 boys team, not many at all. He could also hear murmurs about Kaio being the best. Never been defeated 24 years running. If they win today, it'll be their 25th successive win.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please may I have your attention. We will now begin the first round. The girls first round is over there. Please listen; Kaio Junior High vs Iwana Junior High, then next to them is Ayu vs Kawahagi, Hamachi vs Sawara. The boys first round is here; Kaio vs Hamachi, then Tai vs Iwana, back there is Ayu vs Sawara, and Haze vs Kawahagi. That is all.
"You excited Sai?"
"Yes Hikaru, I can't wait!"
"Hey Sai, remember these are kids, OK?"
"Yes Hikaru. You don't have to remind me, I'll be gentle."
Hikaru's conversation with Sai was cut short when the 1st captain of the opposing team suddenly mouthed off to Kaga. "You're the captain? Could you be from the shougi club?" Kaga was fanning himself with his sensu with a shougi word on it. Apparently the opponent noticed. "Why are you here? Didn't have enough members? Couldn't even find three?" The three opposing idiots were giggling their asses off.
"Just hurry up and nigiri!" Kaga was pissed.
"You sure? Maybe we should look for a shougi board?" And they continued giggling.
"You're lucky it's go, or your king would be dead in 5 minutes. It will take me 10 minutes in go. You get 5 more minutes to live."
"You don't even know how strong I am."
"Whether you're strong or weak will become clear soon. Guys who starts whining before the match are weak..."
"Hey you over there, start!" The referee hollered at them.
Both 1st captains nigiri and Kaga got white. The opponents started to say please following the go game etiquette and they did the same with some variations from Haze's 1st captain, of course.
"Yeah, yeah, please whatever." Kaga was just starting to cool down when he noticed Tsutsui.
"Tsutsui what the hell are you doing?"
"Huh? What?" Tsutsui said weakly.
"Are you an idiot looking at a go book?
"It's not against the rules or anything..."
"This is why you are so weak! Don't you know a book is useless once your opponent adjusts?"
"I know but I can't relax without it..."
"Will you two please stop drawing attention to yourselves?" Hikaru had to butt in, he was in the middle after all and they're embarrassing him. They have everyone's eyes on them.
"Hey there, quiet!" The referee hollered at them for the second time.
"Ahhhh! Whatever..." Kaga exasperated.
Sai made the first move and Hikaru waited for his opponent to respond. After a few moments when it didn't happen, he looked up and found the bastard grinning at him and said, "You forgot to punch your clock. Aren't I nice?" Hikaru punched the clock with murder in his heart but he held his peace. But when the 1st captain started off again...
"What kind of team are you? The 1st captain is from a shougi club, the 2nd captain who forgets about his clock, and the 3rd captain who has a book. You're the worst team ever." Which sets off another round of giggling.
"Sai, on second thought, don't hold back. Let's kick their asses off this goban." Hikaru just as pissed as Kaga now.
"You sure Hikaru?"
"Yes, don't play games. Show them your real strength."
"Yes Hikaru..."
xxxxxxx
Ten minutes later, everyone heard Kaga. "I can't hear you."
"I... I've lost..."
And a few seconds later, Hikaru followed suit. "What was that again?"
"I... I have nothing..."
Kawahagi's sensei came over. "Don't get discouraged." He told the two boys. "There will be other games, there's plenty of time to get strong." He stared at the two boards for several minutes, looked at Haze's 1st and 2nd captain. Such strength, no wonder his students were defeated. While the first board showed cunning in his strategy, the second board showed he was controlling his opponent's moves. "Such extraordinary play for one so young, your go club must have a wonderful sensei."
"Actually we're from the shougi club. I'm the captain and this here is my vice captain. Our 3rd board there, is the captain of the go club. He just borrowed us for this event." Kaga said with much exaggeration while flicking his fan open showing the shougi character written on it. The others murmured among themselves, they heard the loud-mouth Kaga very clearly which was his intention, the idiot.
"Shougi? You're shougi players? Unbelievable, how come you're so good in go?"
"Good in go? Bah! You should come see me play shougi, old man. I'll show you unbelievable..." Kaga was in true form.
"Kaga, shut the hell up." Hikaru whispered frantically. "You're making a spectacle of yourself."
"Excuse me, excuse us..." Hikaru dragged the crazy Kaga with him. While those left behind just stared as the 2nd captain bodily manhandled the 1st captain out of the room.
xxxxxxx
"Sorry to make you come today." The principal in a very apologetic tone. "When I heard you're applying here... you see, we are one of the most highly selective schools in the country but you will definitely get in. Touya Akira kun, I'm aware of your go skill... I have a request, if you enroll here, will you join our go club?"
"No... I..."
"No, I understand. A club is just a place to enjoy school life. It maybe meaningless to a future pro like yourself but having someone with so much talent around will get everyone excited. All you have to do is show up from time to time."
"Principal, I'm not as strong as you think..." Akira remembered the boy he played it seems so long ago.
"Ha ha ha! What modesty, I can't believe a soon to be pro would be saying that."
"No, I really am... not as strong as you think." Akira with his head down.
xxxxxxx
"White: 55 moku, add the komi 6.5 and it's 61.5 moku. Black: 61 moku. White wins!" The referee announced.
"I was winning most of the match..." Kawahagi's 3rd board couldn't believe it.
"You really don't make mistakes during yose, do you?" Kaga commented.
"Yup, I'm strong at counting moku and finishing up games." Tsutsui smiled proudly.
"You're still a fool at the beginning."
"Hey captain, announce our result already." Tsutsui said happily.
"Haze Junior High... we won 3-0." Kaga said in a bored voice.
xxxxxxx
Haze Junior High vs Sawara Junior High, second round match. Hikaru was actually enjoying himself although he wasn't really part of the game. He looks and tries to outguess both players where they want to put their stones next. His opponent right now is probably what Sai would call predictable, because Hikaru can tell where he wants to put it. There were so many times he would get the urge to shake the 2nd captain and shout at him, don't be so goddamn obvious! And basing on his opponent's move he could tell where Sai was gonna respond. Since he gave him the go ahead for no mercy, it's a killer move every time.
Hikaru was staring at the board when he noticed droplets of water dripping on it. He looked up and saw his opponent blubbering like a little kid. His voice was trembling when he said the words, I resign. Sawara's teacher came over and scolded the boy. He pointed out several moves he thought would save the game, and Hikaru could see their sensei was a small man and knows go less than his student. At least the student knows when to resign.
Hikaru felt sorry for his opponent, not for losing but for having a sensei like that. He could also feel Sai's anger burning inside of him. He stood up and reached over to grab the boy's arm before he could leave and couldn't stop the words that came out of his mouth. "There's no shame in losing to me. I've never been defeated." He stared hard at the boy, and the boy nodded, an unspoken understanding between them. Hikaru then stared down Sawara's teacher and gave him his most sinister smile. "You wouldn't win against me either, sensei." Hikaru drawled out his words. Hikaru didn't noticed Kaga and Tsutsui staring at him like they were seeing him for the first time. Others also heard him and they wondered about Haze's go club. Are they really that strong?
Fifteen minutes later, Kaga's opponent resigned, "I have lost..."
"Ikeshita! Why didn't you attack the upper left area?" Sawara's teacher was at it again.
"That's useless, even if he did I would have just killed him." Kaga's distaste over the guy was clearly written on his face.
"You still have a chance, if you had..."
"You're not listening to me... even if he entered this area, it wouldn't have been enough. Sensei, look at the board more closely, his resigning was correct." Kaga also stared down Sawara's teacher.
The people present were beginning to see Haze as something else. At first they were like a joke, acted like one too. But it seems there were more to them than meets the eye.
Tsutsui like before continued his game to the bitter end, with his opponent winning mostly at first only to be defeated by the monster of yose. Haze won 3-0 for the second time.
xxxxxxx
During the break, the others started recreating Haze's games to see if they were really that good. Kaio's teacher and his team did also. The 1st board is an excellent player, he is on the same level with Kaio's 1st captain, who will win can only be determined after they play. But the 2nd board struck fear into their hearts, his moves has no mistakes which they can see. Each move has a purpose, it lay in wait and forces his opponent to move where he wants it. His domination over his opponent was absolute. Kaio's teacher sweated, what is this kid doing in a school tournament? He doesn't belong in it. He may also be a kid but his skill is far too great to compete against these kids who are not strong enough. No, not strong enough but weak when compared to this kind of strength.
"Sensei, why is he second board? He should be first." Kaio's 2nd captain asked apprehensive, he knows he's going to loose today.
"I don't know but just play with your best. Win or loose be thankful that you get to play such a great opponent."
"Is it really true that the 1st and 2nd board are captain and vice captain of a shougi club?" He heard the talks by the other losing team.
"I don't know, but what a team if that were true."
They looked at the third board and breathe a sigh of relief. At least this one was normal although they would have to be careful with the end game. His end game was flawlessly executed but Kaio's third board was not some lousy player. Beating Haze's third board will not present a problem.
xxxxxxx
After the break, the others were waiting in anticipation for the final round. They've always thought Kaio would win but not now. Haze which was never in any school go tournament that they know of, and to suddenly enter with such a strong team, and with two members composed of shougi players was exciting indeed.
"Boys final, Haze Junior High vs Kaio, please begin." The referee anounced. Everyone was crowding, excited to witness what they felt would be an epic battle. The Kaio team was nervous and apprehensive, the only one relaxed was the third board. While this was going on Hikaru, Kaga and Tsutsui was still standing at the far side of the room, and didn't notice they were the center of attention again, they had a small battle going on.
"Throw away the book!"
"Huh? No way!" While clutching at it, refusing to give it to Kaga.
"It's just in the way, forget about it and just play!" Kaga trying to wrestle the book away, Tsutsui who was hugging it close.
"Nooo!" Kaga successfully got the book away from Tsutsui's, looked at Hikaru and tossed it at him, while holding on to Tsutsui to prevent him from following the book.
"Throw it away quick!"
Hikaru caught by surprise, tossed it out the window. "Oooppps! Sorry Tsutsui, it took me by surprise." Hikaru felt guilty, he didn't mean to throw it out.
It really looked like they were bullying their 3rd captain. It didn't help matters that Tsutsui looked like he was about to cry, which he probably would if he weren't in a tournament. He made them looked like the bad guys. Everyone was staring at their antics, he could just imagine what they were thinking. Probably thought, gangster guy and delinquent kid bullying helpless boy.
"Haze team, take your seats, now!" The referee must have hollered at them three times now.
xxxxxxx
"Thanks for coming in again, Touya kun."
"Not at all. My father says hi."
"Yes, when he was a student here, I was still a teacher. We even played go sometimes. There's a Junior High Go Tournament going on today. Why don't you take a look at our go club. I'm sure you'll be impressed."
"I know that Kaio is at a high level but I just..."
"Please take a look, it's not far."
Akira could hear the sounds of the stones as they were placed down on the go board. There's a bit of a crowd around the players. Students and teachers alike seems concentrated on the game. He could hear hushed murmur of conversations as they came nearer.
"They're strong..."
"This is the first time I heard of a Haze Go Club..."
"No, those two are from the shougi club..."
"I've heard they are captain and vice captain..."
"Then what are they doing here...?"
"You see the second board...?"
"...scary..."
"The first board is also a very splendid player..."
Akira was confused, they sounded like they're talking about another team. Isn't Kaio winning? It made him curious. He couldn't see the players, the crowd formed a loosely knit formation around them. He managed to slip in and had the shock of his life. Right in front of him, across the table, the boy he had been looking for. He could feel his heart thumping, he found him. He navigated around until he was standing right behind him, watching his game.
xxxxxxx
Sai was overjoyed, he just loves competitions like this. His opponent was no match for him but it was the game that mattered. He thought he wouldn't be able to play another for sometime since Hikaru was so busy with school. He doesn't remember his own schooling in great detail, but it seems to him that Hikaru spends more time in school than at home. Even Saturday spent at home was still about school. The only time they have for themselves are Sundays. That's why he can't believe their luck when this tournament presented itself.
"Hey Sai! I can feel my heart in my throat. Is this guy really that exciting?"
"No Hikaru. I'm just so happy right now."
"Oh right, guess that makes me happy too. So what do you think of this kid?"
"His moves are solid and he's careful with each hands, making sure that it'll be safe from attacks. But he is so focus on details that he can only see tiny pieces of his territory. He can't see the whole thing as they relate to each other or see his opponent's territory in relation to his. He can't see further than his nose, Hikaru. I can go in anytime and finish this now if you want."
"Let's wait for Kaga to get his win first. I don't want to stand around doing nothing while we wait for them."
xxxxxxx
Akira's breath was caught in his throat. Each hand was perfect, the mastery he exerted over his opponent was terrifying. But why won't he finish it? He could see several key points to put his stone to defeat the opponent, why won't he take it?
Kaio's second board was no fool either. He knew from the beginning it was going to end like this but still he had some small hope. He could see his opponent's strength now, he was no match for it. He was about to resign when Hikaru stopped him.
"Don't resign yet, let's wait for our first captain to finish. We don't want to stand around twiddling our thumbs doing nothing, do we?"
"But... but... I already lost."
"Well, why don't you put a stone here." Hikaru pointed a spot. "This will make me have to defend my formation here. It won't be enough though but we can drag this game some more until those slowpokes finishes."
"Huh? No! I want to resign! I'm resigning! I resign!" The second board hollered.
"Alright, alright, geez! I heard you the first time."
Kaio's second board stood up and hurriedly left, he was ashamed of his display of temper with so many witnesses around. Kaga turned to Hikaru, "You're such a brat, I believe you hurt his feelings."
"Well if you're not so slow in finishing up your game, I wouldn't have to drag mine out." Hikaru said in a huff.
"I'm a shougi player, what do you expect?"
"Oh shut up, it's your move now." Hikaru pointed out.
Hearing the conversation between Haze's 1st and 2nd captain just about killed the confidence of Kaio's 1st board. He was about neck and neck with his opponent but he was so slippery, he couldn't completely block him or surround him. He puts his stones in strange places like he couldn't care what's happening on the area where the main battle is going on, and it confused him. And before he knew it, his opponent's stones had linked and formed a dragon, and he couldn't surround it. But he wasn't too worried, he still held his own. His opponent's move has great influence but it didn't fence in much territory. But the dragon was just a lure, he had a second framework hidden, points of strings not attached to the dragon just placed near to prevent the opponent from capturing it and before he could do something about it, it became a trap he couldn't get out of.
Kaio's first captain resigned fifteen minutes after his second board. Haze's victory is now undisputed, and it rattled the third player and made a mistake that gave Tsutsui the opening he needed. He knew he was a goner, he had looked at Haze's third board's recreated games during break, and knows he doesn't make mistakes during yose which where they are now. He had entered Tsutsui's domain with an error he can't afford.
"I have lost..." Tears leaked out of his eyes. Even if they were supposed to loose to Haze, he at least was expected to win his battle with the third board.
"Kaga, I won! I won! I beat Kaio!" Tsutsui was so happy, looking up at his two team mates standing at both his sides.
"Well, what do you know, so did we." Kaga the idiot, fanning himself again with his sensu. The shougi character very clear to see.
"Haze Junior High wins 3-0. Haze wins the tournament." The referee announced.
"No way...!"
"I can't believe it..."
"Kaio really lost...?"
"Haze has no losses..."
"Wow! They're unbelievable..."
"They're shougi players too..."
xxxxxxx
It was Tsutsui who took their trophy from the announcer even if he wasn't the 1st captain. Their names were called out as each of them was awarded a copy of the certificate as champion of that year's school go tournament. Pictures were taken, congratulations given, and some sort of tokens for prizes. Hikaru wasn't really interested, no cash was awarded which would have been nice in his way of thinking. They were asked if they're going to participate again in next year's tournament, in which they let Tsutsui answered that one. Some of the teachers there had asked them why they never entered before when they have such strong players. Kaga's answer was that they were too busy playing shougi, which made the go players shake their heads in wonder. Somebody gave Tsutsui back the book Hikaru had thrown out of the window and Tsutsui was moved to tears. He was hugging it along with the trophy. Kaga was looking daggers at the boy that did it and Hikaru laughed at that. So some really thought they were bullying Tsutsui.
They were in high spirits and were about to leave when a voice stopped them, "Sakuraga Ryusei!" All three of them turned to look since they all know the real Sakuraga was not with them. "So that's your real name..." A boy just a couple inches shorter than him, wearing pinstriped shirt, complete with coat and tie, stopped them. He looked like a young master in that formal suit. Hikaru didn't really recognize him but he somehow looked familiar. He approached them and stood in front of Hikaru at arm's length distance.
"Have you forgotten about me?" The boy asked, looking up at him straight in the eye.
"You know this kid, Ryusei?" Kaga using the first name to make it more believable he really was Sakuraga.
"I really don't..." Hikaru said when Tsutsui exclaimed,
"It's Touya Akira!"
"Isn't he the boy we played in that go salon, Hikaru?" Sai reminded him.
"Oh shit! You're that go nut from before."
"Why did you run from me?"
"Well if somebody comes after you, it's only natural to run."
"You didn't come back, why?"
"Hey look, I'm not going to pay 500 yen to play some board game, alright?"
"You don't have to pay, I'll ask father... if you play me, you don't have to pay..." Akira didn't want to sound desperate but he was and it showed.
"OK kids, I don't want to cut short your reunion but we need to go." Kaga had just about enough of go, and went on ahead with Tsutsui in tow who wanted to stay, curious about Touya Akira but Kaga won't let him.
"I'm sorry but I'm leaving now." Hikaru felt uncomfortable with this Akira kid, he's just too intense for him to like. He turned to follow his team mates when a hand grabbed his arm stopping him.
"Won't you come back? To the go salon?"
"I can't I'm busy with school."
"May I visit you then? At your school's go club."
Hikaru gave a wide smile, too wide for it to be any good. "Why yes, of course. If you can find Haze's Go Club, that's where I'll be. Ja ne! I'll see you there!" He gave Akira a little waive and walked away.
(End of Chapter8)