SHADOWY GO
Chapter9: Lies, half-truths and interruptions.
Hikaru's eyes snapped open at the loud ringing of his alarm clock. He had the strangest dream, he tried to hold on to it but failed entirely. "Sai, what do you do when I'm asleep?" Hikaru asked curious. "Do you sleep too?" Monday and it's already past 6:30, he should get up.
"I don't sleep Hikaru, I... I don't know how to explain it but I live in the deepest recesses of your mind. And when you sleep, I play go with the other you."
"Really? There's another me? That's just creepy, Sai. What's the other me like? Or are you just pulling my leg?"
"He's you Hikaru but more vast. It took me a long time to focus him just to play go."
"You'd probably have an easier time if it was basket, Sai." Hikaru chuckled, he can just imagine Sai convincing him to play go. Well, good luck to that.
"Hikaru, why won't you let me play that boy?"
"What boy?"
"That boy Touya Akira."
"Geez Sai, for a thousand year old ghost, you're sure dumb."
"Hikaruuu... I couldn't be that old!"
"You mentioned Emperor Daigo, remember? I looked him up, believe me, you're a thousand alright."
"So why can't I play him?" Sai sounded like he was pouting.
"I can only think of one reason why he was there, Sai. He's a go nut and Kaio has the best go club in the country. It's a match made in go heaven, he's planning to enroll there." He got out of bed and went to the bathroom.
"I still don't see the problem, Hikaru."
"You're really slow. You heard him, he thinks I'm Sakuraga Ryusei from Haze Junior High. Haze just completely annihilated Kaio's pride by beating them at their own game. Should I then introduce myself as Shindou Hikaru of Sumida? If I tell him who I am, he'll most likely pull the whistle on us and we'll be disqualified, they will take back our win, and probably get us in trouble too. Poor Tsutsui won't have his club and Kaga will surely beat the crap out of me. It is better for everyone if I just disappear from his sight." Hikaru brushing his teeth in a forceful manner.
"But Hikaru..."
"...if we ask him nicely maybe he won't tell?" Hikaru finished for him.
"Yes, he looks like a nice boy."
"That's precisely why he's going to pull the whistle on us because he's nice."
"How about you keep the name Ryusei?" Sai suggested.
"How long do you think I can keep that up? Unlike Yuuichi san, I don't think that kid would be content with just a name. Let's not talk about this anymore. I have enough guilt with Yuuichi san calling me Sai. I don't need that kid to add to it by calling me Ryusei. " Hikaru washing his face by this time. He already took a shower last night to remove the temporary black dye from his hair, it took five washes to completely remove it.
"I would have love to play him again, Hikaru."
"Don't sound so sad, Sai. Winter break is coming soon, I'll have you play net go again. You like net go, right?"
"Ohhh! Hikaruuu! I love net go, I want to play, I want to play..."
"Soon Sai, soon." Hikaru went out of the bathroom after completing his morning ritual.
xxxxxxx
It was getting cold, winter is coming already. Hikaru pass the time on a train ride daydreaming about basketball. When the train reached the station it hit him that tomorrow he needs to decide whether to become the co-vice captain of the kendo club or just quit the club completely.
"Sai, I don't know if I have what it takes to become co-vice captain of the kendo club."
"Why do you think that, Hikaru?"
"You know I don't know anything about kendo, right?"
"Yes, but didn't they say they're going to teach you?"
"Yeah, but still..."
"I'm with you Hikaru, don't be afraid."
"Who says I'm afraid? I just don't want to disappoint them."
"Then don't. The way of the sword will teach you humility."
"I'm not humble enough for you?"
"You could use a little polishing, Hikaru."
"Fine then! I'm going to accept their offer. If I'm going to join a club, I might as well be on top of it."
xxxxxxx
Akira couldn't wait for class to finish, so right after souji he was out of there and into Ichikawa's car. He had asked Ichikawa yesterday afternoon if she could pick him up and give him a ride to Haze.
"Thank you, Ichikawa san."
"Anything for you, Akira kun. So what do you need at Haze Junior High? If you will be fast I can wait."
"That's OK, I'll take the bus home."
"Oh, alright."
Akira stood there a moment, watching Ichikawa as she speed away. He didn't really want to go in alone, he should have changed out of his uniform but he couldn't wait. What if he left already? So he straightened his back and went in, he could sense people watching him. He stood out like a sore thumb among the black uniform of Haze.
"I'm looking for a first year named Sakuraga Ryusei." He asked the two older girls chatting on their way to the gate's exit.
"I don't know that name but the first years' building is behind that white building with the flag." And they continued on their way.
When he found the building, he approached two guys wearing baseball uniform carrying a crate of baseball equipments. "I'm looking for Sakuraga Ryusei, he is a member of the go club?"
"Go club? I didn't know we have a go club. Hey Yoshino, we have a go club?" He turned to his companion.
"Not that I know of. We have a shougi club though."
"Sorry kid, can't help you." And they went on their way.
Akira was confused. What's going on here? What should I do? He saw a teacher wearing a lab gown and approached her. "Excuse me."
"Yes? Oh! A Setagaya student, right? Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for the go club but I'm having trouble. Do you know where I can find it?"
"Go club? I don't believe we have one. Maybe you mean the shougi club?"
"No, I..." And that's when Akira remembered. The talks about the 1st and 2nd captain being shougi players. "Yes, you're right. I meant the shougi club." Akira smiled.
"Well, you can find their club next to this science building. If you go around here, you'll come to the window of their club and take a peek inside if you want."
"Thank you, I'll do that."
Akira found their club without difficulty and as the teacher suggested took a peek inside. There were more than twenty of them, most were playing but some were just talking and one or two were explaining strategies to their kouhai. Akira knocked on the window frame and a tall chubby guy walked over to him.
"You're not Haze's, what can I help you with?"
"I... I'm looking for a first year named Sakuraga Ryusei. Do you know where I can find him?"
"I don't know kid but there's no first year here with that name."
"Do you have a go club here?"
"You must be in the wrong school cause Haze doesn't have one, never did."
"May I speak to... to Kaga Tetsuo?"
"Kaga Tetsuo only shows up when he wants to kid, he may be captain but I'm running this club."
Akira felt like an icy water had just been dumped on him. No go club, it seems nobody knows who Sakuraga Ryusei is, and the other guy can't be found. "What about Tsutsui Kimihiro, do you know him?"
"Never heard of him. Hey you guys! Do you know anyone named Tsutsui?"
"No!" They hollered in unison, their eyes still on the board.
"Sorry kid, anything else?"
"No... no... that's it, thank you."
As Akira walked away, he didn't notice another pair of eyes watching him leave. "Kaga, what is this all about again?" The tall chubby guy asked.
"That's the kid we met from Kaio, seems interested in Shindou. He knows him as you, Ryusei."
"Poor kid, he looked dejected." Ryusei felt for the kid but Kaga had already warned him and the rest of the club members, of someone who might be looking for the Haze go team and to never reveal the identity of the 2nd captain.
"Yeah right, if he ever finds out the truth, we'll loose that win we had over Kaio."
"You really kicked Kaio's butt, Kaga?" Ryusei's eyes filled with awe. Kaga is a genius at shougi and to win at go too? He's incredible.
"Hell yeah! We stomped on their asses real good, and I crammed good ole shougi down their throats while at it." Kaga said with satisfaction.
"Tell us, tell us what happened Kaga sempai..." The younger members of the club and also his contemporaries wants to hear the whole story of how their captain beat Kaio. They've heard of bits and pieces only as they came in, when Tsutsui and Kaga brought the trophy into their club, they won at a go tournament yesterday. It was place inside one of the empty lockers, and will only see the light of day again when Haze will have a go club.
"Alright, but this story will have to be this club's secret, OK? You can't tell anyone who is not a member. This will be our tradition from now on." That's how the legend of Kaga started and how he helped create the Haze go club.
xxxxxxx
Akira took the bus home to his father's go salon instead of going home. It was still a little early, past five o'clock. Ichikawa greeted him and asked how his errand at Haze went.
"It's fine Ichikawa san." Akira smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Can I get you anything, Akira kun?" Ichikawa was worried. She had never seen Akira loose his temper but he looks like he's keeping a tight lid on it.
Akira didn't answer but went to the back and started recreating a game from memory. Recreating games usually calms him, when he noticed he's recreating a game played by that Ryusei against Kaio's second board. He made a fool of him again, Akira's eyes glittered dangerously. He made a fool of him for the last time, next time they'll meet, and he's sure there will be a next time. He will stick to him like glue until he gets a real name out of him.
He was staring at the game, wishing it was him that played him when a shadow fell over the board. He looked up to see Ogata looking at the board then him. "I called your name twice, you didn't hear me." Ogata while wiping his glasses then putting it back on.
"Did you play this game, Akira kun?" Ogata asked curious, the difference between the skill of the players are like polar opposite.
"No, that boy Ichigo I told you about did." Akira said flatly.
"So you saw him again?" Ogata asked like he couldn't care but Akira is not stupid, he knew Ogata wants to play him.
"Yes, but this time his name is Ryusei."
"Is that his real name?"
"I don't know." Akira didn't want to tell Ogata anything, if he wants to find that kid, let him do it on his own.
"Where did you say you saw him again?
"I didn't say, but at the park nearby, he was playing with another kid. Is father with you?"
"Yes, I'll both give you a ride home."
Akira returned the stones to its respective container and stood up. "I'm taking the bus home, thank you. I'm going now." He left Ogata standing there and went to the counter. "Ichikawa san, will you tell father I'm going on ahead? Thank you." He didn't see Ogata looking at him with narrowed eyes as he went out the door.
"He looks like out of sort to me." Ogata said in a mild manner.
"You noticed too? Yeah, he was a little excited when I dropped him at Haze but he came back like that."
"He went to Haze Junior High? Why? He's going to enroll at Kaio, right?"
"Yes, but he didn't really say why he went there, just some errand I'm guessing."
"Probably..." Ogata's brain just lit, he bet his ass that kid Ichigo or Ryusei goes there.
xxxxxxx
Tuesday after souji, Hikaru was walking towards the school's dojo for the first time. "Hikaru, why are you so anxious. How hard can it be?" Sai asked puzzled.
"It's not the kendo I'm anxious about, Sai. It's the responsibility that comes with it."
"Would you like to quit the club, Hikaru?"
"I can't my father would skin me alive. It's not cheap to join the kendo club, Sai. I should have chosen something cheaper." Hikaru moaned.
"You could always turn them down, Hikaru."
"Can't do that either. I have my pride, I don't want them looking down on me."
"The way is not difficult, Hikaru. If you have a companion to share your burden. You'll have me always."
"Thank you, Sai. That actually made me feel better."
xxxxxxx
Captain Agatsuki went to him as soon as he saw him entered. "I'm glad you came. Have you ever been in a dojo before?"
"Not once."
"I'll show you what to do then. I'll see to your training myself, my cram school will start January. After that, Shimamura will take over."
Agatsuki ushered Hikaru to the dojo's locker room, helped him how to don the dark blue keikoge with the school's crest on them and hakama of the same color. The first thing he taught him was bowing; bowing while standing up and while in seiza which he thought was funny. He never thought that he needs teaching about that. But Agatsuki was very particular about how it was done. Then after that breathing, what the hell. He's breathing just fine but Agatsuki thinks he's not doing it right. He can't believe they spent almost one hour just for bowing and breathing lectures and exercises.
After that, he showed him the rest of the kendo equipment which he will use constantly in the future. Hikaru admitted to himself that Captain Agatsuki was a very good teacher. He always explain the why of things and his patience seems endless, even in the face of Hikaru's ignorance. He even forgot why he was even anxious in the first place.
The kendo club only have 16 members; 4 first years, 5 second years, and 7 third years which will be graduating coming March. And that will leave them with 9 members. They will have to recruit more from the coming first years. Hikaru knew the rest of the members except for Shimamura were stealing glances at them. They were curious as to why their captain was giving him the special treatment. Some of them knew who he was and some just knew him as someone who never showed up for practice. After the club activity was over, Captain Agatsuki introduced him to the rest of the members. He also added that he's training him to become Shimamura's co-vice captain and to give him the respect due him. Hikaru almost choked on that, didn't he say they're gonna tell them that next month?
"I thought you said, next month." Hikaru complained when the rest of the members left.
"I see no reason why I should wait, you're not thinking of quitting, right?"
"No, but..."
"Then no buts. You're sempai won't care if you become vice captain when I graduate, they know the rules of the club. They missed their chance when Shimamura became my vice captain. It's your fellow first years you should worry about, but I don't think you'll have a problem with them either. First years will rarely cause trouble, and they're not that good to demand anything yet. You better catch up with them though, you don't want a captain you can beat.
xxxxxxx
After that, Hikaru became serious about a sport other than basketball. Captain Agatsuki was right, kendo kinda grew on him. He wasn't as good as the rest but he felt it wasn't difficult to catch up at all. He always comes for practice and could stay for two hours if needs be. There's just something about his captain that inspires him. If he ever becomes captain, he wants to be like him.
He made close friends with the other 3 first years, which he thought would never happen. He always thought Tagami and Shibuya were enough for him and didn't care to be friendly with another in his class. One of the first year, a short kid who wore glasses named Takahashi Masahiro practically worshiped the ground he walked on. Always underfoot, making sure all his stuff are within reach and he always volunteers to go buy their drinks at the vending machine. Hikaru felt like he had a servant or something. He didn't realize that when Agatsuki chose him and personally groomed him to become the next vice captain, and being chummy with a member of the student's council, made his popularity rate increase.
He also didn't notice that he was slightly drifting away from his two buddies since the first grade. He still played with them every Sunday afternoon but sometimes he would beg off an afternoon or two, to practice kendo with his two sempai at Shimamura's place. Shimamura's family runs an Iado dojo, and watching Shimamura draw a blunted samurai sword is beautiful. He looks like a real samurai warrior, all he was missing was a top knot to Hikaru's thinking. And when Agatsuki and Shimamura demonstrated a high level kata for him; a series of ritualized thrusts, cuts, evasions and parries, it took his breath away. They have perfect harmony, they move with such grace, he dared not blink in case he misses anything. He could see the trust they have for one another and he wondered if he ever becomes captain, will he have someone like Shimamura?
When it's time for him to practice basic kata with them, he felt like a duck out of the water. It didn't help that every time he made mistakes, Sai was constantly there nagging at him, and would criticize him if his stance was wrong.
"Oh for crying out loud Sai! You don't know anything about kendo either. What's with the correction?"
"Hikaru, I told you I came from a warrior clan. I learned how to hold a sword before I learned how to play go."
"But didn't you say, you never mastered it?"
"I never won any duel with it, but my swordsmanship is better than yours, I'm sure." Sai said haughtily.
"Awww, shut up!"
xxxxxxx
After practice, Hikaru went on ahead leaving Agatsuki at Shimamura's. "So what do you think?" Agatsuki asked Shimamura.
"He's a fast learner, I only have to tell him once. He forgets, I can tell but he corrects himself before I could do so."
"I know, I noticed that too. His body is still awkward but practice will fix that soon enough. So, do we have ourselves the next vice captain?"
"Sure do." Shimamura smiled.
xxxxxxx
December and Hikaru was sent to his grandparents place to get some perishable goods. His grandparents are going to some other place again this time for a month and they don't want these foods rotting in their home while they are away.
"Where are you going this time, grandpa?"
"Not that far really, just Kanagawa."
"That's plenty far."
"For someone who has never been outside Tokyo, yes, you could say that." His grandpa messing his hair.
"Who will look after this place with grandma gone too?"
"No need for that, we are within the temple grounds, it's safe enough. I'll leave a spare key under the flower pot by that cherry tree.
"Can I come here from time to time, grandpa?
"Sure, I see no reason why you shouldn't."
xxxxxxx
Hikaru was walking back home when he realized, he had a big problem. He promised Sai net go and he just remembered Hitomi only works at the Cyberspace Cafe during summer. "Oh crap! What the hell am I gonna do?"
"What is it, Hikaru?"
"Nothing Sai, I'm only thinking about money."
"Why would someone at your age worry about that?"
"This is modern Tokyo, Sai. You can't do anything without money."
xxxxxxx
After dinner, while Akari was cleaning up and he was washing the dishes, Hikaru asked if she has another friend working at an internet cafe. "Why are you asking?" Akari said with a frown.
"I need to use the internet again this break."
"I'm sorry Hikaru, it's only Hitomi."
"It's fine, I'll find another way." Hikaru wondered how was he gonna do that.
xxxxxxx
December 25th, the start of winter break. He could feel Sai's emotion humming like some live wire. He could tell he's excited, he expected to play net go. Hikaru had summed it up in his mind. Even if he goes to the cheapest, it will still cost a lot if he goes everyday especially with 10 hours usage. He'll probably need to spend 1000 yen everyday. He only gets that amount a week at a time except for breaks when he gets nothing at all. He can afford internet only for three days and then he'd be flat broke.
"Crap! There's just no way around it."
"What is it Hikaru?"
"Nothing Sai, I'm just thinking of what to get you this Christmas."
"Christmas? What is that?"
"I'm not sure myself."
xxxxxxx
Akira was at the go salon as usual, recreating Ryusei's games. He asked for a copy of his kifu during that go tournament in Kaio. There were only three, he wished there were more. He couldn't get tired of looking at them, he counters his opponent's moves beautifully. Each hand has a purpose, no move was wasted nor weak, it works together to defend and attack, and it beautifully orchestrated the opponent's move to do as he will. Akira wondered, how far can he read ahead?
He was so absorbed by it, that he didn't notice someone coming in and sitting in front of him. It irritated him, he didn't want to play with anyone. He looked up to decline and apologize to the person when the words he about to utter died in his throat.
"You said, I don't have to pay. Does that offer still stands?" A boy with partly bleached hair said but he still recognized him.
Ichikawa who saw the boy just breeze through and sit in front of Akira, went after him. Akira didn't want to be disturb these days and besides he hadn't paid yet. "Wait! It's 500 yen for kids. And you can't play him, he's busy."
"I'm sorry, I'll go."
"No!" Akira stood up quickly, reached over and got a hold of the boy's arm and wouldn't let go. "It's alright Ichikawa san, I invited him here."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You should have told me you were expecting someone Akira kun." Ichikawa chided gently. When Akira didn't answer but continued holding on to the boy until he sat back down, she left them alone.
"Nigiri?" The boy asked.
"Is Ryusei your real name?" Akira really wanted to know and the boy frowned.
"No, but you can call me that."
"Won't you tell me?"
"Why do you need to know?"
"I'd like to get to know you."
"You're a weird kid. Let's just play, you don't need my real name for that."
Akira didn't have a choice but to comply. He didn't want him to do one of his disappearing acts again. He'll just bide his time, surely he'll tell him someday? They nigiri and Akira made the first move. As the game progressed, Akira felt exhilarated. The first time they played he didn't appreciate him, he was bound by his own conceit and hated the thought of losing to another kid. But he can see it now, he is his true rival. Only this kind of skill can he truly fly.
xxxxxxx
Touya Meijin and Ogata walked in the go salon that afternoon, they just arrived from the Go Association. It was Thursday and their help was requested for the pro games held that morning. Ichikawa gave them a bright smile as they came in and pointed at Akira who was playing with a boy, who looks like a punk with that bleached hair. They were so absorbed in their game, they didn't notice their approach. They stood and watched and couldn't believe the kind of game the two boys were producing.
Akira's light floating style was a study of beauty, the placement of his stones were hard to attack. The Meijin always thought Akira is a brilliant player, and he justified that assesment again. Ah, but the other boy. His skill could rival even that of a title holder, he was playing at a larger scale, he was seeing everything. His opening moves already expected where the opponent might attack and moved accordingly. The boy is also a very powerful attacker without seemingly vulgar, his attacks are silent but deadly. Both boys are brilliant but there could only be one winner and it was Akira who resigned in the end.
"Thank you, that was beautiful..." Akira's eyes was shining, he never played anyone like this before. His father always gave him a handicap so he doesn't count. Playing the other higher dans like Ogata can't produce the same result, he always felt they were trying to put him in his place. This time it's truly just about the game, his moves demanded an equal brilliant response. If you can't give it what it requires, you will loose early. If you can match him move for move, what beautiful pattern they'll create.
"Akira..." Touya Meijin's voice broke the spell of concentration they had for the game. They noticed they're not alone anymore.
"Father... this is..." Akira doesn't quiet know how to introduce Hikaru.
"Hi! Just call me..."
"Are you Sai?" Hikaru was interrupted by Ogata who was looking at him intensely.
Hikaru was surprised at that. Who is this guy? How in the hell did he know that? He stared at the guy, creepy. He is looking at him like he is a worm under a microscope. He returned his attention back to Akira, he looks like he's expecting some answers too. He suspects also? What in the heck is going on here? He only told one person he was Sai, and the internet was supposed to be anonymous. They can see ghosts? Stalker? Hacker? Akira's father also looks like, he wants to know. And then it dawned on him again, go players are not just crazy, they're just plain weird. Then he thought to his ghostly companion. "Sai, I'm sorry but I'm outta here. These people are creeping me out."
"I'm sorry, I need to go. I forgot I have to be somewhere." He then dashed before they even have time to blink.
"Wait! Please wait..." He could hear pandemonium at his wake and go stones scattering but he didn't look back.
xxxxxxx
"Whew! That's a close one, Sai. Remind me not to go there again." He was standing in line waiting to insert his train card, when a body slammed into him. What the...? Crap! It was the boy Akira. He followed him, again? Crazy! "Hey! Let go of me!" He was trying to extricate himself from the kid's hold but he was clutching at his jacket like his life depended on it.
"No! Not unless you tell me your real name and where I can find you."
"Who would want to do that?" Hikaru is starting to get really annoyed, people are looking at them. Doesn't this kid feel any embarrassment? "Godamnit! I don't need this!" He swore loudly as he tried to pry the hands off of his jacket.
"Hikaru... look! The two men from the go salon..." Sai pointed out.
"Crap, crap, crap, and some more crap! Goddamnit! Why is this happening to me?"
Short of socking the boy at the jaw, there's no way he could get his hands off his jacket. And the two guys are approaching fast, what to do, what to do? Goddamnit! So he took what was the only option left open to him, he grabbed Akira and ran away with him.
(End of Chapter9)