SHADOWY GO
Chapter10: Breaking the ice.
Akira held on to the boy's jacket even though they were already on board the train. He didn't trust him not to disappear if he got the chance, so he kept gripping at his jacket tightly. The boy was watching out for his father and Ogata if they were able to catch up with them, he didn't seem to notice but he still had him by the scruff of his shirt. He was still tense, he could tell, and only when the train doors completely shut did his body visibly relaxed. He could hear him sighed and when he looked down and realized he still had him in his grip, swore under his breath, "Oh hell!"
After a few minutes of sizing him up, he let go of his scruff and tried to unfasten his hands from the fabric of his jacket. "You can let go now."
Akira thought for a moment and decided, "No." His face was set in a stubborn visage.
"What? Are you nuts? Now let go!" The boy sounded like he didn't need the aggravation.
"You've made a fool of me not once but twice. I'm not letting go until I had some answers!" Akira clutched at his jacket even more.
"Hey look here, I don't need to tell you anything. You're just some nut I happen to have the misfortune to play with, now let go!"
Akira felt like he was just kicked in the teeth. He only wanted to be friends with him. He always wanted someone his own age he can talk to and share his passion for the game. Someone who is his equal in skill, a rival, someone who will push him to reach higher. But most of all, he just wanted a friend his own age like everybody else. He was always envious of such relationship and wondered why was it so hard for him to get one. He tried to make overture to other kids before but he doesn't know how to interact with them. He spent all his life in the company of adults playing go that he became an old man in a child's body. The other kids found him too prim and proper for their liking that he was shunned in school. And the other kids who are like him who does play go, view him as competition. And him being a prodigy is not really conducive for friendship, it only gets in the way.
And here he is, he finally found someone perfect. A boy only a year older and better than him, yet like everyone else doesn't want anything to do with him other than play reluctantly. It hurts, it shouldn't since he was used to being snubbed, but it still hurts every time. He had learned early in life how to hide his emotions but his eyes still misted, he looked down so the older boy wouldn't notice.
He let go of his jacket slowly, turned towards the window and spent the ride in silence, next stop would be Shinjuko. They are on a rapid express, he would just have to ride this train out until it returns to Tokyo Station. They reached Shinjuko after 5 minutes and Akira could hear the doors sliding open. He didn't turn around, he expected him to be gone when the door closes. He wasn't prepared when he was pulled abruptly and dragged by the scruff of his shirt again. He had no choice but to keep up with him or risk choking, he wasn't exactly gentle.
He dared not talk just in case the boy he knew as Ryusei, he wasn't really sure if that is his real name, change his mind. And he looked like he was arguing with himself. They boarded a local train going towards the direction of Shibuya Ward, but got off the train after only less than 5 minutes when it stopped at Harajuko Station. They boarded another train going east, and when they reached Akasaka Station, got off the train again but this time leaving the train station behind, and going to only the boy knows where. It seemed to him that they were just going around in circles.
They walked along the sidewalk, ignoring the throng of people around them. The older boy had let go of his collar but had a hand on his shoulder to help him keep up. They were walking for several minutes now and when the people began to thin out, he couldn't help but ask him where they are going.
"Oh, so you can talk. I thought you left your tongue back at the station." The boy let go of his shoulder.
"I thought you were going to leave me back there."
"I was but I have this annoying voice in my head that begged me not to."
"So what now?"
"You tell me, you're the one who seems to want something from me."
"I just wanted to play and... and maybe become friends with you... " Akira was embarrassed, he didn't want to sound like he had no friends or something. He had plenty, it's just that they're mostly grown men, old men, and his best friend is his father which is to say the least, pathetic.
"Man, you sound pitiful. Are you telling me, you don't have any?" The boy said as he kept on walking, he seemed to be going with a place in mind and not just walking aimlessly.
"I do but they're a lot older. I want someone my own age." Akira as he was trying to keep up with his pace.
"That's probably because you hang out a lot at your old man's go salon, they are all old men there."
"Not exactly, my father is Touya Meijin and I studied go under him since I was three years old. I didn't care to be with other kids, I just wanted to play go."
The boy stopped and turned to face him. "Just wanted to play go, huh. You sound just like someone I know. All he wants is to play go too and I must say, you're both nuts." He then resumed his march, leaving Akira standing still.
"Are you going to tell me who you really are now?" Akira quicken his pace to catch up.
"Depends, will you keep me a secret?"
"But why? I don't understand, you're so good. Why would you hide it?"
"Why indeed. If I tell you I don't play go, you probably won't believe me."
"Of course not, I played you three times now and you had defeated me every time."
"Yeah I did, didn't I? But if I tell you that wasn't me, again I'm sure you wouldn't believe me."
"Why deny it? Don't you want to be a pro?"
"Pro? I don't even know what that is, other than they must play on a professional level. Do you plan on becoming a pro?"
"I do. I have already taken the preliminary. The final exam will be on February."
"Do go pros make much money? I mean, do you get prize money for winning tournaments and stuff?"
"The prize money for winning the Meijin tournament is 28 million yen, the Kisei tournament 3.3 million."
"Huh? Really? That much? Hey, hey, how much are there? How much if you win all of them?"
"There are 8 crowns, the total prize money is 128 million yen..."
"Man, I had no idea you could make so much money from go... maybe one or two..." The boy looked excited with his mind far off.
"One or two? I don't understand..." Akira was confused, the boy looked like he was talking to someone other than him.
"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking it wouldn't be too bad to become a pro and grab a few titles or so... and maybe win some of that prize money." He lost the boy again as he seems to be in his own world, when what he said fully hit him and what it meant. Become a pro... grab a few titles... win some prize money? Akira exploded at that.
Akira grabbed the boy's arm turning him to face him. "Those words are an insult to all current pros! There's no way you could be a go player. A real go player would never say something like that!"
"Huh? Did I say something wrong?" The boy looked at him eyes wide. He didn't seem to know he just insulted that sacred game in particular and go players in general, which made Akira even more angry.
"Do you realize how hard it is to become a pro? Perseverance, hard work, pain and disappointment! There are those who had risen above such despair yet still failed to reach the height that is needed... I have seen these players at my father's side, yet you... why did I loose to a guy like you?" Akira's face contorted remembering his defeat to this boy.
They stood there facing each other, unmindful of the people curiously watching them as they passed by. The boy just stared at him like he had just gone bananas. He then shrugged his hold off his arm. "Geez! No wonder you can't get any friends, are you always this intense? I was just joking you know... and here I thought that maybe we could play for the whole duration of winter break. I guess that's not possible now. Well, ja ne! Maybe I'll see you around again." The boy then started to walk away raising his arm to waive goodbye without looking back.
"Hey wait! You can't just walk away..." Akira walking fast to catch up and when he's about abreast with him, the boy turned his head and grinned at him.
"How about if I run? I wonder if you'll be able to keep up." And the boy burst into a run, laughing.
"Hey no! Don't!" Akira had no choice but to follow him at the same speed. He didn't want to loose the opportunity to play him again, or pass up the chance to know this mysterious prodigy. He's fast, Akira thought, I wouldn't be able to catch up. He had only been running for 3 minutes and he already felt like his lungs are burning. The side walk seems to be slanting upward, and it was beginning to get crowded again. He tried not to loose sight of him but it was difficult with so many people around going in the opposite direction. He lost sight of him when he reached the intersection, he felt pain starting at his right side and not only that but he had began wheezing as well. Akira started to get angry by the minute, this bastard was making a fool of him over and over. He never felt like clobbering someone as he did now. He was just about to give up, there's no way he can find him in this crowd. He stood there for a minute with labored breathing and thinking about how to get home, he didn't have his wallet with him. Guess he'll just have to call the go salon or home and have someone pick him up.
"Touya right? You're sure slow..." The boy tapped him on the shoulder making him jump. Akira did a full 180 degree turn as the boy timed his movement perfectly with his, sliding smoothly past him without Akira seeing him. He probably also waited for the the light to turn green before getting his attention so he would be able to cross the street immediately after that. Smooth bastard, Akira couldn't help thinking.
He followed him across the street towards a very tall torii, went past it and on to a waiting escalator taking them to Hie Jinja. Akira was thankful for the escalator, his legs felt like lead and he wouldn't have made it if he had to climb that many steps to reach the shrine. Akira had never visited Hie Jinja before but he knew about it. They went up to it via the south entrance, and Akira appreciated the different kind of trees that dotted the stone covered courtyard. Interconnected buildings formed a large inner courtyard with a romon gate entrance facing east. But they didn't go in to the inner courtyard but instead went around all the way to the north side. There are 3 two storey buildings which serves as shop for tourists and worshipers. The boy he knew as Ryusei sat at the steep narrow stone steps at the side of the first shop with thick ropes for hand hold, it also has a Do Not Enter sign by it.
"Sit down, you look like you're about to expire." The boy looked amused.
"I'm not used to running." Akira said, his breathing had eases up a bit.
"I can see that, you're soft." The boy shifted a little to the side to give him room. "Wait here." He stood up again as soon as Akira sat down.
"Where are you going?" Akira automatically tried to get up but the boy pushed him down easily and he fell back.
"Don't worry I'll be right back." He said and promptly left. Akira didn't think he would disappear again, he could have done that already.
The boy returned with a bottle of water for the both of them. Akira was grateful, he didn't think he would be this thirsty. "Thank you." Akira didn't quiet know what to make of the boy. He looks like one of those troublemakers his kind never associate with, and with that bleached hair, he looks like one of those rebellious teenagers he should stay away from. But his action spoke volume, he had a thoughtful side even though his other manners or lack thereof needs to be addressed.
They were sitting side by side and Akira was suddenly besieged with shyness. Now that he got him, so to speak, he didn't quiet know what to say or do. Not one gifted with eloquence, he started to examine the bottle his holding closely, waiting for the other boy to say something first. He was at it for several minutes when a soft whack behind his head made him tumble forward.
"Why you bastard...!" Akira madden by the indignity of it.
"You sure look stupid staring at that bottle. What's so fascinating about it? Are all go players really this weird?" The boy said laughing.
"You... you..." Akira sputtered, he just had about enough of his insults and bad manners. His bottle is still half full and he fired it at the laughing boy and it hit him with a soft thump right at the forehead. Akira's aim was perfect at that distance which wasn't far.
"Ouch! You... that hurts!" The boy complained with one hand rubbing his forehead.
"It's your fault!" Akira felt guilty, he didn't mean to hurt him.
"I wouldn't have guessed you are the violent type." The boy his face in a grimace.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." Akira stricken now, the boy started to curl up in a fetal position. He approached him and held out a hand to check him, when he was pulled forward by the sleeve which made him stumble forward, and before he knew it, the boy was behind him with an arm locked around his neck to the point of choking.
"So, let's see if you can get away from this one." Akira could hear the glee from the boy's voice. He tried to get the arm off him with both hands but the boy snaked his other arm around Akira's closest arm twisting it and keeping it pinned to the side.
"Let go... please..." Akira wheezed, he was not used to wrestling other people. In fact, this is the first time he was subjected to such indignity.
"You're no fun at all. Come on, put up some fight, will you?" The boy used his weight and knee to break Akira's stance. Akira fell on his knees and then he was down on the ground, flat on his face. He couldn't get up, the boy had a knee on his back, a hand on the side of his head pushing it to the ground, and another hand twisting his arm pinning it behind his back now. He didn't dare move, the boy had his weight on him and it hurt some.
"Hey, you there! What are you doing to that boy?" Akira could see in his peripheral vision an elderly lady with four other people approaching them.
"Oh him? This is my little brother. I'm just showing him some moves." The boy explained as he got off him.
Akira got up and dusted himself off. He was seeing red, he had never been this angry in his life. He turned and punched the boy at the stomach with all the strength he could muster. He could hear the boy's breath rushed out of him as he doubled over. "Yes, I'm his little brother alright." Akira smiled gratefully at his rescuers and gave the elderly lady a respectful bow. They just stared at him, he didn't look the type to get violent, apparently they were mistaken. They hurried away and left him with the bleached punk, thinking they shouldn't have interfered.
"You're such a violent little prick, do you know that?" The boy groaned still doubled over.
"You started it, mannerless ass." Akira said cooly, he felt a little better now.
"Asshole..." The boy straightened up and walked towards the steep stone steps going up. He was half way when he turned around and faced Akira. "Why are you still following me? Go home already!"
"I... no!" Akira's showed his stubborn visage again. His arm shot out to grab and hold on to the boy's jacket.
"Are we doing this again?" The boy said in exasperation.
"If needs be."
"You're really stubborn... Oh yeah, let's not forget weird."
"I just know what I want. You're the one that's not normal."
"Let go of my jacket, if I wanted to loose you I would have done it at the intersection." He then turned and resumed his climb.
"Are you sure we should be up here? There's a Do Not Enter sign at the foot of the steps." Akira still holding on to the jacket unconsciously.
"I do not know about you, certainly you shouldn't be here, you know." The boy successfully pried Akira's hand off his jacket. It didn't matter to Akira since he was following him closely now. They've reached the top and he could see the front of a very traditional Japanese house. There's a huge statue of a monkey on one side, the top half of the tall sanno bamboo trees from below hid the house from the public view. Plum trees and cherry trees abound too, the ground was covered with grass and a natural stone walkway leads to the entrance. Three sets of thick nylon ropes bigger than his arm serves as protective rings and railings around the hill. Akira found the place quiet beautiful and magical. A serene place like this in the middle of a big bustling city, is just astonishing.
"What do you mean by that? You shouldn't be here too." Akira argued. He was scared but also a little bit excited at the same time. He had never done anything illegal before.
"I'll be breaking and entering government property pretty soon. Are you sure you want to be here? If we get caught, what will your family and friends say?" The boy taunted. "Now, go home!" The boy pushed him away.
"No... I... Please let me come with you." Akira decided he wants to stay. He didn't understand why but he didn't want to leave, even if he looks like trouble.
"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you." They then proceeded to go around the back, and stopped when they stood before a thick and solid looking narrow wooden door. Akira could see it has an electronic door lock. "Go back to the front, make sure no one's around." The boy ordered him.
"I'm sure no one's around." Akira immediately replied. He wanted to see how he would pick an electronic lock.
"I said make sure, now go!" The boy pushed him again and he didn't have a choice but to acquiesce. It felt like he'd been pushed a lot lately.
"No one's around, alright?" Akira just took a quick look and came back immediately right after. The boy was grinning at him holding the door open for him to enter. "How did you do it?" Akira really wanted to know. "What if there are other security measures put in place inside?" Akira suddenly got worried when the door closed behind them. The dark narrow stairs made him have second thoughts, he never thought he'd be afraid of the dark.
"Boo!" Akira jumped as he felt the boy's breath close to his ear, startling him.
"Don't do that!" He felt him went past him.
"What's the matter, afraid?" The voice taunted, he could only see his silhouette in the dark.
"I'm not, you just startled me which was your intention." Akira said defensively but he was beginning to have doubts. What does he really know about this boy?
When they reached the landing, the boy suddenly grabbed him and pushed him to the wall. He was leaning forward towards him with both hands on either side of him. He couldn't see him clearly but his eyes glittered, he looked straight at them and he felt suddenly scared. It felt like someone elses eyes. "Tell me do you believe in ghosts?" Akira's heart thumped crazily, is the boy trying to scare him off? Because if he is, he's doing a real good job at it. If it wasn't for his damn pride he would have certainly run.
"I've never seen one..." Akira whispered softly, trying to prevent his voice from cracking.
"Do you want to leave? You can you know, I won't stop you." The boy whispered back, his tone encouraging him to do it. It was a mistake, it made Akira straightened his resolve to stay instead.
"I want to stay." Akira put up a hand and pushed back, suddenly he forgot what he was afraid of in the first place. The spell was broken when his hand made contact with another human being. The darkness didn't hold power over him, he wasn't alone after all.
"You're a stupid kid." The boy grumbled and turned his back on him and opened a door. The light from the other room really made Akira felt stupid. The boy held the door open for him and he went through it without fear. He was surprised at the room; it was very neat, the wooden floor shiny, he couldn't see any dust anywhere, it was full of calligraphy, scrolls and what seems to be old paintings. Faint smell of incense and what seems to be scented wax filled the air. The light from the afternoon sun made the room very cozy and pleasant as it hits the bamboo blinds which was half closed. "Come." The boy motioned him over to the window and he could see it then, a traditional goban with two shiny goke on top. The boy moved the goban away from the wall towards the light, he then went to a cupboard and removed two pillows and handed one to him.
"Are we going to play?" Akira smiled at the boy for the first time.
"Of course, isn't this why you've been following me? You're so nuts about it, you have go in the head."
"We wouldn't get in trouble for this, would we?"
"You should have thought about that before you followed me. Now it's too late to worry about it, don't you think?" The boy said as he sat down and pushed the pillow under him. Akira followed suit. "Let's not waste our time, you take black." As he handed him the goke with black stones. "So, can you see it? Can you see the stain?"
"What stain? Where?" Akira was confused, he didn't see any stain of anything anywhere. Although he could see dust motes floating in the air as the goban reflected the light from the afternoon sun.
"I guess not. OK let's start, onegaishimasu."
"Onegaishimasu." Akira said respectfully with a slight bow toward his opponent. Akira felt really happy for the first time since he met this boy. He was always wondering about him, where did he come from, where did he learn go, how did he become so good at it, and why show up now? And most of all, why keep disappearing? What secrets was he hiding? All these things only made him want to know him more. And now, here they are, in what seemed to be a secret magical place, playing with the game he loves so much was just too much for him to take in. It showed in his face, the shine in his eyes, the hint of a smile on his lips.
After 30 minutes, Akira could feel the pressure the game was having on him. This boy is really good, he knew that but those games felt like they were so long ago that he forgot what it felt like to play him. He was truly thankful to play him again, maybe he'll pay homage to the gods of this shrine afterwards.
"What are you so happy about? You're losing you know." The boy sounded baffled.
"I'm happy you finally decided to play me again." Akira flashed him another smile.
"Ugh! Stop smiling at me, you're giving me the creeps." The boy winced.
"Will you tell me your real name now?"
"It's Hikaru and I'm not gonna tell you my last name so don't ask."
"I'm called..."
"You're Touya, I know it already."
"Call me Akira instead, it's unfair for you if I call you by your first name. You're older after all."
"Are we on first name basis now?"
"Why not? We are friends now, right?"
"I don't even call my close buddies by their first name."
"Good. But you will call me by my first name." Akira's face brooked no argument.
"You're a bossy bit of goods, do you know that?"
xxxxxxxx
They played until the sun's light was low on the horizon, it'll be dark soon so they decided to stop. It was already 6:30 in the evening, if it wasn't for the fact that they were on a much higher ground they wouldn't have seen what color the stones were, while putting them back to their respective receptacle. Akira stood up and looked around when he noticed another door.
"Where does that door leads to?" Akira wanted to know.
"Curiosity killed the cat, but it leads to the main house if you must know. You wanna explore it?"
"No, father will be worried if I come home late."
"Then let's go, if we don't move fast, we'll surely be late."
"When can I see you again?"
"You want to see me again that bad, huh?"
"I was just... I didn't mean..." Akira was thankful it was dark or Hikaru would have seen his face turning bright red.
"Ha ha ha! Teasing you is really fun. I know what you meant." Hikaru chuckling now at Akira's discomfort. They went out the way they came in with Akira following him behind. Akira looked back at the house and felt a little bit nostalgic, he hurried and caught up with Hikaru as he started going down the steep narrow stone steps. It was eerily quiet now, the crowd of people visiting the shrine were all gone, the three shops at the foot of the steps had closed already. They exited at the back gate entrance west side of the shrine. A series of bright red Inari Sando torii gates formed a tunnel over the flight of stairs, the banners were hanging limply, there was no wind at the moment. This shrine is truly beautiful, he felt regretful he never visited it before. Maybe if he had visited this shrine from time to time, he would've met Hikaru earlier. He's way too familiar with it, so he is sure he comes here a lot.
xxxxxxxx
It took them less than ten minutes to reach Akasaka-mitsuke Train Station. Hikaru went to the vending machine and bought them some juice and sweet cakes. He was not really fond of sweet stuff but he just realized he was hungry when Hikaru gave it to him. They walked for about 6 minutes to reach their destination. Hikaru had bought him his ticket to Setagaya, he made a mental note to pay him back.
"Come on, it's almost 7:12 your train will be going." They were by the door of the waiting train and Hikaru tried to push him into it.
"Wait!" He hang on to him. "When will I see you again? Next week...?" Akira felt desperate again.
"No, stupid. Tomorrow, wait for me by the stone steps with the Do Not Enter sign at ten, unless you have something else planned, next week is fine."
"No! Tomorrow is fine, I'll see you at ten then." Akira allowed himself to be pushed inside the waiting train. The door closed not a moment sooner and it went past the train platform in a whiz.
He tried to find a seat, he was glad it was winter break, there's less people than it should have been. He found a seat and took out the small cake in his pocket. He opened the wrapper and started eating it. Not bad, he thought, he must really be hungry to think that. He finished eating it in two bites and finished his juice in no time. Twelve minutes later, he arrived in Sangenjaya and had to change train. Ten minutes later after boarding the train, he arrived at his final destination. He looked at the clock it was already 7:42 pm. He was always home by nine so 7:42 was not late but he was usually with his father, so he was wondering if he'd get in trouble. Akira didn't really think so, he had never been in trouble before, and he didn't think he did anything wrong. He decided not to worry and started walking towards home.
xxxxxxx
Fifteen minutes later, Akira was at the gate of his home opening it. He wanted to go straight to the kitchen, he was seriously getting hungry now. He hadn't had anything since lunch and that cake served only to whet his appetite. I guess I have to greet father first but maybe he's not home yet, he thought. He took off his shoes and placed them to the side neatly, he could see his father's shoes and other familiar ones lining up in their designated place. I guess father's home with his study group, he thought.
He walked softly through the hallway, several yellow bright lamps mounted on the wall made the entry way welcoming. He crossed the main hall past the stairs, and when he was in front of the room which was used for the study group, he sat down in seiza and rapped on the shoji sliding panel. "Come in." He recognized his father's voice.
"It's just me father. I'd rather not. I won't be joining the study group tonight, if you don't mind." Akira said politely, he can't wait to go to the kitchen. He expected his father to give him leave already when he heard several hurried footsteps approaching the door and it made him jumped. The door slid open and he found himself looking up at his father with Ogata at his side. The others in the study group looked surprised at the bizarre behavior of the the Meijin and Ogata. This was not the first time Akira won't be joining them, so they didn't see the big deal of it. He's a prodigy, it would matter little whether he joined them tonight or not.
"Akira, where have you been...?" His father asked with concern.
"Were you with that boy...?" Ogata had the look like he wanted to shake the information out of him.
"I..." Akira didn't quiet know what to say. Hikaru wants his identity secret, he knew that much. He felt really privileged to be in on it, and it's not his secret to divulge. Besides, he hadn't told him much of anything but his name. And that place, it's their secret place. He can't tell them about that, it's like Neverland like in the Peter Pan story.
"I'm sorry father, I can't tell you." Akira said apologetically.
His father stared at him for a long time, debating what to do. He's a patient man, he had no doubt Akira will tell him soon enough. All he needed to do was give Akira time, he trusted the boy after all. For one so young, he had a strong sense of right and wrong, he brought him up that way, and he is so sure Akira will never do anything wrong.
"Go on ahead then. Have you had dinner yet?"
"No father, I was just going to the kitchen."
"Alright, are you sure you don't want to join us after you're done?"
"No, I'm really tired." Akira remembered all the exertion he just went through.
"I'll see you in the morning, son. You may go." His father slid the panel shut, he could hear Ogata trying to change his father's mind to question him more forcefully as to where he had been. Akira stood up and proceeded to the kitchen, his mother would be there. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to his mother's cooking.
(End of Chapter10)