SHADOWY GO
Chapter11: Treading on the still water.
Hikaru was still standing on the platform of the train station looking at the train bound for Sangenjaya as it disappeared from view. "Sai, I hope we're doing the right thing here."
"What are you so worried about, Hikaru? What's so bad that could happen in playing that boy?"
"Is it really alright for you to have me get all the credit for your skill?"
"I don't have a choice, Hikaru. I consider it blessing enough to be able to play, I will not ask for more."
"Well it's not alright with me, it's wrong somehow. Funny though, I would never have thought I would think that, not in a million years. But it kinda dawned on me while playing Yuuichi san. I am not comfortable with that respect he had for me, knowing that it was really for you."
"Then let me teach you this game, Hikaru. As my disciple, my go will truly be your own."
"Me? Learn go? You're joking right? I already get the gist of it but I'm not like you or that kid, Touya. I don't think I have the talent for it."
"Hikaru, that boy or I wasn't born with the knowledge of how to play go, it was taught to us."
"Come on, Sai. Not all people have the same aptitude for it or you wouldn't have been able to kick your opponent's asses so easily all the time."
"That is true, but didn't you ever wonder why of all people I got attached to you?"
"Not really, no. I figured I was just unlucky."
"Hikaruuu..."
Hikaru chuckled. "Sorry Sai, I couldn't help taking a crack at you when you're this serious. Well, let's go or I'll never hear the end of it if I'm late again."
"We're not taking the train, Hikaru?"
"Nah, I'm going to run. Agatsuki sempai said, I need to run to increase my stamina. He has me running around the tracks everyday now after school remember?"
"Yes, I like running too. I can see more of the scenery than when riding a train."
"Says the guy who practically has me as his personal ride. Well, let's be on our way then."
xxxxxxxx
Hikaru made it home in about 35 minutes, his family was already in the middle of having dinner. "Sorry, almost made it."
"Where have you been? And why are you so sweaty in this weather?" Akari asked but Hikaru could tell she was not really interested about the details.
"Running, nowhere in particular. Just gotta run." Hikaru replied vaguely.
"Hikaru, next time try to make it on time? Oh and Takeo chan called, he said he needs to talk to you, and please wipe your face."
"Sorry." Hikaru grabbed the dish rag from the handle of the refrigerator and started to wipe his face with it. "I tried mom, I really did. I'm not fast enough yet. I need to run more often."
"Ughhh! That's just gross. Hikaru use a clean a towel for crying out loud, not that. And put that in the hamper, I'm certainly not going to use that until it's washed." Akari's face mirrored her disgust.
"What is this about running? Are you joining the track team?"
"Don't joke dad, why would I wanna do that?"
"Then what is it about running? The train would have been faster."
"Agatsuki sempai from the kendo club says, I need to do it to get me into shape."
"Son, you play basketball. I'm sure you're in shape."
"Dad, your one and only son is being slotted to become the next captain of the kendo club. I need to be stronger, faster, and tougher than the rest of of the club members. You all know I've never practiced kendo before, I need to catch up to their level and surpass it. I don't want to disappoint my captain." Hikaru said acting pompously, trying to divert their attention from where he had been and what he had been doing.
"I would really like to know, how'd that happen. Who did you bribe Hikaru?" Akari asked suspicious.
"Oneechan, why can't you just believe that your brother is simply awesome?" Hikaru posing in regal manner, nose in the air.
"I think you should sit down and eat. Your stomach is affecting your brain."
Hikaru grinned and sat down. "I must admit, I am hungry. What are we having?"
"Your favorite; gyoza, udon, and yakitori." Akari grinned in reply.
"Wait a minute, those are your favorites not mine. Hey mom, why udon and not ramen?"
"Because you were not here and your sister was."
"I knew you're gonna say that, I like yakitori anyway." Hikaru helped himself with a large serving of rice and grabbed several sticks of the yakitori, he was so hungry he could eat a horse.
xxxxxxx
After washing the dishes, Hikaru was on the phone. He wished his parents would buy him a cell phone but his father is against it and so is his mom. Really, those two belongs to the twilight zone. Akari got hers when she was in her 2nd year in middle school, seeing that her grades were excellent. Hikaru did well too since he really worked hard for it to enter Sumida. He figured he's going to get his next year depending on his grades. He could save for it and buy the phone himself but he would still need his parents to co-sign for a contract, and prepaid is out of the question since it would cost him an arm an a leg.
Hikaru only had a moment to wait when he heard Shibuya's voice on the other end. "Hey Shibuya, what's up?"
"Shindou, I was waiting for your call."
"Really? You missed me?"
"Don't be an idiot. Hey, how'd you like to go to a party with me? I already asked Tagami and he said yes."
"Well, what's the occassion and who's party is it? I know it's not your birthday."
"Don't you ever go to a bonenkai?" Shibuya asked exasperated.
"I just made it to middle school, gimme a break. My father does cause of his job and probably you too because your family's rich."
"Alright, alright but can you come?"
"Why? I bet it'll probably be all grown ups there and maybe a few or no kids at all."
"Exactly, I'd be bored to death. I already asked mother if I could take two of my best buds and she said yes to keep me occupied. She knows I don't like parties but my grandfather is hosting it and my mother would burst a blood vessel if the whole family is not there. She wants to be on my grandfather's good side."
"I would love to come but I would have to ask for mom's permission. When is it?"
"December 28 and I will ask Mitsuko san myself, so don't worry about it Shindou."
"Oh alright. Crap! But that's two days from now!"
"So? I don't see the problem. You don't have anything going on there, do you?"
"N... no, no but it's just that it's rather sudden. I would've preferred you informed me much earlier." Hikaru stuttered a bit.
"My mother sprung it up on me too. If I'd known I would have gone to my relatives to escape."
"Maybe that's why she didn't tell you sooner. Formal or casual?"
"Just don't wear jeans or t-shirt. It's not formal but slacks and shirt are preferred."
"Sounds boring already. What about Tagami? Did he say anything?"
"He didn't want to come at first but I convinced him to."
"What would you have done if I had refused?"
"Two things but since you're coming there's no need to get to it now."
"Man, you're baaad..."
"Alright, Shindou. Be ready at five o'clock on that day, I'll come pick you up."
"You're so sure my mom would allow me to go?"
"When did she ever refused me? She trusts me more than she trusts you, you know."
"Awww shut up. She's just being polite."
"Ha ha ha! Alright Shindou, I'll see you then and don't you dare change your mind."
"Alright already, bye you ass." Hikaru could still hear Shibuya laughing as he put down the receiver.
xxxxxxx
"Hey Sai! Looks like we're going to be busy this week." Hikaru as he prepared for bed.
"I'm so excited Hikaru, we're going to some kind of gathering right?"
"Yeah, it's a year end forgetting party. Seems to me just an excuse for drinking. People are drunk all the time this time of year."
"Aren't you a little too young to be drinking, Hikaru?"
"I doubt they'll give us any sake, Sai. No one would be doing any karaoke too, I bet my ass on that. It's Shibuya's grandfather after all, he's loaded and a bit of a tight ass."
"Karaoke?"
"It's just singing, Sai." Hikaru didn't really want to explain the whole of it.
"What about that boy, Akira?"
"What about him? You'll still play him don't worry about that OK? You will have your chance to play him again."
"And then what, Hikaru? Will we disappear again?"
"Of course not, but I would rather we do this slow Sai. That kid is a little bit intense, if you hadn't noticed."
"He's just passionate about igo, Hikaru. He reminds me a little of me."
"Only a little? I know your personality is completely opposite; you're childish while that kid is too formal until he explodes..." Hikaru chuckled at that. "But your pursuit of that game has cross the line of the impossible, you already kicked the bucket and yet here you are still playing. And that kid's pursuit of it is bordering on the insane. I mean, would you just follow anyone because their go is superior than yours?" And just as quickly he added, "Don't answer that." Hikaru already suspected Sai would probably do the same.
"But I want to play him everyday." Sai wailed at the injustice of it.
"Sai, we have to clean house before the New Year arrives, it's tradition. And the New Year is spend with your family. Touya will be doing the same thing, he won't be meeting us himself. Didn't you do the same back then? Don't tell me the people didn't do stuff like this in your time?
"Yes, I believe we did. Although I don't remember cleaning anything but..."
"Somebody probably cleaned house for you Sai. You probably didn't notice because you're playing go too much, it rot your brain."
"Hikaruuu..."
xxxxxxx
The next day, Hikaru arrived at Hie Jinja a few minutes past ten. He took the west entrance up through the many red Inari torii gates keeping to the side so Akira wouldn't see him in case he was already there. There is another steep stairs just identical with the other stairs they used yesteday hidden by the side of the third or first building of the three shops, depending on which entrance you use. It's not exactly hidden but you won't see it if you don't look up and see the thick ropes used for hand hold. The bushes and a few trees kept it out people's attention.
Hikaru was up the small hill of his grandpa's domain and was looking down on Akira. He was sitting on the third step and kept checking his watch, stood up looking at the crowd of people probably trying to spot him. A lot of people are already there at the shrine, not surprising for Hikaru. It's always like this when New Year is coming close, although it's not yet officially hatsumoude, some people starts their visits early. They want to visit as many shrine as they could, praying for safety, good health and good fortune. Hikaru didn't really see the point, but then again he doesn't see the point in anything. He's a typical modern kid raised in anime, manga and video games.
Hikaru crept down slowly and sat two steps away from Akira. He would have wanted to get much closer but he didn't want to risk it and ruin the surprise. The sun was rising high on their left and with the many trees, the only shadows cast was of the trees. Hikaru wanted to laugh out loud, he could feel the other's anger at this distance.
"Hikaru, you shouldn't do this you know. It's really very rude not to announce yourself."
"Oh come on, Sai. Don't be such a goody two shoes, this is fun."
"Oh the poor boy, I think he's getting angry."
"How do you know?"
"He looks stiff, and his hands are clenched in a fist."
"You're right. Do you think he would get violent again?"
"Well, I wouldn't blame him if he kick your ass, as you always put it Hikaru."
xxxxxxx
Akira was almost at the end of his patience. They agreed 10 AM and it's almost 10:30, Akira was wondering if he made a fool of him again. Akira is one of those punctual individual, if you say ten then you'd better be there by ten unless you're dying. His blood pressure was rising by the minute and when he glanced at his watch again and saw 10:35, he exploded. "That bastard, that stupid bastard, mannerless stupid bastard, asshole..." Akira was so angry, he ran out of epithet which are not many to begin with.
"Hey! You forgot jerk, dope, twit, scumbag, twerp, rat, louse, pig, meathead, dickhead..."
"Hikaru!" Akira almost jump out of his skin. He didn't notice his arrival. He expected him to appear in front of him, not behind.
"What are you on about, Touya? I've been sitting here forever but you never noticed."
"You could have called out but you're always making fun of me!" Akira still angry.
"Now, now you're blaming me for your inattention. It's not my fault if you're an easy mark." Hikaru chuckled.
"Stop it, stop making fun of me!" Akira looks like he's at the end of his rope.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry OK? I couldn't help it." Hikaru looks like meant it and it pacified Akira a bit. He came and that was what's important.
"Are we going to play up there again?" Akira asked not sure, with so many people, the house on top of that hill may not be empty.
"We can't, they're doing the seasonal purification up there before it gets really busy. We can go to your father's go salon, they're not there at this time, right?"
"I'm not sure, he comes when he has nothing to do at the Go Association. But he usually comes at around five and play teaching games with some of his stronger customers. Except for Thursday in which we go home by six for his study group."
"What about that other guy? The one in white suit and glasses."
"You mean Ogata sensei? He is always with father. He was father's student after all. Why are you asking?"
"I just find them weird, no offense meant." Hikaru mumbled.
"Hikaru, are you Sai?" Akira asked softly.
Hikaru looked Akira straight in the eye. "I already told you my name. And believe me when I say, I'm not Sai."
"Do you know who he is?" Akira not ready to let it go. His gut told him, he's linked to Sai if he's not Sai.
"I don't know of any person alive by that name. This I swear to the gods of this shrine. Who is this person to you, anyway?"
"He played internet go and the amateurs went crazy about him. They want to know if he's a pro but so far no one has a clue to who he is."
"What makes you think he's me?"
"Captain." It was Akira this time who look at Hikaru squarely in the eye. "He said his level is captain, and so did you."
"There is such thing as coincidence, you know." Hikaru didn't even blink.
"But you must admit, it's a chance in million for it to be another person." Akira persisted.
"Why is that?"
"Both play go, both undefeated, Sai hides in the net, and you hide under many names. You were Ichigo, Ryusei and now Hikaru. You could also easily be Sai."
"I never said I was undefeated."
"Yes you did. In that school tournament, you said you've never been defeated. Everyone heard you and they were talking about you long after your team left."
"Touya..."
"I told you to call me Akira."
"Akira, I'm not Sai." Hikaru said softly but firmly.
"Alright, if you say so." Akira said with finality but he still had his doubts. His instinct told him Hikaru is Sai, but he didn't want to push it. He didn't want Hikaru to feel threatened and disappear again.
"OK, now that we got that out of the way, let's go." Hikaru grinned and Akira find it amazing that Hikaru could switch from being serious just awhile ago into his other gregarious self.
xxxxxxx
They were at the Tokyo Station 15 minutes later and made it to the go salon in five. Akira greeted Ichikawa automatically and proceeded to the very back where they'd played before. Hikaru just grinned at the bewildered girl.
"I know, I know. It's 500 yen for kids, right?" Hikaru couldn't help taking a crack at her.
"Hikaru, I already said you don't have to pay." Akira heard him, but apparently he didn't get the joke.
"I was just joking Touya."
"It's Akira."
"Right."
Hikaru sat down opposite Akira, there were a few people playing and didn't even look up to who's coming or going. They were so absorbed in their own game, Hikaru observed. "Nigiri?" Akira asked.
"Let's just do rock paper scissor, it's faster. If you win you'll get white.
They did just that and Akira got black. He made the first move and Sai didn't even take a few seconds to respond. He was really itching to play Akira, it made Hikaru wants to laugh. These two are really birds of the same feather. Akira had made a corner opening and Hikaru could tell this is going to be a slaughter again. Sai, is like a sly fox. He was making an approach move to capture the black stones and even if Sai has sente black would still win. But then again this is Sai, he hopes Akira wouldn't fall for it.
Hikaru was bored to tears already, thirty minutes had passed and they're still on the same corner. Hikaru had an idea of what Sai was up to, he really didn't question why is that. He just thought it was because Sai is sharing his mind and that's why. Sai only need his left hand so Hikaru slowly took the small mp3 player he had on his pocket with his right hand, turned it on and put one earbud to his right ear listening to an audiobook, Shibuya downloaded for him. He knew this was going to happen so came prepared.
Hikaru didn't really pay much attention to the game, but he did notice that they had moved from one corner to all over the place. Almost two hours had passed so Hikaru paused his player. "Hey Sai! What are you doing? End it already, you're giving him more rope to hang himself. He will notice and will be angry."
"But Hikaruuu, it's really enjoyable playing him. He's brilliant, most players would fall for my traps but he instinctively notice them. He's really good but not quiet there yet, and to think he's only a boy. Ahhh, I can't wait until he's grown. He would be a very formidable opponent then."
"You want to play him like that? What if you loose?"
"It's not about winning or losing Hikaru. It's all about the game, you can only play at your best with a worthy opponent. What I mean is, how would you like to play basketball with someone who's not good at it. You'll always win but you will not enjoy the game."
"I think I understand if you put it like that. I wouldn't want to play someone lame either. But Sai don't make it obvious you're just playing with him. He'll think I'm looking down on him and he would be royally pissed."
"I wasn't planning on it, Hikaru. I'll win by six or eight moku, that should prevent him from suspecting us."
xxxxxxx
Sai ended the game winning by eight moku, Akira was not surprised anymore he was defeated. He would have been more surprised if he won. They decided to take a break, Hikaru was complaining loudly he was starving. They argued a bit where to eat at first, Hikaru wanted ramen but Akira was flatly against that idea. There's a small cafe in the area and Akira wanted to go there. Hikaru was grumbling all the way but since Akira was paying, he really had no say. Akira felt smug, he may loose at go against him but not at this at least not today. Although he would not admit to that, not even to himself.
They returned to the go salon an hour later and started on another game promptly. Really these two are truly possessed, they can't wait to kick each other's asses. Hikaru like before pass the time listening to the story of a boy who was from another world, put into this world to hide him from his enemies until he's grown and ready to assume his grandfather's throne. Apparently his father was poisoned and this was what led to his grandfather's decision to hide him. Hikaru was so engrossed in the story he didn't even notice the time flew by. His left hand went through the motion of placing the stones over the goban without his attention.
Two hours had passed since they started and the story was getting interesting. Although it wasn't an original plot the boy's adventures on earth was quiet disastrous in a funny way. Instead of a cool hero, the boy was nerdy and accidents always happen everytime he's around. Hikaru couldn't wait until he was unleashed to his enemies. They would probably shoot themselves instead of him. Hikaru was so absorbed by the story, he didn't realize a storm was brewing in front of him.
Akira had already resigned but Hikaru hadn't heard him and actually tuned out Sai. He didn't realize he can do that. Instead of acknowledging Akira's resignation he glanced at the board and placed a stone, his mind and Sai were in sync but Sai's voice seems so far away. A loud bang on the table got not just his attention but everyone there in the go salon too. Hikaru looked up to find Akira standing up looming over him and grabbed at the earbud on his right ear.
"You... you... you're not taking me seriously!" Akira hollered, trembling with anger the earbud in his hand. He'd never felt this insulted before.
"Hey, you lost didn't you? That's not serious enough for you, Touya?" Hikaru as usual not thinking before opening his mouth.
"I told you to call me Akira!" Akira screamed at him. The customers who knew Akira as cool and polite couldn't believe it.
"Alright! Akira chaaan..." Hikaru yelled back, pouring gasoline to the flames.
It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. Hikaru had made fun of him since this morning. No, scratch that. Hikaru had been making a fool of him since the beginning. Akira grabbed a handful of stones and threw it at Hikaru who tried to dodge them unsuccessfully. "You... you..." Akira couldn't think of anything to say, he was so angry he was choking on it.
"Jerk?" Hikaru supplied the word for him.
"You jerk!"
"Scumbag?"
"You scumbag!"
"Dickhead?"
"You dickhead!"
"Akira!" A booming voice interrupted them. Akira cringed at the sound of it and Hikaru turned to look but he already guessed whose it was before he even saw him basing on Akira's reaction to it. Hikaru stood up, he's so in for it now but he didn't want to run and leave Akira as shit hits the fan. Just his luck, it's those two guys again. They must be joined at the hip.
"Father... I..." Akira looks like he's about to cry. Touya senior looks forbidding and very displeased.
"It's my fault, I goaded him into it. I had lots of practice, he never stood a chance." Hikaru felt guilty.
"I can see that. My son leads a very sheltered life and never met anything like you before. But I'm still disappointed at this kind of behavior."
"I'm sorry father, I... I was angry but still my behavior is inexcusable."
"Oh lighten up will you? You're a kid, it's excusable. If he doesn't excuse you then I will."
"Brat." The other guy put in his two cents.
"Ogata san." Hikaru acknowledged the guy.
"You know me?" Ogata was surprised at that.
"Just your name, Akira mentioned you."
"You're very bold, excuse Akira if his father won't? What ego."
"So? We're friends." Hikaru turned and put his arm around Akira's shoulder. "Right? Akira chaaan?"
Akira was still angry, and didn't like to be called that. He couldn't stop himself elbowing Hikaru in the middle. Hikaru doubled over but took only a few seconds to recover. "It seems we have to work more on our friendship." Hikaru wheezed a little.
"Father, I'm sorry!" Akira stricken that he did something out of character again.
"What are you apologizing to him for?" Hikaru's hand still on the sore spot on his middle. "I'm the one you should say sorry to."
"Hikaru, maybe we should go. You're not helping the situation." Sai couldn't help but interfere. He would've like to stay and play these guys but it seems it's impossible for now.
"You know what, I'm going. I'm sorry for goading Akira into doing something displeasing to you. I'm sure he'll revert back into what he was once, when I leave. So Akira, I'll see you when I see you. Ja ne!"
Hikaru lit out of there as fast as he could like before. But unlike before, he could hear Akira running after him but he didn't look back. He kept running faster and faster until all he could hear was his own breathing.
xxxxxxx
Hikaru reached Shinjuko two hours later. He could have cleared home in less time than that but he wasn't really in a hurry. He wanted to let Sai see all the festive decorations made by the shops and offices that owned or leased the buildings. Christmas is not a national holiday and although Christians are only about 1% in Japan, it curiously caught on. Everyone celebrates Christmas, and he must admit, he loves Christmas cake and Santa.
It was about 7:30 PM when he arrived home. He was in time to set the table, his father was running a bit late probably got caught up in his work. His mother told him that Shibuya will come pick him up at five on the 28th and that she will get his clothes ready for him. His mom knows Shibuya comes from a wealthy family and she didn't want Hikaru to look too shabby for that party.
xxxxxxx
"Hikaru, when are we going to play Akira again?"
"When everything's calm again. I think I just disturbed the hornets nest, will let them settle first. Don't worry Sai, we know where to find him." Hikaru said sleepily.
"You were at your worst there, Hikaru. You should just have let Akira apologize gracefully."
"What's so graceful about it. He looked like he's about to cry."
"Yes, but you made everything worse."
"Had to do it, they will blame me for his lapse of conduct. His father will forgive him more easily knowing it was my fault and not Akira's."
"Ohhh Hikaruuu... Did you purposely do it? You wanted to take all the blame and spare Akira. Oh, how noble. Hikaru I love you more and more." Sai was gushing like an idiot.
Hikaru sat up at that. "Sai, you shut up. I'm not that nice, their attitude just pisses me off. No wonder Akira doesn't have any friends."
"Alright Hikaru, you go back to sleep now." Sai didn't sound offended at Hikaru's manner of speech anymore. Either he understood Hikaru better now or he just got used to it. But he was happy, Hikaru may be rough on the outside but his heart is in the right place.
"Goodnight Sai, we'll talk in the morning. I have an idea of how we can play go all time without having to resort to internet. But you may not like it, if you don't like it just tell me and we'll find another way." Hikaru buried himself inside his cocoon.
"Really Hikaru? What, what?" Sai excited.
"Tomorrow, OK? Now lemme sleep." Hikaru was tired from his marathon that day and fell asleep immediately.
"I know what it is, Hikaru. I put that suggestion into your head. I'm so sorry, Hikaru. I know you don't want to play but I want to teach you my go. My go, your go, someday nobody will be able to tell them apart. You will truly be Sai then." Sai felt lonely.
"Sai..." Hikaru mumbled in his sleep. "Don't feel sad or I'll be sad too."
"Hikaruuu..."
(End of Chapter11)