Chapter13: Fate and destiny comes knocking.
It was the first day of class after winter break and Hikaru was dozing in his seat. It was about 8:30 in the morning and Satonaka, his homeroom teacher was going one by one on their winter break assignment. Hikaru had his kakizome written in a hanging scroll which he took from his grandpa's writing supplies. And Sai had helped him with writing his first calligraphy of the year. The word he had chosen would probably raise some eyebrows but it was appropriate, even if he was the only one that knew it.
Hikaru was unaware when someone came in interrupting the flow of recitation from a classmate explaining his thoughts behind his chosen kakizome.
"Shindou! Shindou Hikaru!"
Hikaru was startled to alertness and stood up automatically. "Sensei!" Was his speedy response.
"The principal wants you in his office right now. Satou sensei is here to escort you." His homeroom teacher relayed the message calmly but her face showed curiousity.
"Wh... why?" Hikaru asked with trepidation. Being called to the principal's office was never a good sign.
Hikaru could hear his classmates whispering 'what has he done now?' Hikaru wanted to laugh and reply, 'well clearly not good.' And he was nervous enough to do it too.
"I was not informed of the reason. Go with Satou sensei Shindou kun. I was told this is urgent."
Hikaru looked at the other teacher's face but it did not betray any sign whatsoever. Satou sensei mostly worked as secretary to the principal, and acted as temporary teacher if one of the sensei got sick or went away for vacation.
"Shindou kun, please follow me." Was the bland order. He had as much liveliness as a salted cod.
"I wonder what they want from us Hikaru." Sai whispered as if anybody could hear him.
"I don't know Sai but getting the principal's attention is almost always bad news." Was Hikaru's worried reply.
Hikaru followed the man while going through all the things he had done that he could get into trouble for. Hikaru had an uneasy feeling that it was about that.
"Hikaruuuu... are you thinking of the same thing I'm thinking?" Sai asked picking up on his thoughts.
"I couldn't think of anything other than that. We were recognized, remember?" Hikaru reminded his ghostly companion.
"Ohhhh Hikaruuuu, what are we going to do?" Sai wailed in distress.
"I don't know, what else could we do?" Hikaru hunched his shoulders. "Truly, this is not a good way to start the year." He mumbled.
"I'm so sorry Hikaruuu. This is all my fault!" Hikaru could hear Sai's sniffles.
"It's alright Sai. What is the worst thing they could do to us anyway?" A fatalistic feeling settled over him.
"Inform your honorable parents?" Sai querried.
"Crap! There is that." Hikaru cursed inwardly.
It wasn't long until they reached a very huge room. It was the common office of all the teachers. They all have desks there. There were only a few teachers at the moment. Most of them were probably in their classrooms. The room was cold and Hikaru shivered. He left his long coat inside his locker. Their winter uniform usually just suffice inside the classroom with a lot of the student bodies to heat it up. But here where the room was much larger with huge windows, it felt freezing.
He was led towards the inner sanctum of the room. The principal's office looked more like a library than an office. It had a homey atmosphere too and warm. He could smell coffee somewhere and something sweet. The principal looked up from the newspaper he was reading. He was a tall and wiry man with peppered gray hair. Hikaru couldn't tell his age, he knew he was old but he was one of those ageless individuals.
"Shindou kun, please sit down." The principal said pleasantly while pushing the glasses off his nose. He was studying him as if trying to see right through him.
Hikaru didn't notice the other teacher closing the door behind him. He was too busy trying to come up with something to get out of the situation if it was about the go tournament. He came up simply with a blank. He could feel Sai flapping about, unsettled. But he wasn't saying anything either.
The principal handed Hikaru the newspaper as he sat down gingerly. Hikaru took it without even thinking. He glanced down at it and saw an enlarged photo of the incident that night at the party. It looked damning alright, he really did look like a trouble maker with his colored hair. And with Shibuya and Tagami on his either side holding on to him. The whole picture conveyed violence about to break loose. He saw for the first time the horrified and entertained reactions from the other guests and the accusing faces of the three boys from Kaio.
"That paper is already a week old. But if you could please read the story for me, Shindou kun."
Teen Brawl In High Society
Teen-age guests got into a fracas yesterday night at a year-end party which was held at 'The Kura'. An opulent, french-designed mansion owned by Nisei Pharmaceuticals. The party-goers who had heard and seen the incident said, that three boys accused another boy of cheating at a go tournament, hosted annually by Kaio Junior High. A very prestigious private school well known for its go club high-level status. The said cheating is yet to be reported to the school authorities.
Hikaru swallowed a lump and choked on words he didn't quiet know how to say. He just stared at the paper dumbly.
"I received a call from Kaio five days ago. I was informed that one of my students impersonated a student from Haze and entered their tournament under false pretenses." The principal said while studying Hikaru's reaction.
"Do you know anything about this incident, Shindou kun?"
"I... I... I was... It's not..." Hikaru's mind whirled trying to find a way out, but there was really nothing he could say to defend himself. He was found out and only a miracle could get him out of it.
"Yes," he sighed his admission.
"Shindou kun, this school has a zero tolerance for cheating or conduct unbecoming of any kind. Tell me everything and please try not to lie, you don't want to aggravate this situation." The principal said grimly.
"Kochi sensei, I... we... I mean... It didn't feel like cheating at the time." Hikaru bleated nervously.
But the principal didn't say anything but was waiting for him to go on. Hikaru sighed and continued after that brief pause.
"They were... I mean my friends from Haze were short one player. Go is not terribly popular there and they couldn't get anyone good enough nor interested enough to play. I was sorta dragged into joining. I was just a body to fill in, I never expected us to win that tournament, let alone defeat Kaio. They were supposed to be the best."
"You and your friends won? Against Kaio?" The principal raised an eyebrow.
"Yes sir, we did." Hikaru said with pride in his voice then automatically added humbly, "Though we never really expected to." He remembered in time that he was in trouble for cheating.
"I wouldn't have guess that you are a go player, Shindou kun. Not looking like that. You are in the Kendo club I was told?" The principal asked.
"Yes sir, I'm the vice captain." Hikaru replied.
"How good are you in go Shindou kun?" The principal beginning to see some hints of hidden depths in what he thought was just a problem student. He knows how the clubs work in his school, to be chosen as vice captain is as good as being captain already.
"I'm just OK, I thought, until we beat Kaio but then again maybe Kaio's reputation was just hype." Hikaru knew Sai was way better than OK but when he said OK, he meant Kaga and Tsutsui.
"You must be really good Shindou kun to say that. And no, it's not just hype as you call it. They have been undefeated for two decades if I remember correctly and they are very angry at us and at Haze too, I'm sure. This means that you and your friends just broke that record even if it was done in an underhanded way." The principal said seriously.
"Yes sir, we played them fairly and we went undefeated 3-0 everytime." Hikaru couldn't help himself.
"It was still cheating. Haze didn't have enough players for that tournament, therefore they did not and still do not qualify. And in order to gain qualification they had you, a student from another school, enter and pose as Haze's own." The principal said severely.
"You are not a Haze student, Shindou kun, you are Sumida's. Did you forget that when you entered that go tournament?" The principal asked with the hardness in his voice evident.
"No sir, I never forgot I'm from Sumida." Hikaru replied earnestly.
"Then do you see why it was cheating? Yes, you may have won but the way you and your friends went about it was wrong." The principal's voice softened but just slightly.
"You are still a child so you may not understand when I say that winning is not always the goal. When you are older you will find that your journey towards your goal is what you will remember best. Winning is but a moment but the getting there, the people you will meet, the choices you have to make, the sacrifices." The principal stopped at that and looked at him, like really looked at him.
"Shindou kun, I would have to inform your parents about this incident. You will also be suspended for two days, I should suspend you for a week but I will have you on detention for one week instead, after your suspension."
"But... " Before Hikaru could interrupt further the principal continued on.
"This is a private school Shindou kun, I could terminate your contract here anytime. That means expulsion, Kaio is hinting as much but I don't want to do that. You belong with us and meting out this punishment is for your own good. And besides, I have to tell Kaio something." The principal looked at him expecting him to raise his objections.
"Kochi sensei about my parents, could we not tell them, please?" Hikaru's tone was close to begging.
"I don't know how we can't when this incident is in the paper. What are the chances of someone or anyone finding its connection to you, who knows your parents and not telling them about it? And the school has to inform them why you are suspended. Just tell them the truth and that you made a mistake and that it won't happen again, is my advice to you." The principal said understanding his dilemma.
"And don't bother going back to class, your suspension starts today. I don't enjoy this anymore than you do Shindou kun but I want this over and done with and so do you. I will inform your home room teacher personally, and I will call your parents in the afternoon before I leave my office, so you have until then to tell them yourself."
Hikaru thought that the principal was a hard man but he was also fair. He could almost see his side of it. But just because he understands doesn't mean he agreed with it. He didn't mind the suspension or the detention but he dreaded telling his parents.
Hikaru was surprised when he felt the principal's hand on his shoulder, he was so deep in thought that he just sat there frozen.
"Shindou kun, it's not the end of the world. Making a mistake is alright, it's making the same mistake time and again is what's unforgivable. The punishment is for you to remember the consequences of your actions." The principal said kindly while helping him stood up and leading him to the door.
"Now go home and tell parents. Your father must be at work at this time. What about your mother?"
"She could be at the market or at home, I'm not sure." Hikaru shrugged.
"Just tell them when they get home, you will feel better after. Now you go straight home." The principal ordered then after a few moments shut the door firmly behind him.
"What am I gonna do, Sai?" Hikaru whispered softly so the three people still in the common office wouldn't hear.
"Hikaruuu I'm truly sorry. It is my fault that you are in trouble now." Sai said mournfully.
"No, it's not. Kaga threatened me and before that I spilled soda on his kimono. It was just one thing after another. All you wanted was just to get that go book." Hikaru said gravely.
"I guess I will just to tell them I screwed up but it still felt good to kick Kaio's ass off a goban. Don't you think so, Sai?" Hikaru grinned inwardly to Sai though he was still feeling put upon.
"I wouldn't say it like that Hikaru." Sai demurred but Hikaru could tell he enjoyed that win, he could pick up on Sai's emotion quiet easily.
"Yeah sure Sai." Hikaru grumbled then added, "You know you are such a liar."
"Hikaruuu..."
Hikaru went back to class regardless of what the principal said. He had to get his things. He just told Satonaka sensei right there and then that he was suspended for two days and that kochi sensei will inform her of the details. His teacher's jaw would've certainly dropped if it were possible.
He said it loud enough for his classmates to hear too and the silence was weirdly gratifying. He quickly gathered his things and stuffed them in his backpack then walked out of there rapidly before they could ask him questions he didn't feel like answering. He almost laughed out loud when the silence broke and the chattering started and the seats squeeked violently the moment he was out of sight.
The soft slippers he was wearing did not make any sounds as he walked on, and he found the silence a bit strange. Everyone was in their respective classes and so the hallways were eerily empty. And the cold just added to the weird feeling of being alone until he felt Sai flapping about. He was glad someone was with him. He went and changed his shoes then put on his long coat. He stepped out of the building and breathe the cold air.
"For some reason this feels liberating." Hikaru commented.
"It happens when you accept fate." Sai replied.
"And what fate are we accepting here exactly?" Hikaru asked.
"You haven't lived long enough to notice that the things that happened happens for a reason. Just like igo Hikaru, from here on end, endless possibilities." Sai said cryptically.
"Why did I even asked. You sound like a Chinese fortune cookie Sai." Hikaru smirked at the ghost.
"I certainly do not sound like a Chinese, cookie or otherwise?" Sai said indignantly.
Hikaru was still bantering with Sai that he didn't notice a figure walking towards him. A very familiar figure he might add. He was already by the school gate but before he could turned and escaped back inside, it sprinted and caught him by the arm.
"I found you." The figure said triumphantly.
"Akira chan, how did you find me?" Hikaru asked resigned. Today is just not his day.
Akira handed him a paper he had in his armpit, he was grinning at him like crazy he didn't even bat an eye at the chan Hikaru used to piss him off.
Cheating In A Go Tournament
Haze Middle School, one of the schools that accepted the annual go tournament invitation sent out by Kaio Junior High last year of November to every high school in the city was accused of cheating. Haze known for its strong baseball play but no go whatsoever was able to put up a three-man team to qualify for the tournament. The amazing part of this team was that the first and second board were shougi captain and vice captain respectively. The only go player of this team was the third board and the designated go captain. Haze went undeafeated without any single loss the whole time during the tournament. The game play from Haze was nothing short of brilliant. But at a party at "The Kura" last December, the second board was recognized and was found out to be a student from Sumida High School, a first year and vice captain of a kendo club.
Hikaru stared at the paper dumbfounded. There was again a damning photo of him in Haze uniform along side Kaga and Tsutsui. Their name and rank printed beneath their pictures. It was dated six days ago. He didn't understand what was going on.
"Oh for fuck sake! Why is this even in the papers? Is there not enough crime in Japan that they would write about this shit?" Hikaru exploded, he was furious at the injustice, he felt like they were out to get him. He wasn't exactly sure who though.
"It's probably because of Kaio. They are the best when it comes to go. Amateur best, I mean." Akira amended as a matter of fact.
"Says who? Says them? If they were so good then we wouldn't have been able to defeat them so easily." Hikaru said hotly.
"I'm not surprise you would say that." Akira smiled like he knows something Hikaru didn't.
"Will you please stop that grinning." Hikaru groaned.
"I have enough on my plate as it is and you are adding to my problem." Hikaru closed his eyes and put a hand on his forehead.
He felt a tugging on his sleeves and it was Akira trying to pull him to get him moving.
"Would you like to come to my house?" Akira invited pleasantly.
"Why would I want to go there?" Hikaru asked archly.
"We could go to your house then, I don't mind." Akira continued and Hikaru stopped and stared at the boy who was trying to drag him along. He couldn't believe someone could be this thick.
"I'm not up for visitors right now. I have to explain to my parents why I was suspended." Hikaru tried reason.
"I didn't know you were suspended." Akira said like suspension were ordinary happenings.
"I was just told today. And I need some alone time to prepare my explanation." Hikaru said brooking no argument and continued walking past Akira.
"I could help you." Akira caught up with him.
"How?" Hikaru asked doubtfully.
"I... I could say I was in on it and I..." Akira drifted off like he really didn't know what he was offering.
"You mean you would lie? You? For me?" Hikaru asked in disbelief.
Akira nodded but he looked so miserable that Hikaru had no intention of taking him up on his offer.
"You don't have to. I can take care of myself." Hikaru said but without heat.
"What are you doing here anyway, don't you have class?" Hikaru just noticed but Akira was wearing a school uniform too.
"I skipped class." Akira said in a small voice.
Hikaru laughed, he couldn't help it. He was just so wrong about this kid. He just didn't look the type to go skipping classes or gallivanting about the city in a school uniform, no less.
"You know, I never skipped class, ever. I never figured you are much more of a delinquent than I am, Akira chan." Hikaru teased.
"I wanted to see you." Akira said softly.
"But why? No don't tell me, you wanted to play go, right?" Hikaru hazarded a guess.
Akira just nodded looking at the ground while walking alongside him.
"Fine, we'll go to my house. But don't blame me if you were asked to leave. I don't think my parents would be happy with me right now." Hikaru feeling resigned to his fate.
Hikaru asked Akira if he was OK with walking, he usually rode the trains but he was in no hurry to get home. He wanted to prolong the moment before he told his parents the bad news. They walked leisurely and didn't notice the glances from the other pedestrians. It was school hour, no students should be out at this time. And the prestigious private school uniforms were dead giveaways for shenanigans or what not. Especially Akira's, his uniform was way from the other side of town, the wealthy side.
"How about a game of go, Akira chan?" Hikaru said and felt Sai perked up at that.
"Really?" Akira was surprised at the offer. He knew Hikaru didn't like playing him.
"Where? We can't go to my father's go salon. I'm supposed to be in school." Akira almost wailed.
"Your father's go salon is not the only go salon in town, you know." Hikaru rolled his eyes.
"And you will be the one paying." Hikaru declared. He was not going to part with his 500 yen for some board game.
"I'll pay but where do we go?" Akira asked feeling the age old excitement of doing something you are not suppose to do. He never skipped class before but the compulsion to find this elusive player was just so great.
"I've seen some go salons ever since I've became aware of them. I never went inside in any though, your father's go salon was just pure chance." Hikaru said.
"I've never been to any go salons myself, just father's." Akira admitted.
"Why am I not surprise?" Hikaru teased good-naturedly.
"Oh and there is this place that I want to check out. It's a go salon but in ahhh... Well let's just say it's in a back alley and a friend of mine from Haze, you've met him. You remember Kaga, right? He recommended it to me. He said one of his relatives owns it. I believe he said his family is very large, and all I need to do is mention him and we'll be alright." Hikaru said nonchalantly.
Akira just nodded trusting Hikaru. He could've gone and lead them to the slaughter and it would have been OK. They walked past the big opulent buildings like the banks and shopping malls until they reached a much more crowded area where the older and smaller buildings were crammed together.
There was truly a back alley too with winding stairs going down. Akira was lost, he couldn't possibly find his way back on his own, there were a lot of twists and turns. There were were also small shops and bars. 'Bars!' His eyes bugged out, he stepped closer to Hikaru unnerved. He had never been to this kind of place, it felt sinister to him.
"We're almost there." Hikaru patted him on the back to reassure him.
Hikaru stopped at a nondescript door with only a small sign board that read 'Kokuryuu' and smiled.
"Black Dragon huh! What a pretentious name." Hikaru chuckled to himself.
"What is so funny Hikaru?" Sai asked puzzled.
"Nothing, I was just going to ask how would you like to play with dragons." Hikaru joked.
"I'll play any dragons big and small of any color." Sai said seriously.
"What's so funny." Akira seemed like an echo of Sai.
"Nothing." Hikaru sighed.
"I hate it when you do that." Akira grumbled.
"Hate what?" Hikaru asked surprised.
"It's clearly nothing but still you won't tell me." Akira huffed.
"Fine! I was going to ask how would you like to play with dragons?" Hikaru acquiesced with his hands up as in surrender.
"I don't mind playing with any dragons." Akira said with fire in his eyes.
"Big and small of any colors?" Hikaru added Sai's answer.
"Yes, as long as I get to play with you in the end." Akira smiled weirdly at him.
"Someday you will see me as your rival." Akira promised solemnly.
"And maybe someday you will see that I'm not." Hikaru replied just as solemnly.
Hikaru then turned towards the door, knocked hesitantly before opening it. Then they walked in together towards whatever destiny was in store for them.
(End of Chapter13.)