Summary: The journey of Sai and Hikaru continues when Sai returns. Encompasses the point from when Sai disappears to the Hokuto Cup.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, etc. pertaining to the manga series, Hikaru no Go, by Yumi Hotta, and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.
Chapter Six: Partially Solved Puzzle
Things continued as normal for Hikaru until news of an international Go competition came to Japan. Everybody was discussing it. It would be a Japan-China-Korea Junior Team Tournament for Pro players eighteen years of age and under. Based on its performance, it would be decided if the competition would continue. Everyone was very excited, but only three representatives from each country would be chosen as it was a team match.
Hikaru and Touya were discussing it after Touya's match with Ichiryu-sensei. "He was really angry after you made that move, you know. Even though he tried to keep his composure, he lost it when you didn't sweat from the pressure. I don't know how you can stand it."
"You're going to have to get used to it sometime, Shindou," Touya said. "How else do you expect to participate in something like the Hokuto Cup, which is an international match, if you let yourself be affected by the pressure? I keep forgetting you've never been in these types of situations before. You weren't even able to handle other Go players that weren't kids your age when you reached the Preliminaries when trying to become a Pro."
"I got over that," Shindou objected. "Luckily Isumi-san and Waya helped me out. I don't know what you want me to do about this though. I won't be in any other international competition or even another competition before this one comes. Even the Oteai matches are going to be temporarily postoned for it, so I'm going to have to wait even longer to raise a dan level now," Shindou sighed.
He hadn't lost any of his games yet and was getting closer with each win to collecting enough to raise a level. It had been made easier that no games had been scheduled for him while he had been unable to play or he would have had to make those up first and that would have taken forever. Well, at least he had the Hokuto Cup to look forward to though.
"I'll just have to try to get used to it during the game," he continued what they had been discussing before he had flown away with his thoughts.
"That's suicide," Touya commented.
"There's nothing else I can do though," Shindou said, "unless you have any bright ideas?"
Touya didn't say anything, which Shindou took as him conceding defeat. Touya sighed. Well, he could only hope that Shindou adapted quickly, which wasn't too farfetched a wish, since he did. "Anyways, the preliminaries to decide the team members won't be until April, so it's still a ways away. It's only December right now."
"I still find it unfair that you already get a spot reserved for you," Shindou crossed his arms.
"Stop being childish," Touya sighed. "I didn't ask for this special treatment. I would much rather play others for my spot like everyone else."
"I know that," Shindou smiled half-heartedly. "You can't help it if everyone sees you as Japan's only hope. Oh well, it doesn't really matter. It's a given that you would have gotten a spot anyways, but I definitely won't be left behind. I'm going to be one of the three team members at that tournament no matter what."
"I know," Touya spoke. "I would be sorely disappointed if the person I chose as my rival couldn't keep up with me."
"Why you-" Shindou growled as they fell back into their regular routine of fighting and playing. Sai laughed merrily at their antics. He couldn't wait until he got to see more Go. He had no doubts that Touya and Hikaru would be two of the players chosen for the tournament.
The only question was who the third player would be. It could be Waya or Ochi, but neither were close enough to Touya or Hikaru's level yet and China and Korea were much more serious about Go than Japan at the moment. They may not be enough to beat them. However, it wasn't only Tokyo participating, so perhaps there was another strong Go player out there. He would just have to wait and see.
Before that though, it seemed Shindou would finally be playing a higher-dan. It was surely his opponent's misfortune that he would be the one to play. They recognized each other instantly. Shindou's gaze was sharp. "Well, who would have thought someone like you could make 7-dan."
The other was horrified. "Y-You – you're only a beginner-dan?!"
Shindou's grin was sharp too. "That really goes to show that strength and dan-level really do have nothing to do with each other, eh? After all, no matter how many games you lose, and I'm sure you've lost a lot, your dan-level can't drop." Usually, Sai would be scolding Shindou, but right now, he was feeling too vindictive. Not to mention he was too busy cheering Shindou on instead. "You had better hope you haven't been doing any more swindling, especially not in Shusaku's name."
"You got me in a lot of trouble because of that, you brat," Gokiso snarled, anger overriding some of his shock and fear.
"Good," was the retort.
Gokiso gritted his teeth. Touya looked over. The game hadn't even started yet and Shindou was already controlling its flow. His opponent had no chance. Touya would have to remember to ask for the story behind that though. It seemed Shindou and his opponent knew each other and from the sounds of it, Touya's life wasn't the only one Shindou had changed, though he doubted Shindou had given the 7-dan as nice a change as he had given Touya. While it seemed he pushed Touya further ahead in their goal, he had given the 7-dan a rude awakening and made him fall back down to Earth.
The game was over as quickly as Touya's own, with both their opponents resigning. Touya caught Shindou before he left. "So what was going on over there?" he asked casually.
"I never knew you were such a gossip," Shindou teased.
Touya glared. Shindou held his hands up. "Okay, okay, I give. Sheesh, three years and you still can't take a joke. Anyways, that was just some guy Sai and I met at a convention. He was actually selling fake gobans, saying they were made of kaya when they were actually made of spruce. He also tried to fake Shusaku's signature on one of them. There was no way me or Sai could just stand by and watch it happen. With Kurata-sensei's help, we were able to stop it.
"That wasn't even the end of it, either. Gokiso was at the convention to play Shidougo too, but he was crushing his opponents instead of helping them. Therefore, I let Sai teach him a lesson. Then, today, I got to do it," Shindou said with glee. "I hope that teaches him."
"I'm sure it did. He didn't look like he could fight anymore, getting trampled like that." Touya shook his head. The more he learned about Shindou, the more unique he seemed, as if having a ghost for a companion wasn't strange enough. It was no wonder the other Pros had stopped and taken notice.
It was finally the day of Isumi's shodan match and Shindou was going to be late because of Touya. "You said you would come with me," Shindou whined, pulling Touya along.
"They don't want me there, though," Touya protested. "It's not like I know Isumi-san that well, either."
"So what?" Hikaru asked, nonplussed. "Isumi-san said we should all hang out sometimes. Besides Touya, you shouldn't hang around so many old people all the time. You'll become boring faster."
"I don't think there's any relevance in that," Touya retorted, but he was walking anyways. He hardly ever won when it came to situations like these. Before they could head into the Go Institute though, they were held up by someone else. Hikaru recognized him. "Kadowaki-san," he greeted in surprise.
"Oh, you know my name, Shindou-kun. I'm honoured." He looked next to Shindou and did a double take. "And Touya-kun. Wow. What are you two doing together?"
"I'm dragging Touya to see Isumi-san's game. Are you coming too, Kadowaki-san?"
"Aren't you two supposed to be rivals?" Kadowaki asked, confused.
Shindou shrugged. "That doesn't mean we can't be friends too." Why was everyone always so surprised when he told them? "Anyways, we should get going. Isumi-san's game is going to start soon."
"Wait, Shindou-kun. I have a request. I would like to play you again."
"Right now?"
"Yes. You remember last year when we played don't you? You were only an insei back then, but you crushed me completely. That was the year I had been planning on turning Pro. That game against you taught me that I still had a long way to go. That's why I decided to wait another year and train. I was disappointed when I found you had lost to three people during the Pro Exam. I wondered how someone of your strength could lose to three such players. 'Was everything I saw you to be just an illusion?' I want to find out your true strength. I want to know that the respect I gained for you wasn't wrong."
Shindou looked over at Touya, who mouthed 'Sai' at him in questioning. He nodded back and Touya nodded in comprehension. "So, do you want to go on ahead Touya?"
Touya stared at him, deadpanned. "I'll take that as a no," Shindou grinned. "Come on then. I hope the guys aren't going to be too mad that we miss the match. Maybe we'll make it in time for the discussion."
Meanwhile, Waya, Ochi and Honda were waiting for the game to start. "Where is Shindou?" Waya yelled in frustration. "Kadowaki-san's not here either. I don't get it. How could they both not be here?" His expression turned contemplative. "They couldn't be hanging out together right? I don't think they know each other."
Honda suddenly remembered something from Waya's words. "Wait. They actually might."
Waya and Ochi turned to him. "What?"
Honda nodded. "If it's Shindou, then it fits. During the lunch break on the final day of the Pro Exams, Kadowaki recited three names: Oshima, Fukui and Honda. He said something about how he couldn't believe he had lost to those three."
Waya nodded. "Yeah. Oshima, Fukui and Honda were the three people Shindou lost to in last year's exam."
"How did you remember that?" Ochi asked dubiously.
"Honda and I battled Shindou to the very last day, so-" Waya suddenly changed his line of thought. "Oh. Then Kadowaki-san must have been talking about Shindou that time as well."
"How did we get into this conversation revolving around Shindou?" Ochi asked irritated, though he was ignored. Everyone was always so interested in Shindou. He didn't get it. It made him so mad. What was so special about him?
Waya continued as Ochi fumed. "I remember reading a rumour on the Internet that was going around that said Kadowaki-san had decided to wait an extra year before taking the Pro Exam. It was a while ago, but it seemed the reason behind the decision was because he had lost to a kid and felt too embarrassed over it. He decided to train for another year because of that." He turned to the other two in the room. "Was that kid Shindou then?"
The three of them were silent. Waya continued thinking. "Since he said he couldn't believe that Shindou would lose to Oshima, Fukui and Honda, he must think very highly of Shindou."
"In other words, he meant to say he couldn't believe someone with Shindou's skill would lose to people with the skills they had," Ochi clenched his fists. What was so special about Shindou that everyone thought he was some sort of child prodigy? Even Touya Akira took notice of him when he never took notice of kids his own age.
"Hey," Honda protested. "Why did he lump me in with those names? I'm not that bad."
His complaint went unheard though as Waya continued contemplating. "So, since both of them aren't here and they know each other, and Kadowaki-san lost to Shindou before, that must mean-"
That was when Ochi exploded. "Who cares? What good is there in thinking about Shindou anyways?"
Honda wasn't listening though. "That must mean he's a shoo-in for the North Star Cup, right?" he sighed.
"No, it doesn't. What is wrong with all you people? What is so special about S-" he choked on his words as the door opened. Everyone started talking at once.
"Where have you been?"
"Ochi was saying something about you."
"No I wasn't. I didn't say anything."
They stopped and blinked when they saw it wasn't Shindou at all. They slumped in their seats. Phew.
Kadowaki and Shindou were now sitting in front of a goban. So I'm playing, Sai?
Yes. You must show him your strength, Hikaru. I played him before, but it is you he sees and so it is you that must prove that his respect was not wrongly given.
I'll do it then. Hikaru had a determined look in his eye. He played not only for himself, but for Sai and Shusaku too. He would become as great as them, so that he would be worthy to play in their place with his own strength. He gripped his fan.
I have absolute faith that you will. Sai smiled.
"Please," the two players said simultaneously.
The game began. Hikaru started by placing his black stone on a star. He continued this way until he had placed three straight stars. Kadowaki recognized it. This was how they had started the game one and a half years ago. Back then, he had attacked and been completely repelled.
He would see how it would go this time as he attacked again. Would he be able to land a punch this time or would he be thrown back just like last time? He didn't want to lose, but one couldn't help but look up to strength that you could never reach yourself. For those who did have that strength, you always wanted to see how far they could go, how much farther than you yourself could ever advance.
They continued playing, but Kadowaki couldn't tell how the game was going. Were his attacks working or was he being dodged at every turn? Shindou had not yet gone on the offensive, but Kadowaki couldn't tell if he wasn't moving because he didn't want to or because he couldn't. The atmosphere felt a little different though.
Suddenly, he got a shock when Shindou made an offensive move. The battle had finally started. Shindou was now attacking the outline that Kadowaki had lain out during the game. He didn't stop either. Kadowaki's structure was now falling apart. Kadowaki could only watch with his mouth hanging open.
He clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. "I can't do anything. You've defeated me."
"Thank you for the game," they both announced.
Then they started to discuss the game. "You took a little too long to play during the last half," Shindou pointed out.
Kadowaki nodded. "Yeah. Did you feel it when I attacked this area, though?" he pointed.
Shindou nodded. "Yeah. That was a powerful move."
"Yeah. I took so long because I wanted to think out my moves thoroughly. I didn't want to be hasty."
Sai. How was it?
A very admirable game, Hikaru.
Still not as good as yours, though, right?
You haven't lived for 1000 years, Hikaru. They were both being playful.
I know. It's just that everyone I play against later compares my before and after games and I know myself that my games can't compare to yours yet, so I don't really need them to tell me.
Ah, but they don't know that, correct?
And I'm not telling them either.
"Anyways," Kadowaki said, "you handled the game very calmly. Thanks for playing me. I'm really glad you played so well. It seems my respect was rightly given after all. I truly believe that Go players like you should pursue the path of a Pro."
Shindou blushed in pride and embarrassment. See, Hikaru? They can see you as well. Your own growth is becoming enough to narrow the distance between our strengths.
"Omigod!" Shindou suddenly remembered. "We've probably already missed Isumi-san's match. I hope we're still in time for the discussion. Come on, Touya. Let's go."
As they were leaving though, he noticed that Kadowaki-san was still looking troubled. I guess their minds just won't rest until they get it off their chests. He may see my game as good, but when you compare it to yours, Sai, it still doesn't measure up. I guess he finds it weird that I've gotten worse instead of improved, huh, Sai?
He turned back to Kadowaki-san. "Kadowaki-san," he sighed, "What did you really think of my game?"
Kadowaki stared at him befuddled. "What? I meant it when I said you played a good game. You really are a strong player."
"But that's not all, is it? Something's bothering you."
Kadowaki continued staring. Then he looked away. "I don't really know how to say it. It's as if…as if before you became a Pro, when I played you the first time, you actually played better…but don't take offence. You're a great player still! It's just…"
Shindou smiled. "I know what you mean. I totally agree with you. I still have a long way to go, don't I? See you at the discussion then." He waved goodbye and left with Sai and Touya, leaving Kadowaki sitting there confused.
Touya shook his head at Shindou's antics. "You could really drive a person crazy with the way you act, you know."
"Hey," Shindou grinned, "you should just be happy you're not one of them anymore."
Touya rolled his eyes though he couldn't help the small that played at his lips. He was glad for that actually. Shindou slung an arm around his shoulders that he shrugged off, knowing what Touya felt.
Back with the shodan game, things were wrapping up. Isumi had won by six moku against Kuwabara. Kuwabara looked contemplative. "What's your name, kid?"
"Isumi Shinichiro," Isumi answered clearly.
"Isumi, eh?" Kuwabara repeated. "I'll remember that. You know, for years the rookies coming in have been pathetic, but ever since Touya's son appeared, there have been a lot of interesting guys popping up. It's been worth it to continue remaining in the Go world for a while longer. I especially want to know more about that kid, the one whose true worth still has yet to be fully revealed."
'That kid' could only mean Shindou, Isumi knew. He was on everyone's mind, catching the interest of so many of the greatest Pros and a source of mystery to even his friends. Everyone wanted to know just who or what he was and what he was hiding from the world.
Shindou was right. The game had already ended, but they were in time for the discussion. He met Waya, Ochi and Honda just as they were leaving the watching room. Touya had left already, saying his parents were expecting him home. Shindou had been suspicious, but then again, Touya wasn't a very good liar, so he had let him go.
"Shindou!" Waya exclaimed. "You're late."
"I know. I'm sorry. Nevermind that, though. How was the game?"
"Oh. Isumi-san won by six moku."
"Six moku?" Shindou grinned. "Awesome!"
"Nevermind that," Waya said. "What were you doing all this time?"
Shindou took off his shoes as he answered. "I was on my way here, but then I met Kadowaki-san, so we went up to the second floor to play a match." He went into the discussion room as Waya, Ochi and Honda stood in shocked silence at having their suspicions confirmed.
Just then, Kadowaki walked in. "Oh? The game is finished?"
"Yeah," Waya snapped back into reality. "Isumi-san won by six moku. Er, Kadowaki-san? Do you happen to know Shindou from somewhere?"
"Well, I wouldn't say I know him, but I played Go with him once before. He was only an insei back then, but he crushed me."
Waya, Honda and Ochi's mouths dropped open. The thought 'the person Kadowaki-san was talking about really was Shindou!' was all on their minds.
"I played him again today," Kadowaki hadn't noticed their shock, "but, the funny thing was that he didn't seem to play as well as he did the first time.
The three of them looked at each other. "You mean he was better before?" Waya asked incredulously.
"As an insei?" Honda continued, surprised.
"Are you sure?" Ochi asked dubiously.
"Shindou even agreed with me when I told him and on top of that, he laughed too," Kadowaki shook his head. "I really don't get that kid."
The three of them looked at each other again. Waya grabbed his hair. "Me neither! I'll never understand him. He's such a flake sometimes. How can someone who knows nothing about the Go world play so well? Then, when someone says he's playing worse, he brushes it off and agrees?!"
"Waya," Honda scolded lightly, though he did agree a little. Shindou was a very strange person.
"Let's just forget about it," Ochi jumped in huffily. "Worrying about Shindou isn't going to get us anywhere."
"Yeah," Honda chimed. "We need to worry about ourselves, Waya."
"Yeah, yeah," Waya sighed. "I know." It's just that something pulls at me to unravel that mystery. I know he has something to do with Sai. I know it.
Waya really didn't have time to worry about that at the moment though, because of the preliminaries that would be taking place to decide the eligible candidates for the actual preliminaries. They would play in regular one and a half hour elimination matches until only four players remained. Along with these four candidates from Tokyo would be four others from Western and Central Japan, who would then play to determine the two other members of Team Japan.
Everybody was gathered around the board indicating their starting opponents. Ochi fixed his glasses before commenting, "It seems they've sort of based the pairings on our rankings during the Pro exam. After all, I had the best score there, with Shindou, Waya and Inagaki coming later. It seems they want to spread us out so we don't meet too early on in the game."
He then turned away from the board and started to head towards the playing room, not noticing his own opponent had just entered the room. "Anyways, my opponent is Yamada, so it should be an easy win."
Yamada was, of course, not pleased with that statement. "Hey," he yelled furiously, "don't think that just because you have a better score you can act all high and mighty, you four-eyed mushroom."
Ochi turned back around to glare. "I'm just stating the truth."
"Yeah, well what you perceive to the truth is vastly different than what others may have in mind," was the retort. "Keep your opinions to yourself."
"It shouldn't make a difference either way, what my opinions of you are," Ochi frowned contemptuously, "If you're strong, you'll survive. If you're not, you'll die anyways. That's the way the world works."
Yamada and Ochi continued to glare. Yamada was about to spout off something new after Ochi's last jab, but then Honda arrived through the elevators, interrupting their argument.
Waya and Shindou who had been standing near the board, watching the high tension fight play out turned to greet him. Honda's attention was more directed towards the player distribution though. After his defeat at Yashirou's hands, he had resolved to try harder to reach the levels that he knew his friends were at. He was a Go Pro as well, after all, so he couldn't lose out.
"How are we divided?" he asked straight away.
Shindou and Waya were a little perturbed by his attitude, but Shindou answered anyways. "You're playing against me, Honda-san."
Honda's gaze shifted from the board to Shindou. He seemed to murmur almost to himself. "Shindou, eh? Fine then." Then he turned without another word and walked away.
Waya and Shindou glanced at each other and then looked back at Honda. Waya shrugged. "Come on. It's time. Let's go." Shindou nodded. Whatever was wrong with Honda, he had a game to focus on first. They all did.
Everyone took their seats at their designated playing areas. They nigiri-ed and it turned out that Honda would be starting. He stared at the board, remembering the game he had lost. I am a Go Pro. I have to play at a professional level. His interpretation of it was all wrong though, as could be seen by his first move. He was pushing to play at a level he had not reached yet, instead of taking things at his own pace.
Shindou stared, as well as Sai. First hand at Tengen, hm? An interesting move. Do you have the skills required to back it up though? Sai tapped his fan against his chin thoughtfully as he watched. It was time again to see how far Shindou had grown.
Shindou was already unravelling and playing out the game in his head. Tengen was a tough move to make, a double-edged sword, in fact. If played properly, it could dominate the board, but if the player wasn't skilful enough, or if the opponent was more skilful, a loss would be unavoidable.
It was too much of a risk so most players opted for securing the four corners first. It was easier to extend territory that way unlike with Tengen where territory was hard to secure. Since if you played Tengen first, everything would lead from there, if Shindou could seal that single stone, Honda's entire game would fall apart.
Honda played his next stone. I will devote my entire life to Go. My world will be the Go world. He didn't understand completely, though, that the path of Go was forever. It couldn't and shouldn't be rushed, as he was trying to do. He should have taken it at his own pace, like Isumi had done, becoming a Pro at nineteen, even though he had no longer been an Insei then.
Shindou could see that Honda was still not strong enough to be able to play this type of hand. He had wanted too much, had obviously been affected by something that was warping his judgement now and it was costing him. Sorry, Honda-san. This hand of yours isn't enough against me. He slapped down another stone decisively.
Meanwhile, Waya and Ochi's games had ended, both with their own victories. Honda knew when Shindou put down that stone that he had lost. It was with deep regret that he announced, "I've lost," sorrowfully as he stared at his ruined game. Only time would tell if he would realise the mistake he had made and would be able to overcome it.