Chapter 4: Rematch: Hikaru vs Su-Yeong
Su-Yeong sat quietly next his uncle's counter, his eyes drifting over the familiar lines of the goban in front of him. No two goban were exactly the same, but every mark, the very grain of the wood seemed imprinted in his mind with an astonishing clarity. How peculiar, when he could recall having played on this goban only once in his life. And, despite the passage of time, he could close his eyes and recall the exact pattern of black and white stones, each group connected to another by the swirling patterns on the wood and those stark, straight black lines. He had lost then, a one and a half moku loss ... never had a one and a half moku loss felt so devastating, and it had wrung out of him – a him that thought he no longer cared about the Go he played – tears of sheer anguish.
The tears had been cathartic. The humiliation, the frustration, the gnawing self-pity ... they all flooded out with those hot tears, and had been washed away. He had burned with renewed determination and, riding high on those emotions, swept like an inexorable tide up to the top of class 1 and over the hurdle that was the pro exams. And now almost two years later, here he was again, before the very same goban and, soon, before the very same opponent. However, he had no intention of losing this time. He would not face his opponent with that old disdain and that roiling fury; he would not be lost; he would not be empty. His Go had improved, but most important of all, he loved his Go.
Clink.
A glass of cold tea was set down on the table. He looked up to see the smiling face of his uncle. "He should be here soon, right?"
"Yeah, he promised to come around ten."
His uncle smiled fondly at him. "You owe him a lot, you know."
Su-Yeong turned several shades of crimson and choked out, half-embarrassed half-indignant, "I-I ... I know!"
The glass door swung open, and Su-Yeong shot up from his seat. "Shindou?!"
"Huh? Shindou?" said the man at the entrance, surprised. "Ah, it's Ryuu-san's nephew, Su-Yeong, isn't it? I saw your matches at the North Star Cup. They were quite impressive."
"Umm, thank you." Su-Yeong gave his uncle an inquiring glance.
"Su-Yeong, that's Yun-san. He teaches at one of the local schools and is a regular here."
"So what's this about Shindou-kun?" Yun asked curiously as he handed over the playing fee. "I was surprised to see him play so well against Ko Yeong-Ha yesterday. His Go improves in leaps and bounds."
"Su-Yeong is waiting for a rematch, Yun-san," the boy's uncle replied with a grin. "I'm looking forward to it."
"A rematch? Today?" Yun pulled up a nearby chair and sat down. "That should be a very interesting match. I would have been very sorry if I missed it."
Su-Yeong reseated himself, and continued his contemplation of the goban. In his mind's eye, he could see the games that Shindou played against Ko Yeong-Ha and China's second board Wang Shi Zhen. Shindou had been so focused on defeating Ko Yeong-Ha then. Was he paying attention to my games the way I concentrated on his? Probably not, huh? A creeping voice of doubt entered into his thoughts, but he snuffed it instantly. That is why I must win today.
The door suddenly crashed open again, and a messy-looking boy stood panting loudly at the entrance, one hand still clutching the door handle. "Sorry I'm ... huff ... late, Su-Yeong!" he forced out as he tried to catch his breath. "Got ... huff ... a little lost. I couldn't quite ... huff ... remember. Golden Week is a ... huff ... bad time to travel."
"That's okay. Why don't you rest a bit before we start?" Su-Yeong rose and gestured to the chair in front of him. The man behind the counter reached over and handed him a cold drink. "Here, Shindou."
"Thanks, Su-Yeong, and thanks ... err ..."
"You can call me Ryuu."
"Thank you, Ryuu-san." Hikaru leaned back into his seat and drank greedily from the glass. "Oh!" he exclaimed and stood up, "The fee." Reaching into his jean pocket, he fumbled hastily for coins.
"That's okay, Shindou-kun. You are Su-Yeong's guest today. I'm looking forward to watching your game."
"Thank you, Ryuu-san," Hikaru replied gratefully as he sat back down. "I'm looking forward to it too." He finished the rest of his drink quickly, smacked his lips and let out a deep sigh of contentment. "That was so refreshing!"
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he straightened and turned a gleaming pair of eyes to Su-Yeong. "Are you ready?"
The look that Su-Yeong returned was just as intense and just as steady. "I am. Nigiri."
The stones clinked dully as the boys scooped them out and dropped them on the goban.
"Two ... four ... six ... seven," Hikaru counted under his breath. "You're black."
Clink clink, went the stones as they were dropped back into their pots.
"Please."
"Please."
The boys bowed their heads simultaneously. The game was on. The men in the salon left their games and crowded around the two boys, watching intently. They flew through the opening joseki, confident hands moving unerringly from go-ke to goban, plunking the stones down with a ringing pachi.
Pachi.
Pachi.
Pachi.
A resolute Su-Yeong took the initiative and challenged Hikaru's hold on the upper left territory.
Pachi.
And the battle was joined. A fierce skirmish broke out, and spread to the right of the board. Hikaru paused and took in the pattern of stones developing before his eyes. There was no weakness he could exploit – yet. He'd just have to create an opening himself, then.
Pachi.
Su-Yeong's eyes widened. Why did he place that stone there? His eyes narrowed as he studied the board. He would not be fooled this time. He would not be cocky. He would play carefully and read deeper than Shindou. He knew enough not to take the other boy and his 'mistakes' lightly.
Behind him, the men frowned as they tried to figure out Hikaru's strategy. Not a few looked disappointed and taken aback, but a greater number had seen his previous match against Su-Yeong and were furiously wracking their brains, trying to see what only Hikaru could. They looked around at each other, and were only met with confused grimaces and helpless shrugs.
Su-Yeong took a deep breath and rested his chin in his hand. I have time. I don't need to rush this. I can think through it! His gaze swept over the board again and again. What am I missing? What is it he sees? What is he planning to do, ten, twenty, thirty hands down the game? Where ... where ...
The minutes ticked away quickly as sweat beaded on his forehead.
Where ... where.... I can feel it ... he is planning something!
His eyes suddenly rested on a quiescent cluster of stones near the lower right corner of the board. No, no ... can it be? Could Shindou be anticipating the battle there already? But that is so much further down the game ... No, don't underestimate him. I see ... I see ... that would allow him to regain control of the upper territory as well! I'll just have to move ... there!
Su-Yeong's hand arced from the go-ke to the board and smashed a stone down with a loud pachi! A barely concealed glimmer of triumph shone in his eyes and he raised his head to glare at Hikaru, who had gripped his go-ke spastically in shock. Unconsciously, a grin strained yet feral emerged as he returned the challenge in Su-Yeong's stare.
He ... figured that out. I should have guessed – he'd be too cautious to fall for it again this time. But you haven't seen the whole picture yet, have you? No, you haven't seen all the possibilities yet! No good attack is one-pronged. I can play out my moves in the guise of trying to respond to your attack. You won't even know what hit you! Would you have anticipated this, Su-Yeong? Without hesitation, Hikaru plunked down a stone – hane!
Pachi.
Pachi.
The battle raged on, the tide ebbing and flowing as the two boys moved their fight to the center. The game would move into yose soon. And then ...
Pachi.
Su-Yeong stared. And stared.
How? Since when ...? How is this possible! That group is now alive, and now he's threatening my group in the upper left! He's also in the position to win the center ...
Both hands gripped the edge of his seat as he leaned forward to study the board. The air in the room became intolerably stuffy and the collar of his T-shirt seemed to chafe uncomfortably against his neck. One finger tugged absently at his collar. He gulped. It was getting difficult to breathe. Concentrate, concentrate! I can do this! There is a way ... there has to be a way. His mind raced through myriad possibilities, discarding them one after one – until one single path loomed large in his mind in its unyielding inevitability.
"I have lost," he finally gasped out.
A loud, heavy silence descended upon the room. It seemed like an eternity to Su-Yeong, before a flurry of noise finally broke about among the men standing around them. "Did you see that?" "Incredible!" "I was almost sure Su-Yeong was in the lead!" "What a magnificent game!"
"Thank you for the game." Su-Yeong bowed at his loss.
"Thank you for the game."
The two boys straightened and looked at each other in the eye. Su-Yeong's expression was proud and unrelenting in its intensity. This was not the confused, volatile boy of their first meeting. "Shindou Hikaru. I have lost to you again, but I am not defeated. The path of Go is a long one. I will become stronger, and we will play again."
Hikaru nodded. "I will get stronger too. I'll make sure our next match will also be worth your effort."
"Shindou-kun," came a quiet voice behind Hikaru.
"Ah ... umm ..." Hikaru frowned, scouring through the dregs of his memory for the man's name. "Yun-sensei, right?"
The man nodded. "That was a great game. You are growing very quickly," he complimented warmly. "I also saw your first board match against Ko Yeong-Ha. That was also very impressive." He hesitated, and then added, "Not that I doubt your ability, but you could tell me why the team line-up changed for that game?"
Su-Yeong looked frantically at Hikaru, making cryptic motions with his hands. Hikaru surmised that the boy did not want news of Ko Yeong-Ha's misbehaviour to spread, and gave a small nod, as if in understanding.
Relieved, Su-Yeong took up the explanation. "Umm, well ... there was some miscommunication with a reporter before the Cup, and the Japanese team thought Yeong-Ha had insulted Shuusaku." The boy glanced at Hikaru nervously, and prayed fervently that he wouldn't fly into a rage. "Shindou took offense and wanted to play first board against Yeong-Ha. Anyway, it's all cleared up now ... I think ..." He turned to look pleadingly at Hikaru, who had remained tight-lipped up to that point.
"Tell Ko Yeong-Ha that what was said cannot be changed. He belittled Shuusaku in public as a challenge; even if he did not mean it, those words remain in the memories of those who were there and those same people remember that the challenge still stands, that I was unable give an answer. The next time we meet, I will defeat him."
"But, Shindou – "
"I am not angry any more, Su-Yeong. Well, not that angry. But as long as I have my pride and my Go, I will strive to defeat him."
"O-of course."