Mah ne, thanks for those who reviewed and as for the question of who this mystery girl is, it shall be revealed in this chapte

Mah ne, thanks to all the people who actually bothered to review and as for the question of who this mystery girl is, it shall be revealed in this chapter, and if not, well, I'll either answer it in a authors note or just answer it later. But she's not Shindou's reincarnation. Remember, this is only four to five years after Shindou's death…….I really don't think they'd let a five year old take the insei exams.

Oh and by the way, I'm not setting up polls anymore since nobody even voted.

Zaynne the not-a-muse: Your own fault for trying to cut down work. You shouldn't be complaining.

Me: Oh be quiet. I didn't want to elaborate too much on any character that didn't need it.

Zaynne: You should have thought of that before introducing three may-not-be-important characters.

Me: But I liked Yoshihiro!

Zaynne (begins knocking some sense into this poor idiot with a bowl of coconut shavings): That's because you're a rabid Waya fan.

Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT THE COCONUT!!

Disclaimer: I own only the plot, Shizuka, Akito, and Yoshihiro-chan (plus the new mystery girl and her partner)

(Hajimari)

"I envy you so much." Shin finished chewing while she cast a sideways glance at the boy beside her. He should be about twenty two by now, but still looked only about sixteen. Some would call him a punk, with his golden blond bangs and all. Some would call him a jock if the soccer jersey was any indication. But only a very few could tell that, the boy was neither of these things, in fact, he was a go nerd of the highest degree...a former pro. "You shouldn't be talking Ms. Insei."

Would you quit reading my mind?

"Would you quit eating ramen in front of me when you know perfectly well that I can't?"

"But I'm hungry! And who says you had to watch me anyway?" she mumbled.

"Okyakusan? Would you like some thing?" The old man at the counter who heard her mumbles wondered why on earth the girl was talking to herself. Or maybe it was just his age getting to him

Oh shit, I said all that aloud didn't I? "No, every thing's fine Ojiisan, really." Dammit, he thinks I'm crazy now. I hope you realize that this is all your fault.

"Hey, you're finished! Come one, let's go!"

The girl gave a small sigh as she gave thanks for the meal and bid good-bye to the smiling old man before walking out of the shop. as they walked, she felt guilt pricked at the edge of her mind, but it wasn't her own.

I'm sorry.

She smiled at the thought out apology. Her friend was never really vocal with things like this, but then you knew that he was sorry that was all that matters. Besides, in a way it had been kinda her fault too for making him upset. It wasn't his fault he was agitated. The young man could no longer eat his favorite meal and was understandably melancholy when he saw those that could. How about we skip by a Go salon before heading home?

"Really? ALRIGHT!"

Kaguya Akito had been having a fairly normal day so far. Like every Saturday he was sitting in his uncle's Go salon offering a game to anyone who walked in. It was a good way to keep his skills super sharp so he can pass at with no losses this year……and because as far as the insei was concerned, he was king right now, but there was someone coming too close for comfort. He was eccentric, he was sharp, he was smart, he was annoying, he constantly carried a rolled up copy of Go Weekly, and he had bi colored hair. Can anyone guess who that is?

Inside his own mind, he grimaced under the gently smiling face. He couldn't believe he was being threatened by a thirteen-year-old, and Tanaka of all people. Oh well, the Go world needs talent and zeal, can't complain just because there's someone besides himself who has both.

"Mah ne, I don't really know what level I am." He looked up to see the pretty girl (at least he hoped she was a girl. Ugh, bad experiences) anyone will likely ever see in a Go salon (though that really doesn't say much) talking with his uncle when she signed in. "But I'm fairly good so I think maybe a 3 or 4 kyu."

"Are you sure?" the portly man encouraged her to think again. "If you mark your level too high you'll play people too strong for you. Are you sure you wouldn't like to start just a bit little lower on the chain and then work your way up?"

Akito go up from his chair and walked over. Hey, it was a perfect opportunity for him to intervene.

"Oji-san, I can help with that." He was careful to maintain a serene expression and a gentle smile. Absolutely no staring! "I'll judge you ability while playing you."

"Ah I see." She smiled back. "Thanks."

"By the way, I am Kaguya Akito." He said as they sat down. "I'm an insei."

"Sou ka?" good, she looked impressed. "Hikari Shin is my name, and next Saturday, I'll be one too!"

Akito hastily picked his jaw off the floor.

Unseen, her companion smiled. "Let me take this one?"

Ii dazou. Demo shidougo dake da ne. As she placed the first stone down.

"Wakatta, wakatta," he insisted. "I've been through all this before remember. I know what could end up happening."

I'm just saying……But you don't have to lose necessarily.

Yeah, I know.

Akito couldn't believe his eyes. She was a lot better than he thought. He was only barely able to keep a good lead. Even then, this wasn't good as they were only entering chuuban so really, anything could happen.

He managed not to wince as a black stone just destroyed a pair of his half-formed eyes. He had been hoping she wouldn't see that. This was crazy, he hadn't been pushed this hard since his last match with Tanaka.

"Maybe I over did it a bit." Shin glanced back at the boy still staring hard at the goban and raised an eyebrow at her sheepish friend.

Yah think?

"Sorry, I haven't played anyone besides you in a while. How did you expect me to react?" He huffed. "I really did try to keep the thrashing to a minimum. Honest! And it was only at the end. You're strong enough that we can just blame is on your good end-game."

Mah ne, you're soooooo lucky that I happen to like crushing my opponents Yose. Just try to save all your zeal for netgo, ne Hikaru-niisan?

"Wakatterun dazou!"

(Owari)

Okyakusan - customer

Iin dazou. Demo shidougo dake da ne – fine, but only a teaching game

Wakatta – I understand (or since this is said informally) "got it".

Wakatterun dazou – just an emphasis on I get it (like he's annoyed that he's being reminded for the umpteenth time