Hikaru no Monogatari Chapter 5, a hikaru no go fanfic

Chapter 5: School = Tsumego

Akira had just returned from Shindou's house, and he was not surprised that the moment he stepped inside his mother told him that his father was expecting him in their study room. Undoubtedly his father was waiting for him to discuss about his rival, Shindou Hikaru. He passed his overnight bag to his mother for safekeeping after he took out a thin file out if it. His heart was pounding against his ribcage as he opened the door.

"Akira, welcome home." His father greeted, a goban with a replayed game was in front of him and Akira instantly recognized it as his father's game against Shindou few days ago.

The son gave his father a curt nod, "I am home father…" He returned the greeting as he took his seat in front of his father.

"I see you enjoy spending time with him." Akira nodded timidly. "I am happy for you, Akira… he seems to be good for you as a friend and rival."

Akira recalled the first few grueling days of their cat and mouse chase, in which he lost count of how many times Shindou slammed door on his face. Then they would shout at each other until their throat became hoarse. However on the day of tutoring session Shindou offered a truce, that he would tolerate Akira's presence as long as the other boy didn't pester him for games and helped the tutoring session. Akira agreed and soon they managed to act civil around each other and started enjoying each other's company even though they couldn't stop shouting at each other.

He couldn't help but smiled fondly at the memory, "Yes… he is."

So his son could make that kind of face, Akira changed and for the better. "Akira, is it alright with you if I ask about your friend?" He pressed on carefully.

Akira nodded, "Shindou… has expressed his permission that he is alright with me telling father everything I want about him." Then hesitantly he handed his father the thin file he had with him. "And this is… uhm… a gift from him."

Kouyo took the file from his son and opened it, his eyes widened for a fraction. It was a kifu and not of ordinary match but a kifu of Sai VS An Teson of Korea and on the next page was Sai VS Yang Hai of China and the last one was Sai Vs Kou.

The first two kifus were amazing game where both foreign players were playing their best against Sai but they lost. However the last kifu caught his attention the most, so this was Shindou Hikaru's game against his master?

Their playing styles if compared were like two paintings of same stroke but with different vibrancy and color, similar but not quite the same. Or perhaps they were playing the same song with different instrument and in different tempo. Nevertheless their game was breathtaking, one of the most beautiful he had ever seen and this was merely the record.

Sai as expected was a master who was on the level of a title holder; his go was solid, elegant and unyielding. His disciple, Kou, Shindou-kun was playing black and without handicap managed to give his master an admirable fight in spite of the large gap in skill. He could see why now, in spite of outclassed so badly Shindou developed his playing style in such a way that he could make them fight for real to win against him.

"Why this child shows insecurity to be your equal?" He queried in solemn tone, inwardly he was amused this child was trying to bribe him with kifus of all things. "His playing style… his go against mine in that game shows that boy is a player who will not yield even when he is outclassed. It's rare to see a young player like him, then again perhaps it's because his mentor raised him with unusual upbringing."

Akira swallowed at that, "That's…"

He began to tell his father about Shindou's trauma, and how it's been years he isolated himself from go world. How his first taste of playing against other people had scarred him so badly. He also quickly added that in spite of everything Shindou was still playing go, he was still struggling against himself to keep playing. However because the way he was now, Shindou was afraid to disappoint him, that Akira's effort on him might never bear fruit.

"I see… what his mentor says?" Kouyo murmured, inwardly in spite of his calm expression his mind was reeling at the story. For a child so young to be scarred that way, and it was because of a mentor's recklessness no less.

"I never met Sai, and Shindou deems it better for me to not know for now." Akira was not disturbed by it because judging from the way Ogata behaved, Shindou was right that he better of not knowing.

He said for some unknown reason peoples had gone crazy over him and his mentor since their internet debut, and warned Akira to be careful or he would be mobbed. To prove his point Shindou showed him the forum dedicated for Sai and Kou, and Akira had read each post with something akin to horror and confusion.

Kouyo frowned, "I have never seen a mentor teaching a student without shidougo… and it shows in his go, the boy is strong but in exchange… he seems unable to gauge his own strength, and he is fearless against me…" He shook his head, "This is my first time to see someone like him, he is almost unbalanced… what kind of mentor he has?"

"I am not sure father." Akira murmured, "Shindou… seems to respect his mentor regardless of everything, to him what happened is inevitable… sooner or later he had to learn he was unusual, he said… "

Kouyo closed his eyes, and recalled how he barely saved Akira from the same fate when he was five. He had thought it would be good for his son to play against other children; it was a mixed age class though. Akira quickly dominated the class, but it was not until he played his last game against second place in his class Kouyo saw the alarming sign that if he didn't pull his son soon, he would unknowingly crush his peers. Akira was so innocent back then, informing Kouyo how he had to lose that day because if not his opponent wouldn't be allowed to go home. Kouyo had seen the red haired boy fuming and hurt because of Akira's kindness, his son didn't mean any harm and he didn't know better.

That was when he decided, Akira couldn't be allowed to roam free with children his age.

Shindou's mentor didn't have the same insight, and it was expected. Shindou Hikaru seemed to be even more secluded than Akira from go world, and his playing style developed to be very vicious because he always played against his mentor who Kouyo admitted was in his level. He was a child who only had a taste of power so far above him that he had no idea how to deal with those weaker than him. It was no wonder the first time he played against anyone in inferior level, he couldn't control himself as he had no mean to learn restrain.

It seemed his skill in shidougo was some sort of remedy to that, so he could measure his opponent and adjust his strength accordingly. It was a little too late but Kouyo was glad Sai did something to fix his error.

"But even so, you're not giving up on him?" Kouyo asked even though he knew the answer.

Akira shook his head vehemently, "I am not going to give up on him father… I… have been waiting for so long even though I don't know I was waiting for someone like him to appear…" Akira swallowed heavily. "Someone who will always push me higher… to reach a new high, to challenge me to be better, he… is my rival and a friend…"

Kouyo smiled at his son, "I am happy for you… do your best so one day that boy could hold his chin high and face the world of go with you."

Akira nodded happily, he was glad his father now approved Shindou in spite of everything. Then he suddenly recalled on tiny problem, not really tiny or bit but a problem he didn't want his father to misunderstand. "Uhm… father, about his game against Ogata-san… don't tell Ogata-san, but Shindou admitted he was offended by Ogata-san and… uh… taught him a lesson in return."

"Ogata-kun told me." Kouyo couldn't help but smiled at the memory. "It's disrespectful but he is a child… and a very proud one from what I see."

Akira smiled too, "Yeah… he is not arrogant though, he has it in him to back up that pride and confidence in spite of his current condition." Then he added. "Shindou seems to be chastised pretty badly by his mentor for it." He murmured, recalling Shindou's grimace when he told Akira. " Shindou himself is not proud of his childish tantrum…"

"Well, he is indeed an interesting boy, and his mentor is like a ghost…" Kouyo murmured. "It seems our go world is going to be interesting in few years."

In another side of Tokyo, Hikaru and Sai sneezed.

Meijin's go salon

Hikaru was teaching Akira how to play shidougo, which was pretty funny in go salon's patrons' opinion. Their young master took it as a challenge, and for some reason it indeed seemed to be the hardest thing he had ever learned in go.

Pachi

"No, you can't do that to 20kyu opponent." Hikaru shook his head, and used his fan as pointer. "It's too fast; they would find it too hard if you cut their shape now, slower… over here first." He pointed at another spot. "It's hard to pinpoint people but… against 20- 30 kyu opponent it would be better to divert their attention here to strengthen and polish their shape before the game entered chuugen."

"Uh…" Akira was sweating now, "I see… that's a very slow game." He was not used to it.

"From my observation in average most of patrons here are 10 kyu and above… so they're higher than average of common people that could come to go convention." The patrons couldn't help but glowing with pride. "Which is why Ryou-kun cried when you tutored him. You tried to play shidougo in a pace meant for 10 kyu student with him last week."

The patrons couldn't help but eyed their young teacher in shock, he made a kid cried?

Akira flushed red at that, recalling how Ai's five years old brother who just started to study at Shindou's house. He had heard the boy had his basic covered already and he could start with smaller board, he didn't expect the boy to burst to tears after twenty minutes of playing with him. He had been flustered and panic before Shindou took over the boy and asked him to tutor the older sister instead. Which was the reason; he was learning shidougo from Shindou now.

Pachi

Akira frowned and Hikaru suppressed his urge to whack that frown out of his face. "Don't frown, considering our height younger kids could see it… like I said, I responded with move a 20-30 kyu would likely do… you're going to make them nervous if you make that kind of face."

The other boy quickly schooled his face, "I never imagine shidougo is this complicated…"

"For us it would be… weaker player is harder to predict…" Hikaru pointed out. "Their concentration is also harder to keep on the board and children are especially easily distracted."

"For us?" Akira echoed.

"Especially us who used to play against older and experienced player…" Shindou intoned. "As long as it's not a complete beginner or kids wandering to your tutoring stand, you would be fine..." Shindou assured Akira, it was unlikely that was going to happen in his teaching game once he became a pro.

Akira recalled how ten minutes to the tutoring Ryou-kun was staring at him as if he was an alien and ten minutes later the boy burst to tears. "Uhm…"

"I will let you tutor Ai-chan from now on; you can leave Ryou-kun to me." Hikaru chuckled softly when he saw Akira's glare. "Alright, you can try again next week with him."

Did he just translate Akira-kun's glare? The patrons and Ichikawa thought .

"Thank you." Akira returned then he noticed Shindou was giving him a stern look. "Yes… I will pay more attention to Ryou-kun instead of the board next time." Shidougo was harder than he thought, at least to master it to the extend Shindou did.

So now they could speak with their eyes, they were mind-linked or something?

"Speaking of which, is it true you're going to normal school this year?" Akira asked curiously before he took a sip of his tea. He had overheard it though, it was the latest hot topic in Shindou's go club.

Hikaru nodded, "Yes… homeschooling is expensive, even though ojii-san has more than enough to splurge doesn't mean I want him to use it on me needlessly." He sighed exasperatedly, "I think it was yesterday he and his friends come to an agreement about my school, they were debating about it for days…"

Akira frowned at that, "You didn't say anything?"

"Well… even though it's me who is going to school, I am not that excited of the prospect of going back to school again… as long as it's not too expensive, and not too far from my house…" He ticked off his list of ideal school. "I will be in go home club anyway…"

Akira sighed at that, "Me too…"

Inwardly Hikaru wondered why his grandfather had that suspicious grin on his face, there was nothing weird with going to a school for interview right?

Sunday, 10 AM (Haze Middle School)

Hikaru looked around the gate, wondering if Akari was late for some reason. Unfortunately he had no means to contact the red haired girl either so he was left waiting in front of the school gate, dressed in his casual clothes which consist of a long sleeved soft cream colored kimono like shirt with row of button that gave it suit kind of look, a light blue undershirt, black plants and blue obi. Ichihashi-san assured him it looked formal enough in spite of looking unusual.

People was still looking though, because he looked unusual not because of his attire alone. He also had answered at least ten people in total he was not cosplaying, giving them Ichihashi-san's address and mistaken for a girl twice. His clothes were unisex according to Ichihashi-san, but just because he had long hair didn't mean he was a girl. He couldn't wait for puberty, just so he won't be confused for a girl again.

Where was Akari anyway?

Unknown to Hikaru, Akari was scrambling to prepare herself for their so called date and unlucky enough that her dog jumped on her and dirtied her best dress. And after replaced it with her second best looking clothes, the bus was stuck on traffic.

'Hikaru, how about looking around first? Sai suggested.

Hikaru sighed at that, 'It can't be helped… I can't stay for too long too, maybe I will just buy Akari-san something.' He murmured to his mind as he began to walk inside the school.

'My! Aren't my otouto a suave man already?' Sai snickered.

'Ani-ue… the Hikaru Genji joke is getting old.' He said inwardly while he once again answered another enthusiastic fashionista where he bought his clothes.

Sai laughed softly, hiding his fair face behind his fan. 'Well… judging from blush they have when looking at you.' Sai pointed at a group of girls giggling in front of a teahouse stand, they were totally eyeing Hikaru. 'When I was alive… I have seen that look pointed at my direction…'

Hikaru sighed exasperatedly, 'Hai hai ani-ue, may I divert your attention from fair ladies to Go stand over there?'

'Go stand?! Where?' Sai quickly forgot teasing his brother as soon as go was concerned.

Sometimes Hikaru wondered who the older one here was, 'Over there… it's pretty small...'

Which was not surprising considering Haze was a small school and majority of club seemed to belong to sport category. The sole member of go club had a customer, and unsurprisingly it was an old man trying to solve tsumego the boy placed before him. Hikaru stood behind the customer, his eyes surveyed the booth. So it was a tsumego booth, and visitor won prize with solving tsumego.

He wondered if it was an original idea or a common one for go club in school. He was snapped out of his musing when his brother entered the booth and pointed at one of the prizes, Touya Meijin's tsumego book. He sweat-dropped at that, thinking it would be totally weird if Touya saw the book in his possession. He was also no beginner who needed a tsumego book, and Honinbou Shusaku (Sai) didn't need it either.

But, ani-ue seemed to genuinely want the book, who was he to deny ani-ue?

After the old man left the booth, Hikaru stepped forward. "Excuse me; I would like to play too…"

The glasses wearing boy nodded, "Of course, feel free to try… let's start with beginner problem!"

Hikaru sat down as the older boy placed the tsumego on the goban. Frankly he was amused to be given a beginner tsumego, but perhaps it was how this mini game worked. Hikaru dug his fingers to the goke and placed three stones to desirable place. For a long while the older boy didn't say anything, and in fact was openly staring at his hand.

"Is something wrong?" Hikaru queried.

The dark haired boy sputtered, "Sorry! It's just that… the way you hold your stone is really good!"

Hikaru smiled at that, his brother and grandfather worked hard teaching him how to hold his stone. And he wanted to imitate how his brother would do if the Heian ghost was corporeal, it was childish but he wanted to represent Sai to the best of his ability even in something as basic as holding his stone. "Thank you."

Tsutsui Kimihiro nodded nervously, "You're welcome… err next problem…" This was the first time he witnessed someone holding stone so elegantly like this boy, like a master. It seemed pretty pointless trying to move on to harder tsumego as just from that calloused hand and flat nails, Tsutsui could tell this boy was an experienced player.

So after a number of tsumego solved so easily as expected Tsutsui gave the boy an orange juice. Actually to win the juice he only had to solve three but Tsutsui wanted to see more of that elegant play, it was inspiring so he gave five problems instead.

The boy frowned at the juice, "Uhm… actually I wanted that tutorial book, what tsumego should I solve to get it?"

Tsutsui adjusted his glasses in shock, "Uhm… it's our grand prize so you have to solve the hardest one."

"Then I would like that very much." The mysterious boy requested politely. "Please."

Tsutsui quickly flipped through his tsumego book and chose the hardest one he could find. "If you can solve this, you're in the same level as Touya Akira." He said as he dug his fingers on goke then began to place the life and death situation on the goban.

"The same level as Touya?" The boy across him echoed in confusion. "I am not sure solving a tsumego could determine someone's level correctly… or is Touya a level on his own?" His tone was halfway between amused and incredulous, and there was a tint of familiarity when he talked about the go prodigy that Tsutsui couldn't put his finger on.

"Well…" Tsutsui trailed off, cursing how stupid it sounded to claim on someone's level based on a tsumego. "You're right… here it is the hardest tsumego from this book."

The boy already had a stone in hand, and Tsutsui wondered if he even thinking longer than a few second to solve this tsumego. Tsutsui caught the boy frowned for a moment before his free hand shot up and caught a tanned hand that aiming for the same point. Tsutsui was startled to see a familiar shogi player who had his hand in iron grip of the mysterious boy, for a brief second his eyes were drawn to the goban by pachi sound. The boy had stood up after he placed his black stone in correct place, solving the tsumego.

"Brat! Let me go!"

"Kaga, what are you doing?" Tsutsui shouted in shock.

Hikaru narrowed his eyes at the newly revealed Kaga, a red head who was wearing his hakama slovenly. "Get your dirty hand off of the goban." He warned coldly before he let go of Kaga's hand.

It was then Tsutsui realized Kaga had a gum on his hand, and he almost put that trash on Tsutsui's goban. "Kaga! You jerk! Why you're trying to cause problem in my booth?"

"Huh! I come just to observe, Tsutsui. I see you're still trying your best to set up your pathetic go club!" Kaga drawled in droned tone. "Just quit pathetic game like go and join shogi, everyone knows shogi is the best board game ever!"

Hikaru frowned at the brash newcomer, "That's your personal opinion; don't force it on someone… especially with insulting our game with your horrendous game conduct."

Tsutsui gaped at the younger boy, not expecting someone so young to shot Kaga down eloquently. "Right!" He stuttered, "Go away Kaga!" He growled at the shogi player and quickly handed the book Hikaru wanted. "Here! Take this! I am so sorry for this guy." He said hastily, glaring at Kaga.

Obviously that was the older boy's way to tell him 'get the hell out of here' in fear the shogi player did something. Hikaru thanked the older boy and clutched the tsumego book to his chest, but he didn't leave as he could feel Kaga was staring at him with something akin to morbid curiosity.

"On the same level as Touya Akira huh?" Kaga spat, "That little bastard is the worse and I have defeated him! I really hate him."

Hikaru narrowed his eyes at the red head, "Is that so?" Something was off with the way this person said that he had defeated Touya.

"You don't believe me?" Kaga queried, bristling at the younger boy.

"Does it matter to you whether I believe it or not?" Hikaru asked back. "Beside why did you hate someone you have defeated?" Not that he believed Kaga at all, people didn't hate someone they had defeated in general but the other way around.

Kaga bristled, and Tsutsui quickly stepped between Kaga and Hikaru. "Kaga was in the same go school before with Touya." He whispered, "I didn't know the detail but please don't push him! It's a sore spot for him!"

The shogi player shoved Tsutsui out of the way, much to the other boy's protest. "Huh! You have guts! Why don't I teach you how to play shogi instead?"

"Not interested." Hikaru replied bluntly. "Especially not from someone from you, bitter and angry when speaking about someone you played in the past…"

Something inside Kaga snapped, "What do you know? You arrogant brat?!"

"Considering you couldn't be much older than me, you're not entitled to call me brat." Hikaru returned, he could feel his patience thinning fast with this person, insulting go, insulting Touya and now openly antagonizing him. "And you owe Tsutsui-san an apology for making problem in his booth."

Kaga smirked at that then walked inside the booth and claimed Tsutsui's seat. "Fine! But I will not make it easy for you." Hikaru had a very bad feeling about this. "Come and beat me if you can! If you win I will do dogeza for Tsutsui or whatever! But if I win you will jump to freezing pool in this cold winter!" Kaga challenged, opening his fan that proudly displayed calligraphy for king.

"Why should I beat you to demand common courtesy?" Hikaru wondered out loud, not agreeing with Kaga's twisted logic.

"Just sit!" Kaga demanded, "Don't you care about the honor of Go or Touya Akira?"

Hikaru sighed exasperatedly, and Tsutsui eagerly ushered him to go home much to Kaga's ire. "Fine…" He said in resigned tone, it seemed if he didn't agree to this challenge Kaga was very close to jump Tsutsui and beat the weaker boy up.

'Hikaru? I think this guy really want to play with you to prove a point.'

'Who knows? He hates Touya and somehow I am roped to this while I have nothing to do with it.'

'He insulted your friend.'

'Ani-ue… it's Touya, he will be furious if I think I need to step in to defend his honor.' Hikaru rolled his eyes inwardly. 'I will just indulge him with a game… in the first place I don't like him placing such things as stake.'

'But Hikaru… would you like me to take over?'

'Too many people… beside I would like to see if he could back up all that talk.' Hikaru narrowed his eyes. 'Beside this person…'

"Your guidance please." Hikaru said in solemn tone.

"Just play."

Hikaru sighed as he placed his first stone. '17-4 Komoku' He couldn't believe this guy wanted a game from him and not even willing to return his greeting.

Kaga frowned as he placed his stone. 'This boy…'

Hikaru claimed another komoku .

Twenty hands later Kaga began to sweat, 'I should have known from the way he hold his stone… he is good, he match me hand by hand… no, he is easily few steps ahead from me…'

Hikaru looked up, noticing the way Kaga was waving his fan nervously, 'Just this much and he feel pressurized already, it seems the talk he has defeated Touya is just a bluff… his playing style is a little rough and lack the preciseness Touya excels at but it's interesting…'

'I agree… Hikaru! Drag the game as long as you can… I will take over yose if you're not feeling well.' Sai offered.

Hikaru nodded mentally, 'Hai… but perhaps it won't even reach there, Ani-ue…'

'Why?'

'Because…'

Pachi

Tsutsui who was watching on the sidelines, 'What a beautiful play… he is really good, no wonder he looks amused when I told him if he could solve that tsumego he is in the same level as Touya…' Tsutsui mused. 'We all know Touya is good but how good he is? That kind of vague, but this boy definitely plays at a pro level…'

Pachi

Kaga gritted his teeth, 'Talented brats are all the same! This guy is playing around… judging from his skill he could corner me by now even though we barely reach chuugen! Touya, this guy too, playing around and make fun of my effort! I will show him!'

Pachi

Hikaru frowned at Kaga who started to place his stone with anger and frustration, 'I am not underestimating you, I am just not the type who cornered my opponent from the front like that.' He sighed exasperatedly. 'Really… he is looking at me but in the same time not really, I have enough of this.'

Pachi

Pachi!

Kaga's eyes widened when he surveyed the whole board and the last hand the younger boy placed, 'He got me! Damn! I am totally sucked to stupid ko fight in bottom right, and I didn't notice the center area is now in his control and my formation on the left is in danger of dying!'

Pachi

Damn! Now his left formation died, it was small but crucial to his strategy. The least he could do now was to defend what he had left and…

Pachi

He placed his stone and waited for his opponent's next move, however the younger boy withdraw his hand from the wooden goke and looked at Kaga in the eye. Then his lips moved, "I resign."

Kaga stood up abruptly, his temper shot up to the roof. "WHAT?! Why the hell you resign when it's obvious you're leading!"

Hikaru stood up soon, much calmer as he gave Kaga a scrutinizing look. His fist clenched as he struggled to control his breath.

'Hikaru? Are you alright?' Sai asked worriedly.

'I am… fine! It's not so bad… just my fingers feels heavy, I still can breathe just fine…' He took a deep breath. "I don't want to continue this game when obviously you're not looking at me." Hikaru drawled in solemn tone. "I can tell from your play… you're angry, frustrated, sad… and it's not aimed for me…" His eyes narrowed dangerously at Kaga who couldn't help but swallowed nervously under his gaze. "Who are you looking at, Kaga-san? Touya? If that's the case don't take your anger and frustration on me in our game. You're not playing with me at all and that's disrespectful."

Silence fell in the air and Hikaru politely ignored Tsutsui's fish like shocked face.

Then Hikaru added, "I don't know what's your problem with Touya is… but if a game can solve it, you can go to Meijin's go salon near Chougo station. I heard he spent almost every day there." Hikaru skillfully left out except Tuesday, Thursday and Weekend he knew Touya spent with him. "Why don't you go there tomorrow get your problem with Touya Akira sorted?"

Kaga stared at him, left eye twitching dangerously. "Are you serious?"

"I am always serious about go." Hikaru returned, he looked to the left, spotting a familiar red haired girl. "Ah, Akari-san."

"I am so sorry I late, Hikaru!" She apologized then she started to babble about her dog, dirty dress and how her buss stuck in traffic. Hikaru just smiled as he listened patiently to her rambling.

Kaga and Tsutsui however ignored the two, staring at the goban of the half-finished game. Tsutsui leaned closer so he could get a better look. "No matter how I look at it, if this game continue it's very unlikely you can make a comeback unless he makes a grave mistake." He said as he adjusted his glasses. "And I don't think that will happen…"

Kaga nodded in agreement, "He is good, perhaps even better than Touya Akira…" He murmured, closing his fan with a snap. "He lost by resignation but I don't feel like winning at all, we barely halfway to chuugen and he has killed majority of my stones. You're right… if we continue, I can't win." He glanced at the long haired boy who was still listening to the pretty red haired girl babbling about her misfortune. "He is a real deal, Tsutsui… smart mouth too."

Tsutsui blinked owlishly, "Uhm… I know he is good, but real deal for what?"

"For that tournament you begged me to help." Kaga smirked, "Hand over your gakuran, Tsutsui!"

"Hah?! But he doesn't go to this school! Heck! He is sixth grader!" Tsutsui shouted but Kaga already set on stripping him off of his black top. "Oi!"

Hikaru assured Akari he understood her circumstances and he was not mad. Then he heard Tsutsui and Kaga yelling, and couldn't help but wondered if this how their audience felt whenever he and Touya was shouting at each other. "Uhm… what are you two doing?"

At last Kaga who was physically stronger managed to rob Tsutsui of his black jacket and tossed it to Hikaru who stared at the piece of clothing bewilderedly. "What is this supposed to mean?"

"Now we have a team." Kaga announced proudly, "You, I and this smart ass boy!" Kaga said, pointing at Hikaru who stared at him as if the older boy had gone nuts.

Hikaru smiled at him benignly, "I refuse."

"You lost! Or you'd rather I throw you to freezing pool?!" Kaga threatened.

"I didn't agree to that… I have not expressed my agreement to that ridiculous condition." Hikaru shot back coolly. "Beside I have an appointment with my friend here, so whatever you wanted my help for, I can't help you." He said as he tossed the gakuran back to Tsutsui.

"It's at two!" Kaga yelled.

"I have another appointment at one." Hikaru replied, "I am sorry but it's no possible."

Kaga grimaced, 'Smart mouth indeed, he is not fooled… man. I need to change my tactic then.'

"That said…" Hikaru turned around, "Excuse me, Kaga-san, Tsutsui-san… let's go Akari-san." He said as he led Akari away from the go booth.

"Hai!" Akari didn't know what happened but she was too happy to care.

Thirty minutes later

Akari was over the moon, she never had a date before but she thought it couldn't be better than this. Hikaru was a complete gentleman to her; he listened to her attentively and didn't sugarcoat his reply and very sincere and kind. He paid for her takoyaki, and let her decide where to go. Boys their age won't let her took the reign like this, but Hikaru was different and she enjoyed it.

The downside was, he stick out in the crowd because of his looks and unusual clothes. The unusual clothes for some reason totally suit him, but it looked a little formal like a suit. Hikaru explained where he got the clothes and he wore it because had an appointment with a school at one. She didn't mind what he wore, because he looks good at it even though girls couldn't stop staring at him.

It was fine though, she had him all for herself for the last thirty minutes and that's enough.

Hikaru then excused himself for restroom, and Akari was more than happy to wait with watching comedy drama from theater club. He promised to bring her to one more stand before he left. She almost jumped when someone tapped her shoulder, and when she turned around she came face to face with an intimidating red haired shogi player who grinned down at her.

Five minutes later…

Hikaru smiled benignly at grinning Kaga and apologetic Tsutsui, that smile didn't reach his bright green eyes though. "You're taking Akari-san hostage and I have to go with you to Kaio for her safe return." He repeated Kaga word by word.

Tsutsui shook his head, "Kaga! Give his girlfriend back!" Hikaru wanted to refute that Akari was not his girlfriend but this was not the right time for that. "He has no obligation to help us!"

"I want to kick Kaio's ass! And considering the level of competition I doubt it you can win three out of three matches!"

Hikaru to be honest doubted it very much Akari was in any danger. He didn't know Kaga very well but from what he has seen even though the older boy was brash, he had a good head on his shoulder. There was no way he thought he could get away with kidnapping a girl to get Hikaru to play in a tournament. Especially…

He could see the puffy tail of Akari's pink muffler behind that tree, and he was sure tree didn't emit white breath puff even in winter. Most likely Kaga lied to her with sob story, like how Tsutsui need his help to set up a go club in this school and this was Tsutsui's last chance.

He looked at his watch, it was thirty five minutes pass noon. "Is this tournament in Kaio?"

"Yeah!" Kaga grinned. "It started at two though!"

Sai sweat-dropped, 'Hikaru… don't tell me, you… '

'I am pretty worried myself I may get lost, so…'

'Ha ha ha… my cunning little brother, you will fit right in royal court. Sai complimented with a grin.

Kaio Middle School

As expected it was a pretty big school and Kaga didn't suspect at all when Hikaru agreed to join them in condition that they left for Kaio as soon as possible. Probably because he thought Hikaru wanted Akari to be returned as soon as possible. Because of the size of the school it was very easy for him to slip away when they were walking through the hallway. He was careful to be very silent, something Kaga took as his way to sulk because Kaga to Akari hostage. However it was because he was silent, Kaga didn't notice quickly that he had slip off from their little group.

It was too bad he got lost so he had to return to the entrance where the school official displayed the map of the school. "Hm… so the head teacher's office is in third floor."

'I will memorize the direction for you.' Sai offered.

'Thank you, ani-ue… why I am this blind about direction I wonder…' He sighed exasperatedly.

Sai sweat-dropped. 'I am not sure wither, otouto…'

Hikaru was deep in mental conversation as he reentered Kaio's main building, so he didn't notice the car or the boy it drop off. Touya Akira however noticed a familiar two toned haired boy entering the school building, and rubbed his eyes. Then he didn't see the said familiar boy anymore and blinked owlishly. He rubbed his temple with exasperated sigh.

"I should have asked which school Shindou goes…" He moaned, "It must be because Okaa-san keep pestering where he goes and how she didn't mind to withdraw me from Kaio to get me in the same school as Shindou."

It must be nice to be in the same school as Shindou but…

'So you enjoy stalking me…'

He knew that was a joke in Shindou's part, as unfunny as Shindou's sense of humor could be sometimes. He didn't want his first and only friend thought he was that clingy, and one of these days Shindou would seriously think Akira was stalking him.

Third floor, Head Teacher's office

Hikaru was overwhelmed by Hishigi-sensei's brother, Fubuki who was very enthusiastic at the prospect of having him in Kaio. Actually Hikaru was not really inclined with the idea, because the school was too big and he could get lost easily. His ani-ue assured him that the ghost had no problem memorizing the school map for him. Seriously, his brother was to guide him in go not to navigate around school.

"Your essay is superb, Shindou-kun… you will start in spring and please come back to Kaio in two weeks to submit all paperwork for your scholarship." Fubuki-sensei said.

Hikaru blinked at him. "Uhm… sensei, we just talked for ten minutes…" He didn't mean to be rude but this person couldn't be seriously passed this short talk as an interview!

"Shindou-kun… you're the politest child I have opportunity to interview, your speech is eloquent and straightforward." Fubuki-sensei explained with a smile. "I am looking forward to teach you in spring."

That's it?!

"Here… " Hikaru accepted the book Fubuki-sensei handed to him, it was book bound with traditional string and titled with neat calligraphy 'Hyouka' on its cover. "This is our annual literature compilation, our classic club is small but we have reputation to uphold… next year we're going to publish smaller compilation monthly."

Hikaru frowned at that, "Monthly publication?" He flipped through the book, "This book is made by student? It's high quality and it would be difficult to keep the same quality for monthly publication." Hikaru offered his opinion. "But of course, it's just my opinion Sensei!"

"I agree with you." Fubuki assured his future student. "That's why it's a new challenge for us in new academic year, and I am looking forward to have you with us."

Hikaru smiled at that, "Yes, of course… thank you Fubuki-sensei." He said before he excused himself from Fubuki's office politely. He refused the offer to show him around, because he wanted to go home as soon as possible of Kaga would catch him. He agreed to have Fubuki-sensei to show him around in two weeks though.

He exited the office and let out a relieved sigh, and then he quickly ran to nearest exit that led to a garden. Hikaru paused midstride, blinking repeatedly when he saw someone familiar talking with a plump old man from the window. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly and when he looked again, there was no one on the said window.

Hikaru sighed exasperatedly as he looked away, missing the sight of Akira sitting on the chair across the headmaster. "I shouldn't have joked about him stalking me, and now I am seeing him everywhere."

'Touya-kun?'

"Yes, and now let's go home… I think I need to take a long nap if I start seeing things." Hikaru mumbled under his breath.

"Oh, but you're not going anywhere." A familiar gruff voice said, and when Hikaru turned to face the source he saw Kaga Tetsuo hovering above him. "The game is about to start in five minutes! Damn it! Don't wander around."

Hikaru rolled his eyes, "I am not playing."

Kaga's hand shot up and grabbed Hikaru's roughly and started to drag him to the game room. "You're coming with me." From the distance he could hear Tsutsui yelling at him to let the poor kid go or his father was going to hear this. That was enough distraction for Kaga to miss how Hikaru's eyes narrowing dangerously at him.

The next thing he knew his hand was pulled and the world, Tsutsui and the smart ass brat were upside down and pain bloomed on his back as air was knocked out of his lungs.

That day Kaga Tetsuo learned one valuable lesson that Shindou Hikaru didn't appreciate to be dragged around against his wish, and unless your name was Touya Akira you should be prepared to firsthand lesson in kissing the ground.

Shindou's residence

"You know…" Heihachi trailed off to Towa, "Just because Heiji taught my grandson aikido, I don't think elite school like Kaio is going to appreciate my grandson throwing bullies around." He and Towa were talking about bullies they didn't know would be in Kaio or not.

Towa snorted, "Weren't asking Heiji to teach Hikaru-kun, your idea? You're worried he is lacking in physical exercise and you want him to be able to defend himself…"

"Hikaru always has smaller build than average child his age." Heihachi sighed, "That's why when he was young, bullies always dragged him around… how should I know my grandson became extremely irritated about it and will throw almost anyone who did it?"

"Nah~ he hasn't do such thing to Touya-kun, then again it's Touya-kun." Towa smirked, "Hikaru-kun seems to be resigned to most things Touya-kun did."

"Yeah." Heihachi mumbled with a grin, recalling how Sai called it was a miracle Hikaru didn't put up a fight when Touya-kun dragged him across the town for their second game.

Because of Hikaru's history with bullies I think it's given for Heihachi to get him to learn martial arts so I choose Aikido.

I write different plot than one in preview because I think this is better and more funny in a sense ^^ I hope you will be patient about Hikaru's trauma to heal. It's not easy thing to happen... and I think even if in the end he got over it, there would be leftover scar.

I like Kaga's character but he is almost a villain here LOL his interaction with Tsutsui is especially funny.

PLEASE don't mistaken this fic as Hikaru X Akari, because I strongly implied it's one sided, they're twelve anyway... and you can see Akira X Hikaru with yaoi tinted glasses in this fic. It's some sort of my style to make broship looks like shonen ai.