Chapter 8: Fuseki of Their Schooldays

At the time like this Akira was thankful that his friend was such a spectacular escape artist, even though he despised this talent with passion at first especially because he lost count of how many times Shindou made himself disappear when Akira was as much as turning away for a few seconds. How Shindou escaped from his own room and when Akira was sitting in front of the only window and facing the only exit door was still a mystery his friend amusedly refused to disclose to him.

The library was also conveniently placed near their classroom. As apparently normal junior high school student usually wouldn't go straight to library during lunch hour, so no girls thinking to check there. It was their first week in school and Shindou already became Fubuki-sensei's favorite student and granted free access to secluded record room that connected to library. It was also another part of Shindou's escape road as the window of record room was right across the emergency door they could use to reach classic clubroom on second floor. Of course Shindou also had the key and he was free to come inside anytime he wanted.

Shindou had abused his privilege a bit too much, but Akira couldn't chastise his friends as they got to escape from girls and the balcony of classic clubroom was a perfect place to have lunch.

"Okaa-san asked about whether I have make more friends in class." Akira began their routinely small talk after he opened his bento box.

Shindou sipped his tea and rolled his eyes. "Ojii-san asked the same, but looking at how these two weeks went on…"

Just because Akira and Shindou were friends now didn't mean they'd have easier time to make more in class. Girls kept trying to hound them, and majority of male population thought they were nerd and hogging girl's attention. No open hostility in their class, but they quickly learned again they were not even in the same wavelength with their peers.

"We can't help but feel skeptical." Akira finished somberly, "I have never think it's a problem before, I just can't fit in… and in general I am in different wavelength from our peers." Then he glanced at Shindou, as if silently adding 'except you' to his friend.

Shindou nodded in agreement. "My prior experience…" He trailed off then decided. "Forget it."

In short, it was even worse than Akira's.

It was never a problem to Akira as long as he had his Go before, and to Shindou, whose world was encompassed within his house. But now…

Then again as both were aspired to be a pro, as later most likely they would be secluded from friends they managed to make in school because of their schedule and professional status. Their family knew that but it didn't stop Akira's mother and Shindou's grandfather from hoping.

"Okaa-san ever suggested for me to be an insei before…" He murmured. "But…"

"Your mother is a kind one." Shindou murmured in wistful tone, and Akira felt a little guilty when he remembered Shindou's mother had passed away. "However as you said… it's not going to work. From what I can tell, in Insei, even their top players aren't that far in skill from those in lower rank… not significant enough to make it look like their top member is impossible to match…" Shindou didn't mean to sound arrogant, but as insei in history of Young Lion tournament never made it pass third round, and in their current level they could beat lower dan player that assigned to play in the said tournament

Akira nodded mutely, "Ogata-san said it would be like releasing a tiger to play with kittens."

"I don't like how that parable sounds." Shindou decided, and then again it seemed Shindou disliked anything that related to Ogata-san.

"By the way…" Shindou trailed off, "My club mates are wondering whether you are interested to join our club."

"Your club mates?" Akira echoed.

He recalled the four students Shindou introduced to him yesterday. They were older than Akira and Shindou, there were two more that belonged to senior class. His friend apparently was the only freshmen this year. It seemed Classic club was the smallest club in Kaio but they had good reputation with their literature collection that even got an offer to be published by a big company. It was refused because Hyouka meant to be maintained by student according to their advisor.

Shindou's club mates seemed to be a friendly group, then again most peoples were before they knew him better.

"I am an amateur about classic literature by your club's standard." He pointed out.

"Actually… as long as you have a good taste and have pretty good Japanese you can work under Chintanda-senpai as an editor." Shindou suggested, "It would be completely different matter if you're asked to write something for our compilation."

He was still feeling skeptical to enter a club that seemed only have experts on it when he was a complete beginner. "Well… but about Go Club."

"About that." A white head suddenly blocked their sight and they almost jumped in fright.

"Fubuki-sensei…" Shindou greeted his advisor, "Uhm… you look troubled." He commented awkwardly.

Fubuki was a young teacher on his mid-twenties, wild white hair, pale skin and sharp eyes. He was the second son of board chairman of Kaio and known as the most eccentric teacher in Kaio who had won numerous awards for literature.

"Well…" The white haired teacher trailed of, "You see Shindou-kun, Touya-kun too." Akira blinked owlishly when he was included. "The Go club, that Yun… it seems he want to poach Shindou-kun from my club!" He harrumphed indignantly.

It was amazing how Shindou could continue to eat with straight face as his sensei wailed and moaning back and forth. Then again Shindou was the type of person that took everything in stride.

"Considering my scholarship is tied with Classic Club, my membership can't be replaced to Go Club's." He calmly pointed out to Fubuki-sensei. "Unless I am willing to juggle two clubs in the same time, and I don't think I am capable of that even if our club's schedule didn't clash."

It clashed; both Classic club and Go club had daily meetings with long meeting on Wednesday and Friday. Akira had a feeling Fubuki-sensei arranged this schedule on purpose this year to secure Shindou in his club so he won't be tempted by Go club.

"Then again sensei… both Touya and I plans to take pro exam this year or next year." Akira couldn't help but felt warm when he heard that, Shindou couldn't take it in his current condition but they planned to do it together. "It's pretty pointless to join the club and… there are other reasons too…"

Fubuki-sensei made a serious expression at that as he crossed his arms, "I also plays Go on occasion and I would like to believe while I am no expert I am good enough to be able to gauge player's skill in this game." He began in solemn tone. "I saw the kifu of your match against Go club's current president and I can say you're above Go club's level… pro level, at least lower dan."

It seemed even though he was no genius in Go, Fubuki-sensei always had a good eye for talent.

"I don't know what Kochou-sensei is thinking." He sighed exasperatedly, "But there is no good for the two of you to be in Go club, and you know it…"

The two prodigies gave the teacher a somber smile at that.

Fubuki sighed exasperatedly, "At any rate… Shindou-kun, you're excused for today's club activity as long as you need, Yun-sensei insisted to invite you to his club…it seems the club president really want to discuss his game with you." To be precise Kishimoto Kaoru was very close to beg him to allow Shindou to attend one session of their club activity, just to discuss the game.

Shindou rubbed the back of his head sheepishly at that, "Ah… I guess I owe Kishimoto-senpai that much."

As a Go player, Akira could understand it was an obligation they couldn't skip.

"Whatever Yun-sensei want is perhaps merely my assumption, but Kochou-sensei…" He trailed off, "Headmaster is such an idealistic person, there's no way kittens would respect the tigers that unleashed to play with them. Bye boys, I will pick you up from that Go club later." He said out loud before he excused himself and bid the two boys a good bye.

Akira blinked owlishly at the retreating teacher who had been out of earshot, "Did he just say we're tigers?"

"And Go club members are kittens?" Shindou finished.

God, Fubuki-sensei and Ogata-san were in the same wavelength. That was scary.

Go Clubroom

Even though his presence was not requested Touya insisted to accompany him to the large classroom Go club used. Hikaru himself was not that worried about the whole ordeal, but Touya's concern for him was comforting. However Hikaru didn't expect the moment they opened the door and said polite greeting, all eyes as one focused on them.

Perhaps this was how it felt to be held at gun point, by multiple guns.

"So he is the guy who beat our president?"

"Touya Meijin's son too."

"What they are doing here?"

Hikaru narrowed his eyes when he heard Touya Meijin's son, as apparently even though Touya is acknowledged as a prodigy in his own right they still saw him under the gigantic shadow of his father. Touya had stoic look on his face, but Hikaru knew his friend while proud of his father didn't like it when the relation was thrown to his face as if Touya Akira was nothing but lucky for being the son of the Meijin.

In a sense he was, but Touya's Go was result of his hard work and love for the game.

Hikaru glanced around and confirmed their presence was completely unexpected, judging from their confused and wary look they got. He had to admit he didn't make the best first impression because of his illegal entrance to the winter competition, but for him and Touya to receive this kind of welcome it as if they were expecting Hikaru and Touya coming to slight them.

However it seemed no one in club was informed for his arrival. Then again considering Fubuki-sensei's personality it was very likely his teacher didn't promise Yun-sensei more than willingness to mention the invitation to him. Most likely Fubuki-sensei also didn't inform Yun-sensei they were coming today.

"Excuse me…" Hikaru turned to the side and saw a senior with light brown hair and round glasses. "I am Tsuruga, the vice-president… could it be you and Touya are invited by Yun-sensei and president Kishimoto?"

Hikaru glanced at the club members briefly, and decided to delay his reply as the whole club burst to borderline hysterical chatter at the word 'invitation' and their advisor and president in the same sentence. Undoubtedly they already jumped to a conclusion that he and Touya were going to join their club.

"Why the hell they're invited?!"

"Aren't they already pro level?!"

"Che… just because he is Touya Meijin's son…"

Tsuruga looked at his club mates sharply, "Be quiet!" He hissed and at once all of them stopped chattering. "Resume your game." And they did as ordered.

He had a good control of this club.

"My apologies for their rudeness…" Tsuruga said to them.

Hikaru supposed the tension was already too high and his friend was getting very uncomfortable to be in this room. Hikaru didn't know since when Touya developed this habit, but when he was in distress Touya would take a step back and almost hiding himself behind Hikaru for comfort and security. It was not like Touya was weak willed, but receiving the end of this kind of pressure would take a toll on anyone and they were outnumbered by fifty to two to boot.

So Hikaru reached out to pat Touya's shoulder comfortingly and smiled benignly to Tsuruga. "It's fine, and yes… Yun-sensei and Kishimoto-senpai invited me to discuss our game." Touya almost yelped when Hikaru pulled him closer. "My friend, Akira just comes along to accompany me." He beamed cheerfully.

No one missed Hikaru was in the first name basis when he was addressing Touya Akira, and how his tone changed when he said the name. As if reminding them, this was Touya Akira not just the son of Touya Meijin. Touya Akira was not his father, and they should know that.

He smiled sheepishly, "Because I am a little nervous to come here after the commotion I caused in last tournament." He added.

Akira's eyes widened a fraction when it dawned on him why Hikaru addressed him by his given name in front of all of them. He also drawing half of attention they had on Akira to himself, and not the good kind. As if his friend didn't have enough for illegally joining the tournament, and on top of that he was joining to get misunderstanding about Akira solved of all things.

"Shi-" He stropped himself, as if he let out calling Hikaru by his surname that would make people wonder if he didn't think of Hikaru as close friend like Hikaru did him.

Once again silence fell in the room and it was awkward, even more so for Akira.

"Oh." Familiar masculine voice joined the sound of sliding door, "Shindou-kun, and even Touya-kun too." It was the advisor of Go club, Yun-sensei. Kishimoto Kaoru, the president Go club was just a few steps behind him. "What a pleasant surprise." He frowned a little when he realized the tenseness in the room, and how his students looked very wary of their guests.

Hikaru and Akira bowed to him, "Good afternoon, Yun-sensei." They greeted, "Thank you for your kind invitation." Hikaru said, "My apologies, but Fubuki-sensei didn't inform me if there is any specified time for us to come so I assume it to be on the same day he informed me of the occasion."

Yun-sensei gave Hikaru and Akira curt nod. "You're welcome any time in this club, it would be our pleasure if aspiring pro players like you and Touya-kun come to share your insight."

Hikaru had to compliment Yun-sensei's insight to judge the situation. He also implied three things in the same time to boot, first, there shouldn't be any complain about their presence in the club, they weren't expected to join, and he would like to invite them once in a while to play shidougo with his students.

He didn't mind any of that if only these peoples started to act civil and stopped thinking that he and Akira were going to maul them on the goban. Seriously, did they forgot in Go a superior player with manner never ever humiliated their inferior opponent?

"It's been a while Shindou-san… Touya." Hikaru blinked owlishly at Kishimoto Kaoru who bowed at him in greeting and hastily followed it.

"Yes, it is." Hikaru returned awkwardly. '-san? I am his kouhai!' Should he correct Kishimoto or not? But it seemed either way it would be taken with wrong context, if he did, it seemed he didn't want Kishimoto's respect and if he didn't it would make him look arrogant. "Thank you for the invitation, Yun-sensei, Kishimoto-senpai." He drawled the last part to emphasize Kishimoto's honorific as his upperclassman.

Kishimoto blinked and it seemed the reason Hikaru's emphasized on his status as an upperclassman quickly dawned on him. He didn't mean to trouble Shindou, he just wanted to show a proper respect!

Yun-sensei was sharp enough to notice the awkwardness and quickly ushered all of them to nearest empty goban. "Then let's discuss the game, I am looking forward to dissect that wonderful game."

They took it as their cue to move away and the students quickly followed Yun-sensei's instruction. Hikaru took his seat across Kishimoto, while their observers, Tsuruga, Yun-sensei and Touya were standing nearby. Soon two seniors joined in, Oda, the third placer in male team and Hidaka, the captain of girl team.

Then they began to recreate the game.

Hidaka narrowed her eyes, 'I have seen Kishimoto recreate this game like a mad man for the last two weeks, but to see the person itself placing the stone is almost like a different experience all together…yes, he is good but not just that… his Go had this kind of enchanting quality that make you can't avert your eyes from it.'

Oda crossed his arms, 'So this is the level of the strongest prodigy in our generation…' He glanced to the side, where Touya Akira stood right behind his friend. 'This person too…'

The recreation stopped when the game not even reaching chuugen and Kishimoto was surprised Shindou had started the discussion when the game was still in fuseki. Nothing unusual to dissect a game in detail, but Kishimoto couldn't see anything worth to be discussed at this point.

He was wrong.

"Start from this opening move and to the next twenty hands, Kishimoto-senpai has almost strictly following text book joseki." Shindou Hikaru said, there was no arrogance in his voice as he replayed Kishimoto's moves with ease. "It's a good strategy normally however…" Then he started to explain his own strategy.

Basically Kishimoto was good but not flexible, and not reading the board enough to adjust his strategy quickly. His play was too conventional and predictable; however he had a good head on his shoulder, quick analysis skill and good at judging situation.

"This move in 9-15 is good but not the best or the strongest." Shindou Hikaru continued, seemingly unaware of open mouthed gape they shot him. He just went on steamrolling his analysis and Kishimoto was hanging to his every word. Hidaka thought if he had a note and a pencil, the Go club president was going to start taking notes.

Hidaka couldn't blame him, because listening to this boy was feeling like in tutoring session with a pro, a serious tutoring session and not one time thing shidougo in convention.

"Then how about this move." Kishimoto tried as he changed his 78th hand.

Pachi

"Interesting choice." Shindou Hikaru commented, "Then it will make me respond like this."

Pachi

Another dead end for Kishimoto, Hidaka was well aware Touya and this boy were in another level from them but this… it was like an impossibly high mountain to climb for them. She had no intention to be an insei or pro, but to have these guys on the top would be mixed blessing. They were the nearest measuring stick because of their age but in the same time they also felt the farthest because there was no comfort they were better because of experience, they were just… talented. Plain and simple, it was almost sickening.

"Thank you very much." Kishimoto's word snapped her out of her thought; she didn't even know that the game had been created till the end when Kishimoto resigned. She had to say it was very admirable of Kishimoto to hold on until this point, because had it been her, she would have resigned around twenty hands before Kishimoto did. She had to respect Shindou Hikaru's skill but it was her respect on Kishimoto that had gone up a notch for fighting until his very last breath. He was so badly dominated but resigned only when all of his escape routes were cut off.

"Shindou-kun." Yun-sensei called the freshman. "You would be a wonderful teacher once you become a pro."

Hidaka was surprised to see Touya Akira's shoulders were shaking a little as he turned to face the wall. Then after the prodigy could suppress his mirth, he shot his friend a knowing look that returned by Shindou Hikaru with exasperated look. These two were really close, did they just communicate with just looks?

'I want to see them playing with each other.' She couldn't help but thought.

Unknown to her, Yun, Kishimoto, Tsuruga and Aoki had the same thought running on their mind.

"Yun-sensei!" A loud booming voice echoed together dramatic door sliding, "Give us our Shindou-kun back!"

Shindou looked rightfully flustered, "Fubuki-sensei! Senpai! What are you guys doing?"

"Dramatic rescue." Houtarou Oreki, the vice-president of Classic club droned on. "Or so Fubuki-sensei said."

"Oreki-kun! Please sounds more enthusiastic about it." Fubuki scolded his student.

Fukube-senpai's light brown haired head poked out, "In short, Shindou-kun… please come back before Fubuki-sensei is driven to insanity because of your absence, and he embarrassed us more than he already did. Houtarou didn't care but I do and Chitanda-san is dying with worry now."

In short, the club was in chaos.

Shindou just stared at his insane club mates and said, "Yes, senpai. I will be back soon, please take care of Fubuki-sensei for the time being." Which apparently double get him the hell out of here, as Fukube and Oreki grab their teacher and fled the room. Shindou apparently while more casual was a formal freak like Touya when the need arise, he gave them a low respectful bow and said. "My apologies for the disruption from my club and… teacher." He said, and somehow managed to sound awkward but sincerely polite in the same time.

Then he and Touya left the room with proper Japanese manner that make Hidaka thought they were raised in Heian era and not the present. Shindou was a little off though when he muttered something to Yun-sensei before he left, and their teacher nodded before glancing at Kishimoto.

Something was fishy.

Then the next day the Go prodigy was back to their clubroom, but discreetly and his other prodigious friend, Touya Akira was with him too. Hidaka would never caught them visiting if not because she was browsing old kifu in storeroom out of boredom, because they visited when all club members had gone home save for their club president and Yun-sensei.

She was eavesdropping and she didn't care it was impolite because Shindou Hikaru asked Kishimoto to play with Touya Akira. It was an even game it seemed and she stepped inside to look closer, no one paid attention to her. They were absorbed watching Touya's game against Kishimoto.

It was a slaughter.

If Shindou Hikaru's game had this fluid grace and subtle fierceness, Touya Akira's was precise and deadly, no mercy at all. The game didn't even reach mid chuugen when Kishimoto resigned.

"Shall we discuss it." Touya Akira offered.

Kishimoto took a deep breath and said, "I don't think there is anything we could discuss, you outclass me."

What these two wanted?! Humiliating Kishimoto like this?

So she opened her mouth and said her mind out loud to their face. Yun-sensei looked scandalized by her outburst, Touya looked the same and Shindou had this resigned look on his face.

"Hidaka-kun!" Yun-sensei scolded her. "Shindou-kun and Touya-kun are doing this as a favor for Kishimoto-kun."

"A favor?" She echoed incredulously, "This game is a slaughter!"

"Because Kishimoto-senpai let Akira did it." He said coolly as he reached out to rearrange the stone. "Hand 87th, Kishimoto-senpai gave up the ko fight in upper right corner… when it's a difficult battle to gain territories, he could have more hand that at least will gain him some more moku…" Then he moved on to other territory, "In middle area, this cluster is dead but there's a way to keep it alive… here." He placed the stone two grid below tengen. "But Kishimoto-senpai gave up to keep them alive…" Then he went on with his analysis, most were repetitive about Kishimoto gave up the fight too early.

As much as Hidaka hated it, she had to admit Shindou Hikaru was right. Kishimoto was no prodigy like them but she knew he was skilled enough to pull off all moves Shindou pointed out, but he backed down from the fight.

Then Hidaka understood what Shindou wanted to tell Kishimoto, 'You give up when it get's hard.'

But Kishimoto didn't do that in his game against Shindou! Why did he do that when he played with Touya? Sure, Touya was more aggressive but their ability was roughly on the same level!

"You did well against Shindou-kun." Yun-sensei complimented before he frowned, "I didn't notice this until the game discussion where you and Shindou-kun tried different scenario, and that's when I saw you giving up a lot of fight…"

Kishimoto stayed rooted on his seat and didn't say anything.

"It's because…" Shindou trailed off, "Because he is scared…"

"Shindou!" Hidaka hissed in Kishimoto's defense.

"I didn't mean it to sound as an insult." He said in even tone. "It's not, and the fear he has happened to the best of us including me."

That made all of them pause.

He sighed exasperatedly, "In Go, it's inevitable you will get to certain level where you notice difference in skill… that you're outclassed so badly that you have no chance to win." Then he continued. "However only a handful of player get to the point they stuck on that level and in regular basis is facing opponents with skill far above them… they saw the blade and afraid to go any further in fear to get their head lopped off." He explained. "It's a slump, and a bad one."

Kishimoto swallowed, "I used to be an insei, I had a pretty good record in second class but in first class I can't win at all and quit."

"And you never recover because you ignore it."

Hidaka also knew Shindou was holding back the part where their club possessed no challenge to Kishimoto enough that no one realized this fatal weakness of their president. In short for Kishimoto to be in this club was just lulling himself, and did no good for him and his insecurity.

"Yes, but somehow when I played against Shindou-san in that tournament… I know I am going to lose but I didn't…" He didn't resign until he was really had lost. "Why?"

He shook his head, "I don't know but…" Shindou trailed off, "Fear will never go away unless you face it, no matter how hard it is… in the end you have to face your fear head on to move on to the future."

Kishimoto seemed a little lost at that, but Hidaka for some reason felt perhaps they had given Kishimoto exactly what he need.

She didn't know what possessed her to follow them after that game and heart to heart talk, but she did anyway. Perhaps she just couldn't control her curiosity about them. They were walking ahead of her to the nearest bus station, one that in opposite direction of the one she usually took.

"Ne… Hikaru, the reason Kishimoto-senpai can play with his full power against you… is it because you're playing shidougo with him?" Touya asked Shindou.

Hidaka couldn't believe what she hard, that game was shidougo?

He shook his head. "It's not… it's true I didn't play to kill but I definitely wasn't going easy on him at all."

"I saw some scattered part of your shidougo in that game." Touya added.

"Of course." Shindou rolled his eyes, he rolled his eyes at Touya Akira. "I play shidougo all the time… it's part of my experience so I use it as a training to manipulate my opponent's moves too…"

Touya narrowed his eyes at his friend, "I see… is it just me or your Go is getting ominous as time passed? Now you lead your opponent by their nose." Hidaka strained her ears and couldn't believe she heard the joking tone on Touya Akira's voice.

"This coming from the guy who has zero mercy on goban?" He returned. "You're pushing Kishimoto-senpai a bit too hard."

"You asked." Touya said pointedly, "And in case you forget, you did say I still need brushing up in adjusting my play level."

On that bright afternoon in spring Hidaka gave up understanding prodigy, as they were just beyond her in go and mind.

Touya's Residence

"Akira is not home?" Ashiwara echoed in disbelief. "At this hour?"

The Meijin nodded, "He always sleeps over at his friend house on the weekend." From Friday to Saturday, and even though weekend was family time Kouyou thought Akira deserved all the time in the world with his first friend. They still had Sunday all for themselves after all.

"Friend?!" Ashiwara echoed.

The Meijin suppressed his urge to feel offended by his student's innocent outburst as he had to admit he was also skeptical when he heard about Akira making his very first friend. "Yes…"

"Is it for school project?"

Apparently even Ashiwara had no faith in Akira's social skill, and considering for twelve years they didn't hear a peep about Akira bringing friend over or playing with children his age, he couldn't blame them. Ashiwara was the closest to friend Akira had before Shindou. Ashiwara also ever told him about how his son so quickly forgetting about the child Meijin champion who challenged him out of arrogance, just in span of short time that even make Ashiwara stared at Akira incredulously.

Shindou Hikaru-kun in the other hand was the rival Akira wanted, so much to the point he brooded for one month in their Go salon to wait for the boy, run across the town to drag the boy to have another game with him, and chased the boy all the way to his house.

Ogata snorted, "It's Shindou right?" The 'who else' was not said but implied.

Ashiwara looked at his senior curiously, "You know Akira's friend? Shindou? Does he play Go?"

"He is also Akira-kun's rival." Ogata revealed, "Although for now the rivalry is still under closet or sort…"

At least Ogata had enough sense to not disclose Shindou's internet identity although as far as Kouyo knew, all of his students with exception of Ogata didn't play Net-Go.

Ashiwara beamed, "I am glad to hear that, no wonder Akira looks so cheerful lately! I didn't see him much for the last few months, and now he has a friend! So how good he is?" Of course as happy Ashiwara was for Akira, it all boiled down to the question how good the said friend was to attract Akira's attention.

"You will find out later, although… it would be a while until Akira bring Shindou-kun over." The Meijin said with a tone that implied the discussion was over. "And don't pester Akira about it, he is pretty protective of his friend and I respect their privacy."

Ashiwara looked disappointed but willing to wait, and Ogata had a morbid thought he was like a puppy being told to wait from eating his favorite snack.

Shindou's residence

"So, since when you two concede to drop the formality and call each other with family name?" Shindou Heihachi asked the two boys who were busy working on their homework that due in three days. "Not that I didn't expect it, and honestly Ojii-san thinks it's due and pretty dumb you guys keep calling each other with surname…"

Akira was blushing and his grandson just shrugged nonchalantly. "Uhm… since we decide it's better to make it clear at school that we're close friends." Hikaru gave his answer bluntly.

"Hikaru!"

"What?!"

Here we go again, and Heihachi wisely exited the study room the moment they got to repetitive 'Is not' and 'Is too' to leave the two boys settled their argument until they ran out of air to shout.

"But!"

"You have a better answer?" Hikaru quirked an eyebrow at his friend, panting lightly. "People already have this impression of 'birds of a feather flock together' on us." He said in droning tone. "They already have their own assumption on us and I'd rather not try to correct it."

"Assumption?" Akira echoed. "The usual?"

Hikaru rolled his eyes, "The Go club members at least… with exception of Kishimoto-senpai and Tsuruga-senpai."

Akira grimaced, "Hidaka-senpai seems to dislike us…"

"Nah… who knows, I have a feeling she think I just naturally ruffling her feather in everything I did." Hikaru corrected, "You're just dragged along with me in her opinion."

He frowned at Hikaru, "Well… I understand you want to help Kishimoto-senpai, but giving him a harsh game is a little…"

"I just feel it's not right to leave him unaware of his problem…." Hikaru retorted, "In the end it's up to him whether he want to stay in his happy bubble or try to move on." He narrowed his eyes, "Me too… I don't want to walk so slow like this forever…"

Akira swallowed and said, "You promise me that you're not going to do stupid things again." He took a deep breath, "And that including risking your health… and drawing general hostility to yourself!"

"General hostility?" Hikaru snorted, "I did no such thing, it's already there… we draw it upon us like moth to flame. Frankly they're ridiculous, we're not even part of their club but they feel threatened by us…" He closed his eyes. "That's why, Akira… if possible don't go anywhere near their club if I am not around."

Akira blinked owlishly at that. "Why?"

"It seems Yun-sensei chose his words a little poorly about our skill." He murmured, "Fukube-senpai told me that nowadays the club members are under impression Yun-sensei want us to spare time to tutor them."

The Meijin's son frowned at that, "He did not offer such thing!"

"He implied it." Hikaru corrected, "And that ruffled their feather the wrong way… we're freshmen, majority of Go club are seniors. It hurts their pride as upperclassmen."

"Then we will refuse it." Akira suggested.

"It's not going to sooth their pride either way…" Hikaru said pointedly, "From my own personal experience, pride is the most difficult emotion to deal with… because you can't reason well when it's concerned most of the time."

The game with Ogata-pro when his pride was slighted told him that much.

"But still!" Akira hissed, "I can deal with them just fine!"

What did he just say? Here Akira's pride was talking.

"Akira… let's see that on Monday shall we?"

"Eh?"

Monday (Kaio Middle School)

"Hi… Hikaru…" Akira panted as all his muscles were screaming in pain. "Hikaru, I can't take it anymore."

Hikaru rolled his eyes, "You're far from dying… just bend some more and you will get used to it." He murmured as he pushed on.

"No… no more!" He pleaded as a bead of sweat rolled down his flushing face.

Hikaru sighed exasperatedly, "Relax a little, if you act like I am killing you."

"It feels terrible…" He cried. "No more."

He sighed again, "Akira… please…"

The boys on their class stared at the scene with something akin to incredulity and exasperation, while the girls were busy taking picture, drooling and bleeding from their nostrils when their teacher was not looking.

"Girls, we know they're drool worthy…" Their male class rep said, "But this is the first time I see…"

"Hikaru! Stop! Stop! I think my organs are coming right out!" Akira wailed, normally he wouldn't caught dead embarrassing himself, but at that situation he didn't care. Hikaru was killing him!

"Whose organs are coming out because of hamstring stretch?!" Hikaru asked incredulously, "Your fingertips didn't reach your toes yet! I can't start counting from ten if you didn't!"

"Count now! Count now!"

"That's cheating Akira!"

"This is the first time I see you drool over something as uncool and lame as hamstring stretch." The class rep finished. They had heard the rumor that the two were Go genius even though they didn't join Go club and he expected them to be lousy at PE but while Touya met that expectation marvelously, Shindou was a pro at exercise. Touya couldn't even do stretch on his own properly so Shindou volunteered to help him, and thus resulted to this scene.

His female counterpart grinned sheepishly, "Just close your eyes and their voice is enough to conjure a marvelous image straight from yaoi manga."

"Aren't you thirteen?!"

"We can have our fantasy, can't we?" And she bled some more from her nostrils when Akira let out another pained moan.

"Shindou! Touya!" The male class rep decided to save his classmates from further sekuhara by imagination of their female classmates. "No need to continue that stretching! Stop before the girls run out of blood!"

Akira's torture didn't end as their teacher came back and ordered the boys to run twenty laps around the school building. Theur PE teacher, a foreigner by the name Armstrong seemed to favor Spartan training. Their previous PE teacher had been soft to them, but she was replaced by the foreigner because she had to return to her hometown suddenly.

Hikaru had run two laps ahead of him before slowing down to jog beside him. "You know Akira… I kind of expecting you're not good at this but not this abysmal."

"Shut up…" He panted out.

Hikaru rolled his eyes, "You should have exercise regularly. My master said moving your body is good to clear your mind."

Akira raised an eyebrow at that, "Sai-san said that?"

"Uh huh."

'True Touya-kun!' Sai exclaimed as he ran beside the two boys, 'One two! One two! Make sure to control your breath as you run!'

'Come to think of it… Ani-ue is from Fujiwara Clan, they're politician but also warriors so it's no wonder he is good at exercise… he was taught the way of sword before Go even.'

"No more…"

He didn't expect his friend's stamina is this bad. "Akira, how did you pass your PE in elementary school?" Hikaru wondered out loud.

"With scoring perfectly for the written test." He panted out.

Hikaru sighed exasperatedly, "At least we don't have to worry you will fail this subject…"

Afterschool period

"I am going to my club now." Hikaru announced to half dead Akira who still couldn't move after they changed back from their PE jersey to uniform. He was sitting on his chair, his head slumped against his table. "Are you sure, you're alright? I think you should call for someone to pick you up instead of walking to bus station."

Akira nodded numbly, "I think I will stay some more until I can move…"

'Hikaru.' Sai called his student, 'I think you can ask Chitanda-chan to give you a briefing and you can work on it at home, I don't think Akira-kun can go home on his own like this.'

Hikaru sighed at that, and he agreed with his surrogate brother. "I will try to finish my work as soon as I can, I think I can finish in half an hour to get the briefing from Chitanda-senpai… and continue my work at home."

"But…"

"No buts." Hikaru retorted. "Just rest, go read book or something if you're bored… you can't go home on your own like this."

Akira frowned at that. "Fine…"

Hikaru began to walk away and before he closed the door of their classroom he glanced at Akira. "I will be back as soon as I can." And he closed the door, leaving Akira on the empty classroom on his own.

As soon as he was sure Hikaru was out of earshot, Akira sighed loudly. "Huh… lately he seems to think I can't take care of myself." He grumbled under his breath. "Even though he is worse than me at it! He takes care of everyone else but himself!" He huffed.

Akira's lips slowly curved up and all trace of annoyance evaporated from his face. 'But…before I meet Hikaru, I never feel like this. I don't think I ever imagined to feel annoyed to be mothered by a friend like him… he gets on my nerves all the time but I can't stay angry at him for long…'

Day by day he discovered new and better moment with his friend. Ashiwara-san used to say that Akira chose to delay taking pro exam because he was bored because he had no equal, and Akira without knowing had lied to Ashiwara that he worked hard so one day he could be their rival.

Then a few days later Hikaru wandered to their salon. When he recalled it again, that day Hikaru didn't really seem like he wanted to be there. Or rather he had no clue why he was there in the first place, in Meijin's go salon. If anyone asked how they met, Akira would say that Hikaru came to the Go salon and played the most beautiful Go he had ever seen.

"Ah, Touya-kun."

He was snapped out of his thought by a familiar voice and when he looked up he was surprised to see Kochou-sensei and Yun-sensei was standing by the doorframe. The Go instructor had apologetic look on his face as they entered the classroom.

"Kochou-sensei, Yun-sensei." Akira stood up and gave them a curt bow, ignoring his muscle that screamed in protest. "Konichiwa." He greeted them politely, "How may I help you?"

The plump headmaster smiled at him. "I ran to your class rep and he said I can find you here, but I didn't see Shindou-kun. I thought the two of you are always together."

Akira sweat-dropped at that, it seemed in two weeks in the same school and class everyone was convinced they were joined at the hip. "Uhm… he has Classic club today." He had to admit they're rarely separated but for the headmaster of all people to think so too?

The headmaster looked pained as he remembered certain white haired teacher, "Too bad then, but well… I guess you can tell Shindou-kun later."

Akira blinked owlishly at that, "You need to talk with Shindou, Kochou-sensei?"

"With both of you." He corrected, "It's about…"

One hour later…

Akira and Hikaru were walking together the bus station and Akira while usually quiet, he was never this quiet around Hikaru. In fact for the last ten minutes walk, Akira listened to him talking with occasional short reply. Something was wrong, but Akira was fine when Hikaru left for his club.

"Akira, is something wrong?" Hikaru queried worriedly.

He looked startled for a moment before he replied. "I am fine, nothing is wrong."

"But you're too quiet…" Hikaru murmured.

He shook his head, "I am just still tired from today." It was true but not the main reason though. "Uhm… so are you getting busy with Classic club?"

Hikaru narrowed his eyes and Akira knew that was saying he didn't buy Akira's excuse. "Yes, because by next week the compilation should be sent for printing. So for a while it will be a little hectic in my club until we get use to work on monthly publication."

"I see…"

"I still have time for Go though." Hikaru assured him, "And I am not giving up my Go time at all for Hyouka publication."

Akira chuckled softly at that, "I am glad to hear that…" He took a deep breath. "It seems you have fun in Classic club even though it's partly a job for you."

Hikaru nodded, "Yes, I think most Go professional should be thankful because they get to live out of something they love…"

He smiled at that, "Yes, but if you love something I think we will play it even if we have to pay…" Then he added, "Otou-san said in a sense Pro players get to play in Outeai and other competition with paying the institute by doing boring obligation such as interview, tutoring and demonstration."

Hikaru laughed softly at that, "Touya-sensei said that? Unexpectedly he has a good sense of humor."

"What do you mean unexpected? My father have a perfectly health sense of humor, unlike you!"

"What's wrong with mine?"

"For one, it's unfunny and sometimes twisted." Akira said pointedly, inwardly he was congratulating himself for successfully distracting his friend with shouting match.c

"It's not!"

"Is too!

"It's not!

"Is too!"

Sai rolled his eyes, 'And just like that their wit devolved to this routine again.'

The next day, afterschool period…

"I am going for my club, I will catch up with you later to Go salon." Hikaru said as he and Akira stood on front of their classroom door.

Akira nodded nervously, "Uhm, yes…"

Hikaru frowned at him. "Akira… you…"

"Look at the time." Akira pushed him by his shoulder, "If you're not hurry you will be late Hikaru!"

"What?" Hikaru sputtered, "But I…"

"You will be late!" Akira urged on.

In the end Hikaru didn't get to ask what disturb Akira because the Meijin's son keep pestering him to go already and quickly fled the moment Hikaru turned his back on Akira. He had a hectic week because Hyouka was to be published soon and the club was still on the state of getting a hang on publishing monthly. He spent most of his time with Akira in class and their Go session, but he didn't have time to inquire why Akira was acting strange for last few days. Especially because Akira was getting better at dodging question, and Hikaru was sure that stupid skill of his was rubbing off on Akira.

Then again Akira was never and expert in hiding secret but he didn't expect it to come for second source or it was a week later he found out.

"WHAT?!"

As one all Classic club members took ten backward steps from Shindou Hikaru. They knew it was always the quiet one that was dangerous. There was one time when Shindou accidentally slammed their teacher to the ground for pulling his arm, but Fubuki-sensei was totally deserved it for acting out of curiosity to inspect the hand of experienced Go player. He didn't mean to do anything bad, but they agreed it was creepy. Shindou apologized and warned them about his quirk for throwing people on reflex if they dared to drag him by his hand and how he was an aikido practitioner.

They had no idea Shindou had that tendency as more than once they saw impatient Touya Akira dragged him around after the club hour ended to play Go. Apparently that rule didn't apply when your name was Touya Akira.

Yep, the same person was the core of this problem. Then again almost all Shindou's problem one way or another was related to his best friend. But this was the first time they saw their Kouhai acted like an enraged dragon when their teacher informed him about the other Go prodigy.

Fubuki-sensei adjusted his glasses. "Well… our Go club is the best in the region and we have you two, the upcoming Go prodigies, aspiring to be pro players…" He listed on. "Kochou-sensei think it's a waste that none of you joined the club, and how it's perfectly reasonable you two to be Yun-sensei's assistants… he is but one man, managing fifty students at once. So…"

Hikaru composed himself and apologized for yelling before he continued. "But majority of Go club members dislike us at the first sight!"

Fukube-senpai cringed. "Well… you got that one right." He was like the information broker of their school and called himself database. Hikaru had never seen someone as good as his senpai at gathering information.

"So…" Hikaru took a deep breath, "Why did Akira accept that invitation and I was being left out? Akira has no obligation to accept it while I am the scho…"

Oreki-senpai grimaced, he had deduced the same thing when he heard the problem from Fukube and their advisor. "Crap, he figured it out by himself." He said out loud to himself and his clubmates.

"That idiot!" Hikaru hollered.

No one dared to stop him from leaving the club room, not even Fubuki-sensei. There were reason why their club only had a handful of people, simply because Fubuki handpicked the most observant student with good head on their shoulder. So it didn't take long for them to know their newest member had fierce protective streak when it comes to Touya Akira.

So if they were worried about something, it was the survival of Go club members if they dared to harm even a strand of Touya Akira's hair.

Before anyone asked, the stretching scene is indeed inspired from Kuroshitsuji's infamous corset scene.

I read too many Yaoi doujinshi of Akihika lately LOL although no worries, I will keep it at teasing level ^^

And as warned before, school start means slower update... it's inevitable but I will keep trying to update something at least once a week.
BTW I can't help but wonder why people seems to like Honinbou's disciple better... and I get over the drama about making it gender bend. I will forget it... AT any rate for some reason I manage to sketch this fic AND Honinbou's disciple to the end, I already have an inkling how it end. LOL amazing~ when I have no clue how to end my Unsealing Legacy or Eclipse of Kuroko Tetsuya... That's a good news for you as it seems I will get these two fic done to complete anyway...