The Call of Go
Chapter 3
By: Warrior Seadra
"You tried to expand too fast over here." Hitsuji circles the mid, right section of the goban. "Instead, you should have placed a stone here and then progressed diagonally."
"You think so?" Ayumi tilts her head. "But for my plan, I was trying to go around and surround, like this."
"That's a good plan, but your formation was lacking the foundation." Hitsuji comments, ignoring the side comments of various observers.
"You mean over here?" Ayumi outlines the upper right part of the board.
"Yes."
"I was too defensive in this area. I should have played this hand like this and then..."
Hitsuji smiles as he watches Ayumi immerse herself within her recreated game.
"What?" Ayumi asks, noticing Hitsuji's gaze.
Hitsuji takes a stone with his left hand and 'pachi.'
Ayumi jumps in her seat upon seeing the stone's placement.
"W-wa-wait, if you do that then..." Ayumi shakes her head. "But if I- no that won't, but if... Yes-no, no, no. Wait... Hitsuji!"
Hitsuji, along with various other voices, laugh seeing Ayumi fluster herself. He takes an opposing stone and places it on the board.
"Ok, I see it now." Ayumi breaths in relief as she leans towards the goban. She lifts her chin and glares into Hitsuji's eyes. "You're horrible."
Hitsuji grins, "Thank you."
He glances to the various people who had gathered to watch Ayumi's recreated game and they leave. Many break off and begin discussing their previous games.
Ayumi stands and glances over her shoulders. "How annoying. They never give us any space."
Hitsuji approaches Ayumi and brushes hair away from her ear. He leans closer to her and whispers.
Ayumi's eyes sparkle as she clasps her hands together. "Really?" she gasps.
Hitsuji smiles in assurance as he sits down on his chair.
"But before then," Ayumi attempts to suppress a grin. "Any suggestions for today's warm up?"
"A triple game, each ending in a tie."
"Ok!" Ayumi winks.
Hitsuji reaches for his tea as he watches Ayumi find three opponents within the Go salon.
…..
"I almost had him that time." Ayumi groans to Hitsuji as they leave the Go salon. "So close, I was so close. Do you think I should have attacked him from the lower right, or threw the middle?"
"Actually, you didn't make any mistakes. The owner just out read you."
"So, I was playing straight into his hand? From when?"
"It was..." Hitsuji bites his lips, "around... the thirty-seventh hand. When you expanded into the center of the board."
"Bu-but..." Ayumi stutters, "that was barely five minutes into the game."
"You need to be more careful. If something looks tempting, at some point in the game it'll reveal itself to be a..." Hitsuji pauses. He gazes at the sidewalk, lost in thought.
"Hitsuji?"
"That's what he always said to me..."
"Hitsuji," Ayumi takes Hitsuji's hand "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to remind yo-"
"It's alright," Hitsuji cuts Ayumi off. "I'm just surprised. All those years ago, I swore I'd never be anything like him and now... now I'm quoting him. Sorry, I'm probably being weird right now."
"Come on," Ayumi pulls Hitsuji by the hand. "let's get going."
"Ayumi," Hitsuji says as he's being dragged along. "you'll beat him soon."
…..
"Something good must have happened." Xiao Lan sneaks up on Ayumi, grabbing a hold of her shoulders. "Spill, what did you two do?"
Ayumi faces her friend and the smile on her face blossoms into a full grin. "Yesterday," she whispers.
"Yes?"
"For a while, I've been wanting for Hitsuji to pick me up from school-"
"What, is he dense? You two have been official for almost a month now."
"Well, he is some, but his classes let out late. Anyway, he was let out early, so he decided to surprise me. Out of no where, he jumps me from behind."
"Really?" Xiao Lan tilts her head.
"Yeah, and then he ran away. Some guys thought he was attacking me, so they rushed him. After Hitsuji takes off, my phone starts to ring. He calls, asking me to call the boys chasing him and tell them to stop. And he's laughing the whole time. Anyway, long story short, he loops around the block, comes back to me, and introduces himself to everyone."
"That sounds really embarrassing, Nase-san." An insei comments.
"You have no idea." Ayumi drops her forehead into her hand. Ayumi frowns for a moment and then looks up. Various insei classmates surround her in eager anticipation.
"What happened afterwards?" Xiao Lan asks. "That can't be the reason your so happy."
"It isn't." Ayumi shakes her head. "That was just too embarrassing, it slipped out. Instead, I finally beat him."
"Hitsuji?"
"No, the owner."
"That bald guy?" Xiao Lan sighs in disappointment. "That's all..."
"Nope, Hitsuji's coming to meet me here after practice today. We're celebrating."
"Wait," Xiao Lan's eyes sparkle. "That means I'll finally get to meet him, right? I've been wanting to play him ever since he beat that baldy of an owner. Nase-san, you've got to introduce us."
"Sorry, Xiao Lan-san," Ayumi brings her hands together. "Hitsuji doesn't actually play Go. In all our time together, I've only played him once...
Ayumi glances to the side, "and even then, it was because of an obligation."
"What a waste." Xiao Lan sighs. "Fine then, you'll just have to play me until I'm satisfied today."
Xiao Lan takes Ayumi's hand and drags her to a goban.
"Wait! Xiao Lan!"
…..
Hitsuji walks threw a pair of automated doors and enters the Go institute lobby. He notices a fish tank and smiles. "Wow, that thing's still here?"
He steps closer and looks into the tank. "They even have the same fake fish."
Hitsuji winces, and clasps his stomach feeling it churn. With his other hand, he holds his nose.
"Air." Hitsuji mumbles, looking for an open window. Spotting one in the adjacent room, he sets off with brisk strides.
Calmed, Hitsuji turns from the window and leans on the wall. He looks up from the ground and finds himself surrounded by goban.
"I should have just waited outside... Maybe I'll go read some manga1 or-" Hitsuji stops, his eyes wide open. "Him..."
Hitsuji clenches his right hand as his eyes narrow into a glare. Swallowing, he steps toward an elder.
The elder, feeling Hitsuji's gaze, turns from the game he's observing. "You want something, kid?"
"Pl-please," Hitsuji speaks with a demanding voice, trembling as he gestures to a goban. "a game."
"You got some nerve." The elder sneers. "Fine, let's play."
They seat themselves and nigiri.
"I'm first, then." Hitsuji breaths, feeling his stomach turn. With his right hand, he picks a stone from his bowl.
Tokin, the goban rings from Hitsuji's stone.
Taken aback, the elder raises an eyebrow. "Hmm, what a troublesome match."
"Excuse me?" Hitsuji looks up, his eyes radiating pressure.
"No, nothing. You've got sharp eyes there." Pachi
Tokin, pachi, tokin, pachi.
'I have to be careful. He is the Tengan2.' Hitsuji tells himself. 'But, why, why am I playing this game?'
Tokin, pachi, tokin, pachi.
'If I attack there, then he'll do this. From there... No, instead I should...'
Tokin, pachi, tokin, pachi.
Hitsuji suppresses his grin, 'Got him.'
Tokin, pachi, tokin, pachi.
"That's a nice trap there, kid." The Tengen comments, "Tell me, what do you say to." pachi, "this?"
"This," tokin.
Pachi, tokin, pachi, tokin.
'What am I doing, playing this game. I hate Go... It's a worthless game, so why do I want to beat him so badly?'
Pachi, tokin, pachi, tokin
'No, if I go in below, he'll do surround me, and if I attach from the right, he'll divide me. I have to attack from above. If I can lead the match into the center, I should be able to cut him.'
Pachi, tokin, pachi, tokin.
'Why am I getting so excited, it's a stupid game and he's just a stupid title holder. So what if dad died fighting him...'
Pachi, tokin, pachi, tokin.
'This is stupid, stupid, stupid. I should ju- No, not there!'
Pachi, tokin, pachi, tokin.
"That was a pretty good match, Souma-kun." The Tengen gives Hitsuji a knowing smile. "Your father would be proud."
Hitsuji's head jolts up from the board. Wide eyed, he stares at the Tengen.
"Your style of play is just like his, but you aren't at his level, yet."
Exhaling, Hitsuji slumps back on his chair and allows his mind to clear. He sits up, bringing a hand to his mouth. Knocking his chair over as he rises, Hitsuji makes his way threw a crowd that gathered to watch the game for a bathroom.
…..
Leaning over a sink, Hitsuji dries his face with a handkerchief decorated with sheep3.
"That's it?" Hitsuji asks, looking his reflection in the eye. "I wanted to surpass dad? I wanted to beat someone my dad couldn't?"
With his hands on the sink, Hitsuji slumps his head. "That's so stupid. It's just a stupid game, so why do I want to play more..."
"No, I'll worry about this later." Hitsuji forces the thoughts from his head. "Today, Ayumi and I are suppose to celebrate. So why can't I stop thinking about that match."
Clenching his right hand, Hitsuji takes a final glance at his reflection. Hitsuji leaves the bathroom for the lobby.
"Hitsuji!" Ayumi calls out.
"Hey," Hitsuji turns, smiling.
"So you're Hitsuji," A voice cries joyfully as Hitsuji is grabbed from behind.
"Xiao Lan!" Ayumi cries, "Let Hitsuji go!"
"Who are you?" Hitsuji asks, looking over his shoulder.
"Wow, Nase-san." Xiao Lan comments, beginning to lean on Hitsuji. "He didn't even flinch. Say, any idea on what that crowd's about?"
"Someone was playing the Tengen," Hitsuji looks towards the goban room. "I think..."
"Tengen?" Xiao Lan furrows her eye brows. "No, he lost his title years ago. The current owner lives in Hokkaido4. Although, he's loosing it this fall at the next Tengen competition. I'm claiming it once I turn pro."
"He isn't th-"
"Hitsuji! How long are you going to stay like that with Xiao Lan!" Ayumi interrupts, pulling Hitsuji away by his arm.
"Sorry..." Hitsuji replies sheepishly. "Anyway, we still need to celebrate."
"Let's go." Ayumi latches herself onto Hitsuji's arm and pulls him away.
"It was a pleasure." Hitsuji turns to Xiao Lan as Ayumi drags him away.
"Play a game with me next time!" Xiao Lan winks, calling after Hitsuji.
"Yeah, sure!"
Hitsuji and Ayumi step outside and begin walking down the street.
"What was that about?" Ayumi asks Hitsuji, blowing up her cheeks. Still holding his arm, she pulls herself closer onto his shoulder. "We're dating and you refuse to play me, but today you meet Xiao Lan-san for the first time, and you're already agreeing to play her?"
"I... don't know. That just... slipped out." Hitsuji pauses to swallow. "I just... had some urge to play. I just want to play right now. Sorry, I'm being weird agai-"
Hitsuji stumbles as Ayumi stops walking. Ayumi breaks her hold and turns to face Hitsuji.
"You want a game?" Ayumi's eyes sparkle as she smiles with anticipation. "You'll play? Come on, let's play all night!"
Ayumi latches onto Hitsuji's arm and forces him to the nearest go salon.
…..
The doorknob creaks and turns causing Hitsuji to clench his fists. He sits straight up on the sofa, directing his attention to the entrance.
"Mo-Mother." Hitsuji calls as the door opens.
"Hitsuji?" his mother questions as the door opens. She enters the living room and looks over her son saying, "It's late, why aren't you ready for bed?"
"Mother, I-" Hitsuji repeats himself, breathing quickly.
"Hitsuji, what's bothering you?" His mother steps forward, placing a hand on Hitsuji's arm.
"I- I want-" Hitsuji grits his teeth, forcing himself to speak. "I want to take the pro exam!"
Hitsuji looks down, gripping his knees, as warm tears roll along his face. "I know I said I'd never play, but I- I want to play. There're people I want to beat. So- so please, let me play!"
"Oh, Hitsuji." His mother sits beside Hitsuji, embracing him. "That's wonderful news. When is it?"
"To-tomrrow." Hitsuji replies. "I asked Ayumi, the final date for registration is tomorrow. But the money..."
"Hush, don't worry about that." Hitsuji's mother soothes her son. "It'll all work out."
"I-I"m not doing this because of him..." Hitsuji declares, allowing warm tears to roll down his face. "I'm-I'm doing this because I want to."
"Yes, yes." Hitsuji's mother speaks gently, cradling her son. "We'll take care of this in the morning."
footnotes
1Graphic novels
2"Center" or "origin of heaven," name of a Go title. Matches are best of five held over a five week period.
3Hitsuji translates into sheep.
4The nothern region of Japan.
A/N: Another chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. The main point of this chapter was Hitsuji's development and growth. Early on he was shown making progress being around Go and towards the end discovers that he wants to play, regardless of the consequences to his health. I hope I was able to convey his mixed feelings about playing Go again, and his shock upon discovering that he wants to play. Other psychological issues that were expanded upon was his relationship with his father. Not much said, but I think it's enough to get an idea of what Hitsuji feels. Finally, the romance. Again, not a big part of the story, but it's progressing along. Nase-san is even seen getting jealous of Xiao Lan-san, cute. Oh, I've been trying to hint at this, but Hitsuji and his mother are poor. I don't think I've been too clear on that point.
Let me know what you think,
Thank you,
Warrior Seadra