The Call of Go
Chapter 4
By: Warrior Seadra
Disclaimer, I do not own Hikaru no Go.
Chapter 4
"Welcome to the Go pro exam." The exam proctor announces, silencing everyone in the room. Hidden in the back, Hitsuji looks towards the proctor and takes a deep breath.
"Now, although the exam is still more than a month away, we will be holding the preliminary rounds over the course of the next few days. When we call your name, please come up and draw a ballot from this box. We will be doing this everyday for the preliminaries. The number you draw determines who you play against. Once you acquire three wins, you'll be allowed to compete in the actual exam. The matches will last for five days, continuing until all spots for the exam are filled. Understood? I will now begin."
"Easy," Hitsuji whispers to himself. "I can handle three."
"Kakashi, Hayate." The proctor calls the first name. A silver haired, young man walks forward and draws his number.
"Misaka, Mikoto. Xiao Lan..."
Hitsuji listens, patiently waiting for his name to be called out.
"Nase, Ayumi."
Ayumi steps forward to draw her ballot.
"Ayumi..." Hitsuji grimaces, recalling she will also be taking the exam. "I didn't tell her..."
"So-Souma, Hitsuji." The proctor calls, stumbling on Hitsuji's name.
Hitsuji strides forward, quickly reaching the box. Swallowing, he thrusts his hands into the box and grabs the bottom most ballot he can find. Drawing it, he hands it to the proctor who reads, "Seven."
The proctor whispers to Hitsuji, "Calm down, just take a few deep breaths."
Hitsuji thanks the proctor and turns. He makes his way back into the crowd and with a weak smile, he gives Ayumi a shaky wave.
"Hey, Ayumi." Hitsuji weakly whispers, sitting next to her.
"You didn't tell me you were taking the exam." Ayumi gives Hitsuji a firm look. "When did you register?"
"Last week, right at the last minute. Sorry, I was trying not to think about it." Hitsuji sighs, placing a hand over his stomach. "Nervous?"
"Yeah, I really want to pass this year."
"You'll do fine."
"Not if I play you." Ayumi pouts.
"I'd like to play you," Xiao Lan interrupts, "but not during the preliminaries."
"Ok, everyone." The proctor announces. "Please find the goban assigned to your number and begin playing. You will have two hours each with a break for lunch in the middle.
"See you two for lunch." Hitsuji waves, wearing a polite smile on his face. With his hands in his pockets, he makes his way across the room and mets a silver haired teen at his assigned goban.
"Kakashi, Hayate?" Hitsuji asks, stepping back upon seeing the teens face.
"Sorry," Kakashi answers, "don't mind my eye. My left contact broke and all I had to replace it with was this red one."
"Pl-please," Hitsuji gestures to the goban as he wraps his left hand around his stomach.
…..
'Lucky,' Ayumi silently rejoices, seating herself in front of her goban. 'the person I'm playing is an insei who only recently qualified for the upper classes.'
She and her opponent nigiri and her opponent places the first stone.
'Pachi,' the goban rings from Ayumi's respond.
'Hitsuji really lucked out though. Rumors on the net claim Kakashi's one of this year's favorites. He's definitely someone I don't want to play against. Not ye-'
Tokin, the sound interrupts Ayumi's thoughts, cutting threw the silent room.
Tokin... tokin... tokin, the sound softens with each slice.
'Tha-that was scary.' Ayumi catches her breath, 'No, have to focus.'
'Pachi,' Ayumi plays her hand.
'A mistake!' Ayumi reaches out at the opportunity, '...looks tempting, at some point it'll reveal itself...'
The memory flashes threw Ayumi's mind causing her to stop and hover her hand over the goban. Slowly, she retracts her hand and studies the consequences of what her play could lead to.
'That really would have cost me.' Ayumi bites her lip, 'Thanks Hitsuji, you really saved me here.'
'Pachi,' Ayumi decides on a different route of attack.
'Pachi,' her opponent responds.
Ayumi extends her hand to place her next stone. She stops at the sound of hurried footsteps escaping the testing room.
'Hitsu...ji? Is Kakashi-san really that strong?' she questions, watching the back of her retreating boyfriend. 'No, I have to focus on my game first.'
'Pachi.'
…..
"Ah, Souma-kun." Hitsuji hears someone call his name. He stops pacing around the break room and turns to see the Go proctor calling out to him.
"My heart jumped when I read you name." The proctor smiles as he approaches Hitsuji. "But I'm glad, you've finally decided to take the pro exam. Tell me, are your Nase-san's boyfriend?"
"Yes?" Hitsuji replies, taking a step back. He furrows his brows, confused by the proctor's familiarity.
"Ah, I'm Takashi." Takashi-sensei points to himself. "I was part of the Go study group you and your father visited all those years ago."
"I-I'm sorry." Hitsuji bows his head. "I can't recall much from back then."
"I understand, that was a painful time for you. I'm glad to see you are doing well. Anyway, I need to get the lunches out for everyone. Good luck on your exam."
Takashi-sensei excuses himself and leaves taking brisk strides. Hitsuji, alone, looks at the sky from a window. "Someone my father knew..."
…..
"Hitsuji!" Xiao Lan covers Hitsuji's eyes. "Come on, let's get lunch!"
"Xiao Lan!" Ayumi cries, pulling the girl's hands away. "Hitsuji, why don't you say something?"
"Lunch... yeah, sure." Hitsuji's voice sounds distant as he continues looking at the sky.
"That's not-" Ayumi clenches her fist as she turns towards her boyfriend. Her glares softens as she releases her breath. "Hitsuji, is something bothering you?"
"I'm just... trying to remember something."
"Like what?" Xiao Lan asks.
"My father would always take me to a Go study group he attended." Hitsuji sighs. With a downcast smile, he turns away from the window shaking his head. "We went for years, but I can't even recall who the instructor was."
"Well, it isn't all that important." Hitsuji shrugs. He smiles and asks, "How about we get some ramen?"
"Yeah!" Xiao Lan agrees, latching onto Hitsuji's arm. "Come on, I know the perfect spot."
"Xiao Lan!" Ayumi forces herself between the two as Xiao Lan leads them to the exit. "Get your own boyfriend!"
…..
"Don't worry Hitsuji," Xiao Lan pats Hitsuji's back as the three seat themselves at a booth. "I'm sure you'll win tomorrow."
Hitsuji stares at the girl. Keeping his face expressionless, he remains silent.
"Getting Kakashi was just bad luck." Ayumi reaches for Hitsuji's forearm. "I'm sure tomorrow will be better."
"What are you two talking about?" Hitsuji raises an eyebrow.
"Your game." The two girls respond in unison.
"Yeah?" Hitsuji furrows his eyebrows.
"You rush out of room, didn't you?" Ayumi tilts her head, maintaining her hold on Hitsuji's forearm.
"Oh that," Hitsuji lifts his eyes, recalling the event. With his free hand, he reaches for his tea. "I just... had to get out."
The two girls tilts their heads in confusion, frowning.
Hitsuji swallows his tea and returns the cup onto the table. He pulls his arm free from Ayumi's grasp and takes her hand. "I was just... really nervous. Being in a room with so many Go players, each trying to pass the exam. It just filled the room with a lot of... pressure, so much that it was suffocating. Then I saw Kakashi-san's red contact... That was too much and I lost it."
"But you won?" Xiao Lan frowns, tilting her head.
"I accidentally kept attacking him like a madman. I had no strategy what so ever." Hitsuji breaths deeply. "I calmed down once I finished, but that change from high intensity to low... I just had to get out of there."
"Hitsuji," Xiao Lan takes Hitsuji's free hand into her own. "if you need to distract yourself before the matches start, just come talk to me."
"Thanks Xiao Lan," Hitsuji smiles. "but I'll be fine. I'm ready now."
"Hitsuji, aren't you being a little too casual with Xiao Lan-san?" Ayumi emphases the word san.
"I'm only reciprocating her."
Ayumi remains silent, staring at Hitsuji with a long face. She turns to the Chinese girl, "Xiao Lan-san, what's your excuse?"
"With the way you talk about Hitsuji, I feel like I've known him for years." Xiao Lan grins, holding her head high. "I'd feel rude speaking to him differently."
…..
"I'm home." Hitsuji announces threw his apartment's doorway.
"You're early." His mother responds from the kitchen. "How was it, were you nervous?"
"A bit," Hitsuji enters the living room and collapses on the sofa. Leaning back, he holds his right palm before his face and sighs. "I accidentally went full out."
"Really, how are you feeling?" His mother enters the living room. "Do you need something for your stomach?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Hitsuji shrugs. He rolls over and reaches for a novel. "It won't happen again tomorrow."
"If it starts bothering you again, I've already prepared some tea to help." His mother grabs her purse and walks to her son. She leans down and gives Hitsuji a kiss on the cheek. "I need to get to work, you can tell me more tonight."
"Bye," Hitsuji hears the door close. He crawls off of the sofa and walks to the kitchen for the tea.
…..
"To passing!" Hitsuji, Ayumi, and Xiao Lan cling three juice filled, wine glasses together.
"The other night, on the net," Xiao Lan winks at Hitsuji, grinning. "I was looking at some Go forums and a lot of people were shocked that Kakashi-san failed."
"Hitsuji, whatever you did, please don't do that to me." Ayumi shakes her head.
"That was an accident." Hitsuji blushes, sinking into his seat.
"Oh, come on Nase-san." Xiao Lan nudges Ayumi's side. "You played him the day after. You're not saying that Hitsuji's accident didn't help you win, are you?"
"Exactly!" Ayumi raises her voice. "Kakashi-san was so fidgety, he couldn't even hold his stones."
"Then, yesterday, he lost his third match to Misaka-san." Hitsuji sips his orange juice. "He lucked out."
"Misaka-san is also one of the favorites to win this year." Xiao Lan accepts a bowl from a waiter and passes it to Ayumi.
"She's going to be a tough one." Ayumi accepts the bowl. "Hitsuji, you went three, zero. Help me train. I need to get her back for beating me on the second day."
"As do I." Xiao Lan passes a plate to Hitsuji. "She dominated me the first day and I can not let that slide."
"What do you have in mind?" Hitsuji accepts the plate.
The three thank the waiter and reach for chopsticks.
"Play ten thousand games with me." Xiao Lan states as she splits apart her chopsticks.
"Please pick something realistic." Hitsuji begins eating his food.
"Can you critique my game after eating?" Ayumi asks between bites of her meal.
"The one with Misaka-san?"
…..
"Let's keep meeting up until the exam starts." Xiao Lan walks backwards, facing Hitsuji and Ayumi. She points a finger at Hitsuji, "I'll beat you next time."
"You have a better chance at winning the lottery." Ayumi sticks out her tongue.
"What about those events where pros give lessons?" Hitsuji bites his lips, glancing off to the side. Still avoiding eye contact, he steps to the side and allows Ayumi and Xiao Lan to enter the train station first.
"Playing against a pro would be good practice." Xiao Lan pulls out her wallet.
"Hitsuji, is there anyone you want to play in particular?" Ayumi pays for her train ticket. "If not, sensei mentioned one coming up in a few weeks."
"Oh, I see. Ayumi and I probably aren't good practice for you." Xiao Lan looks up in thought and places a finger on her chin as the three walk to the terminal.
"N-no," Hitsuji waves his hands in surprise, "I just think getting feed back from actual pros would be more helpful than just me."
"It's ok," Xiao Lan uses her arm to cover her face and pretends to weep. A train grows louder as it approaches. "girls like us are no good for you. We understand, don't we Ayumi?"
Ayumi stares at Xiao Lan. She blinks and turns to Hitsuji. "Some friends of mine will be helping out, we might be able to have a team match."
"Did they turn pro last year?" Hitsuji projects his voice over the train.
The train stops at the terminal and its doors slide open. As the three step inside, Ayumi responds, "Some, the others are from the year before."
"Ayumi, I'll play you for the vice captain seat." Xiao Lan declares, looking Ayumi in the eyes. "I refuse to look weak before my future rivals."
"Good luck, I'm not loosing to you." Ayumi stands tall, returning the glare.
The train closes its doors and it begins to move.
…..
"Just play the deciding game the night before we go." Hitsuji sighs, supporting his forehead with his index and middle fingers.
"Fine!" The two girls agree, still glaring at each other.
"Well, here's my stop." Ayumi smiles as the train's arrival signal goes off, "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye Hitsuji."
Ayumi gives Hitsuji a hug and departs from the train. The doors close and the train leaves the station.
"Are you dropping high school once you turn pro?" Xiao Lan turns to Hitusji.
"No, I want finishing it."
"Really?" Xiao Lan raises an eye brow. "Your grades are going to plummet, you know?"
"Yeah, I know..." Hitsuji breaths and looks out the window, "but there's only a year and half left and it's something I really want to do. Also, I want to improve my foreign language abilities."
"You're speak Mandarin?" Xiao Lan gasps, hopping in joy.
"I can't say much, but it's enough to get by." Hitsuji looks back to Xiao Lan, smiling as he shrugs. "My dad had friends who couldn't speak Japanese, so I picked it."
"No, that's- that's plenty. It's wonderful. If you need any help, just ask me." Xiao Lan clasps her hands together before her sparkling eyes.
"Did you become an insei this year?" Hitsuji asks.
"Kinda," Xiao Lan's smile fades. She lifts her head and stares at the ceiling as though recalling distant memories. "Back In China, I was a yán jiū shēng for two years. I was hoping to turn pro before coming to Japan, but no..."
"A-as long as you ke-keep practicing, you'll pass." Hitsuji looks out the window, his eyes shifting as he struggles for something to say.
The train comes to stop and the doors open.
"Sorry, this is my stop." Hitsuji and Xiao Lan say in unison.
They stare at each other in surprise until disembarking passengers bump into them. Smiles widen across their faces and they leave the train.
"This is surprising," Xiao Lan grins as the two exit the train station.
"It is," Hitsuji nods as they turn at a corner.
The two continue walking a few blocks in silence.
"You also... live down this way?" Hitsuji asks, glancing at a bakery's bread display.
"Yeah, I live in an apartment complex with my mom and dad." Xiao Lan responds. "It'll come into view around this corner."
Hitsuji remains silent as they round the corner. He looks around, but only sees one apartment complex. He stares at the building for a moment and then asks, "What high school do you go to?"
"F. North Star Girl's Academy, you?" Xiao Lan replies as they walk down the street.
"Kuoh Academy." Hitsuji responds, keeping pace with Xiao Lan as she enters the the apartment gates.
"Xiao Lan-chan, Hitsuji-kun," the gate keeper waves.
"Enjoying your evening?" He winks, emphasizes the word enjoying.
"We-we're not like that!" Xiao Lan blushes a deep crimson, franticly shaking her head and waving her hands.
Hitsuji hold ups his hand and with a smile, politely shakes his head.
The gate keeper laughs as Xiao Lan and Hitsuji hurry onto an elevator.
"I-I can't believe him!" Xiao Lan stammers, her face a deep crimson. Fuming in rage, she pressing for the seventh floor.
Hitsuji shrugs and leans against a wall, "It's fine as long as he doesn't start any rumors."
Xiao Lan straightens her posture and looks at Hitsuji in surprise. "You're still here! The-then, you're not following me, are you?"
Hitsuji stares at Xiao Lan and shakes his head, sighing. "Did you forget, the gate keeper greeted both of us."
"Ye-yeah, but..." Xiao Lan bites a finger as she fidgets. With her free hand, she repeatedly grips and releases the edge of her shirt. "you di-didn't press a floor number... You're not trying to follow me home, are you? What about Nase-san?"
Xiao Lan points an accusatory finger at Hitsuji as she backs away into a corner at the opposite end of the elevator.
Hitsuji, with a hanging expression, sighs, "Seven hundred seventeen."
"Wh-what?" Xiao Lan uses her arms to cover herself.
"The apartment I live in, seven hundred seventeen."
Xiao Lan calms down and tilts her head. Silently, she appears to consider Hitsuji's words. "Oh, so we're almost neighbors. That's right down the corridor from my house."
The elevator pings and the doors slide open. The two step onto the corridor and continue walking.
"Well, here's my house." Xiao Lan gives a hesitant smile. "Hey, Hitsuji, let's play some more after dinner, ok?"
"Sure," Hitsuji smiles. "I'll see you in a bit."
"Later," Xiao Lan waves, closing her door.
…..
"Come in," Hitsuji opens his door with a polite smile. "I've prepared the goban and some tea."
Xiao Lan excuses herself as she enters Hitsuji's home. In the entrance hall, she removes her shoes.
Hitsuji leads her into the living room and pours her tea.
"Th-thank you." Xiao Lan gives a stiff bow as she accepts the tea.
"Is something wrong?" Hitsuji asks, ignoring the damp lock of hair brushing against his arm.
"Yes! You're being too polite, it's weird!" Xiao Lan explodes, looking up at Hitsuji.
"Re-really?" Hitsuji jumps, flailing his arms. "Being polite is weird? The-then how am I suppose to act?"
"I don't know, just not like that!"
"I'm just doing what I was taught! What about you?" Hitsuji points at Xiao Lan, "You took a shower before coming!"
"I have long hair! It takes time to dry! What's your excuse?"
"When expecting company, both the house and self need to be at their cleanest!"
"That's being weird again!" Xiao Lan breaths deeply and exhales, "But ok, I'm fine now. Sorry, it's my first time visiting a boy, alone. Even if you are with Nase-san, I got nervous. So, let's play already."
Hitsuji unresponsively stares at Xiao Lan's bright smile as he tries to make sense of the situation.
…..
'Pachi' Hitsuji retracts his hand from the board and waits for Xiao Lan's response.
Xiao Lan studies the board for a moment and 'Pachi.' "I've been meaning to ask, but are you left handed or right handed?"
"What do you, 'pachi,' mean?"
Xiao Lan bites her lips as Hitsuji retracts his hand. She appears deep in thought considering her next move, "Well, you used your right against that, 'pachi,' baldy, but I've only ever seen you use your left with everyone, 'pachi,' else."
Hitsuji looks up from the goban and towards Xiao Lan's. He raises an eyebrow, asking, "You saw that game?"
"That's one of the better Go salons around, so I stop by regularly. 'Pachi,' I just happened to see your game from outside the window. So, is it some deep, dark secret you can't tell anyone about?"
'Pachi,' Hitsuji looks to his right hand and clenches it.
'Pachi.'
"Well..." Hitsuji searches for words to say. "I suppose I play with my left because I'm right handed."
"That doesn't make sense." Xiao Lan tilt's her head. "Wouldn't playing with your left distract you from fully concentrating on the game?"
"Apparently, not that much." Hitsuji smiles, 'pachi.'
"What do you-" Xiao Lan frowns, looking down towards the goban. "I resign..."
Xiao Lan lifts her head and looks Hitsuji in the eye with a determined expression, "Hitsuji, another game!"
…..
"8:37," Hitsuji reads from the clock as he enters the living room from the door way. "Plenty of time."
Hitsuji flips open his cell phone dials Ayumi's number. He takes a deep breath presses the 'call' button. Taking another breath, he lifts the phone to his ear and waits.
"Hitsuji?" Ayumi's voice resounds.
"Hey Ayumi. I was meaning to call earlier, but," Hitsuji pauses and breaths deeply in an attempt to quell the butterflies in his stomach. "tomorrow... you're free, correct?"
"Yes?" Hitsuji hears curiosity within her voice.
"Great! I-I mean, th-then..." Hitsuji swallows, "let's go out. You know, th-the two of us."
"Really? What do you have in mind?" The excitement in Ayumi's voice gets Hitsuji pacing around the room.
"Four o'clock, we can meet at the Ginza district station."
"I'll see you there! Good night Hitsuji."
"Great, good night, Ayumi." Hitsuji holds his phone to his ear and hears the connection break. He flips the lid shut and holds it within his clenched fist. Tightening his grip, Hitsuji begins laughing, bouncing around in joy.
A/N: And the pro exam has started. We can all be happy to see that everyone has passed the preliminary. But more importantly than the month to train, Hitsuji clearly only has eyes for Ayumi. I've tried revealing a few other aspects about Hitusji such as his past and the secret between switching his hands. I've also reviled a few hints on how his father influence his development. Some are more obvious than others. Can you find them all? But how is it Hitsuji and Xiao Lan never met you ask? More on that later. Ja ne
p.s. I reposted this chapter because the scene in which Hitsuji and Xiao Lan speak Mandarin didn't emphasis the words how I had them in my word doc. This new version does.
Ja ne