Hikaru no game

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Chapter 3.

"I should probably reward the players who registered their accounts while this was still in beta. Better give them my thanks."
Hikaru knew he should thank the players who stayed and played the game from the beginning and be part of the progress he made in the game for the past 3 years.
"Hey Hikaru?"
"Yea Sai?"
"You seem really happy lately? Did something good happen?" Hikaru was such an open book, you can easily tell if his day went well or not.
Sai would be happy if Hikaru was happy and sad if Hikarus sad. The two seems to show the same actions like as if they were twins.

"Well you see Sai, this people are congratulating me that I will be officially releasing the game."
"Releasing?"

Hikaru tried his best to explain the details to Sai, he didnt know the right words in explaining and knew that some of his explanation are probably wrong, but nonetheless, Sai seems to understand Hikaru and also congratulated him for his efforts. Hikaru also thanked Sai cause if it werent for him Hikaru wouldnt even made the game.

"Though this people are expecting me to go and meet up with a well known game company, and probably offer me an contract."
"What will you do Hikaru?"
"I dunno yet, I mean its tempting. Just imagine if we formed a contract. The game will probably earn tons of money."
One of Hikarus traits was that he can never say no to money. Typical Hikaru, Sai doesnt even bother scolding him again about money and its importance, well at least Hikaru didnt use his money on bad stuff and only spends it in ramen or arcades and such.

"So youre not sure about the offer Hikaru?"
"Like I said its tempting and there's to many risk, Im pretty sure if I accept it people would go crazy, I mean theyd ask me questions and I wont have any other choice but to unravel the mystery for the past years. And I do not,I repeat, DO NOT want people to find out about me and that I play go!"
"But Hikaru youre so strong in go Its something to be proud of! Youre almost on par with Mr Touya's son."

A year and a half ago.
Hikaru and Sai found out that the Meijin has a son around Hikarus age. They saw the Kifu the son played and made the both of them curious how strong the child was. Fortunately the child made an game account and challenged Sai to a match. The child lost but nonetheless Sai was very very happy how the child played go really well, Hikaru also wondered how well he could also stand against the go prodigy. So Hikaru also challenged him in his own account.

Hikaru lost.
And because of that Hikaru started to devote himself to go and started improving rapidly. Sai was really grateful that Hikaru played the prodigy, it made Hikaru take action.
Sai wondered if the both of them would become rivals someday in the future, he was really excited about the matches that they would play. Though Hikaru wasn't able to play the prodigy again cause he didnt went online after their game. The child was probably also just curious about Sai and decided to check him out.
Sai wished that someday Hikaru and the child would play each other again. Go is a game for two people after all.

"Almost!?? Ive been training real hard in go!!!! Im stronger than that kid than before!"
"But Hikaru you never know. The both of you played each other only once, and you dont even study his Kifu. You should at least take a look at his kifu!!"
"Thats a lie Sai I showed you some of the go magazine that showed one of his Kifu!"
"But one is not enough~~ Hikaruuuu"
"ok ok!!  *sigh* Lets just search online if there's some." Hikaru had no other choice but to admit defeat. Arguing with Sai was just a waste of time.

Hikaru and Sai wasnt that much familiar with the go pros and their faces, heck, the only pro Hikaru and Sai knows is Touya Meijin they didnt know the other pros. Its probably offensive but what can you do, Sai just really wants to play the Meijin, though Sai would also pay interest in other pros, it was only mainly because the meijin played a game with them.
"Oh heres one of his kifu." Hikaru clicks the web.

He saw something he did not expected.

The kifu was played by the prodigy and a pro named Ogata? Which seemed familiar.
But whats important was the game.
The game was like an unbalanced ragged battlefield. Ogata pro wasnt holding back to the child, his play was somewhat familiar, Sai took hint of who Ogata was but Hikaru didnt but instead focused on the way the prodigy played. He lost but Hikaru didnt expected that the prodigy was able to hold himself off and instead showed flawless hands. Sweat started trickling down his cheeks.
"Sai, I wonder if you mean what you said earlier."
"Hikaru, you dont see it yourself but youve really grown strong. Just who do you think youve been playing with everyday!!." Sai huffs, he's been playing with Hikaru everyday ever since he gained interest in go, and his progress was something. Hikaru could also be called a go prodigy for his age if only he went out in public.
"Well that sounds reassuring, thanks Sai." Hikaru gives Sai a look with a mixture of sarcasm, Sai was oblivious from the look Hikaru gave him.

Hikaru clicked his email and saw a bunch of offer regarding about his game, he didnt really want to go and have a contract with any gaming company, but it sure was tempting.
He reads some of the mail and stumbles upon a mail regarding about a go convention inviting him as a special guest. The convention was international where other pros from different countries come and meet and play games with each other. And you know what that means. Cameras and reporters everywhere.

Of course Hikaru was gonna decline.

That is until his mom barged in, suprising Hikaru.

He accidentally clicked accept.

A moment of silence and Hikarus mom went out of his room with his dirty laundry, leaving a pale looking Hikaru.

" 'Thank you for accepting the invitation! See you in the convention!' Hey Hikaru are you alright??" Sai was worried, he didnt know why a thankful message made Hikaru look like he just saw a death in his family.

When reality kicked in Hikaru.

A very loud shout was heard in the house along with a shout that sounded like it belonged to an middleaged woman.