Hikaru no game

School

Chapter 10

Patchi

Patchi

Patchi

"Yes that is a good move, but I think a pincer would do better in this situation."
"Yes, I think so too."
"But if the opponent were to move here, it leaves quite an disadvantage and some of the stones here are in risk."
"Thats true. Akira what do you think?"
"....."
"Akira?"
"Huh? Oh sorry."
"Whats wrong Akira, lately you havent been focused. Is something bothering you?"
A young man in his early 20s asked the young Touya.

"No its nothing Ashiwara-san, Its just that, I keep on thinking about a game I played last week."
"Thats quite interesting, mind if you tell us about it Akira." Spoke a man wearing a white suit and glasses.
"Ogata-san....Well you see there is this kid about the same age as me. I played him in my fathers go salon, and his moves were very interesting and very familiar."
"Well he must be good since Akira speaks highly of the boy."
"Haha that is true Ashiwara-kun, its rare for Akira to give compliments not to mention to someone his age."
"But Akira-kun is he really that good??"
"Yes, the way he played his moves had a hint of old joseki. He also didnt take komi in his account though the way he hold his stones is a beginner."

'Old joseki, beginner....'

Only one person popped out of Ogata's mind who fits the definition that Akira described.
An image of an girl, the same age as Akira, whose attitude immediately changes from humble to savage.

Sai.......

The traditional sliding doors opened, and revealed a middle aged man wearing a traditional clothes, and beside him was a fair looking middle age woman carrying a tray of sweets and tea.

"How about taking a break for a while and have some tea and sweets."
The woman went inside the room floored with tatami mats.
She started to give each of the people inside the room a cup of tea and placed down the tray full of sweets on the mat.

"Thank you very much Akiko-san. I think a break sounds good."
"I agree, this homemade sweets of yours are truly delicious, it really goes well with the tea."
"My Im really fluttered. Im quite happy to have visitors in our house like always. Right Akira-san?"
"Yes mother."
"Well then Ill be off now, do enjoy your stay."

With that she left the room.

"I heard a little bit about your conversation from outside. I would also like to know more about it Akira."
Touya Kouyo took his seat on one of the cushion thats layed on the floor to listen to what his son has to say.
"Y-yes father."

Akira explained to everyone in his fathers study group about the boy he played last week.
He was also asked to recreate the game they played in the goban.

After finishing placing the moves, the pros immediately made remarks about the game.

"This move! I didnt expected that bad move would favor him a few hands from now!!"
"Me too!!"

Everyone in the room was suprised. Indeed the boy played without taking komi into account. They didnt expected another kid the same age as Akira was able to play on par with an pro.

"You played Shidogo in the beginning."
"Yes father. Im quite ashamed that I underestimated him, that is until the battle that took place."

"Akira this move here."

Ogata pointed out the move which everyone was very familiar of.

"This move here, dont you think it reminds you of someone."
"Yes. As soon as he made that move only one person came across my mind."
"What do you mean? That move?" Ashiwara took a closer look and was suprised when he realized what they meant.