Forces of Nature

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Noone ever sees any proof to confirm the circulating rumors, simply because there is in fact nothing going on.

They do not go out of their ways to meet up and play, though the regular slots that they do set aside, both never miss.

One still hangs out with his friends from the insei days, just as the other still keeps the company of older pros he has known since he was little; and these two groups do not usually mix.

They exchange casual greetings on match days, occassionally brief talks on the single common topic. There is considerably less drama surrounding the wonder boy as he, inevitably, grows up; and thus, less inflicted agitation in his rival's eyes. They generally behave in public, though the interpretation of either 'behave' or 'public' has to concede inside a certain familiar salon.

Everything is, indeed, perfectly normal.

In the midst of this, Weekly Go requests for a joint interview. It is answered with an instantaneous "Huh?" before a gracious acceptance coupled with a sideways chiding look hastens to make amends. The lower dan makes no further protest.

Their history makes a thrilling article, but in the present, only their qualification for the same title tournament supports the intended perspective. They have different worlds outside of the game, as the reporter discovers, however small those worlds may be. They rival each other in talent and passion for Go; and the connection stops there.

No private dealings outside the Institute; hardly any personal exchanges. Touya has the same neutral, gentle smile as he recounts the stay-over before their first Hokuto Cup participation, and Shindou temperately recalls the hospital visit on account of Touya's father; both were years ago.

Standing side by side for the photo-taking afterwards, they are a sight of excellent contrast. Despite his vivid colors upon Touya's solemn ambience, Shindou's calm countenance betrays other aspects he is apparently catching up on aside from physical height. Neither are camera-loving personalities, but surprisingly few directives are needed as they immediately settle into a pose amiable enough to fit the theme without overbearing closeness.

The cameraman has started packing up his equipments when he catches the back profiles of the two young men walking together towards the train station. The natural body inclination, the comfortable distance, the ease of manners -- and he clicks the camera for an extra shot.

It feels a little like watching yellowing leaves at the start of autumn, when nature unfolds to reveal the profound sense of a simple, inevitable phenomenon, that never fails to move his hands. He sees the quality years that have built up to that kind of quiet familiarity, sustained by the very fact that each can hold his own in the close company of another.

Normality, after all, can speak much more than the opposite ever does.

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