Chapter 13

'Kifus'

Inoue Hanashiro stared in astonishment and admiration at the kifus scattered all over the floor.

He visited Shindo on his apartment as the teen promised Inoue to show his collection of kifus he played against his 'imaginary friend'. Shindo was too embarrassed, nevertheless confessed that during his childhood days and the time he had lived with his grandfather in Aomori, he used to have this 'imaginary friend' who played Go with him.

Shindou pointed at the particular kifus next to him. "Those are the games we actually played before but I don't really remember. He taught me all the basic again...he said that I already met him when I'm only two years old and begun playing against him when I'm three, but I forgot him after the accident." He wrote on the paper giddily, as if nothing wrong about his friend. And him.

It's really hard for him to digested the story and information Shindo had shared about this 'friend' who taught him how to play Go.

It's none other than the ghost in the story. Fujiwara No Sai.

The teen had told that him Shindo met 'Sai' just like written in the book, thru the antique Goban. And his 'friend' strongly insisted that they already knew each other right before Shindo had lost his memories, his voice and had lived in Aomori.

And of course, Shindo just told and assured him that perhaps Fujiwara No Sai was just a result of his childish imagination and deep desire to have a friend that he could play with without being discriminated.

But being Shindo's 'imaginary friend' was understatement. All of their games from Shidougos till the last game they had was extremely brilliant and couldn't just created by a mere imaginaiton. Especially from a child like him.

Shindo showed Inoue some games he had with his grandfather, and it's clearly on different league compared to the one he had with his 'friend'.

And one thing that's bothering him was the dream the teen that had told him. It's quite intriguing and somehow alarming. He have no any information about his parents, just his grandfather. And he swore that he'll ask his former mentor about it as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Shindo stood and turn on his computer after he glanced at the wall clock. The teen grin at him and excitedly sat in front of the computer. "It's finallly time, Hana-nii.' He wrote then logged in.

Waya and Isumi recreating the game along with the other young pro gathers around them.

Sai vs Touya.

Obviously Waya won't miss such incredible game. He got lucky that he just finished his afternoon teaching session that time and witnessed the game right from the start. Despite claiming himself as Sai's number one fan, he silently prayed that Akira won against the Saint of NetGo.

Unfortunately, Sai won just like his other game.

Their game was something he's been dreaming to be able to play.

Breath-taking. Mind-blowing.

Such a high-level game that he will never able to pull off in a hundred years. Truly, Sai was one of the best among the rest. Although, Akira Touya done so well from the beginning of the game, unfortunately, Sai went above him.

But something about the game seems wrong. It was as if the young Touya holding back his full strength and very cautious with his every moves. As if he was afraid of Sai.

Who won't? Simply knowing that the famous Sai crushes all his opponents so easily, whether an amateur or a pro. The mysterious Sai gaining more and more popularity after the relased of Kami No Itte. It seems that there's an unfathomable connections between the Saint of NetGo and the book.

Many speculations about Sai being the 'real ghost' lurking around the internet. While some saying that Sai the ghost was inspired by Sai in the NetGo. Others stating that Sai in the NetGo is clearly imitating Fujiwara No Sai the ghost, as the ghost perfectly play like Shuusaku. And with few ridiculous assumptions saying the author of the book is none other than the Sai of NetGo.

It became a complicated topic and caused arguments between many users, gamers and bloggers in different Go websites. So many speculations and different opinions that doesn't prove anything as the identities of both Sai in the NetGo, seems hard to trace and the author never reveal himself to the public yet.

And sadly, Sai didn't play Go after that game.

He sighed. The news of Akira Touya's father hospitalization five days ago spread like a wildfire among them. Thankfully, the great Go player just collapsed from stress and fatigue. Suprisingly, Akira was kind enough to informed them as well.

Waya just hope that it won't affecting Akira's state of mind for the upcoming Hokuto Cup. He is the hope of Japan Team, after all.

He gestured Isumi to give him the book laying next to the older teen. Kami No Itte. And stared hard on it.

The book creating a buzz among his fellow players, especially with the older professionals. It was really a good book that he couldn't held himself and purchased a two copies of his own.

They've been recreating the kifus printed from the book. And even his sensei and senpais in the study group took an interests of joining them in their session for playing and discussing the games derived from the book.

Just like any other fan, Waya wanted to meet the author personally, hoping to get an autograph and thank him for writing such a wonderful story.

Waya gasped, and realized that perhaps Raku Shin is also a Go player, considering the mysterious author could able to create such amazing kifus. But, Raku Shin might have some people to guide him regarding the games, so it also impossible for the author to be a Go player.

He scowled, and there's something he felt like missing, so he stood to open the computer and to log in.

Inoue's heart thumping and beating faster through his ribcage as he stood right behind Shindo. It was the anticipated games between the blonde bang teen and his former mentor. And the teen kindly invited him to his apartment to witness their game, aside from showing the kifus.

Right after the older man collapsed and confined at the hospital, their supposed meeting and revelation was completely forgotten. Everyone was so worried about his mentor's condition. Thankfully, the doctor assured them that it was just due to fatigue and needed to stay and rest in the hospital for at least a week to make sure his condtion is stable.

And surprisingly nobody asked him about Shindo's sudden appearance that night.

Inoue and Shindo decided to visit the man at the third day and unexpectedly received a 'friendly challenge' to play Go via internet. And Shindo gladly accepted it, thinking that it may be a perfect excuse and a chance before he reveal himself as Raku Shin to his guardian.

The silver hair man still never had a chance of tell his former mentor about Shindo's other identity. He wondered how his mentor knew that Shindo is playing Go, but he didn't press the matter further.

And now, the anticipated games will begin within a few minutes and he could hear the sounds of his heart beat ringing thru his ears. His whole body is trembling in excitement. His conscience has been fighting in between telling Ogata about the game or not. And perhaps it's much better to let the blonde pro discover the game on his own accord.

Shindou logged in and immediately received a numbers of challenges from other the Go players, and ignored. A particular named popped out the screen and the blonde bang teen clicked 'Accept'.

An even match with a Komi 5.5. Shindo play the white, and Touya Meijin with black. And the game begin with three hours in each clock.

Sai vs Koyou Touya.

Suyong Hong cheerfully looking at the collection of Sai's kifus he had on the clear folder. Ever since he lost against the mysterious Sai, he began following and watching his games whenever he had a chance.

And with the generosity of some people online, he managed to complete his own collection of kifus.

"What are you' doin Suyon?" A taller, light brown hair guy asked him. The teen pulled the chair and sat close to Suyon. "A kifus?"

"Yes. Finally, I completed it. Oh... I heard Japan will release translation of Kami No Itte, and Uncle will send a copy so I can read it well." He mumbled excitedly.

"Hm. Kami No Itte? What's that? And what about those kifus?"

"Oh...yes this. This is Sai's games. Uncle said that Sai in the Netgo is the same -"

"Wait...wait Suyon." Yongha cut off his nonsensical mumbling. "I don't get it. Just tell me first about those kifus."

"Oh right." The younger teen blushed from too excitement of sharing the wonderful kifus with his friend and teammate. "Here.. This is Sai's games. He's popular Go player online." Then another set of photo copies of kifus from the other folder. "And this kifus scanned and derived from the book.."

Yongha Ko scanned the kifus carefully, comparing each printed papers to one another. He raised an eyebrow, seeing the certain game. Sai vs. Touya. "Is this Akira Touya's game?" He asked.

"Hm. I think so. I compared his previous games to this one...and it seems they were the same person."

"And this Sai...who's this?"

Suyong fidgeted at his seat as he had the same question to his Uncle and mostly people online. "I...we don't know. No one know." He replied.

"What?"

"Yeah. Uncle even heard some rumors that Sai is inspired by the Sai from the book...and uses the ghost name to play online."

"Huh?" Yongha looked at the teen dumbfounded. "book...and. Ghost...what the heck?"

"Hey..." Suyon grabbed his hair, frustrated. "There's rumor that Sai in the NetGo is the same Sai, the ghost in the book." He yelled, even though he knew that Yongha Ko won't understand his mumbling.

He's so upset that the translation of the book won't be out till next month. And the very first batch of translated English book was already sold out online even before it's release due to it's popular demands. Few people says in the forum that the Korean and Chinese translation might take time to be printed, since the publisher focused in releasing the English first. And he can live with that, much better than his Uncle poor Japanese to Korean translation.

"Hmm.. I see." Yongha nodded, his eyes stared intently at printed kifus. "You're probably wrong..." He blurted out. "Sai in net is the black player in this kifus from book. " He pointed out casually.

Suyon tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... The Sai you're talking about is obviously the black in kifus...the one you scanned from the book."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Huh? Is there something wrong about that?" Yongha asked.

"Nope. I mean how could you tell that easily. I read some comments and speculations in the forum saying that Sai was only imitating the ghost in the story."

"Oh..so the ghost was the white in here."

"Yes..?" Suyon was kinda confused, didn't exactly know how to respond. "What do you mean?"

"Well, they're wrong. You're Sai in net and this black from book...is the same person. Interesting..." His eyes squinted in anticipation and smiled widely.

The younger teen shivered seeing Yongha's squinting eyes. That means trouble. And he doesn't want to get involved.

The FaceTime calls from his Uncle averted Suyon's attention from Yongha. "Uncle?...seriously?" Suyon hurriedly turn off the phone and log in his NetGo account.

He gaped at the screen seeing a lot of spectators of the particular game.

Sai vs. Koyou Touya.

And Yongha suddenly turn into serious mode after reading the great Go player name. He watched the progressing games with calculating eyes. And a promised to himself to challenge Sai after the game. "Sai huh? I didn't knew that Japan has another amazing player to be play with." He twitched when white place a move. "Shuusaku?" He whispered.

Seiji Ogata scowled as he exited the hospital. He just received a confirmation from the Go Organizaiton to take over Koyou Touya's position as the Japan Team Manager due to the older man's condition. Although Kurata was exceptionally eager to take up the position, Ogata refused and said that he's willing to take over and certainly glad that his mentor condition wasn't that worse. The man just needed to take everything easy and take good care of himself.

Ogata wanted to visit and talk to his mentor, but it seems the man decided not to accept any visitor for today. As the sign indicated at the door.

He picked up Akira along with Ochi and Yashiro to begin mentoring the three teens at his own apartment. His mentor already had a lot of lectures for them before he got sick. And maybe that's one of the reason for his fatigue.

Touya Meijin was taking the Hokuto Cup seriously than those competitors and praying that the teens will show a good result at the tournament.

Ogata entered his apartment and hurridely went to his study room. It's bothering him that his mentor wants to play Go in the net without any interruption.

"Something wrong Ogata-san?" Akira asked. Seeing the man's uncomfortableness.

"Your father... I went to the hospital to see him before I pick you... He doesn't want any visitors for today.."

"Oh..yes Mother mentioned that she will not visit today. Father wants to play NetGo without any interruption." Akira chuckled, amazed at his father's dedication towards Go.

Ogata logged in and shocked to see that the certain gamer that's been gaining popularity recently in the NetGo community is currently playing against his mentor. And the ever growing numbers of spectators is truly amazing. The three teens leaned closer behind him and gaped at the computer screen.

It's an even match and the game progressing peacefully.

"Amazing." Ochi muttered unconsciously. Lately, he's quite annoyed that the certain Sai in the NetGo catching many Go players attentions instead of Hokuto Cup's representative. Yet, he couldn't help but admire the games the Saint of NetGo having with the Meijin.

Ogata frowned. To think the famous Sai is playing well against Touya Meijin's caliber. No wonder many people are intrigue and striving to play against the famous Sai. Then he gasped, seeing the number of game hours indicated on the screen.

Three hours.

He narrowed his eyes. Does it mean that the game was scheduled ahead of time, and so his mentor doesn't want any interruption during this time? But who might be the one will arrange the game among the people who visits the man.

His eyes widened, recalling the night of the meeting and the appearance of Shindo with Inoue. Is it them?

Even though he's too eager to ask Inoue about Raku Shin's connection to Sai, Shindo's unexpected appearance to their supposed meeting with the mysterious author greatly confused him.

Does Shindo Hikaru is in fact Raku Shin? Or does the teen knows the internet prodigy, personally? Or they worked together and wrote Kami No Itte?

There's so many questions needs to be answer. But his mentor's sudden sickness made him forgot everything about the mysterious author.

Behind him, Akira is thinking the same. Does Hikaru have something to do with Raku Shin with his sudden apperance that night. He promised to himself that he will visit the blonde bang teen after the session.

TBC

A/N: Hello guys! Sorry for another interrruption. It's certainly needed for this scenario. But I'm sticking on my storyline, no matter how frustrating they are. XD

I'm relly busy at work since last month, and then I had to take IELTS test for work transfer. Fortunately, I managed to get 6.5 overall band score. It's quite hard with the little time I had and mountain of works to do. And I'm really thankful that there were some people who helped me with me review. Seriously, I thought I couldn't get at least band 5. It was really sudden for me, when my boss told me to book a test as one of the requirements for work. Dang, it was like saying 'go buy a wedding dress, you're getting married tomorrow' lol.

And to those who accidentally read draft for Chapter 14, I posted the wrong chapter. Sorry for the mess. T_T

Kei