[bright] time

Will you finally greet me sincerely?

I've known this guy Liang since he was still in Mrs. Mingzi's womb. What's on my mind, even if I put on a mask, I can't escape my eyes. He hasn't resigned himself to his fate, has he?

The prank in front of the hospital didn't expect to make him angry for so long?It's so funny to think about it, seeing his desperate face, ah, a face that thinks it's desperate is not bad!hehe.

(Yes, I am a bad-hearted person. When I lost the chance of five consecutive championships, I still felt that I was not bad enough at the time. Humph, forget it, just come back and accumulate again this year.)

But, Ryo, although you might not believe it, I did it for the good of Nihon Kiin, and for your own good.

Because it's not the time..., it's not the time for you to give Shinto an answer.

The situation at the time was still far from my ambition.

How could you let that kid come back so easily?His task is not over yet.

The reform of the promotion system in the previous year was just a show of superficial renewal. It is not only the system that is corrupt in Japanese Go, but also the heart of the players, and this is the most annoying thing for me.

The number of ranks is in command, they only care about the accumulated wins regardless of their actual performance, they think they are strong as soon as they enter the ranks of high-ranking chess players, and they neglect to work hard to deceive and cheat everywhere. Japanese chess players live too comfortably.

"Japanese Go pursues Dao, while Korean Go pursues only winning or losing." It's really funny to use this kind of presumptuous excuse to comfort yourself. Without the courage to admit that one's skills are inferior to others, there is no possibility of regaining [-]%.

In the future of Go, winning or losing is everything.

The reason why South Korea is strong is that it attracts young students to join the ranks of Go with its brilliant international competition results.

The reason why Japan is weak is that it ignores the plasticity of young students, and only knows to focus on praising some chess players whose strength has long been inferior to others.

The self-esteem of these idiots must be completely destroyed from the very beginning.

And this kind of annoying role can only be played by Shinto, who is not very popular with traditional chess players. He is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.

I pray that Shindo will become the legend of the youngest LG Cup champion with the most embarrassing identity for old idiots—a chess player exiled from Japan to Korea.Let a person who was kicked out by those old fools destroy this city built by seniority and face, this is the most complete destruction.

As for Shinto, I'm using him, not hurting him.Because it will be good for him after it is done, and that result is definitely what he is happy to see.

The new system of Nihon Ki-in, whose power is in command, is about to come into effect, and those who have created legends... will become the taboo that the Ki-in cannot interfere with.

But things backfired, my ambition, success also that brat, defeat also that brat.

On the day of the LG Quarterfinals, my blood pressure didn't return to normal until I saw the brat's hand appear on the screen.

What does it mean to want to represent Europe? ?brat! !

There are two people who have the same ambition as mine, but do it differently.

Kurata desperately wants Shinto to represent Japan in the competition, and intends to slowly change Nihon Kiin with a gentle method.

Then there is the old and immortal thief... the old monster actually intervened in an unexpected place.

He must have been the one who told Shinto to join Eurochess.

Europe and America are undoubtedly worlds independent of the three major powers in today's Go world, yet Shinto is taught to represent Europe...Hmph, although unwilling, it is indeed a brilliant move.

It can teach the old idiots a lesson, or make the situation stalemate by not choosing between Japan and South Korea, and it can also ensure the position of the brat after he returns to Japan...

With Kurata's method, Shindo can return to Japan smoothly, but he is destined to be unable to escape the shackles of the traditional school;

In my method, Shindo can minimize the voice of the traditional school, but it makes the most enemies. (I don't care about it, anyway, I'm not a member of Taya's sect.)

The method of the old monster can be said to be the least risky.

It's a pity that the old monster's deliberate tricks were also destroyed by this brat himself.At the moment when the brat didn't simply abstain, but decided to participate in the LG quarterfinals.

The brat chose Europe—his blood from another country; he chose Korea—his contract country; he rejected Japan—his mother country.

『Stupid guy──!You don't even know the seriousness of the matter──! ? 』

I, Kurata, and the old monster had the same opinions for the first time in history. On that day, I ran to the old monster's house and scolded the brat on the [-]G phone.

"sorry.I tried a lot to convince the organizers, but it still didn't work.

In the LG game, "abstaining" is the only way, I know..., really.

But until the last moment, I still couldn't abstain.Why do you still find reasons to give up on purpose when you can compete?How is this different from deliberately losing chess? 』

"I am a chess player and want to play chess!"I want to play the strongest chess, I want to play a magic move; I don't want to surrender without a fight, I don't want to be sorry for my own chess.Isn't that right? 』

"Actually, it doesn't matter whether it's Japan, Korea, Europe or America, I don't care where I play chess for, or which side I stand on!"I just want to play chess, and I want to play chess where I can feel most at ease.Why did things have to get so complicated?Wouldn't it be great if you can't work hard to win chess! ! 』

The Brat ruined our plans and ended up being a hard nut to crack.

The three of us were speechless.Lost to this kid.

Then I realized... Maybe this is the method most like Hikari Shindo.

No distracting thoughts, no calculations, just put yourself on the side of "Go".

The third runner-up of LG let everyone who plays chess or not play chess know that the one who helped South Korea win the trophy is called Shindo Hikari, a Japanese, and he is representing the European Go Federation in the Samsung Cup.

In "Why did such a chess player not stay in Japan but was exiled to Korea! ? ’ to the sound of the valve,

The council explained it this way:

"Shindo Hikaru is an arrogant chess player. At the end of last year, he ignored the Japanese Ki-in's unconditional promotion to the seventh-dan chess player. He insisted on staying in the Korean chess academy. He even represented the European Chess Federation in the competition. I can't see these actions other than belittling the Japanese Ki-in. other intentions. 』

Use these words to help yourself out of the trap.

This situation has been expected, and it is also the biggest reason why we want to scold Shindo to the bad head.

Shinto Hikari's nice words only showed their value when he won the final, after all, "the winner is king, and the loser is nothing".

Thankfully, those speeches only added a month to the council's life.

After all, the champion's convincing power is higher than that of the third runner-up, and even the doubts within the Chess Academy are increasing day by day.

In the end, the council dissolved itself, and re-elections were held at the end of the year.

It's just that sometimes people can't help but wonder,

If the Samsung Cup is defeated, how many things will be lost, I don't know if the brat has thought about it.

Hmm, hypothetical questions don't make any sense.

Putting out the cigarette in his hand, he waved his hand and called Liang over.

"Liang, how are you doing?"

"Thanks to Ogata-san, it's not bad."

The diction is still so well-behaved, which is the complete opposite of the brat.

Sigh~, but both of them are Go idiots.

"I'm asking about the situation of Go."

"…,very good."

Although I have doubts about my question, but the answer can be confident.Great, that's how it's fun!

"Heh. I will watch the spring competition from the audience."

***

I sat in the lounge backstage, waiting for the kickoff to start.At this time, someone knocked on the door, opened the door, and walked in was an old man with a slightly bald forehead and a smile on his face, who is the chairman of this year.

"Taya-sensei! Happy New Year! Happy New Year! I kept you waiting!"

"Happy New Year, Chairman. Please don't say that, I've only just arrived."

Standing up from the chair, he nodded and said hello.

"Mr. Taya is still so polite. Please sit down!" Mr. Imai, the chairman of the board, made a gesture of please, asking me to sit down, and he sat down too.

"Taya-sensei met Ogata-sensei in the corridor just now, right?"

"Yes."

"That would be great. It represents the start of the new year's Spring Tournament. Please do your best. I think this day is what all Go fans across the country have been looking forward to for the past few months. But it must not be as long as Laoshen, haha. It’s been two years since I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Mr. Imai narrowed the corners of his eyes covered with crow's feet, and took a sip of tea.

"Excuse me... isn't the person who played against me in the first fight, Mr. Imai?"

"Oh? Did Master Ogata Chess not say anything? It's been changed. Instead of watching me play chess with an old man with ordinary chess skills, everyone should want to see my teacher play chess with the celebrity Taya, right?"

"Mr. Imai's teacher...?"

"Hehe, yes! He played guiding chess for the old man for three years before! He is a very competent teacher!"

Knock, knock, the one who opened the door was Mr. Tanaka,

"Chairman."

"What's the matter?"

Mr. Tanaka whispered a few words in Mr. Imai's ear.

"That's too bad, there's a traffic jam..." He touched the top of Tong Shan Zhuo Zhuo's head with a look of pity.

"But on the way here, he said that he will definitely catch up."

"Oh, since he said absolutely, then there should be no problem... Then I have to rely on the old man's acceptance speech for a few more minutes. Ah, I apologize in advance, Mr. Taya. I may have to trouble the teacher to stand on the stage later. Listen to this old man talking long and boring nonsense? The game may take a while to start."

"...Yes, it's fine."

A few minutes later, the opening ceremony officially began. Mr. Imai came to the stage to deliver his acceptance speech and the future management policy of the council.Maybe Mr. Imai is a very funny talker?From time to time, the sound of chuckling came from the audience, but it was not boring at all, let alone rigid.

I stood behind the crimson curtain on the left, and I just saw Mr. Imai's profile, waiting for Mr. Imai to give the master of ceremonies instructions, so that after the master of ceremonies' announcement, he moved to the chessboard in the center of the stage.

At this moment, the crow's feet in the corners of Mr. Imai's eyes wrinkled slightly, and he nodded his head forward.

It's like seeing someone you've known for a long time.

Feeling strange, I pulled the curtain back a little so that I could see what was going on under the stage...

Nearly 200 people came to the venue, and there were more than 70 chess players sitting on the seats, and the rest were spectators and media reporters.The number of people attending this year was more than in previous years, and many people stood when there were not enough seats.

And then...I found out,

The door that was closed before the ceremony started was opened at some unknown time,

Someone broke into the venue.

The man took a few deep breaths, his panting state stabilized a lot, and he nodded back to Mr. Imai on the stage.

He didn't care about the astonished expressions and questions of others,

They just moved quietly and quickly to the stage.There was no hesitation, no pause in the steps.

The black suit and shirt looked untidy, the popular sports backpack was thrown over his shoulders, and the definitely not cheap coat was held in his hand carelessly,

Her hair was tousled by the wind, the first button was unbuttoned, and the tie around her neck was more than half loose.

Did it break up on the way here?

A man in a suit is sprinting down the street like a child,

I don't know how many pedestrians on the road have been frightened?as it is now.

As he moves,

Waves of astonishment surged from behind to the front.

He said that he was like a typhoon, which would mess up the surroundings.

Is this the time for... sea typhoon warnings to rumble?

The rolled up big waves approached the stage step by step.

On the way, I saw Mr. Hegu and other former comrades slowly curled the corners of their mouths, greeted with their eyes, and secretly made a gesture of having a drink later; saw Mr. Ogata, Mr. Kurata and others who had taken care of him in the past The elder who added, restrained his smile again, nodded his head, and apologized for causing the commotion with his eyes.

When did this storm-like person become so adept at advancing and retreating?

That person walked up the stairs on the right under Mr. Tanaka's instructions, and after temporarily handing Mr. Tanaka his backpack coat, he faced me and stood behind the crimson curtain like me.There was a stage between us, just a few steps away, and I could see his face clearly.

The opponent in the first fight is... Shinto.It turned out that Mr. Imai was one of the customers who taught chess before Shinto, and he was the old builder he often talked about.

Ogata-san and Kurata-san say the same thing because they already know, right?Ogata-san must have deliberately not told me...

With a mature face and a familiar smile, Shinto moved his lips and said silently,

(Long time no see, Taya.)

It took a lot of effort to keep myself calm, and slowly answered his words like this,

(...Long time no see, Shinto.)

It turned out that I forgot to write the time..., because I will be able to play chess soon, so I didn't write any time....Remembering that I wrote back to correct him, I suddenly felt a little funny.

Shindo opened his piercing eyes inquiringly,

(What's wrong?)

I accidentally laughed out just now, which made him feel weird.However, it was really not a big deal, so he pointed at him and compared his tie,

(Your... tie... is loose.)

Suddenly realized, Shinto smiled apologetically, adjusted the loose tie, buttoned the top button of the shirt and the suit jacket one after another, patted the clothes, scratched the hair, looked up at me, and made a comparison. OK gesture,

(Is it okay?)

Why...he has grown so much in these two years?

Every move I make, every move I make, feels different from before...

Looking at it... I feel a little throbbing, a little lonely, and a little... unwilling.

The past two years... if only I could stand up close and watch him change.

(Hey~~~Taya Ryo~~~) Shinto waved his hand, as if to call my attention.

(No problem.) In order to hide my ecstasy, I had no choice but to return the OK gesture to Shinto.

This is probably the first time I have used this gesture in my life... Maybe it really doesn't suit me?I can still tell that Shindo is suppressing his hilarious expression, is it so funny?glared at him.

Immediately after the public match ended, Shinto was dragged away by a group of people from Kazuya. He should really go drinking, right?I ran to Mr. Ogata to ask him what was going on.Why did Shinto come back so suddenly.

"Who knows? It's the chairman who invited Hikari Shinto to participate in the opening ceremony, not me. I just happened to hear about it as an executive director. I didn't expect the brat to appear! Don't treat me like a fox .Bright!"

Mr. Ogata lit a cigarette and sat on the sofa in the lounge with his legs crossed.

It has been like this for a long time, Ogata-san will occasionally find tricks to play tricks on me on a whim.But after last year's celebrity battle, the word "occasionally" has become "often".

"Oh, this year's celebrity teachers don't seem to believe me? Well then, just pretend I didn't tell you on purpose. In order to apologize, let me tell you one more gossip!

In addition to inviting Shinto to participate in the opening ceremony, Chairman Imai also said that he would take advantage of the brat's return to the country this time to find out the contract that was frozen a year ago, and planned to persuade Shinto to continue signing with Nihon Kiin. "

"..." The frozen contract can be untied...?Shindo has the possibility of returning to Kiin...?

"But I don't think it will be successful. Shinto likes things... things... people... in Korea so much. Oh? Ryo~. Or... Ryo, is there any good way...to make Shinto stay in Japan?"

"..." It's this kind of expression again... waiting to see the good show, staying here is just being teased.

"I don't know. Excuse me."

As soon as I got home, I immediately turned on the computer, opened the mailbox, and wanted to write an email to Shindo, "I don't have a job tomorrow to play chess with me", when I suddenly thought that he was no longer in Korea, not far away.

During his time in Japan, how should our connection start...?