Chapter 18

Loved by God

Hikaru felt cold breeze rush by his face, he loved it – to see calm Academy grounds at night. His wounded heart was healed by this place and he was grateful – well maybe healed wasn't right word, more like he overcame all his pain.

“Hikaru?” Deryl called him “You should sleep already, lack of sleep won't help you – it will damage your health.”

“Hey. I couldn't sleep.” Hikaru smiled at his friend “I was wondering – can I live outside? I here I calmed down, but...”

“You are the one to choose.” Deryl put his hand on Hikaru shoulder “We can only support you, I just hope that you will come back with us... you on the other hand may choose not to.” man looked up to not show his face that shined with tears “No matter what will you choose I will be happy as long as you will be happy.”

“I look really ungrateful, am I not? After all you did.”

Deryl looked at Hikaru and said softly “All we did – was done for ourselves, to light up feelings you have given to us.” he was very serious now “You don't owe us anything, you never did and never will be.”

Hikaru smiled softly at that remark “I'm truly grateful – and I'm not saying that I won't return. I just don't know. Even if Akira won't respond to my feelings I may stay there... I must play to reach Hand of God.”

“Play with stronger players – is that what you mean?” Deryl asked “You may do as you please with our full support.”

It was strange to hear a declaration like that, even after so long Hikaru could get used to this – absolute power within hands. Power to do as he liked with them and getting whatever he desired.

“We see you as loved by God.” stated Shelly who came right behind him “From the moment I saw you, your aura was different than any other human. Marked by Sai soul and God wish to lead you. We were put on your path so you wouldn't stray of it and you on ours...” she stopped for a second “You on ours so we could met one person who will see us in normal light.”

“That's very true.” they heard Ryu voice “It's give and take game – we just seek different things out of it.”

“Speaking of being different.” Hikaru looked up “We were like night and day – he so serious about Go and life... me on the other hand carefree and easy going in Go. Come to think of it, I crushed his world the moment I entered his Go-salon with Sai.”

“Not crushed, but rebuild.” Shelly pointed out “His Go wouldn't expand so much if it weren't for Sai and you.” Etoile smiled softly “He was touched by it too, God will and wish – he is to drive you even higher up – to Hand of God.” her words were a bit sad “Whether you will be lovers or rivals or even enemies – paths that were connected by God will never be separated again. Even if we hate to admit that – only he can push you up to reach your dream. His Go – formed by resolve to defeat a boy who claimed to never play before and still beat him in a game of Go”

“I did said that – I never played before. That was quite shocking to him, but it was indeed true. Simply I wasn't the one who played. Sai was overjoyed that day – he played his old joseki too, since we didn't knew of changes. I wonder what would happen if I knew Go before Sai.”

“Why?” Ryu listened carefully, he didn't understand most of it, since he hadn't had a chance to know Hikaru secret, but still he wanted to know about legendary Sai

“If I knew more of it I would probably do as He did – I would let Sai to play all the games he wanted.” Hikaru bit his lip in regret

“Don't regret. You did as was to be – since Sai could be finally put in rest.” Shelly said quickly “He don't want you to cry this over and over again.”

“ I want to play Akira as soon as its possible, I want to see how his eyes will change as I play Sai moves. That's what I want for now.” said Hikaru and lied down with his head resting on Shelly's knees, she put her hand on his forehead “Can it be done?”

“I will see what I can do about it.” she assured “and now sleep.”

As he fallen into slumber Deryl smiled softly as his hands rested on Hikaru's “He finally understood that he must do is to ask. Sadly he did it now, when it's coming to an end.”

“No, in fact that's just the beginning.” Etoile mumbled “I have a feeling that he will need our help again sooner or later. God loves him, enough to keep wandering spirit for a millennium just to show him one game – and ones that God loves must face pain... in the past, now and in the future.”

“Loved by God.” Ryu repeated “That match him well – but what was that about a Spirit.”

“That's not something to talk about so casually.” cut Etoile “That's His matter and I won't tell you.”

During that time headmaster sat in his room with sad expression on his face, his mind was elsewhere “Loved by God – that match him perfectly. This school had became his in no time.”

“I don't know much about God, but isn't that about how he lives?” Adam-sensei asked while setting another stone “He captured their hearts by his burning desire to reach his goal and by soft heart that cried over master loss.”

“I have a feeling that he will come back one day – with greater problem.” Headmaster placed his stone “His path is thorny one – that I must admit.”

“We will reduce it.” both elders turned their heads toward the doors. “We will reduce thorns from his path and keep on protecting him until his time will end.”

“Deryl-san.” Headmaster whispered “Is there anything I can do for you at this hour?”

“He made a wish – to play with Touya Akira. As soon as he can to do so.”