Grand Master Champion

Grand Master Champion

It was a lovely autumn day. For all of the middle school students in Japan, it was the week before school started. A girl was walking down the street, towards the Go salon.

She had shoulder length, wavy, strawberry-blonde hair. Her steely-blue eyes were focusing intently on the Go salon sign. She was wearing a forest green colored shirt, with dark blue jeans, and black tennis shoes. The fierce wind whipped her hair around. When she walked in to the salon, she was met with silence.

Everyone was focusing intently on their game. She made her way over to the information desk. “Excuse me, but is Akira Touya here?” The lady behind the desk looked up, “Yes, he’s at the table in the back.” The girl bowed her head in acknowledgement, “Thank you.” The girl headed to the back table. “Excuse me, but are you Akira Touya?” The girl asked politely. The boy looked up at her, “Yes. I am Akira Touya.”

The girl visibly relaxed. “My name is Darilyn Guy. I’m looking for your father; do you know where he is?” Akira nodded his head, “Yeah, I know where my father is. May I ask why you need to see him?”

Darilyn just smiled, “Let’s just say that it’s a matter of utmost importance. Can you tell me where he is?” Akira nodded his head, “He’s at the convention center on 20th street.” Darilyn blushed and looked down at her feet. “Um... I don’t really know my way around the town yet. I just arrived from America.” Darilyn stated sheepishly. “If you wouldn’t mind Akira, could you show me how to get there?”

Akira nodded his head, and stood up. “If you will just follow me.” He said, and then he walked out the door, Darilyn following close behind him.

A few minutes later, they were outside a huge building. “My father is just inside this building. He’s participating in a Go tournament right now.” Darilyn nodded her head, “I thought as much” Darilyn said thoughtfully.

She walked into the building, walking right past the ticket collector. Akira bowed to the man, apologizing for her behavior.

Darilyn took a seat in the front row of the bleachers, watching the Go match between Touya Meijin and his opponent. His opponent wasn’t all that great, but Touya was awesome!

He quickly defeated his opponent. The poor player was absolutely devastated! He stood silently, and walked out if the arena. Touya Meijin stood up calmly from his place at the Go board. Behind him, a figure walked towards him.

This figure was wearing a black cloak. On this person’s face was a black mask. The mask completely covered the top portion of the person’s face. The figures left sleeve was pulled up, revealing a tattoo. But not just any tattoo, this tattoo was of a green and black dragonfly wearing a cloak, much like the one the figure wore. The dragonfly was also carrying a scythe.

Under the dragonfly, written in a scroll, were the words “Tonbo Shinigami.” Under these words were the words, “Dragonfly Grim Reaper.” Meijin’s eyes grew slightly larger at the sight of this person.

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Meanwhile, up in the stands, everyone was wondering who this person is. “Mister Akira?” Akira turned his head towards the person that spoke. “Yes sir?” The man cleared his throat, “Would you happen to know who that person is?”

Akira slowly nodded his head, “Yes, I believe this is the person my father speaks about often. You see, at a tournament a few years ago, there was a Go player who was extraordinary. My father met this player only once, at the Tournament to decide the Grand Master Champion. The final match of that tournament was to decide the best Go player in the world. My father made it that far, and faced an opponent who wouldn’t reveal his/her true identity.”

Akira turned towards the man, “This person wore a black cloak, a black mask, and had a tattoo, all exactly the same kind that the person in front of us is wearing. This person played my father, and won.”

“That is the one match my father ever lost. He was named ‘Grand Master’, while his opponent was named ‘Grand Master Champion’. “Mister Akira, are you trying to tell us that the person on the floor with your father now, is THE Grand Master Champion?!”

Akira bowed his head, “Yes sir that is exactly what I’m trying to tell you.”

The man sat back down, “So I guess they are going to start a game right now?”

“We can only guess.” Akira stated simply.

The two on the floor had already started a game. This game lasted for a total of 5 minutes. In the end, the victory went to the Grand Master Champion.

The Master stood up, bowed to Mr. Touya, and walked off of the floor. “Wow,” Akira exclaimed as he turned to his right, “Hey Darilyn, did you see that match?”

Darilyn was no longer sitting next to him. He looked toward the end of the bleacher aisle, and saw her making her way back to the seat.

“Where were you at Darilyn?”
“I was in the bathroom. Why, was the match not over?!”

Akira shook his head, “No it was over. But you missed the one Between the Grand Master Champion and my dad, The Grand Master.”

Darilyn just shrugged, “Oh well!” With that said she walked down to meet Meijin Touya.