From the corner of his eye Yongha noted, walking into the Korean Go Institute study room, the dark-haired youth at the corner table. He recognized in passing the diminutive form of Hon Suyong, head bowed over a goban, intensely studying the black and white stones laid before him. But the older kenkyuusei's attention was on his own forthcoming match, and he crossed the room without another glance at the corner.

It was only when he was leaving, five hours later, that Yongha really paid attention. Because Suyong was in the same exact position as when he had arrived, focus entirely on the table before him, the game still on the goban.

Yongha admitted his curiosity and stepped over to see. He stopped next to the table to look down at the board. Seconds passed; neither of the young men moved. Suyong's gaze slid slowly left and right, moves and countermoves passing behind his eyes. Yongha swept over the layout of the stones, deducing the way of the game. After a few minutes, his eyes widened.

"Who played this game?" he asked, breaking the silence.

If Suyong was startled by his presence, he didn't show it. "Myself and Shindou Hikaru," he murmured, still studying the board. "An insei I played in Japan."

"Shindou Hikaru?" said Yongha quietly, committing the name to memory. "That's interesting."

Suyong only looked up when Yongha turned and left, footsteps clicking quietly on the tile floor.