hikarunogo | Reread: Volume 02: Game 016 (Reply)

雨の中の謀議
Conspiracy on a Rainy Day

This chapter originally appeared in the 19th issue of Weekly Shounen Jump in 1999.

Material from this chapter was adapted into anime episode 8 (雨の中の策略, "Rainy Day Strategy").

This chapter takes place in April of 1999.

Chapter Summary

Instead of looking intimidated by Okumura's mirror go strategy, Akira looks amused. Akira plays tsuke against Okumura's tengen hand. Okumura is alarmed, but resolutely continues to mirror Akira's moves. Eight moves later, Akira has captured Okumura's group in the centre, gaining five prisoners and five points of territory. Okumura, thrown, resigns.

Itou, a second-year, mocks Okumura for trying something so stupid. Kojima gently chides Itou, and Itou explains the various ways someone simply mirroring his opponent can be thwarted.

When Okumura asks them to do something about it, Itou and Kojima waffle with small talk about cram schools and tutoring.

Kojima wonders if Touya will be first-board in the upcoming tournament. Itou says that people say he's going to eventually be Meijin. Okumura, incensed, asks if Itou's saying to get Akira's autograph now. Kojima brings the conversation back to talking about playing him, saying it'd be something to brag about in the future. Okumura complains that Kojima's objective is too low.

The trio's attention is drawn by Ichikawa calling out Akira's name from her car. She's come to pick up Akira because he promised to play shidougo with her, and tells him there is coffee and cake.

Ichikawa's cute nature and special indulgences incense Okumura, and Itou says he'd like to humiliate Akira at least once. Okumura pressures Kojima, who knows how they feel, but he's doubtful about their chances at beating him without a handicap. Itou says it's impossible, but he's thought of a way to defeat Touya Akira.

Meanwhile, Hikaru and Tsutsui are putting away their club equipment for the day. Tsutsui comments that Akari didn't show up today. Hikaru says that's fine. Tsutsui brings up Hikaru yelling at her. Hikaru blows that off, saying that kind of thing totally wouldn't bother her, and he knows her really well since they're neighbours. Tsutsui tells Hikaru to invite her tomorrow. Hikaru refuses, and protests that go's not for girls.

Sai asks what he's talking about; even in the Heian capital, there were many women who played go. Sai mentions that Sei Shonagon and Murasaki Shikibu played go as a hobby, and reminds a clueless Hikaru that they were mentioned in class just recently.

Hikaru changes the subject by drawing Sai's attention to Hikaru's umbrella, which he opens with a click of a button. Sai is blasé about it, which disappoints Hikaru a bit. Tsutsui leaves, and Sai reminisces about how go equipment hasn't changed since back in the day, and the umbrella hasn't changed much in a thousand years either. Hikaru agrees, points out some of the umbrella's shortcomings, and says they live in the time where humanity has gone to the moon but an umbrella is still an umbrella. Sai laughs it off, then is incredulous, and Hikaru is happy he's found something to wind Sai up about.

Meanwhile, Okumura, Kojima, and Itou are coming up with harebrained schemes to try and defeat Touya. Kojima suggests playing a game with Touya with his hands and feet tied up, and Itou smirks and says it's a good idea.

Games Played

Touya Akira vs. Okumura
Result: Touya Akira wins by resignation
Inspiration: unknown

Thanks to ヒカルの棋譜 for making this game available for download!

Featured Characters

Fujiwara no Sai
Ichikawa Harumi
Itou
Kojima
Okumura
Shindou Hikaru
Touya Akira
Tsutsui Kimihiro

First Appearances

Itou
Kojima

Featured Locations

Haze Middle School
Kaiou Middle School

Commentary

THERE IS NO WAY MY CUNNING PLAN CAN FAIL.

I am not 100% on this, but given some wiggle room for dealing with a foreign language (the song lyrics word bubble is untouched from the original), I think Itou is listening to I'm Deranged by David Bowie.

DAAAAAAAAAAYUM, Ichikawa-san! I would hit that like a screen door in a hurricane if you know what I mean AND I THINK YOU DO. Seriously, doesn't she look EXTRA cute today with her adorable headband and smokin' hot dark lips? Touya, you are one lucky-ass kid.

More incredible faces. Thanks, Obata-sensei! Kojima especially looks like he smelled a disturbingly appetizing fart.

I DID NOT UNTIL THIS VERY MOMENT NOTICE THAT THERE IS A HEART IN THE DRIVING-AWAY SOUND EFFECT (it's in the original, too). Oh. My. God. Dying, dying, dying; send helppppppppppp

A great angle! Obata-sensei's so good at these overhead shots! EVERYTHING FEELS SO INTENSE.

Speaking of feminine people with really sexy lipstick in this chapter....

This is probably one of my favourite non-srs Sai panels in the whole manga. He just looks so pretty and happy and elegantly charming here!

Okumura, you are getting just a wee bit too excited at the prospect of tying Touya up and having him helpless and bound to obey your whims. I seriously don't know what to make of this face.

I never noticed before now that he's not even holding on to his umbrella. Do people do this? Stand around with their umbrellas balanced on their shoulders or something? Is what's in your pocket really that interesting?