[Go Soul Natsume's Book of Friends] Guang Xia

Chess Soul Special Chapter [-]

I don't know how long I had been discussing with Taya, when I suddenly heard the sound of pattering rain.The sky was getting dark, and the floor-to-ceiling windows slid out a series of faint water marks, which fell on the chessboard like ripples.

Taya stood up and picked up the suit jacket on the back of the chair: "I have to go back."

"Huh? So fast?" I was still immersed in his strange statement just now, unable to recover.

"My parents are at home, I can't discuss with you until midnight like before."

I was silent for a while, and said, "Taya, are you still willing to discuss it with me?"

Taya didn't hesitate for a moment.He said softly: "Since I was 12 years old, the seat opposite me has been empty for you."

If these words were put in the past, I must be very useful.But now, it's different.

"The person you're waiting for, are you sure it's me?" I looked at him and asked.

"Shinto Hikari." The action of putting on the suit jacket stopped halfway, Taya turned to look at me, his eyes were as sharp and unstoppable as bullets, "I said, you are the only one I've been watching from the beginning to the end .”

That day, after Taya said these words, Qian Cong connected the strings of the piano, and Zuo Wei also defeated Yu Jiuduan with a half-eye.Naturally, there was an uproar in the venue. Most of the antiques and treasures were won by the National Museum. President Amano kept saying that Zuo Wei and the mysterious luthier had contributed a lot this time.Taya and I have our hands full.After the meeting, Taya returned the "Jinto Chess Book" to me, and simply said: "I wrote it all down, and I also collected your later chess records here."

After a pause, his tone softened, "Come to the club, Shinto."

……

I packed the chess pieces into the chess box, stood up, and said calmly, "Taya, we need to talk. Wait until you are free."

The guests in the clubhouse looked at us in surprise.Taya Ryo and I both stood up, but we didn't quarrel, we just talked kindly. This was an unprecedented situation.

Taya said, "Let's talk now." He straightened his suit jacket, "Shinto, you go and get your backpack, we're going out."

<<

Pedestrians wading through the rainy streets with umbrellas.I didn't bring an umbrella, so I shared a big black umbrella with Taya.

I remembered that rainy night, when Taya lowered her head and wept, I stood panicked in the rain.Obviously it was Zuo Wei who defeated him, but it seemed that he had made a mistake, feeling helpless and dazed indescribably.

Since then, I've paid attention to it.

He cares more than anyone else, wants to stand by his side more than anyone else, this kind of feeling.

The moment we stepped onto the opposite sidewalk, the red light turned green.The blocked car river pushed and moved.

"Aren't you going home quickly?" I asked strangely.

"There's still time for a bowl of noodles." Taya said, "Shinto, let me treat you to ramen."

Actually invited me to eat ramen, is this person Taya Ryo I know?

"How many ramen shops do you know?" I teased.

"I only know one family. In Nagoya, my father brought me to eat it when I was a child." After a pause, Taya showed a serious expression on his face, "Very delicious ramen."

"real or fake?!"

<<

"Isn't this the seafood ramen shop in Daizhen——"

At this time, the lights were on and the booths were gone, so Taya and I sat side by side on the bar.

"This is the newly opened branch in Shinjuku, Tokyo." I ordered two seafood ramen without looking at the menu, and the waiter was smiling, "You two must be regular customers of other stores, right?"

"Natsume is really a regular customer. He liked the ramen here ten years ago." I explained to Taya about the Daijin ramen shop.

"You and Natsume-kun are very close."

"He is my best friend."

And you, Taya Ryo.I have long regarded you as my best rival and friend.

If Zuowei is the origin of my dreams, then you make my dreams complete.

You are the irreplaceable other half of Chess of Light.

Taya lowered her head deeply, her black hair was hanging down, her voice was restrained and calm: "Shinto, yes—"

I suddenly realized that I didn't need to listen to what he had to say.

"You don't need to say anything." I interrupted him.

Taya was surprised: "Shinto?"

"You don't need to say it. I understand, Taya."

Taya bit her lower lip, and after a while, she still spoke, with the stubborn look I was familiar with. "sorry."

"You guy... Forget it, there's nothing I can do about you. But, to be fair, I'm also at fault for hiding you for many years and failing to keep my promises."

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"Yeah, it doesn't matter." I said.

"Then, the chess you play is all you have. I have never changed this idea."

I don't understand anymore.I turned my face away and stared into Taya's eyes looking straight into mine.It was the first time I looked into Taya's eyes from such a close distance, and I could barely breathe.Such a slender and beautiful outline, with a bright blue color, is covered with sharp and shining stars.

In his eyes, I can clearly see my own face, like a mirror!

At this moment, I actually panicked, as if there was an unbearable weight.I gritted my teeth and said, "What if there are no two games of chess?"

Taya turned his face and took a sip of brown rice tea: "I was very angry when I found out the truth. Hikari Shinto, how can you fool me. But you really chased after me—so many people said they wanted to challenge me , only you, caught up."

I smiled: "Although I am ignorant, I am brave enough."

"Undeniable."

"There are too many courageous people. Ochi, Wada, Ikaku, Nase, and Yuriko, which one is not courageous? Taya, I understand very well. If there is no Zuo, in your eyes, I have nothing to do with them Different." I said sadly.

Taya was silent for a while, took the chopsticks and handed them to me, and said calmly: "No if."

"No if?" I asked in a daze.

"If there is no sai, I may never remember Hikari Shinto for the rest of my life - if my father is not Toya Yukihiro, maybe I would not regard go as a career; if I hadn't met you who was possessed by sai at that time, I didn’t take the professional chess exam until a few years later, and I still played by myself at the age of 15. All these ifs are meaningless. The reality is like this. You and I have come to the present step by step. You are my destiny opponent. For me, That's enough."

I was stunned, slowly reacted, and smiled: "Yes!"

Even if I stand on the shoulders of giants to get your attention, even if my soul is lost in endless self-questioning, even if I try to find myself in your gaze, even if I struggle all my life, there is no substitute Zuowei's position in your eyes.

But I'm on your side!We are fateful opponents, there is no doubt about it!

So from now on, let go of unnecessary fear and forget whether it is me or not.Don't think about the causes and consequences that have passed away, and don't be complacent about winning the favor of the gods.From now on, be in awe of every move, and play every game well with the most solemn heart!

"I will continue to play chess with you." I looked at Taya sincerely, "Let's go with Zuowei to find the hand of God."

Taya looked at me stretching out my hand, with stars shining in his eyes, and the fiery emotion was indescribable.I reached out and shook hands with him.

<<

The long-standing doubts were resolved, and the nerves that had been tense for days were suddenly disconnected. I was dizzy for a moment, and I almost had the illusion of dreaming.

The rain was still pouring, and Taya and I walked towards the subway station with the same umbrella.Passing the Chess Academy along the road, the plaque of "Nippon Chess Academy Hall" was washed shiny by the rain, the sound of slapping pieces in the game room, the announcement of the chess game in the window, the posters on the wall...etc. No matter how familiar, but at this moment there is a new feeling of new life.

We stand in front of the subway station.

I said: "You go home, I'll sit in the chess academy and wait for Zuowei by the way."

"You take your umbrella with you."

"It's okay, I'll be there in a short run, the Chess Academy is so close."

"You be careful."

"Say hello to Taya-sensei for me."

"Father said he... Forget it, let's talk about it later."

I waved at Taya and ran into the rain curtain.

Just then, I saw it.

On the slope at the corner of the Chess Academy, under the crimson oiled paper umbrella, Saoi and Yuriko were together.Zuo Wei seemed to have said something, Yuli Zi's body shook, she squatted down slowly, and began to cry.