The work of the Go master

The problem is that this match will be the coronation battle for Kobe Bryant. Everyone is waiting for a man who has lit up the halo of all seven titles to appear and write an invincible record.

In short, the battle in the chess world will be reignited!

In a cake shop in the bustling heart of Tokyo, Harushima Kashima peels a piece of cake while looking up at a small TV hanging above the shop, which is replaying a sports event.

The current holder of the Moon God title, Kitaro Hikaze, announced that he will relinquish the Moon God title and voluntarily give up the position for other players to compete for.

This is a very unexpected move; it is rare for a title holder to voluntarily give up the title and stay away from chess competitions.

However, it was to be expected. Facing Hikaru Kazuki, who was already at the top of the Go world, Hikazeya, who was known for his consistent performance with neither a very low nor a very high limit, certainly had no confidence that he could defeat him.

Giving up the title also has its advantages, such as being able to take a portion of the prize money directly. The total prize money for the Moon Sky title match was originally 109.4 million yen, but Nikkazeya just raised it to a round number of 100 million yen.

"Want this treasure? Come and fight for it! I've placed it on the final stage!" He announced this grandly to the camera at the very last moment of the interview.

He clearly only left because he knew he wasn't good enough, but his slogan makes it sound like he's already invincible and is retiring to make way for newcomers...

The competition will begin in a month, when Tokyo will officially enter cherry blossom season, and the game will be played amidst the pink cherry blossom tide... Whether this is just a figure of speech or whether the game will actually be moved to an open-air cherry blossom tree is unknown.

Regarding the news that the final will use ancient chess, Nikkazeya did not make a specific statement, only announcing that the rules and format of the final are still under study and discussion.

This is probably part of the assist; perhaps Dad had visited Nikko Yamazaki a long time ago to discuss matters related to this competition.

Harushima Kashima actually felt a little emotional, as if the whole world was helping her, and everyone was putting in effort to push her to the finish line of the stage.

The door to the cake shop opened, and the wind chimes on the door jingled.

"Hey, the competition has already been announced. Instead of working overtime to prepare, you've called us all out. Are you planning a little pre-battle party?" Bai Meng walked brightly to the empty seat in front of Qingdao Lu. She didn't know when, but she had officially become a member of the Qingdao team.

"Now everyone's here. Listen up, I have something important to announce... cough cough." Harushima Kashiwa stood up from her seat and looked around at her friends in the cake shop.

She found this cake shop while out shopping with Bai Meng one day and decided to make it their regular hangout.

At this moment, the store has been temporarily booked by Qingdaolu. A sign outside the door says it is closed. Inside, there are only his teammates and staff.

Hoshino, Hoshino, Xiong Ying, Takami, Shiro, Shōmiya, Mizuki, Zero... and recently, Fuchigami Shizuru, who inexplicably joined the group, it can be said that the entire group of best friends came out and gathered in this cake shop, waiting for Harujima Shika to announce some important matter.

"An important announcement...?" Bai Meng was slightly taken aback, seemingly understanding what the other party was about to announce.

Xingcai's eyelashes drooped slightly; when she was summoned here, she had a premonition of what was about to happen.

“Yes, it’s very important. Although, strictly speaking, this is my private matter, but... but you are my best friends, and there are some things I have to let everyone know.” Harushima Shika said solemnly, taking small breaths one after another.

"I've already confessed to Koji Hikaru... or rather, the upcoming Moon Battle will be the real stage for our confessions. The winner will confess to the loser, and the loser must accept." Harushima Shika looked straight at everyone, her back ramrod straight. In the past, she would have blushed and stammered when she said this, but now she had matured a lot, and every syllable was exceptionally clear.

"That's all! I hope everyone will wish me well!" With that, Harushima Shika bowed slightly, her two ponytails hanging down.

Everyone was stunned... Although many of them probably expected this outcome, they were still somewhat at a loss when faced with this moment.

After a long while, sporadic applause rang out... The applauders were Ling, Xingcai, and Baimeng.

“Well done, Sister Lu. I thought you were going to back down now,” Zero said.

After a few scattered rounds of applause, the other two fell into a slump, their heads bowed.

Harujima Kashima remained somewhat serious and silent, his hands folded in front of him.

There are always things we have to face, even if they are not pleasant, and may even cause some regret and helplessness.

But they must speak out, and they must speak out openly and honestly.

Before this round of meetings, she specifically discussed this matter with Ling, since she could roughly sense that there were a few people in the team who had some inappropriate thoughts about Ke Zhiguang...

What will happen to their relationship with me if this is really made public?

Like a coin that has been flipped in mid-air, it lands on the table and begins to spin, as if no side is a good outcome, and only by standing upright on the ground can everything be turned into something beautiful.

Zero replied at the time: "Trust your friends... not that you believe they will painfully give up their love so that you can be the lucky winner, nor that they can shake your position so that you can be the rightful winner, but that you believe your friendship will not be severed by anything, not even love."

The cake shop remained silent for a long time. One breath after another rose in Harushima Kaoru's chest, and finally she shouted, "So... wish me well, I will give you more friendship... and more family!"

She spread her arms wide, as if to embrace everyone.

The original version of this sentence was based on the idea that "all friendships and love eventually turn into family ties." Although Harushima Kazuya doesn't know the meaning of this change, she just wants to shout it out.

Hearing this nonsensical line, everyone looked puzzled, as if they understood what she meant, but they still felt that the line was a bit strange.

A barely suppressed smile appeared on Bai Meng's lips, her dejection gradually dissipating. She solemnly raised her hand: "I support the pairing of Xiao Lu and Guang Jun."

"Is this really okay...?" Shao Gong asked worriedly.

Bai Meng lowered her eyebrows again: "Actually, I only realized later that you, Xiao Lu, are also a ray of light for me."

"I am... Light?" Harushima asked in surprise.

"Yes, you are brave, hardworking, and sincere. The more I spend with you, the more I can feel your shining qualities, and the less hostility I feel towards you. I slowly want to become like you. So later I thought... Is there a problem with letting the man I love and the woman I love be together?"

"Wait! What's that next one, my beloved?" Hearing the first half of the sentence, Harushima Kashiwagi became more and more moved, but when she heard the second half, she shrank back.

"Pah! Anyway, that's roughly the idea. Besides, I'm not someone who lacks love, because... because I have two here! And you only have Hikaru!" As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly.

The moment she finished trembling, she swept Shao Gong and Shui Cheng into her arms, flanking them under her arms like a queen consort.

"What the hell are you doing now that you're drunk?! Did you eat a chocolate with a liqueur filling?" Shao Gong complained, while Shui Cheng smiled sheepishly.

On another sofa, Hoshino also spoke up: "Unfortunately, I also have two here. Senior Harushima, you really lost quite thoroughly."

Xingcai took Xingjia and Yuanshang Jingliu's hands on either side, presenting a posture of embracing them on the left and right.

“Xingcai…” Xingjia turned her head to the side, looking at her younger sister with relief, thinking that the other would be disappointed for a longer time.

"My reason is the same as the former president's. Although we all have more or less fallen for Koji Mitsuhiro, we have other equally important people besides him, such as my sister, and Harujima-senpai. In the past and in the future, you are the people who have been the main companions for me."

Bai Meng nodded repeatedly beside her, "That's right, that's right! I only realized later that Xingyue had been taking care of me since high school, and even took care of me all the way to college!"

"So you're only just realizing this now!" Shao Gong complained loudly.

"And what about me?" Shizuru Fuchigami shrugged and smiled helplessly.

“You’ll have a chance to rise in the ranks in the future, as long as our friendship continues,” Xingcai said, looking at the other person.

Just then, on the sofa next door, Xiong Ying suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up, pinning Ying Mei down on the sofa and slamming her against the wall: "Ying Mei! Let's have a duel! Whoever wins confesses to the other, and the other can't refuse!"

"Stupid bear, get out of here!" Yingmei shoved her away.

The Harujima best friends, who were recently immersed in the "White Album" atmosphere, were suddenly revitalized and turned into a bizarre confession event.

Ke Ling sat amidst the noisy crowd and spoke in a melodious tone, as if she had lived for thousands of years: "Girls are truly amazing creatures."

After the scene quieted down a bit, Bai Meng and Xing Cai said in unison, "Sunny Island Deer!"

"W-what's wrong?" Upon being called out like that, Harushima Shika tensed up as if she had been called on in class.

"Every question that follows is crucial, listen carefully!"

"Yes!"

"First of all, can you be sure that you truly love Guangjun and will stay by his side through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth?" Although the two used lines typical of wedding emcees, they sounded more like terrorists pointing AK47s at people.

"N-Of course... Wait! Isn't it too early to go straight to the wedding now?" Harushima Shika's mind went blank, and steam flew out again.

"Oh? Too early, does that mean the two of us have a chance to rise to the top?"

"Get out, get out! You have no chance! I solemnly promise that, regardless of life or death, poverty or wealth, I will always be by Ke Zhiguang's side!" Seeing the two men's sly smiles, Qingdaolu was so frightened that she immediately agreed.

Sure enough! Best friends are always the hardest creatures to guard against!

"The second question is, regardless of natural disasters, man-made calamities, or your partner's infidelity, can you wholeheartedly fulfill your responsibilities as a wife?"

"Of course you can, but what's the difference between this question and the last one...?" Before she could even ask, Harushima Shika realized something was wrong.

"Stop! What's with that part about the other person cheating? That's going too far!" Harushima Shika retorted vehemently. "And besides, you two had already planned it all out, right? You were the ones who would cheat on each other!"

Thinking about it this way, this issue is truly a dilemma; neither side can be satisfied!

Xingcai and Baimeng both revealed a devilish, chuckle-like smile, having found common ground in each other's enjoyment.

After being bombarded with one nonsensical question after another, the two finally gave up.

"That's about enough. I'll reluctantly declare you passed," Xingcai said.

Bai Meng draped a sling over Qingdao Lu's shoulder and solemnly said, "In short, during the rest of your relationship, you can argue with Guangjun occasionally, or have conflicts. If things get really bad, you can even come and stay with us until the conflict is over before going back. But remember, you must love him... Otherwise, we'll take your place in a heartbeat!"

Xingjia couldn't help but chime in: "Don't worry, Long'er, we'll supervise you like a bride undergoing spiritual training."

Harushima Deer was too exhausted to argue. She glared at her group of fake best friends, who all seemed like wolves and tigers, trying to get some amusement out of her.

But without a doubt, she had received this sincere blessing from everyone, and everyone spontaneously clasped their hands together, waiting for Harushima Deer to join them.

Harushima Shika stepped forward and placed her hands on top of each other.

Something like a contract has been formed.

Under the girls' intense love and friendship, the chill of late winter quickly dissipated, and in the blink of an eye, it was cherry blossom season. The vibrant spring transformed the stream into a pink river, and cherry blossom rain fell on both sides of the road.

The Moon Sky title match has officially begun.

As usual, let's fast forward to the finals in Chapter Three!

"Alright! It's finally time for us to take the stage and commentate on the game again!" After ten thousand years, Naosaka finally stepped onto the commentary seat once more.

He was deeply moved. As a veteran science fiction enthusiast, his investments had finally paid off, and he felt much more energetic.

In early March, the cherry blossoms in Tokyo officially bloom in succession. It is expected that the cherry blossom season will reach its peak during the finals. At that time, in addition to black and white, there will also be pink on the Go board, as if it were the color of youthful love.

The games were played at various famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo, such as Ueno Park and Meguro River. As many people expected, the games were played in an open-air setting, which was both antique and romantic, bringing the atmosphere to the extreme.

"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, Koji Hikaru has reached the pinnacle of the Go world. I heard that he was still hanging out in clubs at this time two years ago... Hey, Inoue, are you listening to me? Hey, Inoue."

"Excuse me, Naosaka 8-dan, could you please be quiet for a moment? I'm busy studying the game," Hoshino said.

"Ah... alright." Naosaka retreated reluctantly.

On the open-air playing field, chess players dressed in suits and wearing folding fans sat facing each other under the cherry blossom trees, exuding a fighting spirit that only chess players could see.

As a cherry blossom fell, the chess players were suddenly inspired, calmly making their moves. The light and shadow on the chessboard shifted accordingly, and a camera nearby perfectly captured this scene full of light and shadow.

After several months, everything in the chess world has returned to normal. This is the norm among chess players, not a battle between living and dead players.

As everything returned to normal, the various unusual phenomena that occurred during the Imperial Chess Tournament were gradually forgotten by the public under the influence of psychological suggestion. For example, some strange players appeared out of nowhere and made it to the finals or even won the championship.

Most of the attention was focused on Ke Zhiguang. Lines of media were waiting in the open space not far from the chessboard. There was even a production crew with a script, based on his legendary experience in the Dragon Throne Battle, with added elements of magic and romance.

Unfortunately, none of these people knew that once the game was over, Ke Zhiguang would activate his Crane Shadow ability and sneak away. Only when he was in the mood would he sit down and patiently listen to the director team's imaginative stories.

Now, he just wants to drive peacefully to the finish line.