Full-time comic artist

Higashino shut down his computer, just then he heard his phone ring.

“Teacher Toriakino,” said Shinoda 4-dan, “the Go Association will hold an award ceremony to thank you for your contributions and will also grant you the qualification of honorary Go player.”

He said that he would later formally inform Akino Mirai through Jump and hope that Hibiki Higashino would be prepared.

Higashino Hibiki was very happy to hear this.

Shinoda, 4-dan, then asked, "The Go Institute is planning to invite you to play Go with professional players in the Yugen Go Room. I wonder if that would be convenient?"

“Of course it’s convenient,” Higashino Hibiki said in a deep voice. “I’ve wanted to play Go in the Yugen Go Room for a long time.”

The Yugen Go Room is a room prepared for title matches. It appears frequently in the anime/manga series *Hikaru no Go*.

As a Go enthusiast, Higashino Hibiki naturally wanted to play Go there.

……

On Monday, art teacher Matsushita was reading the newspaper.

This is the Yomiuri Shimbun, which has over ten million readers every day and is very influential.

On the subsection, I saw a surprising news report.

About the Chess Academy.

They released data on the number of Go players in Japan.

In 1993, the number of Go players in Japan had fallen to around 6 million. After more than two years of effort, it finally rebounded to 8 million.

This is an achievement worthy of recognition.

Then a long list of efforts made in this regard was presented.

For example, they can increase their influence by producing Go programs and holding competitions.

And then there's the serialization of a comic book!

This manga is called "Hikaru no Go" and tells the story of pursuing one's dream of becoming a professional Go player and working hard to achieve it.

It is very popular among young people and has sparked a wave of learning Go throughout Japan.

Its author, Tori Akino Mirai, is an outstanding contributor to the sport of Go. The Go Association highly praises him and, in consideration of his contributions, has decided to award him the title of Honorary Go Player. An award ceremony will also be broadcast.

The art teacher gasped in surprise, "You actually did that? That's amazing!"

He didn't even realize that this work would change the game of Go in Japan.

This is absolutely amazing for a comic book!

Just as he was marveling at it, he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

He put down the newspaper, his expression turning serious. "Please come in."

The person who came in was his student, Hibiki Higashino.

"Teacher, I would like to ask for leave tomorrow."

“So it’s Higashino,” Matsushita glanced at the newspaper, then at the student in front of him, and nodded. “Go ahead.”

Higashino Hibiki was confused, and he hadn't said anything yet.

“However,” Matsushita took a folding fan from the drawer and handed it to Higashino Hibiki, “please sign it for me first.”

"So sudden?" Hibiki Higashino took the folding fan. "Wouldn't this require a calligraphy brush?"

"We have a calligraphy brush," Matsushita said, taking out a calligraphy brush and ink.

Higashino Hibiki was suddenly in a dilemma. His calligraphy was mediocre; he had studied it, but only in elementary school.

Based on his childhood memories, he held the calligraphy brush very steadily.

I wrote my name on the folding fan.

"Tori Akino Mirai".

Matsushita looked at it and nodded in satisfaction, but still said, "Higashino, you need to practice your calligraphy. As a professional Go player, it would be embarrassing if you didn't write well."

Higashino nodded; he hadn't thought of that.

"He's just an honorary player, teacher."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." Matsushita waved his hand.

……

The next day, at 2 p.m.

Jump staff brought Hibiki Higashino to the Go Institute.

Acting Chairman of the Go Association, Toshimitsu Matsuo, received Higashino Hibiki.

"Thank you to Mr. Toriakino for his contributions to Go."

“I should thank the Go Association for their help with Hikaru no Go.” Hibiki Higashino shook hands with him.

Li Guangsong left in a hurry again. Recently, the chess academy has been having some financial problems, and he has been very busy, constantly thinking about reforms.

Afterwards, his secretary, Kohano, communicated with Higashino Hibiki about the upcoming arrangements and asked for Higashino Hibiki's opinion.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and Higashino Hibiki agreed.

Not long after, NHK television staff arrived.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast live at 5 p.m. sharp.

Hibiki Higashino also experienced the effects of makeup.

“This is essential,” the makeup artist said. “On television, it’s different from in real life. Without makeup, your complexion will look very unnatural.”

Higashino Hibiki's lips moved slightly, and he said in a low voice, "This is troublesome. I don't mind this."

The makeup artist breathed a sigh of relief.

He was worried that Higashino Hibiki would throw a tantrum, which shows that he is quite understanding.

After the makeup was finished, it was four o'clock. Xiaoheye brought a child, who was Higashino Hibiki's opponent in the Yugen Go Room today, Odagiri.

Upon seeing Higashino Hibiki, Odagiri's eyes lit up.

"Tori Akino-sensei! It's been a long time."

Hibiki Higashino looked at him with a smile, "Odagiri-kun, it's been a long time."

"Does the teacher still remember my name?" Odagiri asked excitedly, like a crazy fan of a popular celebrity.

"Hmm," Higashino Hibiki nodded. This guy had given him a good scolding on the online chess game before.

How could I forget?

"After all, you are the real Hikaru Shindo. However, Hikaru Shindo is just a virtual character, while you are real."

Odagiri doesn't care about that. "I'm happy to be compared like this. My initial motivation for playing Go was because of Hikaru Shindo... Fujiwara Sai..."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, glancing cautiously at Higashino Hibiki, but dared not say anything more.

This little guy is crazy online, but much more well-behaved offline.

Xiao Heye was happy to see the two of them so close, so that no accidents would happen.

“Teacher Tori Akino, 1-dan Odagiri,” Kohano said, “we will arrange a game at the Yugen Go Room. Teacher Tori Akino will play black, and there will be no komi. How does that sound?”

The reason for not using black in the painting is for aesthetic reasons.

Although Akino Mirai defeated Yamazaki Akira, it doesn't mean he can fight Odagiri.

In recent matches, Odagiri easily defeated a 3-dan player and is already regarded as the future of the Go world.

Chapter 112 Toriya Akino = "Hibiki Higashino"

Playing black, but not making contact with the opponent's eyes?

This gives Higashino Hibiki an early advantage.

“Let’s play evenly,” Higashino Hibiki said. “Although I am no match for Odagiri, I still want to have a serious and fair match.”

Xiaoheye glanced at Odagiri, saw him nod secretly, and agreed.

After the secretary left, Higashino Hibiki glanced at the flustered Odagiri and said with a smile, "Odagiri-kun, I will play this game seriously, and I hope you will too."

Odagiri hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“As a manga artist, I don’t have much time to play Go,” Higashino Hibiki looked up at the Go Academy and sighed, “This might be the most important match of my life. I’m entrusting my Go journey to you from now on.”

He stood up and walked towards the chess academy's auditorium.

Odagiri's pupils dilated in shock. It was a very familiar phrase, and he thought of someone.

"Could it be!" He stared at Higashino Hibiki's retreating figure, incredulous. "Tori Akino-sensei is... How is this possible?"

……

In a scene captured by NHK, in the Go Academy auditorium, Toshimitsu Matsuo presents a medal to Higashino Hibiki with both hands, recognizing his contributions to Go.

There is also a 1000 million yen bonus.

Under the flash of the camera, Higashino Hibiki felt like his teeth were sparkling.

That's ten million yen!

I didn't expect the chess academy to be so generous despite its financial deficit; it's much better than Jump.

He thought this was the climax, but Toshimitsu Matsuo put the title of honorary player last.

“Tokyo only produces 3 to 4 professional Go players each year,” Toshimitsu Matsuo said solemnly. “Therefore, this is an honor and a sacred title. I hope you will cherish the title of honorary Go player.”

Higashino nodded. "I also play Go often, so I naturally understand its significance. I feel both humbled and moved to be recognized as an honorary player."

If it weren't for the fact that the professional Go exam is too time-consuming, and that becoming a professional Go player requires frequent participation in competitions, Higashino Hibiki would have liked to take the stage himself.

……

"The teacher is so amazing!"

In Hibiki Higashino's dormitory, watching the live stream, Oda spoke loudly.

Yoshii Yamahisa nodded, "Just like a star, shining brightly."