I think it is more of a case that as Sai teaches his Go to Hikaru that acute connection is slowly severing. Have you noticed that Hikaru is noticing Sai's moods less and less? At the amateur festival he only realized that Sai was boiling mad when he looked at him; he hadn't _felt_ it at all. And Sai seems sad all the time now, which Hikaru doesn't seem to feel either. Nor did he feel Sai's passion at wanting to play Touya sr. Either at the phone scene or when Sai took his place at the Goban at the Shinshodan game. And if the connection had still been there when Sai gave up his place at the Goban, Hikaru would surely have lost his lunch over Sai's disappointment and sadness. But he didn't, did he. No, they are growing appart, which is natural I suppose and that is why what happens next is pretty much inevitable. (This of course is a discussion for vol 15)
Re: to play or not to play
I think it is more of a case that as Sai teaches his Go to Hikaru that acute connection is slowly severing.
Have you noticed that Hikaru is noticing Sai's moods less and less? At the amateur festival he only realized that Sai was boiling mad when he looked at him; he hadn't _felt_ it at all.
And Sai seems sad all the time now, which Hikaru doesn't seem to feel either.
Nor did he feel Sai's passion at wanting to play Touya sr. Either at the phone scene or when Sai took his place at the Goban at the Shinshodan game. And if the connection had still been there when Sai gave up his place at the Goban, Hikaru would surely have lost his lunch over Sai's disappointment and sadness.
But he didn't, did he.
No, they are growing appart, which is natural I suppose and that is why what happens next is pretty much inevitable.
(This of course is a discussion for vol 15)