"How is he?"

"Sleeping. The doctor gave him a sedative."

"Is he...is he going to be all right?"

"I don't know. It's the second time he's collapsed."

"Touya--"

"The doctor said his condition was critical."

"Oh."

A long pause. The two boys stood side by side as they solemnly watched the jagged waves on a monitor screen. Their hands and shoulders brushed. Next to them, a man slept, unaware of his visitors. His face was fixed in a curious stillness, as if caught in time.

His hand rested on a goban by the bed. On it, an unfinished game.