The Master’s sealed White 90 had been decided upon when they returned
to the board.
“You must be exhausted,” said Otaké.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been very demanding.” It was not usual for the Master to
apologize.
So the day’s session ended.
“The swelling doesn’t worry me a great deal,” he explained to Kumé,
literary editor of the Nichinichi. “It’s all the things that are going on in
here.” He drew a circle over his chest. “I have trouble breathing, and I have
palpitations, and sometimes it feels as though a huge weight were pressing
down on me. I like to think of myself as young. But I’ve been very
conscious of the years since I turned fifty.”
“It would be good if a fighter could fight off the years,” said Kumé.
“I’m feeling the years already, sir,” said Otaké, “and I’m only thirty.”
