New rec XD"

[invitan]

Have I ever mentioned that I love detective! AU? Well, I want to correct that part, because it's not until now that I realize what I really love is suspense AU! And Yakuza AU is totally on the list.

Sam Shindou, Private Five, which I has recced earlier, is the most prominent example. It's only since yesterday that I found another master piece of Yakuza! AU that deserves much admiration and love <3

Season of Black Chrysanthemums by corbeaun 

So you might have this thought that I have a bias in favor of AU or something (which is actually true). Well, I have my explanation - I love original plotlines and unexpected twists, so it's not like that could be helped. Anyway, trust me, this fic is just brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. A fascinating universe in which Hikaru no Go is still rooted. So what if Touya Kouyo were not the high and mighty Meijin? What if Touya Akira disappeared even before Sai? What if Hikaru just quit Go after that, and became a ramen restaurant multitasker instead?

And then, what if on a hot plain day, they just reunited?

The thing I love most about this fic is not the plot, but the character development. How their life screwed up without each other and without Go. How they always felt disturbed and dead. This Akira is not  an entirely capable Yakuza boss. Throughout the fic, I have this feeling that he's trying too hard, straining himself too hard, forcing himself to be someone he isn't. Though perhaps over the years he has developed some sort of Yakuza aura, but he could never ever be a truly competent Yakuza boss. Hikaru, on the other hand, is lost and disorientated. The first part's portrayal of him almost broke my heart. Poor Hikaru, you are totally useless without Go aren't you? End up in a third-rate apartment opposite of a crack addict is not something I imagine you would become.

Overall, this fic is an exceptional piece of Yakuza AU, and I cannot help expecting more of it.

Btw, I have decided to participate in Blind Go round 8 XD"