I don't own Hikaru no Go characters.
Waltz of Averted Glances
I wish… you'd stop looking away. Your eyes are cast down and away from me, hidden behind your flurry of indigo bangs. So intensely focused you are on the board, you don't even acknowledge my presence unless I move. And I don't even mean simple movement, mind. It has to be on the board, on this battlefield between us. Anything occurring outside of it is of no concern of yours.
I could die…
And you'd still keep your eyes on the board.
The soft 'pachi' is heard as you place the stone on the board and it's my turn.
I must seem so weak to you. All this time and I've only improved this much… and yet you've been so far ahead to begin with…
I place the stone next to yours in what I can only call a wasted move and it's your turn again, and again you keep staring down and away from me.
Am I that unworthy to look into your eyes?
Isumi-san…
–
I wish… you'd look away. Your eyes are set constantly at me, burning a hole through my very soul. Your gaze is so intense I can feel it even when looking away, and I know I can't look back.
You never turn away, never lose sight of your goal, of your target. Anything outside this space between you and I is of no concern of yours.
I'm scared to be burned by your passion.
You never show this side to anyone else, and I truly appreciate it. You'd probably ask how I know, yet the answer is simple.
The only times I can look at you… are when you're not staring back.
When you're shining your brightest, when you show others your very heart… and yet you never realize that to them, you show so little.
Can't you see it? Your eyes set so straight ahead…
Can't you see that I'm right besides you?
Maybe… even a bit behind…
You place your stone next to mine and I'm amazed yet again with your ability to surprise me. Such carelessness I'd have expected to see with a mutual bleached friend. I'm left disoriented and confused and yet you look away in shame.
Can't you spare me the grace of seeing your eyes behind those hazelnut bangs just one lonely time?
Waya…
–
"You've… gotten stronger again… Waya…" Shinichiro said softly with a smile, his eyes set warmly on the other's features. Upon hearing his voice, Yoshitaka turned back to him in surprise, only to stare a moment later at his lap, his cheeks burning.
"A… ah… it's all thanks to… to Isumi-san's coaching…"
"Then it was an effort well spent." He said almost cooingly, earning himself another shy look behind that wall of brown strands. They locked eyes for a long moment before both looked in opposite directions, faces a-flame.
"…call it a day? Let's get something to eat."
"Ah… let's eat ramen!"
"Even without Shindo around?"
"Don't mention that squirt needlessly, Isumi-san." Waya muttered with a pout. Isumi replied with running his fingers through that chocolaty mane of hair and smiled.
"Hai, hai. Warii. Ramen it is then, my treat."
"I- Isumi-san!" Waya called out when the other turned to put on his shoes, making him look back over his shoulder. "Hm?"
The younger fidgeted with his thumbs before glancing once at the other, and then he looked away yet again.
"Thanks… for today…"
A delicate smile caressed Isumi's lips, making Waya's cheeks go a few shades redder.
"Ah."
Soon afterwards, they both left, silence accompanying them as they kept looking away. Their hands brushed so often they eventually gave up and simply held on to each other, not once looking into the other's eyes.