Shindou wakes-up with a pounding headache and pressing his fist to the temples, he does his best to cope. He surveys the room he is in and then remembers he is a guest in Touya's house. He sits up and stretching to alleviate the pains of sleeping in the floor. He missed his bed. Touya's family was very traditional. They did not believe in comfortable beds; he heard Touya-sensei explain once that it was best for your back posture to sleep in solid-firm surfaces. He hears the door open softly and Touya comes in carrying a tray.
"Good morning, Shindou!" Touya greets while kneeling in the floor to place the tray next to Shindou.
Shindou observes Touya's deftly movements as he places a glass of water in his hand, "Good morning, Touya!" Then asks, "What's this?"
"Honey-water!" Touya responds handing a napkin and urging Shindou to drink, "Drink it! It's good for you. I made you some spicy ramen. I hope you like it. I think it will help you with your hangover."
Shindou drinks the water and returns the empty glass to Touya who gives him a bowl of hot ramen. The aroma that assaults his senses is that of a very spicy and hot broth. Once Touya places the chopsticks in his hand. He stands in a swift and fluid movement and leaves while adding, "Eat it! It will help you settle your stomach." Then turning to look at him with a soft gaze, sighs, "I hope you do not make it a habit to drink every time you go to Waya's home or just to drink period. It is not healthy." Then, he goes out the door.
Shindou does not bothered to answer he is too busy eating the delicious ramen.
"Ah! Man! That was so good." Shindou slurps the last of the ramen noodles and putting the bowl to the side gets ready to start the day. He grabs a change of clothes and goes to the bathroom to take a quick shower.
In the meantime, Touya comes back to fold the spreading sheets and pick-up the tray with the dirty dishes. Once he is satisfied with the appearance of the room, he leaves and finishes cleaning the kitchen and taking a fresh-brew of tea, he goes to the living room. Touya turns on the TV and grabs a four legged Goban and begins to recreate the game being shown on the TV.
"Touya, you're now officially my God!" Shindou sits next to the kneeling Touya while he stills drying his wet hair with the white cotton towel.
Touya briefly glances at him as he adds, "How's so?"
"That ramen was so delicious. I can eat a whole pot all by myself." Shindou says as he now lays-down in his back rolling the wet towel as a pillow under his head. "My headache is gone and I think I am ready for another bowl." He now lays on his side supporting his head with a bend arm staring at Touya, who continuous recreating the moves the two go players were doing on the show.
"I'm glad you like it. It's a variation of what my mom gives my dad after he over indulges in sake while playing with some of his friends." Touya turns to look at Shindou and as he does, he falls in his buttocks when he loses his composure at the closed proximity of Shindou's intense gaze.
"Does Touya-sensei drinks often?" Shindou asks as he sits in a lotus position now paying attention at the TV.
"No! Only when his friends from Korea and Taiwan pay a visit." Touya says as he regains his composure and goes back to kneeling in front of the Goban.
"Ah! Touya-sensei likes ramen too." Shindou says as he moves some stones around and adds, "I would have gone with this move."
Touya looks at the move then slapping Shindou's hand continues, "No! My mom usually gives him Soba. It is better for hangovers; however, you were pestering me for ramen yesterday that I decided to use ramen instead of Soba with a little twist. Now, if you have gone with that move, I would have stop you here and here."
"Ah! Touya! That hurts!" Shindou yelps as he nurses his sore hand. Then adds, "I want more. I like it and I'm still hungry."
Touya rearrange the stones to mirror the game on the TV then looking at Shindou says, "Okay! I made plenty. I just need to go and re-heated for you." He makes a move to stand up but Shindou stops him by putting his hand on his shoulder as he continues, "No! I can get it myself. I know how to use a microwave."
Touya looks at him once more and replies, "It's better if I re-heated it on the stove. It won't take long."
Shindou now standing-tall answers, "I can take care of it myself. Keep playing."
"But, you're my guest!" Touya adds horrified at the thought that his parents may find out that he did not look after his guest properly.
"Touya don't be so formal. I am not your guest. I'm your friend and I can look after myself. Well as long as you cook because I cannot cook even if my life depends on it." Shindou smiles widely as he rubs the back of his head.
Touya watches him for a few seconds then with a sigh, "Fine! The pot is on top of the breakfast table. It was hot, so I had to let it cool-down before I could put it away. Just place it on top of the stove with a low-flame. It will take about 10 minutes to boil again. It's better than the microwave."
"Okay! Okay! The stove it is." Shindou replies off hand as he walks to the kitchen. Few minutes later, he comes back with the pewter pot in one hand and chopsticks on the other slurping and chewing. He plops himself in front of the TV next to Touya. "Ah! I saw this game last week. It was the preliminaries for the Honinbou league." He slurps again a chunk of ramen noodles.
"Yes! I wanted to be there but I couldn't go, so I was waiting to see the replay on TV. I saw the Kifu but I like to try to get a feel for the atmosphere by watching their faces and moves." Touya adds paying close attention to the players.
"Oh! Well! Ogata-sensei barely took the win from Kurata-sensei by 1.5 moku." Shindou adds finishing the last drop of the broth. "Ah! That was great." He places the pot to the side and falls on his back while rubbing his stomach. "Touya, what are you doing after this."
"Mm! Nothing much, I'm going to study to get ready for the entrance exams next month. I want to stay at Kaio High School."
"What? You're planning to go to high school." Shindou sits up and stares straight at Touya.
Touya now turns his attention to Hikaru and adds, "Of course! Don't you?"
"No! Hell, no! Waya and I decided we don't need to go to school anymore. We are pros now Touya."
Touya stares at Shindou for a few seconds then turning off the TV. He faces Hikaru and with all the seriousness that the situation warrants he states, "Shindou, I don't think Waya is a good influence on you. You should re-think your friendship with him. He not only encourages vices such as drinking and smoking among minors but encouraging you to drop out of school is the worst."
Shindou rises a hand and says, "Wait a minute! Wait a minute, Touya! No one is encouraging anything. You have no right to judge Waya or any of my friends for that matter. I am the one who decides what or what not to do. About the drinking, it was just a couple of beers. It's not like I'm an alcoholic or anything. I know, I'm still a minor but once in a while it's okay! My dad knows I drink beer. I am allowed to drink a can or two. I know last night I over did it but I can promise you it would not happen again. My dad will kick my ass if he finds out, I'm abusing my privileges." Shindou takes a breather then continues, "About school, I'm still battling out with my mom. My dad and my grand-pa are staying out of it. They told my mom that I now earned my own money, so it was up to her and me to come to an understanding."
"Shindou, how come you be such an idiot. School is very important; you must have a degree to fall back in case anything goes wrong. Right now, things are going great for us but Go is not a very reliable profession."
"Touya! I'm sure you mean well. However, not everyone is a genius like you. I'm not very good at school even before I got hooked on playing Go. I was thinking on becoming an athlete. I love soccer and I'm very good at it, so I was planning on becoming a Pro-Soccer player."
"Even so, Shindou! You could get injured and your career would've be over before you even start it. You need a degree. Besides, your grades are not bad. You're an A/B student that's very good. Your grades are good enough to enter Kaio if you try."
"Yeah! Well! I had a great tutor." Shindou now looks uncomfortable and drops his gaze to stare at the floor while fretting with his hands on top of his lap.
"Had? Who? If tutoring is the only problem, I know the best cramming schools and good private tutors. I can help you whenever possible too."
Shindou looks up at Touya for a brief moment, his gaze going from sorrowful, to hopeful, to happy and then back to unsure, "I don't know Touya."
At this Touya grabs Shindou's hand in his and with a pleading voice adds, "Shindou, we can take the entrance exam together. Maybe if we're lucky, we can end up on the same classes at Kaio." Touya stares at Shindou pleadingly.
Shindou on the other hand yanks his hands free and stutters, "Touya… I… Well… Not…" Taking a breather to regain his confidence continues, "Let me think about it! Waya and I have been discussing this for over two years. We have already make plans together."
Touya feeling some heat creeping up his cheeks moves away to face the Goban again and moving some stones to regain his composure says, "I see!" Then, breathing carefully, he takes some of the kifus spread in the floor. He is trying to rein his emotions. He realized that he had acted too passionate. Well, the subject of school was a topic that was closed to his heart. He loved school. He loved learning. He could not imagine anyone not wanting to learn.
Shindou noticed the change in Touya and with tentative movements, he tries to get close to Touya again, "I mean! I know you have a point. My mom is of the same opinion."
Touya is now in control of his emotions, "I apologize Shindou! It's your life and as you said I have no right to judge you or your friends." Standing up in a swift-fluid movement, he begins to clear the room from the Goban, the kifus and the tea.
Shindou feels the coldness and he is at a lost. He wanted the passionate Touya back not this cold-unperturbed person. He likes, he needs that passionate person. The on that make him think twice about Go. The one who lure him into this world with that intense gaze. He had intended to ask Touya to go with him to his soccer game this afternoon and instead he had ended with a high probability of losing him again. Shindou now makes a decision and follows Touya to the kitchen where he is cleaning the tea pot and putting away the dry dishes.
"Touya!" He stands a few feet away from Touya.
Touya in the other hand is standing in front of the sink with his back to Shindou, "Mm!"
He rubs the back of his head as he takes some courage asks, "Well! The whole thing started because I wanted to ask if you want to come to my soccer game this afternoon. I still play in a local league whenever I have a day off from my pro-duties."
Touya tries his best to soften his hard features. He knows he had become cold to Shindou. He felt the changes in him for the past few days since he and Shindou had finally started in speaking terms. It had been a hard battle these past two years chasing each other and rejecting and whatever. However, these few days he felt the warm and soft taking hold of him whenever he was with Shindou but right now this was too important to him to let it slide. He had learned to understand a little bit of Shindou. Shindou was not prone to action like him. Shindou likes to take his time. He tends to be too lax. He was the opposite of Touya; however, once he was push to make a decision Shindou will stick with it and Touya was counting on that. So, he just needed to be a little bit patience and he will destroy whatever bad influence Waya had exerted over Shindou for the past two years. He will shape Shindou into the best Go player and human being possible. He sighs, "Sure! At what time is your game?" Touya turns to look at Shindou with a small smile in his face.
Shindou finally seems to be breathing again for a moment there he thought Touya would send him packing home and not speak to him again. "We have two hours before it starts enough time to finish whatever you need to finish here and go to the train station."
Shindou drops his gym back in one of the bleachers and directs Touya to take a seat, "Here! Put this on!" He hands a bottle of sunscreen lotion to Touya and adds, "I don't want you to get burn while you watch the game. I'm sorry we don't have cover bleachers."
Touya takes the lotion and begins to read the instructions while saying, "Don't worry, I'm not as delicate as you seem to think I am."
"It's not that! I really think you're gorgeous and I don't want to do anything to change that." Shindou smiles wide as some of his friends yell his name.
Touya looks at him curious and begins to rub the lotion all over his arms and face.
"Hey! Shindou, my man!" One of his friends comes and greets Shindou with one of those elaborate handshakes, butt-slaps, hip-bumps. Other players come along doing the same ritual and after a few laughs, misses and male bonding, Shindou introduces Touya, "This is my friend Touya."
"Oh! Man! This is the Prince of Go." One of Shindou's friends says, "My mom is a big fan of your father. She was so sad when he quit."
Touya smiles already used to such comments and returns the greeting with a formal, "Nice to meet you!"
Shindou and some others yell, "Let's start the game!"
"Shindou!" Shindou turns to look at Touya who smiles and continues, "Good Luck!"
"The first goal is for you Touya." Shindou now runs to the middle of the field and the game begins. Touya tries to follow the running men across the field but he knows nothing about soccer. The only thing he knows and he is sure of is that the ball has to be kick inside the netted squares on each side of the field. It has only been about five minutes into the game when Shindou yells, "Touya!" and it seems a goal is scored because some of Shindou's teammates crash over him in a mountain of human bodies. Then, during half-time Shindou comes running with a bag and a cooler in his hands. "Here!" He hands the plastic bag to Touya and places the cooler below Touya's feet.
"What's this?" Touya asks holding the bag away from him.
"It's a cap and a T-shirt for you. One of my teammates had extras and it's your size. I think!" He now looks not so sure of himself.
"Why aren't you playing right now?"
"It's half-time! We have about thirty minutes break to re-group and strategize." He smiles wide as he rubs his head and then grabs the plastic bag to open it and get the cap with his team-logo out. He then puts it on Touya's head, "It'll help you with the sun-glare. There are some water and snacks in the cooler. I got to go." He then runs to go back to his teammates. Touya fixes the cap on his head to his liking and takes the plastic bag with the T-shirt inside and puts it to the side.
The second half of the game starts when two girls come and sit in front of Touya. One of the girls is about his height five feet three inches, long brown hair tan skin. She is wearing a white spaghetti-straps tank top and a short flowery print skirt and some sandals. The other girl had dark short hair and wearing a similar blouse in a vibrant read color with white short-shorts and same style of sandals. "Oh! There he is. Shindou-kun is running behind Tetsuna. I recognize that #5 t-shirt anywhere."
"I see him too. So, how do I look?"
"You look great. That push-up bra is sure doing is thing. There is no way in hell Shindou-kun is not going to notice them." The dark hair girl makes a show of touching the other girl's big breast.
"I hope you're right. I'm tired of waiting on him to make the first moves. I mean how long you think I need to wait for him to look at me other than his best friend from elementary school."
"I know what you mean. It took me a long time to make Kego looked at me. But thanks to these babies, he is pudding on my hand now." The girl adjusts her breasts for effect.
"Akari!" Shindou yells as he stands on one side of the field.
"Hikaru!" Akari answers as she bounces up and down the bleachers.
"Yes! Bounce those babies. Make him take noticed of them Akari!" The other girl cheers.
Touya sits straighter, knees closed, hands on his lap at angle his head slightly turn to face the field. He pays closed attention at the two girls. The game continues and the two girls stand up cheering the team with on and off cheers either for the whole team or for individual players especially Shindou-cheers. They are jumping and bouncing and screaming at top of their lungs and gossiping from time to time.
"Ugh! It's so hot. I don't know how much of this I can take."
"Come on! The game is almost over and we're winning Akari." The other girl seems more into the game.
"I hope Hikaru appreciates my efforts. I mean after all I do for him. Always cheering him on his soccer games and then learning about Go when he got so obsess about it."
"Hey! I thought you like playing Go."
"I do. Don't get me wrong. It's better than being outside in the scorching sun or freezing my ears off but all of these it's more for Hikaru's sake than my own. I rather be at home studying listening to some music, watching TV."
"So, you thought about where are you applying for school?"
"That's another thing. The jerk tells me he isn't going to school anymore. He is a pro-player now he has a job, no need to study anymore."
"Really! How much does he makes? Is he like all set now?"
"I don't know. I was reading on the weekly Go that the salary depends on the popularity of the Go-player. The more there is a demand for him for TV shows and tutoring sessions and stuff the more he'll make."
"Shindou-kun is popular isn't he?"
At this some yells and cat calls are heard and the game seems to be over. Shindou comes running and stands before the two girls and Touya, "Water!" He pants.
Touya hands him a cold water-bottle from the small cooler by his feet. He grabs it and drinks it in big gulps then taking his shirt off empties the rest of the bottle on top of his head. "Ah! That feels good! It's so hot!" Then using his sweaty-shirt he dries his chests and cleans under his armpits. Touya hands him the clean T-shirt from the plastic bag and takes the dirty one putting it in the plastic bag then in the gym bag. Shindou rises his eyebrows but does as obviously was told without words, "Hey! Akari, what are you doing here?" He turns his attention to the two girls.
"What you mean what I'm doing here? You told me to come to your game so I'm here."
Shindou looks at her at a lost then shrugs and continues, "That was a great game. What do you think Touya?" Before, Touya could answer a few members of the team came by saying, "Man! That was a great game. Thanks!" Then the usual male bonding bantering, shoving, pushing, butt slapping.
Someone says, "Touya? Right! Hope to see you next game. You should join us for practice." The guy now picks-up the small cooler and leaves.
"Touya doesn't play." Shindou adds playfully as he says his good-byes to his friends and teammates.
"So, you're Akira Touya?" Akari asks with her mouth gapping.
"Wow! You never mention that Shindou-kun had such a handsome friend, Akari. You're been holding out on me." The brunette-girl eyes Akira in appreciation winking at him coquettishly.
"I had no idea that Hikaru and Touya-kun were friends. Nice to meet you! I'm Akari Fujisaki." She goes all formal and bowing as she greets him. The other girl follows her lead and bowing says, "I'm Inoue Matsumoto. Nice to meet you!"
Shindou snorts and adds, "No need to go so formal is just Touya."
Touya on the other hand answers the greeting in a formal bow too, "Nice to meet you Akira Touya." Both girls giggle and turn a few shades of pink on their cheeks.
Shindou looks at them like they just grow a second head all of the sudden and continues, "Touya, let's go!"
"Hey! Hikaru what gives? You make me come all the way here, stand in the sun, dry my throat and not even offer me to take me to a soda stand or something?" Akari is no longer the shy sixth grader who used to beg Shindou to go with her to the school festivals. She is a middle school graduate soon to be a high school student.
"Uh! I didn't ask you to come. You asked if I was busy and I said I had a soccer game. I don't remember ever asking you to come." Shindou looks at her with a what's your problem kind of face.
"Well! It's imply!" She retorts a little embarrass in front of Touya. How could Hikaru embarrass her like that? She was used to it but it was usually in front of their friends not someone like Touya.
"Hey! Hey! How about if we go to the movies?" The other girl says as she stands between Shindou and Akari, "We can make it a double date. Your friend Touya can come with us. We can pay for the tickets." She finishes as she urges Akari to soften her attitude whispering to her, "Akari remember our goal. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
Akari puffs some air and smiling sweetly says, "Come on, Hikaru! Don't be mean! It's been awhile since we last saw each other."
"We just spoke on the phone this morning." Shindou eyes Akira then adds, "I get to pick the movie."
"Fine! But, I get to pick lunch!" Akari challenges Hikaru, who smiles saying, "As long as it's a ramen shop." Then he looks at Touya pleadingly, "Touya is going to be fun. I promised."
Touya thinks a bit then shrugging adds, "I need to be home by ten o'clock."
"No problem! It's barely four." Shindou smiles and grabs his gym back and starts to walk away.
"Hey, Hikaru! Aren't you going to take a shower?" Akari wrinkles her face while asking.
Laughing, Shindou answers, "No! Deal with it." Then turning to look at Touya he adds, "You don't mind do you?"
Touya only shrugs while catching up to Shindou and matching his pace. The girls just make a disgusting face and grab each other's arms and walk behind the two boys. They finally reach a closed by ramen shop that was one of Hikaru's favorite place. They enter to order their food. The girls find a booth to sit and they sit together forcing Hikaru and Touya to sit in front of them.
"So, Touya-kun how old are you?" Inoue asks as she places a set of chopsticks in front of him with a napkin. Akari is doing the same for Hikaru and the server brings four bowls of hot noodles.
"Who order the spicy ramen?" The waiter asks before setting the bowl at the table.
"Here!" Shindou says as he grabs the bowl and breaks his chopsticks to begin to chow-down his favorite food.
"Who asks for soba?" Akira and Inoue raised their hands and the server places the two serving's one in front of each kid. Then he gives the last bowl to Akari while adding, "A pitch of iced lemon tea and a pitch of water. Will there be anything else?"
"No, thanks!" All answer in unison as they continue eating.
"So, how old are you Akira-kun?" The brunette questions again while drinking some lemonade.
"What's with the twenty questions?" Hikaru asks annoyed with the girl.
"It's the first question, I asked." She whines while trying to decide if she should finish the entire bowl or leave something in the plate. She did not want to appear as a glutton in front of the handsome boy with the gorgeous green eyes.
"it's okay, Shindou! I'm the same age as Shindou." He replies sipping on his lemonade and placing his chopsticks on top of his plate. He was done eating.
Hikaru adds while he was slurping some broth, "I'm older than you Touya."
Touya's eyelashes flutter as he glances at Shindou while a small smile spread on his lips and his cheeks sports a light shade of pink.
"Really? How many months? Hikaru's birthday is coming up in about four months. He's turning sixteen." Akari shares while she sighs and something seems to be in her mind.
"Don't tell them Touya! And if you all are finished let's go, the movie I want to see starts in thirty minutes. We have enough time to board the train to the next station and pick up the tickets." Hikaru says as he pushes Akira off the booth.
Akari follows Hikaru pushing her friend off as well. He gets to the front register and pays for his and Touya's order getting ready to go outside the door.
"Hey! What about ours Hikaru?" Akari grabs him by the arm. Hikaru turns to face her as he answers, "Since, when I paid for you? You're lucky you're not paying for my share."
Pouting Akari continues, "But you paid for Touya-kun."
Snorting he says, "So!"
Inoue trying to defuse the situation pays and adds, "It's on me Akari don't worry." Then, standing next to Hikaru, she asks, "How about the movie tickets?"
"I paid for them online, so I'll get the money form Akari later. Now let's hurry." Shindou now takes on a run follow by the others.
Once inside the theater Shindou buys a large bucket of popcorn and an extra-large soda grabbing two straws and signaling to Touya to follow him. Akari on the other hand stops him grabbing him by the arm asking, "What about me and Inoue? Touya-kun is not eating anything?"
Shindou looks at her and says, "This is for me and Touya. He is not a big eater, so no point on buying anything extra. You and Inoue buy whatever you want. We're going ahead."
"See! What I'm talking about Inoue?" Akari says irritated.
Inoue sighing adds, "There is no hope for you my friend. I don't think these babies are enough to turn Shindou's head."
"But, everyone expects us to be together. You should hear my mom and his mom talk about us. I don't think there is anyone else out there for me other than Hikaru."
"Well! If I was you, I'll start thinking about focusing my energy on someone else. I don't see Hikaru interesting on you or anyone else. I think he's too dense. I've seen boys that cannot think beyond their games. Remember puberty doesn't hit everyone at the same time. Just like there are precocious boys, late bloomers exist and I think Hikaru-kun is the latter."
The two girls finally locate where Shindou and Touya are setting and Akari settles next to Hikaru and Inoue next to her since Touya was sitting at the end of the row and Hikaru next to him. Touya holds the bucket of popcorn on his lap and Hikaru grabs the soda with his right hand. Akari is silent because she knows how much Hikaru hates when people talk through the movies and Inoue is too busy flirting with the guy sitting next to her. The movie has been going on for thirty minutes when she turns to look at Hikaru and she sees him lifting his right arm to put the straw on Touya's mouth while he grabs some popcorn with his other hand without looking away from the movie. Touya grabs the straw to drink easier and lets it go. Shindou brings the cup to drink from it and he places his mouth on the same straw that Touya had just drink from. Akari catches Touya's face as he stops breathing for a few seconds and his face turns a few shades of pink. Shindou lifts the soda again towards Touya's face and Touya looks mortified as he tries to decide something.
"What's wrong Touya?" Shindou turns to look at him when he senses some hesitation from the boy next to him.
Akira flutters his eyelashes and smiles softly as he responds, "Nothing! It's nothing Shindou. I think I had enough soda for today."
"Nonsense! Drink more or I'm going to get very upset with you. I know you can drink more than a few sips." Hikaru now pushes the cup to his face.
Touya at this grabs the cup and with a sigh takes the top off and drinks. Shindou looks at him; however, he does not think much of it and turns to continue enjoying the movie. Akari on the other hands eyes Hikaru and Akira with suspicion. The movie is over and they all are standing outside the theater.
"So, what about grabbing something sweet to eat at a café or snack bar before going home?" Inoue suggests elbowing Akari who for some reason has been eyeing Akira in not too friendly terms.
Shindou rakes the back of his head as he says, "Actually, we need to split."
"Why?" Inoue whines as she continues, "Akira-kun said he needed to be home by ten and it's only eight o'clock." Then grabbing Akira by his arms she adds while fluttering her eyelids and smiling coquettish, "What you say Akira-kun, want to share some ice-cream with me?"
Before Akira could answer, Shindou pulls him away from Inoue while adding, "Touya does not eat ice-cream, he has sensitive teeth and I rather eat anything Touya whips at home for me and play some Go before turning in. I had to wake-up early since I have an out of town engagement tomorrow."
At this Akari asks, "You're not going home?"
Shindou starts to walk away with Touya in tow and answers, "Nope! I'm spending the weekend at Touya's. Let's not do this again, Akari."
"Wow! I feel sorry for Touya-kun." Inoue says as she snakes her arms around Akari's own.
Akari snaps irritate, "Why?"
"Shindou-kun has him in a tight leash. If he said more than five words to us. It was a lot." Then shrugging she continues, "Want to grab some ice-cream with me my treat?"
Brooding Akari answers, "Sure!"
Shindou comes inside the kitchen while drying his hair with the towel. He was wearing knee long yellow with black stripes shorts and a t-shirt of the same color and material with the number #5 engraved on the back. He walks wearing white-socks to stand behind Touya who is busy rolling small mochi balls. "That was quick! Did you take a shower?" Then taking a quick sniff, Shindou adds, "It's smells delicious."
Touya wears loose-fit faded-jeans with a lavender short-sleeves V-neck t-shirt while standing barefoot in front of the kitchen counter. He half turns to find himself nose to nose with Shindou. He stumbles to one side trying to regain some personal space stuttering, "Yeah! …I …used my parent's bathroom." Finally, he is able to regain his composure feeling the hotness creeping up his face. He turns back to keep rolling the rice-dough in small balls adding, "It only takes me twenty minutes to shower and blow-dry my hair. And I bet you're smelling the sweet soya sauce boiling on the stove. I'm making Mitarashi Dango. I hope you like it."
Shindou moves away to go to the living room, "I'll eat anything you give me. You're a great cook Touya. I think you're better than my mom."
Touya only feels the hotness increasing on his face adding, "It'll be ready in about twenty minutes."
"I'll prepare the Goban." Shindou says half way out.
30 minutes later Shindou is leisurely sitting crisscross legged in front of the Goban licking his fingers while Touya looks intensely at the board in front of him. "That was great! I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I think I can eat them almost every day."
Touya places a black stone at the upper-left corner and looks up smiling, "I'm glad you like them. Other than ramen, I'm not sure what you like to eat and I'm learning that I like to cook as much as I like Go."
Shindou starts to place a white stone while adding, "I'll eat pretty much anything but I rather eat ramen every day. Now what are you going to do about that?" Shindou snickers.
"Oh! Shindou when are you going to learn?" Touya places his black stone and removes two white stones.
Shindou hisses, "I can still comeback. I just need to find a way." Then looking up at Touya holding a white stone in his fingers, he asks, "What's your favorite food?"
Touya gulps a large intake of air as he stammers, "I… hot and sour soup… cream cheese wontons… pork dumplings…" Then regaining his composure, he adds smiling, "I love green tea ice-cream."
"Oh! But, your sensitive teeth…" Shindou says while holding his stone mid-board.
Touya feels the hotness creeping to his cheeks once more as he says, "Just because I have sensitive teeth, does not mean I cannot like ice-cream." He now frets with the stones in his bowl as he prepares to make his move.
Shindou in the other hand drops the white stone in place and finds himself pondering then in a whispers says, "I'm sorry!"
Touya firmly places his stone retrieving one white then looking at Shindou asks, "Why?"
Shindou now stares at Touya and sighing says with conviction, "I'm sorry! I didn't give you the chance to say anything. Did you wanted to go and eat ice-cream with Inoue?"
"No! No! It was okay. I'm just saying. You asked me what was my favorite food." Touya answers anxious. "I definitely wanted to come back home. I don't usually go out. Whenever I go out, it's to some kind of event with my father or Ogata-sensei."
Shindou laughs heartily while saying, "Ah! Man, relax Touya, relax. I'm so used to do whatever I want. I don't usually think what others may want. Sai had to drag me and nag me if he wanted to do something different."
Touya now stiffens as he says, "Sai!"
Shindou is laying on his back laughing out loud when he realizes his slip, "Yeah!" Sobering up he adds, "He was the one who kept me in check. Whether it was with my studies or keeping other people's feelings in mind. I resign." And he begins to pick up the stones and put them in the bowl.
Touya follows as he says, "May I asked something?"
Shindou places the bowl on top of the board sighing, "Yeah!"
"If Sai asks you to go back to school, will you consider it?" Touya would not face Shindou, his hands were trembling as he placed the bowl in top of the board too. For some reason, he was angry. He felt the angry tears threatening to fall at any minute.
Shindou look up to face Touya and saw the tense face, the tight jaw. He could not see his eyes because his hair had fallen to his face like a curtain hiding those beautiful emeralds. He felt a pang. There it was that slicing pain going through his heart. He felt jealous once again. Touya only care about Sai. Here he was thinking of a way to meet Sai, to talk to Sai an excuse to get closed to Sai. He closed his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose then exhaling a puff of air he answers, "Ah! Man, I really wish you would drop the subject… I don't know. Sai might have push me to continue going to school if he heard my mom asking me to. I might have accepted because he will be there to tutor me to keep me in check."
"I gather he is no longer in contact with you." Touya dares to say as he manages to rein his emotions.
Shindou stands up and gets ready to leave the room as he answers, "Yeah! You might say that."
"What about me? Will you consider taking the entrance exam with me if I tutor you." Touya still kneeling in front of the Goban straightens facing Shindou with neutral eyes.
Shindou gazes at those unreadable eyes and answers, "I already told you I'll think about it."
"Seriously! Will you think about it seriously?" Touya cannot help himself but to ask.
At this Shindou snaps, "I gave you my word. Now, I got to go to sleep." And without a second glance he leaves the room.
Touya stays in place for a few minutes longer then with automatic movements begins to clean up and get ready to go to sleep himself. He lays on his back thinking over the events of the day. "So, I have to fight against three people to keep Shindou focus on what's important. Waya is a bad influence. He brings the worst in Shindou. That Akari-girl, she means well but she is nothing more than a distraction. Sai in the other hand seems to be the biggest problem. He was a good influence: however, he is no longer in the picture and that seems to have left some emotional scars in Shindou's mind. I think I can manage Waya, Akari isn't much of challenge right now. Shindou doesn't seem to take too much notice of her. Unless his hormones activate anytime soon, I don't need to worry about her. But Sai, I don't have too much information about him. Shindou is reluctant to talk about him; therefore, I need to trade carefully if I want to get rid of the ghost of Sai. And with these thoughts in mind Akira slumbers into la-la land.
TBC
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Hikaru No Go that totally and unashamedly appear on this fan fiction. They are the product of Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata's wonderful imagination and art. However, the plot is totally my selfish desired to get some romantic Yaoi thrills from their creative work.
Author's Notes: The story begins at the end of episode 75 on the anime and references to the OVA Hikaru no go: Hokuto Cup and the manga chapter 151 "Me Too!" Those who are regular readers of my twisted stories know by heart now my usual whining… please forgive my grammatical/editing horror nightmares. No beta for this story… Well for most of my stories…
