Hi :)
Here is Chapter 2, thank you to everyone that sacrifice their time for this. I know many would have had more important things to do.
My profile is a bit old, I may have tweak it. Maybe I'll start changing it completely soon.
It depends on how this story will develop, so maybe I might change the Title. I already change the summary to almost be completely blank. I might put a summary when I'm pretty sure, hey guys most of my creativity comes from daydreaming or sleeping.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go.
Pairing: AkiHika
"Sai, how do I look?" Hikaru was about finish with her makeup when Sai eyes widen in horror.
Her faithful ghost guided her towards her floor length mirror. "I think the makeup is a tad bit overdone, you could maybe ask your mother or just not wear makeup at all," Hikaru check herself at the mirror, Sai concern level up a notch when he saw her turn pale.
"Who bother using makeup anyway," she grumbled out. Sai shook his head, his little sister has a lot to learn.
Once she wipe out every last horrifying cosmetics from her face, adjusting her uniform. A frown stretch across her face, she like and dislike her skirt, the skirt is almost knee-length, but she is accustom to having school skirt length passed her knees or even wear pants instead. Thankfully she have knee-high socks to cover up most of her skin.
"Sai did I put this on right?"
Sai twirled her around five times before he was satisfied. "Yep!"
Getting a hairbrush he began to detangle her tangle clumps of hair, funny he can only touch any objects in Hikaru's room. Well he can touch his goban anywhere.
Silent tears streamed down his face, his mind ran through when she was a cute chubby cheek baby. Ah the good old days, she was one young troublemaker and still is. Looking at her now, his bratty sister turn into a beautiful young lady. He did remember how hard it was to get her started, he shown a lot of his previous games kifu (drawn from memory) to her and explain rules about go, but it was until she was approaching her fifth birthday that she decided to play a game on her grandfather's goban. Hikaru at an early age knew Sai would have gone insane, good thing her grandfather gifted her bunch of go books. His go skills modernize from reading those books, both of them had even played netgo online a couple of times each year. Sai and Hikaru were located in England during that time, now they learn to back away from netgo to avoid getting traced. Both of them realize in their second year of playing netgo that Sai became the Saint of netgo. Seven year old Hikaru and Sai learn the importance of time management especially being online for a long time, having random cars passing by freaked their old neighborhood.
"Earth to Sai, are you alright?"
Snapping out of memory lane, Sai engulf Hikaru in a big bear hug. She desperately pulling her limbs out in every opening, she took an intake of air before screaming right in Sai's ear, "Sai I'm going to be late!" He dramatically turn away, clutching himself he bow multiple times, "I'm sorry!"
Sweat drip down the left side of her face as she stare long at the confusing ghost.
Feeling a bit disgusted about her choice, every single person she pass by are either robots or highly stuck up. At least one person she met is neither, but that person goes to another high school instead. Sighing she miss Akari annoyingness, and she only met Akari about ten minutes ago. See that much time pass by, and already she is regretting her choice to come to this school. Heck, she regretted picking Kaio, their go club never influence her and she was boiling mad that the Meijin kid stop coming. She planned that plan for weeks when she was twelve, hoping Sai could have had his chance to reach his goal by having a match with the Meijin early. After she learn about three members bullying the kid she massacred the go club. She needed to let him play, so as compensation she let him beat 3/4 of the club and left the rest to Hikaru.
After that incident Hikaru was getting neglected by mostly everyone and had been assaulted a few time, her mother took them back to Europe.
So far she met a few boys that made it to her idiots list, and few girls in her barbies list.
Worst of all she feels lost around this school, the map the office lady drawn does not help one bit. 'Sai could you help me out here!'
"Hikaru we have been walking in circles, and your classroom is behind you," She did a 180 degrees turn, laughing to herself, 'Right, I knew that.' Sai tsk at her, "Don't lie Hikaru, remember your manners now." Ignoring his continual jibes.
Hikaru finally walk into the classroom, her homeroom teacher ask to introduce herself "Ohayou, My name is Hikaru not Hikari, H-I-K-A-R-U! I came from Europe though I was born in Tokyo, nice to meet you all." After she finish her introduction to everyone in the class. She was guided to sit next to another foreigner with wavy chestnut brown hair and warm honey tone eyes, (although Hikaru wouldn't really call herself a foreigner, but she lived in England most of her life), she instantly made friends with Megan really quick. The entire time when they have free time, Hikaru answer every question Megan thrown at her and vice versa, they started a pretty close bond for the first day. Hikaru even glad no one cares about the new kid here, she hates having too much attention. It had prove dangerous in the past.
When school was over, Hikaru heard her American friend wanting to show her the go club in this school. Sai standing behind her was begging so loud that she was afraid if loud music wasn't going to make her death then her ghostly brother is. Megan and Sai expression match perfectly, she quirk a smile accepting to at least for a peek. Sai face is tinted pink, wait does she see stars forming around him? Oh well he is off in imaginary go land, where everything is about go.
Hikaru was on her guard, not wanting a repeat. Sai started to get concern, he wasn't convince by Hikaru four years ago. He knows her opinion about go change, enough that she stop going into go salons or not willing to talk about go. The only time she goes back to her old self is when Sai play her only.
Megan began to speak until her cellphone rang, Hikaru watch her annoyed friend dig through her school bag. "Here it is!...Hello, no, can it wait? Fine."
Megan pull out a slip, scribbling all over and satisfied, "Hikaru this is all my contact info call me if you want to hang out, right now it seems I have to be somewhere. Kay I'll see you later." With that Megan dash off to who knows where.
Hikaru pack up her stuff and left the school premises. Out of the train station Sai excitedly jump smiling when he saw a go salon nearby. One glance at Hikaru, Sai started to pout; she got to let him play or he will go insane, but he remember when she hesitated and freaked out. Sai grew nervous, she never answer all his questions, this time Sai will bring it up again.
"Hikaru, is there something you are not willing to admit?" Sai patiently waited, Hikaru bit the bottom of her lips. She have to tell him, she is not willing to let him down. "Sai I'm not a very good host for you," Hikaru breathing shallow and some of the words came out raspy, "I will still try to help you, but after all this I want nothing more than to have a normal go free life."
Hikaru mentally smack herself, "Of course we will still play go together." Sai tense shoulder soften, he may as well be content if that is what makes her happy. He still believe she would be happier if she was in a go pro career.
"Hikaru can we please go towards that go salon," Sai pointed to a building at their right side. Hikaru reluctantly nodded, Sai haven't bother asking anything from her for awhile. Taking a deep breath, she walk towards the go salon. It's okay I have Sai with me, he never fail to warn me. Every step she made wobble and quiver, sweat forming in the inside of her shirt. Putting her hands towards the door, she quickly snap her hand back towards her.
Sai placed his hand on her shoulder for support, glancing up towards Sai, he had the most brightest smile she had ever seen these past years. She didn't have the heart to ruin it for him, she gulped and slide the door open. Inside she was greeted by a friendly looking receptionist, "Welcome, have you come to play? It is 1000 yen to play miss."
"Um okay," Hikaru fished out her wallet and paid for her entrance to the nice woman.
"No need to be afraid, my name is Harumi Ichikawa," Ichikawa-san smile at her and then continued, "I'm surprise for a girl your age would be interested in go."
Hikaru scratch her head, slightly smiling, "I'm not that interested, this would be my first time playing in someone else for years."
Ichikawa-san nodded, bringing her a clipboard. "Please fill your name out and level of playing. You can leave your books here."
Hikaru smile, "Can I leave my level unknown, I never knew there was levels?"
"Of course it is alright," Ichikawa-san wave her off. Hikaru ran up and saw a large amount of old geezers to play. 'Sai who do you want to play first?' Sai look around and found a couple which he dragged Hikaru along. Everything seems in check, mostly Sai played teaching games and Hikaru help to repeat Sai's explanation to every single person they have already beaten, and added her own opinion on what could change the result or at least lessen the amount of moku between them.
One of the old timers ruffled her hair and laugh, "I bet Akira-sensei would be interested in you, say how old are you miss?"
Hikaru shook her head and politely spoke, "Please call me Hikaru, and I am 16 years old."
Another old man chuckled, "She is the same age as Akira-sensei."
The old man sitting in front of her politely ask if she was dating anyone, Hikaru felt that was a personal question. Nonetheless she replied back that she is single and never been/want to be in a relationship. Sai watch contently, Hikaru is acting almost like her old self again. Both Sai and Hikaru couldn't help to get interested in this Akira person, the more they listen the more Sai becomes restless. She inwardly chuckle, her childish brother was pounding his hands at the floor, he really wants to play this person now.
Tired Hikaru cut in the two older man conversation, "Could you tell me when this Akira-sensei be here?"
The old man who ruffled her hair answer her question, "He had something important today, but he will show up in about thirty minutes." That's good yet bad she can't stand to wait any longer, gramps will begin to worry. Maybe she should call him, interrupted by the older gentlemen sitting in front.
"There is a lounge in that door over there to rest, you can call Ichikawa to bring any refreshments you like."
Hikaru thanked him and gotten inside, she called Ichikawa-san in for her books and some tea. "If you need anything else please don't hesitate to call," nodding, she grab her homework and begin working on them.
Ten minutes had passed by, she already finished her tea and homework. Sai was busying himself looking at random kifus up on the wall or staring at the fishes. Waiting for someone can really be boring, she can just always leave and come back another day. Her eyes slowly droop, feeling a bit drowsy, it couldn't hurt to have a quick short nap.
Sai who was examining around the lounge turn around to face Hikaru, just in time to see her sprawl out on the couch. Sai gently patted her on top of the head, he had notice she have had constant nightmares and barely getting enough sleep. Guilt hit him, if he didn't ruthlessly play against most of the entire go club, they wouldn't have been jealous and fear Hikaru easily. Sai should had watch those three troublemakers in the first place, he had his big brother senses alerting him back then.
If Hikaru was able to read his most private mind, she will most likely scold him into believing it wasn't his fault and the multiple attacks during that day was unexpected.
Still Sai can almost remember her blood running around, making her appear as if she is floating in a deep saturated red pond, he can even recollect the touch of blood when he held Hikaru almost lifeless form. He still can hear her whimpers of pain, she never did give them the satisfaction to hear her screams. Sai has been crushed when Torajiro suffer and now he believes Hikaru will have the same fate they had. Sometimes he wondered if god had given him punishment than a blessing. Maybe whatever stains Hikaru make will be an addition to the goban.
"Oh Akira-sensei you're here!" A few mumbles of conversation Sai was unable to interpret, but he lighten up ready to play go. Sai learn everything about patience. the only exception that he would rather be impatient would be a new opponent to play go with.
Hikaru was half asleep so she barely heard the door opening and closing, soft footstep sway her to stay conscious a bit longer. When nothing happen, she was lulled back to sleep, but someone decided to lift her off gently. Feeling a warm hand pressed on her forehead, Hikaru ignore it and snuggle closer to a larger source of warmth. She can sense the person tense up a bit, an unsure hand was soon rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Hello, I need you to wake up please. Sorry for having you to wait for me." His voice sent chills to her spine. Blinking her eyes open just to see a pair of soft teal blue eyes staring straight at her.
Giving an awkward wave, "Hi, are you um...Akira-sensei?"
Wait! This seems wrong, staring down he had one arm wrapped around her waist. How did he avoided getting judo flip from her, she always on her guard. Was this some type of fluke? Maybe she did drop her guard, but she never give openings.
Oops she missed what he said, blushing she cleared her throat, "Can you repeat that please."
"heh...well," sighing he tilted his head forward, his breath fan out close to her face. "I already introduce myself, but you could just call me Akira and please you do not have to call me sensei."
Akira grip slacken, Hikaru took her chance to walk and stretch. Hearing a cough, she turn to find Akira smiling at her, "I believe you wanted to play go with me." Tch not me, big brother wants to play with you, 'Sai get over here.'
Sai analyze Akira for a few seconds, "Hikaru I must play him, he have this potential to be great." Since you demanded, you can play him then.
"Yes, I think I already wasted time here." Hikaru yawn looking at Akira, "Go is a pointless game, I can easily defeat you."
Hikaru stared back at the boy, even with his harsh glare she still remain unfazed. Now to seal the deal, "Well I'm waiting, or you admit playing go is so stupid." Hmm his face is really cute like that, she finds it pleasing to know she can rile him up like that. A few moments ago, he does not seem capable to get mad.
Akira look ready to throttle her any day now, "How dare you show such disrespect, go is not stupid! Do you have any idea who you are talking to?!"
Hikaru gave him a devious smirk, "Nope or I wouldn't have bothered, do you have any idea who you are talking to?"
It was a normal day for Akira Touya, he is happy that he won his match today it was another step closer in Honinbo league. Checking what time it is, he had finish his match early and could arrive early to his father's go salon by five minutes ahead than what he have intended.
He had one message from Ichikawa-san about someone his age wanting to play him, he is perfectly fine with that and frankly he got excited. It is very rare someone his age wants to play go. He didn't feel the same excitement with the other go pros close to his age, it was really unimportant to him they have an unrequited rivalry and respect/hatred for him because he is the Meijin son. It would be nice to play someone who wouldn't care all about that, he cannot remember a time that he played just for fun.
Contemplating about maybe it was a random arrogant request that the person would actually go seeking out to beat him, or this person have no idea who he really is. Clearing up his thoughts, he was greeted by Ichikawa-san. "Oh Akira, you're here a bit early. I bet your opponent was no match for you huh."
Smiling and nodding, "Ichikawa-san, it was a very good game." Akira is not one to gloat, but Ichikawa-san would make sure every single person knows how good of a player he is.
Still smiling, "So where is...," Ichikawa giggle, Akira look like a curious kid wanting his Christmas present. "Akira, just head towards the lounge."
"Arigatou Ichikawa-san," he bowed.
When he was halfway to his destination, an old man approach him which he happen to instantly recognize him. Makoto-san seems to run out of breath before gathering more to speak up, "Oh Akira-sensei you're here!" It only took a few seconds for a crowd to form, he politely greeted everyone, before questioning them. "Is my opponent in the lounge?"
Yamamoto-san step in, "Akira-sensei I improve so much. Now I can beat June-san."
"Heh keep dreaming, after that lost I went to get good advice too. My playing probably improve as well." June-san sneered.
Hmm Akira became curious of his mystery opponent, barely catching on what Makoto-san was saying, he did heard something intriguing. "...the level of playing is somewhere of a higher dan, and can you believe the same age as Akira-sensei!"
Whoever he is Akira was hoping maybe he had found his rival, maybe his wish is coming true. He hoped to find a rival ever since when he was young, he even joined a go club to stall more time before following Ashiwara-san advice to take the pro exam. This boy must be great, finally he will have his missing piece to complete him.
"Maybe I shouldn't wait, it is rude to make a person stay for a long time." They instantly understood and went on to play more.
Akira reach the lounge, opening the door he step forward and closed the door from the outer room intruding sounds. His eyes wander off searching till they happen to land on a girl lying on the couch, she appears to be sleeping. Still searching the room, apparently no one else is in this room. Silently walking towards the sleeping girl, he took a good look of her, (Sai was waving his arms frantically), she have flowing mid waist length black hair with dyed blonde bangs framing her face delicately. She have long lashes that fan down almost touching her cheeks, he happen to notice though almost unnoticeable bags under her eyes, not only that he grew concern about her unnatural pale skin.
He didn't know what came over him to lift her up as if she was one of those breakable fragile porcelain doll, but it seems like his body took control to get her in a more comfortable position. Now he have her leaning into him, still concern if she is not feeling well. He calmly check her temperature, he snap out when he felt her getting in deeper, closing the gap he set up between them. The tension around the room did not help, (Sai was attempting to strangle Akira, but his hands pass through),..this was too weird for him, even more weird is his stomach felt a bit lighter. Taking another good look, he took note that she happens to be wearing her school uniform, she really must have stayed long.
Then his brain clicked, she was supposed to be his opponent today, but she does not seem the type to play or have any interest towards go. It has been ten minutes, maybe he should wake her up, although he does not know how. With shaky hands he started to rub in circles on her back, he slowly lean towards her ear politely asking. "Hello, I need you to wake up please. Sorry for having you to wait for me." (The whole entire time Sai was watching, amuse and angry, no one is allowed to touch his sister).
It took awhile, but the girl stir from her slumber, fluttering her eyes. Akira stared blinking a bit into a deep shade of green eyes, her eyes shifted a bit before looking back at him, giving him an awkward wave. "Hi, are you um...Akira-sensei?"
"Yes, my name is Akira Touya, and you do not have to call me sensei we are the same age don't you agree." Once he was done, she had on a puzzled look. He got concern again when she coughed, her face colored even. "Can you repeat that please."
She was strange or nervous, Akira thought. "Hmm...well I already introduce myself, but you could just call me Akira and please you do not have to call me sensei."
The girl got off him quick and stretch out her arms, he than wanted to hit himself, how could he have forgotten. Letting out a cough he manage to gain her attention, "I believe you wanted to play go with me." Still not taking his eyes off her, he didn't miss a pure look of annoyance written off all over her face.
"Yes, I think I already wasted time here." She yawn looking at Akira, "Go is a pointless game, I can easily defeat you."
Akira doubted she will beat him, but he would mercilessly crush her. Nobody calls go worthless in front of his face. "Well I'm waiting, or you admit playing go is so stupid." Akira does not know how she affect him, but he is rile up to harm her. He spat out at her, his face almost resembling the color of a tomato.
"How dare you show such disrespect, go is not stupid! Do you have any idea who you are talking to?!"
He saw a devious smirk stretch on her face, "Nope or I wouldn't have bothered, do you have any idea who you are talking to?" Right now he is considering her to be a smart Aleck.
Akira continued to glare straight at her, he should at least know her name. He sure a hell wouldn't give into her mind games. "What's your name?"
She laughed and mockingly tsk her fingers at him, "You'll have to beat me in go to know my name."
"That'll be no problem," raising an eyebrow at him, he took the chance to yank her arm, right now he could care less how rude it is to drag her.
He can feel multiple pair of eyes staring at them, they walk past a shock Ichikawa into a more secluded section in the salon. "Nigiri,' was all Akira mumble out, he is going to crush her badly.
Hikaru felt terrible, but she got what Sai had wanted and was it really necessary for Akira to almost cut off her blood circulation from her arm. Maybe she should apologize after the game, she focus in placing stones according to Sai's coordinates. The game was even until Sai wipe out some of his white at the top left and gain territory on the middle.
Akira admit that she is really a strong player, this aura he senses from her is exactly the same when he plays with his father. He is really confuse, she focus on the game for one minute then go back uninterested barely glancing at the board. She is ripping him to shreds right now without even trying much, her playing reminds him of...he gulped blinking and pinching himself to see if this was real. When he knows that he is exactly awake, he grew nervous and shocked. This girl right in front of him plays the same way like the Saint of Netgo, he finally found Sai...
.
"I resign," Akira was in shock, it was too much information to process. Today he met a rude girl that dare to badmouth go, second she is the same age as him and was able to defeat him, and third she was Sai! There was no way she could be Sai if she didn't like go, but all the evidence was right in front of him.
Hikaru felt uneasy, Akira was too quiet. 'Damn Nii-san did you broke him!' Her mind went over every single stones, Sai did slaughtered him gently, Sai played a teaching game to Akira. Sai wince, Hikaru calls him brother whenever she gets highly worried. Observing the damage he had inflicted, Sai look sadly at her sister being a little guilty, "Hikaru, his level is a 5 or 6 dan. He is two or one level below you, I pushed him more to see his full strength. I'm so sorry if it was too much."
Getting off her seat, she continued to stare at Akira motionless form. She tried everything to gain this boy's attention, he wouldn't budge even when she punch on top of his head. Retracting her right hand, soothing her knuckles, she start grumbling how ironic that he might be hard-headed. It was then that an idea popped in her head, Hikaru sneak her way to unexpectedly in Sai's opinion, hugged behind Akira's back closely to her. He still remain lost, another idea formed and never in her life would she dare do this to a complete stranger.
Akira lost wallowing in despair, smell something sweet and flowery, but he disregard the smell. The funny thing that obviously snap him out is that he did not overlook his right hand in between the girl's breast.
Gaping, his hand accidentally grope her in shock. Glancing at the girl who happens to be sitting on his lap, if looks can kill he be dead right about now.
Scowling, stupid Akira!
Then her rational side came in, she brought this upon herself. Peering at her brother, he was in a corner, where did he got a sword? He had a weird glint in his eyes while sharpening his magically appeared sword.
Akira was shaking, this girl is so strange. He hope nobody saw, because if word got out to his father, no worst if any pros from his father session he would never hear the end of their teasing.
The dual color hair girl smile softly at him, Akira blink she may be strange, but he finds her intriguing. "My name is Hikaru Shindo, and I'm sorry, go is very important in more ways than one to me."
Hikaru was worried, he didn't move or twitch an inch. Maybe she should had never agreed to Sai request, her memories when she was twelve started to affect her.
Sai quickly rush over to her side, "What's wrong? Please answer me, Hikaru!"
Hikaru clutch her head, wincing intensely at her pounding headache she obtain. She finally gave out and fainted, Akira caught her in time before she can make contact to the floor.
"Shindo!" "Hikaru!" Both Akira and Sai shouted.
Akira's gentle nudges turn into frantic shakings, "Shindo, wake up!"
Sai glaring daggers, "How dare you shake Hikaru like that!" The usual, no one can see Sai, forgetting about Akira manhandling Hikaru. He pour his focus into trying to access his little sister's dream world, some unknown factor is disrupting him to fully get in.
"Ichikawa-san call an ambulance quick!" Akira yelled out towards the other side of the salon. Not even a second that every single person in the salon crowded them, "What's wrong Akira?" "EH! She collapsed." "What did you do to her Akira-sensei?"
Akira wanted to scold every one of them, this was not the best situation to barrage him into a house full of questions. "I don't know we were playing then-"
One of them cut him off, chuckling. "Oh she fainted because you beaten her."
"Actually quite the opposite, she beaten me," Akira spoke out.
The room exploded into another round of shock.
"She beat Akira!"
"Akira lost!"
"Akira-sensei lost to her!"
"I knew she was special!"
"Drat!"
"Hey! You owe me 10,000 yen!"
"How did that happen!"
"Akira, is this true that you lost?" Thank god Ichikawa shown up, the whole room quieted down again. Akira nodded, Ichikawa murmur to herself. "How is she this good if she stop playing people for years?"
Akira having pretty good ears heard what Ichikawa said. Akira wanted to point out Hikaru might be Sai, but then again he needs more proof than a simple game.
He began to wonder, she can't be that good as she was two years ago. Sai disappear from netgo for two years after a whole two years worth of tearing every players apart. He himself had been one of the millions to suffer an evident defeat.
"Oh the ambulance is finally here."
Akira didn't know he zone out often, when the paramedics came to take her, he felt sort of protective. "I'm not leaving her side." Akira demanded, the paramedics nodded and start placing Hikaru on the stretcher. "Ichikawa give me our bags please."
Ichikawa ran and gave his and Hikaru book bags, "tell father and mother I will be out late," and with that Akira went to stay by Hikaru's side.
Sai desperately kept trying, tears rapidly falling. Please don't leave me, You ARE SO YOUNG TO SUFFER! Sai balling his eyes out, holding Hikaru small hand with his own large hand tightly.
.
Dark, why can't she see, no wait-where the heck is her brother?
Why is Nii-san not beside her, where is she?!
Calming down, if she can't see then she can try to use her senses.
Okay, she is lying on a hard bed, wow she is definitely going to get stiff. What's worse she feels like a log, she can't move or make a sound. Sound! In deep concentration she starting to hear-
Beep!
Beep!
Tick!
Tock!
"She is in some sort of trauma, so I will suggest to gently talk to her once she wakes up."
"Hai, how long will she be able to leave?"
Wait! Hikaru knows that voice, it sounds familiar? hmm...o-oh it's Akira's!
Wha-t? Is she in a hospital!
Oh no, I forgot to call grandpa. He's going to skin me alive! I hope he didn't call mom...
"Shindo-san can leave anytime when she wakes up, just inform us to check out."
"Thanks for your help."
It seems like the doctor left, she did hear flaps of papers turning. If only her body listen to her, she feels helpless and tortured to know what they are saying, but she can never do anything for their attention. Wow maybe that's how Sai always felt around other people. How ironic that this seems like that movie about Jimmy, or was it Johnny?
Still trying to wake up, Sai manage to get into her conscious. "Hikaru, please wake up." Geez I've tried to do that! "Don't worry Sai I'm coming." Okay body or brain? Start functioning with me or I will get tattoos. Nothing happen, her brain is too smart for her sometimes. This is not working, wait a minute, Megan and gramps will hurt us if we do not get up, Megan will dress us up in something girly!
Akira was silently reading his book until Hikaru hand twitch a bit, closing his book, he saw her awake. Akira slightly didn't understand her, she spoke something in English way too fast. (Sai looking a bit relieved, but he quietly listen as she curse him and exclaim she will not play go in public again).
Akira help her to sit up, she sprung up and crush him down into a hug. He is a bit uncomfortable, he will probably gain a couple of bruises. Hikaru was still on top of the boy, you can only guess how happy she is that Sai didn't break him. She awkwardly got off him once she notice their position, Sai is covering up his laughter by making a few choke coughing sounds. Ugh! I'm blaming this on you Akira!
"What's up," Hikaru chirped, really is that the best she can do. Deliberately berating herself on her horrible conversation starter, Akira cut in, "Fine. Are you alright now, the doctor said you had a traumatic stress." He furrowed his brow, was go the reason?
"I'm okay dude," she regretted to shoot down his relax look. "I'm sorry, but I had have a bad experience with go. I think it is better for me to stop playing."
Akira was alarm by this, he just found his rival and she is not willing to play. What's more terrible she was his idol (after his father of course) for nine to ten years, this was unbelievable to him. How could someone so powerful in go just suddenly have no interest towards the game.
He knew he have to get her into the go world, she can bring chaos into the world.
Looking closely into her eyes, he saw a tint of sadness that no one else can easily detect. Wait a minute, her eyes were always like that, she really must had a bad experience. No matter he will not give up, he have to get her to take the pro exam.
"The pro exams are coming up, you should join."
Hikaru look at him in outrage, he dare to tell her what to do. Did he even consider about her feelings, and she even told him she will never play go again. (Sai the only one that can play with her)
"Like hell I am joining, that place is a sausage-fest. " She sneered at him grumpily. "Stop bothering me about go, I won't play ever again."
"You're wasting your talent, think about it you can cause a new wave into go!" Akira roared.
"So what? I might end up in the hospital again, I might get traumatize again." Hikaru argued.
Both of them held each other gaze, his determine and her eyes in plain anger. Akira broke the silence, "If that happens, you shouldn't worry I'll always be there for you." Truthfully he did not know where that came from, earlier he cannot come up with a good explanation.
Hikaru blush, it is not really like that, it is not really like that, it is not really like that, she kept chanting in her brain. Akira completely oblivious continued, "No matter who I play with, I'm constantly thinking about you. How you would respond to each of my moves."
How long did I stayed here?
Akira took notice of her confusion, "It's three in the morning, to pass up time I played go with some patients here." Hikaru's eyes widen, gramps is totally going to kill her. First hug her to death then somehow revive her and then kill her.
Hikaru saw Akira not giving up, she sigh, how the heck will she convince him. Sai spoke, "Play him, maybe you can strike up a deal."
'Sai that's...brilliant! Thank you.'
Hikaru stared him down, Akira knew she is getting serious, startled, "How about a deal?"
Hikaru smiled, "If you win in go, I will become a pro." The 3-dan gotten interested, if this is the only way she can join then he will try his best to beat her.
Hikaru smile mischievously, "If I win, then I get to stop playing go and there is something you cannot argue with me. I will tell it to you after I beat you."
Akira frown, "I will not play if you would not tell me what your part is." He can't shake the feeling of something bad is going to happen.
Hikaru shrug her shoulders, "Well do you want me to become a pro or not."
True this is his only chance, she will have to join and can't go against her words. Akira firmly look straight into her eyes, "Deal."
"Um I don't think we have-" Hikaru saw Akira takng out what they needed from his own bag. Wow he is so prepare, his obsession match Sai's!
"Onegaishimasu."
Hikaru is black, she played a tengen as the first move. After twelve moves, she start to focus seeing into the game.
Akira was sweating, Hikaru Shindo is a mysterious enigma. She doesn't have the same aura as before, but she is still a tough opponent. Akira fortified his attacks more, somehow Hikaru always have a counter for him. His defense is weakening, he have to keep the rest of his stones alive.
Hikaru was having fun, she didn't have this much strategizing as she did with anyone except Sai. Already she consider him as her rival, now she can see why her brother was interested. She can tell that he was in a dead end and there was a halt to his skills, but that was earlier and right now she can tell his playing improve quickly. He may reach up to her level soon, or maybe surpass her. Although Hikaru is not willing to lose to him yet, she played a random move, will he fall for it or dodge it.
Akira gasp, he wasn't sure if this was a mistake. Glancing back at Hikaru, she had on a determine face, she intentionally played that last move. Her style is still the same as Sai's of netgo, but her moves are not hard to read like it was earlier. Clearly this must be a mistake and she is calmly expressing herself that it is not to confuse him. He place his stone at the spot Hikaru predicted, she quickly put her plan into motion. Akira was too late to notice that it was a trap, her mistake turn into rather an impressive good move. Scratch what he said before, Hikaru right now is hard to read as Sai's playing.
Hikaru cheered she won, she had on a delighted smile. Akira blush, she looks really pretty like that, he can even see maybe her natural shade of green.
Hikaru let out a groan, frustrated. Akira was about to question her when she snapped, "My grandfather is going to kill me! My curfew was at 8 pm not this early in the morning."
"If it makes you feel better, your grandfather did call."
"You talk to gramps?!" Hikaru blurted out, Akira smile, "He is a very interesting grandfather."
Hikaru turn pale as stone, she swear she will tie up that old man if he said anything embarrassing. Okay maybe that is too much, why would she care if he told stuff about her to this go obsess weirdo.
Hikaru's eye twitch, "I wouldn't be smiling if I were you." Akira look at her confuse, then his eyes widen. "Hmm lets see?"
Taking a closer look at Akira, she never check a dude out. Usually she will just ignore them. He is not bad looking, he actually looks more feminine than she could ever look. She can't comprehend why he have dull teal hair or why his hair is shoulder length. Did his mother wanted a daughter? That would explain a lot.
What could her part be, tell him to never be in her presence again? Nah, there's a chance she may need him to keep Sai satisfied and she loves to have a new challenge.
Oh wait she can always have him treat her to ramen, that does seem like an awesome idea she had so far.
OR! She can have him go bald, nope that would be too cruel. Dang!
He can be her property, that way she can control him. He seems go obsess, she can hang out with him to learn the latest news about go and Sai would be extremely happy in any go event. Not a bad thing, but the ramen was more tempting.
"Aha! I own you now, no one else gets to have you." Yes, she can get him to do embarrassing things! Maybe she can force him to reenact a yaoi scene from one of those manga she read. No, no, something better! She could get him to model for her, if Ichikawa-san wasn't proof enough, his pictures can be sold out quick. She did heard the old man talk about Ichikawa-san blushing at Akira, the old man haven't lied to her yet.
Akira look at her a if she was crazy, "Okay the exception are anybody else that have rights like relatives or whatever relationships." She still got the you're-crazy look from him.
After five minute, "I can't argue," he mumbled.
"Great!" She said with a smile, "Hey I was wondering are you gay?"
He was greatly offended, although he cannot really answer that, he never felt any attraction to any of the two genders. "N-no? Why?" he answer unsure.
Hikaru inwardly snorted, "What's the reason behind you having longer hair and your...um...personality?"
With a sigh, he spoke. "I act the way I am because my parents raise me to be polite, and I always like my hair to be this long."
She scoffed and check her possession, good all her things are still there. "Whatever princess."
"Princess?" Akira look hurt. Was it possible that he is more better than Sai in looking like a kick puppy? On second thought, Sai had a thousand years of perfecting his. Akira's you can easily say no.
Rolling her eyes, she pulled him by the ear. "Come on you're walking me home."
Wow this is a longer chapter than what I am usually capable.
I really had a difficult time coming up with this, I keep on having writers block.
Again thank you for every one of you that at least view/review/alerted/fav. this story. It really made me happy =)
Please review :)