Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru no Go.
"blahblahblah" Character's dialogue
blahblahblah Character's thought
Chapter 3: Meeting the Parents
The New Otani Group is a group of hotels around the world. Its first hotel which is also the headquarters is in Tokyo. The New Otani Tokyo opened in 1964 which was the year when Tokyo was the host for the Olympics games. The New Otani Group has about twenty branches in Japan; Sapporo, Yamagata, Chiba, Kanazawa, Fukuoka, etc.
Standing tall before Shindou Hikaru, by Neyagawa River, was the New Otani Hotel Osaka.
Hikaru checked his Diesel watch. It's five o'clock now, so we'll have one hour and a half to settle in.
Yashiro went straight to his home the moment they had reached the Shin Osaka station.
"I'll come to pick you up at six thirty." He had told them before leaving.
"Let's go." Ogata urged and took the lead to the hotel. They went straight to a reception counter. Hikaru and the other boys were chatting about the seminar leaving the only adult in their group dealing with their check-in alone. The process took longer than Hikaru had expected so he stole a glance at the Ogata. The Judan was chiding a young female receptionist whom Hikaru remembered seeing her sitting behind the counter just a moment ago. Now, she was on her feet, bowing to his leader over and over again as if apologizing. Ogata let out a frustrated sigh, grabbed the keys on the counter and walked back to join them.
"Seems like there's a little mistake," the man began. "They should have prepared four rooms for us; one for me, one for Ko Yongha and two for the rest of you. Somehow, they end up preparing three rooms for us which means six of us have to share bedrooms."
Hikaru sweated. One of us has to stay with Ogata-Sensei?
"Akira, you're with me. Isumi and…" Ogata spoke on.
Touya with Ogata-Sensei? It makes sense though. They're from the same study group. Not to mention that they've known each other for like… forever.
"That's it. Now, let's go to our room." Ogata said.
What about Yongha? If he doesn't have a chance to be with Touya then all of this will be just a waste. Hikaru pondered while taking an elevator to an upper-floor.
"… register and greet the organizers," he barely heard Ogata's instruction about things which had to be done the next morning.
And Touya's still mad at Yongha, if he shares a room with Ogata-Sensei, it will be harder for Yongha to get him alone and make up. And God knows what Ogata would do when they're in the same room at night! Touya has no chance against him! Damn it! What should I do?
"Ok, this is our room," Ogata's cold voice woke him from his crazy thoughts. "Room 154 is mine and Akira's. Isumi and Waya, you got room 515. And Shindou-"
Damn it! "O-Ogata-Sensei!" Hikaru shouted.
"What is it, Shindou?" Ogata asked, giving him the what-is-your-problem-again look.
"I, errr, I,"
"What is it?" The older man inquired, extremely annoyed. "I don't have all day, you know."
Damn it! Touya, you owe me for this. "About our sleeping arrangement, errr, I wanna-" God, I can't believe I'm saying this. "I prefer to share a room with you." I've said it! I've said it! Oh, Hikaru, what have you done to yourself?
"EH?" Waya, Isumi and Touya exclaimed. This suicidal request was far too great for them to hide their shock. Yongha and Ogata merely raised their eyebrows with interest.
"Shindou, what-" Touya began but his sempai interrupted him.
"Let's me get this straight," Ogata's foul mood turned into amusement. "Did you just say that you want to spend two nights with me?"
You don't have to make it sound horny like that! Hikaru swallowed his pride and answered, "Yes." God, I feel so dirty.
Then Ogata smiled. It was a real smile, not a smirk, not a snigger. It was a smile, a genuine smile. However, Hikaru found that the cheery and merry Ogata was definitely a lot creepier and more dangerous than the normal frightening Ogata. "I see. If you insist, how can I disappoint you? It's settled then." He handed Touya the key of room 516. "Akira, you stay with Ko Yongha. Shindou, you're with me."
"Wait a minute, Ogata-san!" Touya called out but the said man had entered his room, no, their room already.
"Shindou, what are you thinking?" Waya demanded, tagging his arm harshly as if trying to regain his sanity.
Hikaru tottered to the room. He felt like he was walking to a scaffold. It's over. My life is over.
"Shindou, wait!" Yongha's voice rang out in the air but Hikaru was too lost to take notice in it.
He will be the first one you see when you wake up I the morning and the last one when you go to bed. What if he gets drunk like the last time? Oh, Hikaru. What have you got yourself into?
"Shindou!" This time, it was Touya; his rival.
Hikaru stopped at the door and turned around. He looked back and forth between Touya and Yongha. "You two owe me a very big time." With that, he opened the door and walked bravely into hell-where Ogata Seiji was waiting for him.
Room 515 (Waya-Isumi room)
Isumi Shinichiro was an organized man.
He got into his room, put his luggage on one of the two beds. He took his suit out, brushed it to make sure that it wasn't ruined. He walked to a wardrobe, took a hanger out, hanged his suit on it and put it in the wardrobe. There were two dark blue Yukata and a small safe deposit box in it. He turned the button on, set a password and closed its door. He entered the password, the door opened with no trouble. The safe deposit box was in good order.
Next stop was their bathroom. In front of it, there was a set of light switches. He turned them on and off, one by one. Now he knew which switch was for. He turned on the switch for the bathroom. a light bulb then lit on. He went in. Near the basin, there were two neatly folded towels and there were several boxes on them. He examined them; toothbrushes, toothpaste, comb, shower cap, etc, they were just toilet accessories.
He tested the basin faucets and the shower faucets; all of them worked well. Good. He then went out the bathroom. He immediately felt a cool breeze touching his skin. He smiled. Waya had already turned on the air-conditioner, just what he had expected Waya to do. He went to the small nightstand between two beds. The telephone was on it. He tested its signal. It worked well too. Everything was fine. Good.
He looked at Waya who was lying on his stomach. His eyes were closed; he fell asleep already. Isumi shook his head. The boy hadn't even bothered to unpack!
He scanned the room. It was painted in pastel color, making it look clean and relaxing. He now understood why they named their twin bedroom a 'superior twin'. The room did look superior to a normal twin bedroom. Not only the beds were bigger than standard bed, the room was larger too (at least that was what he thought.). He smiled. Look like I travel with style this time.
Yet, there was one thing bothering his mind.
"Waya," Shaking the boy's shoulder, he called. "Waya, wake up."
Waya sleepily mumbled, "Wha-t?"
"Let's go. Why don't we survey the main hall where they will have the seminar?" Isumi suggested. "And we have to sign the register book."
Waya rolled on his side turning his back at him and answered,"…can da tat tomorrow…morninggg, wanna sleep, Yashiro…pick us zoon."
They had travel three hours straight; two and a half hours in the Shinkansen, half an hour in a taxi. It was no wonder why Waya was exhausted. Truly speaking, Isumi himself was a little tired too. Well, maybe a short rest wouldn't hurt. With that he lay down on the vacant bed next to Waya's.
An hour later,
"Let's go to the lobby. It's time." Waya heard a voice saying to him. He remembered that voice. It was Isumi.
"Time for what?"
"We're going to Yashiro's home this evening, remember?"
Oh, that's right. "Didn't he say he would come to pick us up at six thirty?" he asked, his eyes still shut.
"It's six twenty already. Yashiro-kun will be here in ten minutes. Now get up." Waya felt a strong pull, he was pulled up to a sitting position. "We have to call the rest too."
Waya rubbed his eyes and yawned sleepily. "Okay,okay." He lazily opened his eyes and snapped them close in a blink. The light was too bright for his liking. "Too bright."
Isumi ignored his whine. "You can unpack after we come back. First, I'm going to get Shindou."
"Why bother going there? Why don't you just call them?" Waya wondered. He would never go near the notorious Judan and do anything in his power to stay away from him as far as he could.
"Ogata-sensei is probably sleeping. I don't dare waking him up." Isumi was on his feet already. "Let's go. I'll go call Shindou, you go call Touya, okay?"
"What?" If Isumi tried to wake him up, let's say that he succeeded it beautifully. "No way." Touya Akira and Ko Yongha weren't better than Ogata. Truth be told, they were even worse, there were two of them.
"Well, you want to call Shindou yourself then?" Isumi challenged.
On a second thought, Ogata-Sensei is a lot scarier. "Fine, I'll call Touya." Waya finally got up and followed Isumi to the door.
Room 514 (Ogata-Hikaru room)
Hikaru, Hikaru, Hikaru. You just volunteered to share a room with Ogata Seiji of all people! How could you be this foolish? Hikaru hesitantly entered to his room. He had expected to see Ogata sitting on a bed, waiting for him, smirking at him (or rather leering at him). But the title-holder had fallen asleep already.
He sighed in relief; at least he didn't have to face the older pro right now. He put his bag on the floor and went to the terrace.
Sai would like it here. He thought as he stared at Osaka Castle. He stayed there for a while simply gazing into space before going back into the room to find that his roommate was sleeping soundly.
Living with Sai had changed Hikaru tremendously. First, he had learned Go and fell in love with the game. Second, he had become some sort of Japanese history lover. Lastly, thanked to the ghost's childishness, acting like a worried mother had become his second nature.
Seeing Ogata not make an effort to take his glasses and his shoes off awoke his caring nature. Hikaru, if you value your life, just don't. He told himself. He looked around, thinking about what he should do in the meantime. Watching television was not a choice, its voice would wake the sleeping Judan for sure. So he grabbed his bag and took out the latest Shonen Jump. He lay on his bed and started reading it. He flipped through it but couldn't really concentrate on reading- something terribly disturbed him.
Hikaru snapped his Manga close and muttered darkly, "Damn it." After a fierce internal battle, his motherly instinct won. He tiptoed to Ogata's bed and carefully took his glasses off.
"Mmm," Ogata stirred in his sleep.
With his heart beating frantically, Hikaru held his breath and tried his best to control his trembling hands. The glasses were now half way off the man's face. Please don't wake up, please don't wake up, please don't wake up. he prayed silently.
Luckily, Ogata didn't.
Finally, He managed to remove the glasses and the shoes. He studied the bronze haired pro who was still sleeping peacefully. Hmm, he doesn't look so creepy when he's sleeping. He thought and went back reading his Manga. He didn't know how long time had passed. Then he heard a knock on the door.
He quickly got up and answered the door. Isumi was there. "What is it, Isumi-san?" he whispered, not wanting to wake Ogata.
Isumi seemed to know his thoughts. Tapping on his watch, he mouthed. "Yashiro".
"Oh, ok." Hikaru nodded and went back into the room. He dashed off a note to Ogata, saying that he and the rest of the boys would go dinning at Yashiro's house and that they would be back by ten. He then grabbed his wallet and his jacket and went off.
"By the way, where are Touya and Yongha?" Hikaru asked as he closed the door.
"Don't worry. Waya's is getting them." Isumi answered.
Room 516 (Yongha-Akira)
Once Akira entered the room, what welcomed him was the sight of Ko Yongha sitting on a sofa with his leg crossed, reading a book while drinking Kirin's Fire Menthol coffee. Akira glanced at both beds. Apparently, Ko Yongha had chosen the bed closer to a French window leading to the balcony. Akira frowned. That bed was supposed to be his. He always liked a bed close to a window. He found that a night view of a city was somewhat comforting; especially when he couldn't sleep. Now, thanks to Ko Yongha, his bed was taken. The only bed left was the bed next to the bathroom. If he couldn't sleep there were only two views for him. One was the wall; another was Ko Yongha. Hah! As if seeing this idiot's face could soothe him to sleep. A part of him wanted to throw Ko Yongha's luggage off the bed to the floor but he told himself not to do so. He was more mature than that. He wasn't Shindou.
Shindou.
Thinking of that name only aggravated his frustration. If only the Association hadn't made a mistake for reservation, If only Shindou hadn't volunteered to share a room with Ogata-san, I wouldn't have been in this situation.
"You owe me big time." Shindou had said.
Fool! Akira cursed silently for that he knew the reason behind this so-called consideration. He knew how his rival's mind worked perfectly well. He must think that Ko Yongha and I want to spend some time together. Stupid Shindou. Still.... at least it's better than Shindou staying with Ko Yongha, right?
Yes, it is definitely better. He tried to be positive. This is not the worst case-scenario. He peeked at Yongha who was still reading and trying his best to ignore his existence. He sighed. There was nothing he could do now; he had to accept the bitter fact that he was going share the room with his rival (in love) for 2 days. He sighed again before going to the bathroom.
Like Isumi, Akira too was a cautious person. He checked the bathroom. The electrical utility and water supply worked well. He then began to take out his clothes from his luggage. After everything was in place, he sat at the wooden table. He brought out the note he had made the previous night and began making notes:
To do list in Osaka
Suggest to Ogata-san on the sleeping arrangements, which shall be set as:
Room No. 1 - Myself (Akira) and Shindou---FAILED
Room No. 2 - Waya and Isumi---ACCOMPLISHED
Room No. 3 -Yashiro and Ko Yongha---FAILED, Yashiro stays at home.
Hmm, it seems that I fail miserably. That's all right, Akira! There are many things to do!
Use your best endeavor to keep he-whom-you-hate-to-name away from Shindou---ACCOMPLISHED, although I have to spending two nights with him instead!
Well, I somewhat succeed. All I have to do is to make sure that Ko Yongha doesn't get a chance to be with Shindou alone. He thought. If anyone saw his face at this moment, they would probably think that he was about to challenge for a title since his face shown nothing but absolute determination. With a smile on his face, Akira rose and took out a book from his baggage. Before he could sit down to begin reading; he heard a loud voice coming from the television. He looked at the boy who proclaimed himself to be the prince of Baduk. Ko Yongha was now standing and smirking at him. The Korean had been reading in silence but the moment he was about to read too, he turned the television on. What a coincidence! The guy was trying to annoy him, Akira realized. As if your childish play is going to work on me. He ignored him and started reading then he heard a loud noise coming from the television. Ko Yongha, with a remote control in his hand, kept changing channels every five seconds, and that annoyed Akira to the core.
"Could you stop doing that please?" He said without looking up from his book. Actually he didn't want to say "please"; it sounded like the other boy had the upper hand. Still, he was Touya Akira; the boy whom was known for his absolute control and politeness towards everyone in any situation.
Playing dumb, Ko Yongha asked innocently. "Doing what?" Akira swore he was laughing inside.
"That,"
"What?"
"Changing channels every five second!"
"Ohhh, I'm sorry." Ko Yongha said it with a haughty smile. It was the worst fake apologize that Akira had ever heard in his fortunate life. "I don't know it bother you."
Akira was smart enough to catch its hidden meaning. Don't you mean 'I don't know you are such a hotheaded'? Normally, he wasn't a short-tempered person but it seemed that the Korean pro really got under his skin. If being with him only an hour makes me this frustrated, what would it be like if I have to be with him for two nights? "Listen, we have to set some rules," he spoke in his business tone.
"Rules?"
"Yes, rules. Listen, we both know that neither of us satisfy with this arrangement but we have no choice." I have no choice. "Therefore, in order that we can make it through two days," without killing each other, "we must have some rules about living together."
"Living together?" Ko Yongha smirked at that. "You make it sound like we're seeing each other."
How dare you! Akira got up from his seat hastily and trampled toward the other boy. "First rule! You must stop doing that!"
"What is it this time? You know you must be more specified than this. You keep saying 'Stop doing this. Stop doing that'. How am I supposed to know what that is anyway?"
As a Go player, Akira knew that the one who lost control first lost a game, and he was losing in this mind game. Damn it! I shouldn't have burst out! Shindou's childishness must rub off on me. Calm down, Akira. "What I mean is, it would be great if you refrain yourself from…doing whatever that may lead to an unnecessary verbal argument between us like this."
With his hand on the heart, Ko Yongha looked almost sad. "Are you implying that I intentionally angry you? Oh, why Touya? I'm hurt."
You're doing that again. Stay cool, Akira. Breathe, breathe. "Although I'm not Osaka native but I'm a Japanese. I think it will be wiser if you follow my advice from now on."
"Follow your advice?" Ko Yongha stood up and stomped toward Akira. He didn't sound 'hurt' anymore, telling the truth, he didn't 'hurt' from the start. "Listen to me carefully," As the Korean roommate was too close for his comfort, Akira took couple steps back until his back hit the wall. Ko Yongha rested his hands on the wall; their faces were only few inches apart. Eyes wide, Akira swallowed hard. What he's doing? "Just because I'm in your country doesn't mean that you can-"
Suddenly the door swung open.
"Hey, Touya! It's-" Akira and Ko Yongha snapped his head toward an intruder. Standing at their doorstep was Waya Yoshitaka, with his mouth dropped open wide.
"Wh-What are you guys doing?" Waya stuttered a question.
Akira replied in a cold tone, "Nothing."
"I-I just drop by to tell you that it's almost six thirty. I-I'm off now, you guys can continue, err, whatever you two are doing." Waya said in a rush and slammed the door shut.
Great, can my life get any worse?
Yashiro's house was bigger than Yongha had expected. It was a four-stories twin house with two parking and a large front garden. A shiny latest Volvo car was in a carport. This is not a house for a normal salary man.
Shindou, being curious too, asked aloud. "What are your parents doing?"
"Dad is a financial counselor," Yashiro replied dully, "A tax counselor, to be precise."
"And your mother?" This time it was Touya.
"Mom teaches Ikebana."
Ikebana?
As if sensing his lack of knowledge, Isumi filled in. "Traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement."
"I see." Yongha nodded. So, a tax counselor father and a flower-arranging mother, huh? Judging from Yashiro's character and his taste in clothing, Yongha was certain that everybody thought that Yashiro was from a middle-class family. Who would have thought that he was from a sophisticated family like this? He studied the Kansai pro, especially his white hair (although Yashiro insisted that it was silver; not white, Yongha and other regarded it as white anyway). Now, I understand why his father doesn't want him to be a Go pro. Yongha's father was a very successful businessman. Their fathers were pretty much alike but his didn't mind for him playing Go since he knew that Yongha was capable to carry on the family's business while being a pro at the same time. Yashiro, however, was a different case. Yongha understood how Yashiro's father felt. Who would trust a white-hair boy who dressed like a low punk on the street to make a right decision?
"I got it. Your dad wants you to have a real job like him. That's why he doesn't want you to play Go, right?" Shindou assumed.
"Yeah, he wants me to study, go to university, become a rich businessman, meet a woman, get married and have a perfect family like he does." Yashiro tried to make it look like he was bored but Yongha could tell that he was disappointed in his own father for not supporting him. "I'm hungry! Let's go! Mom orders sushi for us!" he said happily, trying to lighten the mood.
"Sushi!!! Yes!" Waya cheered. "Let's go!"
Shindou moaned. "Damn, why not ramen?"
"Hey! You come to eat at my house and you dare to complain?" Yashiro scolded.
"I'm not complaining!" Shindou retorted.
"Yes, you are!"
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are!"
Isumi and Touya shook his head like tired parents who gave up on their hopeless sons.
At least Yashiro doesn't look so gloomy anymore. They all knew that it was Shindou's way to distract their host from his distress. He deliberately fights with him. Yongha smiled. As expected from you, Shindou.
"Quit it, you two." Touya, who stood between both boys, ordered them, his hands rested on their shoulders as he tried to separate them apart. "Shindou, didn't you leave a note to Ogata-san telling him that we will be back by ten? If we want to go back in time, we have to leave by nine thirty. It's seven fifteen now. We only have two hours and fifteen minutes left. We haven't entered the house yet but you already arguing," he lectured.
Shindou and Yashiro did stop quarreling at once. They stared at the black haired pro and heaved a desperate sigh.
"What?" Touya frowned.
"I know you are very punctual but-" Shindou began.
"You will never get a girlfriend, if you're too strict like this." Yashiro shook his head in disapproval.
I think I start to like this Yashiro.
Touya glared at both of them. "Excuse me?"
Alarmed as if remembering something important, Shindou suddenly turned to Yongha with a hopeful puppy look. "B-but being punctual isn't a bad thing, right, Yongha?"
"Huh?" Yongha blinked in surprise. What does it have to do with me? He wondered, but how he could say no to those lovely green eyes? "Errr, yes," he answered, not entirely sure.
"See, Touya? Yongha think being punctual is a good," Shindou grinned from ear to ear.
No, not again. Yongha sighed, dejected. If it were someone else, he would grab his collar and shout to his face that he did not love Touya Akira, he didn't even like the boy!
Thank to Waya, he chose the right time to butt in. "Ne, ne, let's go inside and have Sushi!" he rushed.
"Ok then." Yashiro then leaded them to the door.
"Isumi-san, Touya, Yongha. Don't forget our plan, okay?" Shindou told them.
"Plan? What plan?" It was clearly that Isumi had already forgotten about the plan.
"This is it, prepare yourself to meet my folks." Yashiro took a lungful of air and opened the door.
"The plan we discussed on the Shinkansen, of course." Shindou quickly whispered orders. "Isumi-san, try to persuade his dad. Yongha and Touya, you two, errr, do whatever it take to get his mom on his side."
"But Shin-" Yongha's protest died out when he heard a woman say, "Welcome home, Kiyoharu."
A woman around her mid forties stood at the entrance. She wore an expensive blue silk dress, matching pearl necklace and earrings. Her hair was done into a bun, with a pearl strand around the bun, making her look elegant even more.
"Mom, these are my friends I told you about. Guys, this is my mom," said Yashiro.
After they introduced themselves to Yasuko, Yashiro's mother, she guided them to a dinning room where Yashiro's father, Takahiro, had been waiting. The boys introduced themselves again, and they all started dinning.
"I see, all of you have become friends since then." Taking a sip of tea, Takahiro nodded in acknowledgement after Hikaru had told him how they had met Yashiro during the first Hokuto Cup. Takahiro was just like what Yongha had pictured him to be. The said man reminded him of his own father; both were studious and very strong-minded. Unlike his wife, Takahiro didn't dress so extravagantly, he simply had on a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, yet, he managed to carry respectable air around him. People might think that Yashiro had nothing like his graceful parents but if they took a closer look, they would find that the son resembled his father greatly since they shared the same fierce and determined eyes.
True to Yashiro's word, Yasuko ordered them sushi for tonight's dinner. According to Waya, the Sushi-lover (that's what Shindou called him), there are various types of sushi. "Nigiri Sushi" is the most typical sushi with rice and topping on top. "Maki Sushi" is a rolled sushi. "Hako Sushi" or "Pressed Sushi" is a blocked-shape sushi which a chef put rice and topping into a wooden rectangular mold, then press the mold and cut into squares before serving. Waya also informed him that Hako Sushi is originated in Kansai's region and very popular among Osaka people.
There were various plates on the table. For Nigiri Sushi, there were four different toppings; Makuro(Tuna), Ebi (shrimp), Kani (crab stick) and Tamako (omelets). For Hako Sushi, they had three toppings; Smoked Salmon, U-nagi (Eel) and Sea bream. However, what caught Yongha's attention the most was the Maki Sushi.
"This one's called Naruto," Yashiro informed, "what I'm having is Negimeki."
Yongha looked at the Negimaki sushi. It was a thin sliced beef wrapped around scallion and cooked with Teriyaki sauce.
"Naruto, huh?" Yongha looked at a set of Naruto sushi on his plate; eel, shrimp, crabstick, tamago and avocado were wrapped tightly in cucumber.
"Try eat it in one bite!" Waya encouraged. His plate was full with Shrimp and Vegetable tempura and California roll.
It isn't so big, I think I can do it. "If the expert says so," Yongha smirked. But when he put it in his mouth, he found it was too big to finish in a single bite. Was it because the sushi bigger than it looked or was it because his mouth was smaller than he thought? He didn't know but he couldn't back down. After struggling, he finally put the whole sushi into his mouth. Waya, Shindou and Yashiro laughed at him. Even Takahiro couldn't hold back a smile. Did he just trick me? I should have tried salad; it's much easier to have.
"How is it?" Isumi asked. Judging from a piece of sliced tuna roll around crab meat and avocado dressing with spicy sauce he had, Yongha guessed that the older liked spicy food. From his gentle look, it's quite a surprise.
Still coughing, Yongha replied, "It's good."
"Why don't you have some tea, dear?" Yasuko gestured to his Japanese teacup.
"Thank you," Yongha thanked her with his lady-killer smile.
"This soup is great!" Shindou exclaimed. "Did you make it yourself, Yashiro-san?"
Yasuko covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, "Why don't you call me 'Auntie', Shindou-kun. There are three Yashiro here; it'll make us confused if you can all of us 'Yashiro'. And, yes, I made the Mackerel soup myself. I hope you like Semba style."
"I love it!" Shindou smiled brightly at her. "It's so light and simple but surprisingly refreshing." If the blond pretended to flatter, Yongha couldn't tell. He could be either sincere or very good at acting. "Did you add some ginger?" Shindou asked.
Yasuko beamed, "Finally, someone notices and admires my work! These two never say anything. Sometimes I wonder if they lose their tongue taste."
Yashiro protested, "It's not that I've never complimented on your cooking."
"Is that so? Then, tell me when is the last time you tell me my food is delicious, hmm?" Yasuko challenged.
"Err,"
"Oh, this Teriyaki is good too!" Shindou said happily. "Although I don't know what it is, some kind of fish, I think." He then observed the fish closely.
This time Takahiro filled him in, "It's Hamo (Pike eel)."
"Hamo?" All three Tokyoites repeated.
"It's a common dish in Osaka but you don't often have it in Tokyo, right? So I asked Yasuko to make it for you," Takahiro explained.
"Thank you for your consideration," Touya thanked, "It's very good."
"De-li-ciousss." Shindou continued raving.
Yasuko chuckled, "Oh, Shindou-kun, you are such a sweet boy."
Didn't he tell me to butter up Yashiro's mother? He knew Shindou just tried to make a good impression to Yashiro's parents, however, seeing his crush sweet-talk a woman who was old enough to be their mother greatly disturbed him. I don't want to see him flirting with anyone but me.
"…If Yashiro were half sweet as you-"
"Him? Sweet?" Yashiro nearly spilled his soup. "He is not sweet, mom," he snorted. "He's a little devil. He-"
"Kiyoharu," Takahiro warned. Yashiro shut his mouth at once. "I admire you all, to be able to get a job at this age. Waya-kun isn't it? I heard from Kiyoharu that you move out from your house and get your own apartment already."
"Ha-hai! I moved out two years ago," Waya replied, a bit tense.
"I see. It must be difficult for you-cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, all of those house chores. Not to mention, telephone bills, electricity and water supply bills…" Takahiro went on. Yongha knew his true intention though. The older man just pretended to sympathize Waya to show them, the kids, that real life was harder than they had thought.
"Yeah, it was difficult at first but I got used to it eventually. Plus, I got help. Isumi-san taught me how to cook too."
"Oh, I see. Isumi-kun is the big brother in this group then," Yasuko concluded.
"Hai," Waya and Shindou nodded.
Isumi blushed at that. "I just, err, help them when I can."
Takahiro turned his attention to the oldest boy. "So, Isumi-kun. I hope you don't mind for me asking you this but, how old are you?"
"I'm twenty years old, sir," Isumi answered politely.
Takahiro reached out for his teacup. "You are a university student then."
"I was. After I passed the exam I quitted my studies."
"Is that so?" Takahiro said. "Where did you study?" he was about to drink his hot green tea when Isumi replied.
"Keio University,"
At that, the head of the Yashiro froze.
Isumi then added, "Keio University, Faculty of Economics, sir."
Takahiro put down his teacup. "Keio University?" he repeated, not believing what he had just heard.
"Hai,"
"It's such a shame!" Yasuko cried. "It's such a prestigious university! My friend's son," she turned to her husband, "Dear, do you remember my friend, Akane?" Seeing Takahiro nod, she continued, "Akane's son, Tenma-kun, he enrolled there too but he didn't pass the entrance exam." She then complimented her guest, "You must be very talented to be able to get in."
"Please," Isumi rubbed the back of the head, "I'm not that good."
"You left the university to play Go?" Takahiro asked; his voice skeptical. Leaving one of the most renowned universities to play Go must be very stupid idea to him.
"Yes, and I don't have any regret," Isumi stated, loud and clear. "It's the right decision. I know."
"I just don't understand what teenagers nowadays think anymore." The older man shook his head. He reached out for his teacup again, took a sip of his favorite tea and let out a deep sigh. "You throw your life and your future away just to have more time to play a board game."
Clearly his words angered his son, "Dad!"
"With all the respect, sir, neither of us here throws away anything." Yongha chimed in. Although he wasn't eager to help Yashiro as much as Shindou, he would not just sit here and listen to Takahiro's offense. To him, Go is noble and divine. He loved Go. No one was allowed to insult Go, at least not in his presence. "We just choose a different future from a majority of people. It might be different but a future nevertheless," he argued.
Takahiro stared at him, and Yongha confronted him by looking straight into the eyes of the older man. Awkward silence fell between them. Finally Takahiro spoke out,"You're a very mature for a sixteen year old boy."
"My, my, what a serious dinner we'er having" Yasuko laughed uncomfortably, trying to lessen the tension in the air. "Let's have dinner before it gets cold."
They knew she was right, neither of them wanted to turn this dinner into a heated argument so the conflict died there. Yusuko recommended them where they should go while being in Osaka. Takahiro gave them the names of his favorite restaurants.
Nothing much happened. After they finished dinner, Takahiro excused himself, saying that he had to prepare for a meeting. The young pros went up to Yashiro's room. They talked about the seminar and discussed about tomorrow's plan while having dessert that Yusuko brought to them. They left the house at nine fifteen (actually they could leave at nine thirty but Touya said that they should leave early so they would have fifteen minutes to spare.)
They arrived at nine forty-five as Touya planned. Waya and Isumi went back to their room. Shindou went to his and Ogata's room while Yongha went to his and Touya's.
Yongha didn't utter a single word to his roommate again. He didn't want to talk to him unless it was necessary and he was sure that the other felt the same. After they entered the room, Touya grabbed his towel and went into the bathroom. When he finished, Yongha took his turn. When Yongha came out from the bathroom, the Japanese pro had been asleep already (Yongha wasn't certain if he just pretended or not). He then went to bed too.
Room 514 (Ogata-Hikaru room)
Hikaru tiptoed into the room. He felt like being a naughty husband who sneaked into the house to avoid his angry wife. It wasn't that he had other choice. If Ogata was sleeping, Hikaru didn't want to wake him. If he was still awaken, well, honestly, he didn't know what do.
But his roommate wasn't there.
Where is he? Hikaru looked around; there was no note. He didn't bother to leave me a message. Well, then. He shrugged and went to take a shower.
It was near midnight when Hikaru heard a "Click" sound. Ogata finally came back.
"Heyyy, Shindou. Back alreadyyy?" the Judan greeted him in a way-to-much merry tone. His eyes were sleepily, his face was red, and he reeked of alcohol.
This was worse than waking Ogata and getting scolded by him.
Ogata Seiji was drunk.
"You're drunk!" Hikaru exclaimed. The unwanted memory haunted him. He remembered the last time (actually the only time) he had encountered the drunken Ogata. The man was even creepier, if possible.
"Noooo, am notttt." Ogata shook his head violently. It was not a surprised answer since no drunken man ever admitted that he was indeed drunk. He then staggered into the room. "Opps!" He cried when he was about to fall down. Good thing that Hikaru caught him in time.
"Yes, you are." Hikaru spoke dryly. He placed Ogata's arm over his shoulder and guided him to his bed. "Where did you go anyway?" Shouldn't he be the one who ask me this question?
"Met …Zenzei, drank wit h-im…bar… loby." was all he got as an explanation.
The boy sighed. Although we are free tomorrow, he should not have drunken this much. He put the so-call chaperone on his bed. Damn it, what should I do now? Didn't Ashiwara-san say that Ogata-Sensei always carry hangover pills when he travels? He then started raiding Ogata's suitcase. If the man reprimand him for not respecting his privacy, then fine, he refused to deal with the hung-over Ogata in the morning. Once he found the pills, he snatched a glass and a bottle of mineral water from the mini bar. This is definitely not what I planned to do on my first night in Osaka. He thought as he watched the older pro spreading on the bed, completely and inebriated. He put two pills into Ogata's mouth before slipping his hand under his head and gently lifted his head up. "Ogata-Sensei, drink it." He said as he forced the Judan to drink water. Ogata, being helplessly intoxicated by alcohol, was surprisingly obedient. He drank the water, shook off his shoes and fell asleep. "Phew," Hikaru wiped his sweat away from the forehead. All done. He collapsed on his bed. Damn you, Touya. With that, he dozed off.
Words: 7498
Special Thank: My dedicated beta-reader, Rickaz
AN: Hikaru and Isumi have to take care Ogata and Waya. Akira and Yongha are having a cold war. Seems like Yashiro is the luckiest here. Speaking of Yashiro, since we don't know much about his backgrounds, I decide to make him be a rich boy with strict and conservative parents. Now we see why they are against Yashiro's decision to be a Pro.
The hardest part in this chapter was to choose the dishes they have for dinner! I tried to balance the menu. If you read it carefully, you'll see that they have fish, seafood, beef, and they have sushi (both Japanese and modern "fusion" sushi), Tempura, salad, soup and Teriyaki. I hope you all enjoy local Osaka cuisine here.
Information:
Kirin's Fire Menthol coffee that Yongha drank: www(dot)flickr(dot)com(slash)photos(slash)mdid(slash)2834690477(slash)
For Osaka local dishes, please visit:
www(dot)tsuji(dot)ac(dot)jp(slash)hp(slash)jpn(slash)jp(underscore)e (slash)Osaka(slash)home(dot)html
Names of Yashiro's parent
Takahiro: widespread nobility
Yasuko: good/fragile/noble child
Keio University: It is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan as well as the oldest university in Japan. For more information, please visit the university's website or wikipedia.
This is the room where Hikaru and others slept, Look at Superior Twin:
www(dot)osaka(dot)newotani(dot)co(dot)jp(slash)english(slash)rooms(underscore)suites(slash)index(dot)html#