Yaoi Betrothal
Chapter Nine
Saiai
Five months later, after Hikaru decided to become an Insei, Akira came to the Insei institute, led there by Ogata. Seeing Hikaru, he panicked when his betrothed turned to see him.
"Akira!" Hikaru called as the boy ran out of the Insei classroom. Hikaru chased after him, leaving Waya and Isumi behind.
The chase went outside, and Hikaru called to his boyfriend once again.
"Why are you losing? I know you're better than that," Akira said sadly, his back to Hikaru, having seen the records of Hikaru's previous matches.
"I know…I've been trying out a new strategy to defeat you, so you'll see me as your rival, not Sai," Hikaru responded quietly, a tear falling from his eye.
Akira whirled around. "Hikaru!" Akira pulled Hikaru into a hug. "I do see you as my rival, Hikaru! Never doubt that!"
"But, you haven't talked to me in months."
Akira sighed. "I know, but I thought you were mad at me because I always wanted to play Sai and not you."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't want you around! Um…why did you not want to play me, anyways?" Hikaru asked as he hid his face in Akira's shoulder.
"I wanted to wait to play you so I could improve. I know you're catching up to me, so I want to improve," Akira smiled. "And we'll shock the world when you enter the Pro world!"
"How?" Hikaru asked in a confused voice.
"For one, I hope that's when we will reveal our secret. For another, our game will surprise everyone, just like always!"
"All right!" Hikaru cheered. "I can't wait!"
"Of course! Hikaru, about the Insei ranks…I think you should slowly up your playing level until you make your way up to the A league. I would like to play you in the Young Lions Tournament. I know you're holding back now."
"Ok," Hikaru shrugged. "Can we go back to playing all the time and spending time together all the time?"
"You don't have to ask, silly! We'll always play together; we won't be fighting over this anymore, I promise!"
…
"Hikaru," Akira began, pulling Hikaru closer to his chest from the blonde-banged boy's spot in his lap, "do you love me?"
Hikaru sighed, turning slightly to bury his head into Akira's chest. "Of course I love you, silly! Was there ever any doubt?"
Akira smiled, grabbed Hikaru's left hand. "I'd like to put a ring here, Hikaru," Akira whispered, fingering Hikaru's ring finger.
"Isn't that already a given?" Hikaru asked, confusion sounded in his voice like a bell sounding through the air on a bright and sunny windless day.
"A wedding ring, yes, but I'd like to give you an engagement ring. I want our wedding to be just as meaningful as it would be if it was a bonding by our own will, Saiai!" (beloved)
Hikaru raised his head, a brilliant smile glowing with a glimmering countenance. "I'd like that," he smiled softly.
"Here, Hikaru," Akira reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box of black velvet.
He opened it, taking out a gorgeous ring of gold with two diamonds cut into the form of hearts, surrounding an emerald princess-cut stone with the character for love inlaid in gold. It was attached to a chain of gold. Akira clasped the necklace around Hikaru's neck, kissing it softly as he pulled his hands away.
"One day, Hikaru, I'll put it on your hand, and then we'll amaze the world," the boy with dark green hair swore, a loving promise Akira knew he'd never break; for an eternity of torture couldn't force him to lie to Hikaru and break the heart of the other boy.
The said boy gently tucked the expensive and love-filled necklace under his shirt, dreaming of the day he and Akira could be open with their love and devotion.
