They did it! He and Yu Liang had won the tournament and they got the Cup! Both of them have accomplished the mission to bring the Hokuto Cup .China! AAAARGGGHH!

Shi Guang still couldn't believe it, it was like a dream. As he sat in the bathtub hours later, taking his bath, soaked in warm water, his hands were still shaking. He had not been able to decipher his current feelings, not yet. They were all mixed up in his head, making him dizzy, as he recalled the event this afternoon.

Shortly after winning, Yu Liang has hugged him tightly, and shouted, "We did it, Shi Guang! We did it!" before burst into tears. Shi Guang could only nod non-stop, tears streaming down his cheeks and hugging Yu Liang equally tight, clings to him.

Then he felt a push from behind him, and two other pairs of hands were embracing them. Ah, Bai Laoshi… Xu-Ge... who also screamed very loud, "You did it! I know you two can do it! Thank you for your hard work! THANK YOU!" Shi Guang was damn sure that the two seniors must have cried happily with them. However, at that moment, Shi Guang wasn't really aware of his surroundings, he could only hang on to Yu Liang's body, couldn't even feel his legs.

It was perfect.

Well, almost perfect.

The pain that stabbed his heart at that moment was very severe, it brought tears to his eyes. Chu Ying... Chu Ying…

Don't go there… happy thoughts only.

Yes, please, happy thoughts only, otherwise he would be stuck in deep sorrow, and Shi Guang no longer wants to be lost in it ever again. Happy thoughts only, because he had no doubt, not even a bit, in his heart and mind, that if Chu Ying was there, he would be the happiest person. He would definitely jump around, full of joy, maybe even higher than when Shi Guang had advanced and officially became a Dan-1 Go Player. He would be very proud of him.

Besides, Chu Ying was undoubtedly there with him throughout this journey. He was in his heart, in his soul, in his Go, Yu Liang was not the only person whose Go closely tied to him. Shi Guang then smiled broadly and wiped his tears, his mind was back again to that afternoon.

He didn't really remember the moment when they stepped onto the podium to receive the trophy. It must be Yu Liang who led him there. But, Shi Guang clearly remembered the exhilarating sensation he felt the first time he touched the Hokuto Cup, the thrilling emotion when the two of them hoisted the Cup together over their head and shouted, "YEAAAAAH!"

Afterward, he just didn't want to let the Cup go from his hand. Even after the press conference, he was sure he just said yes and nodded in agreement with whatever Yu Liang and Xu-Ge said during it, and the photo session was over, he was still holding onto the Cup tightly and Yu Liang let him.

When they had returned to their hotel room, and Shi Guang told Yu Liang that he wanted to sleep with the Cup, Yu Liang only laughed amusedly and said yes. But he drew the line at Shi Guang's request to take the Cup into the bathtub with him. Shi Guang just chuckled at the funny expression on Yu Liang's face and finally let the Cup go to him.

"Enjoy your bath, I will take good care of this Cup for you," said Yu Liang sweetly and Shi Guang was a big liar if he ever thought Yu Liang's pleasing manner did not affect him. Whether he liked it or not, that little action made Shi Guang's mind drifted to that night, when Yu Liang confessed his love for him. Shi Guang was silent for a while.

He trusted Yu Liang, he truly did. But, this wasn't Go, this was something entirely different, and he only had almost nothing of understanding about it.

Especially if he thought about Yu Liang who, sometimes, could be very... very... impulsive?... was that the right term? Hmm, that seemed like the correct term, right? If Yu Liang wasn't um... impulsive, was it possible for him to just go to Korea for 6 years because he lost two Go matches? True, he was defeated badly by Chu Ying and it shocked him, but Chu Ying was the best player in the whole fucking world and Yu Liang was only a 9 years old kid then!

He didn't know it was Chu Ying tho', he thought it was me…

Shi Guang ignored his inner-self and continued to bombard himself with his thoughts.

And what about that? When Yu Liang delayed his chance to become a professional Go player and chose to enter his school's Go club simply to compete with him? The match that ended with Yu Liang feeling very disappointed, feeling awfully betrayed, which also, later on, made Shi Guang felt so terrible, so guilty…

Aah yes, it was all madness. But, c-could he simply call it fate? After all, those were the episodes in both their life that triggered everything. Shi Guang wouldn't have become a Go player like this if it weren't for that, and neither would Yu Liang. What he said that night to Yu Liang was the absolute truth, their Go was tied closely to each other. But Go is Go, and love was a completely different matter.

Was it possible that Yu Liang was also being um ... impulsive (definitely the correct term) when he said love to him?

For weeks they had lived together, ate together, practiced together, almost did everything together, even sleep in the same bed, during the intensive training for the Cup. So, it was no wonder, right, when a stranger (Kimchi-Jie!) appeared between them, Yu Liang was annoyed? Just like a child who lost his favourite toy. Shi Guang knew everything about being selfish, being possessive, he was an only child too.

He managed to pass the te~st...

Ugh, those ridiculous tests! Even Shi Guang felt embarrassed when he thought about them. He covered his face with his hands, even though he was all alone in the bathroom.

"Yu Liang, I don't think this shirt looks okay. Take a look, it's wrinkled, right?"

"No, it isn't. It looks okay."

"Are you blind? Look again. It's horrible. I don't want to wear it!"

"Okay, calm down. I brought extra shirts. You can wear one of them."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. I'll get it for you."

Shi Guang, who was still covering his face with his hands, groaned as he shook his head, still not believed he could act so annoying and needy. A memory of another 'test' quickly came into his mind.

"I want to wear your red tie, it looks better."

"What do you mean? They're exactly the same."

"They're not, yours is better. Untie it, Yu Liang. I want to wear it, and you can wear mine."

"Fine."

"You're going to help me put on this tie, right?"

"Of course, come here."

Shi Guang wanted very badly to provoke Yu Liang, and he failed miserably. After seeing with his own eyes how Yu Liang, before 'the confessing', became angry very easily and turned into this scary monster due to small things, seeing him so patient dealing with Shi Guang was really confusing. Even Xu-Ge was provoked.

"Yu Liang, let me taste your drink, it looks delicious."

"Sure," replied Yu Liang, as he smiled and handed his glass to Shi Guang.

"You like it? Want me to ask the servant to get you one?"

"No, no, I just want to take a sip."

"Okay."

Not long after that, Shi Guang started to steal a slice of watermelon, then a piece of melon, and then another chunk of pineapple from Yu Liang's plate, who was in a conversation with Xu-Ge at that time.

"Xiao Guang! Would you stop bothering him?" yelled Xu-Ge, who looked very annoyed.

"Um… sorry, Xu-Ge," mumbled Shi Guang, lowering his gaze.

"Shixiong, please…" begged Yu Liang to Xu-Ge before he pushed the fruit plate closer to Shi Guang and said, "Let's share."

Ugh, Shi Guang was being an insolent brat and Yu Liang, instead of getting angry, was, quite the opposite, Shi Guang will sound crazy saying this but it's a fact, looked so fucking ecstatic. There must be something wrong with Yu Liang's head!

Or, he is telling the truth about his feelings…

But, did he really? Ughhh…

Shi Guang knew that he was not ugly, he was… attractive, if he might say... B-but Yu Liang was on a completely different level compared to him. Yu Liang was like... this ideal son-in-law that every mother dreams.

Fuck! What am I saying?

Not that he said he was a bad catch per se. After all, he was one of the best young Go Players in the country right now (top 3, baby!), and despite his young age he already had an income, but still… Yu Liang was on a different level.

True, he never thought about Yu Liang or anyone else for that matter, that way. But that confession was like removing whatever it was that was covering his eyes. And now, whether he wanted it or not, whether he liked it or not, everything he was not aware of before was clearly plastered before his eyes.

Of course, it was impossible not to notice how beautiful, how striking, how captivating, how kind, Yu Liang is. Shi Guang was not blind and definitely not crazy!

Now, when he looked back, Shi Guang did find Yu Liang, once or twice, so handsome. Shi Guang even mentioned it to him that one time even though in mockery, when Yu Liang, looked so dashing wearing a suit, looking for Shi Guang who got lost on the mountain, which prevented him from attending the concert of his favorite pianist. Or when Shi Guang came to his room to apologize the next day. Yu Liang opened the door wearing that white pullover, though his face was slightly scowled then, but he looked so... so…

Stunning?

Yeah, that! Ughhh… Shi Guang dipped his head into the water.

Shi Guang did not say anything to him at that time but come to think of it, his expression must have been very embarrassing, otherwise, why would Chu Ying hide his face behind his fan, right? With this newfound awareness, Shi Guang suddenly felt a surge in his chest that didn't exist before, or was it because he was not yet conscious?

Fuck!

Could someone like Yu Liang truly be attracted to him? He, who was oblivious, needy, spoiled (at least according to his mom), reckless, untidy, couldn't cook, couldn't even eat without getting sauce all over his mouth, couldn't stop making Yu Liang worry, tended to get lost in the crowd…

Whoa! I'm not really that bad, am I?

And he said he loves him! Yu Liang must have completely lost his mind!

Shi Guang really felt agitated at that moment. His heart and mind were at odds with each other, and he began to feel... to feel... he didn't even know how to describe his own feeling!

Was this what Yu Liang felt at that time, when he transformed into super strange Yu Liang that almost made Shi Guang crazy? If it was true, then Shi Guang would not blame him (much!), because he himself might soon be acting like that too.

All because of me?

For a moment, a wicked smile appeared on Shi Guang's lips, it turned out that he wasn't bad at all. He had made the great Yu Liang, who was always proper, composed, and reasonable, lose control. *insert evil laugh here*

Stop it!

The sound of knocking on the door broke the discussion... um, the internal argument within Shi Guang.

"Hey, are you okay? You've been in there quite a while," said Yu Liang, voice laced with worry.

Shi Guang seemed to have just realized that the water in the bathtub had turned cold and the skin on his fingers had wrinkled.

"I'm okay... I'll be out soon," replied Shi Guang as he got out of the bathtub. Then, he quickly dried himself with a towel and went to the sink to wash his face and brush his teeth. After finished, he put on his sleep attire, t-shirt and shorts, before leaving the bathroom while drying his hair with a hand towel.

"All done?" asked Yu Liang, who waited in front of the bathroom.

"Yes."

"My turn, then. I put the Cup on your bed," informed Yu Liang as he got into the bathroom. He just nodded in return.

Shi Guang let out a breath that he had unconsciously been holding since Yu Liang walked into the bathroom. Hmm, that was awkward.

Considering just hours ago he shamelessly clung to Yu Liang like crazy, this awkwardness was unacceptable. This must be what Yu Liang went through those days, and Shi Guang refused to experience the same things.

Now is the time to get serious.

Shi Guang snorted. What? As the argument in the bathroom earlier was not serious.

After feeling that his hair was dry enough, Shi Guang carelessly threw the towel on the floor and climbed onto the bed. He gently stroked the Hokuto Cup that Yu Liang put leaning against the pillow and then hugged it. Time to have a serious talk, Cup!

Um, with an inner voice, right?

Of course, he might be crazy, but not that crazy!

Okay, could he trust Yu Liang's love confession?

Yes!

Yu Liang was so trustworthy; he never broke promises.

Did Shi Guang find him attractive?

Absolutely!

Was that even a necessary question? As he stated earlier, he must be blind or crazy not to be attracted to Yu Liang.

Was he in love with Yu Liang?

Hmm, I can be, but not 100% sure.

Ditto.

Did he want to be with him?

Hell yeah!

How could he not want to be with him? If he rejected Yu Liang, all the girls and boys on this earth... no, the whole fucking universe! would think he was insane and stupid! Shi Guang snickered.

As soon as his little laughs ended, the bathroom door opened. Shi Guang immediately sat up, his embrace around the Cup tightened, his heart racing like mad. All the courage and confidence vanished at once.

God, I'm a coward!

His facial expression must have looked very tense, because Yu Liang immediately approached him and sat down on Shi Guang's bed. Oh, God!

Oh my God!

"Shi Guang, hey, are you okay? You looked tense."

You have no idea.

"Did I? Hehehe… I'm fine. Really, I'm fine."

Yeah, right! Just say it. Yu Liang, I need to talk to you.

Yeah, yeah, that's right! At that time Yu Liang told him to do that, right? Once he was sure, he let him know. Okay, Shi Guang would say it now.

Say it!

"Are you sure you're okay? Shi Guang, you're getting pale!"

Oh God, Yu Liang's concerned face was so damn cute! Ughhh…

It's now or never… say it!

"Can I kiss you?"

Whaaaaat?

Oh my God, oh my God, what did he just say? Oh, God, just let him die! Shi Guang was so embarrassed.

However, something unthinkable happened. Yu Liang laughed. He laughed some more and moved closer. He even touched Shi Guang's face gently.

"Are you sure?"

Fuck yes!

Shi Guang just bobbed his head, up and down, non-stop. Yu Liang smiled fondly at him before putting his hands on Shi Guang's cheeks, restraining his movement. Then gently Yu Liang pressed his lips against Shi Guang's, and dear God, it was incredible. Shi Guang couldn't believe that such a gentle touch had such a great impact if he hadn't experienced it firsthand. Something inside him was shifting in an instant.

Okay, I've changed my mind. I'm definitely falling for him!

Shi Guang slowly opened his eyes, and right in front of him was the most beautiful face. Oh God, he was sappy!

"Is that okay?"

Again, he bobbed his head, still couldn't find the strength to talk.

"Can I kiss you again?"

Yes! Yes, please!

Shi Guang nodded his head faster, and he could feel Yu Liang's grip on his head gets stronger, and likewise the kiss.

The feeling that emerged this time was more intense, Shi Guang felt dizzy. Nevertheless, he was willing to do this as many times as they could. Hohoho…

The sound of incoming text message notifications was heard, Yu Liang grunted a little, but still, he got up to pick up his cellphone from his bedside table. It wasn't long before he heard Yu Liang laughed.

Yu Liang sat back on Shi Guang's bed immediately and give his cellphone to Shi Guang so he could read the message that had just come in.

Shixiong

I've taken care of everything. We extend our stay in Korea by one day. I will take my Ge to Jeju Island. We're leaving tonight. I don't want any more interference from you two.

Shi Guang gasped. My Ge?

"Um, Yu Liang…?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know," said Yu Liang firmly.

"Okay."

Wow, Bai Laoshi and Xu-Ge? That night, when he asked the two of them for advice, he did not get any unusual vibe from the two of them. Though, that night he was very frantic, so even if he was hit by a meteor, he might not even notice.

Damn!

"So, should we go on a date tomorrow?" asked Yu Liang.

"Yes. Yes, please."

FIN