Chapter 49: One night together
Wrapping her fingers nervously around one another, Nase stood patiently in the plaza where she had arranged to meet up with Hikaru. While it was true that she had been the aggressor in this case by asking Hikaru to spend the day with her, quite frankly Nase had little idea as to what they should do together. She'd seen quite a few movies and TV shows about such happenings, and in fact those were the only real examples she had to work with, a scary proposition given that the dates in those scenes had ended with either one side rejecting the love of the other, or with a night in a hotel room.
The night in the hotel room of course didn't sound entirely bad, although Nase had to admit the idea of taking things that far tonight was more unnerving than the idea of spending the day with Hikaru and not knowing at all what to do. Besides, would Hikaru even be interested in doing something like… that?
Pulling her winter coat more tightly around her as she glanced up at the clock post, Nase began to glance around once more; it was the designated time. That's when a terrible thought hit her, even more unnerving than the previous thought of the hotel experience. What if Hikaru didn't show up? He was still quite upset about his grandfather's death, had been sulking even during their last study session, it was possible this had slipped his mind. But then, Nase heard a familiar voice right behind her back -
"Hey Nase, I made it!"
Nase turned and smiled warmly at Hikaru. He'd come. As he inquired how long she'd been waiting, Nase answered, "Oh not too long, I just got here a few minutes ago myself." She had lied through her teeth, as she'd been so nervously anxious that she'd shown up an hour early before realizing the time. Of course she felt silly now, having doubted him just now.
"Oh good," Hikaru responded, "I was worried I was late. I forgot what time we were supposed to meet up, and when I called your cell phone to find out I couldn't get through, so I just guessed. Man, I could have been like three hours late; guess I was lucky."
Nase's face paled as Hikaru said those words, her thoughts simulating what a three-hour wait might have been like. A moment later her hand shot to her purse, diving into it to pull out her cell phone. Flipping it open, Nase's eyes widened as she realized that she'd forgotten to charge it the night before; the battery was dead. "Well you're here now, so let's not worry about it, shall we get going?"
"Sure," Hikaru answered, "where to?"
A quiver ran through Nase's smile. She'd been afraid he'd say that, having hoped that Hikaru would take charge and suggest a location to go to. Then again, Hikaru likely was as inexperienced as she was in this area, as both of them had spent all the time they would have normally spent on learning about this sort of thing perfecting their games instead. What's more, Nase could still see Hikaru's eyes lightly soak with sorrow, he hadn't overcome his Grandpa's death yet and had no mind for…things like which restaurant to dine in.
Nase's mind flashing with ideas, mostly scenes from movies, Nase just shook her head and then with a smile said, "I don't know either. Hehe, ummm… how about we just go take a walk for now and think about it?"
Her goals had been skewed, thoughts about confessions of love, hot nights in hotel rooms and all that stuff seemed like selfish indulgences now; today could best be served in one way, in taking that forced smile of Hikaru's and turning it into a genuine one. Yes, she would do whatever she needed to get Hikaru to enjoy himself, to pull him out of this funk that he was now in and to return him to the Hikaru she knew so well. They just needed to have some fun, to find enjoyment and forget all the bad events of recent weeks.
Glancing up at the now darkening sky as the sun was now a sliver upon the horizon, Nase inhaled and closed her eyes. Please, just let Hikaru be happy again. Let that be my winter's fairytale!
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"Hey, great job Nase, you found us a table."
Making his way over with a pair of trays, Hikaru took the empty seat across from Nase and handed her one of the two, setting his own down in front of him. "There we go, one Chicken meal for each of us. Itadakimasu."
Watching on with a worrisome expression as Hikaru began to dig into his dinner, Nase focused in on his smile between bites. It was better than before, but it was still forced, a melancholy smile. She couldn't tell if Hikaru was having fun or just trying to act that way for her own sake.
"Shindou, what sort of things do you like doing?"
Glancing up now as he swallowed a piece of chicken, Hikaru answered, "We can do whatever you want Nase, I don't care."
"No," Nase replied, "I'm not… I'm just asking. All we ever do is study Go, but that's work for us both now. I just wanted to know what other things you enjoyed doing."
"Oh." Pausing a moment as his eyes drifted out the window to the streets outside, couples walking by arm in arm, Hikaru exhaled. "Wow, I don't know really. It's been awhile since I really just went out and did something by myself or with friends that didn't involve Go. I mean sure, the others and I meet up for lunch from time to time on non-game days, but really even then we usually talk Go. I mean…I go to Akira's family Go salon every week. We play, discuss the games and…well….fight? Yeah we fight each other quite often, but it's kind of fund, you know. Yeah…that's definitely fun! Since Granda's funeral I haven't been there though…I don't want Akira to see me like this…"
Akira? Did Shindou just use Touya's given name? Nase couldn't help wondering…
Smiling coyly, Nase replied "Yeah...I see…"
That hadn't helped much at all. The only thing she'd discovered was that Hikaru's life was just as smothered by Go … it must have seemed like Go was taking everything from him. She'd probably be doubting her desire to continue this road too after having all of that happen in such a short span of time.
What made it worse was that the one thing that Hikaru seemed to enjoy was particularly games with Touya. Of course the two princes are rival and all…but…Then again, perhaps she was going about this the wrong way…
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Making their way down the hallway of the Hotel Sieyo Ginza, Nase felt her face beginning to redden. This was quite the luxurious looking hotel; although given that they were in Ginza that wasn't completely surprising. It was the sort of place one might have thought to find a title match being played at. If Hikaru hadn't insisted on paying she doubted she could have afforded a room here. Then again, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be here either.
Sure girls had fantasies, daydreams about doing such things, but to actually be doing this, it was rather unnerving. What sort of room might Hikaru have picked, one with a jacuzzi, or perhaps the honeymoon suite? A skylight perhaps to have the stars looking down upon them as they…
Shaking her head to banish those thoughts, Nase looked on as Hikaru began to make his way over to one of the doors, sliding in the key card to unlock the door. It seemed so close and yet far away. Once she moved through those doors that was it, they were staying here the night.
Following Hikaru as he entered the room, Nase shivered slightly in nervous fear and slight anticipation. This was going to be the first time she'd ever shared… two beds with someone? As the door closed behind her Nase stared in shock at the pair of beds in the room, separated by a nightstand, a lamp and phone set on top. Exhaling at the sight before her, Nase was so surprised it was hard to breathe: had Hikaru intentionally picked a bedroom with two beds or… No, it couldn't be. Nase shook her head. This must have been some sort of misunderstanding with the reception.
Removing her jacket and setting it gently onto the cushioned chair to one side, Nase surveyed the room. A desk sat off to one side while a chest of drawers, likely for holding clothing for those with long stays, sat across from the twin beds. Beyond the beds another room, open save for the wall line, with a love seat adorned with pillows, several plants hanging from the ceiling. Between the two rooms sat a dining table with a pair of chairs, while off to the left of the two beds another door, likely to the bathroom, stood. It was truly a sight to see, and Nase had to admit that even being in this room made her feel unworthy.
A shiver of anticipation and fear ran down Nase's spine at the thought, causing a layer of sweat to form on her brow. Was Hikaru planning, hoping to confess his love to her and then consummate it? Glancing over at Hikaru who had moved to the other room now and seemed to be fidgeting with the remote control to something, pausing to glance over at her and give an exaggerated grin, Nase felt her cheeks flush. She needed to get out of here, she needed time to think before this went any further. Glancing about, she then spotted the doorway next to the beds. "Umm, Hikaru… I'm going to… take a shower… ok?"
"Sure, go ahead." Hikaru called from the next room.
Turning off the shower, Nase reached for the towel and a few minutes later, now completely dried save for the drops still latching onto her hair, pulled on her panties and slid into the white hotel robe hanging by the door. The robe was soft and clean, fluffy and warm. As she tied the belt, Nase brushed back her hair and exhaled. She had to admit, going out there wearing only this, it was kind of sexy.
Opening the door, Nase noted that the lights had been turned off, although the music still played in the background, much softer than before. Turning toward the beds, Nase spotted a shape underneath the covers of the far bed. Hikaru was already in bed waiting for her.
Gulping, Nase inhaled and began to make her way over around the bed. While technically she could have climbed over the bed, there was still enough light from the bathroom that Hikaru might have seen something from his view as she moved, and her modesty at the moment wouldn't have it.
Reaching the other side, Nase leaned over and said, "Umm, Shindou I-"
A loud guttural sound suddenly filled the air, and Nase took a step back, unsure of what it had been. Then it came again and Nase, half-shocked, suddenly realized what it was. Snoring, and it was coming from Hikaru. The idiot had fallen asleep. Staring down at him sleeping there silently for a moment, Nase then felt a slight giggle begin to form in her chest. Soon it had grown into a full giggle, verging on a laugh. It was just too funny, here she'd been tormenting herself over the possibility of sleeping with him, and here he was asleep already, not a care in the world.
"Sai….Sai! Granpa!...Akira! Come…to…me!...A-ki-ra!"
Her laughter ceasing at that. Did she hear it correct? Did he call Touya's name in his dream? Nase felt like her hear break into thousand pieces. But I thought it's me whom…Why!?
Outside, the snowflakes continued to softly fall.
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Note: Yeah, sorry Nase, but it's not you whom...whatever. I enjoyed alternating this part of Leitbur's "The Never-ending road" a lot. I could only see Hikaru end up with one certain person...and I'll make it work, too! He he he ;)
