Chapter 52
"Akira!"
The door to the Go Salon slid open as Hikaru stormed through, pulling the eyes of all the patrons to him as he did so. His eyes darting to the crowd of people surrounding one of the tables, Hikaru began to make his way over as several patrons moved back reveal Akira sitting there staring at him curiously.
"Akira!" Hikaru bellowed once more, "LET'S PLAY!"
Gazing at the approaching form of his rival from his seat, Akira felt a vindictive grin form on his face as he saw the fire within Hikaru's eyes. Hikaru Shindo 2 – Dan, The Juudan Slayer, was back. "All right then, have a seat." As Hikaru moved to do so, Akira turned back to the board and began to return the stones that had been depicting his victory from yesterday against Fujisawa to their respective bowls.
Taking his seat across from Akira, Hikaru moved to help him finish clearing the board, taking one of the bowls as they finished. By now more patrons were beginning to make their way over, as it had now been some time since they'd seen these two play, and while some might never admit it, they too had missed these games. Lifting his eyes up to meet Akira's eyes, which now held the same intensity as his own, Hikaru felt his hard face soften as he said, "Akira, before we play, there's something I want to talk to you about. You see… It's about that day… on the attic…when my grandpa passed away."
Akira also heard his voice soften. "Hikaru, do you want us to go somewhere else to talk?"
Hikaru somehow felt warm in his heart hearing his eternal rival calling him by his given name. Hi-ka-ru. Hi-ka-ru. His face beamed, "Let us play a game here, then we could go somewhere to discuss the game and…talk. "
"Let's go home to me then. My parents are in China, so I have the place to myself. We can buy something to eat on the way."
"He was a ghost. I was twelve years old back then. Akari and I found an old Go board in that attic of my Grandpa's house. I saw bloodstains on the board, but Akari didn't. Then, there was a voice asking whether I could hear him. That voice belonged to a ghost in Heian court attire. His long dark hair streamed like river flow. His amethyst orbs gazed unfathomably like deep purple abyss. The fan in his hand concealed his mystique smile."
Hikaru's jaw clenched and unclenched before he continued, "The ghost had taught me how to play go from scratch henceforth. He was only visible and audible to me alone. He told me where to place the go stones on the board. . The ghost, after all, had done the same method before, Torajirou in the Edo period. You know, Honinbou Shuusaku."
Akira's mouth was agape at the mention of the name, but he let Hikaru carry on without interruption.
"The ghost had initially been a Heian emperor's go instructor. He had been cheated during a game, but accused of cheating instead and banished from the court. He hadn't been able to live on after such dishonor and drowned himself."
Stones of guilt settled within Hikaru's guts. The furrow on Akira's eyebrows told Hikaru his sympathy for the misfortune that befell such a talented Go player.
"And yet, there were times when I grew selfish and wanted to play his own games. Worst of all, I sabotaged a game with an important opponent who had gone through such length just to an opportunity to re-challenge the ghost. The game ended in catastrophe; the opponent's expectation was betrayed."
No longer was Hikaru able to look at Akira in the eyes. Each word felt heavier in his ponderous heart.
"I wanted to repent for my mistakes and become a worthy opponent for the one I had disappointed. I couldn't afford the ghost to play with any other player face-to-face again, however, so I played net go. The ghost's capability was soon recognized globally, leaving me no choice but to quit net go.
Step by step, I walked down the path of go by becoming an insei first and then pro. Just then, on a day of the Golden Week last year, the ghost disappeared. I stopped playing go, in hope that the ghost might return if I let the ghost play as he used to. After months of waiting, the ghost did not return still." Hikaru said. He closed his eyes, feeling dizzy. He had been waiting to tell Akira this story a long time.
"His name was Fujiwara no Sai."
Sai.
Hikaru explained how desperately he'd searched for him, and how he'd decided not to play, his voice shook, and he was unsurprised when his tears choked him too much to speak. He cried, his hands curling into fists and pressing against his thighs.
There was the sound of movement, and two arms were around his shoulders embracing him. He clung to Akira's shoulders and cried. It seemed to go on for a long time, yet Akira held him patiently, stroking his back as Hikaru soaked his shirt just like the day his Grandpa passed away.
"What made you start playing again?" Akira's voice was low and sympathetic, and Hikaru sniffed.
"Isumi came on a visit," he said, hoarsely. "I kinda owed him a game." He told the rest of the story with his face still pressed against his rival's shoulder, though he made sure to tilt his head a little, so his words wouldn't be too muffled.
"Was that when you appeared before me?" Akira asked, sounding pleased.
"Yeah, when the game was over, I ran to see you," Hikaru explained, unconcerned. "I didn't want you to have to wait any longer." Reluctantly, and leaving his arms around Touya's shoulders, he lifted his head, looking at him, aware that he was probably still tear-stained and red-faced with crying. "That's how it is," he added. "I'm not Sai. Sai isn't around any more, only he is in my game. Is that enough?"
This was the moment he'd been afraid of, this was what he had been dreading. What if it really wasn't enough? Akira was suddenly resting a palm against his cheek, in a move that was clearly intended to reassure. His hand was warm, and the touch gentle. Akira's face was so near his, so near that he could feel Akira's warm breath on his cheeks. Hikaru liked it, he decided. A lot.
"I'm sorry Sai is gone," Akira said, "How could I not be? It would be quite something, to be able to play against Shuusaku. But he could never be my rival. You are. And yes, that is enough. That is, in fact, all I need." Looking deep into Hikaru's eyes, he continued. "How I am glad to have…. "
Akira couldn't finish his sentenced as he felt two hands cup the back of his head, pull him closer and lips move against his, and Hikaru's tongue brushed so gently, the tip of the tounge traced the outline of his lips. And then it slided into his mouth and … oh God Hikaru's kissing him, actually kissing him. Akira felt like he forgot to breath, he closed his eyes he made a small sound and moved closer, slipping his arms around Hikaru's waist. It felt so good, in fact, that it was a bit too much. Akira's heart beat painfully each time Hikaru pecked his lips. He broke off the kiss and rested his chin on Hikaru's shoulder, breathing heavily. That was his first kiss. No matter what happened later in life, this was his first kiss, and it had been with Hikaru.
Hikaru remained silence and watched Akira. Akira still closed his yes, long eyelashes were resting on his cheeks, and most of his hair seemed to be covering his face. Hikaru reached out with his one free limb and brushed the hair out of his face, lightly. The hair was slippery and smooth to the touch. Against his better judgement, he played with it, tucking some of it behind Akira's ear, stroking it and running it through his fingers.
They stayed close and quiet like that for another few minutes, until Akira pitifully discovered it was already nearly bedtime. Hikaru didn't want to leave, but he had no reason to excuse his parents for. They held each other silently for some more minutes then Hikaru put a kiss goodbye on Akira's forehead, and left.
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Credits to:Stirring-still (Preliminaries) and topgallant (A Whole New Apocalypse)
