Chapter 4: Feelings Unleashed

            In the years Hikaru and Sai spent together before Sai's disappearance, the two Go players went many places and had many adventures.  However, all of those were nothing compared to a trip to the mall.  The trip to the mall started normally, and there was no reason for Shindou to suspect that Sai would act up in the mall.  Unfortunately fate decided to have some fun today and mess with the two best friends.

            "What is that store for?" Sai asked about a shop on the right.  Normally Hikaru would have answered, but the fact that Sai had asked this question almost thirty times in the last minute had put Hikaru in an ignoring mode.  Sai knew that Hikaru was becoming irritated, but could not help himself from asking questions.  Shindou had just about reached his breaking point and turned to yell at Sai when he noticed a girl standing about thirty feet away.

            'Akari is here!  I've got to hide!' Hikaru's mind was racing as he ducked behind one of the various decorative setups that could be found throughout the mall's walkways.  He knew he should attempt an escape but his curiosity got the better of him and soon he was approaching where Akari was located.  When he got as close as he could to Akari without entering her plain view, Hikaru turned to Sai and whispered.  "You go keep an eye on her and tell me when I can sneak to that bench over there."  Shindou was referring to a bench that was closer to Akari but would still block him from view.

           On Sai's signal, Hikaru made a dash for the bench, hoping that Akari didn't turn around and look at him as he ran by.  The plan went off without a hitch and Hikaru noted that if he ever wanted to burglarize some homes, Sai would be a great lookout.  Shindou quickly put that thought aside as he could now hear Akari having a conversation with someone else.  A quick peak told him that it was two girls from her class who he had seen before but did not know their names.  After listening for a few moments, Hikaru identified one girl, a cute blonde, as Sakura, and the other girl, a busty brunette, as Nagisa.

            "Nagisa, what are you going to do if you aren't going to college?"  Akari asked.  "My uncle said I can work as a waitress and cook in his restaurant if I want.  He is getting old and said he could use a hard worker he could trust.  Since he has no children of his own he has seen me as his own daughter of sorts.  Within a few years he might give me the restaurant so he can retire."  Nagisa replied.  "That's great, Nagisa.  I wish I could get a real job rather than go to college.  My parents want me to have the best education but I am tired of school.  Though, it will be nice to live in America for a while.  I hear the guys there are really hot!"  Sakura's comment brought quick blushes to all three of their faces.

            "What about Hiruke?  I thought you and he were really close, maybe even getting married."  Akari asked.  "We were and still are very close, but we decided just to become friends again.  That way we won't feel guilty about meeting someone while in different continents.  With him in Europe and me in America, it wouldn't have worked.  Maybe in a few years we will meet up again as friends and decide to give it another go.  That's the great thing about being in love with your best friend.  Even if you might not be "in love" with each other, you will still love each other." Nagisa told her.

            Akari seemed to go off into a dream world after hearing this, and while Hikaru couldn't tell what she was thinking about, he had a feeling it had to do with himself.  Shindou knew while they were growing up that Akari saw him as more than a just a best friend.  She even put up with his constant teasing and taunting all throughout their school years.  Hikaru felt a pang of sadness when he remembered the way he would often treat her.  At the time he was just a child, but he could tell now that Akari adored him all those years ago.  Shindou may not have shown it, but he like having Akari around him as well.  She would always be nice to him and look up to him, making him feel like a great person and her protector.  When he started playing Go, she went right along with him, helping to find other members for their club and giving him moral support all the way.

            Nowadays Shindou's only moral support came from his mother and the occasional top Go pro who seemed to act like mentors to him sometimes.  Yet he could still feel something missing these past years.  It was one of those things that you didn't realize you wanted until it was gone.  Hikaru continued his reminiscing until he heard his name pop up in the girls' conversation.  "I heard you invited a guy to our graduation party.  That's great.  Not to be mean anything, but you have always been so shy, almost never going on dates even though you are popular in school." Sakura mentioned.  Hikaru found this latest revelation extremely interesting.  "Well, you guys told me to bring someone, so I did."  Akari replied.

            A knowing look passed between the two other girls and both had a grin form on their faces.  "Akari, we have had many parties where we asked you to bring a date and you never did.  This guy must be very special to you."  Akari turned as red as a tomato at Nagisa's statement.  "He is an old friend of mine who dropped out of class to pursue another path in life.  Before I decide whether I will leave Japan or not, I need to settle my feelings with him first."  Akari responded.  'Leave Japan!'  Hikaru's thoughts were in a complete frenzy.  'What did she mean by that?'  Hikaru quickly got an answer to his question.

            "So you still haven't made your choice yet?  Oxford is a great school, to get a full scholarship there is tremendous.  This guy must really be important to you.  It makes me wonder why I haven't heard about him from you earlier."  Sakura stated.  Hikaru was also wondering how great of feelings Akari still had for him as well.  He was also beginning to ponder his own feelings for her.  "He and I were best friends for all of childhood and most of school.  Over the past couple of years though, his job has taken over his entire life, so I gave him the room I knew he needed for his work.  However, I ran out of time it seems, and I must decide whether to stay here and patch up our relationship, or to move on.  Even if we don't get together romantically, the love we would share as best friends would be reason enough to stay." Akari told them.  After this comment the three girls started walking towards the exit of the mall.

            Hikaru was too stunned to follow the girls, since his entire mind was in disarray.  He seemed to have hundreds of conflicting thoughts and feeling hitting him at once.  It was almost overwhelming to Shindou, and only Sai's voice kept him from passing out.  "Hikaru, snap out of it.  Look at me.  Now you know the reason why I returned to you.  What will happen over the next few days may be the most important events of your life.  Even more important than Go.  Now, I think we need to get out of the mall.  We won't find a good enough gift here.  Buying or finding something nice to give her will not be enough, your gift must have a much deeper meaning.  Unfortunately, it seems you're a bit too shaken up to think up any ideas of what to get her.  Let's head home and see if we can't straighten you up a little before we go looking tomorrow."

End Chapter

A/N: Sorry this took a few days, but I just got Harry Potter 5 and I am having trouble putting it down.  I will try to get another chapter out by Tuesday, but I can't make promises.  For a little hint at the next chapter, Hikaru discovers his true feelings and the hunt for the greatest gift begins!