Here is the last chapter of this fic.
Again, this isn't supposed to be yaoi though I know you guys will find hints of it somewhere out there.
Now, chapter two…
Disclaimer: HnG is copyright of Shueisha and Studio Pierrot; written by Hotta Yumi and illustrated by Obata Takeshi.
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Today…will be another official match against Shindo. I admit I'm excited about this. It has been a week since we last played against each other and, knowing my rival, that was enough to boost his skill to another level. I fancy him being that way…easily honed skills…probably because he has true talent buried beneath him and that might just be the same reason why I considered him as my eternal rival.
If Shindo was to be early today, I would be meeting him down this road but that was impossible. Shindo had a flair of being late…not all the time…just…most of the time. I'm not saying that he should be punctual but it really just gets on my nerves. For a pro, he should be aware of the time. He's so childish. Sometimes, I can't believe he plays go at all.
And to my surprise, I saw him, walking slowly, as though in a mourning match, on the other side. I stopped. He would surely see me and bound up to me with his trademark grin. But this…was different. For one thing, he was going to the opposite direction. Secondly, he was looking down with his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket.
I scowled. Was he going to ditch our game? If he was, then why in the world would he be in such rivalry with me if he wasn't going to appear in our matches? I finally decided to approach him.
I crossed the road and stomped angrily towards him. With the way I was acting, I knew he would notice me before I reach him – that is, if he was still the Shindo I know.
Yet he didn't, he didn't notice me. I stopped short and just followed him with my eyes, flabbergasted. He just passed by me as though I didn't exist! I saw his face clearly. It was that of someone in grief. Shindo doesn't get this sad. Yes, I've seen him show me a face like that…when I visited his school and he ran away from me.
I felt the pang of guilt pierce me. Am I the reason behind his sorrow? No, I know I'm not. We are on good terms. I know I haven't done anything to offend him except for our daily arguments at otou-san's go salon. But…that isn't enough of a reason for him to feel this sad. We always have arguments.
I decided to just follow him and, perhaps, I might learn the reason of his sorrow. There was no point in going to the institute anymore. Shindo wasn't going to be there nor do I want to win by default. It just wouldn't be fair to my rival.
He paid for a ticket to Hiroshima. I did the same, following closely behind him. There weren't many people on the train. I was astounded when I saw Shindo go inside an empty train compartment. I know he likes company. He wouldn't just stay alone for no reason. This confirmed me that something was wrong. And to think about, he hadn't been smiling since I saw him and he had always been a carefree person.
We got off the train and, still, I followed him like a shadow. I wasn't that careful anymore. Shindo hadn't noticed me and I don't think he will with his mind buried deep within his thoughts. If he didn't snap out of his trance, he might end up being run over by a car and he wouldn't notice it until it was one inch away from him.
But nothing of the sort happened. Shindo just walked on and then took a boat to Innoh's island. Of course, I followed him. At that time, I realized that we were going to Shuusaku's hometown. Does that mean that Shuusaku had a connection to this change in Shindo? I thought hard. Shindo had always been fond of Shuusaku and he often called him Torajiro when he was in deep thought or distracted. And the way he said that legendary go player's name seemed as though he knew him! As if that was possible!
We ended up at Shuusaku's grave. He stopped in front of the grave, looking at it sincerely but with his eyes filling up with a sadness that I can no longer take. I felt the sudden urge of going out there and comforting him. But before I could do anything, water fell from the sky. Luckily, I brought an umbrella with me. I turned my eyes back to Shindo and just found him standing there and letting the rain soak him wet.
Baka. Why didn't he bring an umbrella? He'll get sick that way!!! It was obvious that it was going to rain! I know he isn't that stupid. I wanted to blame him more but his facial expression seized me back to reality.
I wasn't far behind him but still, I couldn't hear his words but I could easily make them out. "Torajiro…." I saw him mouth. I moved closer to hear him clearer. "Don't you know how lucky you were?" Is he talking to himself again? I thought he stopped that habit years ago and what does he mean by 'lucky'? "You didn't have to keep such a large secret because you already died." Large…secret? What do you mean? "You didn't have to wake up everyday and hold your tongue." Again, his words befuddled me. "You probably didn't have to. You played as Sai."
My eyes grew wide in shock. Sai? Does this have something to do with Sai? And what about Shuusaku? So many questions yet I can't ask them at all. Shindo had promised me that he'll tell me someday. I trust him. I know he will not lie to me about such a thing. I…am prepared for that day, prepared for any kind of truth he will give me.
"Sai…" Shindo muttered in a watery voice. He laughed an uneven laugh that made me feel awkward to approach him. "I'm sorry." I looked closely at his face. Even with the rain falling on his face, I could see the tears roll down his cheek. I've never seen him cry before. "I just couldn't take it anymore. If only there was someone who would believe me…believe me even if what I say is so unreal…." He trailed off, letting out a long sad sigh.
I would believe him. I really would. No matter what he says to me right now. I can see it in his face. He won't lie to me…not now…not ever. Without thinking before hand, I approached him and sheltered him from the rain with my umbrella.
I didn't look at him. I didn't want to look in his eyes. I might be forced to tell him that I have been following him and I didn't want to get out of track in this subject.
"Touya." I heard him say, shocked. I let go of thinking about what I'm going to say and just opened my mouth to reply, "You might get sick." Then, I continued, "Baka…it was obvious that it was gonna rain."
"How…? Why…?"
"You didn't come to our game today." I replied. I just couldn't say it directly to him. I don't know why…maybe because I didn't want to hit him sharply.
Shindo remained silent and before I knew it, I was saying, "You're not going to lie to me." And I finally breathed easier. At least, I was able to point out something to him…point out that I would believe him.
I felt a change of air from my rival. He was going back to his usual self.
"Are we just going to stay here or are we going to seek shelter from the rain? It's getting stronger and you're already soaking wet." I looked at him. How stupid could I have been? I should've taken more notice of his clothes! I should've just gone here and sheltered him! "Baka." I commented, mainly to myself.
Finally, he grinned. "I'm not stupid!" was his retort as he flapped his arms that caused the excess water to hit me.
"Shindo!" I remained at my place for Shindo's sake but I made an involuntary move of dodging. That let the rain pour down on Shindo once again.
Now, Shindo was smiling brightly and all the signs of sorrow were gone. "Touya! You are such a girl! It's just water!!! It's not as if you're gonna melt or something!" he rolled his eyes sarcastically. To think I was there trying to comfort him, this is how he repays me?! By calling me…a…a…girl?!?!
"I am NOT!!!!" I shouted back. He grabbed my wrist and started pulling. Where in the world was he taking me?! First he starts an argument with me and now he's just pulling me like this?! "Shindo?!"
"Baka!" he gave back the insult I threw to myself, "We have to get out of the rain!"
I blinked. I've completely forgotten about that! Good thing he reminded me!
I felt the angst from before subside. Everything was going back to normal. I smiled at him softly. At least he's okay now, I don't have to battle with myself whether I'm going to go there and hug him tightly or not. "Where?" I asked. Surely, he must've forgotten this and, if not, who knows what kind of ramen shop he's gonna bring me to.
"I know a ramen shop downtown. I'm getting real hungry and I haven't had breakfast yet!!!" Shindo answered back. As usual, he and his addiction to ramen. I just hope we have separate payments. "Your treat! You were the one who suggested it!" he pointed out. I'll beat him in our next match.
"Baka." The word escaped my lips. It wasn't actually intended but it was a sort of instinct to me now.
Yet, Shindo didn't retort. He mustn't have heard me. Good. I won't have to start a fight with him and right now, I really don't want to.
OWARI
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Now, feel free to kill me. Pour out your soul and heart! Criticize me with everything you've got! Please! Pleazee! Pleazee! Pleazee? *looks at reader with puppy-dog eyes*
If you don't review this, I'm gonna be forced to flame myself once again!
Really, please review. This fic was only done to further explore the traits of Shindo Hikaru and probably Touya Akira too so please tell me if it's OOC. You are free to exaggerate even the smallest OOCness!
I'm sorry if I couldn't put the first chapter in Hikaru's POV! I'm just to limited in using simple words!
Maybe once I get reviews for this one, I'll continue my other fic and, probably, I can improve it.
Onegai shimasu, minna-san desu…review this fic. T_T