It was 7:00 AM. The alarm clock rang mercilessly. Moaning, Hikaru rolled
out off bed and trudged to the bathroom. He went through the usual steps of
brushing his teeth, shaving, and washing his face. After feeling more
awake, he quickly got dressed and ate a light morning meal.
"Hikaru, don't forget your doctor's appointment today."
"Yes, I know. These annual check-ups are so troublesome."
"They're for your own safety. You know that."
"Hai, okaa-san."
"I have an important meeting. I probably won't be back until early morning. Dinner's in the refrigerator. Don't forget the laundry."
"Wakatte, okaa-san."
"Later, then. I have a full schedule, and I have to start now."
Left alone, Hikaru slowly massaged his temple. It had been a busy night. The program was complicated, even for him. It had taken him hours to complete. After that, he still had to finish the rest of his homework. Thankfully, there wasn't that much to do today. He had fewer classes, so perhaps he could rest a bit after he finished.
He looked out the window, and he noticed it was raining. It was a very light rain, so light that it almost seemed like mist. It brought back memories of a day long since past. As Hikaru briefly indulged in the memories, he wondered.
'Akira. Wherever he is, I hope he's doing better.'
*******************
"Akira, remember you'll have to help out at the medical center today."
"I didn't forget, aniki. I'll be there as soon as I finish with classes."
"I'm going to be out late. I have to perform two rounds. My supervisor is going to need help with the surgeries, and then I need to sort through the patients' data. Sanro and Shiro are going to one another's music and kendo competitions. That will last for two days. You'll probably be alone tonight."
"I understand. I've managed before in such circumstances."
"I'll speak with you later, then. Have a good day, otouto."
Akira rushed. He collected the rest of his books and hurried out the door. 'It's going to be a long day. I've got to perform the dissection today. Soon, we'll be studying physiology in detail, so this session will be crucial. After that, I have to help Doji-hakase. I better not be late.'
***************** "That is why it will be necessary to use a 'for' loop in this case. By doing so, you will complete the subroutine and return to the main body of the program. –"
The professor was interrupted by the bell.
"That will be all for today, then. Finish the program for homework. I expect all of you to return to our next session with a fully functional program."
The students filed out and groaned. This was going to be a very strenuous assignment, but their grades depended on it.
'Well, it's not that bad. I think I can handle it', Hikaru thought.
Checking his watch, he saw it was 4:00 PM.
'All right. I have thirty minutes to get to the medical center.'
*****************
"This concludes our dissection of the circulatory system. Next session, we will begin examining the central nervous system. From there, we will proceed to analyze the brain itself, starting with the cerebral cortex. Be sure to study chapter 6."
The students nodded and collected their books. They left the room, intently discussing the details and observations of the session and how they planned to go about preparing for the next analysis. The lesson had proven to be very interesting to be sure. He would need to remember the various arteries and veins of the circulatory system, as well as the various complications that could arise.
There would be ample time for that later. Right now he had to report to the medical center immediately. It would not do to inconvenience Doji-hakase.
******************
"Excuse me, Shindou-san?"
"Hai?"
"Doji-hakase is ready to see you. Please go through the door."
"Arigato."
Hikaru met with a thin, middle-aged doctor with graying hair.
"You are Shindou Hikaru, then. Please have a seat. We'll test your blood pressure first. After that, we'll measure your height and weight."
Thirty minutes passed.
"Well, you're checked out. You're healthy, and there's no malady as far as I can see. Kuramoto, could you please copy and file these results?"
"Hai, Doji-hakase," responded his aid. Hikaru studied the pallid aid with interest. He was slight of build, almost emaciated, and a bit shorter than Hikaru. He had hair that seemed to be a very familiar shade of green, bangs parted to the side and cut short at the back so that it didn't fall over his neck. His emerald eyes were placed behind his glasses. He seemed to have a haggard look about him.
With a start, Hikaru realized who it was.
'No, it couldn't be...could it?'
He barely managed to respond when the doctor wished him a good day. He took off after Kuramoto as quickly as he could, afraid that he would lose sight of the other youth.
"Oi, matte yo!"
Kuramoto turned around. His eyes widened as he saw who it was.
Time seemed to stop as the two boys stared at each other across the hallway, their eyes locked.
Finally, Hikaru remembered to breathe and broke the silence.
"Kuramoto...Akira?"
"Yes, the very same. Shindou Hikaru."
"Well... it's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has. I don't mean to cut our conversation short, but I still have work to do. My shift ends in half an hour. Perhaps we could speak afterwards, if it's not too much trouble?"
"All right, I'll wait outside."
******************
It was 5:45 PM. The two young men sat at a table, sipping coffee and talking in soft, calm voices.
"Have you been all right, these past three years I mean?"
"I'm fine, Hikaru. After studying overseas with my brothers for three years, we've finally returned home to Tokyo. I'm busy with school work. The medical examinations will approach quickly, and I'm studying hard now. What of you? I presume you're climbing steadily in the world of go, the world I left behind."
"Well, that makes two of us."
Akira's eyes showed a flicker of a surprise.
"I hope that you didn't give up go because I..."
"Really, it's all right, Akira. Don't blame yourself. I made the choice, and I don't regret it. It was the right one. I did it for myself. After everything that happened, I guess that I just wanted a normal life."
"As long as you feel you made the right choice for yourself. What have you been doing then?"
"I've been pursuing computer programming. I really like it. I hope that I can work for a good corporation when I finish."
Akira smiled slightly and nodded his head approvingly.
"You always had a sharp intellect and keen curiosity. I'm not surprised, Hikaru."
Akira paused to look outside at the rain, remembering another such day long ago that was far more painful. Following his gaze, Hikaru realized Akira's thoughts. With slight reluctance, he place his hand over Akira's, in an attempt to comfort him.
"Akira, have you recovered? How are you coping with...everything that happened?"
"Some wounds never fully heal. So it is with mine. However, time has made them fade, leaving the scars behind. All things considered, I think I'm coping as well as can be expected. Thank you for the support you showed me during that time. I wish I hadn't dragged you into it."
"That was my decision. I made it of my own free will. I wanted to be there for you, Akira, just as I want to be here for you now."
"Arigato gozaimasu, my friend."
"If you're not too busy, do you want to spend the night at my house? Mom's not going to be back until tomorrow afternoon."
"I appreciate the offer. However, I think that should be for next time. This time around, please let me be the host. My brothers won't be back for two days at least. I would like to invite you to stay the night."
"All right, then. We'll go stop at the grocery store and drop them off at my house. There are some things I need to take care off. Then we'll go to the train station and go to your house."
"Hikaru, don't forget your doctor's appointment today."
"Yes, I know. These annual check-ups are so troublesome."
"They're for your own safety. You know that."
"Hai, okaa-san."
"I have an important meeting. I probably won't be back until early morning. Dinner's in the refrigerator. Don't forget the laundry."
"Wakatte, okaa-san."
"Later, then. I have a full schedule, and I have to start now."
Left alone, Hikaru slowly massaged his temple. It had been a busy night. The program was complicated, even for him. It had taken him hours to complete. After that, he still had to finish the rest of his homework. Thankfully, there wasn't that much to do today. He had fewer classes, so perhaps he could rest a bit after he finished.
He looked out the window, and he noticed it was raining. It was a very light rain, so light that it almost seemed like mist. It brought back memories of a day long since past. As Hikaru briefly indulged in the memories, he wondered.
'Akira. Wherever he is, I hope he's doing better.'
*******************
"Akira, remember you'll have to help out at the medical center today."
"I didn't forget, aniki. I'll be there as soon as I finish with classes."
"I'm going to be out late. I have to perform two rounds. My supervisor is going to need help with the surgeries, and then I need to sort through the patients' data. Sanro and Shiro are going to one another's music and kendo competitions. That will last for two days. You'll probably be alone tonight."
"I understand. I've managed before in such circumstances."
"I'll speak with you later, then. Have a good day, otouto."
Akira rushed. He collected the rest of his books and hurried out the door. 'It's going to be a long day. I've got to perform the dissection today. Soon, we'll be studying physiology in detail, so this session will be crucial. After that, I have to help Doji-hakase. I better not be late.'
***************** "That is why it will be necessary to use a 'for' loop in this case. By doing so, you will complete the subroutine and return to the main body of the program. –"
The professor was interrupted by the bell.
"That will be all for today, then. Finish the program for homework. I expect all of you to return to our next session with a fully functional program."
The students filed out and groaned. This was going to be a very strenuous assignment, but their grades depended on it.
'Well, it's not that bad. I think I can handle it', Hikaru thought.
Checking his watch, he saw it was 4:00 PM.
'All right. I have thirty minutes to get to the medical center.'
*****************
"This concludes our dissection of the circulatory system. Next session, we will begin examining the central nervous system. From there, we will proceed to analyze the brain itself, starting with the cerebral cortex. Be sure to study chapter 6."
The students nodded and collected their books. They left the room, intently discussing the details and observations of the session and how they planned to go about preparing for the next analysis. The lesson had proven to be very interesting to be sure. He would need to remember the various arteries and veins of the circulatory system, as well as the various complications that could arise.
There would be ample time for that later. Right now he had to report to the medical center immediately. It would not do to inconvenience Doji-hakase.
******************
"Excuse me, Shindou-san?"
"Hai?"
"Doji-hakase is ready to see you. Please go through the door."
"Arigato."
Hikaru met with a thin, middle-aged doctor with graying hair.
"You are Shindou Hikaru, then. Please have a seat. We'll test your blood pressure first. After that, we'll measure your height and weight."
Thirty minutes passed.
"Well, you're checked out. You're healthy, and there's no malady as far as I can see. Kuramoto, could you please copy and file these results?"
"Hai, Doji-hakase," responded his aid. Hikaru studied the pallid aid with interest. He was slight of build, almost emaciated, and a bit shorter than Hikaru. He had hair that seemed to be a very familiar shade of green, bangs parted to the side and cut short at the back so that it didn't fall over his neck. His emerald eyes were placed behind his glasses. He seemed to have a haggard look about him.
With a start, Hikaru realized who it was.
'No, it couldn't be...could it?'
He barely managed to respond when the doctor wished him a good day. He took off after Kuramoto as quickly as he could, afraid that he would lose sight of the other youth.
"Oi, matte yo!"
Kuramoto turned around. His eyes widened as he saw who it was.
Time seemed to stop as the two boys stared at each other across the hallway, their eyes locked.
Finally, Hikaru remembered to breathe and broke the silence.
"Kuramoto...Akira?"
"Yes, the very same. Shindou Hikaru."
"Well... it's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has. I don't mean to cut our conversation short, but I still have work to do. My shift ends in half an hour. Perhaps we could speak afterwards, if it's not too much trouble?"
"All right, I'll wait outside."
******************
It was 5:45 PM. The two young men sat at a table, sipping coffee and talking in soft, calm voices.
"Have you been all right, these past three years I mean?"
"I'm fine, Hikaru. After studying overseas with my brothers for three years, we've finally returned home to Tokyo. I'm busy with school work. The medical examinations will approach quickly, and I'm studying hard now. What of you? I presume you're climbing steadily in the world of go, the world I left behind."
"Well, that makes two of us."
Akira's eyes showed a flicker of a surprise.
"I hope that you didn't give up go because I..."
"Really, it's all right, Akira. Don't blame yourself. I made the choice, and I don't regret it. It was the right one. I did it for myself. After everything that happened, I guess that I just wanted a normal life."
"As long as you feel you made the right choice for yourself. What have you been doing then?"
"I've been pursuing computer programming. I really like it. I hope that I can work for a good corporation when I finish."
Akira smiled slightly and nodded his head approvingly.
"You always had a sharp intellect and keen curiosity. I'm not surprised, Hikaru."
Akira paused to look outside at the rain, remembering another such day long ago that was far more painful. Following his gaze, Hikaru realized Akira's thoughts. With slight reluctance, he place his hand over Akira's, in an attempt to comfort him.
"Akira, have you recovered? How are you coping with...everything that happened?"
"Some wounds never fully heal. So it is with mine. However, time has made them fade, leaving the scars behind. All things considered, I think I'm coping as well as can be expected. Thank you for the support you showed me during that time. I wish I hadn't dragged you into it."
"That was my decision. I made it of my own free will. I wanted to be there for you, Akira, just as I want to be here for you now."
"Arigato gozaimasu, my friend."
"If you're not too busy, do you want to spend the night at my house? Mom's not going to be back until tomorrow afternoon."
"I appreciate the offer. However, I think that should be for next time. This time around, please let me be the host. My brothers won't be back for two days at least. I would like to invite you to stay the night."
"All right, then. We'll go stop at the grocery store and drop them off at my house. There are some things I need to take care off. Then we'll go to the train station and go to your house."
