I don't own Hikago.

I Love You In Pink

Chapter 1 – It's a Start

Akira glanced at his watch nervously. He was standing at the entrance to the mall and feeling more out of place than ever in his life. True, he was there before, but going shopping with a friend your own age while wearing something his grandfather would wear was kind of embarrassing. Wait, his grandfather was wearing such clothes. Damn.

A group of schoolgirls walked up to him, giggling, and Akira felt distress rise to his heart.

"Excuse me, but are you a model?"

Before the blushing Akira could reply, however…

"Sure, for women's underwear."

His glare was so intense it was a wonder his eyes were still open. Hikaru merely grinned back cheekily.

"Would've loved to talk more, ladies, but this is one ugly duckling I've swore to turn into a swan."

The 3 Dan was about to scold him to lack of manners when toe Lower Dan wrapped an arm around his waist, chasing all coherent thoughts from the taller boy's head. Thankfully, Hikaru missed the flaring of his cheeks as he waved at the girls.

"Look for us in 'Go Weekly'. Shindo and Touya, cool guy and his grandpa!"

"I think I'm a day younger, Shindo."

"You're a lot cuter, too."

They made their way through the different shops, arguing almost as radiantly as they would about Go until Hikaru finally agreed to go into Castro, saying it was the lesser of evils.

"May I help you?"

The saleswoman came with a salesman smile. Hikaru smiled back at her.

"Hi! We're looking for clothes, obviously."

"For you, sir, or…"

Glancing at Akira, whose head peeked from between the different clothes put up on display, she raised her small finger to her lips. Hikaru shook his head and chuckled.

"Wouldn't he love it."

A blush came to the woman's face when Akira came back towards them, a few shirts in his hand. Hikaru wrinkled his nose.

"You're cuter than my grandpa, but you dress the same."

He was glared at for what seemed to be the billionth and second time that day. And it wasn't even noon.

"Well, excuse me, but I happen to like my clothes!"

"Sure, I liked what my mom bought for me, too. When I was five. At least did you get anything pink?"

"I'm gonna hurt you, Shindo."

"Be gentle, pretty boy."

The saleswoman cleared her throat and handed Akira several other clothing items, none of which were pink, and pointed at the dressing booth. Glaring one last time, Akira temporarily retreated to change.

"Excuse me, young man, are you by any chance Shindo Hikaru?"

Turning around, Hikaru saw a kind looking old lady smiling at him.

"That I am, ma'am."

The woman extracted an autograph book and a pen, handing both to Hikaru. With a smile both smug and genuinely flattered,  he signed and handed it back to her.

"Thank you. My husband, god rest his soul, was a huge Go fan. I'm sure he would've been a fan of yours."

"Thank you."

Hikaru was about to turn away, when he felt a pinch on his behind. Spinning around, he saw the old lady grinning at him, a few of her teeth missing.

"Of course, it doesn't mean I can't be a fan of yours. Tee hee."

The old lady walked away, leaving Hikaru somewhat distressed.

"A fan, Shindo?"

"I guess so… woah!"

Hikaru's eyes widened at Akira. The taller boy blinked.

"What? Something the matter?"

"You, you you you, you look…"

Akira was dressed in black designer pants, sporting a white turtle neck shirt.

"What?"

A blink. A grin in return.

"You look, well, normal."

Akira felt like screaming.

"Of course I do, what were you expecting? That once I wore this, I'd have sprouted two antennas and went pink?!"

"Woah, calm down, granddaddy from Mars! I was complimenting you! you look good!"

The 3 Dan froze.

"I… thank you."

Hikaru smiled comfortingly at his friend, and Akira retreated to the changing booth once again.

'So help me, Touya, I'll get a normal dresser out of you yet! Just you watch me!'