Chapter 6: Chains
~Hikaru~
I'm worried. That's saying something since I'm rarely worried. What makes it even more extraordinary is the cause of my worry, which is -to say the least- exceptionally unusual. It's really odd for me to be worried about this subject since it's never been a cause for worry before. I wonder what happened to turn things around so suddenly. It's been a week since my rival regained his memory. Normally, the Touya I know would be playing Go in overcompensation for all the time that he hadn't been playing due to amnesia. However, he has yet to come off leave and he hasn't turned up for any of his games so far. What's stranger is that he hasn't come to watch me play Kuwabara Honinbou for the title either. To make things even weirder, Ishikawa-san told me that he hadn't been to the Go Salon in the entire week when I went there to look for him yesterday. Which brings me to why I'm here, walking briskly through wind and snow along the road to his house; if Touya Akira doesn't play Go, it's serious. And being his friend and rival, I -of course- intend to find the problem.
~Akira~
A knock sounds at my bedroom door and I look up from the joseki book I have been reading on my bed since this morning. "What?" I ask irritably; today is the eighth day of my self-imposed curfew and it's probably either one of my parents trying to persuade me to come out.
"Touya, it's me." My heart skips a beat.
"Sh-Shindou!" I exclaim, instantly dropping the book in my surprise and crossing over to the door. "Wh-What are you doing here?"
"Trying to figure out what *you* are doing here, of course. Can't you open the door?"
I stop myself before I can reach for the doorknob. "No." I have neither stepped out of this room other than to eat or use the bathroom nor have I opened it to anyone besides my parents in the last eight days and I'm certainly not about to do so just because Shindou Hikaru asked me to.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to."
"Quit being an obstinate brat. Now, open the damn door, Touya no baka."
*An obstinate brat?!* _Touya no baka?!_ How dare he... "What did you say?!" I question slowly, an edge of anger to my voice.
"I said that you're an idiot and an obstinate brat. Now, stop being one and open the door."
"I will not!! And you're the idiot!" I nearly screech the reply in my fury.
"Fine, whatever; suit yourself. I know I'm not one so I won't bother disputing that. We'll talk like this."
"I am not talking to you!!" I yell at him.
"Right-o; now you sound like a childish girl or sissy."
"WHAT??!!" *Childish?!* _Girl?!_ SISSY?! Oh, you...
"Why haven't you been attending your games?" he asks suddenly.
I blink. My games...? Right. Go. My games. I ask the first question that comes to mind. "Why do you care?"
A pause. "Because I'm your rival, Touya, God damn it. All your friends miss you; they've been wondering what happened to you."
*My friends.* I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't have friends, Shindou; don't be ridiculous."
"Well, *I'm* your friend and *I* miss you and *I've* been wondering what happened to you. *I* want you to come out and start playing Go with everyone again; is that enough?"
I blink. I think my heart skipped two beats this time. Okay, if that was supposed to convince me to come out or at least open the door, it was good. As much as I'd hate to admit, Shindou Hikaru is my ONLY friend (and, of course, my ONLY rival). I grew up around adults and until I met Shindou, they were the closest things to friends I knew. I never really had anyone to talk to or hang out with and I certainly never argued with anyone about anything before I met Shindou Hikaru. Even in school, I was a social pariah with few acquaintances and fewer companions. When I got to Kaiou, I had female admirers aplenty but still next to no friends. I guess I was lonely sometimes but then, I had Go to occupy my time and mind. Then, Shindou Hikaru popped up, turned my life upside down and around, and became an intrinsic part of it. Right now, I can't imagine how life would be like had I not met him almost four years ago.
"Aki...?" In my mind I can still hear his voice calling me. "Aki!" Aki... I kinda like that... "I like it when you call me that... just sounds nice when you do." I meant that; it does sound nice when he calls me that.
"Touya...?" His voice snaps me out of my reverie.
"What?" I snap at him irritably; I seem constantly irritable these days. And after so wondrously embarrassing myself, who could blame me?
A pause. "Fine!" he snaps back. "Go ahead and be a jerk! I just came to tell you that the fifth and last game of the Honinbou finals is scheduled for next Friday! Don't come if you don't want to, I don't care!" I hear him stomp off down the corridor outside.
I walk back to the bed, sit down, and flop back gracelessly. He's right as usual; I'm being a jerk. Again. I glance at the clock on the wall and slide my eyes shut; it's ten in the morning, two hours to lunch. I cover my face with the joseki book to wallow away feeling sorry for myself.
* * *
Cool, bright, breezy, and sunny. I'm kneeling, nude, in the middle of what looks like a marble Roman bathing pool with cool clear water up to my waist. The water laps against me as I look around. The marble pillars around the pool are carved Graeco-Roman style and adorned with colourful climbing flowers. There is a white statue of a beautiful woman holding a large jar off to my right and water pours out from the jar into the pool in a steady flow. Off to my left are marble steps leading out of the pool. All around the pool is endless forest as far as the eye can see with the pool in the centre of a large clearing. There are pines, oaks, aspens, spruces, firs, and many others that I cannot recognize. The sun is reflected on the water's surface; there is no roof. I seem to be alone here; there doesn't seem to be any one else and the water is still. I wade over towards the edge of the pool as a large yellow, black, and murky green butterfly lands on a pretty white flower.
"Akira..." a familiar yet unrecognisable voice calls me softly from behind.
Before I can turn around, a warm body presses close to mine and warm moist lips plant kisses between my neck and shoulder. A hand reaches around to caress me between my thighs and I arch back to rest my head on another's shoulder, eyes sliding shut as I feel the wild fire of passion and pleasure swirl and course through my veins. Suddenly, I am spun around and those soft lips are pressed hard against mine before I can see who they belong to. I catch a glimpse of black and yellow before the sweet taste of the kiss consumes me. My tongue picks up a lingering taste of honeydew as the other plunders my mouth heatedly. A dull sensation of almost unfelt pain and burning liquid fire wash over me. The cool water does nothing to dull the inferno in me as I am overwhelmed by the feeling of an equally hot form moving against and... inside me! The other presses a warm smooth cheek to mine and I gaze up at a clear blue sky with white cottony clouds through half-lidded eyes as a hand trails up and down my spine. There is heat and desire and passion and the suspense and anticipation is almost unbearable and then...
I gasp, sitting up so abruptly in bed that the joseki book on my face flies across the room to land on the floor by the door. I am hyperventilating, wet beads of perspiration dripping down my face as I work at slowing my breathing. I feel a sticky damp feeling between my legs and groan softly to myself. What a time to have a wet dream; and for it to feel so real! I can still feel a lingering heat that has nothing to do with the temperature of the room. I stand and make my way to the window to let the winter air cool me down. The garden is covered with a thick blanket of snow. Fluffy and a pristine white, I'd succinctly describe the scene as serene and peaceful. I remember one winter a long time ago when I made a snowman in the garden and the only people who ever took any notice were my parents and a few of their friends. Even then, I had no friends; I was a lonely child, I guess, which might be why I'm pretty socially impaired right now. I glance up at the round red clock on the wall. Twelve noon. It should be about time for...
"Akira!" my mother calls from downstairs. "Lunch is ready!"
Ah, well; I'll shower after lunch then. I step out of my room and make my way down the stairs towards the dining table. I am halfway across the living room when I stop short. Shindou Hikaru is walking out the kitchen with a bowl of noodles in hand! I blink slowly. /Treachery!/ my mind screams. He's eating lunch here? My mother steps out from the kitchen to place a large steaming bowl of soup on the table. Damn, it's her special seafood udon today too. But if Shindou's eating... Oh, well; in that case... I turn around to make my way back upstairs. I have barely taken three steps when a hand grabs my arm and spins me around. I find myself face to face with the very person I wanted to avoid: my rival and only friend, Shindou Hikaru. Our chests connect and I sharply draw in breath. For some strange reason, the room suddenly feels very warm.
"Stay, Touya; it's just lunch," my rival tells me softly but firmly.
"Let me go," I order him tersely, trying to get him to release his firm grip on my arm.
"No, Touya. Look, your dad insisted I play a game with him and your mom insisted I stay for lunch; I couldn't very well say no to either. So, quit looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're trying to burn holes in me."
"Fine, just let me go."
"No, stay. You have to eat, if nothing else."
"I..."
"Akira! I made my special seafood udon today! And for dessert, I made your favourite konnyaku jelly with blueberries!" my mother declares cheerfully upon seeing me.
I heave a sigh in resignation; doesn't look like I can escape this after all. I plod over to the table with Hi-Shindou close behind and plop down gracelessly onto a chair. Both my parents sit down and Shindou quietly takes the place beside me. We pick up our chopsticks as one and I glumly say, "Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu!" the other three chirp cheerfully and we all begin eating.
Moments pass in silence, then... "How's my specialty?" my mother asks Shindou conversationally.
"Delicious, of course," he answers pleasantly.
"I hear you're playing the fifth and last game for the Honinbou crown next Friday. How's the score like so far?" my father questions quietly.
"Oh? I won the first game by two and a half moku, then lost the second and third respectively by three and a half and one and a half moku. After that, I won the fourth game by three and a half moku. It's a close fight, I guess, and I'm really determined to win this last one before trying for the Meijin crown; I'm about halfway up the league."
"My, my; I seem to have extremely ambitious people for company today," my mother comments.
"I learnt half of that from your son, Akiko-san," Shindou replies good- naturedly.
My father graces us with a rare chuckle and lowers his voice to tell my rival conspiratorially, "Yes, remember to give Akira a living hell trying to get any titles."
"Don't worry, I intend to do just that," he responds reassuringly. "Or worse," he adds as an afterthought.
My mother gives me a reproachful look as she stands to bring out the konnyaku jelly; Shindou's my friend and thus my guest and I haven't said a word to him. So far, they've been doing all the talking; I'm being a really bad host. Before I can say anything, however...
"Touya, play a game with me after this?" Shindou requests.
"I..." I catch the warning look from both my parents. "Alright. You can wait for me in my room; I'll shower and then, we'll play. How's that?" I suggest.
"Sure; we really need to start practising for the Hokuto tourney, you know."
The Hokuto tournament. My eyes widen. Damn, it's November already! "Right."
We finish the delicious jelly together and as I stand to leave for the shower, I hear Shindou promise to bring his mother's honeydew jelly over someday.
* * *
I step out of the shower and towel myself dry. I remove the shower cap, having decided against washing my hair today, and wrap the towel around my waist before exiting the bathroom. I trudge down the corridor to my room and let myself in. Murky green eyes meet mine as my rival looks up at me upon my entrance. I feel his gaze travel up and down my body in a sweeping glance and blush faintly as he looks away. Something about that look just... I don't know... Makes me nervous...? The room is warm despite the winter air drifting in through the window. I walk towards my cupboard at the other side of the room and...
"Oof!" I trip over the joseki book I left by the door and fall down... right onto Shindou Hikaru, knocking him back flat on the floor with my head ending up on his chest. The air is knocked out of his lungs and the breath catches in my throat as my body reacts almost instantaneously to the closeness. Damn the book and all wet dreams. Before he can say or do anything, I push myself away from him to land awkwardly not too far away. As I try to stand up, the towel turns loose and I catch it only just in time before it drops to the floor and leaves me completely exposed.
He sits up. "Touya?" he asks, probably curious as to why I am standing stock still doing nothing with only a towel around my waist.
"Sorry," I apologise.
"You... You clumsy oaf," he teases half-heartedly with a nervous chuckle.
A round of uncomfortable silence passes between us as I get dressed. I slip into a simple blue sweater and pull on a pair of green sweatpants before coming to sit before him tensely. The silence drags on until it is almost unbearable, then...
"Why don't we get started?" he suggests tentatively, turning and taking my Goban out of the corner to place it between us.
"Right," I agree succinctly before settling in to play, discuss, and argue another game with my eternal rival.
* * *
I look up at the clock; it's three in the afternoon. The Honinbou final game should be starting in about half an hour's time. Should I go? I pace up and down the room, lost in thought. To go or not to go? I want to watch but I don't want to leave home either. I'm still on self-imposed curfew and I dare not face the world after everything that's happened. I drop onto the bed. Should I go?
* * *
I give up and close the new tanka book I have been trying to read for the past few hours. I can't seem to concentrate on the words; all I can think about is how Shindou's game is progressing. It's half past five in the evening. The game should be well underway by now. How is he doing? Is he winning or losing? What kind of hands is he playing against Kuwabara sensei? Damn, I want to see the board!
* * *
Damn, I can't even concentrate on playing Go online. I look up at the round red clock on the wall; it's half past seven. I tried napping but I couldn't seem to fall asleep, so I went online to play Go but I couldn't seem to maintain my focus there either. I want to see Shindou's game... Should I go? I return to pacing up and down the room. How's the game like now? Is he playing aggressively? Is he struggling against Kuwabara sensei? What if he makes a mistake? In a game like this, it would cost him dearly. Maybe he's making Kuwabara sensei edgy? Maybe he's winning? Damn it, I want to know! That's it. That is so it. I'm going. To hell with the rest of the world. I quickly change into a sweater and corduroys, grab a thick jacket and race out the door. If I hurry, maybe -just maybe- I can make it there before the game ends.
~Hikaru~
I lean back wearily, checking and rechecking the board carefully. I've won, I think, unless Kuwabara sensei can work a miracle somewhere; but I don't think even Sai could find a miracle at this stage. It's at yose and there aren't many places left to play. I'm leading by about one and a half moku minus the komi, meaning that all in all, I'm leading by eight moku. I smile slightly to myself. Sai, if you can hear me, I hope you're proud of yourself and me; you made two Honinbous! Maybe you're smiling even more happily up in heaven? I wonder how heaven's like; do you play Go everyday up there? Do people really play Go in heaven? Maybe you're with Torajiro now; are you happy together? I hope you're happy wherever you are no matter what happens.
I look up at the clock on the wall; it's eight o'clock at night, dinnertime. Oh, come on... Get it over with; I'd much rather be eating ramen right now than wasting my time sitting here when the outcome has already been decided. I return my gaze to the Goban; it's Kuwabara sensei's turn and the old geezer's taking a full eternity to make his move. I glance up at my opponent; he sure seems frustrated. I absently wonder what Touya's doing now, that proud obstinate bratty jerk. Maybe he's...
Ting!
Well, looks like Kuwabara sensei's run out of time... finally. I get the title! I'm a Honinbou! I listen absently through the fog of elation as they proclaim me the winner and new title-holder then begin the congratulations and consolations. I headily thank everyone as they congratulate me and politely excuse myself to stretch. I walk out the door with a ecstatic spring in my step and stretch myself, just managing not to dance for joy on cloud nine in seventh heaven. Sai!! I'm a Honinbou!! Can you see me?! I hope you're smiling. Shindou Honinbou, it does have a nice ring to it. Suddenly, I notice someone out of the corner of my eye. Touya's panting at the top of the stairs! I turn to him with a rapturous smile of pure euphoria on my face; I'm so glad he came. Add that to the fact that I just won the Honinbou crown and I have all the reason in the world to be jubilant and overjoyed.
"Touya! You came!" I enthuse as I start towards him, my utter delight blatantly obvious in my voice.
~Akira~
"Touya! You came!" my rival exclaims happily, walking towards me.
"A-Aa."
I ran all the way to the subway station and then all the way here from the stop. After that, I was too impatient to wait for the lift, so I ran all the way up the stairs. Damn, if only I had gotten over myself earlier; the game must be over by now for him to be out here. And he looks so euphoric that I must assume he won. Shindou Honinbou, just like he promised some time ago. I look up at his blissfully dreamy visage and am overwhelmed by a rushed flurry of mixed emotions. Satisfaction, envy, joy, disappointment, respect, bitterness, longing, anger... I'm satisfied as his rival that he is so skilled, envious of his title, joyous for him, disappointed in myself, respectful of his ability, bitter about his winning a title before me, longing for the day when I'll be a title-holder as well, and angry at myself for having missed what must have been a beautiful game. But all that just fades away into the wallpaper the instant he takes my hand and tugs me towards the room and back to reality. Half of them are useless emotions anyway; no sense crying over spilt milk, as they say. I can't change the way things turned out, so I'll just have to make the best of it.
"Touya, I know you're here to at least see the kifu, right? Well, they're just about to begin the discussion. Come on in; I'm sure they won't mind now that the game's over. I'll see if I can get you the video some time; I know you wanted to watch," he enthuses jubilantly.
"Don't flatter yourself, Shindou."
"Right, why else would you be here if all that wasn't true? So why don't you screw your pride, stop being an obstinate jerk and just get the hell over yourself?" he suggests evenly, opening the door to the game room.
The atmosphere is electric, as usual, and even with people buzzing about snapping photographs and talking about the game, I can feel the tension in the air. So he's right as usual; I do want to watch the game, I am being an obstinate jerk, and I can't seem to get over myself, but to hell if I'm going to admit that to him. "Fine, so I am here to watch the game but that's only because I'm your rival. And being my rival really doesn't put you in any position to criticise," I inform him calmly as he leads me over to the Goban.
"Well, I also happen to be your friend but fine, say whatever you like; I'm not about to let you ruin my good mood with another stupid quarrel," he retorts before kneeling back down on the cushion.
"Yeah, so you won. Big deal. Would you quit being so damn cocky about it?" Irritation.
"Cocky?! You're just jealous because I won a title before you!" His voice rises ten decibels.
"What? Me? Jealous? Who do you think you are?!" Annoyance.
"Your rival, Touya. You acknowledged that yourself aeons ago."
"Get off being so cocksure!" Anger.
"I'm just thrilled about winning, Touya! Why don't you stop being so bitter about it?!" Another ten.
Bitter?! Fury. "I have no reason to be bitter about anything!" Okay, so if I were brutally honest with myself, that's a lie.
"Right! And I have no reason to be cocksure about anything when you're not even the bloody Meijin yet!" He's now shouting at the very top of his voice.
"What has that got to do with your God damned arrogance?!" Outrage. I quite nearly screeched the question.
"You're my rival, God damn it! Everything!" he yells back.
"Kids these days..." Kuwabara sensei interjects calmly with a sigh.
"Ah, Touya-kun, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Amano-san from the Japanese Go Institute Publicity Department enquires before I can say anything else to Shindou.
"Uh... Fine, thank you." I smile congenially.
"You and Shindou-kun seem to be getting along very well. I heard you were still on leave...?"
I nod. "Getting along well? I hardly think so," I reply pleasantly.
"Oh, all these little squabbles are the spice of life, you know. When will you be coming back?"
"Soon, I guess. There's only so long one can stay home doing nothing," I respond with a smile. The spice of life? Geez, he's twisted.
"Well, I guess that means about next week then."
I nod noncommittally. "Probably."
"God, Touya, would you stop that?" Shindou interrupts in exasperation.
"What?" I snap irritably.
"That!" he replies, gesturing vaguely in my direction.
"What?!" I repeat, getting annoyed all over again.
"Your whole absurd little smile-nod routine! Just when I thought you got yourself a life and I'd seen the last of that! Geez, man, it's ridiculous!" My rival throws up his hands in a sign of surrender.
"What smile-nod routine?! And I didn't get myself a life; I always had one!" I retort.
"Yeah, right. On an average day, what's the first thing you do after breakfast?"
"Play Go with my father." I don't get where this conversation is heading.
"Right. You eat lunch at home?"
I nod. I still don't see his point. Off to my left, Kuwabara sensei has a really amused grin on his wizened face.
"Okay. Where do you go after lunch?"
"Official games. Dan games, title preliminaries, the like." If possible, Kuwabara sensei's grin only widens.
"Right. How do you spend your free time?"
"Playing Shidougo at the Go Salon." Kuwabara sensei's grin has widened to reach his ears and I am still missing Shindou's point.
"Then you have dinner at home, right?"
I nod.
"And after dinner?"
"I attend my father's Go study group." Kuwabara sensei is already chuckling softly to himself. And your point is...?
"And you call that a life?! Geez, you spend the entire day looking at the Goban! Maybe your kids will look like Gobans someday! You have no friends, no one to hang out with, no social life... Hell, I don't even think you've even flirted before! Hey, man, are you sixteen or sixty?! And you claim to have a life." He ends with a theatrical sigh of resignation.
Kuwabara sensei is busy laughing his geezer ass off hysterically and the others who recorded the game are trying desperately not to do the same. I blush. "And who are you to judge?" I challenge.
"Oh, Touya, ask anyone who knows us both and they'll all tell you without hesitation that I have more of a life than you do. At least I have a social life. You know, I could swear amnesia was good for you. At least you went to a rock concert and the circus." The rest of the people finally can't help themselves and join in the hysterics.
I feel myself turning redder. He just had to bring that up. "I..." I'm at a loss as to what to say, so I simply avert my gaze.
"You know what? Let's get this over with. I'm hungry and then I need to take my friend here over to the movies," my rival declares to the rest of the room.
"Who's going to the movies with you?" I challenge again.
"Why... you, of course. We're going to get you a life!"
"I'm not..."
"Oh, shut up kid. Your friend's right; you only live this life once. For God's sake, enjoy your teenage years before they're gone," Kuwabara sensei interjects calmly after his last bout of laughter, exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke.
Oh, well... I sigh as they get down to discussing the game. I guess the movies can't be too bad anyway. And truth is, I'd mind even less if it's with Shindou. He is, after all -I'll admit-, my only friend.
~Hikaru~
"So, what movie shall we watch today?" I ask my rival as cheerfully as I can manage. We are standing in front of a TV screen showing the movies currently screening at the cinema.
He looks up at the screen. "Onegai Teacher."
"Huh?" I don't think I heard that correctly.
"Onegai Teacher," he repeats without batting an eye.
I blink slowly. Twice. "That's... a *love* story." And from what I heard, a really sweet fluffy fuzzy one too.
He turns to look at me calmly. "So?"
So? Oh, never mind; Onegai Teacher it is. "Right-o." I saunter over to the counter to buy the tickets. People watch movies like that with their boyfriends and girlfriends, not with their rivals, you dolt. The girl at the counter gives me this peculiar smile, like she thinks I'm on some secret date or something. I smile uncomfortably back at her, wishing I could be anywhere but here. Then she hands the tickets over and I quickly turn and walk off briskly. I glance at my watch, the show starts in ten minutes time. I rejoin my rival and lead him off to buy snacks.
"Popcorn?" I offer.
"Not really."
"Cola?"
"Uh... Don't think so."
I roll my eyes. "Fine, I'll buy some for myself. You can have some of mine if you change your mind later."
He nods as I walk off to get the food, grumbling quietly to myself. I get myself a slightly larger bag than usual with a mix of sweet and salty and a large cup of Coke. Suddenly, on my way back to where Touya's waiting, I spot two familiar faces. I quickly shift the food to one arm and raise the other in a near-frenzied wave. "Waya!! Isumi-san!!" I call loudly.
Yeah! Got their attention. They wave and hurry over just as I reach Touya. "Hey, you're watching a movie too?" Waya asks, his usual cheerful self.
"Yeah, show starts soon. You?"
"Just finished," replies Isumi-san.
"Yup! How's your game?" Waya enquires enthusiastically.
"You're talking to the Honinbou!" I announce triumphantly.
"Who's been so utterly full of himself since the instant he won the last game," Touya puts in dryly.
"Touya, stop being such a KJ," I tell him with a spark of annoyance.
He gives us all a curiously lost look.
"Kill-joy," Isumi-san explains calmly.
"Oh."
"Congrats, man; you've got to take us out someday soon!" Waya enthuses, giving me a friendly slap on the shoulder. Isumi-san grins.
I think about the cost. "Can we restrict the guest list?" I plead hopefully.
"Sure; just me, Isumi, Nase, Fuku, Ochi -if you like-, everyone from Matsushita sensei's study group..."
I can almost see my dollar bills growing wings and flying away as I continue the list mentally: all those plus Kaga, Tsutsui, Mitani, Akari, maybe Yashiro if I see him, Touya -of course-, Kawaii-san... And then there's the Shuusaku memorial... I've definitely got to take something there in memory of Sai... God, it's going to cost me. I sigh.
"Looks like you won't be keeping your prize money after all," Touya comments, bringing me out of my reverie.
That's it! Prize money! I guess it won't really hurt my pocket that badly after all, I realize, feeling considerably better about things. But that's still a lot of money taking flight. I heave another sigh. Oh, well... It could be worse, I guess.
"So, what are you two watching today?" Waya questions conversationally.
Oh God, I was dreading that question. Right now, I really wish I could just fade into thin air and blend into the background. "Um..." I begin.
Touya just shows him the tickets. My friend's eyes widen at the sight of the title and he turns to Look at me. I uncomfortably look anywhere else.
"Um... Shindou, a word?" Waya asks quietly.
I nod and allow him to lead me across the hall.
"Onegai Teacher? With Touya Akira?" he questions incredulously the instant we get there.
I look away. "Well, don't look at me; it was _his_ idea!" I protest.
"You're saying that *Touya Akira* wants to watch _Onegai Teacher_ with YOU," he repeats in the same tone.
"Well, yeah; that's what I said." Geez, Touya, why do you just have to get me into shit like this?
My friend raises a bushy red eyebrow with an amused look on his face. "How long has this been going on?"
"Going on?" I wonder aloud. "What..." Realization dawns on me. "You... Waya! It's not going on at all!! It's nothing like that! We're just friends, you jerk!" I screech in mortification.
"_Just_ friends? Shindou, your green-haired Go prince is indirectly hitting on you with a two-by-four and you're *just* friends?" he asks, clearly amused and taking great pleasure out of teasing me. Well, he's... Waya.
"He is *not*!!" I protest indignantly. "And we _are_ just friends!"
"Come on, why else would he want to watch a fluffy pink sugar-coated romance movie alone with you if he wasn't hitting on you?" he challenges.
"Because he's never seen movies before...?" I try to reason.
"Okay, that's sad," he admits, looking over at where Isumi-san and my rival are having a staring competition at the other end of the hall. "The guy's been living under a rock, man, but he is kind of cute -if a complete stuck- up jerk at times- and you know he does -at least- kind of like you and you know I won't criticize if you just come clean and say that you like him too..."
"Waya!!" I cut him off in exasperation and mock anger.
"Fine, fine..." he says with a laugh, holding up his hands in supplication. "Whatever you say. Just remember to tell me when you two..."
"Oh, why you little..." I start as he runs off and proceed to chase him around the hall with a death threat.
A/N: Just thought I'd let you guys in on an upcoming project of mine.
Look out for a HikaGo fic that will probably be here soon. (Winks) I'm
going to have Akira dressed in a low-cut backless Victorian gown with a
sinking cleavage accentuated with floral lace, complete with super-tight
corset, lace gloves, stiletto heels, a wide-brim hat decorated with
flowers, and a fan most likely all in baby pink. Yes, (evil laugh) you
know the devil sent me. Meanwhile, I hope you'll continue to enjoy this
fic and check out my crazily HikaGo-ized songbook. (Leaves singing:
Pretty Aki, across the Goban; Pretty Aki, the girl I'd like to play...)
P/S: For those who are wondering, Onegai Teacher does exist and is a
really fuzzy love story that happens to include a brief sex (straight,
unfortunately) scene. Um, I'm a demon with AkiHika UST (unresolved
sexual tension)? (Wicked grin)
~Hikaru~
I'm worried. That's saying something since I'm rarely worried. What makes it even more extraordinary is the cause of my worry, which is -to say the least- exceptionally unusual. It's really odd for me to be worried about this subject since it's never been a cause for worry before. I wonder what happened to turn things around so suddenly. It's been a week since my rival regained his memory. Normally, the Touya I know would be playing Go in overcompensation for all the time that he hadn't been playing due to amnesia. However, he has yet to come off leave and he hasn't turned up for any of his games so far. What's stranger is that he hasn't come to watch me play Kuwabara Honinbou for the title either. To make things even weirder, Ishikawa-san told me that he hadn't been to the Go Salon in the entire week when I went there to look for him yesterday. Which brings me to why I'm here, walking briskly through wind and snow along the road to his house; if Touya Akira doesn't play Go, it's serious. And being his friend and rival, I -of course- intend to find the problem.
~Akira~
A knock sounds at my bedroom door and I look up from the joseki book I have been reading on my bed since this morning. "What?" I ask irritably; today is the eighth day of my self-imposed curfew and it's probably either one of my parents trying to persuade me to come out.
"Touya, it's me." My heart skips a beat.
"Sh-Shindou!" I exclaim, instantly dropping the book in my surprise and crossing over to the door. "Wh-What are you doing here?"
"Trying to figure out what *you* are doing here, of course. Can't you open the door?"
I stop myself before I can reach for the doorknob. "No." I have neither stepped out of this room other than to eat or use the bathroom nor have I opened it to anyone besides my parents in the last eight days and I'm certainly not about to do so just because Shindou Hikaru asked me to.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to."
"Quit being an obstinate brat. Now, open the damn door, Touya no baka."
*An obstinate brat?!* _Touya no baka?!_ How dare he... "What did you say?!" I question slowly, an edge of anger to my voice.
"I said that you're an idiot and an obstinate brat. Now, stop being one and open the door."
"I will not!! And you're the idiot!" I nearly screech the reply in my fury.
"Fine, whatever; suit yourself. I know I'm not one so I won't bother disputing that. We'll talk like this."
"I am not talking to you!!" I yell at him.
"Right-o; now you sound like a childish girl or sissy."
"WHAT??!!" *Childish?!* _Girl?!_ SISSY?! Oh, you...
"Why haven't you been attending your games?" he asks suddenly.
I blink. My games...? Right. Go. My games. I ask the first question that comes to mind. "Why do you care?"
A pause. "Because I'm your rival, Touya, God damn it. All your friends miss you; they've been wondering what happened to you."
*My friends.* I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't have friends, Shindou; don't be ridiculous."
"Well, *I'm* your friend and *I* miss you and *I've* been wondering what happened to you. *I* want you to come out and start playing Go with everyone again; is that enough?"
I blink. I think my heart skipped two beats this time. Okay, if that was supposed to convince me to come out or at least open the door, it was good. As much as I'd hate to admit, Shindou Hikaru is my ONLY friend (and, of course, my ONLY rival). I grew up around adults and until I met Shindou, they were the closest things to friends I knew. I never really had anyone to talk to or hang out with and I certainly never argued with anyone about anything before I met Shindou Hikaru. Even in school, I was a social pariah with few acquaintances and fewer companions. When I got to Kaiou, I had female admirers aplenty but still next to no friends. I guess I was lonely sometimes but then, I had Go to occupy my time and mind. Then, Shindou Hikaru popped up, turned my life upside down and around, and became an intrinsic part of it. Right now, I can't imagine how life would be like had I not met him almost four years ago.
"Aki...?" In my mind I can still hear his voice calling me. "Aki!" Aki... I kinda like that... "I like it when you call me that... just sounds nice when you do." I meant that; it does sound nice when he calls me that.
"Touya...?" His voice snaps me out of my reverie.
"What?" I snap at him irritably; I seem constantly irritable these days. And after so wondrously embarrassing myself, who could blame me?
A pause. "Fine!" he snaps back. "Go ahead and be a jerk! I just came to tell you that the fifth and last game of the Honinbou finals is scheduled for next Friday! Don't come if you don't want to, I don't care!" I hear him stomp off down the corridor outside.
I walk back to the bed, sit down, and flop back gracelessly. He's right as usual; I'm being a jerk. Again. I glance at the clock on the wall and slide my eyes shut; it's ten in the morning, two hours to lunch. I cover my face with the joseki book to wallow away feeling sorry for myself.
* * *
Cool, bright, breezy, and sunny. I'm kneeling, nude, in the middle of what looks like a marble Roman bathing pool with cool clear water up to my waist. The water laps against me as I look around. The marble pillars around the pool are carved Graeco-Roman style and adorned with colourful climbing flowers. There is a white statue of a beautiful woman holding a large jar off to my right and water pours out from the jar into the pool in a steady flow. Off to my left are marble steps leading out of the pool. All around the pool is endless forest as far as the eye can see with the pool in the centre of a large clearing. There are pines, oaks, aspens, spruces, firs, and many others that I cannot recognize. The sun is reflected on the water's surface; there is no roof. I seem to be alone here; there doesn't seem to be any one else and the water is still. I wade over towards the edge of the pool as a large yellow, black, and murky green butterfly lands on a pretty white flower.
"Akira..." a familiar yet unrecognisable voice calls me softly from behind.
Before I can turn around, a warm body presses close to mine and warm moist lips plant kisses between my neck and shoulder. A hand reaches around to caress me between my thighs and I arch back to rest my head on another's shoulder, eyes sliding shut as I feel the wild fire of passion and pleasure swirl and course through my veins. Suddenly, I am spun around and those soft lips are pressed hard against mine before I can see who they belong to. I catch a glimpse of black and yellow before the sweet taste of the kiss consumes me. My tongue picks up a lingering taste of honeydew as the other plunders my mouth heatedly. A dull sensation of almost unfelt pain and burning liquid fire wash over me. The cool water does nothing to dull the inferno in me as I am overwhelmed by the feeling of an equally hot form moving against and... inside me! The other presses a warm smooth cheek to mine and I gaze up at a clear blue sky with white cottony clouds through half-lidded eyes as a hand trails up and down my spine. There is heat and desire and passion and the suspense and anticipation is almost unbearable and then...
I gasp, sitting up so abruptly in bed that the joseki book on my face flies across the room to land on the floor by the door. I am hyperventilating, wet beads of perspiration dripping down my face as I work at slowing my breathing. I feel a sticky damp feeling between my legs and groan softly to myself. What a time to have a wet dream; and for it to feel so real! I can still feel a lingering heat that has nothing to do with the temperature of the room. I stand and make my way to the window to let the winter air cool me down. The garden is covered with a thick blanket of snow. Fluffy and a pristine white, I'd succinctly describe the scene as serene and peaceful. I remember one winter a long time ago when I made a snowman in the garden and the only people who ever took any notice were my parents and a few of their friends. Even then, I had no friends; I was a lonely child, I guess, which might be why I'm pretty socially impaired right now. I glance up at the round red clock on the wall. Twelve noon. It should be about time for...
"Akira!" my mother calls from downstairs. "Lunch is ready!"
Ah, well; I'll shower after lunch then. I step out of my room and make my way down the stairs towards the dining table. I am halfway across the living room when I stop short. Shindou Hikaru is walking out the kitchen with a bowl of noodles in hand! I blink slowly. /Treachery!/ my mind screams. He's eating lunch here? My mother steps out from the kitchen to place a large steaming bowl of soup on the table. Damn, it's her special seafood udon today too. But if Shindou's eating... Oh, well; in that case... I turn around to make my way back upstairs. I have barely taken three steps when a hand grabs my arm and spins me around. I find myself face to face with the very person I wanted to avoid: my rival and only friend, Shindou Hikaru. Our chests connect and I sharply draw in breath. For some strange reason, the room suddenly feels very warm.
"Stay, Touya; it's just lunch," my rival tells me softly but firmly.
"Let me go," I order him tersely, trying to get him to release his firm grip on my arm.
"No, Touya. Look, your dad insisted I play a game with him and your mom insisted I stay for lunch; I couldn't very well say no to either. So, quit looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're trying to burn holes in me."
"Fine, just let me go."
"No, stay. You have to eat, if nothing else."
"I..."
"Akira! I made my special seafood udon today! And for dessert, I made your favourite konnyaku jelly with blueberries!" my mother declares cheerfully upon seeing me.
I heave a sigh in resignation; doesn't look like I can escape this after all. I plod over to the table with Hi-Shindou close behind and plop down gracelessly onto a chair. Both my parents sit down and Shindou quietly takes the place beside me. We pick up our chopsticks as one and I glumly say, "Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu!" the other three chirp cheerfully and we all begin eating.
Moments pass in silence, then... "How's my specialty?" my mother asks Shindou conversationally.
"Delicious, of course," he answers pleasantly.
"I hear you're playing the fifth and last game for the Honinbou crown next Friday. How's the score like so far?" my father questions quietly.
"Oh? I won the first game by two and a half moku, then lost the second and third respectively by three and a half and one and a half moku. After that, I won the fourth game by three and a half moku. It's a close fight, I guess, and I'm really determined to win this last one before trying for the Meijin crown; I'm about halfway up the league."
"My, my; I seem to have extremely ambitious people for company today," my mother comments.
"I learnt half of that from your son, Akiko-san," Shindou replies good- naturedly.
My father graces us with a rare chuckle and lowers his voice to tell my rival conspiratorially, "Yes, remember to give Akira a living hell trying to get any titles."
"Don't worry, I intend to do just that," he responds reassuringly. "Or worse," he adds as an afterthought.
My mother gives me a reproachful look as she stands to bring out the konnyaku jelly; Shindou's my friend and thus my guest and I haven't said a word to him. So far, they've been doing all the talking; I'm being a really bad host. Before I can say anything, however...
"Touya, play a game with me after this?" Shindou requests.
"I..." I catch the warning look from both my parents. "Alright. You can wait for me in my room; I'll shower and then, we'll play. How's that?" I suggest.
"Sure; we really need to start practising for the Hokuto tourney, you know."
The Hokuto tournament. My eyes widen. Damn, it's November already! "Right."
We finish the delicious jelly together and as I stand to leave for the shower, I hear Shindou promise to bring his mother's honeydew jelly over someday.
* * *
I step out of the shower and towel myself dry. I remove the shower cap, having decided against washing my hair today, and wrap the towel around my waist before exiting the bathroom. I trudge down the corridor to my room and let myself in. Murky green eyes meet mine as my rival looks up at me upon my entrance. I feel his gaze travel up and down my body in a sweeping glance and blush faintly as he looks away. Something about that look just... I don't know... Makes me nervous...? The room is warm despite the winter air drifting in through the window. I walk towards my cupboard at the other side of the room and...
"Oof!" I trip over the joseki book I left by the door and fall down... right onto Shindou Hikaru, knocking him back flat on the floor with my head ending up on his chest. The air is knocked out of his lungs and the breath catches in my throat as my body reacts almost instantaneously to the closeness. Damn the book and all wet dreams. Before he can say or do anything, I push myself away from him to land awkwardly not too far away. As I try to stand up, the towel turns loose and I catch it only just in time before it drops to the floor and leaves me completely exposed.
He sits up. "Touya?" he asks, probably curious as to why I am standing stock still doing nothing with only a towel around my waist.
"Sorry," I apologise.
"You... You clumsy oaf," he teases half-heartedly with a nervous chuckle.
A round of uncomfortable silence passes between us as I get dressed. I slip into a simple blue sweater and pull on a pair of green sweatpants before coming to sit before him tensely. The silence drags on until it is almost unbearable, then...
"Why don't we get started?" he suggests tentatively, turning and taking my Goban out of the corner to place it between us.
"Right," I agree succinctly before settling in to play, discuss, and argue another game with my eternal rival.
* * *
I look up at the clock; it's three in the afternoon. The Honinbou final game should be starting in about half an hour's time. Should I go? I pace up and down the room, lost in thought. To go or not to go? I want to watch but I don't want to leave home either. I'm still on self-imposed curfew and I dare not face the world after everything that's happened. I drop onto the bed. Should I go?
* * *
I give up and close the new tanka book I have been trying to read for the past few hours. I can't seem to concentrate on the words; all I can think about is how Shindou's game is progressing. It's half past five in the evening. The game should be well underway by now. How is he doing? Is he winning or losing? What kind of hands is he playing against Kuwabara sensei? Damn, I want to see the board!
* * *
Damn, I can't even concentrate on playing Go online. I look up at the round red clock on the wall; it's half past seven. I tried napping but I couldn't seem to fall asleep, so I went online to play Go but I couldn't seem to maintain my focus there either. I want to see Shindou's game... Should I go? I return to pacing up and down the room. How's the game like now? Is he playing aggressively? Is he struggling against Kuwabara sensei? What if he makes a mistake? In a game like this, it would cost him dearly. Maybe he's making Kuwabara sensei edgy? Maybe he's winning? Damn it, I want to know! That's it. That is so it. I'm going. To hell with the rest of the world. I quickly change into a sweater and corduroys, grab a thick jacket and race out the door. If I hurry, maybe -just maybe- I can make it there before the game ends.
~Hikaru~
I lean back wearily, checking and rechecking the board carefully. I've won, I think, unless Kuwabara sensei can work a miracle somewhere; but I don't think even Sai could find a miracle at this stage. It's at yose and there aren't many places left to play. I'm leading by about one and a half moku minus the komi, meaning that all in all, I'm leading by eight moku. I smile slightly to myself. Sai, if you can hear me, I hope you're proud of yourself and me; you made two Honinbous! Maybe you're smiling even more happily up in heaven? I wonder how heaven's like; do you play Go everyday up there? Do people really play Go in heaven? Maybe you're with Torajiro now; are you happy together? I hope you're happy wherever you are no matter what happens.
I look up at the clock on the wall; it's eight o'clock at night, dinnertime. Oh, come on... Get it over with; I'd much rather be eating ramen right now than wasting my time sitting here when the outcome has already been decided. I return my gaze to the Goban; it's Kuwabara sensei's turn and the old geezer's taking a full eternity to make his move. I glance up at my opponent; he sure seems frustrated. I absently wonder what Touya's doing now, that proud obstinate bratty jerk. Maybe he's...
Ting!
Well, looks like Kuwabara sensei's run out of time... finally. I get the title! I'm a Honinbou! I listen absently through the fog of elation as they proclaim me the winner and new title-holder then begin the congratulations and consolations. I headily thank everyone as they congratulate me and politely excuse myself to stretch. I walk out the door with a ecstatic spring in my step and stretch myself, just managing not to dance for joy on cloud nine in seventh heaven. Sai!! I'm a Honinbou!! Can you see me?! I hope you're smiling. Shindou Honinbou, it does have a nice ring to it. Suddenly, I notice someone out of the corner of my eye. Touya's panting at the top of the stairs! I turn to him with a rapturous smile of pure euphoria on my face; I'm so glad he came. Add that to the fact that I just won the Honinbou crown and I have all the reason in the world to be jubilant and overjoyed.
"Touya! You came!" I enthuse as I start towards him, my utter delight blatantly obvious in my voice.
~Akira~
"Touya! You came!" my rival exclaims happily, walking towards me.
"A-Aa."
I ran all the way to the subway station and then all the way here from the stop. After that, I was too impatient to wait for the lift, so I ran all the way up the stairs. Damn, if only I had gotten over myself earlier; the game must be over by now for him to be out here. And he looks so euphoric that I must assume he won. Shindou Honinbou, just like he promised some time ago. I look up at his blissfully dreamy visage and am overwhelmed by a rushed flurry of mixed emotions. Satisfaction, envy, joy, disappointment, respect, bitterness, longing, anger... I'm satisfied as his rival that he is so skilled, envious of his title, joyous for him, disappointed in myself, respectful of his ability, bitter about his winning a title before me, longing for the day when I'll be a title-holder as well, and angry at myself for having missed what must have been a beautiful game. But all that just fades away into the wallpaper the instant he takes my hand and tugs me towards the room and back to reality. Half of them are useless emotions anyway; no sense crying over spilt milk, as they say. I can't change the way things turned out, so I'll just have to make the best of it.
"Touya, I know you're here to at least see the kifu, right? Well, they're just about to begin the discussion. Come on in; I'm sure they won't mind now that the game's over. I'll see if I can get you the video some time; I know you wanted to watch," he enthuses jubilantly.
"Don't flatter yourself, Shindou."
"Right, why else would you be here if all that wasn't true? So why don't you screw your pride, stop being an obstinate jerk and just get the hell over yourself?" he suggests evenly, opening the door to the game room.
The atmosphere is electric, as usual, and even with people buzzing about snapping photographs and talking about the game, I can feel the tension in the air. So he's right as usual; I do want to watch the game, I am being an obstinate jerk, and I can't seem to get over myself, but to hell if I'm going to admit that to him. "Fine, so I am here to watch the game but that's only because I'm your rival. And being my rival really doesn't put you in any position to criticise," I inform him calmly as he leads me over to the Goban.
"Well, I also happen to be your friend but fine, say whatever you like; I'm not about to let you ruin my good mood with another stupid quarrel," he retorts before kneeling back down on the cushion.
"Yeah, so you won. Big deal. Would you quit being so damn cocky about it?" Irritation.
"Cocky?! You're just jealous because I won a title before you!" His voice rises ten decibels.
"What? Me? Jealous? Who do you think you are?!" Annoyance.
"Your rival, Touya. You acknowledged that yourself aeons ago."
"Get off being so cocksure!" Anger.
"I'm just thrilled about winning, Touya! Why don't you stop being so bitter about it?!" Another ten.
Bitter?! Fury. "I have no reason to be bitter about anything!" Okay, so if I were brutally honest with myself, that's a lie.
"Right! And I have no reason to be cocksure about anything when you're not even the bloody Meijin yet!" He's now shouting at the very top of his voice.
"What has that got to do with your God damned arrogance?!" Outrage. I quite nearly screeched the question.
"You're my rival, God damn it! Everything!" he yells back.
"Kids these days..." Kuwabara sensei interjects calmly with a sigh.
"Ah, Touya-kun, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Amano-san from the Japanese Go Institute Publicity Department enquires before I can say anything else to Shindou.
"Uh... Fine, thank you." I smile congenially.
"You and Shindou-kun seem to be getting along very well. I heard you were still on leave...?"
I nod. "Getting along well? I hardly think so," I reply pleasantly.
"Oh, all these little squabbles are the spice of life, you know. When will you be coming back?"
"Soon, I guess. There's only so long one can stay home doing nothing," I respond with a smile. The spice of life? Geez, he's twisted.
"Well, I guess that means about next week then."
I nod noncommittally. "Probably."
"God, Touya, would you stop that?" Shindou interrupts in exasperation.
"What?" I snap irritably.
"That!" he replies, gesturing vaguely in my direction.
"What?!" I repeat, getting annoyed all over again.
"Your whole absurd little smile-nod routine! Just when I thought you got yourself a life and I'd seen the last of that! Geez, man, it's ridiculous!" My rival throws up his hands in a sign of surrender.
"What smile-nod routine?! And I didn't get myself a life; I always had one!" I retort.
"Yeah, right. On an average day, what's the first thing you do after breakfast?"
"Play Go with my father." I don't get where this conversation is heading.
"Right. You eat lunch at home?"
I nod. I still don't see his point. Off to my left, Kuwabara sensei has a really amused grin on his wizened face.
"Okay. Where do you go after lunch?"
"Official games. Dan games, title preliminaries, the like." If possible, Kuwabara sensei's grin only widens.
"Right. How do you spend your free time?"
"Playing Shidougo at the Go Salon." Kuwabara sensei's grin has widened to reach his ears and I am still missing Shindou's point.
"Then you have dinner at home, right?"
I nod.
"And after dinner?"
"I attend my father's Go study group." Kuwabara sensei is already chuckling softly to himself. And your point is...?
"And you call that a life?! Geez, you spend the entire day looking at the Goban! Maybe your kids will look like Gobans someday! You have no friends, no one to hang out with, no social life... Hell, I don't even think you've even flirted before! Hey, man, are you sixteen or sixty?! And you claim to have a life." He ends with a theatrical sigh of resignation.
Kuwabara sensei is busy laughing his geezer ass off hysterically and the others who recorded the game are trying desperately not to do the same. I blush. "And who are you to judge?" I challenge.
"Oh, Touya, ask anyone who knows us both and they'll all tell you without hesitation that I have more of a life than you do. At least I have a social life. You know, I could swear amnesia was good for you. At least you went to a rock concert and the circus." The rest of the people finally can't help themselves and join in the hysterics.
I feel myself turning redder. He just had to bring that up. "I..." I'm at a loss as to what to say, so I simply avert my gaze.
"You know what? Let's get this over with. I'm hungry and then I need to take my friend here over to the movies," my rival declares to the rest of the room.
"Who's going to the movies with you?" I challenge again.
"Why... you, of course. We're going to get you a life!"
"I'm not..."
"Oh, shut up kid. Your friend's right; you only live this life once. For God's sake, enjoy your teenage years before they're gone," Kuwabara sensei interjects calmly after his last bout of laughter, exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke.
Oh, well... I sigh as they get down to discussing the game. I guess the movies can't be too bad anyway. And truth is, I'd mind even less if it's with Shindou. He is, after all -I'll admit-, my only friend.
~Hikaru~
"So, what movie shall we watch today?" I ask my rival as cheerfully as I can manage. We are standing in front of a TV screen showing the movies currently screening at the cinema.
He looks up at the screen. "Onegai Teacher."
"Huh?" I don't think I heard that correctly.
"Onegai Teacher," he repeats without batting an eye.
I blink slowly. Twice. "That's... a *love* story." And from what I heard, a really sweet fluffy fuzzy one too.
He turns to look at me calmly. "So?"
So? Oh, never mind; Onegai Teacher it is. "Right-o." I saunter over to the counter to buy the tickets. People watch movies like that with their boyfriends and girlfriends, not with their rivals, you dolt. The girl at the counter gives me this peculiar smile, like she thinks I'm on some secret date or something. I smile uncomfortably back at her, wishing I could be anywhere but here. Then she hands the tickets over and I quickly turn and walk off briskly. I glance at my watch, the show starts in ten minutes time. I rejoin my rival and lead him off to buy snacks.
"Popcorn?" I offer.
"Not really."
"Cola?"
"Uh... Don't think so."
I roll my eyes. "Fine, I'll buy some for myself. You can have some of mine if you change your mind later."
He nods as I walk off to get the food, grumbling quietly to myself. I get myself a slightly larger bag than usual with a mix of sweet and salty and a large cup of Coke. Suddenly, on my way back to where Touya's waiting, I spot two familiar faces. I quickly shift the food to one arm and raise the other in a near-frenzied wave. "Waya!! Isumi-san!!" I call loudly.
Yeah! Got their attention. They wave and hurry over just as I reach Touya. "Hey, you're watching a movie too?" Waya asks, his usual cheerful self.
"Yeah, show starts soon. You?"
"Just finished," replies Isumi-san.
"Yup! How's your game?" Waya enquires enthusiastically.
"You're talking to the Honinbou!" I announce triumphantly.
"Who's been so utterly full of himself since the instant he won the last game," Touya puts in dryly.
"Touya, stop being such a KJ," I tell him with a spark of annoyance.
He gives us all a curiously lost look.
"Kill-joy," Isumi-san explains calmly.
"Oh."
"Congrats, man; you've got to take us out someday soon!" Waya enthuses, giving me a friendly slap on the shoulder. Isumi-san grins.
I think about the cost. "Can we restrict the guest list?" I plead hopefully.
"Sure; just me, Isumi, Nase, Fuku, Ochi -if you like-, everyone from Matsushita sensei's study group..."
I can almost see my dollar bills growing wings and flying away as I continue the list mentally: all those plus Kaga, Tsutsui, Mitani, Akari, maybe Yashiro if I see him, Touya -of course-, Kawaii-san... And then there's the Shuusaku memorial... I've definitely got to take something there in memory of Sai... God, it's going to cost me. I sigh.
"Looks like you won't be keeping your prize money after all," Touya comments, bringing me out of my reverie.
That's it! Prize money! I guess it won't really hurt my pocket that badly after all, I realize, feeling considerably better about things. But that's still a lot of money taking flight. I heave another sigh. Oh, well... It could be worse, I guess.
"So, what are you two watching today?" Waya questions conversationally.
Oh God, I was dreading that question. Right now, I really wish I could just fade into thin air and blend into the background. "Um..." I begin.
Touya just shows him the tickets. My friend's eyes widen at the sight of the title and he turns to Look at me. I uncomfortably look anywhere else.
"Um... Shindou, a word?" Waya asks quietly.
I nod and allow him to lead me across the hall.
"Onegai Teacher? With Touya Akira?" he questions incredulously the instant we get there.
I look away. "Well, don't look at me; it was _his_ idea!" I protest.
"You're saying that *Touya Akira* wants to watch _Onegai Teacher_ with YOU," he repeats in the same tone.
"Well, yeah; that's what I said." Geez, Touya, why do you just have to get me into shit like this?
My friend raises a bushy red eyebrow with an amused look on his face. "How long has this been going on?"
"Going on?" I wonder aloud. "What..." Realization dawns on me. "You... Waya! It's not going on at all!! It's nothing like that! We're just friends, you jerk!" I screech in mortification.
"_Just_ friends? Shindou, your green-haired Go prince is indirectly hitting on you with a two-by-four and you're *just* friends?" he asks, clearly amused and taking great pleasure out of teasing me. Well, he's... Waya.
"He is *not*!!" I protest indignantly. "And we _are_ just friends!"
"Come on, why else would he want to watch a fluffy pink sugar-coated romance movie alone with you if he wasn't hitting on you?" he challenges.
"Because he's never seen movies before...?" I try to reason.
"Okay, that's sad," he admits, looking over at where Isumi-san and my rival are having a staring competition at the other end of the hall. "The guy's been living under a rock, man, but he is kind of cute -if a complete stuck- up jerk at times- and you know he does -at least- kind of like you and you know I won't criticize if you just come clean and say that you like him too..."
"Waya!!" I cut him off in exasperation and mock anger.
"Fine, fine..." he says with a laugh, holding up his hands in supplication. "Whatever you say. Just remember to tell me when you two..."
"Oh, why you little..." I start as he runs off and proceed to chase him around the hall with a death threat.
A/N: Just thought I'd let you guys in on an upcoming project of mine.
Look out for a HikaGo fic that will probably be here soon. (Winks) I'm
going to have Akira dressed in a low-cut backless Victorian gown with a
sinking cleavage accentuated with floral lace, complete with super-tight
corset, lace gloves, stiletto heels, a wide-brim hat decorated with
flowers, and a fan most likely all in baby pink. Yes, (evil laugh) you
know the devil sent me. Meanwhile, I hope you'll continue to enjoy this
fic and check out my crazily HikaGo-ized songbook. (Leaves singing:
Pretty Aki, across the Goban; Pretty Aki, the girl I'd like to play...)
P/S: For those who are wondering, Onegai Teacher does exist and is a
really fuzzy love story that happens to include a brief sex (straight,
unfortunately) scene. Um, I'm a demon with AkiHika UST (unresolved
sexual tension)? (Wicked grin)
