Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru no Go. It belongs to Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi.
Crusty's Note: Minna, thx for the responses so far! I'm afraid I won't be updating for some time, but let's just see about that.
Free Ride
"Hi, Shindou! How was the convention?" Waya waved his hand to Hikaru as he saw the boy at the institute.
"Great," Hikaru grinned.
"Really? Spending time with Touya could be that fun?" Waya knitted his eyebrows.
"Stop your mocking, okay. You just don't know him."
"Thank God for that," Waya replied carelessly.
"How were your recent matches?" Hikaru took a seat beside Waya.
"All good."
"Wanna play me?" Hikaru grinned and set a Go-ban in front of them.
Waya glanced at Hikaru, "Sure, why not." He stood up and sat on the chair in front of Hikaru across the table.
After some moves, Waya sighed, "Okay, what is it that you want to say?"
Hikaru lifted his face, "What is it that I want to say?"
"Don't pretend. I know there's something you want to spill out. What is it? Something got to do with your little fancy Go convention with Touya Akira?"
"Ogata was there too."
"Whatever."
Hikaru grinned, "You were right, Waya. Me and Touya are getting closer."
Waya stopped his finger holding the stone, "Umm… translation please?"
"You said before that we seemed getting closer and more familiar and you're right! We are!"
"What were you guys doing at that convention?" Waya stared at Hikaru suspiciously.
"Why do you look at me like that? Whatever we were doing is not like what you think it is."
"What is it that I'm thinking anyway?" Waya grinned.
Hikaru sighed, "Waya, your face looks obscene."
Waya laughed made some people around them stared.
"Sorry, I was just kidding," Waya put back the stone in to its bowl. He thought they don't really need that game to be continued. "What've made you realized I was right, anyway?"
"Well, we were spending some time not just by playing Go anymore and…"
"And?"
"And we call each other by our first name," Hikaru grinned shyly.
'What's with that shy grin on your face?' Waya sweatdropped. "Really? I think that's gonna be pretty surprising for everyone who knows you guys."
"Yeah, but like I said before, everything changes."
"Hn," Waya cleared the stones off the Go-ban.
"Hey! What are you doing? We're still playing!"
"Not like you give a damn to this game, Shindou," Waya snorted.
Hikaru grinned some more.
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"Tadaima!"
"Okaerinasai. Hikaru, there was a phone for you."
"Who was it, mom?" Hikaru kicked his shoes off his feet.
"Akira. He said he'll call you again later."
"Oh…" Hikaru climbed the stairs to his room rather disappointed. He wished he had arrived home earlier.
At his room, Hikaru sat in front of his Go-ban his grandfather bought him. He decided to practice while he was waiting for Akira's phone call. Inside, he wondered what was it that Akira needs to say to him that made him call.
About ten minutes later, his mother called him. It was the phone from Akira.
Hikaru picked up the phone, "Moshimoshi."
"Moshimoshi, Hikaru."
Hikaru's heart jumped to hear that. After they left the beach, Akira had called him 'Hikaru' lots of times, but he still felt his heart beating fast whenever Akira called him so.
"What is it, Akira?" And Hikaru still felt nervous yet excited to say 'Akira'.
"Sorry that I call you this sudden, but do you have any plan for tomorrow night?"
"Huh? Umm, well, no. What's the matter?"
"I was wondering maybe you'd wanna…"
'Go to the movies?'
"…have dinner at my house."
'Close enough.'
"Umm, what's the occasion?"
"Nothing special actually, but Ogata-san is coming for dinner, so I think I want to invite my own guest too since Ogata-san is my dad's."
"Oh, okay." 'Dinner with your family? Isn't that a bit too soon, Akira? Waitaminit! What was I thinking anyway?' Hikaru tapped his own head.
"So, can you make it?"
"Sure thing! Is seven pm would be fine?"
"Yes. Well, I'll see you tomorrow night, Hikaru. Bye."
"Bye."
Hikaru put down the phone after he heard Akira hung up. Actually he felt reluctant to end up the conversation. But overall, the idea of having dinner with Akira was more than enough to make him smiled the entire night.
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The next night, Hikaru drop by at the 24 hours mart to buy something for the dinner. It was Touya Kouyo's house he was going to visit. He thought he should bring something to show some good attitude.
"Damned, I really don't have any idea…" Hikaru scratched his head observing the goods on the racks. In the middle of his frustration, he thought maybe he should just bring instant ramen instead of strolling in the house empty handed.
"Hi, Shindou." A hand tapped his shoulder made Hikaru surprised to death.
"O-Ogata?" Hikaru gaped to see the man stood before him. Who else would be successful in giving him the goosebumps anyway?
"What are you doing here, Shindou?"
"Uh, I was looking for something to bring for the dinner. You know, the dinner," Hikaru remembered that Ogata was invited too.
Ogata smiled, "Ah, yes. The dinner." He said it as if he was playing with Hikaru. Hikaru muttered inside.
"I think dried squid would be good for the sake," Ogata reached out a bag of dried squid and handed it to Hikaru.
"Oh, you're right. Why didn't I think of that?" Hikaru grinned. He took the plastic bag gratefully.
"I assumed you're done with your shopping. Take that to the cashier, we'll be late for… the dinner," Ogata glanced at Hikaru with a certain smile.
'Damn you, Ogata.' Suddenly Hikaru didn't feel that grateful anymore.
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Ogata drove fast heading to Touya Kouyo's residence. Hikaru sat mutely beside him taking the advantage of tagging along on an expensive vehicle.
"This is a very nice car you got here. I think I'm gonna get myself one someday," Hikaru grinned.
"I think you'll be able to do that... someday."
Hikaru glanced at Ogata, "When that time comes, I'll be generous enough to let you drive it."
"By that time, I'd be bored to the car and already driving a better one."
Hikaru smirked in annoyance. This guy really knows how to throw the punch line.
"Shindou…"
"Yes?"
"Were you…" Ogata didn't take his eyes off the road, "Did Akira-kun invite you personally? I mean, face to face."
"No, he called to my house."
"Oh… When was it?"
"Yesterday night. Well, it was a bit sudden, but fortunately I didn't have any plan for tonight."
Ogata didn't reply. His eyes were focusing on the road in front of him.
"Uh," Hikaru spoke carefully. "Were you invited by Akira's father?"
Hikaru thought he saw Ogata slightly raised his eyebrows after hearing his question.
"Yes."
Hikaru noticed that Ogata's expression changed into an expression that was somewhat unfriendly. Hikaru decided not to speak more. The silence was kept until they reached Touya Kouyo's house.
tbc
