A Matter of Convenience

Summary: Akira does a little flirting at the store. AkiHika fun.

A/N: because I wanted to try a setting other than the go salon, and because I believe that inside, akira is a devious little tease. standard disclaimers apply. enjoy.

Shindou Hikaru 3-dan has finished his official game and is dallying at a nearby 7-11; staring at brightly wrapped packages of tasty noodles, and wondering if has enough instant ramen and curry at home to last another week. He has recently left the nest for a tiny apartment, and vaguely wonders if he ought to shop at a real grocery store as he haphazardly tosses various cellophane-wrapped instant foods into his shopping basket.

He is comparing two varieties of mineral water when he sees, in his peripheral vision, a familiar-looking shape, and as he moves to replace one bottle and close the refrigerator door he looks over, and a casual hello dies on his lips when he sees Touya Akira 5-dan standing there, looking adorably out of place in his formal clothes.

Hikaru's go-fried brain is unable to handle the situation and promptly shuts off, leaving him standing there staring blankly at his ever so professional-looking rival. Hikaru knows why he is staring; it is a combination of those maddeningly confusing emotions he's been feeling lately, coupled with sheer surprise at seeing the almost princely Touya at a conbini, a place of commoners. But he would rather give up ramen forever than admit this.

Touya smiles a Charming Smile, (one notorious for converting teenage girls from pop idol worshippers to go fanatics) but behind it he is smirking. People always remark about the difference between Touya's demeanor on the go board and off; the difference between aggressive Touya and polite Touya. What they don't realize is that his impeccable manners are a façade. So, mentally grinning an evil, sexy grin, he plots to unsettle Hikaru in an entertaining fashion. Lately he has never missed an opportunity to flirt with Shindou, although he has been so subtle he wonders if his rival doesn't notice. But he will certainly notice today.

Leaving Shindou to regain his composure, Touya offers a nice hello, and Hikaru stutters a quick greeting in reply, moving forward with intention to grab a few onigiri (so as not to look like he's leaving in too much of a hurry) before checking out. This is when Akira makes his move. He moves out of Shindou's way, but not enough that all bodily contact is avoided: their shoulders and hands brush and, to make sure Hikaru knows this wasn't an accident, fixes the nervous teen with a Look. Then he watches amusedly as Hikaru's face turns a delicate shade of pink, and he fumbles with his coins as he pays, finally tripping a little before he attempts to pull the door open instead of pushing.

Akira grins and tries to remember why he entered the store in the first place, while Hikaru goes home determinedly not thinking about him.

Neither boy is successful.

end

as always, reviews appreciated.