Pairing: Hikaru and Akira
Disclaimer: Hikago isn't mine…
A/N: I wonder what happened to my quotation marks in the previous chapter… the ones before the endquotes…
Italics – thoughts. Easy to figure out who's thinking
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Chapter II: Open Invitation
Hikaru, of course, had gone on to Touya Meijin's Go Salon for a game with Akira. This afternoon though, he played distractedly, thinking about the upcoming dance. Naturally, Akira noticed this and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance for his distracted rival.
"Shindou. I've been waiting for your move for five minutes. Surely, you don't need that much time for a response to this standard move."
At least it's going to be a slow dance. That should be easier to learn.
"…Shindou… Shindou, can you hear me?"
Who can I get to teach me though? Akari – Nah. No good. I need to learn the guy's part. Waya – he'll probably make fun of me first. Isumi – Oh, maybe he can teach me! He's old enough to have experience and he's patient. I have to call him… Ah! Damn, I forgot! He's in China!
"Shindou…" Akira had now tilted his head down towards the table, trying to catch his rival's attention.
Somewhere in Hikaru's peripheral vision, a tilted Touya Akira appeared. Touya… how about him? He's a gentleman and he's refined. He knows about etiquette and all that social stuff, maybe he's been taught formal dancing, too? If he does know, then…
"Touya, you're perfect!"
"Eh?" This wasn't what he expected but he could definitely get used to it.
"So… you've probably been taught since you were young about manners and social etiquette, right?
This conversation is getting more and more bizarre… "Yes, Shindou, I have. Why are you asking?"
"Well I was wondering if you knew how to dance? Not disco dancing of course!" He added hastily, seeing Touya's eyes widen. "The slow kind of dance, sort of like ballroom dancing but without choreographed moves all throughout."
"Slow dancing with a partner? Then, there's not much to know really. Just hold your partner close but not too close, avoid stepping on their toes…"
"Ah, so you do know. That's great! Can you teach me, Touya? There's this stupid Valentine's dance at school, you see, and we're being graded for it so I need to learn how to dance by next week."
"Can't you get anyone else to teach you, Shindou?"
"No, you're perfect for teaching me. Do you mind that much?"
"No, it's not that. When do you want to start?"
"How about tomorrow? It'll be easier since it's a weekend. We can practice at my apartment."
"Okay. Do you want me to bring any music?"
"Yes, please. We can also play go whenever we want to." Shindou smiled at the prospect of playing go with Touya at his apartment. "Let's meet up by the bus station."
"Hai. I'll be waiting."
"What do you mean you'll be waiting? I'll get there on time! I might get there first."
"But that's unlikely. It's like how I've been waiting for your move for some time now."
"You're changing the subject."
"Yes, I am."
"…"
"Don't get mad, remember, I'm doing you a favor tomorrow."
"Why you…"
-usual fighting happens -