Disclaimer: Don't own Hikaru No Go

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews from Kickkid3, DarkPortAtreides, Xiar, BlackestStarCatcher, Kuruka and Babowonsumi.This chapter was supposed to be up earlier but due to some problems with my Microsoft XP... I couldn't open any of my documents. So I have to change my XP to Office instead since my XP CD was broken in half... I don't even know how it happened but it did. Shocking I know but luckily I still have Microsoft Office. So now I am able to open my all my files again. Phew!

I am sorry if anyone still thinks that the previous chapter still looks very much like FB. Since I am laying off FB for a while, I never had any intentions for the chapter to even resembles FB. It didn't occur to me until I finish typing the chapter and when I was re-reading it, only did I realized how much the hair thingy was very much like the ribbon thing. But at that time, I was too lazy even to consider changing it so I just ignored it. I wanted Touya to actually tell Akari that her hair smells nice… but I can't make him just grab her head and sniff. That will be so unromantic LOL. Overall, I am glad that everyone enjoyed the chapter, according to the reviews of course. Those that didn't review, I don't have 'six sense' so I don't know what you all think…

And since one of my most common and encouraging reviewers had asked me a question that I thought no one would ever asked, this answer is to DarkPortAtriedes and to those who are curious about whether if anyone like Yuii exists in the world.

Will anyone be shock if I say Yuii actually resembles an attitude of a close friend of mine from High School? She betrayed me twice, due to boy matters. If anyone wonders, why twice? It is because for the first time, I forgave her and second time I thought she doesn't deserve to be forgiven again.

She of course isn't as bad as Yuii since I had already portray the exaggerated version of her. She stole my boyfriend (age 16 that time, form 3&4. But dunno what grade) in High School, so I forgave her for taking the boy away and thought that no boy was worth it anyways if he was going to come between our (me and her) friendship. Until I realized she backstabbed me back then, but when I found out it was so long ago and so I let it drop. That boy and her broke off after school ended and what became of the boy, I don't really know except that he continued with STPM….(From 6/ O Level) and went to Singapore after that.

My gal friend and I went to the same college and the same thing repeated. She fell for the same guy I went out with. That guy used to be one of her close friend until he found out that she liked him but he didn't, so he started avoiding her after he told her, he didn't feel the same. He likes me so we started going out because I like him too. She had the nerve to call me to tell me to stay away from my own boyfriend because she had matters she hadn't 'fix' properly with him yet. So I told my boyfriend to go talk to her again, if not I won't be seeing him again until he settles the matter with my friend. He was so piss off saying that he had told her so clearly that he never did like her. He only liked her as a friend… and so the same old backstabbing started from my friend again. My boyfriend of course didn't believe her, she got piss off. Told her universe never to talk to me again (but luckily I had quite a number of different circles of friends) and she went to my boyfriend's house, to 'talk' things out… I was there that day. But I hid in his room, luckily she didn't come in. She didn't know I was there. They were downstairs in the living room, 'talking'. I was very surprise she would do something like that…. However their conversation ended when my boyfriend's mother came home Ahem… LOL. So after she left and when I came down, my boyfriend's mother's eyes nearly pop out. LOL… my boyfriend told her it was some girl matters. I find it kind of hilarious now.

I never talked to my friend ever since then… though I did hear from someone who always talks to her (not that he wanted to. He is a friend of my boyfriend who she always called to chat) telling him things like how she slut around with other guys and still want my boyfriend. (Roll eyes….) What the….? I thought she was my close friend! I nvr knew she was that type of person… and she dares to talk about it. Bragging about how many guys she… erm… you all can guess… How I had wished that it was only a rumour… and I honestly really hope it was… but somehow, I found out it was true. Realization sucks to the max… but sometimes that is life.

And as for my boyfriend and I… we had been together for almost 4 years now and he will be my husband to be….hehhehee… meaning we are kind of engaged, but marriage won't be so soon ne… maybe another two or three years in the future… ahem ahem… or maybe not… I don't know… he only hint about it, he seem very shy even we are together for such a long time. Sometimes I wonder if he was another Touya Akira… LOL… but my boyfriend is not a romantic person (like me)… he is just a real quiet guy.

Sorry for the wearisome true story of my life… here is your chapter you all are waiting…

Chapter 18

Summer stretched on blazingly, it was exciting in the beginning when the season first arrived but to endure the heat for four months was agony and all excitement evaporated. Almost two months had past since Akari and her friends came back from their vacation and Akari was still pondering upon Touya's confession on his deepest emotions. She hadn't told anyone about it and she couldn't stop dueling upon it. Nobody had spoken so emotionally to her before and she didn't know how to react at that moment when Touya confessed.

The past two months everything went on 'normally' and Akari saw no difference between her relationships with Touya. It somehow looked like he had never confessed his deepest infatuation and went about like nothing had happened. Besides he had been really busy with GO after they returned to Tokyo. He had his next Meijin match coming up late this year and he couldn't afford to fail this time. Akari remembered how he apologized for not able to be there to see her all the time and he missed her terribly. He promise her that he strive to get that title like his father. He won't disappoint her again.

Akari smiled slowly at her thoughts of Touya, unconsciously she missed him too. They do see each other a few times a week but usually on short basis of time. Like when he come for breakfast or they may go out for late supper on days he had matches, but sometimes Akari was so tired after work she would only talk to him on the phone. Even they hardly see each other, Akari could never blame Touya. She understands how important that title meant to him and she will continue to support him by being close always whenever he needed her.

"Earth to Akari-chan! Earth to Akari-chan!"

Akari snapped out of her daydream, looking over at Kuniko who was sitting across her, waving her hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention. They were having the lunch break and they decided to meet up at a small Mexican restaurant not far from the places they work. Akari was digging her straw in her drink for the past few minutes, playing her thoughts over.

"What is up with you?" Kuniko cried exasperatedly. "Do you know, for the past ten minutes I was trying to get you to answer me?"

"Nothing is wrong!" Akari protested.

"Nothing? You had been practically mopping around the place like you are in la-la-land since you returned from our vacation! Is something bothering you? Is it Touya-kun?"

"Why do you always resolve to Akira whenever we have this kind of conversation?" Akari rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink.

"Well, it is obvious that you're thinking about him." Kuniko pressed on. "Who else are you thinking about? It is unlikely that you are thinking about me!"

Akari laughed slightly at friend's joke, continued digging the straw in her drink.

"So what is up with both of you?" Kuniko asked leaning over the table to look at Akari closely.

"Nothing is going on, everything seemed the same." Akari sighed, cupping her face with both her hands and her elbows resting on the table. She looked down at her drink unenthusiastically.

"If you ask me I think you are in love!"

"What?" Akari jerked her head up again to stare at Kuniko. "That couldn't possibly be! I am still taking things slow! I can't love him yet, I mean maybe in the future but I think it is too soon now!"

"Look who's talking! It is obvious that he is in your mind always! I am beginning to wonder how he managed to charm you!"

"Oh well, he is smart, really nice, gentle, kind…."

"Good looking?" Kuniko offered a helping opinion.

"Iie," Akari exclaimed unconsciously. "He's gorgeous!"

Akari's eyes widened and gasped at her outburst.

Kuniko smirked at her reaction.

"Gorgeous eh…?"

"OMG," Akari buried her head in her arms crossed on the table. "I can't believe I said that. What is wrong with me?"

"Well, apparently you are falling for him." Kuniko took a sip of her drink nonchalantly. "And hard!"

"But," Akari looked up. "That is like… so not true…"

"Oh well, all I can say is that this guy has it hard for you." Kuniko said taking a Weekly GO out of her huge handbag. "Have you even been reading this? You use to keep track once in a while."

"Well, summer holidays had put me up on a very tight schedule with school kids coming to the café everyday!" Akari explained. "I barely had time for anything! Including reading that!"

"You better take a look at Touya-kun's interview for his last match." Kuniko said flipping through the magazine, opened a page and placed it in front of her. "Here…."

"He won the match, so what else is new?" Akari asked looking at the page briefly.

"Just read!" Kuniko commanded, pointing down at the interview.

Curiously, Akari looked at the page where Kuniko had opened for her. There was the usual interview after a match. She could see a small picture of Touya and his opponent. Below the picture was the interview Kuniko told her to read. Akari came to the part, where Touya said something, which nearly made her bottom jaw fall to the floor.

Amada: So Touya-kun, I can see you are more determine in all you matches recently.

Touya: Hai, I always have been, besides that, I still am working hard for the Meijin title.

Amada: So are you confident to get it this year?

Touya: Of course.

Amada: You have strong confidence over there (laughed) I think you got it from your father Touya Koyo.

Touya: My father is a great influence but, this is also because of someone I would like to be with forever and I plan to propose to her when I get the Meijin title. She is my motivation and inspiration.

Amada: I wonder who the lucky person is.

Touya: (Smile) I think I am the lucky one. She had been supporting me this far and I am sure I won't disappoint her the second time.

Akari gave out a loud gasp. What is he talking about? Propose? His final Meijin Match is end of the year! End of the year is coming soon! Well not that soon since it is still summer but she is not ready yet! Panic thoughts ran through Akari's mind like a whirlwind. However, she still couldn't help feeling a thrilling sensation in her heart. But her heart dropped slightly when she realized that Touya didn't mention who this girl was. Could it be her? She just had to wait and see. They may be going out but... Akari still was slightly uncertain though she was confident that there was no one else Touya was seeing. In other words, he may be talking about her.

"So, what do you think?" Kuniko asked after Akari looked up from the article with a shock look on her face. "Are you going to say yes?"

"I don't know," Akari mumbled softly and truthfully. "He could be talking about anyone…"

"Oh please, who else is he talking about then?" Kuniko said, rolling her eyes. "You may be dense Akari-chan but not this dense, are you? Touya-kun may not say much about his feelings but it is obvious that he cares a lot about you. He practically spent his free time seeing you!"

Akari blinked and inclined her head wonderingly.

"All I am saying is," Kuniko leaned back towards the table. "Touya-kun really loves you and you should at least try to find out if you love that poor boy back!"

Akari looked down at the article again and a small smiled appeared slowly.

"It may be a possibility," She whispered so softly that Kuniko didn't hear her. "Possibility…"

"Oh my, look at the time!" Kuniko exclaimed checking her watch. "Lunch break is over! I am going to be late going back to work!"

"I guess, I should be going too!" Akari said pushing the magazine back to her friend.

"Keep it!" Kuniko raised her hand to call anyone to get the bill. "And lunch is on you."

"You never change…" Akari grinned taking out her purse.

"Well, you still owe me!" Kuniko winked.

"How can I forget?"

In one of Tokyo riches residential area, up on an Italian furnished penthouse, a beautiful lady with long dark hair that reaches down her posterior, wrapped in a silk yukata sat by the balcony, on a beach chair, a Weekly GO magazine in her hand. She read an article quietly, her temper rising immensely. Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the piece of article of Touya's interview last week.

"So he is planning to propose to her," Her eyes looked up from the magazine and stared hard at the far horizon. "I guess I won't make it easy for you Akira."

"Yuii what are you doing?" A male voice called from inside the apartment.

She ignored him and threw the magazine to the side of balcony irately. The magazine hit the tall brick banister that surrounds the balcony with a loud snap. She pushed her beach chair down and looked up the bright blue sky.

"Nobody gives up on me that easily!" She whispered when her companion also in a yukata, walked out from the apartment. "You neglected me all this time and you think I will let you be happily?"

"Honey, what is the matter?" Shinji asked.

"Nothing," A small wicked smile appeared, pulling Shinji down towards her, capturing his lips in hers, while they pushed their yutaka away from their bodies and wrapped into an intimate embrace…

Touya studied the rows of rings in the cabinets in his mother's favourite jewellery dealer. His hands shove casually in the pockets of his slacks as he scanned the ornaments rather unenthusiastically. Nothing in the cabinets seems to catch his eye or might interest Akari. The dealer of the shop walked up to Touya to assist him when he saw Touya's uninterested look.

"How can I help you Touya-san?" He had recognized him in magazine and since his mother was a frequent customer. He wouldn't forget her only son. "There is a variety of rings from Europe with the best design…"

"Do you custom make any rings?" Touya asked turning to him.

If there is nothing on the cabinet that interests him, he thought maybe he would make something special for Akari.

"Yes of course, we have very professional designers to custom make anything to your liking."

"It is not for me, I am making an engagement ring. So I would like the ring that suit my… er… her taste." Touya was going to say fiancée except that he was still uncertain of how Akari felt for him.

She didn't say anything, even after they came back from their vacation. She was silent, though very deep in her thoughts. He gathered that Akari was pondering over their relationship going up a few steps higher. He didn't mind, he was letting her think, giving her the space she needed.

On the other hand, he had a spark of hope that she still likes him because she didn't flee from him after he confessed his deepest feelings for her. He was afraid that he would turn out very much like Yuuki who had endless of times, declared his devotion for her, which as a result, pushed her away from him. But it didn't for Touya, which put the Professional GO Player with hopes and confidence that Akari do like him, even though her feelings may not be as strong as his. But who can tell?

Maybe it will….

Above all that, he was not going to rush her into any decisions quick.

"Maybe if you can arrange a time where I see the designer and I could tell her what kind of person she is and what she likes. Maybe she/he could design something that suits her."

"Of course, I will back the arrangement right away Touya-san," The jeweler said and bowed. "Please wait a moment, I'll call the designer personally immediately."

Touya watched the man reaching for the phone by the counter and went back looking at other jewellery in the store…

"Thank you for your hard work!" Akari bowed to her kitchen employees as they left.

"Thank you for your hard work!" They chorus before the leave the place from the backdoors.

"Hey Akari, I am leaving now!" Mitani called from the front. Akari was locking the back door at the moment. "I'll lock the front on the way out!"

"Alright Mitani-oneechan!" Akari replied. "Arigatou!"

After locking the back door, she was arranging and stacking some utensils in neat orders.

Soon the café was envelope in silence while she continued to clean up a few things in the kitchen. She nearly jumped out of her skin when someone wrapped their arms around her waist from the back. Mitani said she was locking the door on her way out. There was no way someone would have entered to harass her. A pan, she was holding in her hand, nearly swung to back without bothering to see who it was until she heard the gentle familiar voice behind her. She relaxed against him. A smile appeared and she turned to look into a pair of beautiful emerald green eyes.

"Hey," Touya whispered into her ear when he felt her tensed up at his embrace.

He must have surprised her when he embraced her.

Since his GO discussion had ended early and after going to the jewellery shop, he realized he could catch her after work. He had reached Eternal Snow in time to see Mitani leaving the place. She let him enter the café before she locked the glass front door.

"Hey," Akari replied softly. "How did you get in?"

"Mitani-san let me in," Touya replied.

"You scared me, I nearly hit you with the pan!" Akari said showing the frying pan in her hand.

Touya chuckled. "I guess I am lucky that you found out it was me."

"I can recognize your voice anywhere you go Akira." Akari said putting the pan away before she twirled around in his arms to face him. "So next time, say something first before you decide to tackle me from the back."

"I will take note of that," Touya whispered, amusement sparkled in his eyes.

However, he couldn't help feeling a swooping joy in his heart to hear Akari could recognize his voice wherever they were.

"You better if you don't want to be hit by a frying pan," Akari teased, touching his shoulders lightly with her hands. "If you haven't spoke that pan would have crash into your head."

Touya chuckled again.

"I gather you still hadn't have dinner?"

Akari shook her head.

"Come on let's go somewhere to eat." Touya leaned over and gave her a lingering kissed on her lips.

He felt her kissing him back rather tenderly. Her arms snaked to the back of neck, embracing him towards her and his heart soared. She definitely likes him, now Touya had no doubt about it, but he will wait until his he gets his Meijin Title and that was a promise.

When they broke apart he spoke rather huskily. "Soba?"

"You read my mind." Akari grinned.

After dinner, Touya followed Akari home to her apartment. They were resting against each other on the two sitter couch watching a movie on television. Touya had his arms around Akari's shoulders and Akari was leaning her head on his shoulder. They cuddled together peacefully and quietly just enjoying being in close together.

Akari smiled softly, her eyes growing heavier every minute while she felt Touya nuzzling his cheek on top of her head and planted a soft kiss on her hair. Feeling strangely comfortable in his presence, hence, the movie started to get rather vague and faraway, Akari's eyes closed all together falling into a peaceful slumber. For now, she will not worry about whether Touya was going to ask her for her hand in marriage. All it matters was she felt surprising comfortable with him even after she knew that he wanted her to be his wife. She will wait until he asks…

Touya turned his head slightly to see Akari sleeping quietly next to him. Her regular breathings were peaceful and her beautiful silky soft hair framing her divine beauty perfectly. With his other free hand, he moved over, touching her hair gently marveling at the soft silky tendrils that fall gently out of his hand.

Just for another few more moments to be close to her, Touya thought and cuddled her towards him intimately. Until the movie ended, only he carried her back to her room. Tug her into her bed gently, placed a gentle and almost feathery light kiss on her lips before he left her apartment to get home, his heart never felt more contented with his life before.

Clarification: Yuii is angry at Touya for neglating his relationship with her in the past, thinking that he was giving Akari more attention than he ever did with her. Though she didn't know that Touya didn't change at all. He was still into GO and because Akari had been always understanding in his interest and passion for GO, they got along just well. Where else Yuii had always been unsatisfied with him all the time. AND she wasn't Touya's type anyways when her true colours started showing...

Next chapter, Touya's parents will be coming into the scenes... LOL... let's see how it will be! Till next time...

Btw, if u read closely, you may see some resembles of this fic with my life story... tehehehe...

Thanks for supporting and reading this fic!