Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru No GO and its characters.
Hey, really thanks for taking the effort to review, to point out mistakes and also to give encouragements:) Kuruka, dgcl78, kickkid3, kika, Kisa is Dreaming, abc, DarkPortAtriedes, lalala, Kruez4eva, Xiar. Kisses and huggies to all :D Sorry that the previous chapter was so short, this one will be slightly longer. So thank you to all for reviewing and also those that read this fic.
This chapter is dedicated to Jamfase! Since that it is her idea, to write a chapter about what the GO society would think about Akari... so let's see how this chapter goes right ;)
Chapter 20
The person wrapped in a long black trench coat, walked through the mass of people in the busy street of Tokyo, in quick hurried strides. There was a brown envelope clasped under the person's arm tightly, the long dark hair floating in the air behind, trailing like a long dark train, while she speeds down the sidewalk ignoring the crowd.
Without anyone glancing at the dark person disappearing into a tall shimmering glass building, Yuii walked swiftly over to the lift and pressed for the publishing floor. In only take her seconds for her to reach her destination. She didn't even bother to look at the receptionist, who had to run after her because she swept passed the reception area, into the offices without informing who she was looking for.
"Miss, please you…."
Yuii burst into the office of the manager of the publishing company.
"I am so sorry sir, she…." The receptionist squeaked, bowing timidly over and over again.
"Don't worry Taiki-san." The Manager, who was sitting behind the huge office desk, calmly waved her away. The receptionist quickly left the office thankfully. "So we meet again Sugisa-san? So how can I help you?"
"I want you to publish this," Yuii said throwing the brown envelope on his desk. "And I need it to be front page in the local morning papers of Japan."
"Why, such huge publicity on this article?" The Manager asked taking the envelope and pulling the stack of papers out and raised his eyebrows at the content. "You want me to put this out as a scandal?"
"Is that how you see it?" Yuii smirked slightly, crossing her arms under her bosom and sat on the desk looking down at the manager, with an intimidating look on her face. "Then I may not be able to put it better myself."
"Why are you so threatened by a mere normal girl?" The manager chuckled softly putting the papers back into the envelope, not affected by her look one tiny bit. "If I am not mistaken you got yourself a pretty tough challenger."
"Don't," Yuii slammed both her hands down the desk and leaned over to the manager menacingly. "You know my father owns every company you run, don't you mock me or you will be working for the sewers the next day light you see."
"I wouldn't dare," He smiled calmly, placing the envelope back on the desk slowly and clasped both his hands together, placing them under his chin. "So, how soon do you want this article out?"
"As soon as tomorrow," Yuii said jumping off the desk and flipping her long black hair off her shoulders. "Make sure everything that is suppose to be front page tomorrow is push off to the second page!"
With that she stalked out the office and slammed the door shut.
"Whatever you say, your highness." The manager said disdainfully.
Early next morning….
"Akari-chan!" Mitani called anxiously. "What is this?"
Both of them had locked the front doors of Eternal Snow watching the reporters swarming the place like insects swarming over a small crumb of food. Akari looked paled and almost uncomfortable at the mob of people trying to get in.
"I think it is because of this!" Akari said remorsefully, showing Mitani the morning papers.
Mitani stared down at the headlines with wide eyes and gasped.
Is a Waitress Girl Worthy of Touya Akira the next Meijin GO Pro Player's Future Wife?
Akari buried her face in her hands, not knowing that her life would turned out to be a circus…
"Hey Touya," Hikaru shouted angrily. "What is the meaning of this!"
Touya was pretty shock at the headlines that morning was greeted instantly by his rival knocking at his front door. Hikaru smacked the newspaper he had brought along, furiously and rudely at Touya's front. Touya didn't flinch once as he continued to look into Hikaru's eyes without wavering. The newspaper flew everywhere and scattered around Touya's feet.
"I told you, if you do anything to…"
"Shindou, I have no idea about this." Touya cut Hikaru off in his sentence not wanting to start an unnecessary fight with him early that morning. His thoughts were more anxious about how Akari was reacting to this. "I am as surprise as you are!"
Hikaru took a deep breath before speaking again trying to calm his temper.
"Have you called Akari?"
"She didn't pick up her phone." Touya answered rather worriedly.
"I am going over to Eternal Snow." Hikaru said quickly turning away. "Are you coming?"
"Of course I am," Touya replied stepping out the house after grabbing his jacket and shut his door.
When they reached the place Akari works in, Hikaru pulled Touya back when they saw the mob of reporters trying to get in. Touya had a most distress look on his face, while he turned to Hikaru wondering why he stopped him from going forth.
"You will be crushed by those agitating mob of busybodies." Hikaru said. "We will try later."
"What can we do now?" Touya asked almost helplessly.
This moment when Akari needed her most and he can't do anything to help her.
"Wait until they disperse of course." Hikaru said dragging him away. "Don't worry, Akari will be fine as long as she keep herself inside the locked café."
"Where are we going now?"
"Hopefully your salon is not as crazy as it is here." Hikaru sighed as they walked away.
GO Weekly Publishing Centre…
"What do you think about Touya Akira with this unknown waitress girl?" Kurata asked.
He came by to the publishing centre to get the latest GO match manual of Ogata and Morishata on the Honinbou match.
"The last time, it was the rich girl whose father owns practically every large company in Japan." Amada replied. "But this time it was a surprise. He never mentioned her the last time we interviewed him after the match."
"Maybe he is embarrassed of her?"
"I don't think Touya-kun is that type of person who would be embarrassed of a person he is willing to marry." Amada said thoughtfully. "He seemed rather happy and contented when he talked about her."
"Really? That is interesting…"
"Maybe he didn't want to tell because he knew this may happen!" Amanda continued as he waited for GO manual to fax over.
Kurata laughed. "Touya can be really protective over the person he cares ne…."
The countryside….
"What a horrible thing to say about Akari-san!" Akiko exclaimed after reading the morning papers.
Touya Koyo only remained silent after having to read a very surprising news about Fujisaki Akari.
"They are being very unfair to her!"
"Akira did mention that, Fujisaki-san was the owner of this café…" Touya Koyo said slowly. "Whoever that wrote this news wasn't really that exact on the fact were they?"
"Whoever it is, I have a strangest feeling are trying to split Akira-kun and Akari-san up." Akiko uttered worriedly. "What are we to do?"
"Akira is a big boy; he should be able to handle his own matters…"
"You are right…"
GO Institute….
"Akira seemed to be getting a lot of lime light in this situation." Ogata said quietly after reading the newspaper and tossing it into the near by waste bin. "To marry a waitress? That is intriguing!"
"You really think that the girl is ONLY a waitress?" Kuwabara Honinbou replied suddenly appearing out of nowhere. "I don't think that kid would be so captivated by a girl who doesn't have any other divine attributes."
"Maybe…" Ogata replied rather unconcerned, taking out a cigarette and lit it.
"This is going to be rather fascinating…" Kuwabara Honinbou said and began walking away laughing.
GO salon….
"He is not here!" Ishikawa yelled heatedly at the reporters trying to force their way in. "Please leave this place at once!"
The guest in the salon looked rather amused and astounded at the mass amount of reporters trying to question Ishikawa. Ashiwara who had read the morning papers had immediately arrived at the salon too but the person he was looking for wasn't around.
"Where do you think he went?" Ashiwara asked. "I am his closest friend and I wasn't told of this?"
"He DIDN'T want to tell because of THIS!" Ishikawa cried angrily pointing at the rowdy horde of reporters trying to get through the locked automatic doors.
Their shouts were heard clearly through the door.
"Have you seen this girl?" Ashiwara asked curiously.
"Only a few times, she seemed like a nice one." Ichikawa replied. "Who cares if she is only a mere waitress?"
"Akira-kun seemed rather happy nowadays, I had always wondered why. Now I know."
"That girl had been the best thing that ever happened to him," Ichikawa crossed her arms at her front. "If I have to be cursing those people…." She nodded her head at the crowd. "…to help Akira-kun, I will!"
Ashiwara laughed. "So how does this girl look like?"
"If I could recall and if I am not mistaken," Ishikawa said thoughtfully. "I think she may be the girl that came here a couple of times. Long straight red hair and deep set burgundy eyes! I can say she looked really pretty, even though she was wearing a waitress outfit…"
"Oh so she is a waitress?" Ashiwara said as he nodded his head slowly. There was a pause and Ashiwara's eyes widened with surprise. "Wait…. Did you say red hair and burgundy eyes?"
"Yes why?"
Ashiwara suddenly smiled. "I think I saw her before too and I have to disagree with you Ishikawa-san…. She is not pretty."
"I never knew you have such high taste in girls Ashiwara-san..."
"Hey what is that suppose to mean?" Ashiwara asked rather annoyed but only last for a few seconds and he smiled. "I wanted to say she looked really beautiful that time I saw her."
Ishikawa raised her brows.
"It was the New Year Charity Ball I made Akira-kun attended last year, remember?" Ashiwara smiled. "He was dancing with this stunning lady with red hair and burgundy eyes. Every guy I knew in the ball was feasting their eyes at her. I am surprise Akira-kun got her out to dance. You know after what happened he had been avoiding girls and even when he does go out with girls, they never last. I saw him leaving the ball with her, so now I know."
"Yeah…" Ishikawa was rather sad at the previous relationship Touya had. "I really hope nothing bad will happen in this one…"
"Nothing will happen, Ishikawa-san!" One of the guests shouted.
Ishikawa and Ashiwara looked up and turned to see the guests had stopped playing their games and were listening to them intently. They looked at one another and laughed.
"Right, Akira-kun has lots of supporters, backing him up, I see…" Ashiwara said still chuckling.
"It is better than having none… Ashiwara-san!" Ichikawa giggled.
Eternal Snow Café…
The mop around the café did not disperse and it was making Akari rather nervous when cameras were flashing every few seconds in at her. Her glass interior around her café didn't give her anywhere to hide except the kitchen or the Staff Room.
Finally, Akari sat on the long bench in the Staff Room, looking rather dazed when Mitani came in. She looked at Akari rather sympathetically and sat down next to her.
"Akari-chan, I was thinking that it would be better if you take a few days off." Mitani finally said after a short silence between them. "The news will wear off and everything will be alright again."
"Mitani-oneechan, am I doing the right thing?"
Mitani was silent wondering why Akari asked that sudden question. For the first time, after so many years, she saw Akari looking lost and tired again. She frowned slightly.
"What do you think Akari-chan?"
"I don't know anymore," Akari whispered. "I just want a normal life…"
"Do you what to be with him?"
Akari turned to Mitani slowly. She was looking at her rather intently, which Akari found rather disturbing too. Why was everyone so curious about her relationship with Touya?
"I need to do some thinking…" Akari answered softly. "I think I'll take the few days off. Mitani-oneechan, the café…?"
"Don't worry, I am your right hand co-manager, I can handle anything." Mitani smiled at her.
"This café is my life Mitani-oneechan…" Akari sighed. "I worked hard for to build it up and I don't intend to see anything happen to it."
"You have my word that I will make sure nothing happens!"
"Thank you," Akari smiled for the first time that day.
Far away from the crowds…
"So that is why both of you are here hiding?" Waya asked rather skeptically reading the headlines of the morning papers. "Fujisaki-san, isn't that your friend from your childhood or something?"
"Hai," Hikaru answered with slight annoyance. "How many times have I got to explain to you?"
Hikaru and Touya had gone to the salon to see the same display and quickly retreated as far away as possible from the place. They ended up in Waya's small rented room. The whole Hikaru's gang was there, Isumi, Nase and Saeki were all practicing GO when they arrived.
Touya had actually disagreed on going since that he never got along with Hikaru's study group of friends. But he finally gave in when Hikaru dragged him half way through town.
He sat in one corner away from them, near the window looking out the bright sky rather quietly, while Hikaru explained to his friends what actually happened that morning.
Touya stared down at his mobile phone and tried dialing Akari's number again. The conversation between Hikaru and his friends were oblivious to him.
You have reached the voicemail…
Then he tried her home and no one answered either and was put into her message machine. Touya hung up without leaving any message and sighed inwardly in defeat. Why can't he get her at the most important period? He turned his attention out the window again the mobile phone still in his hand.
"Poor gal to be harassed by reporters like that," Nase said sympathetically. "I hope she will be alright."
"I hope we will be alright!" Hikaru moaned. "Akari is strong, she will be fine. We were nearly sandwiched by the whole lot of them. It was a lucky thing we got away."
"You should be more caring on your old friend Shindou." Waya said pouring everyone a cup of isotonic drink. "Besides a normal, ordinary girl wouldn't be able to take a sudden shock of her life."
"Trust me Akari is no normal girl." Hikaru replied, taking two cups from him and stood up.
He walked over to Touya and hand out one of the cups towards his face. Touya looked up at him in surprise and accepted the cup after a short hesitation.
"She will be alright," Hikaru reassured again.
Touya merely nodded once.
"Besides Touya-kun, you don't want this matter to ruin your concentration for your most important match coming up." Isumi smiled at him. "The Meijin title…."
Touya turned to the group with surprise. They were all having encouraging smile on their faces.
"Hate to say this, but it is better having you back on track Touya-kun." Saeki added in. "Morishita-sensei will sure kill me for saying this but I am going to say it anyways. Without the Touya clan in GO, there weren't much of a challenge is there? You are still one of the best there is."
"Touya clan?" Nase frowned at that statement. "You make him sound like some kind of colony. Anyways, Touya-kun… it had been a long time since we really see you bright and happy. So don't let this small little thing bother you."
Nase held up the Weekly GO with his interview in it and winked.
"Hehe, Saeki-san, I can blackmail you now." Waya said cunningly. "Wait till Morishita-sensei hear what you said."
"Don't you dare!" Saeki blanched slightly.
"Tage," Hikaru rolled his eyes. "Stopped it alright…." Before he could continue his sentence his mobile rang. "Moshi moshi? Mitani-oneechan?"
Touya turned to Hikaru hurriedly at hearing the only person that may know how Akari was at the moment. He watched Hikaru nodded as he listened to the phone before he hung up and turned to back to him again.
"Akari had managed to leave the café, Mitani-oneechan said she won't be working for a few days."
"Is she alright?" Touya asked anxiously standing up. "Where is she now? I want to see her!"
"There is one place I know she may be at this situation." Hikaru said thoughtfully.
The sun was setting. The bright yellow autumn sky grew faint gradually as the dimming light flicker its fading light through the branches of the maple trees. That place was Akari's sanctuary; it was quiet with rows of maple trees line neatly on both sides of the footpath. She stared up at the trees, the leaves that had already turned red and some yellow in the autumn season, falling on her. The footpath covered with the abundance of red maple leafs.
Touya had practically rushed over after Hikaru told him where Akari might be. He wished with all his heart that he was able to find her. When he got to the destination he was pleased beyond relieved to see her standing by the maple trees watching the leaves floating around her. Now, that he had seen her safe, Touya couldn't helped feeling slightly nervous at how she will react to him after such a distressing day and it was all because of him. He watched her not daring to go near her.
Akari was overwhelmed by the quietness and peacefulness of her childhood sanctuary. She had always loved this place even when she was younger. She watched the red maple leaves descent towards her swaying in the cooling breeze, enchanted by how gentle and graceful they were, even they were detached from their owners.
Akari chuckled slightly when a leaf landed on her face lightly. She held up her hand to remove it and looked down at the beautiful shade of red in her hand. All of a sudden, a strong gust of wind blew and Akari felt as if she was being watched. She turned, following the direction of the wind to see Touya standing a few feet away from her looking rather glum staring at her. She blinked and walked towards him slowly.
"Akira…?" Akari looked up at him when she closed the distance between them. "Why are you doing here? And what's wrong?"
"Shindou told me where I could find you, I never intended to give you any trouble Akari." Touya whispered looking away from her curious eyes. "I am really sorry for what happened today."
"It's not your fault…" Akari replied, softly too and looked down at the red maple leaf in her hand, before she let it fall to the ground. "Besides the news today wasn't exactly a lie. I am a waitress working in Eternal Snow."
"I don't care." Touya turned back to her briskly, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his eyes flashing. "Whoever that wrote that article have a lot of nerve! They will answer to me!"
Akari stared at Touya rather wide eyes at his outburst and gradually she smiled.
"It is alright Akira," Akari shook her head softly and giggled quietly. She stepped forward closer to Touya and reached out towards his head. Touya watched her slightly amazed at her actions. "You have a leaf on your hair…."
Akari removed it and displayed the red maple leaf clip between her fingers for Touya to perceive. When Touya saw the leaf between her fingers, he smiled softly.
"You know Akira, this place is my favourite spot to come think about things." Akari explained stepping back from him and looked up the trees. "It is quiet and peaceful, sort of like a safe haven to me."
"You had been doing a lot of thinking Akari, what is your conclusion about…" Touya closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again and finished his sentence. "…us?"
Akari turned back to Touya her eyes wide, her face flushed slightly. Touya was watching her with so much intensity, her heart skipped several beats.
"Akira," Akari began speaking slowly turning away from his intense gaze. "Hikaru had been the only boy in my life since childhood and I had never cared for anyone else like how I cared for him before."
Touya felt his heart ached at hearing this.
"Until you came along," Akari turned back to him, smiling gently. "You had shown me how to open up again and I feel very comfortable when you're around. It is a feeling as if I am really safe and nothing will happen to me."
"Akari, what are you trying to tell me?" Touya's heart raced, wondering if Akari was thinking the same as he was.
"You made me realized my dreams and brought me so many happy memories." Akari continued and edged closer to Touya. "Happy memories filled with the things we had done together and I had no intentions of forgetting or letting go."
Akari wrapped her arms around Touya slowly and gently, closing every inch there was between his and her body. She relaxed her head soothingly on his shoulder, planting a soft gentle kiss on it. Touya could feel her gentle kiss burning through his clothes to his skin. He sighed softly, feeling contented.
"This is the shoulder I had cried on." Her voice was so soft and gentle but Touya heard her. She kissed his shoulder again and continued. "You were there for me when I needed someone to consult in and I am never this happy in my entire life before! I am truly happy to have met you Akira."
Gradually Touya wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer still to his body. He felt like enveloping himself into her warm presence. At this point, he felt like he couldn't get enough of her. He nuzzled his nose on her silky soft hair, his embraced tightened.
"I…" Akari stammered, voice was slightly hoarse and was barely a whisper. "I… I love you too…"
Touya couldn't believe his ears when he picked up Akari's soft raspy voice. It was so soft that normally no one would have taken any heed to it but he heard her as if she had said it out loud and clear. He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes in his wide startled ones.
Akari looked up at him timidly, her cheeks slightly flashing crimson. She smiled rather diffidently at him, reaching one hand towards his face and rests it on his cheek gently.
"Gomen, I took so long to realize it." Akari continued.
"Iie," Touya whispered lowering his head gradually towards her, gently giving her a lingering kiss on her forehead.
Akari's hand on Touya's cheeks slid towards the back and twirled around his neck, leaning in to the kiss, closing her eyes gradually falling into the warmth red glow she was feeling in her heart. He was now kissing the tip of her nose before he placed another kissed on her jaw close to her lips. His kisses were so warm it melted every inch of her.
"I promise you that I will get the Meijin title." Touya whispered, his warm breath, giving Akari a pleasant tinkling feeling on her skin near her lips. "It will be an engagement gift for you and me."
Akari laughed softly and nodded.
"I even got an engagement ring specially made for you," Touya continued his kisses to her neck. "Will you wait till then?"
"Hai," Akari mumbled, her eyes still closed completely engulfed into the warm red glow that surrounded her tremendously. It was giving her so much contentment she was not letting it go. "I will wait no matter how long it takes."
Upon hearing that Touya lifted his head from her neck and descend his lips on Akari's, capturing Akari fully on her lips giving her a kiss filled with urgency and passion. Their embraced tightened and Akari returned his kiss with the same intensity he imparted.
Unknown to the couple tangled in their passionate embrace, not far from where they were standing, two eyes narrowed wrathfully watching their adoring display. Those eyes filled with so much hatred that it could burn a hole through any solid material.
Without a word and still remained unnoticed, Yuii whirled away from them and glide off silently. More plans flashed promptly through her mind to break that couple and she will die trying. Nobody walks away from her without compensation and she swore with all her heart, Touya Akira will pay for doing just that.
She was furious and aggravated that her plan didn't go as she had thought. Akari was more understanding or may be love Touya even more than she had thought. She had to do something to mislead her or make her loose that trust she had for Touya.
"This time I will hit him where it hurt most!"
Getting into her red Porsche, Yuii started the car and accelerate on the pedal instantly and disappeared into the setting sun.
TBC
Gomen, gomen! I didn't mean to spoil this chapter by putting Yuii in the end... but since she will be appearing more often now... so I guess it is about to get use to her cruelty MUAHAHAHA (laugh cruelly). Every story has to have a bad character or there won't be a story to write anymore... tehehe... next chapter will be put next week!
Till next time and thanks for reading!