Disclaimer:I don't own Hikaru No GO
Special thanks to all that took their time to review, abc, Chidoriochibi, There is no PenName, Yuuyami, T-shirt, Kuruka, 54321, Haruka Akira and Kickkid3. And thanks to those who had been supporting and reading this fic too.
Have a Happy New Year to all and enjoy your holidays
Hope everyone likes this chapter...
Chapter 29
Touya had never felt winter being so cold and long before while he walked down the streets of Tokyo city. With a bouquet of small daisies in his hand, he walked into the hospital where Yuii might be staying. That driver who hit Yuii had mentioned that he would send her to the one and only government hospital in Tokyo. Since medical service was free in the government hospital, Touya thought the driver had most likely done so, given that no one wanted to pay costly medical fees.
He went up to the reception to ask for the inquiries and his intuitions were correct. There was a Sugisa Yuii registered in this hospital a few days back and the date was the day of the accident. After getting information on the room number and the direction how to get there, Touya strode casually down the hall.
When he reached the destination, Touya was surprised to see the door was opened. Usually, patients in the private rooms would prefer their door closed for either privacy or quietness. When he stepped inside, he was greeted by a rather darkly lit room since the window curtains were drawn and the lights were off.
He stood by the door watching Yuii who had not noticed his presence because her head was turned away from the door. While staring at the curtains, she was resting her head on the over-bed-table drawn towards her. The side of her cheek was resting on it and her arms lay limply at the side of her body Her long black hair spread out everywhere on the bed and table.
"How are you?" Touya finally asked by the door.
Very slowly, Touya watched Yuii lifted her head from that table and gradually turned to him; her expression void but her eyes glassy and hard, while she looked at him.
"Why are you here?" Yuii asked rather wryly after a moment of silence. "To see whether I am dead?"
Touya did not answer her sarcastic question. He walked into the room and placed the flowers on the table, in front of her. Without a word, he turned around and was about to walk out when Yuii spoke.
"Why are you doing this?"
Touya stopped by the door and turned back slightly.
"I just thought maybe it would cheer you up if I come to see you," Touya replied.
"You don't care, so why bother."
"Because I know the feelings for not being able to be with the person you love and care about."
Yuii's eyes softened slightly and gradually tears appeared in her eyes.
"I am so sorry…" Yuii whispered looking away.
"It's too late to be sorry Sugisa-san." Touya answered, but not as harshly as before. "Even though I may forgive you, I will not forget what you had done."
Yuii nodded with a small smile. "Domo, for coming here today, Touya-san."
"You're welcome, do you want me to contact Kazusa-san for you."
"He already came by not long before you arrived." Yuii answered. "The meeting didn't go very well, but he says he will come back."
A short silence pursued for a moment before Yuii reached to the side table to get something and she held out a handkerchief to Touya.
"I think this is yours since the driver who hit me, told me that it did not belong to him," she paused for a second. "The nurse had washed it before returning it to me. Is it yours?"
Touya nodded and took the handkerchief from her.
"On your way out, please close the door for me; Shinji must have forgotten when he left in a hurry." Yuii smiled slightly.
"Hai, sayonara Sugisa-san." Touya walked towards the door, walked out and shut it softly.
Walking away from the room in swift collected strides, Touya knew that he might never see Yuii again after today and strangely he didn't feel happy, either remorse over it but refreshed. It was a new day to something much better and Touya's conscience was at rest after visiting her. Maybe, after hearing Yuii said something like 'He will come back…' had brought so much hope to his heart that Akari will return to him again.
After a tiring day of skiing, Kuniko was resting at the lounge near the fireplace with Akari. Both of them watched the fire burning merrily in the hearth while warming their freezing body satisfactorily. Kuniko was rather disappointed that no matter how hard she tried she could not persuade Akari to come back to Tokyo. She could tell that Akari may want to stay here, in this inn, as long as it took to forget whatever happened. That would be forever since Akari was not the type who forgets easily.
"You can stay another day if you want, Kuniko-chan" Akari said putting her hand close towards the fire to warm them up.
"I can't, my firm needs me to take on another case as soon as I get back to Tokyo." Kuniko replied rather regretfully. "I wish I could really. It is lovely here."
"Yes, it is," Akari smiled softly.
"Akari-chan, your life is back in Tokyo." Kuniko began but Akari sighed and cut her off.
"No Kuniko-chan, we are not going through that talk again."
Kuniko shut her mouth and pursed her lips in irritation. Why is she so stubborn?
However, their little conversation didn't continue when Akari's cousin Yumi came into the lounge holding onto a huge brown envelope with a huge grin on her face. She strode over to them and flopped down on a two-sitter couch.
"I need to talk to you, Akari."
"What is it Yumi-nee?" Akari turned towards her cousin curiously at her enthusiastic expression.
"Ah well, I should be getting some rest since I'll have to get up early tomorrow." Kuniko said getting up from the floor. "I'll see you in the morning Akari-chan."
"Gomen, Kuniko-chan…"
"Don't worry oyasumi…"
"Oyasuminasai," Akari replied and watched Kuniko strode over to the stairs to the guests' rooms of the inn before she turned to her cousin. "Can't that wait, Yumi-nee? Kuniko-chan is leaving tomorrow anyways."
"Well, I got all excited and besides Tsuda-san didn't need to leave." Yumi shrugged and patted the seat next to her. "Come; let's talk about your life."
"Can't anyone leave my life alone?" Akari was getting tired of all the lectures she was getting. "I know what I am doing!"
Kuniko stalled on the way up the steps when she heard something about Akari's life. She took several steps down again and listened into the conversation to see what it was all about.
"Of course, we have to talk about your life." Yumi insisted and waited for Akari to get up from the floor and slump down rather forcefully next to her on the couch. "You are planning to stay here forever right?"
Akari shrugged. "Yeah, maybe…"
"Then, we have to plan your future!" Yumi continued while taking out a file from the envelope and passing it to her. "This is your future!"
Kuniko finally came down from the stairs and peered out from the corner of the wall trying to see, hiding her presence perfectly.
"What is this?" Akari asked flipping open the file halfheartedly.
"A matchmaking ceremony…" Yumi exclaimed excitedly. "This boy is around your age, career wise very successful and nice personality…"
Akari looked at her cousin incredulously. Kuniko nearly gasped but quickly covered her hand over her mouth to avoid making any sound. Very swiftly, she moved away from the wall and back up the stairs again in hurried but quiet steps. The first thing she gets back to Tokyo was getting hold of Touya as fast as possible.
In Tokyo, everything went on with the usual routine in Touya's life. GO match, GO discussion, GO salon and playing GO with Hikaru. With Akari absence, he had resumed back to his normal lifestyle which was playing GO only. After meeting Akari, Touya's life was filled with many new extraordinary occasions, which caused his lifestyle to change slightly. Now, he went back to the way it was and Touya felt so empty.
Before meeting Akari, Touya never knew how lonely his life was. Now that he had resumed back to his normal daily routine of his usual life, Touya felt it. Being lonesome was something he had never felt before and Touya was sure he hated the loneliness now that he had a taste of it.
After staying his whole day at the GO salon, Touya went home to his solitude home and was greeted coldly by his huge empty house. How he missed the way Akari popping out to the hall to greet him in her cheerful way, whenever he came home. Touya sighed and headed up the stairs to his room.
He scanned his clean and tidy room when he pushed the door opened. It had always been the same, except now his room felt rather cold and empty. Everything was in order, nothing out of place except for a strange sight in his tidy room was Buffoon placed in the centre of his bed. With a small smile, Touya went over to the bed to pick it up. Buffoon had been keeping him company this passed month but he wished that it were Akari instead of this soft toy.
The sun had risen up the sky indicating a new day for Akari and the day for Kuniko to return to Tokyo. Akari stood outside, next to the van, sending her best friend off.
"Don't hesitate to come back to Tokyo when you are ready Akari-chan." Kuniko hugged Akari before she left. "Please make up your mind quick!"
"Don't worry about me Kuniko-chan; I know when I am ready." Akari hugged her in return.
"Alright, don't forget to call alright." Kuniko knocked Akari's head playfully. "I still need to know how you are getting on with your life."
"Yes I will and call me as soon as you reach Tokyo safely."
"I will, I hope to see you soon Akari-chan," Kuniko said and climbed up the van. "Ja-ne…"
Akari watched the van drove down the hill until it was out sight before she strode back into the inn. That was the second time she sent her friends off. With a slight tired sigh, Akari walked into the dining area to help carry out breakfast for the guests.
Ichikawa was by the counter reading the magazine when the automatic doors slid opened and she looked up to be greeted by a lady that may be around Touya's age. Her hair was short and she was wearing a formal suit like those who worked in a corporation.
"Summimesen, I was wondering if I am able to see Touya-kun…"
"Akira-kun is having a game with Shindou-kun right now."
"Shindou-kun is here too?" The lady raised her eyes and smiled. "That will be great; I am Tsuda Kuniko, friend of both of them. I just need to talk to Touya-kun."
"Oh," Ichikawa raised her eyebrows and came out from the counter. "Please follow me."
Kuniko followed Ichikawa to the side of the salon where Touya and Hikaru usually had their normal games. They both looked up when Ichikawa brought Kuniko to them.
"Hi guys," Kuniko grinned.
"I will bring tea." Ichikawa said.
"Arigatou," Kuniko bowed slightly at her before she turned back to the boys again. "How are you?"
"How is your trip?" Hikaru asked pointedly.
"Alright," Kuniko shrugged and took a sit at the other table next to the one Touya and Hikaru were in. "I came because I thought Touya-kun may like to hear more about Akari-chan."
"How is she?" Touya asked rather anxiously. He will never get bored in asking that question.
"The same but…" Kuniko pulled out her gloves from her hands.
At that time Ichikawa came with tea and Kuniko turned to her to thank her again. When she went back to the counter, Touya quickly asked again.
"But what?"
"You won't really like to hear the news this time." Kuniko looked up at Touya.
"Is she alright, she is not hurt, is she?" Touya was at the edge of his seat this time.
"Iie," Kuniko shook her head. "I wonder if getting hurt is worst news than going for a matchmaking ceremony."
"A WHAT?" Hikaru and Touya shouted at the same time.
"Matchmaking ceremony, you know sort of like a blind date, a arrange boyfriend, a…."
"We know what a matchmaking ceremony is!" Hikaru shouted heatedly. "Akari will never agree to something like that! I know her too well!"
"I don't know if she agreed or not because I didn't hear the rest of the conversation." Kuniko replied. "I only heard until the part of the matchmaking ceremony."
"Where?" Touya asked suddenly feeling his heart had practically stopped for the hundredth time that few months. "When?"
"At her place I think…" Kuniko shrugged. "When? I really didn't hear that part either."
"Tsuda, you really have to tell us where Akari went." Hikaru said rather urgently. "You are not helping Touya very much if you continue to keep it a secret."
"I am sworn to secrecy but you are not, Shindou-kun." Kuniko said acutely.
"Me?" Hikaru frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Where does Akari-chan usually hide herself when she suffers from depression?" Kuniko asked that question rather pointedly. "You know, ice skating…"
"Ice skating, yeah like that is going to help… oh…" Hikaru's eyes widened, when realization hit him.
Touya turned to Hikaru sensing that he may know something.
"Jeez all this time…!" Hikaru cursed. "Damn it Tsuda! You are brilliant!"
"You didn't hear anything from me." Kuniko said indifferently, stood up and put her gloves back on. "I didn't say anything and I need to go back to work. Ja-ne…"
"Yo, arigatou!" Hikaru shouted at her anyways, while she walked towards the exit.
She raised her hand up in a waving gesture without turning around.
"What is going on Shindou?" Touya burst out rather anxiously.
"I think I know where Akari went." Hikaru grinned. "All this time, I must be a baka not to realize it."
"You do?" Touya leaned over to his rival.
"Akari had a habit to return to her grandma's place at Hokkaido when she is upset." Hikaru said explained. "Just like when she could never skate again, she disappeared for almost six months and never returned!"
"Sapporo…" Touya whispered suddenly remembering Akari's sister did mention that once to him before when he met her. "She went to Sapporo?"
Before Hikaru could answer his question, Touya was already on his feet and walked towards the exit swiftly. Hikaru got up after him.
"Wait, Touya!" Hikaru cried out urgently.
Touya turned to him rather impatiently at the counter. Hikaru walked over to the counter, picked up a pen, tore a piece of paper out of the guest notebook and gained a glare from Ichikawa. He ignored her and wrote something on it.
"You may need this." Hikaru said passing him the note.
Touya took the note and look at it. It was the address to Akari's home in Sapporo. Touya looked up, rather lost for words.
"You don't intend to look for her everywhere in Sapporo, do you?" Hikaru quipped and then smiled. "And you are welcome."
Touya smiled back and left the salon. Hikaru watched his rival leaving the salon hurriedly and shook his head slightly. He knew better than waiting for Touya to thank him. Even Touya couldn't say it out loud, Hikaru knew that Touya was grateful beyond words for his help.
Freezing breeze blew around the mountains and Itoe pulled her thick jacket closer to her body. There was another short blizzard the night before and the drive was covered in snow again. After adjusting her jacket, she pulled out the shovel that she had dug into the ten centimeters high snow and started shoveling the drive.
She was distracted from her task again when she saw a small figure hiking up towards the inn, gradually getting bigger. She blinked trying to see pass the glaring light caused by the morning sun. However, she didn't need to ponder long when a rather good looking man stood before her. She blinked and gaped at him slightly. She knew this person…
"Ano, I…"
"You must be Touya-san…" Itoe gasped out loud in shock.
Touya had the longest hike in his life up the mountains towards the address Hikaru had written for him. He had asked many people for directions when he reached Sapporo, where the locals had told him that this was the address to a skiing inn. Akari never mentioned that her grandma owned a skiing inn and therefore he was rather surprised at the news.
When the inn came to view, after a really long climb, Touya was really glad. The place was deserted and so quiet that it actually made Touya wondered if there was anyone staying nearby at all. When he saw the first person after a long solitary walk, he never knew he could be so happy. That little girl who was wrapped rather snuggly in a thick jacket, her head covered in a snowcap, was looking at him in awe and when she gushed out his name, Touya was rather speechless.
"Hajimemashite…" Itoe bowed. "I am Fujisaki Itoe, Akari-nee's cousin. You may call me Itoe."
"Is Akari here?" Touya asked hopefully.
"Hai," Itoe nodded vigorously once. "She is inside, er... she…"
"I heard about the matchmaking ceremony…" Touya said, not caring if he sounded rude. "When is it?"
"Today," Itoe answered. "And right now…"
Touya paled and headed towards the inn.
"I will show you in," Itoe cried, running up towards him and Touya gave her a short curt nod.
Akari looked bored sitting in one of their private dining rooms in the inn. She was poked rather rudely awake by Yumi early in the morning to get ready for the ceremony. Now she was trying to hide a yawn that was building up. She looked sideways at her older cousin to see that she was actually enjoying this whole thing.
She loves to torture me, Akari thought irately. I didn't even agree to it.
She looked sideways at her grandma who looked rather bored too. Akari knew that her grandma never really agreed on such an arranged meeting but since Yumi had already organized the whole thing and she, as her guardian, had no choice but to attend. She was smiling kindly at them.
"So Akari-san why don't you tell us what you like?" The boy's parents asked.
"I…" Akari blinked. "I play GO for my past time."
"GO," The boy smiled. "That is interesting…"
Akari smiled weakly but the smile was soon wiped off totally. She found herself rather unable to smile when she saw the shoji door of the private dining room slid opened by Itoe, with Touya standing behind her. Everyone in the room went quiet.
"Summimesen…" Itoe said shyly.
Akari stood up immediately and bowed.
"I am sorry about this, but please excuse me…"
Akari looked up and glared at Itoe who shrink back slightly. She walked over to the door and slid it shut as soon as she stepped out. She turned to Itoe again.
"You…"
"I still need to shovel snow at the drive!" Itoe squeaked and ran off.
"Matte…" Akari cried out in exasperation.
Since Itoe didn't want Akari to blow her head off, she dashed away so quickly that she looked almost like the roadrunner from Warner Brothers in Cartoon Network. After Itoe disappeared around the corner, Akari turned to Touya slowly and both of them looked at one another unable to say anything.
"Come with me please…" She said finally and walked away from the private dining room.
Touya cursed himself for being tongue tight after he finally was able to see Akari again. He wanted so badly to talk to her, to explain what actually happened that night and, now, when he had a chance he was speechless. She didn't change at all but maybe she had lost some weight. Touya walked slightly behind her watching her intently. She was dressed in a casual kimono without many designs on it and her hair was tied up in a bun. It maybe because of this meeting today she was dressed traditionally. She looked so beautiful and Touya had missed her so much. He had to fight down the urge to grab her and crush her body towards his.
Finally, they both reached the rather lifeless garden behind a small traditional house where, Touya guessed, Akari and her relatives sleep in. There was a small frozen pond where Touya had seen before in the video clips that Akane had shown him a year ago.
Akari turned around to face him again, looking rather weary.
"Why are you here, Touya-kun?"
Touya nearly cringed when he heard Akari using such a formal way to address him again.
"I came to see you… Aka…Fujisa…" Touya couldn't make himself calling Akari so formally again. He shut his eyes tightly for a moment, opened them again and continued in a rather determine voice. "I came to see you Akari."
"How did you find this place?" Akari looked away, staring out to the frozen pond.
"Shindou gave me the address." Touya answered and he saw a small smile formed on Akari's lips. She must be thinking how Hikaru had finally remembered where she might be. "Akari please let me explain. That night with Sugisa…"
"Touya-kun, as long as I always remember that, I can't make myself to go back to Tokyo…" Akari cut him off softly. "It'd always been invading my thoughts and I really want to forget, but…"
"Akari!" Touya grabbed both her arms to turn her around to face him. "Even if I told you that it was an accident? She came into the house unwelcome, Akari! I told her to leave! She refused, there was an argument and there was a struggle, we fell… on the…"
"Iie!" Akari cried, pulling away from him, shutting her eyes tight. "Don't remind me!"
There was a short pause when Akari finally opened her eyes looking rather pain. Touya stepped towards her again but she backed away. Finally, Touya gave up on trying getting near her and stood where he was. He didn't want to make Akari run away from him again. This was the least he could do was not to scare her now.
"What are you doing today?"
"Matchmaking…" Akari answered shortly and lifelessly.
"I can see that," Touya cried out exasperatedly. "But why? Why did you agree to such a thing?"
Akari remained silent and went back to staring at the frozen pond.
"Akari!" Touya called her in a warning tone.
"I may be staying here forever, and Yumi-nee decided that it is better to plan for my future."
Touya frowned. "I will never let you stay here."
"You can't force me to!" Akari nearly yelled, turning to look at him rather irately.
"Ano…" A voice behind them stopped their conversation.
They turned to see Yumi had come out to get them.
"Obaba had cancelled the matchmaking ceremony." Yumi answered. "Come on inside."
They watched Yumi walking back inside and Akari started to follow her slowly. She took several steps before she turned back to Touya slightly.
"Come inside, it's freezing out here and you must be cold after hiking all the way up here." Akari said in a monotone voice, she then turned away again and headed indoors.
Touya followed her silently and, as soon as he entered the house, he was greeted warmly by an elderly lady who he assumed must be Akari's grandma. Yumi was standing next to her.
"Touya-kun ne…" Akari's grandma smiled. "I would love it if you could join us for dinner tonight. But for now, please excuse me. I need to get back to work. Akari, please bring Touya-kun to our house and get the guestroom ready for him. You are excused from all your work for today so you can show Touya-kun around the place."
"Hai," Akari answered and Touya bowed politely at her grandma.
After Akari's grandma left, Yumi stepped forward and bowed. Touya bowed again.
"Hajimemashite, Hamono Yumi." She said. "I am Akari's older cousin."
Then it was very soon followed by another warm welcome from Itoe whom Touya had met earlier. As soon as Yumi walked away, Itoe bounced up to them in a cheerful grin, which reminded Touya how Akari used to smile. She bowed politely at him too.
"Welcome to Yamada Inn." Itoe greeted. "Touya-san…"
Touya bowed, feeling like a puppet now and when he looked up there was another boy with slight resemblance to Akari, standing next to Itoe. He smiled at Touya too and bowed slightly. Touya did likewise. Now, Touya understood where Akari's tradition came from.
"Fujisaki Inoue, Itoe's older brother. Akari-nee's cousin too." He said. "Please enjoy your stay." And then he ushered Itoe away.
"Nani?" Itoe hissed at him. "Oniichan."
"To the horse shed," Inoue whispered back, pushing his sister's back slightly.
"Iie!" Itoe practically screamed. "I am afraid of horses!"
"Too bad, you are helping me today." Continued to push her out of the hall.
Akari turned around slightly to look at Touya who was slightly taken aback by such a warm welcome from her relatives. On the way here, he was slightly afraid that they may kick him out as soon as he stepped in the house for hurting Akari. Instead, they had greeted him like an honor guest, maybe a soon-to-be-family-member, and they allowed him to stay in the family house guest room.
"Come with me," Akari smiled slightly.
Touya followed Akari silently as she walked out of the hall, into a small cozy lounge of the inn and towards a door that had a 'no entry' sign on it. She opened it and stepped into a short passageway that connected to their traditional family house. Their house was very small but looked really neat and cozy. Akari led him through a row of bedrooms along the corridor and she stopped in front of the last shoji door.
"This will be your room while you stay here." Akari said. "I am sharing a room with Itoe-chan just two doors away yours."
She stepped inside and pulled out a tatami from one of the closet and placed it in a corner of the room. Then she turned to Touya who still stood by the door watching. She took a deep breath and smiled at him slightly.
"Aren't you coming in to put your things away?" Akari asked. "Obaba treats you like her family if she had asked you to stay here in the family house. Are you refusing to stay here?"
"Iie, it is not that…" Touya replied and walked in. "I am surprised at their warm welcome and that's all."
"They are very friendly people." Akari answered and stood up, ready to leave.
Touya slid the shoji door shut to stop her. Akari's eyes widened while she backed away.
"Aren't you going to forgive me?" Touya stepped forward.
"You are already forgiven Touya-kun." Akari whispered moving further away from him until she backed into the wall. The room wasn't really big so Akari did have a problem avoiding him. "It is just that I can't forget…"
"But it really is an accident!" Touya explained, walking closer to Akari until he could trap her by putting his hands up against the wall at the sides of her head. "Akari, I was happy to see all your relatives treat me like their family, greet me warmly and welcome me to their home. It reminded me so much on how you greet me every time I come home."
"Tou…"
"Hush…" Touya put a finger on her lips gently. "I really missed that. I missed everything that involved you. Now, every time I reach home I am greeted by the emptiness. Akari, I need you to come home with me, please…."
"I need more time…" Akari whispered.
"How much more time?" Touya asked softly leaning closer into her.
"I don't know…" Akari replied equally softly, staring into his eyes.
"Please don't take too long, Akari…" His lips were grazing hers now. "I miss you so badly…"
"I…" Akari mumbled and she closed her eyes while giving in to the longing in her heart; she missed him too. But, they were rudely interrupted by a distant bell from the inn and her eyes snapped opened again. With all her guard back intact, she escaped from his trap. "That is lunch…"
Akari moved away from him quickly and Touya shut his eyes tightly, his forehead fell forwards on to the wall, his hands clutched into fists. Why? Why had lunch got to come in such a bad timing! Touya cursed inwardly and he straightened up. He nearly made her give in to him but that stupid bell had to ring! He turned to the door to see that Akari was already outside of the room and she waited for him, avoiding his eyes contact.
TBC
There, Akari and Touya had finally met! The chapter that everyone had been waiting for. How was it? Well, I will try to post up the next chapter again asap.
Improvements of the chapter goes to the beta reader who proof read this chapter. Thank you very much for her hardwork.
And thank you to all that read this fic!