Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru no Go.
Chapter 36 : Be with you...Always
" Let go of me! Where are we going again?" Struggling, Hikaru yelled loudly with frustration, " What are you doing? It hurts! Let go of me!"
Glaring at the blonde intensely, Akira uttered seriously with his unyielding game face, " I'm going to show you,"
" Show me what?" the green-eyed pro tried hard to strive to be free but the Kaio boy was stronger than she had ever imagined.
" Show you that it's not just a fancy word!" Akira declared determinedly as he dragged her out the park. I won't let you be miserable like this, I won't let you quit Go either!
" Touya?" Hikaru read the sign in front of the house. The Touya's residence was a huge Traditional Japanese manor house with a very large Japanese garden in the front, the path to the house was covered with premium small white stones, the house itself was even bigger than the Isumis's house. This is his house? What the hell we are doing here? She was obviously confused, " Touya-kun?"
Akira turned deaf to her voice, he brought out his key and unlocked the door. Then he trudged heavily into his house, pulling the baffled girl in with him.
The blonde was very upset…very very upset. She had tried to escape from him all along the way here but he tugged her back. Touya Akira could be strong if he wanted to be. She hated to accept that in the end girl was no match for boy in a physical combat. So, she had no choice but reluctantly let the prodigy drag her along across the city to his house.
" AH!" Hikaru exclaimed as she almost tripped over. Akira kept pulling her hand, urging her to go inside the house, he didn't have a tendency to wait for her to remove her shoes, " Wait! Touya-kun! What are we doing here? At your house?" she demanded. Arrz! My hand! Stop pulling me! Will You?
The 2-Dans didn't say anything in answer, he led his gloomy friend along the hallway. In the end, they reached a room, he quickly slid the sliding paper door and finally opened his mouth at last, " This is why we're here," he hauled her into the room.
It was a large traditional room, scrolls were on the wall, antique plates were on the shelf, the stunned girl swore she could even smell the delicate scent of Tatami which covered the floor.
" Sit here," Pointing at the floor, Akira instructed dryly.
" What? Who do you think you are? To order me like that!" Hikaru whined childishly.
" Sit," Glaring forcefully, the future-Meijin spoke resolutely.
Seeing the determined expression on his face, the newly pro gritted her teeth angrily, yet, she sat down as she was told. Touya! You! Commanding Baka! And why the hell do I sit as he orders me too anyway? What's wrong with me?
The strong-minded boy took a seat opposite her and carefully laid down a Kaya Goban between them.
A Goban?
" Let's play," he firmly told her.
What? " Didn't you listen to me?" The annoyed 1-Dan said with frustration, " I-don't-want-to-play-anymore," she spoke slowly as if she was talking with a 3 year-old boy. Does he ever listen to what other people say? God! And I think that I'm the most stubborn person in this planet!
" Let's play," Speaking with a dark tone, Akira insisted.
" No! I'm leaving!" Hikaru shouted back crossly and hurriedly got up, " Ah!" She exclaimed as the boy quickly grabbed her hand.
" Play," Looking into her eyes, Akira ordered.
Arrz! " Fine!" Uttering with irritation, the bleached bangs girl grudgingly agreed and huffily sat down again. Do you want to play that much, huh? Fine! I'll kick your ass! She swiftly took a Go jar and slapped some stones on the board, " Nigiri,"
Then, they Nigiri, Hikaru won Black, Akira got White.
So, the game began.
Be prepared! Touya Baka! Sai's little sister played her first hand. Upper-left Komoku!
/Pachi/
/Pachi/ her rival countered her move at once.
! Instead of defending, he attacks back? Look like he couldn't wait to play this game. All right! We'll jump into the fight then!
/Pachi/
/Pachi/
So, they played the game rapidly, each move took only a second as if they were playing a speed Go.
Come to think of it, this is the first time we play against each other
/Pachi/
/Pachi/
…. The 2 games I played at your Go salon, the 2 games on the net…That's Sai, not me. But this is me, Touya-kun, this is the real Shindou Hikaru. Touya-kun, For you and me, this is the first real battle.
/Pachi/ she countered Akira's hand.
Left, huh? Then I have to hit her…here!
/Pachi/
If I back down, he'll get the advantage. Then I have to jump out and play here!
/Pachi/
/Pachi/
Realizing that his opponent perfectly destroyed his trap, the genius boy studied the game. She reads it instantly, the same strength as the upper Dans. Your ability that I wanted to know, it's as I expected, there is no doubt, you are my eternal rival!
/Pachi/
/Pachi/ the blonde aggressively struck him back.
Eh! Hikaru's green eyes opened wide with shock as she sensed Sai's presence, even if it lasted only a second but the feeling, it was definitely Sai. Sai. She turned back to check if her beloved brother was standing behind her or not. Unfortunately, he wasn't there, there was only emptiness. Turning around to look at the game, she stared at it; at each stone on the board, both black and white, at each line, both 19 vertical and 19 horizontal lines.
…………..
Then, unconsciously, the tears of yearning started to stream down her face again. I finally found you, the Sai who I couldn't find anywhere. You're here, above the board I face, within the Go I play. You've been hiding here all along,haven't you? Sai…the only way to see you is…to play Go, right? Brother? As long as I play, you'll be here, with me, right?
Not only Hikaru who was dazed by that move, so did Akira. I…I recognize this style…. " I see his shadow in you," Stunned, he uttered faintly. The other shadow that hides within you, the one I've always been looking for, " Your brother…your teacher…it's him, isn't it?" She is his student? " It's Sai,"
! Touya-kun found Sai too! The Sai that only I'm aware of his being, Touya-kun found Sai…within me. Hikaru's tears of joy flew even faster when she heard the statement. Sai, you are really here, aren't you? As long as I play, we will be together, right? Together forever…
" Shin…," Looking up from Goban, the boy gasped in tremor once he just realized that his friend was crying… again! She's crying again! " Shin…Shindou! What is it?" he asked in panic as he moved the pricey board away and moved closed to her, " Wh…What have I done? Did…Did I say something wrong?" Is it because I mentioned of him? " I'm sorry, please don't cry?"
/The door opened/
It appeared that both of them were absorbed in their thought too deep to notice that they got a company…Well, actually, 2 companies.
Since the first day Akiko met her husband, he had already been a Go player, a well-known 9-Dans. They knew each other through her aunt who was perfectly willing to be a matchmaker, she strongly recommended Kouyo to her and her parents.
20 years ago,
" He is a good man, a very famous Go player," her aunt enthusiastically informed them, " Plus, the Touyas Family is very wealthy too, it's not easy to find a perfect man like this nowadays, you know," she grinned with satisfaction.
" …Well, there's the only way to find out if he is perfect as you say or not," Akiko's father said, " Akiko, why don't you judge him by yourself?"
" Eh?"
" There is no harm in meeting and talking with the man," Giving her his approval smile, he told her.
Although he didn't say it directly, the young Akiko realized in that very moment that her father had come into a decision. A permission to meet a man through the arrangement was an unspoken consent to marry him. She was going to marry through the arranged marriage then.
It was the time that the young couldn't say no to their parents and followed their own heart. Akiko too didn't dare to stand up against her father , she had to marry this man, this Touya Kouyo. Until today, she still wondered why her parents choose this hushed man for her? Was it because he was a good man? Or was it because he had a good career? Or was it because of his money?
Though, she didn't know what they saw in Kouyo but she did know what she saw in him. It happened on the day they had first met.
On that day, both parties agreed to have casual lunch at Kikuzen, which was an old high-class Japanese restaurant. Akiko put on her most beautiful and the most expensive Kimono. She was both worried and excited to death in meeting her future husband.
She and her parents arrived at the restaurant on time to find out that Touya-san had already been there waiting for them with her aunt in their private room.
They walked along the hallway to that room. When they opened the door, there they were, her aunt and her future husband. Her aunt performed her duty as the matchmaker very well as if she did this for a living, she introduced them to each other, they greeted briefly but politely, and then lunch began.
The food was perfect, every dish was delicious and delicate decorated as if it was a piece of art. During lunch, her aunt kept telling her how highly regarded Go player Touya-san was while her parents went on talking on how splendid cook she was. After they finished the meal, the adults excused themselves leaving them alone so they could have what they called " A Little Talk".
Well, it really was A Little Talk.
Touya Kouyo wasn't a talkative man, he was way far from it. As they sat there in uncomfortable silence, Akiko couldn't help but began to be worried about her future. What life would be if she had to spend the rest of her youth with this mute man? Then, it came as a surprise as Kouyo spoke first.
" I…really love Go, I devote myself to it," he said solemnly, " It takes most of my time, if you can not…I understand," he smiled considerately at her, " You are young and beautiful, you deserve a better man,"
She remembered staring at him with wide-eyed amazement. Most of men would probably pretend to be a prince-charming to win her heart and said something cliché like, " I will never make you cry," or something similar like that but this man had the courage to tell her that he got some imperfection? She studied him, he had dark-gray hair and had on an olive-green Kimono, he must be at least 15 years older than her, he looked so …mature and so quiet too. Yet, his eyes that looked straight into her own…there was nothing but honestly in them.
She was amazed by that, by his sincere eyes. It was that moment she stopped worrying about her future. She was positive that such an honest man like him would never make her cry or let her down, maybe she could live and grow old with him.
Then, they got married.
A few years later, Akira was born into his world. Although her family got bigger, something remained the same, Kouyo and his love for Go. As he had told her, he was always busy with Go business, he did spend most of his time playing the game which was nothing more than a boring board game in her opinion.
But things changed now, didn't it?
Out of the blue, her Go addict husband announced that the time to quit his job had come, and he actually quitted it. Though he didn't stop playing the game, he didn't have to travel around Japan to attend the tournament and leave her alone anymore, right now he spent more time with her and their son at their home, it was the first time in her life Akiko felt like they were actually acting like a real normal family. Moreover, after the retirement, there were many visitors coming to their doorstep everyday, Mrs. Touya enjoyed having guests, unknown to them, they brightened the air in this silent house.
However, it seemed that Kouyo didn't have any visitor today so she asked him to go out for decent lunch with her. Maybe they could have a relaxed talk, strolling the park together something like that! Luckily, the man seemed to understand, he gave her his typical serene smile before nodding in agreement.
So, they went out for lunch as they planned, then they went to the shopping mall to buy Akira some new clothes before dropping by a temple to pray for Kouyo's best of health, Akira's career and for their family's happiness. Then they headed back home.
When Akiko entered the house, she was surprised a little to see 2 pairs of shoes at the entrance. She recognized that one of them belonged to Akira, but what about another one?
Well, if her son was home, he could be found in 2 places only, his bedroom or the study room, so she decided to check the study room first. Accompanied by her husband, she walked along the hallway, she heard a voice coming out from the room, it was Akira's definitely.
" Did…Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry, please don't cry,"
Cry? Akiko and Kouyo exchanged looks. Was their son capable to make someone cry? So, in order to find out who that poor person was, she opened the door.
The moment she saw that figure, she remembered her at once. She knew that bleached bangs! " Hikaru-chan?"
Hikaru looked up as she heard someone called her name.
Akiko was right! It was her! Her future-daughter-in-law! Crying on the floor until her eyes turned red! " Hikaru-chan!" The jumpy mother instantly went down on her knees and embraced the girl firmly.
" Eh?" the stunned weeping blonde and the shock Akira exclaimed.
" What happened to you, dear? Poor girl, Look at you," Tilting Hikaru's face up, Akiko said sympathetically, " Your pretty face is soaking wet now," she uttered as she wiped the girl's tears with her fingers.
/ Sniff Sniff/
Hikaru didn't have a chance to say anything in reply as Akiko impatiently turned to her son, " Akira-san, What happened? What did you say to hurt her feeling again?" With a furious glare, she demanded wryly. Arrz! Stupid stupid boy!
" I…,"
" Didn't I tell you to be kind towards girls? Just accusing her of playing hard to get is bad enough," Cutting off, she spoke with a hostile tone of voices.
Kouyo, who stayed silent to observe the situation from aside, frowned with doubt. Akira used to accusing Shindou of playing hard to get?
" Mother, I….,"
" It's okay now, Hikaru-chan," Ignoring Akira's protest, Mrs. Touya cupped Hikaru's face and told her with assuring smile, " Everything is going to be alright,"
Hikaru stared at her tender face. Yes, everything will be fine, as Touya-kun said, I'm not alone, " Auntie...e," she said weakly before crying on Akiko's shoulder. Sai didn't go anywhere, he's here with me…always.
Hugging the girl tight, Akiko stroked the blonde's smooth hair gently, " Chuu, Chuu, It's okay, Hikaru-chan, it's okay now," Poor little girl, what have my son done to you? She thought unhappily before turning to Akira, giving the innocent boy a critical fierce look as if to say ' What the hell have you done?'
Seeing his mother deadly glare, Akira was completely at a loss for words, his mouth opened wide but no word came out as if cat got his tongue. He realized that he was seriously in trouble now so he turned to his father asking for help from the head of the family, giving him his I-didn't-do-anything look.
Honestly, Kouyo didn't know what to think, he himself didn't believe that his son was a bully type who enjoyed making a girl cry but the girl was crying right here, right now! What was he supposed to think anyway? Not to mention that currently his wife was so angry, and Akiko had never been angry before! It would be a suicide to get in her way at the moment so he did what he always did the best, which was to keep his mouth shut.
10 minutes later, Shindou Hikaru finally managed to pull herself together and stop weeping.
" Are you sure that you're okay, Hikaru-chan," Akiko questioned with great concern while both teenage pros were putting on their shoes, " You can stay here a little longer, you know,"
Smiling with gratitude, Hikaru replied softly, " Thank you, Auntie, I'm fine now, Thank you, besides, it's getting dark now, my mother must be very worried if I get home late,"
The girl got the point though. Plus, if she didn't want to be here, the gentle Mrs. Touya had better let her go, " Very well, be careful then," she held Hikaru's hands firmly before giving her son a strict order, " Take care of her, Walk her home, Do you understand? Akira-san,"
" Ha..Hai," Akira nodded clumsily.
" Thank you, Auntie, Ano…Touya-Sensei," the girl stuttered uncomfortably. How embarrassing! I come to his house without the invitation and burst out into tears like a 5-year-old kid in front of him! The great Touya-Sensei! " I'm really sorry for this…inconvenience and my improver behavior, sir,"
" There is nothing to be sorry for," Kouyo answered peacefully.
" Err…Welll…I…I'd better leave now," Hikaru bowed to Akiko and Kouyo, " Thank you, Auntie, Touya-Sensei," then she turned around.
Akira opened the door for her and let her went out first. Before he closed the door, his mother called him, " Akira-san,"
" Yes? Mother,"
" Hurry back home, I'd like to have a word with you, young man," Akiko said with an unreadable face.
" Ha..Hai, Mother," the nervous boy brought out a sweat, it was the very first time his kind mother had ever called him as Young man, somehow he didn't it at all. He also wondered what that word would be like but he did know one thing, it wouldn't be a compliment for sure, his instinct told him.
On that night, Hikaru arrived home a little late, she skipped dinner, took a bath, and went to bed earlier than usual.
On that night, she dreamed.
" Eh?" Looking down at her shoes, she uttered with slight surprise as she was so sure that she had taken them off already. She looked up and cast her eyes around.
Surrounding her was a fog…No, it was more like a cloud… translucent rainbow cloud, it was like being in a fantasy world, everything seemed so light…so warm and soft too.
" Ah! I got it," Tapping her fist on her palm, Hikaru said to herself, " This is a dream," she concluded, " It'll be great if something nice happe…n," Freezing, her eyes wide opened as a figure emerged from the mist.
Long purple hair swayed gently in the wind, familiar blue sapphire eyes, rosy lips and that beautiful face, it was him!He was here! Standing right in front of her!
" Sai!" Dashing to her dearly loved ghost, she called out his name with tears, " Sai!Sai!Sai!" Burying her face in his chest, the blonde called him over and over again. She hugged him tight, as tight as she could, tight enough to fell his warmth, tight enough to smell his Wisteria perfume, " Sai! You're here! You finally come back to me!"
"…………….." But Sai remained silent, he didn't even say Hi to her.
" Sai? " Why doesn't he say something?
"………………" Still, there was no word coming from him.
"………………." Slowly pushing herself away from him, Hikaru gazed into his lovely blue eyes, " You're not gonna come back, are you?" Disappointed, she said with trembling voice.
"………………." Closing his eyes, the ghost simply shook his head quietly.
" And you're not gonna tell me why you disappeared either," the saddened girl stated confidently.
"………………." Saying nothing, Sai smiled tenderly in return only.
I'm right then. Looking away, she let out a heavy sigh and giving herself a mocking snigger, " Damn it, I really can't say No to you," she turned around to meet her brother in the eyes, " Don't worry, I'm fine now, really," With decisive look, she spoke firmly, " I have friends and my family by my side, besides, it's not that you actually leave me," Placing her hand on her heart, she smiled brightly, "You're always here, right? You'll always be here, so I'll never be alone,"
The gorgeous man only smiled back at her. Yet, it was a different smile from the smile that he had given her before he departed, that smile was incomprehensible but Hikaru could read this smile, it was such a beautiful smile, filling with nothing but pure happiness.
With no fear, her vivid green eyes sparkled with sheer confidence, she confirmed him, " I'm not alone, I'll be alright, Rest in peace, My brother, you deserve it..Eh?" She uttered as Sai handed her his fan, the one he always carried on, " Sai," she gradually reached out her hand to take it then...
" Hikaru!" Mitsuko's abrupt call woke her up.
" Eh?" Her eyes swiftly opened, a tear dropped down her cheek.
" It's 7.30 now! Wake up, Dear! Time for school!" her mother shouted from outside the room.
Sai. Staring at the hand that just received the fan from her dear brother just a second ago, Hikaru tightened it into a fist and wiped her tear with another hand, " Mom! I have a game today! Call Susuki-Sensei for me!" she declared loudly.
" What? You're going to the Association today?" Misuko asked.
" Yes!"
Japanese Go Association,
So, after a week of absence with any explanation, Shindou-Pro finally returned to the Pro world. Today she had a match against Nichimura-2-Dans since today was the first day she came back to the world of Go, Hikaru intended to win as a celebration for the new beginning.
However, the first one she ran into at the association wasn't Nichimura, the one who was now standing in front of the elevator waiting for its arrival wasn't the 2-Dans who she was going to play with today, it was another 2-Dans whom she recognized well.
" Touya-kun," Hikaru uttered timidly.
" Shindou," Akira said quietly.
Too shy to meet each other at the eyes, they both looked down at the floor, shifting awkwardly, Akira put his hand on the back of his head, while Hikaru clutched her bag tight.
" Good…Good morning," With a faded pink blush on her cheek, the blonde greeted first. What am I gonna say? I cried in front of him yesterday!
" Ah, Good…Good morning," the famed boy too was flushing slightly. What should I say to her? I saw her crying yesterday!
I…I gotta thank him!
I…I have to ask her how she is doing!
" About yesterday!" Looking up in the same time, eyes meeting eyes, they shouted in unison, " Errr…," both shy pros stammered. Blushing even harder, they dropped their eyes to the floor again.
…………..
…………..
" Ha…How are you doing?" After a short embarrassed silence, this time Akira opened his mouth first.
" Am…I'm fine, thank you," Hikaru replied with red face.
/ Ding/ the elevator arrived, its door opened.
" Tou…Touya-kun!" she suddenly blurted out.
" Yes?"
" Thank...Thank you" she spoke clumsily, " For yesterday… for everything,"
The boy who was well-known by his poker face smiled amiably, " You're welcome,"
Without a word, the popular new wave gave him her sweet smile in return.
" Well, shall we?" Akira spoke up.
" Eh?"
Smiling kindly, he didn't say anything, he only gestured towards the elevator urging her to go in, " Well?"
" Right, let's go," Then they both stepped in the elevator.
In the elevator,
" Still…a…about yesterday, thank you, thank you very much," Hikaru spoke up while they were going up to the 6th floor.
" It's nothing, you don't have to thank me," Akira said kindheartedly.
" And I'm sorry,"
" About what?" he wondered.
" Well, I was crying like a baby, I didn't tell your mother that it wasn't your fault," Head hung down with shame, the bleached bangs pro babbled shyly.
"Ahh," The 2-Dans nodded slowly. That's right,I deserve that apology.
" You kindly helped me to get back on my feet again but I caused you a problem," Hikaru said uncomfortably, " Ah! Did your mother say anything to you?" Looking at her rival with guilty look, she asked in alarm with intense anxiety.
Akira let out a small laugh, " Well, let's say that I got a chance to see another interesting side of my mother," he joked teasingly. I didn't know that she can be that scary, I bet even Father didn't know that too.
" W…was it that bad? Did she scold you or anything?" Feeling responsible, the trendy girl questioned with distress, she was truly deeply madly worried, " Do you want me to clear it up for you?"
" No, you don't have to," the unruffled boy answered evenly, " Mother just asked me questions trying to find out why you cried, that's all,"
" Oh," That didn't sound bad.
" ………..Aren't you going to ask me if I told her or not?" he posed.
" I don't have to, I know you," Hikaru replied firmly, " You're not a big-mouth," she stated self-confidently.
That was right, Akira didn't spill out a word, not even a single word. His lips curved into a very small smile as he tried to conceal his satisfaction when he thought of how well his friend knew him. Without their awareness, the stressed tension suddenly melted down.
" Anyway, when she realized that she couldn't get any word from me, she gave me a lecture instead," A very long one
" A lecture? Huh, he lectured me all the time," Hikaru mentioned freely, " A lecture about what?" she asked nosily.
" About how to be a gentleman," the black-haired boy informed her with boredom as he though about his mother long long tedious speech, " To be kind towards everyone, especially the girls," Especially you " The way to treat the girls with respect," To treat you with respect.
Smiling with amusement, Hikaru tried her best not to explode into laughter but she couldn't help it, " Sorry," she chuckled softly.
Akira shrugged his shoulders casually, " Don't worry, it's not a big deal,"
/Ding/ the elevator reached the 6th floor.
As they stepped out the elevator, the captivating girl abruptly cried out, " Okay then! I've made up my mind!"
" ?" Turning around, her talented friend looked at her with his puzzled look.
" I'll be there too!" Hikaru declared with big bright smile, " Whenever you have a trouble, whenever you cry, I'll be there for you! "
Jumping by the announcement, eyes widened with shock, Akira went into crimson-red, it was the most embarrassing but the cutest thing anyone had ever said to him. In this situation, he knew that the best and the wisest thing to do was to say something even cute in return.
Yet, every time he was with this girl, he didn't seem to be himself. Instead of doing what he was fully aware that he should do, he did what he shouldn't do instead...he shrieked with laughter.
" Hahaha! Th…Thank you," Bending over with one hand on his knee to support himself while another one covered his mouth, Akira almost choked himself with laughter. God! She actually said it out loud! I can't believe that! She's so cute!
" Hey! Stop laughing! What's so funny about that, huh?" Getting annoyed, Hikaru asked irritably.
" Not…nothing but thank you, really," the born-to-be-the-Meijin spoke with a smile as he finally caught his breath. He hurriedly wiped out the tear before the chic blonde noticed that he laughed until he cried, " Still, I don't think I will cry,"
Snorting with disbelief, Hikaru questioned with provoking tone, " Everybody cries once in a while,"
" Shindou, I'm a boy," Akira told her tranquilly.
" Oh, so boys don't cry but girls do, this is what you mean?" the 1-Dan said sarcastically. This is sex discrimination! And I'm not gonna put up with it! " I bet I can make you cry!" she announced confidently.
With his arms folded, the smiling genius wondered, " Oh, really, how so? May I ask?" Interesting
" Above the board! Of course!" the fearless girl stated boldly, " I'll make you cry in defeat when I totally cream you in the game!"
" Right,"
" What? You don't think that I can beat you, do you? I'm telling you this," Approaching the boy, she poked at his chest with her finger, "I can," she challenged daringly.
It's unquestionable, she is definitely my eternal rival. " That remains to be seen, right now," Walking a few step to the game room, Akira turned around to face her and titled his head towards the room, " Now, shall we?"
Knowing what he meant, Hikaru let out aself-assured smile before declaring determinedly, " Touya-kun, I'm going to play Go. From now on, tens, hundreds, thousands of games, against you, Waya-kun, Ochi-kun and everyone,"
Akira smiled warmly in return, " I too will walk in the same path," he replied solemnly.
They exchanged the look of understanding and went to the game room together.
So, they walked side by side,
No one running away,
No one running after,
Simply two people walking side by side along the same path,
The path to the hand of God.
Fin
A/N : Finally! Finally! It ends! ( Crying with happiness) Can you believe that? 36 days with 36 chapters! I think I can't write any fic longer than this one! As always, I'll take a break, this time I really need a long long one! Still, feel free to send me a message or e-mail whenever you want!
By the way, since the fic ends now, What is your favorite scene or favorite line anyway?
PS: Enjoy Behind the scene in next chapter :)
C.M Aeris Queen of Insanity : "what a difference, with a mere change of gender" Yeah! That's the point in writing this fic! Yeah! That's the point in writing this fic! Yeah! That's the point in writing this fic!
Hikarukotobashi: What? Me? A meanie?
kage.exe: oh, please don't cry, here, I give you the tissue.
Kathy: So, do you like the ending?
Peggy : "will Akira know that Hikaru is talking about Sai?" Now he knows.
Rebbi : "I'm to addicted to you one-chap-per-day pace" What? Aren't you have enough? It's been 36 days you have been reading this fic, you know? "when are you gonna start the sequel?" Wanna know? Read Behind the scene in next chapter.
Nina-b: " I don't mind the next chapter being the last if the sequel will be posted the next day " The next day? Wait a minute! I really need a break!
Karin: A speech therapy
Kinlin: Thank you, I'll be waiting for the pic!
Giftfrombelow: Well, at least, it seems that you're not gonna kill me and feed me to your cat anymore.
TKQ: I hope you like Hikaru-Akiko's second meeting :) Poor Akira.
TaiFengDragon: "It seems like Akira's words would have a more impact on Hikaru..." Of course, it does.
OokamiFuu: Yeah, in this Universe, Hikaru is the one who help Isumi.
Xiar: " i was giggling thru-out the chappie" That means you like it, Good to hear that.
Lilac-Blossom-Neko: I don't think thata guy like Akira can actually say, " I love you!" out loud, don't you agree?
angjels: Thank you, hope you enjoy the fic.