Future
Chapter 3- A Rematch And An Unexpected Guest!
Hikaru rushed into the Go salon panting for breath, noticing the Korean third board heaving a sigh of relief upon his entrance. Shooting Soo-Yon an apologetic look, he said breathlessly "Sorry... I'm late!"
Hikaru paused for breath, gratefully reaching for the glass of water Soo-Yon's uncle provided. "I got lost. It's been a while since I've stopped by here."
Time passed by as they played their second unofficial match. Halfway through, Hikaru caught sight of Yun, Kaiou Jr. High's Go club advisor, watching them play. Smiling inwardly, he had a feeling that this game would be recorded and handed over to Touya. He concentrated more on the game itself, making as few mistakes as possible. Somehow, he didn't appreciate the way Touya was breathing down his neck this week.
Hikaru watched as Soo-Yon blinked twice and stared down at the board in disbelief, before he heard the soft but distinctive "I resign."
Hikaru started to clear the stones off the board, studying Soo-Yon's expression at the same time. The first time they had played, he was still an insei while the other boy had been a Kenkyusei from Korea. During that time, Soo-Yon had been going through difficult times, making it possible for him to win. He smiled in relief when he realised Soo-Yon wasn't angry with the idea of losing to him this time around. He could still remember the other's boy's reaction the day after their game just about a year ago; Soo-Yon had felt so humiliated and demanded the rematch.
Soo-Yon shook his head one last time to clear whatever thoughts he had in mind, and then said "Thanks for the game," before joining his uncle by the counter.
Hikaru shifted his attention to Yun, exchanging a few words about the game before he took a glance at the clock behind the counter and gasped. "Oh no... It's already so late? I promised my mom I'd be home early today..."
Bidding the occupants in the Salon a quick farewell, Hikaru hurried to drape on his coat which he'd removed earlier when they started their game. However, he paused in his steps when he caught wind of the conversation taking place by the counter.
"So how was the game, Soo-Yon?" Hikaru heard Soo-Yon's uncle asked.
"I lost by three moku this time around, even though my strength had increased. It just goes to show that he's a stronger player. No regrets this time," Soo-Yon answered with a smile.
Relieved by Soo-Yon's answer, Hikaru happily bounced out of the Salon as he set out for home.
"I'm home!" Hikaru called out to his parents, only to be greeted by eerie silence.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps thundering toward him. The next moment, a flash of pink burst into view, attaching itself firmly to Hikaru.
"Hikaru-chan! You're back!"
"Huh?"
Hikaru stared at the figure in pink, his eyes flicking to his mother, who had sought refuge in the kitchen. His mind registered the pink hair, leather jacket...rock star, Bad Luck... cousin... Shindou Shuichi!
"Hi, Shuichi, hope you're enjoying your stay here," Hikaru said, keeping his voice as smooth as possible. Pulling away from his hyperactive cousin, he headed into the kitchen to address his mother in private.
"Mom, care to tell me something about that...?"
Hikaru managed to keep himself from blowing up, regarding his mother with his famous game face instead of the cheerful face his mother was used to seeing.
"Hikaru, your father has been transferred to the head office in America for six months while the company undergoes restructuring," she said. "Since your career is here, it would be impossible to take you with us, so I'm joining your father and leaving Grandfather in your care."
"What about /him?" Hikaru pressed, glancing at Shuichi.
"To put it simply... your cousin here had a tiff with Yuki Eiri and refuses to go back."
"So... you're telling me he'll be staying here?"
Hikaru stared at his mother intently, watching for her reaction. Sensing her obvious discomfort, Hikaru knew it was finally time to move out. He'd been thinking about it for a while, and his cousin's appearance was the last straw. His decision made, he went upstairs to his room and tried to block all the noise Shuichi was making.
It proved to be useless when his cousin barged in to whine about his boyfriend's behavior, not giving him a moment's peace. Even worse, another member of Bad Luck showed up on their doorstep at eleven o'clock that night.
By then, Hikaru had already thrown some clothes into his duffle bag, the same he'd used at the Hokuto Cup. He caught up with his cousin's band mate--what was his name? Hiroshi?--by the washroom and asked for a copy of Shuichi's schedule for the month. After that, he grabbed his key, duffle bag, and seldom used cellphone, and then stormed out of the house without a backward glance. He didn't bother with his school supplies since he had a game the following day.
Outside his house, he stared at his overnight supplies and his cellphone, not knowing what to do. He couldn't stay at Akari's since her parents were gone for the week. Waya would probably take him in if he asked, but Waya's apartment was too small to fit two people comfortably. Besides, he might not even be home. Isumi had a fairly average-sized apartment, but it was late. Knowing Isumi, he'd either already have gone to bed for the night, or he'd have invited Waya over. Hikaru paused to shudder at what he might see if he walked in on them. With Yashiro back in Kansai, Hikaru was left with two choices: his grandfather's or Touya's.
His grandfather was old and probably already preparing for bed, and it would take nearly three hours to travel across town to his house. With a sigh, Hikaru decided to impose on Touya if only because it was nearer--just the next neighborhood over, in fact. The only downside would be facing Touya's parents and coming up with a reason for spending the night.
to be continued
date completed: 19/02/05
date revised: 31/03/05