Title: A game of lost and found
Warnings : I am not sure where the story is gonna head, and I do not know which pairing I'm putting or if there's even a pairing… though I did receive suggestions… I'm just writing according to my flow and mood. And plz review, whether to insult me or whatever. Will love you if you do :) Domo!!
Summary: Set after the Hokuto Cup, where Hikaru still trying to go on. This time around though, he has Sai back with him. But life isn't that easy, not when another Go genius other than Akira had his sights set on him. Life is definitely not easy nor simple for him.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru No Go, its characters, and what-so-ever I used in this fic that associates with HnG. It's solely for my own entertainment... and yours if you enjoy it. :)
Foreword: First of all… this fic is NOT beta. And I am NOT a native speaker of English. As someone already pointed out, I do have grammatical errors, horrible usage of verbs, yada, yada… in my fic. So if you were to read this and find my English a disaster, please do not say I did not warn you. As for getting it beta, I don't think so as I am only writing this for fun and to release some tension. To get it beta seems a bit too troublesome… and I had other commitments. Anyway, I'm still trying to improve my English… so for those still wanting to read my fic, thank you and please bear with me. Arigatou!!
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Chapter 9: Enjoyable After All
"Konbanwa, Ko Yongha-san. How may I help you?"
Yongha's smile widen as he heard Hikaru addressing him. True, he wasn't pleased by the fact that he was forced to wait for two whole hours just to get Hikaru alone. But right now, it seems quite worth it. Especially since the purple-haired man had to rush away for a lunch appointment. Thinking of the purple-haired idiot, a title Yongha decided to grace him with, caused the Korean to frown all over again, not that it showed on his features.
Well, anyone would be when they happened to be in his place. He growled softly as he recalled how close the interactions between Hikaru and the purple-haired idiot had been. How Hikaru had been so… flirtatious with the other man. Yes, flirtatious, for there were no other words that can be used to describe it. Of course he had known what was spoken and happening between the two of them as he made it his business to know. He, after all, had been sitting behind Hikaru, not facing them of course, just a meter away.
He paused as he pondered his actions. He seems almost… nah, that could not be it. Yongha scoffed slightly. How could he, the extraordinaire Ko Yongha, be jealous of another after all? Decided to leave all these heavy thinking to another time, he turned his attention back to Hikaru and noticed that the boy was still giving him a hard stare coupled with a cool smile.
'What I wouldn't give just to have his cold mask off his face when facing me…'
"Afternoon, Shindou Hikaru, had a good game? And please, call me Yongha."
If Hikaru was puzzled by Yongha's friendly demeanor, he did not let it showed. After all, why give the Korean any satisfaction? Instead, Hikaru decided to humor the Korean. Maybe he will be able to find out what do the Korean wants from him this way. But that does not means that Hikaru had to be friendly with him…
"Not that it is any of your business, but yes, I had a great game, Yongha-san."
"Ne Hikaru, so this is the Korean you were telling me about? Hikaruuu, he reminds me of Touya-kun. Well, almost like Touya-kun since Touya-kun don't have that kind of smile. But they are equally well-groomed… (sneaking a look towards Hikaru) not that you are not of course, but still…"
'Hush now, Sai. Let me deal with him first. I really don't want to spend more unnecessary time in his presence.'
"Yongha only, please, no formality. A bit too formal for my liking, wouldn't you say, Shindou?"
"I'm sorry, I have been brought up to be polite, Yongha-san." Hikaru replied with a small bow, while Sai was snickering beside him, mumbling something about Hikaru had never been polite as far as he remembered. Annoyed, Hikaru mentally asked the ghost to shut his trap.
"Is that so?" Yongha paused, staring complementary at Hikaru before continuing. "Then I hope you wouldn't mind me calling you Shindou then, even thought I would loved to address you by your given name, but since you're so adamantly… proper, I supposed Shindou would just have to do. After all, like I said, I don't really like being so formal and all."
Hikaru twitched ever so slightly before replying, ice endorsing every single syllabus out of his mouth. "As you wish, Yongha-san."
Yongha smiled widely, knowing full well what privilege Hikaru had just reluctantly allowed him. He understood that Japanese are polite beyond measures, and even close acquaintances addressed each other with –san. Only friends were given the privilege to forgo the formality between them. He knew full well that Hikaru do not even consider him an acquaintance, and being forced by etiquette to allow him to address him informally as most of his friends does must have cut Hikaru deep down to the core.
Not that he gave Hikaru any choice in the matter, since he expressed his wish to address him by his given name. Either that or allowing Yongha to forgo the honorary –san. And based on the hostility that was shown, Yongha concluded that he had played his cards as well as it could expected. Besides, getting a person pissed of at you is quite an efficient way of making sure that the said person's mind is kept locked at you.
Yongha frowned again as he remembered yet again of the purple-haired idiot. He recalled the hearing the so-called formality between the two of them before it dissolved into nothing. That had shoot down his assumptions that they were originally friends to begin with. Even if they were acquaintance before-hand, forgoing the required formality just between two games is, to say it lightly, absurd. Not forgetting to mention their increasing friendliness to each other. Yongha's jaw clenched slightly before he smoothened it out into another smile. Forget the purple-haired idiot, he now has Hikaru in front of him, his main priority after all.
Suddenly he realized that Hikaru had just asked him something which he, he was appalled to say, missed. Clearing his head out of the bothersome cloud it had wandered into, Yongha gave his full attention to Hikaru.
"Pardon? I'm sorry, I did not catch what you said earlier."
Hikaru's jaw tightened slightly before he repeated his question. "I asked Yongha-san if there is anything that you wanted or needed."
"Oh! No, there's really nothing I needed… yet, I think. I'm just here to see you after all. Anyway, how about a game, Shindou?"
Hikaru was caught unaware by Yongha's quicksilver change of subject and he could only repeat stupidly. "A game?"
Surprisingly, Yongha only smile pleasantly in placed of his customary smirk. "Yes, a game. A Go game in fact. It is the only kind of game that we both have in common, no? Unless of course you're wondering about sports, but I'm sure that neither of us have a lot of free time for those kind of games… though I do play tennis once a while. Anyway, shall we?" Gesturing to the goban in front of them.
Hikaru hesitated slightly before nodding weakly as he gestured for Yongha to take the seat Kariudo had just vacated not too long ago. His mind was working furiously in order to comprehend Yongha's abnormal behavior. Well, at least it was abnormal to Hikaru. Although the cocky Korean he had became accustomed to was still there, there was something totally different about the way Yongha was treating him and acting. And for the sake of himself he could not figured what it was.
'Sai… I take back my words. Do you still want to play with him? Apart from hoping that you'll wipe the goban with his face, I don't think I can cope with a game with him right now. He made me quite confuse and furious. And I won't be able to play my best in that condition… as you well know.'
"Are you quite sure Hikaru? Not that I don't want to play, especially since this person is such a strong player… but you wanted revenge don't you? If I were to play now, I'll just take away that purpose. I do want to play, but the first honor is yours… and you better agree before I change my mind…"
To say that Hikaru was surprise is an understatement. True, he wanted revenge but now is not the time for it, nor was the place. And to have Sai, the Go freak that lived over a thousand years just to play Go, understanding that fact was… quite humbling. He smiled as he silently thanked Sai. He mentally felt Sai beamed before the fact that Sai had willingly gave up playing Go again hit him, whereby the sobbing started.
Hikaru could only sigh inaudibly before facing Yongha. He caught Yongha staring at him with a weird gleam in his eyes, and if he was not mistaken, there were something akin to possessiveness there too. Confused, Hikaru met Yongha's stare for stare, wondering about the Korean in front of him.
'I must have imagined it. What was there for Ko Yongha to be possessive about? And how on earth am I to decline playing now that I had agreed to it?'
Hikaru was aghast when his mind took that turn and he quickly racked his brain for a plausible excuse. No point asking Sai for help, the dumb ghost is still crouching on the ground crying his heart out for all he was worth. In the end Hikaru decided to just tell the Korean the truth that he does not want to play. They do say that honesty is the best policy. Hopefully, whoever invented that phrase was right.
Unknown to Hikaru, the time that he took to ransack his brain was used by Yongha to appraise him all over. Somehow, now that Yongha was presented with a real Hikaru face to face after those long months since the Hokuto tournament, he could not help but get more intrigued by the Japanese boy. The boy seemed more refined now, and much much more desirable. Yongha frowned slightly. Desirable? Where had that come from? Yongha shrugged it off soon, forgoing that train of thought. It is not likely he will be able to find an answer for that. Answers to questions regarding Hikaru had not been forthcoming for it to be any different now. All he knows is that he had this indescribable yearning for the boy in front of him. Besides, desirable seemed to describe Hikaru pretty well.
Yongha raised his eyes to Hikaru's, searching for the look that had captivated him and had him thinking relentlessly about since the Hokuto Cup. To his disappointment, it was not there. The hot and cold look that had Yongha referring to Hikaru only all the time was not there. Although… there were slight panic, resentment and resignation in those eyes. Unable to comprehend the strange mixture of emotions in those eyes, Yongha waited patiently for Hikaru to speak while he, once again, take his own sweet time devouring the delectable boy in front of him.
Yongha's patience was soon rewarded as a closed look entered Hikaru eyes as Hikaru focused on him. To his surprise, Hikaru gave him a bow which he did not raised up from as he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Yongha-san. I knew that I had agreed to have a game with you but right now I'm sorry to say that I do not wish to play. Please forgive and excuse me. We can have the game another day."
To say Yongha was unhappy would be an understatement. He knew for certain that Hikaru had played four games before-hand, but tiredness is definitely not a factor in his statement. Hikaru live for Go as he does, so basically Hikaru is telling him straight off that he does not want to have a game with him at all. Well… maybe not at all, he did mention another day… but that thought does not pacify him at all. Suddenly his resentment for the purple-haired idiot and Touya Akira raised up a few notches.
Barely stopping himself from growling out a 'why', he controlled his anger enough to answer tersely. "It is all right. I understand. But I'll be holding you on your word, Shindou. We must have a game before I leave Tokyo."
Rising up from his bow, Shindou gave Yongha a cool but amused smile as a resemblance of the very look Yongha was searching for came into his eyes. "Yes, of course Yongha-san. As a matter of fact, I'll be looking forward to it."
Seeing the look that Yongha was searching for in Hikaru's eyes had all of Yongha's anger and resentment draining away. It does not matter to him now that he did not get to play a game with Hikaru. It was just a ruse to get Hikaru show him the look. The look that he associate only with Shindou Hikaru. The look of fire and ice coupled together, burning brightly and yet freezing. The look where passion and coldness coexisted together. Though it was only a shadow of the one he was shown during the Hokuto Cup, it was entrancing all the same. And it had Yongha wanting to see more of it.
Shaking his head slightly before it get even more poetic, Yongha gave Hikaru a smile. A genuine smile that had shocked the younger boy enough for him to gave Yongha a look of pure astonishment before shaping his face into a cool mask again. Seemingly at lost for words, Hikaru remained where he was, watching Yongha warily like a hawk, confusion still in his eyes.
Yongha was more than content to remain where they were, but knew that sooner or later Hikaru will start asking him questions, more likely than not questions about him. Questions that he was not about answer, he was not ready for it yet and most likely has no answers to. Already he believed he had the boy confused by his current behavior. He guessed that Hikaru had more or less expected the arrogant, cocky and rude Korean to appear, insulting him and Shuusaku, not one that seemed almost civilize and smiling genuinely at him.
Yongha itched to laugh, knowing that he definitely have Hikaru's attention now. Hikaru will be hard pressed not to try and figure out the puzzle Yongha had presented. Although, sobering slightly, Yongha realized that this was not the kind of attention he wanted from the boy. If truth to be told, since the night where, thanks to Suyon, he had finally admitted to himself that he was obsessed with Hikaru, he came no closer to finding out an answer for his obsession.
How had the younger boy managed to entrance him so he had not known. Maybe it was because of those eyes, or the grueling game that they both had. All the same, Hikaru had him captivated and bound, unable to release himself from the cage he had unknowingly wandered into. A cage, he believed wryly, built by himself.
Suddenly a shrill sound broke out between them, shocking both out of their reverie. Knowing that his cell phone does not make such sound, Yongha stared at Hikaru expectantly. He watched, amused, as Hikaru stared at his bag confusedly for a moment before recognition set in and quickly grabbed his bag to hunt for his cell phone. Needless to say, he was breathless when he finally found his cell phone and answered it.
"Hello? Hikaru desu.
Waya?!
Sorry, sorry! I've forgotten that I have a cell phone.
Yes, of course I remember! Geez, give me some credit for heaven sake.
Well, it's not exactly my fault to forget my phone. I hardly use it enough to remember its presence anyway…
You people are the ones who insisted that I get the phone! I wasn't quite in agreement if you care to remember. So don't come blaming me for forgetting it.
What?! You no longer want McDonald for lunch?
Sushi?! You're planning to build a hole in my wallet aren't you? Besides, ramen is so much better.
All right, all right! It was my fault to forget yesterday. I'm sorry. Please forgive me… happy?
What?! Twelve thirty?! You expect me to get to the station by twelve thirty? I have… what? No way am I able to reach there in just twenty minutes. How do you expect me to? Fly?
All right, all right! I'm coming now. Bye."
Hikaru hit the end button and stared at his cell phone accusingly as if it was the bane of all his problems. Yongha suspected that Hikaru had quite forgotten his presence just then and cleared his throat slightly. His suspicion was proved right when upon hearing the noise, Hikaru whirled around to stare at him bewilderingly. Just as suddenly, Hikaru's eyes widen comically before he automatically bowed apologetically again.
"I'm sorry, Yongha-san."
Yongha could only stare at the younger boy in an amused sort of surprise before asking Hikaru. "What for?"
Startled, Hikaru looked up looking quite flustered. "Eh? For-for… I'm not quite so sure myself…" Mumbling to himself, Hikaru wondered why he said sorry to the Korean in the first place.
Sai, who was startled out of his sobbing session by the shrill ringing of Hikaru's cell phone and fascination with the gadget, was half listening in on Hikaru's conversation. Looking up from staring at the cell phone still resting within Hikaru's hands, he said to Hikaru.
"How about for talking to that little box and ignoring him?"
'Huh? What was that, Sai?'
"Well, you were looking for a reason for your apology isn't it?"
'Oh… right.'
"Yes, yes. That's it. Sorry for answering the phone without excusing myself, Yongha-san. It was quite rude of me."
Yongha could only smiled in amusement as he waved away Hikaru's pathetic attempts at reasoning out an apology.
"You know, Shindou, I believe this is the first time I have ever seen you so… flustered. I have seen you in anger, hatred, a cold mask endorsing your face… even laughing. But this is definitely a first. If it wasn't for the fact that you are sitting right opposite me, I wouldn't have believe that you are capable of such emotion. You do strike me as a person full of confidence."
"Sometimes confidence is but a mask that people must don, Yongha-san, as it is with so many other emotions. Besides you do not know me well enough to make such an assumption."
"Indeed. Now I find myself eager to tear down those masks you claimed to wear, Shindou. You are quite a fascinating creature and I want to find out more about you."
Hikaru did not answer as his cheek reddened. He did put himself up for that one. Suddenly, or rather thankfully, he remembered Waya's threat. Waya had threaten to seriously make a dent worthy of the deepest lake there is in the world on Hikaru's wallet if he did not turn up at the LRT station by twelve thirty. He quickly stood up and bowed again at Yongha, grimacing as he made his apology.
"I'm sorry, Yongha-san. I really need to go now; otherwise there'll be dire bills to pay... literally. I suppose we'll see each other again. We still have that promised game."
Yongha also stood up when Hikaru bowed, knowing from Hikaru's one-sided conversation on the phone that he was commanded to another place. Not that he was exactly pleased about it, to have his time with Hikaru cut short. But what would a person to do when Hikaru already had made prior engagements?
"No, it's all right. I guess I have caught you at the wrong time after all. I supposed it's good then we did not start a game. I wouldn't like to have a game cut short."
"Ah-Yes, I suppose you are right. Once again, I'm sorry. I… I'll see you around then. Goodbye."
Hikaru turned immediately heading toward the door when a slim hand caught his arm. Surprised, he stared at the appendage before trailing it up to its owner. Yongha was once again smiling gently but absently at him and seemed almost unsure, which was quite absurd really.
"Yongha-san?" Catching Yongha's attention, Hikaru looked pointedly at Yongha's hand still holding on to him. Catching Hikaru's silent meaning, Yongha quickly removed the offending appendage and smiled at him.
"I'm sorry for that. I was just wondering if… well, if I could have your number."
More surprised than anything else, Hikaru could only stare at him for a moment before answering while Sai was looking back and forth between the two of them.
"My number? You mean my mobile number?"
"Yes, I do believe I meant your mobile number Shindou."
"But-but… why?"
"Why? (Scrunching up his face in thought) Well, it will be much easier to find you for a match that way."
"I-I believe you are right about that…" Hikaru paused, silently appraising the elder male in front of him before making a quick decision. "All right, hold on."
Walking towards the counter, Hikaru gave the receptionist a charming smile as he asked for a piece of paper and pen. Quietly but evasively answering the curious receptionist's questions, Hikaru quickly wrote down his mobile number. He may forget about his phone, but he will never forget a number, even though it happened to be the number of his forgotten phone.
Smiling again at the receptionist as he returned the pen with a thank you, Hikaru walked back towards Yongha. Hikaru's steps faltered as he neared Yongha. Staring at the piece of paper with his number on it before directing his eyes to Yongha, he took a moment before handing the piece of paper over. Grimacing as if he was already regretting what he had just done, he quickly took his leave in a brisk walk, intending to forget all about the incident.
Yongha watched as Hikaru's silhouette disappeared around the corner. Still staring off in space, he smiled softly in reminiscence of their short but interesting encounter. Looking down, he saw Hikaru's surprisingly elegant scrawl of his number. Taking out his mobile, he quickly keyed in Hikaru's number in case he ever lose the paper. This is not likely though, since he intend to keep the piece of paper for a long time to come, even though he could not justify his needs for such actions.
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Caught in a brisk but agitated walk towards the station, Hikaru was silently cursing his intelligence. Sai was following behind him, getting more and more worried and wincing once in a while as vile curses and not so mentionable insults resounded in Hikaru's mind. Now there is the Hikaru he was quite used to. Too bad that this Hikaru seemed a bit more volatile. Sai winced as the torrent of curses grew more colorful.
Hikaru was still questioning his sanity and actions, giving his mobile number to Ko Yongha of all people. He knew most people labeled him as dense, but one had to be superbly thick if he did not realize that the Korean had something up his sleeve. Abruptly, Hikaru stopped, causing the ghost to almost bump into him. Why on earth then did he give his number to the redhead?
Mouth opened in a silent scream as Hikaru mentally scream as loud as he wanted, causing Sai to clapped his hands over his ears as Hikaru immediately set off again, this time in a much faster pace than earlier. He needs to burn off all these excess energy and frustrations. At the rate he was going, he definitely will reach the station much earlier than agreed twelve thirty.
Sai had said before that Hikaru had natural talents in Go, being able to pick up Go as fast as he does. Now, it seems that Hikaru had another natural talent. That is, if stupidity can be considered as a talent.
Still caught in his almost run towards the station, he thought over the earlier events. He had expected the Korean to seek him out, that much Touya had told him. Touya had even told of the unusual interest that Yongha had seemed to gain for him, but Touya had not mentioned that the Korean had decided to be so friendly and nice all of a sudden. Hikaru groaned, realizing that that must have been what that had pull down some of his reserves enough to entertain the redhead as he did and even gave Yongha his number. It was a bit too shocking of a change from the arrogant and cocky bastard for Hikaru to be able to comprehend completely.
Without realizing it, Hikaru and Sai had reached the station. Hikaru looked around the station before shooting a glare towards his watch. Twelve thirty on the dot… so where are those friends of his? Seeing that he was still too agitated to remain where he was, he took up walking all over the station looking for his friends for almost ten minutes. Not that he was really searching; his violent mood had prevented that. Finally sick of walking aimlessly around, he took up stationary next to a pillar, leaning slightly against it, hoping to calm down some what.
Growling softly five minutes later, his mood not getting any better, Hikaru reached into his bag to grab his cell phone. Funny how his mind seemed to remember his cell phone when he was this agitated. Dialing Waya's number, he waited, impatiently, for his friend to pick up the phone.
Sai was standing to the side of Hikaru. Frankly speaking, this furious Hikaru frightened him. He had never seen Hikaru this angry before. And to have him giving death glares to everyone and everything was and still is unnerving. He gave a relief sigh as he saw Waya, Isumi and a few other friends of Hikaru's walking out of the train towards the exit. Then he became worried as he wondered if he ought to tell Hikaru that… better not. He may be dead, but that doesn't stop Hikaru from giving him hell enough that he wished he was truly dead.
Then again, Sai did not have to worry, for Hikaru had already spotted his friends. Ending the call, he saw Waya reaching into his pockets to produce out his cell phone and proceeds to stare at it blankly. Stopping dead in his tracks, he looked around the station before finally spotting Hikaru standing next to a pillar, glowering at him. Slightly freaked out by Hikaru's glare, Waya could only stand where he was, backing slightly as Isumi and the rest turned to him, realizing that Waya was no longer walking with them.
"Hey, Waya. What's wrong? Why did you stopped?"
Waya only shook his head as he pointed to Hikaru, who was wearing an even fiercer scowl possible on his face. Dread quickly filled the group of five when all of them caught sight of Hikaru.
"Er… did any one of you happen to royally pissed off Hikaru?" asked Saeki tentatively.
"Not me!" answered Honda quickly. Nase and Isumi also shook their heads negatively in answer, all of them still unable to take their eyes off Hikaru, who was still glowering at them like there were no tomorrow. Suddenly all of them turned to Waya.
"Waya, what exactly did you say to Hikaru earlier?" Isumi asked quickly, fearing the worse.
"Before that, lets get to Hikaru now, before he really commits murder or something. He looks more than ready to kill something… or someone." Nase commented, shooting a look to Waya and shuddering slightly to emphasize her words. All four boys looked at Nase with the same horrified expressions on their faces before running to where Hikaru was still standing.
Hikaru glared at all of them as they stood before him, smiling nervously.
"Well, took you people long enough. Look at the time! I have been waiting here for the last half an hour!"
Waya grimaced as he knew this time it was him who was in hot soup. In fact, all of them were staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to fork out an explanation or an excuse. Not that he believed that Hikaru had waited for half an hour, for it is a bit too exaggerating since he had only made the call to Hikaru not half an hour ago. Still… better to apologize than to pick up a fight.
"Sorry Hikaru. But well, the train just arrived…" explained Waya lamely.
"Yes, I can see that. What I cannot see is the need to be here before your delightful train arrived." Answered Hikaru with enough sarcasm to fill the whole station.
Waya sweat-dropped as he tried to come up with another lame excuse. "Well, ar… truthfully, I did not quite, er… expected you to be this… um, early?"
"That's beside the point! You asked me to appear here at twelve thirty! Twelve thirty! And you dare tell me that you did not expect me to reach this early?!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I really didn't expect you to be this early!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Hikaru nearly shouted out.
"For heaven's sake, for as long as we know you, you were never on time! I just thought by giving you an earlier time, you might reached here about the same time as us or a bit later! At the very least we do not have to wait hours for you!"
"Oh?! And who gave you such a brilliant idea, pray tell. And you even threatened to dent my wallet if I am even a minute late! Your words are quite contradicting!"
"I said I'm sorry already! Oh great God in heaven, what the hell is wrong with you today?!"
Nase, Isumi, Honda and Saeki, not to forget Sai, were watching the argument back and forth, as if it was an engaging tennis game as it continued on. Finally Isumi, the ever present peace-keeper, decided to step in and stop the argument.
"Hey, hey, cool it. Lets forget about it already. I'm sure both of you are hungry."
Twin glares was shot to Isumi's face for all his good intentions. Finally, Hikaru nodded grudgingly as Waya muttered another apology sulkily as prompted by Nase. Hikaru was also being reprimanded by Sai for picking out an argument with Waya, especially since it was Yongha and himself he was mad at. Realizing his fault though not too happy that Sai had to point it out for him, Hikaru reached out to Waya's shoulders as all of them was about to walk off. Startled, Waya turned to Hikaru with a small confused scowl.
"I'm sorry Waya. I'm just not in a good mood today. Sorry for shouting at you."
Surprised at the unexpectedly gesture and apology, Waya grinned happily, all past grievances forgiven and forgotten.
"Nah, it's all right. Besides, it's my fault too for expecting the expected. How am I supposed to know you'll prove me wrong and reached on time for once? You have to agree after all, you are never on time. It is a good lesson for me never to expect the expected from Shindou Hikaru again."
Hikaru scowled darkly, knowing better than to reply to that. The rest of them was smiling amusedly or in Saeki's case, sniggering loudly. Hikaru's punctuality is a legend after all.
"So where are we heading?" asked Hikaru, changing the topic altogether.
"Just around that corner over there. My friends told me that it's a newly establish sushi restaurant that served good sushi. Since it just opened, I thought maybe we could try it." Answered Nase, pointing aimlessly somewhere in front of her.
"All right! Lead the way, Nase! I'm hungry!" said the jubilant Waya, grinning widely. "Remember Shindou, you're paying."
"I know, I know." Hikaru grumbled, sticking his hands into his pants pocket and followed his friends. He smiled as he listened to his friends' idle chit chat, preferring to keep quiet. Sai, walking beside Hikaru was fascinated by the nonsensical banter between Hikaru's friends but he kept sneaking looks every now and then to Hikaru, his violent burst of emotions still not forgotten. It was not until they reached the restaurant and entered it that Sai was finally satisfied that Hikaru seemed to be back to normal. Or as normal as he could expect Hikaru could be. Hikaru is too different now to be compared with the old Hikaru.
As soon as they were seated, Honda turned to Hikaru, asking about his match today.
"My game? It was great, a real good game with an equally good opponent." Hikaru replied, as he slowly sipped his green tea with his eyes closed.
"Is that so?" murmured Saeki, at the same time thinking that not many Go players could manage to get Hikaru's attention like that. "Did you win by the way?"
"Hmm? Of course." Hikaru replied, before giving all of them a rare happy smile. "Hamano is a good player, but I'm better. I won all four games we played."
Perplexed and surprised looks greeted him at the end of his sentence. Not caring, Hikaru shrugged them off as he reached out to grab a sushi off the belt and promptly wolfed it down.
"Hmmm… delicious. Aren't you people having any?" Asked Hikaru deliberately as he grabbed another few sushi.
Waya, being the loudest and most out-spoken among them, finally voiced out the question no doubt running in their mind. "What do you mean by four games? Everyone knows that you can only have one game. And stop eating so fast, leave some for us you baka."
Hikaru grinned wolfishly at Waya as he deliberately swallowed another sushi in front of him. "Bing Bong. Hamano and I played another three games together before we parted."
Saeki stared at Hikaru as he delicately dipped his sushi into the soy sauce. "That's strange. You normally don't play against your opponent after a match, unless it happens to be one of us. Even then we had a hard time getting you for a rematch."
"Saeki is right, Shindou. Why the sudden change?" Isumi asked, curious about the younger boy's action.
Hikaru shrugged lightly, taking another sip of his green tea. "Is that so? I don't know. I guess it's because…" Hikaru trailed off, finger tapping his chin lightly. Finally Hikaru shrugged again as he pick up another sushi to eat. "Hamano is cute."
Nase swiveled to Hikaru, astonishment etching her pretty features as Hikaru watched fascinated as the rest of the guys choked on their sushi and tea. Hikaru could see Sai slapping a hand on his forehead, shaking his head in mock defeat. As the four boys slowly get their breath back, coughing slightly, Nase parroted Hikaru.
"Cute?"
Hikaru nodded his head, smiling mysteriously as he replied. "Yes, cute. He's older than me but act like a child. And he has this long beautiful purple hair… which reminded me of someone very dear to me. And did I mention that he's good?"
Nase could only nod hesitantly as Waya turned to Hikaru. "Must you use words such as cute to describe him? You nearly kill us. I don't think any of us fancy dying on sushi, as good as it is. And it's not a proper answer. We asked why you had a rematch with him, not about him."
"Hamano. His name is Hamano." Hikaru said, irritation coloring his words slightly. "I just feel like it that's all. The rematch I mean."
"That's it? Just because you feel like it?" Waya said incredulously.
"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" Came the sarcastic reply.
"Hell, yeah! You changed your normal routine just because you felt like it?"
"Yes! I'm not a robot unfortunately. I do like changes once in a while!" answered Hikaru heatedly, gearing up for another loud disagreement with Waya. But before Waya could come back with a retort, Nase rapped not so lightly on Waya' head as Honda butted in, determined not to let the two get into another argument.
"Eh, Shindou, are you two friends? I mean, like Saeki said, you hardly gives any of your opponents any time of the day." Honda asked the first thing that came into his mind.
Glaring at Waya, Hikaru answered. "Originally no, but now yes." Turning away from Waya, he gave his friends a small shrug. "He's fun to befriend."
Saeki, who was watching Hikaru shrewdly all the while, popped in a question that surprised Hikaru. "Shindou, why were you so stemmed up earlier? From what you had just told us, it could have not been from your match or opponent, since you won and you seemed to really like your opponent, weird as it is. Waya may be a bit too much, but that's usual for him… and you (which earned Saeki a glare from Hikaru and a loud protest from Waya), but even Waya's talents couldn't make you so mad. At least not as mad as you were. Am I right, Isumi?"
Isumi, who had been quiet all the while, nodded slowly in response to Saeki's query. "Come to think of it… I have never seen you that angry before, Shindou. Ever since you became pro, you had been sort of… detached. To see you that angry, especially since… there's nothing bothering you, is there?"
Hikaru was slightly surprised when Saeki mentioned his observations. And when Isumi continued on from Saeki, Hikaru sort of knew what was in Isumi's mind. After all, Isumi was the only one who saw Hikaru cried as he finally let go of Sai, finally letting go his childish ideals and outlooks on life. Isumi was the only one who saw Hikaru slowly reined in his emotions to become a person that is cool and collected, a mask falling over his face. For him to blow up like that is extremely rare, and he is willing to bet that Sai thinks so too. Hikaru stared into his tea before taking a sip, knowing full well that his friends were waiting for an answer with bated breath.
After five long minutes that felt like hours to every one of them, Waya was ready to throttle an answer out of Hikaru when he finally answered.
"There nothing bothering me, Isumi, everyone. I just had a lot of things on my mind, that's all. Sorry if I happened to worry you." Hikaru said, putting on a bashful expression on his face as he rubbed the back of his head convincingly, hoping that they will buy his act.
Hikaru sighed mentally as after a few skeptical looks, everyone seemed to take his words at face value as they went back to sushi and pointless chit chat that he was deigned not to participate. That is, everyone except Sai and Isumi. Sai, who obviously knew what was bothering him but knew better than to ask for explanations now. And Isumi was still shooting worried looks at Hikaru. Hikaru mentally sighed again. It is just his luck that the-calm-understanding-but-overly-concern-Isumi have an inkling about his darkest and most painful time.
Catching Isumi's eyes, he gave the elder man a comforting smile, hoping that it will slightly console him. It was just so like Isumi to be so concern about him. Truthfully, he was not ready to talk about his source of irritation and anger. Nope, no way is he going to talk about the cocky Korean. Well, at least the Korean was cocky when he first set eyes on him… but that idiot Korean was, God forbid, friendly today.
Hikaru groaned inaudibly as his mind back-tracked back to Ko Yongha again before he quickly shoved all thoughts regarding a certain redhead away. He will figure out that Korean when he had the leisure to, not now when he was supposed to enjoy his time with his friends. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Isumi started shooting him worried looks again. Maybe he should make some effort to talk. Hikaru grimaced as soon as the thought entered his mind. He smilingly shook his head as he pondered about himself. He couldn't recall when he started to view idle chit chat as stupid and a waste of time. Maybe Touya is not that good an influence on him after all.
After a while, Hikaru excused himself to the bathroom whereby Waya told him not to run away as he still to pay for the food. Hikaru ignored Waya as stepped out of the booth. All of them paused momentary as they watched Hikaru walked away. Contrary to Hikaru's relief, all of them were still worried about him even though Isumi was the only one outwardly showing it. Shrugging off, Waya wolfed down another sushi.
"No point asking. He won't tell even if we threaten him. Especially since he obviously don't want to talk about it." Waya said in response to the unasked questions.
Nase, Isumi, Honda and Saeki sighed, knowing full well that Waya had just spoken the understatement of the year. All of them knew that the Hikaru they all knew now is tighter than a clam when it comes to his privacy. Like it was discussed yesterday, none of them even knew about Hikaru's normal stuff, like the reasons behind his choice of subjects, let alone something that could make Hikaru boiled up and exploded not unlike a volcano.
"I know… we all know. Unfortunately we are still worried. I just hope he knows that he can turn to us anytime." Replied Isumi dejectedly.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he does." Nase told Isumi quietly as Honda echoed her thoughts.
"Yeah. Even if he doesn't turn to us, he'll come to you at least. After all you are the natural worrier in the group, Isumi." Saeki said teasingly, deciding to put in his two cents worth and lighten up the atmosphere.
"Eh?!" Isumi replied intelligently, a slight blush gracing his milky white features, causing the whole table to crack up with mirth, all earlier tension dissipated.
Soon all talk turned into flat-out teasing of one another, laughter and denies echoing around them. That was how Hikaru found them when he came back to the table. Smiling indulgingly at his friends' antics, he sat down as the banter continued on, this time focusing on him. Not giving any reaction except an occasionally raised eyebrow and an indulgent smile, they all soon lost interest in him and turned back to Honda and Isumi, the two most unfortunate but interesting subjects. Those two are so easily susceptible to any teasing they dished out that they were made ready victims, causing the two to deny almost everything fervently and blushing all the time.
After a while even Hikaru started laughing, which had Isumi and Honda almost pouting at him. Taking pity on them, Hikaru asked if they had finally satiated their stomach before declaring that they are taking up the restaurant's place and not to forgetting his money. Taking that as their cue, Honda and Isumi quickly stood up and walked towards the cashier, escaping their friends' tender mercy. Laughing, Hikaru and the rest followed them while Nase pouted prettily at him.
"Mou, Shindou, you help them escape." Nase grumbled cheerfully, stepping in stride with Hikaru.
Grinning at Nase, Hikaru winked at her. "I know. Besides, you can always continue on. We are going to Waya's place right? They are stuck with us for a long time."
"Trust you, Shindou, to think things that way." Saeki shot at him wryly.
"Well, that's Shindou Hikaru for you. A wolf in sheep's skin." Waya put in flippantly, grinning at Hikaru.
Hikaru pretended not to hear him as he fished out his wallet to pay. Behind him, he could clearly hear the torture of Honda and Isumi began all over again. Chuckling softly, he led his friends out of the restaurant. Minus the puzzling event regarding a certain redhead, his day had been pretty enjoyable and delightful. Cocking his head slightly, he could see Sai enjoying himself immensely as well. Grinning happily, he closed his eyes briefly as a slight breeze ruffled his hair.
'What a glorious day…'
-owari-
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Here is another chapter for your enjoyment, but please do not the next chapter to be anytime soon. My schoolwork just doubled and finals around the corner. I will try to update, but knowing myself… it will take some time. So please bear with me ya? Thanks!!!
And a big thank you to all my reviewers for their support and er… encouragements. Hehe. To answer some questions:
Hamano Kariudo is there because… (wink wink) just wait and see. He will have a role but a minor one. And no, he's not the reincarnation of Sai… how to be when the ghost of Sai is still around? But I did spent a lot of time on him… well, like I said, he is cute :)
Akira and Yongha in love with Hikaru? Hmm… I did not realize I was heading that direction. Let me clarify some things. Akira hardly has any close friends his age and Hikaru is the closest thing he had that can be considered a true friend. If you are in Akira's shoes, you will want to keep things that way, which means Yongha is a threat. As for Yongha, he is obsessed with Hikaru. Believe me, when you are obsessed with someone, you will do almost anything just to get their attention.
I made Hikaru more grown up because I believe when a person went through as much as Hikaru had; their perspective in life will change. Mostly it will become more cynical and jaded. I have seen a lot of that kind of situation, so I can't help but view Hikaru as more grown up. Besides, he has the influence of Akira to pick up from.
And now for some comments… N – Please don't eat monkey… although it is considered a delicacy to eat live monkey's brain (which is cruel as you need the monkey alive as you chopped open its head and eat the brain), but pity the poor monkey. izen – as much as I would loved to bask in your words, but you are praising too much to say my writing is addictive. I believe I am long-winded. Sigh… getting old fast. But thanks anyway. It is great to hear that.
Sorry, N, if I offended you… but I can't help it. Your review definitely brightens my day. And again, thanks to all my reviewers. I'm just too lazy to thanks all of you wonderful people one by one, so I hoped a group thank you is enough. Until next chapter.
Ja!
