Chapter 15: Tomorrow

Hikaru bit back another sigh as he glanced around the table. Suddenly, his lunch date with Hamano and Waya had turned out to be an impromptu party for six, excluding Sai of course. At least Hamano was enjoying this. Hikaru glanced over to Hamano again. Yes, Hamano was definitely enjoying this… in fact he absolutely relished in watching Akira and Yongha glaring at each other in and listening to their snide and cutting remarks whenever they had to address each other.

One could even say that they were… bickering, for lack of better word, discreetly. Unfortunately, it was plain as day to everyone at the table (except for them perhaps) that these two could hardly stand each other. Suyon, for most part, had kept quiet, shooting bewildered looks at those two once in a while, looks that had turned more exasperated as time wore on, before resigning to his fate and returning his attention to his lunch and to Hamano, who was sitting across of him. Waya, who already had an inkling about the two… enemies, was ignoring them… though the tick on his forehead was beginning to grow bigger and his movements sharpening as the time went by. It may have been a testament against that.

But that was not what was bothering Hikaru. Sometime during their lunch, Suyon had quietly told him about Yongha and his wish to play a game with him. Hikaru grew wearier the more he thought about it. It wasn't that he didn't want to grant Yongha's wish. As it stood, Hikaru would have loved to play a game against Yongha… in fact if Yongha would've asked of this earlier on, he would have agreed without a second thought. But now that he had time to think and brood, he realized that he really wanted their second game to be played in an official match.

And yet when would such an opportunity come again?

Hikaru frowned. They could always wait for the next Hokuto Cup, but it was more than half a year away. From Suyon's heartfelt request, he doubted that Yongha was willing to wait that long.

Hikaru almost let out a growl of frustration. What was so important to Yongha that he wanted a game with him now? All those times they had spent together, not once had Yongha voiced his wishes, and yet now he suddenly wanted a game with him?

As a matter of fact, he still couldn't figure out Yongha's manner of interest in him.

"Aren't you thinking a bit too hard, Hikaru?"

Hikaru lips curved into a small smile at Sai's soft rebuke, hearing the concern overlaying the playful tone. Shaking his head minutely, Hikaru closed his eyes.

'Of course not, Sai. But you have to admit, this is pretty confusing.'

"Frustrating, you mean."

Hikaru snorted in his mind. 'That too.'

Sai smiled and tapped his fan to his lips. "Not entirely. Yongha-kun would not be in Japan without a reason in the first place, right?"

'He did have a reason, Sai. Touya said that Yongha accompanied his sempai here.'

"True… but Yongha seems to spend more time with us than his sempai, don't you think?"

Hikaru frowned at that statement, realizing how true it was, but before he could answer to Sai, Waya stood up.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get back to the center," Waya said, taking out his wallet. "Unlike some, my game is still unfinished."

"Really?" Hamano asked, turning smiling eyes at Waya. "Well then, we better get going. Hey, Suyon-san, do you still want to tour around at our center?"

Suyon straightened up, eyes bright. "Oh yes… if it's not a bother, that is. I don't want to take more of your time."

"No problem!" Hamano grinned, having already taken a liking to Suyon. "Any friend of Shindou is a friend of mine. Besides, I couldn't leave you in Shindou's oh-so-capable hands. He's not much of a conversationalist and he lacks the finesse of explaining things."

"Ah… so that's what you really think about me, Hamano. And to think I actually thought you liked me," Hikaru said softly, a touch of sadness in his voice. Hamano only grinned happily in response. Hikaru then gave a heavy sigh before turning to Waya and clung onto his arm. "Waya, Hamano befriended me 'cause he pitied me," Hikaru moaned, acting out his pitiful role in perfection.

Waya glared at him. "Don't involve me in this… again. I'm ignoring you, you hear that? Hamano-san, stop reducing both of you into children! At least don't do it around me…"

The rest of them laugh as Hikaru maturely stuck his tongue at Waya. Hikaru then turned to Akira.

"Touya, what about you? What were you doing at the center by the way? I know you didn't have a game today."

Akira stilted momentarily, an action only noticed by Yongha and Sai. "Does it matter?"

Hikaru scowled. "I just want to know."

Akira shrugged. "I was just there to find some kifu. And since you dragged me off before I did, of course I'm following you back there."

Hikaru grinned. "Great! Let's all escort Waya back to his game!"

"I do NOT need an escort, you idiot!"

As the party walked back to the center with Hikaru and Waya leading and bickering, occasionally joined by Hamano to add more fuel between them, Sai hung back, traveling between Akira and Yongha. For two who had been at each other's throat since day one, they were pretty comfortable walking together. Though that notion shattered when they begun conversing in quite tones.

"Why were you actually there, Akira-san?"

Akira shot Yongha a sharp look, but Yongha wasn't even looking at him. Wondering if he was hearing things, Akira was about to ignore it when Yongha turned to face him, a hard, questioning glint in his eyes.

"The center… or the ramen restaurant?" Akira countered back, turning away from Yongha.

"The center of course," Yongha answered, a tad sharply. "Even a blind man can see why you were at the restaurant… with you clinging on Hikaru."

Akira bristled slightly at the mocking voice. "I'm sure that particular blind man must have been truly blind then, since Shindou was the one holding onto my arm."

"Ah, of course. Forgive my mistake, after all one could hardly assume that the Touya Akira would allow someone else to drag him around, now isn't it?"

Akira gritted his teeth before forcing his jaw relaxed. It wouldn't do to get riled up by Yongha. Problem was, the Korean certainly knew which buttons to push when it came to Akira. Glancing at Yongha with smug, silted eyes, making sure Yongha would catch it before looking away, Akira replied flippantly.

"Call it… a tradition."

Yongha narrowed his eyes at Akira. Unable to help himself, he repeated the word in a suspicious tone.

"Ah yes, tradition," Akira replied easily, belying his inner triumph. "Shindou has this weird obsession with dragging me out for lunch every time we're within vicinity of each other during lunch time."

"One would think you're unwilling to go, judging by your answer."

Akira shrugged lightly. "A good thing you're not judging me then."

Sai snickered at Yongha affronted reaction. Akira one, Yongha zero. Yongha was probably the more sarcastic of the two, but Akira sure could play his devil-may-care card better… in his most polite mannerism as well.

"You still haven't answered me, Akira-san."

Akira stopped walking, prompting Yongha and Sai to stop as well. Turning to face Yongha fully, Akira glared warningly at him.

"What I do and where I go are businesses of my own, Yongha-san," Akira finally bit out before pivoting sharply on his heels to follow the group once again.

When Yongha caught up to him, Akira chanced a look at Yongha.

"Careful, Yongha-san. One would think you're jealous," Akira murmured, before walking past everyone to reach Hikaru.

Yongha could only glare angrily at Akira, knowing the boy had the upper hand this round. Unbeknownst to him, Suyon had heard the soft accusation and was watching Yongha contemplatively. Distracted once again by Hamano, Suyon resolved to get to the bottom of this later. Besides, Hikaru's cheerful friend proved to be a very good distraction.

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Later that evening, Hikaru sat in his room in front of his goban with Sai opposite him, playing the game they both revered. The room's atmosphere was quiet, tense even, only broken constantly by the sounds of the stones hitting the wooden board and Sai's quiet instructions.

"I resign," Hikaru said formally, bowing slightly. "Thank you for the game."

"Thank you for the game," Sai replied, equally formal.

Right then, the tense atmosphere broke entirely with Hikaru groaning in frustration. Dropping down onto his back, Hikaru proceed to whine.

"Ah! I can't believe I still lose so miserably to you, Sai."

Sai, who had his paper fan opened halfway through the game, hide a smile behind it. Shaking his head at Hikaru's antics, Sai waited until Hikaru turned to him.

"You're not losing miserably, Hikaru."

"No, of course not. That would explain why I have lost every single time we played. How stupid of me to think so otherwise."

Sai chuckled lightly at Hikaru. "Sarcasm doesn't become you, dear Hikaru."

Hikaru glowered at Sai. Sai ignored him and continued. "Besides, I'm being honest. You're fast reaching my level."

Hikaru sat up slightly, using his elbows to support himself. "Really?"

"Yes, would I lie to you?" Sai shot back, reading the stones on the board shrewdly. "The only difference between the two of us is that I have much longer years of experiences than you. So it's only natural for you to lose to me."

Hikaru dropped back down onto the ground, defeated.

'Sai…'

Sai looked up enquiringly at the mental call only to see Hikaru had covered his eyes with his arm. "… Yes?"

'Shut up.'

Sai let the smile break through. Laughing silently, Sai replied. "Of course."

Sai turned back to the goban, reviewing the moves again proudly. Hikaru was quickly moving towards his level. They had long since passed the stage of playing Shidou-Go. Hikaru no longer need Sai to tutor him anymore, and they now played on equal ground. Hikaru had gained the confidence he lacked the last time around. Soon, Hikaru would be giving him runs to see who would become victorious.

Sai smiled bemusedly. Thinking of those occurrences-to-be was definitely odd. He couldn't remember the last time he lost in a game of Go. And yet, here he was, mulling over when Hikaru will be strong enough to beat him, and looking forward to that day.

'Maybe I can reach the Hand of God after all… with Hikaru.' Sai mused, sneaking another look at Hikaru before smiling. Trust the boy to fall asleep.

Looking at the boy caused Sai to remember Akira and Yongha. That conversation between them… especially Akira's parting remark… it only made Sai think that both boys were vying for Hikaru's attention.

Sai frowned, tapping his closed fan to his knees. It was like Yongha was challenging Akira of Hikaru. If that was the case, in what manner was Yongha challenging Akira for? The status of rivalry? That could be it, after all it was well-known that Akira and Hikaru were rivals. Two of the strongest pros among the youngest… never mind the fact these two could beat a number of veteran pros.

Sai smiled as he remembered reading a magazine article with Hikaru not too long ago. Akira and Hikaru were both well known for their strength, fearlessness and ruthlessness at their young age, plus the fact that they were never too far from each other… it was no wonder that the press had taken to calling them twin dragons. Their almost legendary game play and cold but courteous manners when dealing with people helped secure the apt nickname. Their infamous status helped too, since Akira was the well-known and revered son of Touya Koyo and Hikaru, the Go prodigy that only started Go at the age of twelve with no master. The fact that they were the rising stars of the Japan's Go world that carried the expectation of many pros was a reason as well.

Those grounds were what finally clinched the media's love for them. Akira apparently had taken all this in gracefully, growing up with his father as the Meijin certainly helped, unfortunately it didn't seem to stand well with Hikaru. Hikaru had scoffed at the article, complaining to Sai about the idiocy of the press.

"Stupid idiots! Printing something like that," Hikaru sneered at the article, scowling at the same time. Sai had to suppress a laugh.

"Careful, Hikaru. The magazine might catch fire if you stare at it any harder."

"But Sai!" Hikaru whined, turning to face the gentle ghost. "Look at this rubbish. You read it didn't you? They weren't even printing out Touya's and my achievements, just plain gossip!"

"Yes, because they sell, don't they?"

"They have no right to! And what's with calling us twin dragons? Where do they even come up with such ridiculous name?"

Sai smiled. "Well, maybe there's a resemblance?"

Hikaru glared and replied scathingly. "Oh really? Do I breathe fire? Or maybe create rain? I don't have four clawed-legs now, do I? Of course, I fly every once in a while as well."

Sai laughed out loud this time as Hikaru continued to rant at the magazine.

"Sai…"

Startled, Sai looked upon Hikaru. Hikaru had shifted his arm above his head and was looking at him blearily. Had Sai been thinking so long? When Sai nodded his head slightly, Hikaru gave Sai a sleepy smile.

"What," Hikaru paused, stifling a yawn before continuing in the same sleepy voice, "are you doing?"

Sai smiled gently, a soft expression on his face. "I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Oh, you generally… and about Touya-kun and Yongha-kun as well."

"Me huh? I hope those are good thoughts."

Sai laughed then. "Of course they are. Why shouldn't they be?"

Hikaru smiled in response. "So why were Yongha and Touya in your thoughts?"

Sai looked at Hikaru seriously. Catching the look in Sai's eyes, Hikaru sighed softly and sat up, stretching to brush off his sleepiness at the same time. Sai smiled indulgingly, waiting for Hikaru to face him again.

"What is it, Sai?" Hikaru finally enquired, resting his chin on his raised leg, wrapping his arms around it.

"Hikaru…" Sai paused, before changing track. "Hikaru, what do you really think about the interaction between Touya-kun and Yongha-kun?"

Hikaru blinked slowly before shifting to rest his cheek on his knees instead.

"Truthfully? I think their so-called animosity steamed from somewhere… and I'm quite sure it's me. But what I don't understand is why or even how."

Looking up in time to catch Sai's surprised expression, Hikaru laughed softly.

"I'm not as dense as everyone presumes… you should know that. Or maybe I should say I'm no longer as dense as you used to know…?" Hikaru murmured thoughtfully, before shaking his head slightly. "Anyway, as I was saying, I am not blind or stupid. They are vying for my attention… but I'm beginning to wonder what kind of attention they want from me."

"What do you mean?"

"Doesn't it make you wonder, Sai? All the time Yongha spent with us, not once has he asked for a game since our truce. And now, suddenly he wants a game? Right after the argument I had with Touya as well… makes one wonder if he had heard the argument, doesn't it?"

"You mean…"

"I'm not stupid… I know Touya considers himself prominent in my life. His world revolves around Go after all… and I'm the only one who is worthy in his eyes to be his rival. The thing is, I reciprocate those sentiments. I have a feeling that Yongha was fighting with Touya for that spot."

"Even so, it doesn't explain…" Sai trailed off, widening his eyes as realization came upon him. "Oh…"

"Exactly. If Yongha wants that spot, why doesn't he play Go with me? Spending all that time with me and yet not securing a place as a rival? Touya's actions make one think like that, but Yongha's actions don't prove it. So in the end, that explanation is mote, isn't it?"

"I think… I think, Hikaru, that it's not really your Go Yongha-kun is after." Hikaru looked expectantly at Sai, making Sai feel a twinge of regret at his next words. "I think it's you Yongha-kun is after."

Sai would have laughed at Hikaru's comical expression if the discussion was not so serious and tense. As it was, Sai could only bite his lower lips and look down.

"No." Sai looked up at the reply, catching Hikaru's faraway look and frown. "It can't be. If it's me Yongha's after… why is Touya involved?"

Sai shrugged. "Maybe he wants you exclusively and Touya-kun is in his way?"

Hikaru did a great imitation of a gaping fish. "That's… ridiculous!"

"Is it really?" Sai asked, sadness creeping into his voice. "Do you remember, Hikaru? When you said that you are selfish when it comes to me? That could apply to both Touya-kun and Yongha-kun now."

"What do you mean?"

Sai grimaced at the confusion and fear in Hikaru's voice. Sighing, he began to answer Hikaru painstakingly.

"Yongha-kun wants you, for what I'm not entirely sure, but you intrigue him and he wants you and sees Touya-kun as a threat to that. Because right now he sees Touya as your most important person; your rival."

Hikaru shook his head, replying almost roughly and stubbornly. "You're my most important person."

Sai was startled by the reply, and he couldn't help but to feel the pang lessen that he had not known was there. Collecting his thoughts once more, Sai countered Hikaru softly, "But do they know it?"

"Touya… Touya knows."

"And that brings us to the second reason," Sai said sadly before plunging on. "Touya-kun realized… he probably realized this a long time ago; let's just say he confirmed that Sai and even Shuusaku are your most important persons. Realizing that, Touya-kun probably feels he can't lose what little placing in your life he has now."

"And for that he fights with Yongha," Hikaru concluded softly. Several heartbeats later Hikaru began laughing bitterly. "I have no say in this?"

"Probably not… unless you're willing to confront them?"

Hikaru shook his head. "I'd rather be ignorant. Then why do you think that Yongha is asking for a game now?"

"I don't know. Are you going to give him that game?"

"I… I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. I haven't truly thought about it. It just seems so… final. Like it's going to be a closure to something, what exactly I'm not sure." Hikaru then sighed heavily. "No use thinking about it now. We'll see how everything goes."

"Closure? Maybe…" Sai hummed, "Or maybe we're just making a mountain out of a molehill. It doesn't matter, does it?"

Gingerly, Hikaru crawled over to Sai, dropping his head onto Sai's lap.

"This still isn't making any sense to me, Sai, matters or not."

Sai ran his fingers through Hikaru's hair soothingly. "I know."

'I know, for it's not making any sense to me either.' Sai thought silently, careful not to send that thought to Hikaru.

After a long silence, Hikaru spoke up, breaking the peace and stilling Sai's soothing fingers running through his hair.

"Computer?" Asked Sai, parroting Hikaru words bewilderedly before his face cleared up. "Oh, you mean the little box where we can play Go?"

Hikaru shifted until he was facing upwards. "Yeah, I thought you'd like it if I buy a computer so you can play Go online. I mean, it can't be that fun playing against Waya and the rest of them. Unfortunately I can't let you play my Dan series games…"

Sai gave Hikaru a heartfelt smile. Trust Hikaru to think about him even when he's having problems of his own. Resuming his earlier task, Sai listened with a soft smile as Hikaru kept rambling out loud about the computer he was going to get.

"So, let's go get that computer tomorrow! Okay, Sai?"

Sai smiled lovingly in agreement, causing Hikaru's eyes to soften in reply.

"Let's play another game, Hikaru. Tomorrow will come soon enough."

Sai watched as Hikaru got up to sit across the goban in silent agreement. Yes, tomorrow would come soon enough. The rest of the things could wait till then.

- tbc -

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