A/N: Holy shit! Been a awhile now hasn't it? So long that while I was writing this, I suddenly realized that I couldn't even remember who my cute little brats were. O_o And I believe this may not be what any of you were hoping for as a follow-up from the last chapter. My bad, Sai's disappearance and Hikaru angsting is depressing to write about.

Absence

The meeting with Toya Koyo had gone as well as Hikaru could have expected, considering the topic that had been planned for discussion. Hikaru had to admit that while he had steeled himself to answer almost any questions about Sai and their relation, he still had his doubts. The truth of the matter was that he hadn't given himself time to properly mourn Sai's abrupt 'passing' those many years ago, and instead pushed himself into other activities even to go so far as secluding himself with his school books and studying subjects he only recently hated.

"Shindo-sensei!" called a voice, cutting through Hikaru's thoughts. "Shindo-sensei! Earth to Shindo-sensei! Are you listening to me?!"

Shaking out of his thoughts, Hikaru turned his head to where the voice was calling him from. It was Taguchi, and he didn't look very happy. In fact, he looked to be pouting just a bit; Hikaru smiled at the cute expression on the child's face. Reaching out, Hikaru pinched Taguchi's round cheeks. "Now, now Taguchi-kun your face will end up looking like a squirrel's if you keep making that face."

Taguchi's arm went up, flailing about, slapping Hikaru's pinching fingers away. "Gah! Don't do that Sensei! My cheeks are gonna be all red and puffy lookin' now!"

Hikaru laughed, "My bad, my bad. Now, what were you saying before?"

"..." Taguchi was suddenly unnaturally silent, before mumbling something out.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't get that Taguchi-kun," Hikaru gently prodded Taguchi to answer clearer.

"Ifailedmylastmid-termexamsandnowI'mgroundeduntilmygradespickuppleasepleasepleasehelpmeShindo-sei!" Taguchi yelled out in a rush, his words all strung together and barely decipherable.

Hikaru blinked, taking a few more moments than usual to understand Taguchi's current dilemma. He blinked again, then a small sigh escaped his mouth. Looking at Taguchi, he answered seriouisly, "Taguchi-kun, if you need help then I will help as much as is possible, but next time, I hope that you will take better care with your studies. At least, enough that you aren't failing most of your tests."

Looking quite told-off, Taguchi nodded his head meekly, his face down staring at the floor in shame. He knew it was his own fault that he'd neglected his school studies in favor for playing outside with his friends and spending too much time with his Go studies.

"Now, one of my co-worker's daughter does some tutoring for kids of your age. I can ask her father if she is willing to on another student, as well as recommending hiring her as your home tutor to your parents," Hikaru proposed. Taguchi's face fell at the proposal. "I'm sorry Taguchi-kun, but there is not much I can do here. It's all up to you to study well, and keep your parents satisfied with your progress in both school and Go. It's the cost for your free time and allowance."

"...okay Shindo-sensei," Taguchi agreed in a subdued voice, his face sad and posture limp. "I won't be able to come for the next three weeks. Can you tell Tetsuo for me?"

"Of course," Hikaru agreed easily, "Wouldn't want him to think you've abandoned him now. Haha."

The following days Hikaru's evenings were filled with peace and silence. No loud brats around shouting, arguing, and generally making loud noises and chaos happen around his home. After the first time Ohka-kun came and visited, only to find that Taguchi-kun wasn't going to be around for the next three weeks, he decided to spend his newly freed time to his school studies, friends and family. Ohka-kun would visit from time to time, just to keep Shindo-sensei updated on his Go progress, ask for any advice, and to play a few friendly games.

Akari, it seemed, had taken the temporary absence of the two boys a bit harder than Hikaru. She too had gotten fond of the boys, and had gotten into the habit of making extra lunches and preparing snacks for Hikaru and the two boys.

"It seems so quiet and lonely here without the boys here," Akari observed, a tone of wistfulness in her voice as she looked around the living area. Even though it wasn't quite a big living area, the absence of the two boys and their loud bickering, the goban set up between them, and copies of Weekly Go strewn about the floor, made the small space seem quite large and empty.

"It is," Hikaru agreed from where he was lounging on the couch. His eyes also taking in the now clean and organized space, and couldn't help but adding, "It's also actually clean in here now. I can see floor for one."

Akari smiled a small smile at Hikaru's attempt to cheer her up.

"Besides," Hikaru continued, a large grin on his face as he turned to face her, "They'll be back before you know it."

This time, Akari smiled back brightly.

A/N2: I know you all hate me now. :P