A/N: Once again, a short chapter. I apologize, but HnG hasn't held my interest for a while now. Most of this chapter was written the last time I updated (April 2015), excepting the last paragraph.

Hikaru no Go: Nostalgia Ch.23

Exuberance

Summer had finally come! And though Hikaru had been given the green light for a much needed vacation, he wasn't sure how he managed to still play baby-sitter rather than relaxing at a nice sunny beach in the tropics with Akari. He looked over to the two much excited brats running about from stand to stand yelling excitedly about one thing or another. A chuckle to his left made him leave his thoughts, and tilting his head, he watched as Akari gave another small giggle at seeing the exuberant children flitter about. She stopped and tilted her head to meet his, eyes sparkling with mirth and laughter.

"They're so cute!" she says, a bit of humour in her tone, "Reminds me of you when we were young."

"Except I was less exasperating and more dashing perhaps?" Hikaru teased, a cheshire-like grin plastered over his face.

"Oh, stop it you!" Akari giggled, playfully punching her husband's arm, a teasing light in her eyes.

"Shindo-sensei, Shindo-sensei!" Taguchi's excited voice called from four stalls down the lane. He was waving his arms around enthusiastically in a careless manner, and beside him Ohka seemed transfixed with watching what was happening inside the stall.

Rolling his eyes in an exaggerated show of exasperation for Akari to see, Hikaru sped up his walking pace a bit in Taguchi's direction. "Well now, the brat calls."

"Better not keep them waiting then, Shindo-sensei," laughed Akari, following after Hikaru.

When they reached the stall that seemed to have completely taken hold of Taguchi and Ohka's attention, Akari realized why. It was Touya Akira! He was playing a game against a child around the age of the two children that had taken to calling Hikaru 'Sensei'. And from asking the volunteer put in charge of running that particular stall, it seemed that Touya Akira-pro had volunteered a few hours of his time that day to play games against the goers of the Mini Go Festival. It was no wonder the children were excited; to play against Touya Akira-pro was not something a regular amateur or insei was privy to.

"Shindou-sensei, Shindo-sensei!" Taguchi called, pulling Hikaru away to where a volunteer surrounded by festival goers was. "They said that's where you sign up for a game with Touya-pro!"

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Hikaru asked, face lighting up at Taguchi's excitement, "Go sign up."

"Um...they also mentioned that children need a guardian to sign for them," Taguchi added in a smaller voice. His eyes were looking at Hikaru in an overly similar manner to that of a small puppy's.

"Ok, ok, let's sign both of you brats up," Hikaru agreed easily, taking a look at the many people around, he added, "We should also ask about how long it would be until your turns. Best to tour the rest of the festival while we have the chance and come back later for your matches."

"We're not going to stay and watch?" Ohka asked walking up to stand beside Taguchi from behind Hikaru, with Akari following right behind him.

"It's better to take a look at what the rest of the festival has to offer while it's still early and with less people around Ohka-kun," Akari answered wisely. "You might find something else that catches your eye while you're here."

"Okay," both boys answered not so happily, bowing to Akari's sensible words.

"I'll sign the brats up then," Hikaru said. He gestured to the pamphlet in Akari's hand, "Why don't you and the boys look at what other activities the festival has."

Heading to where the swamped volunteer signing up opponents for Touya Akira-pro was, Hikaru gave a quick glance at Akari and the brats. The two still looked a bit morose for not being able to watch the famous pro play game after game, but seemed to brighten a bit while Akari listed activity after activity for them.

When he finally reached the volunteer, he quickly signed up both Taguchi and Ohka's names for matches. While there Hikaru also asked how long a game usually lasted.

"They are usually 30 minutes," the volunteer answered, gesturing to a timetable he had, "We have Touya-sensei playing three matches at once to try and squeeze in as many interested parties as possible. There is an hour break at noon, after that Touya-sensei will be busy at another event for two hours. He agreed to continue with any other matches after 3 in the afternoon, until 6 in the evening. Sign-ups for matches end at noon."

"Thanks," Hikaru said, appreciating the extra information, "Could you tell me around when my two wards should be back for their matches?"

"According to the time slots, they should be the last batch just before the lunch break," the volunteer answered, looking at his timetable, "Though you may want to come back half an hour earlier just in case. If they are not back within five minutes after they are called, then the spot will be given to the next person on the time table. Of course we would make an announcement over the intercom before giving the spot away."

"Alright, back half hour earlier, and five minute grace period after match starts," Hikaru muttered, noting the information down in his head. "Thanks again."

"You're welcome sir," the volunteer smiled. "Please enjoy the festival!"

Hikaru walked out of the station, and found Akari waiting with the two boys beside a souvenir stall. He walked towards them, waving at the three. Seeing him, the both Taguchi and Ohka cried out, rushing over to their sensei.

"So? When's our match?" Taguchi all but demanded, clinging onto Hikaru's arm.

"Will we have to wait long?" Ohka asked from his spot on Hikaru's other arm.

"Calm down brats. You'll have your turns at 11:30," Hikaru said, eyebrow raised. He looked to Akari and added, "We're also advised to return half an hour earlier in case their matches may start early."

Akari nodded, taking out her phone and adding a reminder in case either of them forgot. But looking at the two boys, it was very unlikely to happen.

With plans made, the four set off to see the different booths. After a stopping by a booth or two, it was noticed that the two boys were more interested in differing events, so after a short discussion it was agreed that the group would split up two per group. Akari would accompany Ohka, and Hikaru with Taguchi; they were to meet again at the main plaza by a fountain to regroup by 11 to head to the main event of their day.