Author's note: Ok, so maybe I lied. This chapter isn't that useful either, but I guess the whole point of a story is that it's interesting. I personally loved this chapter, so I hope you will too. Without further ado, here is chapter 4.

The Green Tea Candies

The storm had die down but walking was still difficult. Shindou cursed under his breath as he marched to the institute. He knew he shouldn't feel so tense before a game, but he hadn't seen Touya for two days. Since the fight, Touya had been in the hospital, and Shindou was too stubborn to even secretly visit him. Touya wasn't well enough to play the game the day before yesterday because his fever was back, or so the doctor said. Shindou was careful to only call Akiko-san thrice a day, in case she gets suspicious. Despite everything, he was worried and frustrated, not to mention guilty for kicking Touya out right before the storm.

Shindou was walking up the front stairs to the main entrance when he saw Waya and Isumi running to catch up to him.

"Yo, Shindou, what are you doing here so early? I thought your game is in the afternoon?" Waya hollered from afar. He and Isumi would both have a game with some 2-Dan, so they were as cheery as can be. It was rare to have relaxing matches as 4-Dans, but occasionally, the organizers felt like being merciful.

As they approached him, he smiled slightly. Ignoring the concerned glances being switched between his friends, Shindou walked inside and headed for the elevator. No matter what happens outside the institute, when they are inside it, the feel of home would swept over them, and even Shindou was remotely happy.

Waya quickly stepped in after Shindou and held the door for Isumi. When they were all standing inside the bright cubicle, Waya pressed the button. Silence ensued and Shindou turned to stare at the floor numbers that were flashing by.

"You don't look so good." Isumi started carefully. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing to worry about," Shindou murmured briefly. Then he remembered Waya's previous question and quickly made his decision. "I'm just here to tell them I want to be excused from the afternoon game. I guess besides looks, I don't feel so good either."

"I wonder if there is some kinda virus going around the institute." Waya said casually, leaning on the back wall and crossed his arms.

"What do you mean?" Isumi asked curiously.

"Well, you know. Touya Almighty Junior is down with winter flu. He didn't show up for the game the day before yesterday, not like it's the first time now. I heard Sensei say he won't be here for the next week either." Waya nodded his head wisely.

Shindou felt his throat tighten and without noticing, he frowned.

"In that case, Shindou-kun, please do take care of yourself. Get some rest, you look like you haven't slept in… a while." Isumi advised him kindly.

"Sure, I was thinking of going home to catch a wink anyway." Shindou glanced at their worried face. "Come on; don't look like I have cancer. I just can't really… I will be fine by tomorrow."

The elevator dinged open, and they stepped outside. Shindou waved to them as he headed for the administration office. He didn't get far before Isumi called him back and handed him a can of hot coffee. Shindou looked surprised and mumbled thanks.

"I was thinking… maybe we should go visit Touya-kun. He won't be here for the next week, so we should at least drop by and wish him well." Glaring at Waya's protesting face, Isumi continued. "It's only polite as a fellow colleague. Tomorrow you have a game, Waya. So what do you think about Sunday, Shindou?"

"I don't think I can. Look, tell him I want him to get better soon, ok?" Shindou retreated skillfully. "And if I have time to go, I will call you tomorrow. Oh and buy him some of those green tea candies, it will be my gift."

"Do you think something happened between the two?" Isumi inquired as he watched Shindou's slouching back moving further away.

"Who cares, just don't count on me paying for those disgusting green tea candies." Waya retorted brashly. Nevertheless, he scowled and pondered over Shindou's reaction. Touya had better not done something stupid to hurt Shindou.

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"Akira-kun, your friends are here to visit you." Akiko-san called out gently.

"If he is asleep, please don't trouble yourself to wake him." Isumi said politely.

"I don't think he is asleep…" Akiko-san frowned and sighed. She went on quietly, "… He hasn't been talking at all since I found him in the cold. The doctor said he is fine besides the fever, no signs of pneumonia or anything. I don't understand. Akira-kun, honey…"

Waya stared at the lump on the white hospital bed and walked forward.

"Shindou said we should come to visit you." He said bluntly. They all observed Touya carefully as his body uncurled itself and turned to face the visitors.

"Shindou… is not here?" Touya sat up and looked about, puzzled.

"He doesn't feel well. When we last saw him, he had a big headache and had to be escorted out from his game." Waya replied simply, his face void of any expression.

Isumi raised his eyebrow slightly. What is Waya thinking?

What Waya was thinking at that moment was that he couldn't wait to get some reaction out of this stubborn and cold-hearted prodigy. As expected, Touya's eyes widen a bit. All too soon though, he regained his composure and closed up his face, showing no more emotion. Akiko-san patted Isumi's shoulder and retreated out of the room. Her son had been acting strange, and maybe his friends will help sort things out.

"How are you, Touya-kun?" Isumi came forward and put the bag on the small table.

"I'm well, thank you." Touya answered automatically.

"He thinks we are blind." Waya said rudely to Isumi, pretending Touya was deaf.

"Waya…" Isumi threatened him with a menacing tone, then he turned his attention back to Touya. "I heard you will be staying here for a week? I hope it's nothing serious."

"Mother is over-reacting a bit. I'm just a little woozy." Touya hesitated, he desperately wanted to investigate Shindou's wellbeing, but that wouldn't be right, not yet.

"Shindou was going to come with us, but… as Waya might have mentioned, he is not in his best condition." Isumi saw through him and explained. He knew that Shindou was Touya's best friend, and his absence without a reason would hurt the boy.

"I'm happy that you guys came. I was somewhat bored." Touya said honestly. He smiled weakly at them.

Even if Shindou was well, would he have come? Touya thought gloomily.

Isumi noted that he saw the same smile on a different face some time before. He had a bad feeling that his instinct was right. Something quite serious had went wrong.

"I brought a portable Goban. It would be the best way to chase away your boredom." Isumi said cheerfully, reaching into the bag.

" Shindou asked us to bring you some candy, green tea flavour. I don't see why since you are clearly no longer a kid." Waya added and sat down on the sofa situated at the other side of the room.

Touya blinked, Shindou… He swallowed hard, devouring all the tears that were threatening to come. He felt uncontrollable happiness mingled with sadness, and the sensation was overwhelming all his logic.

"He sends his regards, please get better." Isumi turned and smiled encouragingly at Touya.

"Thank you. Well, enough about Shindou. Would any of you be so kind to have a game with me?" With that, the three pros dropped all conversation outside Go strategies and tactics. They switched comments and suggestions in a civilized manner. When Waya's watch beeped six times, the pros had played several matches and were content to part for the day.

After the door close behind the departing friends, the stillness inside the hospital room was suffocating. Touya brought his knees up to his chest and hugged them hard. He felt the tears and welcomed them. This afternoon, he realized one thing. It was now impossible for him to look at a Goban or play a game without thinking about Shindou, and he can't think about Shindou without wanting to rip himself apart for all that he had done.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Shindou walked for a while but then suddenly stopped. It's no good to go home; the mother was worried sick and had been bothering him non-stop.

Mostly, Shindou-san just talked about the good times they had when Touya was over. They say it helps to remember the good times when things go bad, but apparently, that's bull because all it was doing was causing Shindou chest pains...

He turned and headed in the other direction. It's time to heal the wound using his own method.

Coming out of the warm convenient store, Shindou sniffed and wriggled his toes. After days of stormy weather, the moon had made its most fabulous entry. It shone like a sun, yet it was still cold as hell. Moonlight was reflected on the snow inside the park to form glitters. You could almost see the snow fairies from Nutcracker and the Sugarplum Princess dancing around, making magic.

But the thing is, there was no magic...not that night. Shindou looked at the park hesitantly but finally decided to walk in. He, just like Touya, moved to the bench where they had sat on the day they decided that they wanted to be together, possibly forever.

Shindou laughed at himself and sat down on the clean side of the bench knowing that Touya had sat there five days ago. He took out a pack of beer from the plastic bag, precisely half a dozen, and sighed. No one would do this besides him, that part was for sure. A guy must be truly insane to drink beer in a park piled with four feet of snow. Either that or he must have missed his lover...a lot.

Shindou knew his heart probably couldn't take much at the moment, yet he couldn't help but remembering every second he had spent with Touya. He knew that deep in his heart, he was not angry. He was just frustrated and tired, maybe also scared about what's to come. He knew he would be a fool if he thought they were finished. He could not just get over Touya like that.

Shindou checked his watch when he finished his second can, 10:47. He had the urge to rewind the time; to go back to this morning. He wanted to call Isumi and tell him he will go visit Touya after all. If that's the last thing he will ever do, he would still do it.

Now he couldn't. He can't face the Touya they described. For once he chose to trust Waya. While Isumi reported Touya's condition with kinder, nicer words, Waya's report was soaked in honesty. In short, Touya looked like shit.

Shindou pulled his coat in tighter to stop the sharp stab of pain in his chest. He gulped down another mouthful of beer to curb the knocking of his teeth. His mother would not be happy about all this, not at all. However, she would understand and accept. Therefore, Shindou kept on going until the last can ran dry...

To Be Continued…

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Previews for the next chapter:

-"You have changed a lot…" Akari looked up and smiled.

- Not like it would make a difference without Mitani. I love Akari like a real sister.

-"Um…it wasn't that bad, I thought I was going to die. Maybe struck by lightning or buried in an avalanche." Since it was over, Shindou found himself joking out of relief.

- I got my answer. Touya struggled to stand, completely ignoring the helping hand. No more cowering before him... He stood and started to walk away.

oXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXo

Author's note: Those of you who read the last version and remembered it probably know that this chapter didn't exist before. I just thought it was rushed the last time, so I welcomed this chapter into the fun. I hope you had fun in the process too. Please be patient for the next chapter. Thank you.