DISCLAIMER: Hikaru no Go and its characters belong to Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi.

WARNINGS: Sequel to "The Long Awaited Confession". No spoilers per se, but might be a bit difficult to understand if you didn't read the manga or didn't see the anime. Language – from our dear Hikaru, maybe others – possible underage drinking again and mild boy on boy theme. Or maybe not so mild, depending on my mood.

A/N: I apologize for any errors, discrepancies, inaccuracies or mistakes for they are all mine, as this work is unbeta'd. Reviews are really appreciated. Cookies will make you fat, reviews won't.

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Friends and Foes

My life goes back to the nice and steady routine I've been accustomed to since I became a go pro. I am already so busy with games, study groups, shidougo and the likes that I am glad I decided not to go to high school. Though, now I think about it, I am going to turn nineteen in a few months, so even Touya has graduated from high school this spring. I don't know how he did it.

It is Saturday and a bunch of us – former insei and Morishita-sensei's students – meet at Waya's for a study group. Today, there are not many of us: Waya, Isumi, Saeki, Ochi and Honda; that's six people including me.

We decide to play some sort of mini-tournament for fun. After all, it's nearly summer and we deserve some relaxation, though we try to avoid any excessive laid-back attitude. I'm playing Saeki in the first round, Waya is playing Honda and Isumi Ochi. I like Saeki 6-Dan; despite the fact that he's an adult – was already an adult when I joined Morishita-sensei's study group when I was thirteen – he is even-tempered, easy to talk to and he smiles a lot. After nigiri, I am white. Though I am bit disappointed not to be able to test my new openings, I play a good game. My invasion of the right upper corner of the goban is going well and Saeki sighs before resigning. Honda surprisingly overcomes Waya, but Isumi gets the better of Ochi. That's when we realise we can't have a second round because our numbers are now uneven. Unfazed, we choose to review the three games and to switch the pairings afterwards. I am in great shape and win my three games: Saeki, Isumi then Honda. I feel great.

A few hours later, all the games are played and reviewed; Honda and Ochi decide to go home, but Waya, Isumi, Saeki and I are famished. As usual, there is nothing edible in Waya's fridge. 'Just like the previous thousand times. Boy, what a surprise!' Saeki is feeling generous and decides to treat us to an early dinner in a sushi restaurant to celebrate his recent promotion to 6-Dan. I try to advocate for ramen but my friends simply tune me out. After asking Saeki's approval, I call Touya from my cell phone to invite him to join us in the restaurant. As expected, I get chided by Waya who doesn't want to hang out with who he calls 'the go prodigy'.

"Get used to it, Waya. He's my friend and I want him here." I answer.

After my comment, the conversation strikes up on the theme of friendship and holidays. It seems everyone knows I went with Touya in the Hiroshima area a few weeks ago. And everyone wants to know why, particularly Waya who wonders what I did with 'this lousy guy'.

"We sort of went on vacation. We wanted to go to Innoshima and visit Torajirou's… I mean Shuusaku Honinbou's grave and his memorial. It was nothing fancy…" I explain.

Isumi is flabbergasted and asks innocently: "Didn't you go there when you were fifteen too? During your string of forfeited games?"

Saeki interjects. "Is that so interesting? Why didn't you ask us to tag along too?"

I stay silent for a moment, sipping my green tea, trying to collect my thoughts. I cannot imagine a valid reason for not inviting them in the first place. Waya stares at me. He isn't usually very discerning, but he must have some sort of radar when it comes to Touya because he is more perceptive than usual. He asks me about what happened in Innoshima and why we were gone for two full days when one was enough.

"We would have gone back sooner, but Touya got drunk and was nursing a terrible headache…" I stop talking when I realise what I am saying. 'Way to put my foot in my mouth.'

"I can't imagine Touya getting drunk." Isumi says sceptically.

"Come on, Shindou, spill the beans. What really happened when you were out there?" Waya asks again, cocking his eyebrow.

"N-Nothing really… it was sort of an a-accident…" I am stuttering. I am unable to change the subject or to ignore the question. "H-He sort of k-kissed me." It was scarcely more than a whisper.

Touya opens the door of the restaurant and prepares himself to greet his fellow go professionals and his best friend. None of them has seen him yet. He takes a step to move towards them, when he hears the irritating voice of Waya, ranting about something. It doesn't take him long to understand that the young man is talking about him.

"Gosh, I knew it! I knew he was a homo!" He cried out. "You have to stop spending all of your time with him, Shindou, or he's going to foul you up or contaminate you! I am telling you that as a real friend; it's so obvious when you look at him, with his sleek bangs, he's a fag. And kissing you without asking? Because he didn't ask, did he? That whey-faced son of a bitch…"

Waya howls in mirth, while Isumi and Saeki chuckles politely. I laugh uneasily. Touya moves back, an empty look in his eyes. He has heard enough, he has seen enough. Shindou laughing with his friends, mocking him, insulting him. He turns away and leaves quickly without making his presence known.

"Oh, close your mouth, Waya; you don't know what you're talking about." I protest in the end. "I'm going home…" And with these words, I leave the table and its occupants.