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. I now officially hate cookies and any other kind of sweets that are not getting me reviews.

----------------------------

Talking to a girl

The more I think about these past few months, the less I understand what has happened and how events has gone to this point.

I try to consider things from a rational point of view. I am certain Touya is not gay. I am in fact much sure that his kiss in Innoshima was an accident. 'But what about the fact he said he loves me?' I am convinced that, even if he is gay, he is absolutely not attracted to me. 'But what about the day his lips brushed against my ear while he was telling me he would go with me in Innoshima?' I am positive that I am not attracted to him, because I am not gay. 'But what about the day I looked at him and found him handsome? What about the day I thought he had a cute smile? What about me asking him not to leave me?' The more I think about it, the less comprehensible it is. I obviously need to talk to someone about all this.

But who would I talk to? Evidently, not Touya. Plainly, not the boys. Waya is being more of prick than usual; Isumi is understanding, but would repeat everything to Waya; I don't know Saeki or Honda or any of the others well enough; and I don't trust Ochi, who still resents me for being Touya's rival. I need some feminine expertise on the topic. It has been a long time I haven't seen Akari. I am sure she won't mind helping me. I am going to call her right now and suggest we meet somewhere in town – a coffee shop or a restaurant – and we are going to have a nice friendly talk about… Well, I can't define about what yet, but I am sure it will be clearer, once I describe my thoughts to her.

"Hello, Ms Fujisaki, this is Shindou Hikaru," I introduce myself on the phone, "could I speak with Akari please? Yes, thank you." I wait a few seconds. "Hey, Akari. How are you doing? Yes? Good. What do you say about us going out today? I don't know, I could invite you to drink a coffee or something… What? A date? No, no, it's not a date. What? I promise you, it's not a date at all, I just need to talk to you. Oh… You're dating Mitani? This long already? That's great, congratulations. No, really, it's not a date, it's just… childhood friends meeting for a little talk… Okay? Meet me at three o'clock? Fine. See you then."

I hang up the phone, mystified at what Akari just told me and a bit miffed she didn't tell me sooner. She is dating Mitani for nearly eight months. But then, I don't call her that often too.

We meet in front of her favourite coffee shop on time and go inside without further ado. After all, it is not a date. A waiter ushers us to a table and takes our order. Akari looks at me oddly then states: "You wanted to talk to me, Hikaru?" I nod vaguely. "Then, go on, talk." Her tone is a bit acerbic, but I guess it is my fault. I really don't call her often enough.

"Okay. I have a friend who has a friend… Forget that, Akari, using this kind of ploy is childish and you see through it every time… Let me start again. Some month ago, a person I know got drunk and confessed that h… she loves me and then kissed me… No, no I didn't get hi… her drunk on purpose. You know I wouldn't do that, right? The following day, that person had forgotten everything and thus we decided to stay friends. Except now, I think about it all the time. I notice things I didn't notice before like how I find hi… her face handso… beautiful, how h-her smile is cute… And last time, we had a fight and I was afraid we would never talk ever again and I said something like 'don't leave me' to hi… her. I am sure you and your feminine intuition have a perfectly normal explanation for all this, right?"

I don't think I have ever talked so much to Akari. She still looks at me, but a crooked smile graces her face now. I don't know if it is a very good or a very bad thing.

"You didn't have a crush on this person before that accidental kiss, right?" She asks. I shake my head vehemently. "And now, you think about this person all the time?" I nod emphatically. Trust Akari to understand the situation so well.

"There really is only one explanation." She pauses. "You're in love."

I gawk at her in shock and say: "No, no, not possible. I can't be in love with him. No."

'Did I just freaking say "him" right now? Shit, holy shit!'

"Don't be foolish, Hikaru, you can be in love with a guy. Nowadays, that's not uncommon and that's no big deal." She stands up and takes her purse. "Think about it." She smiles and leaves me completely dazed in the coffee shop.

I don't remember going back home or shutting myself away in my room. I can't stop thinking about what Akari implied. I've known Touya since I was twelve. We are rivals in go, we are friends, but we certainly are not in love. There must be another explanation to everything he did in Innoshima and everything I feel since that day. 'That's rubbish; I'm not in love with Touya…'

"Hikaru," my mother calls from downstairs, "there's a letter from the Go institute for you. It's not one of those usual card thingies…"

"Coming!" I answer.

The letter pertains to the annual hiking week-end organised by the Go federation. I usually ignore this kind of letter. But today, two days away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and away from Touya seem a very good idea. I immediately call the institute to enrol for two days of physical exertion and mind relaxation near Mount Fuji. The lady on the phone is very enthusiastic and explains that not only is hiking on the program, but that the inn accommodating the go professionals has an onsen at our disposal as well. I feel like fate is mocking me when she adds: "Everybody at the institute will be pleased that you and Touya Akira are going this year."

This is just my luck. 'Oh gods, please shoot me…'