[Tsukada]
by ukefied
I. Hikaru
Hikaru still has dreams, even now. He envisions sitting on temple steps, playing go with Sai under the afternoon sun. Sai looks happy, places his stones and giving instructions -- playing shidogo with him. Hikaru listens and learns and loves the teacher who has come to him from the other side.
"I have to leave," Sai says suddenly.
Hikaru is confused. "But why?" he asks, and finds himself reaching out, but Sai is already gone.
And Hikaru comes awake, gasping, reaching, and grabbing the air before him. It's at that moment, in the darkness, that he realizes he is two years too late.
II. Akari
"What do you think?" she asks him, feeling the butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Is it a good idea?"
Mitani considers the newspaper spread out on their table. He considers for a long time. Akari suffers the wait, not wanting to rush him, knowing what a big deal this is supposed to be for guys.
He takes so long, her hopes begin to dwindle. The aura around their table is palpable; a couple of other patrons glance their way, and the woman who comes with the intention to refill their coffee decides to give them some space, instead.
"It's going to be a learning experience," Mitani finally says.
Akari can barely contain her excitement. "Does that mean...?"
"We should move in together," he finishes. "We've been dating forever."
I. Hikaru
Hikaru still has dreams, even now. He envisions sitting on temple steps, playing go with Sai under the afternoon sun. Sai looks happy, places his stones and giving instructions -- playing shidogo with him. Hikaru listens and learns and loves the teacher who has come to him from the other side.
"I have to leave," Sai says suddenly.
Hikaru is confused. "But why?" he asks, and finds himself reaching out, but Sai is already gone.
And Hikaru comes awake, gasping, reaching, and grabbing the air before him. It's at that moment, in the darkness, that he realizes he is two years too late.
II. Akari
"What do you think?" she asks him, feeling the butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Is it a good idea?"
Mitani considers the newspaper spread out on their table. He considers for a long time. Akari suffers the wait, not wanting to rush him, knowing what a big deal this is supposed to be for guys.
He takes so long, her hopes begin to dwindle. The aura around their table is palpable; a couple of other patrons glance their way, and the woman who comes with the intention to refill their coffee decides to give them some space, instead.
"It's going to be a learning experience," Mitani finally says.
Akari can barely contain her excitement. "Does that mean...?"
"We should move in together," he finishes. "We've been dating forever."