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I know. I'm late. I'm so sorry I had serious writer's block 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I'm back now and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Here's chapter 12 💖-----------------Luna's POV

His voice. It was like a lifeline. Its funny how a simple utterance of my name from his mouth pulled me back to life.

However, just because I didn't pass out from exhaustion doesn't mean I'm not in pain. My right ankle was burning as hell. It was getting harder to breath and I feel lightheaded.

After I thanked and bowed to the audience, I skated back cautiously, hands on my waist and looking down at my feet. I don't want pity from anyone. As soon as I reached the barrier, I looked up to my uncle, Coach Brian.

And with that one look, he knew what's wrong. I was asking for my medicine. I need it. Just to alleviate the tightening of my chest. As he handed me my guards, he called over Coach Tracy and whispered "Get Luna her medicine. Its in her bag. Zhenya's probably backstage. She knows where it is. And please hurry. "

Coach Tracy then dashed towards the door, causing a few people to look at her in confusion. Even Yuzu.

Me and Coach Brian sat on the Kiss and Cry waiting for my marks when I looked up to Yuzu, his eyes laced with confusion. Probably because I don't look too good. I was turning pale I could tell. My lipstick thinned out when I drank a shit ton of water which made it more obvious. They were also kinda close to where we are sitting and he could probably see beads of sweat forming on my forehead and how my back was hunched over from exhaustion and rapid breathing.

However, I just smiled at him, a fake one, gesturing that I'm fine. The scores were taking a while and so I mouthed to him "I'm sorry" with tears forming in my eyes in realization.

I really was sorry. I said that I dedicate this skate to him but I messed up real bad. My landings weren't great. I freaking fell. Just the thought of disappointing everyone because of my damn condition sucks. It makes me want to burst out in tears.

And as if he heard my thoughts, Yuzu smiled at me and replied "Its okay.", flashing two thumbs up.

Those two words made me want to cry even more. Those words may seem so simple yet it gave me the most comfort at the moment. Nothing else was needed to be said.

I just nodded at him and smiled as I looked down again at my feet. I could still feel my uncle patting my shoulder, reminding me to pace my breathing. It seems like Coach Tracy was stuck in backstage traffic because she was taking too long.

"The scores please for Luna Saito of Canada."

I tensed up. I know I'm not gonna get a high score. My jumps were crap ugh. It might make me miss the podium.

"Luna Saito of Canada has earned a free skate score of 147.54, making her total score 233.29 which puts her in first place."

Again, I was just speechless. Maybe its become a habit when I'm just shocked or something.

Coach Brian and I stood up and he gave me a warm hug and whispered "You did it. You won." He pulled away and looked into my eyes, scanning them if I was still okay.

Despite the crowd erupting in loud cheers and applause, its as if everything was in slow motion.

I could no longer hear the noise. I hear nothing. My eyes were trying hard to stay open, making me see the worry evident on his expression. He knows. My consciousness is holding by a thread.

"Let's go back. Now." He whispered as he put his arm on my shoulders guiding me to the door.

"What about Yuzu? and the others? They're gonna come backstage and they're gonna see me. Please don't let them see me uncle." I whispered back softly.

"I won't. Zhenya's gonna be distracting and blocking them." Coach Brian said. I nodded to say thank you and we went backstage.

timeskip

The medal ceremony ended minutes ago and now I am seated in the middle of Zhenya and Carolina Kostner, who I became acquainted with just earlier, waiting for the press conference to start.

As for my condition, I'm feeling better. Not the best, but it was better than dying, right? Ha ha ha. Right.

Earlier when me and Uncle Brian rushed backstage, fortunately, we were not halted by any reporters as we moved as quickly as we could. It turns out, Zhenya AND Coach Tracy was surrounded by the reporters, making them unable to give my medicine earlier.

As I was washing down my medicine with water, I saw Zhenya look at me, her eyes darting towards the restroom. She wanted me to go to the restroom and wait there until the medicine kicks in to avoid any reporters coming to me.

And that I did. Reporters can sometimes be a pain in the ass. I know they're just doing their jobs but some of them just goes too far for anybody's comfort and invades people's privacy. Who knows what rumors will spark if they see me in this condition.

And so, with everybody's attention pointed towards Zhenya, I wobbled into the restroom. With the number of reporters and cameramen blocking the hallway, I was sure that Yuzu, Jason, and Javi will have a hard time passing through to get to me.

Or that's what I thought.

Leaning against the wall beside the women's restroom, hands crossed over his chest was Javier Fernandez.

At that moment I knew...

I fucked up. And I told him.

It appears that Javi has been suspicious of me from the day I started showing signs of immediate exhaustion but decided to let it go thinking that it was nothing. He was very observant and decided to ask Zhenya about it but Zhenya said it would be best to be coming from me. As soon as I finished my free program earlier, he sneaked out from the audience to go backstage and ask me himself. I begged him though, to not tell anybody else about it, especially Yuzu. This statement made Javi sigh deeper than the Mariana Trench like how Zhenya did the first time I asked her this favor.

Knowing Javi, I know its gonna be hard for him to keep such a critical information from Yuzu because of how close they are. But I'm also aware that Javi knows how grave this situation is and Yuzu were to be made known of it, it should be directly from me. However, Javi warned me (like Zhenya always does) that it would be better to let Yuzu know. Again, I just nodded in reply and thanked him which earned me a big bear hug from Javi, a big brother figure for me. What made my heary melt was when he whispered to me "It'll be alright, Luna."

Anyways, let's go back to right now. Numerous reporters are right in front of us, flashing lights from the cameras making my eyes squint a bit.

Zhenya and Carolina were being asked first, I don't know why. But yeah. So I was just smiling and nodding with their responses to the questions from the reporters. My eyes then trailed to the door all the way to the back of the room. And there standing in all his glory, my Mr. Olympic Gold, Yuzuru Hanyu. I was actually unable to meet him before and after the medal ceremony because we were ushered here immediately.

I stare at him, making me lost in his eyes as I just smile at the thought of being lucky to have someone like him. I remembered how I heard his voice calling out to my name, as simple as that, made me hold on to the remaining consciousness I had.

"-ito. Ms. Saito."

I was snapped out of my trance when Zhenya nudged my side and made a gesture with her lips pointing toward the reporter.

"Ah yes. I'm so sorry. What was it?" I said chuckling, scratching the back of my head. The people in the room laughed at my actions.

"Its okay Ms. Luna. As I was saying, how does it feel to be back in the rink? Its your senior debut right? And winning a gold medal no less! Congratulations!"

"Thank you so much! I surely missed skating. I forgot how it feels like to be thrilled, excited, and of course becoming nervous as heck. And yes, its my senior debut which made it even more nerve wrecking than it already is." I laughed.

Another hand shot up from a reporter and asked "Speaking of getting back into competitive skating, what made you leave in the first place?"

I stopped. My right hand was shaking on my lap and I didn't know how to respond. I saw from my peripheral vision how Zhenya glanced at me and held my shaking hand, calming me down a bit. Yuzu was in the room and there was no way I'm letting the cat out of the bag.

After a few seconds if silence, I replied nervously. "U-uhm. I took a break because... because I"

I shook my head a bit and cleared my throat before continuing. "I was questioning myself if I wanted to continue. I was young and everything came at me faster than I expected. I stepped away from the rink to focus on myself and my studies."

After I replied, I looked up and scanned the room. People were whispering among themselves and nodding from what I said. My eyes then trailed to Yuzu who was attentively listening to the things I had to say. I look down immediately when I met his eyes to avoid any kind of suspicion from him.

"Last question Ms. Saito. You did well on your free skate today despite a few mishaps and your short program was phenomenal. Congratulations on the world record! Would you mind telling us if there's someone you dedicate your gold medal to?"

With this question, all the people erupted in loud 'oooh's' waiting for my answer. Even Carolina and Zhenya were laughing beside me. I seriously felt my cheeks heat up and that's not just from the chilly temperature inside the room. I just laughed nervously and replied,

"Thank you so much. I didn't know I would even get something today because all the other women were so amazing. I actually have someone to dedicate my gold medal to." I smiled at them and my eyes darted towards the male Japanese skater at the back of room. I winked at him playfully as he put his tongue out to tease me before he left to avoid any suspicion from others. 

Of course, all the reporters saw this gesture and the noises became ohhhh's, making them turn to where I was looking. Good thing Yuzu was fast.

"Mind name dropping, Ms. Saito? I'm sure all the fand would love to know."

"About that. Maybe next time I'll tell it to you guys. This person knows I dedicated this competition for them and that's all that matters for now." I just smiled innocently at all of them.

"That's all for this press conference. Thank you for coming." The 'host' said and the three of stood up waving at the cameras. I also bowed to them because hey, my Japanese blood just came rushing through.

Now that all of this is done and everything's out of the way, I grabbed my phone from the pocket of my jacket.

I texted Yuzu.To: Yuzu-kun 🍯Hey Mr. Olympic Gold. Where are you?

From: Yuzu-kun 🍯I'm at the bus, Ms. First Senior Gold. I'm with Javi and Jason. I also have your bags and Jason has Zhenya's.

To:Yuzu-kun 🍯Alright we're on our way. See you 🐻

From: Yuzu-kun 🍯Take care and don't trip your little clumsy head.

I just chuckled lightly before turning towards Zhenya, Coach Tracy and Uncle Brian.

"The guys said they have our stuff already. They're just waiting for us at the bus."

"Then let's go. You guys should rest first after dinner. You have the exhibition gala tomorrow. Let's put off the celebration afterwards."

We just nodded and me and Zhenya walked side by side in front of Coach Tracy and Coach Brian.

We were walking in a comfortable silence when a thought hit me.

What happens now? Yuzu... He said he'll ask me when he gets the gold. He got the silver instead. Will he still go for it?

If he doesn't, what should I do?

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I KNOW OMG I'M SO LATE. But as I said above, I had severe writer's block and yeah.

I hope I made it up to you with this chapter. Slowly but surely we are getting there so I hope you're still enjoying my story 🥺

Thank you guys for reading and I really appreciate it. I have a couple of story ideas listed so please do leave me a follow 🤗

Keep safe everyone! Stay golden, lovelies ✨💜