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3rd Person's POV

January 7, 2018

Its been almost a month since the incident during the NHK Trophy and unfortunately, both Yuzuru and Luna were unable to participate in the Grand Prix Final; Yuzuru being out of commisision due to his ankle injury and Luna as she placed 5th behind Mirai Nagasu. 

As the news said, Yuzuru will be maximizing his time resting before he is deemed fit to train again for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Apparently, he is automatically qualified to be a part of the Olympic Team because of his World standing. Lucky him, right?

Meanwhile, Luna is at TCC. It is currently 7 in the morning and it has been about a week and a half since she started training again. Right after what happened during the NHK, reporters have crowded in front of TCC almost everyday to try and get a statement from Luna's team. A few weeks after, Coach Tracy finally released a statement which said

"Luna Saito experienced fatigue and stress due to excessive training. That's all. It seems that all the training she did took a toll on her, causing her to collapse after her free. She was brought to the hospital as soon as possible after the incident and the test results revealed she also came down with a flu. After weeks of resting, Luna will be back to train for the upcoming Canadian Nationals on January 8th to qualify for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Thank you all for being concerned and rest assured Luna Saito will be back to full health soon."

Of course Luna did not want anyone to know about her condition. The skating community would go to a frenzy if they knew a figure skater with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is still skating despite the possibility of dying on the rink in the middle of a performance. Oh no. No one would want that. Besides, she doesn't want ANYONE to pity her. That's the last thing she wants.

Luna's parents have also been made aware of the real reason why Luna decided to go back to skating. It didn't go too well, her parents wanting her to get surgery and to stop skating AGAIN. Though Sky agreed with them, he just couldn't resist his little sister and decided to side with her during the argument. The family conversation that night ended on a very emotional note with everyone crying and hugging.

Luna, this time accompanied with her brother, met with her doctor back home. The first thing he did, like he always does, is scold her for going too far when he told her to take it easy if she wanted to last longer. But like what Luna does as well, she just shrugged it off. The doctor from Japan was right. Luna's life expectancy was reduced by 6 months. They didn't know how, probably from the emotional stress and physical exhaustion. But yeah, it got reduced drastically. From now on, Luna officially has about 3-4 months left. 

Aw snap. Luna thought. She smiled, thinking she wanted to compete at the 2018 Worlds on March.

Anyway, back to reality. Despite her protests, Uncle Brian reduced her daily training hours and cut back her training regiment so as not to strain and tire Luna out too much. This was what Luna hated that's why she kept her timeline a secret. She just groaned in her mind and rolled her eyes at the thought.

Luna and Javi are the only skaters trained by Coach Brian right now. Zhenya is back at Russia because she had a stress fracture which is also the reason why she was unable to compete at the GP Final. Jason is in the US training for the US Nationals.

And Yuzuru... Yuzuru. The man Luna misses dearly. The she's been longing for for the past weeks. Deep inside, she regrets breaking it off with him, but she knew it was for the best.

Its better to hurt him while she's still alive than when she's already dead. At least she's giving him time to move on. She'd never want Yuzuru to cry and hurt even more when she's gone.

Her mind drifts away and her thoughts were filled with Yuzuru and their 'what-ifs' when suddenly,

"You know, you could just call him." Javi said, snapping Luna out her deep trance.

"And you know I cannot just do that."

"Why not? Here's my phone. Call him." Javi said, handing me his phone.

"You must be joking. I was the one who broke it off. He hates me Javi. And I want it to stay that way so he can move on peacefully. I don't want to hold him back because of my condition and I most certainly DO NOT want to hold him back when I'm gone." Luna spoke continuously taking a deep breath after the long sentence she just spoke.

Javi heaved a deep sigh and said "That's not how it works, Luna... I know he's a jerk but that jerk really loves you."

Luna scoffed, "Love? After I said I regret crossing paths with him? I don't think so. Let's just drop the topic. I have a competition tomorrow. I don't need distractions." She skated away, preparing to practice her jumps.

As she skated away, Javi said, "Yes Luna. He loves you unconditionally. And you're a bad liar. I know you don't regret meeting him or any one of us for that matter. So please, don't push us away."

Luna stopped in her tracks as the words left Javi's mouth. She looked down at her feet. He's right. Of course he's right. I never regret meeting anyone here, especially Yuzuru. But he doesn't have to know that. She shook her head getting rid of the thoughts and continued training.

She cannot afford to lose tomorrow's competition. Its her final ticket to the Olympics and she doesn't want to fuck it up. 

And so Luna trained to her heart's content, not knowing what's in store for her for the next few days of competition.

-timeskip-   January 13, 2018

Luna's POV

Tired. That's how I feel. But of course I don't let it show. The last thing I want to do is to worry everyone that's watching especially after I collapsed at the NHK Trophy. 

Yesterday's short program did not go as smoothly as I planned but somehow I managed to place 1st. Of course, my brother insisted he come yesterday and today, carrying my RJ tissue box and water bottle standing beside our Uncle during my performance. Apparently, his senior at the hospital allowed him to take leaves whenever I have competitions. My doctor asked a favor to his senior for that task, hence his glorious presence. 

"The last skater, from Toronto, please welcome Luna Saito." 

There goes my name. I look back at my Uncle who just has this blank expression on his face. Of course I know what that expression means.

To take it easy.

But I have no intention of taking it easy. Its my last chance EVER in life to do this and I am NOT going to miss it. 

Throughout my performance, though I'm trying so hard not to think about it, my head is filled with thoughts about Yuzuru. 

Halfway through my skate, my eyes wandered to where my uncle and brother was which was in front of the door leading backstage. Though it was fast, I saw an all familiar head poke through the door. 

I think I'm delusional. I'm imagining things. I shake my head.

You would think that I'd be distracted mess up my jumps because my mind is occupied with something else. Surprisingly, my performance is flawless. Ever since I started training again, I've never had one clean skate both on my short and free which is why as I finish my program, I'm just as surprised as the crowd. 

The adrenaline was pumping through my veins, my heart beating rapidly and loudly, my head feeling light. As I bow, I slightly wobble but I immediately gain composure. I slowly skate to the Kiss and Cry where I was welcomed by a comforting hug by my Uncle.

"Are you okay? You need your medicine? You did amazing, Luna. You've already won. You're going to the Olympics. I'm sure." He whispered in my ear as he handed me my blade covers and pat my shoulder.

I just plastered a small smile, my mind still pre-occupied with the thoughts of Yuzuru Hanyu. 

I think I'm going insane. My heart is already fucked up don't tell me I'm going crazy now, too? I thought to myself as I looked around for that all-too familiar head I think I saw earlier, sitting down at the Kiss and Cry.

"Luna Saito's scored for the Free Skate 151.67. Her total score is 237.52, putting her in 1st place"

I just sat there speechless once again. The loud applause of the crowd muted down as if I was underwater. My coach and brother hugging me together tightly congratulating me. 

This scene seems familiar.

Ah, my senior debut. The first competition I had when I started skating back again. Is this what they call nostalgia? Is it because I know I'm going to die soon?

I chuckle to myself, still feeling exhausted from yesterday's and today's skate. I stood up and waved to the audience and smiled mouthing 'thank you's' for their overwhelming support As if on cue, like the world telling me I have no right to be happy, I feel myself slip slowly into unconsciousness as my heart started to beat uncontrollably and my breathing get shallow.

I try to hold on as I run towards the door leading backstage, not letting my smile falter so as to not worry everyone. 

I need my medicine. I need not look back as I continued to run to the room where my things were, knowing that my uncle and Sky are already blocking the press that wanted to follow me. 

Finally, I reach the room and closed the door. I run towards my bag and rummaged through it.

"Where the h-hell is it?!" I say angrily as I continue to toss my stuff.

My consciousness is failing me and slowly, I started to lose control of my body and tears started to fall from my eyes. Not again...

Just as I am about to fall on the cold, hard ground, I felt delicate but muscular arms catch me along with the sound of metal clanking.

A tablet was put in my mouth as the hand held up a water bottle, gesturing for me to drink and swallow the medicine. 

I didn't even know I was sweating cold beads when I felt the soft, warm hand on my forehead pushing away all the loose hair from my face due to all the running I did. 

The medicine did its job of controlling my heart. But because I was exhausted, I still feel like I'll pass out. I whimper, tears still falling from my eyes.  Why am I so weak?

"Shhhhh. Its okay, its okay, Luna-chan. I'm here. You're okay." 

My eyes widen at the voice. 

The voice I missed so much.

The voice I've been wanting to hear.

Though I want to speak,

though I want to hug him with all my might (which i currently don't have),

though I want to kiss him,

my physical state didn't allow me too. 

I was about to completely pass out and my mind was getting foggy, but I still managed to whisper,

"P-please don't l-leave, Yuzu."

And before slipping into the darkness, I heard him say.

"Never again."

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You guuuys! I'm so sorry for all the time skip. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Also, if you have any questions regarding ANYTHING from the story until this chapter, please do comment! If I gather a ton of questions, I'll do a Q&A. If not, I'll just reply to the comments one by one!

Stay safe and stay golden, my lovelies! ✨