xx

3rd Person's POV

Yesterday was like a hurricane of events for Luna despite the competition just being today. She has to admit, it was more exhausting than both actual training AND having to cope up with her heart problem. She didn't get an ounce of sleep last night and she feels like a total zombie. 

As with yesterday, she has not communicated with anyone from the team other than her Uncle Brian and Coach Tracy. Well, not her but her brother did. He did all the talking for Luna over the phone.

Luna knows that if she was the one to talk to them directly, they would talk about Yuzuru's condition right away even without her asking. And she didn't want that. She still doesn't.

According to Sky (who also wanted to tell Luna about Yuzuru's condition but was cursed by her sister instead), Coach Brian will still be coming for Luna for her Short program. Luna even told her uncle to not bother as she can manage herself fine and to focus on Yuzuru instead. But this was immediately turned down with Uncle Brian saying "Nonsense. You're my niece. I wouldn't miss even one of your performances for the world. Besides, who knows what you might do and what would happen. You're a hardheaded brat after all."

Sky also relayed Luna's message to Coach Tracy to assure the others that she's fine and that she needs some time for herself. She's sure that once they meet again, words of comfort are going to overflow from them and she's going to straight up breakdown. 

And she promised herself that yesterday was the last of it. Like she said, she's ready to let go.

Luna is now prepping for her turn after Zhenya's perfect short program.

If they were under normal circumstances, she would feel nervous and excited at the same time. She would even hug Zhenya on her way to the Kiss and Cry to congratulate her with her flawless performance.

But it just wasn't the case. Overnight, everything changed. All she could do was muster a small smile and a nod towards Zhenya who returned it with her own. 

Luna didn't hear the scores. She doesn't have to. And partly because she was drowned in her own thoughts to mind it.

She takes a small sip from her water bottle and grabs a tissue from her new RJ tissue box (courtesy of her loving brother, Sky), Uncle Brian interrupts her thoughts.

"Hey. Its okay. Just do what you always do." He sincerely said as he gives her a serious yet caring gaze. 

Not really sure if she took her Uncle's advice by heart but she just nodded to not cause him anymore worries.

"The final skater from Canada, Saito Luna-san"

Luna doesn't know if it was because she was half Japanese but the crowd applauded loudly as she took her place at the center of the rink. To not look rude at least, she plastered a small smile.

From afar, Zhenya could see how Luna faked a smile. It wasn't her. She continued to observe Luna who looks more exhausted than usual, eyebags still visible underneath that thick layer of makeup. She could do nothing else but worry for her best friend. 

Luna's piece started and as if distracted, she was half a step late. An uncharacteristic mistake for her.

Luna didn't look like Luna, if that makes any sense. Yes, her body moved the way she wanted to during the step sequence but her face did not tell a story. Her mind and face were blank.

Worse of all, she flubbed all her jumps. She tripled her opening quad toe, popped her triple loop, and she underrotated her triple axel, causing her to totally fall out of the combination triple toe.

It was a disaster. It was a disaster and she wants to react but she just can't muster up any emotion anymore. 

"Luna Saito scored for the Short Program, 65.53, putting her in 5th place"

His heart shattered as he saw Luna's face on the TV screen. She wasn't crying and she doesn't look like she cared a lot like she normally would. 

Yuzuru is very observant, especially of his fellow skaters. Its just in his blood as an athelete. However, this was Luna we are talking about. Of course he'd care about every little detail not to criticize her but to always make sure she's okay. 

Through the screen, he saw Luna limping on her right leg as the camera followed her ever move going backstage. 

"It must've been that last fall. Is she okay? Damn it where's my phone?" He said to himself wanting to check up on Luna. 

Sure it hurt that she wasn't there when he woke up and that she didn't send him any kind of messages over the past couple hours, but still he understood. It didn't matter as long as she's okay. 

However, he is worried. 

This is the first time he's seen Luna act like this. 

Yuzuru's POV

That looked like it hurt. Luna's fall, I mean. It looked like she landed hard on it. Where's my phone when I actually need it.

I sigh and just lean back looking at the ceiling and spacing out. 

Last night, me and Coach Brian talked with the doctor as soon as I woke up.

-flashback-

My eyes fluttered slowly, the bright light temporarily blinding me. 

After a few blinks, I completely opened seeing three figures towering above me.

"Good evening, Hanyu-san. How are you feeling?" The man who looked like the doctor asked me.

"Oh good evening. What happened?" I ask, still a little slow in remembering what ocurred.

Just then, the door slammed open, revealing a panting Coach Brian. Almost disregarding the presence of other people, he went straight to me.

"Yuzuru! Are you okay? Does your foot hurt? Did you hurt yourself anywhere else?" 

My hands went straight to my ears as I groan.

"Too loud, Coach."

"Right sorry. Oh hello Doc. So tell us exactly what happened, if you please." Coach Brian said as if that little interaction didn't even happen. 

"Good evening, Orser-san. Hanyu-san injured his lateral ligament on his right ankle pretty bad. I'm sorry but you have to withdraw from the competition." The doctor said, eyes filled with sympathy. 

What? After all that hard work? This can't be. I have to redeem myself from last competition's silver!

"Yuzuru. I can read your thoughts from your face. And no. You are not disobeying the doctor's orders this time." Coach Brian scolded. 

"But-"

"But no Yuzuru. Unless you want to back out of the Olympics." 

"Is that a threat?" I said as I glared at him. 

"Yes. Yes it is. You are following the doctor's orders and mine." 

And that was it. All I could do is sigh. I look at my right ankle. My whole foot is wrapped in bandages. 

After a few minutes, I speak up "How long till I can skate again Doctor?"

He seemed to think about and replied "If you want to compete on the Olympics, I would suggest not going skating for at least a month. And then of course, rehabilitation and physical therapy to get it back in tiptop shape"

That means I have to back out from not only the Grand Prix finals, but also on the Japanese Nationals. Damn. What happened.

"Its going to be tight." Coach Brian glances at me, referring to the time I would have left to actually train for the Olympics. 

"But I can do it. I know I can. I'll listen. No skates for at least a month." I begged. I know its going to be hard but I want to. There's no way I'm not going to the Olympics. It may be my last one. I hope not though...

And so after minutes of pleading and convincing him, I got Coach Brian to agree, with additional terms and conditions from him. Typical. 

As soon as the doctor and nurses left, I asked him.

"Where's Luna? Is she okay?" I look down at my hands fidgeting nervously. 

"You're really asking me that?" Coach Brian snapped before continuing. "Do you not remember a word you said to her this morning? If she said that to you, how would you feel, kid?"

My eyes widen though I shouldn't even be shocked with Coach Brian's outburst. 

"I... I have no excuse. I was too focused on winning. I don't know what came over me. The pressure and expectations overshadowed me. I-I'm sorry. I want to apologize to her." I said, fighting back the tears. I hurt her too much. 

"She's my niece, Yuzuru. She's family. She... she's going through a tough time and it pains me to see her get treated that way. You're lucky her brother's not here and he'd cut your head off." 

"I know... Please." I look up to him, unable to control the tears that were dying to fall from my eyes. 

He sighed deeply, fished out his phone from his pocket to contact Luna. But she didn't answer. He tried calling her again but alas, still no answer. 

"Its already midnight. Maybe she's back at the hotel. Let me call Tracy for a bit." Coach Brian said as he went out of the room to make the call. 

She's probably tired. Its my fault... 

Coach Brian returned inside nervously scratching the back of his head.

"Its fine, Yuzu. She's back at the hotel, resting. I just got off the phone with Tracy." 

He's lying about something.

He kept on glancing on his phone as if anticipating a text message. 

"Oh... okay. I'll just talk to her tomorrow after the ladies' event then." I reply not wanting to sound suspicious of him. 

"Uhm. Yeah. Go get some rest. I'll take care of the press tomorrow. I'll just go downstairs and get some coffee." He said as he went out of the room once again hurriedly. 

-end of flashback-

I never meant to snap on Luna like that and it pains me to see that I affected her performance greatly. 

As I continue to look at the ceiling, the door opened and Javi entered with plastic bags on his hands. 

"Hey, Yuzu. How ya feeling?" He said as he sat down the chair beside me and dragged the table, placing what seems to be take-out ramen.

"What do you think? Of course I don't feel great." I say softly.

"There's nothing to worry about. I'm sure you'll still be able to compete at the Olympics. Just give yourself a bit mo-" 

"I'm worried about that but I'm more concerned about Luna. How is she? I'm sure you've talked to her last night at the hotel." I cut him off. Of course they've talked. Javi is like another big brother to Luna. 

"What do you mean last night? I haven't seen her until just today. I just got a phone call from Coach Brian too. He said he'll be here in a few." Javi replied making me confused. He probably saw my reaction and continued.

"We haven't even talked to her. We meaning the whole team. But Sky did contact Coach Tracy to assure that he was with Luna and they were okay."

Oh. Sky's here. Great. He's going to beat me up for hurting Luna. I have to make things right soon.

"Oh... did you see her performance today?" I ask.

"I did. She was like a whole different person." Javi replied looking down at his feet. He sighed before looking at me directly, putting down the chopsticks in his hand.

"You know Yuzuru, I don't want to blame anyone but you kinda messed up big time. Luna was just concerned about you. And look what would've happened if you actually listened to her. You would've been out there warming up backstage ,she could've been in first place after the short and preparing to cheer you on. You have to understand Yuzuru, if you're going through so much pressure, then what about her huh? Dealing with your fans who hate her, having to feel like she has to catch up to you just so that the world would accept your relationship, and having to suffer a fuc-" Javi immediately stopped talking, his last words making my head snap up and my eyes widen.

"Suffer a what, Javi?"

"I-I... Would you excuse me for a sec? Coach Brian's calling again." He stood up faster the lightning but I grabbed his wrist and stopped him. 

"Tell me." I said firmly. Luna has to suffer a what? They're keeping secrets from me. "I'm her boyfriend but it feels like I'm being kept in the dark here." I chuckle, slightly disappointed at the fact that they know something about Luna that I don't.

"Really, Yuzuru? No offense but after what happened yesterday, I don't think you should be freely calling yourself that. Besides, its a very serious matter and the only Luna is the one who should be telling you if she even wants to. We're in no place to tell you. So don't even count on it, brother." Javi snapped and said, pulling his arm away and walking out of the room, door slamming as he closed it. 

I flinch at the loud sound as I am alone in this white room. The television was still on, volume on low but it seemed like its on max because of the deafening silence. I was once again left behind to drown in my thoughts, more questions popping inside my head than before. 

What was Javi even saying?

Luna is suffering what? 

Is she hurt? 

Is it because of me?

Is she okay?

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

Chapter 20 everyone!!!

I would just like to apologize for not uploading last night because I had the last day of my finals today and I had to study a bit. Anyway, ITS THE END OF THE SEMESTER!!! Its been tough but I survived and I want to give a pat on my back for that. 

Also, 3k+ reads are you kidding me?!?!?! I'm so honored to have people actually read my work despite it not being the best quality. I really appreciate it guys. If you want to follow me, please do! I have two other books I'm currently doing though I just started both of them.

I hope you guys liked this chapter!!! I'll probably update tomorrow... or nah? Who knows AHAHAHA. 

Stay safe and stay golden, my lovelies! ✨