xxix

Luna's POV

Last night was a night I'll never forget. 

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics was marvelous. The whole thing was just breathtaking and don't get me started on that drone light show.

However, what I marveled at the most was the lighting of the torch which was done by the one and only, Yuna Kim. For my whole career, she has been the only female skater I look up to. I also idolize other skaters but the technique and elegance that Yuna Kim has is just different. 

And now, I also idolize Yuzu for the same thing. Though some people may beg to differ, I still think Yuzu and Yuna Kim are the GOATs in figure skating. I wanna be one to, but to be called that, you have to be working your ass off for years. And time isn't on my side so...

"Earth to Luna! Chica, you've been spacing out a lot. You're missing all the excitement!" Javi said with his hand waving in front of my space pulling me out of my thoughts. I turn my attention to Yuzu and Javi who were worriedly looking at me. I look at my hand as Yuzu placed his, gently squeezing mine.

"Chill you guys. I'm still just starstruck is all from seeing Yuna Kim last night. I just thought about Yuzu and her being the GOATs in the sport, you know. I'd love to be one one day but..." I say, silently whispering the last sentence in Japanese but of course, Yuzu heard it because he's so attentive to me.

"You want to talk about it?" Yuzu leaned closer and whispered. I only look at him and smiled before shaking my head no. "Maybe later? Let's watch first! I hope Patrick and Meagan and Eric do well so they qualify for the free." I said as I turn back my attention to the ongoing Ice Dance short of the Team's event.

"Maia and Alex are competing right? I hope they nail it. Tessa and Scott are just, woah." I continue trying to avert the conversation another way. From my peripheral vision, I can only see Yuzuru sigh as he continued to caress the back of my hand. 

"Shouldn't you be there with your team though?" Javi asked, pointing to where Team Canada was sitting. All of them were looking around kind of searching for someone.

My eyes widen in realization.

Well, shit... 

"Bye Yuzu. Bye Javi. See you later!" I bolt up, pecked Yuzu on the cheek quickly and gave a side hug to Javi as I dash away from the two and head downstairs to where my team is. 

-timeskip-

To be honest, I wasn't able to sleep because of a whirlwind of emotions. I'm excited but at the same time, anxious and nervous. Normally, I wouldn't feel even a bit nervous but maybe because the scale of the Olympics is so massive that its getting to me.

Yuzu was nice enough to visit me in my room this morning and comfort me just to calm the echoing thoughts inside my head. Yesterday after the team's event, I told him what I was thinking and unsurprisingly, he always knows what to say. And with a snap of the fingers, all my worries vanished like magic.

Currently, we just stepped onto the ice as the man's free for the team event just ended and it was time for our warm up. Its a good thing Kaetlyn did great yesterday enough for us to qualify for the free. I remember her giving me a glare jokingly because I came to the team late. Tessa and Scott, too. Geez. They're scary.

"You ready? I'm telling you to take it easy for this event, okay? Don't do anything dangerous." Uncle Brian said as I took a sip of water from my bottle. 

"Uncle, its like you don't know me well. I'll tone it down, don't worry." I say, reaching for my RJ tissue box.

"Of course I know you, you idiot. That's why I'm warning you." Uncle Brian said through his gritted teeth.

I raise my hand up in surrender. "Woah chill. Okay okay. What do you want me to do exactly?" 

Uncle Brian just sighs while I just chuckle. "I want you to not do anything reckless. Team Canada's in the lead. Just don't fall on anything and that's it. No pressure." 

As soon as he finished talking, the crowd was roaring. In curiosity, both of us looked at the screen above where it flashed Alina Zagitova who just finished landing a triple lutz-triple toe. My eyes widen before snapping my head back towards my uncle. 

"You're telling me to take it easy? They'll catch up to us with that!" I lean towards him and said through my teeth. 

"Honestly, you can do better than that. You have to stop doubting yourself and listen to the people who can actually see you skate. Also, I think you're forgetting that you guys still have Tessa and Scott for the free dance later." Uncle Brian said as he looked at me dead in the eyes. All right, he's serious. Okay.

"Fine."

"Good girl. Now go." He said as he finally smiled. I just rolled my eyes and groaned as I skated away. 

I wind up and practice the same combination Alina just did. Success! I spun out slowly before circling again and try out a double axel. For the rest of the warm-up I focus only on my jumps since I tire more easily from doing the step sequence.

"The 6-minute warm-up has ended. Ladies, please step off the ice."

We all head back except for Mirai who's going to skate first followed by Kaori and then me. I took my blade guards from my uncle, put them on, and headed backstage to wait. As I sit down, I put my earphones on (which Yuzu picked for me by the way) to listen to the music for my free skate. Did I mention we changed it? I think I did. And so, I close my eyes and tilt my head back against the wall when suddenly, a hand leaned my leaned my head against a shoulder. An arm wrapped around my should and reached for my right earphone. I look up to see the one and only, Yuzuru Hanyu. 

"Hey you. What are you doing here?" I smiled gently as I look up to him before leaning on him again. 

"Nothing. Just thought you'd be a nervous wreck and you need your strong boyfriend to help you calm down." Yuzu replied as we both listen to the music.

"Hmmm. I'm not that nervous but I do need you though." I reply before closing my eyes again. 

"I know. I just said it as an excuse to stay here with you." Yuzu replied to which we both just laughed. 

After a few seconds of silence, I ask him and Uncle Brian who just approached us. He was about to speak when I said "Should I change my triple loop to a qua-"

"Nope. If you do that, I'll pull you out for the rest of the games." Uncle Brian said as if he was expecting what I just said. 

"But-"

"Luna." Yuzu said as he pulled away and looked at me with a serious look. He knows i want to change it to a quad flip. He was the one who taught it to me, so I just wanted to show him I can do it at a competition too... I look back up to him with my puppy dog eyes but man. This guy's tough. 

"That's not going to work on me, you know." Yuzu replied  as he stood up crossing his arms over his chest.

"But it worked before..." I pouted.

"This is a whole different story hime. Just listen okay?" Yuzu replied and I just turned towards my uncle and flashed the same puppy dog eyes. 

"It didn't work on him," he said pointing towards Yuzu, "you think it'll work on me?" Uncle Brian said.

I just groan and stand up, "okay fine." I walk up and down the hallway to not let my body warm up. I didn't notice the time pass by when Uncle Brian approached me. 

"Kaori's almost done. Let's go." I nod and head towards Yuzu to give my headphones. 

Yuzu engulfed me in a warm, gentle hug and said "You'll do great out there. You always do." I just smile as I feel his lips place a soft kiss on my temple.

"Now go crush 'em. 大好きだよ" He said as he gently pushed me towards the door and waved cutely, shooing me away which made me smile so wide. 

Me and Uncle Brian arrive outside waiting for Kaori to skate back to the Kiss and Cry. As soon as she exited the rink, I stepped in. I do my pre-performance quick warm-up and to be honest, I hear nothing. Its like everything's muted. My eyes wander towards the stand where my teammates are and I make eye contact with them. They all waved at me and gestured that I can do it which made me chuckle. I skate back to my uncle when Kaori's score was announced. 

"Kaori Sakamoto from Japan earned a free skate score of  131.91, putting her in second place."

Calmly, I look at my uncle and waited for him to speak. "I seriously have nothing to say to you, Luna. Remember, no pressure. Skate like you usually do and you'll be fine. All right? No funny business."

"Oh my gosh Uncle stop. You've said that a million times now this season." I say as I cover my ears jokingly before we both laugh softly. I reach for a tissue to wipe my nose. 

"Next to skate, from Canada, please welcome, Luna Saito."

Here we go then. 

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HI GUYS! Its been a long time right? So as you can probably observe, I trying to drag out the story as much as I can so that it doesn't feel as rushed. Some of you don't want the story to end yet soooo... here we are. 

I hope you guys liked this chapter! Don't be silent readers, vote and comment! I'm open to any suggestions and constructive criticisms so please be nice. 

Stay safe and stay golden, lovelies! ✨