xxxi

Luna's POV

"I still feel bad..." I confess. I look down at my phone and see all the published news articles about me about what happened just two hours ago. I'm pretty sure everyone was shocked, even the audience. 

"You should be! You made us all worried sick! I left the stands as soon as Alina finished her skate earlier and I sneaked out to look for you." Zhenya replied raising her voice. 

"So much for taking it easy huh?" Jason said with sarcasm.

I just roll my eyes and ask "What are the standings now?" 

"Well, you placed second in the free skate and I'm pretty sure Tessa and Scott got this in the bag so either way, you guys will still get gold in the team's event." Javi answered as he stood in the corner of the room (in the clinic) with his arms crossed over his chest. 

"Well that's a relief... I should apologize to everyone then, especially to both of them. I think I rattled them up with what happened and its probably put some kind of pressure on them." I look down at my feet, still feeling guilty.

"They're veterans, chica. They can handle the pressure. But I do think everyone from your team is worried about you. I was watching them earlier when Yuzu carried you away and the looks on their faces are kind of hard to paint." Javi said.

"Yeah. Katelyn looked like she was about to cry. Patrick looked like he was about to follow you and Yuzu and Tessa just stood there in complete shock while Scott tries to calm her down." Jason continued. Everyone hummed in agreement as Zhenya continued,

"And don't get me started on Maia and Alex. They were just as shook as your teammates and Shoma looked like he was about to accompany you and Yuzu to where you guys were going." 

"You guys, don't. She already feels bad about it. You're making it worse." Yuzu said in a stern voice, making everyone visibly flinch and mutter a small sorry. I just smile apologetically to them.

"Don't be. I'm glad people actually worry about me. But at the same time, I feel sorry that the whole world had to witness such an accident. It made me look weak, didn't it?" I say, trying to laugh to alleviate the serious atmosphere in the room.

"Are you kidding? You only flubbed two jumps with a pulled ligament. The only skater I know who's reckless enough to do that is Yuzuru Hanyu. So basically, you're a legend now." Javi replied in excitement. 

A legend huh... 

"I think the word legend is a bit too extreme don't you think Javi?" I chuckle in response.

"Nope. Not taking it back. I only spit out facts." Javi answered with a boastful tone, making everyone in the room laugh out loud. 

"Let's watch the free dance?" I suddenly say out of nowhere.

"Right now? Are you sure you want to go out there?" Yuzu replied, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Yes, I'm sure. I still want to support my team and I want to let everyone see that I'm completely fine." I respond as i flash him a smile of reassurance.

"But what about the media?" Yuzu asked.

"Oh don't worry about that. I think Coach Tracy and Coach Brian handled everything earlier. I saw them talking in the hallway with some reporters." Jason chimed in. 

"There's no problem then. Let's go?" I say excitedly. Yuzu just sighs before smiling at me and carrying me ever so gently onto the wheelchair. He was about to push it when Zhenya bumped him aside.

"Me, me! I'll do it!" Zhenya said before wheeling me away from the three men. From a slight distance I can hear Yuzu say, "I swear those two..." which made me, Jason, and Javi laugh while Zhenya just gave Yuzu a stinkeye.

Just as Jason said, there were no media in sight as went on our way back to the rink. As we got nearer, we hear a familiar upbeat music playing. 

"Ooh, ooh! Its Maia and Alex! We're right on time!" I say excitedly, slightly jumping up and down my seat. Pushing past the door, I see I am right and currently, the siblings are halfway done their performance.

As they finish their amazing twizzle sequence, I shout "Go Maia! Go Alex!!!"On cue, I met eyes with the both of them and I could see them smile even wider and I nod at the two of them. 

Continuing with their performance, we head back to the stands and Zhenya let Yuzu push the wheelchair before sneaking back in with her team. Meanwhile, we move towards where my team is and as soon as they see me, I can see them stand up and take a huge sigh of relief. Katelyn met me halfway  and hugged me gently. I could tell she was trying to avoid my knee which is currently elevated, compressed, and iced. 

"Oh I am so glad you're okay! You're okay right? Nothing serious? How's your knee?" Before I could even reply, Katelyn fired one question after another making me laugh.

"Calm down, calm down Katelyn. You're scaring the lady." Patrick said as he hugged Yuzu and Jason, and fist bumped Javi as a greeting. He turned his attention to me and smiled.

"You good? You scared the lot of us, y'know?" 

"I know, I know. I'm sorry!" I bowed to them, showing the sincerity in my apology.

"You have to stop saying sorry for something that's not your fault, Luna. inevitable things like that happen. So no worries." Patrick continued with a smile. I pout, trying not to tear up from what he just said while they look at me fondly.

"Oh my gosh stop, you're going to make me cry again in front of national television. I'm going soft." I said, laughing lightly as I lower my head and wipe the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Everyone just laughed at my actions while I feel my hair being ruffled and see Patrick.

"You're like a little sister to me. So cheer up! I'm sure Tessa and Scott will be excited to see that you made it just in time for the performance." He said as he wiped my tears away. 

"Hey! I'm his big brother, too!" Javi protested. 

"Don't leave me out." Jason crossed his arm over his chest. As the three were about to jokingly break into an argument, Maia and Alex's scores were announced and I cheer loudly for them. With their performance done, it means that Tessa and Scott are next. I look towards the ice expecting them to be warming up but was shocked when I hear the crowds roaring. I look to the side and see the both of them running to me quickly before engulfing me in a hug.

"What are you guys doing here? You should be out there now!" I say, scolding them but I couldn't help but smile at their pair's sweet gesture.

It was Scott who stood up straight first and said "We know. We just want to let you know that we're happy you're okay. You have great timing too! Now let's go, Tessa." Scott pulled Tessa away from me. As she was being dragged by her partner, she kept on giving me flying kisses to which I just return to her before laughing. 

"Our last skaters, representing Canada, please welcome Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir."  And the crowd, along with me and my friends erupted in cheer preparing to watch another masterpiece.

-timeskip, February 16-

I could feel Yuzuru's passion and strong aura emanating from him since breakfast this morning. Even right now as he's warming up backstage, I see him kind of tensed up which to me is totally understandable. Everyone expects so much from him, I'm sure he's feeling the pressure most especially since this is his first competition back after his injury. 

If I were to say to him that I'm worried about him being all tense, he'd probably say that I should worry less about him and take care of myself more. Its like that's his catchphrase these days. 

As Yuzu was in his own world, earphones plugged in probably blasting One Ok Rock from the looks of it, I stood up sneakily as I am trying again to work my knee. I look at my Uncle who I already see glaring at me while I gesture for him to "shush" so that Yuzu doesn't notice. Slowly but surely, I sneak my way outside to grab a cup of coffee at the cafe down the hall. 

As I was making my way back, I come across who I recognize as Nathan Chen. He smiled at me and greeted.

"Hello! Luna Saito, right? I'm Nathan. Such an honor to finally meet you." He said as he stretched out his hand for a handshake to which I gladly return.

"Oh hi, Nathan! Likewise! How did you...?" I tilt my head in confusion as I trail off.

"Well I've been watching since your debut this season and you're such an amazing skater and performer. Also, who doesn't know Yuzuru's skating partner and girlfriend right?" Nathan replied as he retracted his hand back and chuckled.

"Oh right silly me. Shouldn't you be warming up as well?" I asked him politely. Nathan just scratched the back of his head before answering.

"Yeah well, I was just about to go back. I just refilled my water bottle." He said, raising his newly refilled water bottle before continuing, "What about you? Shouldn't you be sitting down and resting?" Nathan pointed to my knee. 

"About that... I sneaked out while Yuzu's back was turned. I desperately needed this." I reply while chuckling as I gesture to the iced coffee I am  holding in my left hand.

"Well since we're going the same way, I'll walk with you. We don't want anything unfortunate to happen. Though, I'm kinda scared to see when Yuzuru notices that you're gone." Nathan said as he gestures for us to continue walking. 

I visibly shiver and reply, "yeah me too."

After a few minutes (curse my knee injury), we finally arrive at the room designated for the last group. I poke my head in before entering just so that when I enter, Yuzu won-

"Who are looking for, lady?" A low voice thundered behind me.

"Holy sh*t!" I visibly jump in shock. Before I know it, I closed my eyes as I was about to fall flat on the floor (because of my weak knee, AGAIN) when I feel strong arms around me. And because I know who it is, I refuse to open my eyes!

"You can open your eyes now." Yuzuru's low voice said.

"No." I squeaked.

"I'm not mad." He continued.

"You... aren't?" I ask, opening one eye after another. As I open them, I see Yuzuru and his famous scary-ass, poker face expression and quickly clench my eyes close tightly again and cover my face with my hands. "You said you're not mad!" I feel myself being carried and seated back on my wheelchair in the corner of the room.

"Luna, open." Yuzu said sternly before sighing deeply. "I'm not mad, okay?"

I open my eyes slowly again and see this time Yuzu's expression soften. I pouted.

"I'm sorry. I just had to get..." 

"I know. I saw you leave and Nathan whispered to me. Next time, ask someone else to go with you. You could hurt yourself more. What would've happened if Nathan wasn't there to look after you?" Yuzuru said as he massaged his temple. Wait. Nathan? This guy...

"HEY! You little snitch, come here!" I shout across the room as I saw him bent over from laughing so much. 

I try to stand up again to beat Nathan up but was stopped by Yuzuru standing in front of me. I look up to him and rolled my eyes. 

"I thought you still wanted to compete?" Yuzu asked as he kneeled down. I just nodded silently. "Then why do something that could've hurt you more. What if something happened and you really can't compete this time?" 

I pout once again and look down before whispering, "I'm sorry..."

Yuzu put a hand under my chin to make me look at him. "It's okay, hime. I'm just worried about you. Just remember, its okay to ask other people to do things for you especially when you're not capable of doing it, okay?" He said softly.

"Hai..." I reply.

"That's my girl. Now, I'll go back to warm up and you finish that drink of yours." Yuzu smiled (with his eyes wrinkling, so adorable I'm gonna die), as he ruffled my hair and stood up. He was about to walk away when I called him back.

"Is there anything else you need?" Yuzu kneeled back down and look at me with worry. I just smile and innocently and quickly peck his lips.

"がんばれ!" I say as I push him away and make him go back to what he was doing. 

Throughout his warm-up, I see him flushed red and this time, he wasn't wearing his scary, poker face look. He was smiling so happily as he lip-synced and ran around the room, preparing for his first skate in this year's Olympics taking place in a few minutes. 

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AND CUT! Chapter 31 everyone! Oh my gosh we have come a long way. And 6.1k reads??? You guys are insane. When I started this story, I never expected it to blow up like this. Like I know we still have a long way to go in terms of like reads but I'm just so proud and overwhelmed from all you guys' support!

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Stay safe and stay golden lovelies! ✨