No Strings Attached

0.14

Chapter 14: What I So Desperately Wanted

I should say that school went pretty peaceful since Yuzuru wasn't with me for the whole day. I should. I should. But I didn't.

I'm supposed to be happy because no one was bothering me to do stuffs that are too cheesy for my own good and comfort. No one was sticking by my side the whole time. I have my freedom back. I should be happy but I'm not.

I felt conflicted after Yuzuru just passed by me. His grim and serious expression which I haven't seen before was imprinted in my mind. It's bothering me like hell that I wasn't even able to focus on my class lectures.

I'm so lost onto thinking on what would eventually happen if this 'treatment' goes on for a longer time that I didn't notice that my teacher was snapping off in front, trying to get my attention. It was so embarrassing considering that Haruki was also in that class. I hope that he doesn't think I'm a slacker.

Since Haruki and I aren't on the same class for the last period, we discussed that I'll be waiting for him and just text me incase I wander off while trying to kill time. I was with Daphgne earlier and we agreed to accompany me but something came up and she went home immediately.

I was on my way out of the school when I passed by the rink. My eyes never left the place and unconsciously, I found myself standing at the entrance. I was still lost in thoughts when someone walked out of the rink. 

It was a woman with a red scarf around her neck. She's covered heavily, I assume for the cold inside the rink, and her hair is tightly tied downward. Once she lifted her head, I recognized her instantly. It was Yuzuru's coach, Nanami Abe.

I politely greeted her and she did the same to me. She gently patted my back before asking, "Hi, you must be Athena," 

I sheepishly smiled at her in response. Did Yuzuru mentioned me to her? 

"You must be here to visit him," She said before opening the door to me. I didn't even have the time to deny the statement because we're already walking inside the rink. Students in training suits casually walking and bowing to show respect for the coach.

"I'm glad that you've find you're way here. His last girlfriend didn't even visit him once and only attended official comps," She stated.

Athena did not visit Yuzuru in training even once? Maybe Ms. Nanami haven't seen her but she actually did? 

I'm still processing over the new information when I faintly heard the grinding sounds of the ice. From afar, I saw Yuzuru attempting a jump but failed. I flinched in fear that he might hurt himself but Ms. Nanami just patted my back.

"Yuzuru! Take a break. You have a visitor," She gently pushed me forward.

He stood up from the fall before looking in our direction. His hands on his sides with one brow pointed upward. My breath hitched when he lightly chuckled (of course, not in a happy way) and made his way closer to us.

He glided slowly and stopped in front of me. He rested his hands on the board so he's leaning into me, staring. I wanted to break off the eye contact but I couldn't. There's something so endearing in his eyes that I just cannot look away. It's as if I'll miss something so beautiful or important if I do.

He reached out for his drink without looking away. I felt something burn in my cheeks when he drank while staring directly at me. 

I was able to snap out of it when Ms. Nanami cleared her throat loudly, probably to announce that she's still around.