Melody of You | Yuzuru Hanyu

9.

Sophia was very disappointed when their exchange had to be broken in order for her to perform.
For the first time since they met, she felt like he was opening up to her and she loved what he showed her. The man was a dork for audio, a bit like her.

The rest of the show went by smoothly. She thought Yuzuru's blue and yellow costume for his solo was a bit too much, but it somehow worked for him. He skated great, she saw him like she saw a few of the others, by the edge of the stage, hidden in the dark.

By the end of it all, most of the skaters were obviously exhausted and slumped to the locker room right after the show.
She decided to change clothes too, the dress she was wearing getting a bit uncomfortable after wearing it for a while. The worst of it was her heels, she hated wearing the damn things but was aware it came with the job.

Sophia walked barefoot with the shoes and violin in hand when someone laughed in the distance, a laugh she now recognized with ease.

"Uncomfortable?" Yuzuru asked.

"These are horrible. I hate heels"

"You can ask for something more comfortable, I can talk with them if you want". His sweetness was touching, and she had no doubts he would do it if she asked, but Sophia knew what was expected of her

"It's okay. I know it comes with the job. I'm just grumpy because I'm tired."

"Go get some rest, you did a great job today," he told her with a smile.

"You too...You're not rushing to change clothes? Everyone headed to shower already"

"I have media... Interviews. Will take a while to leave"

"After the show? Couldn't they do it before? You must be exhausted."

"They do before and after. As you say, comes with the job"

"Just you?"

"Mostly"

"A true rockstar" she commented and Yuzuru couldn't help but laugh.

"Rest. I will see you tomorrow." He seemed uncertain about something but probably brushed it off since he didn't act on it. "Good night and sweet dreams Sophia."

"Goodnight Yuzuru. Good luck with the media"

Once at the hotel, the thrill, and adrenaline were still running through her body. She tried to rest but without success. Sophia rolled impatiently on the bed, trying to find a position that would allow her to relax and get some sleep but nothing worked.

Eventually, she gave up on the bed and went for a hot shower, those usually helped her body relax. Not this time though. The summer temperatures made it unbearable to have the water at a temperature good enough for her muscles and head to loosen up.

With a scoff, she changed into sweatpants and a hoodie after getting out of the shower, leaving her room to see if a walk would help release the tension since nothing else seemed to work.

Usually, she would pick up her guitar at a time like this, but it was already night and she didn't want to disturb any hotel guests. Even if she did, part of her was saying that it wouldn't help at all, not with so much excitement running through her veins from the huge crowd.

Sophia was at the hotel entrance when a car arrived and Yuzuru got out of it with all his skating equipment. It surprised her how late he was arriving, if it was like this every time, then how did he find the time to recover properly?

"Sophia?" He said, noticing her almost immediately "I figured you would be asleep for a while now"

"Hey... Couldn't sleep with the adrenaline, I'm trying to get even more tired to see if it works"

He laughed at her words and got closer.

"You silly, that won't work." Yuzu said, now dangerously close

"It won't? You know my body better than me?"

"No, but I know the feeling. Your body is already tired, you need to calm your head"

"I know, hence the walk, usually helps both"

Yuzuru scoffed at that "you need to find another way. The tour is still starting, it will only get worse."

"I know... If you have any ideas let me know"

Yuzuru had a few, but he would never utter them out loud. He had a reputation to maintain and that didn't include telling a woman he just met how much he would love to clear her mind in his bed.

"Hum, sure" he mumbled.

"I will let you get some rest. I will be fine. Thank you Yuzuru"

"Let me know if you need anything, my room is 127" he didn't mean anything by it, it was a mere sweet innocent offer.

"Okay." She answered shyly, there was no way she would just knock and ask for something, whatever it was. Part of her was sure he only offered to be sweet, as he usually did.

They parted ways and Sophia took the time in the breeze of the night to think of her situation.

She knew exactly what would help, something that made both body and head relax immediately when done right. But taking Javier's offer was out of the question. Maybe she could find someone else up to some casual fun on the tour but seemed hard to find anyone interesting that liked girls.

In the end, the walk did wonders and eventually cleared her head. She was back at the hotel room completely exhausted but managed to finally fall asleep, sure to have her body sore the next day.