Finding Juliet [VERY slow updates]

Act II

Back in 2011. Specifically..

..March 11, 2011.

It was 2 in the afternoon. Everything was peaceful, as everyone went on with their daily lives.

I went with my usual routines in the same old ice rink in my hometown.

I tried my triple toe loop and fell, resulting a silent curse coming from my mouth. I slid on the ice; I thought my take off was perfect. Why did I miss? I tried to feel the ground with my glove-covered hands, and I knew there was something strange going on.

The ice is shaking.

It's starting to crack.

The ice. It's shaking and starting to crack. The ice is getting pushed up by the shaking of the ground.

"Yuzuru!" I heard my coach call me. The ceiling—the lights are swaying. Debris are starting to fall. And I'm still on the ice.

"Yuzuru! Hurry up!" My coach called once again. I panicked; I have forgotten how to skate. I lifted my foot and began to escape the rink, jumping over the fallen pieces of wood that came from above.

Everything is shaking. It's hard to skate. My legs are trembling along with the ground. With a heart beating fast, I managed to get over the obstacles and proceed to my coach, grabbing her by the hand. I ran for my life without looking back to my beloved home rink.

The earthquake lasted for 6 minutes. The Japanese, all of us in the affected area, experienced 6 minutes of pure fear. I cowered as I stay outside, covering my head for protection.

The shaking continued. My eyes were firmly closed, afraid to see what my hometown has become. I heard the panicked yells of my people. I don't want to die. Not yet.

"Make it stop," I muttered to myself. The trees are starting to go down. The glass windows are shattering. There were some faint shouts. "Make it stop.."

After a few seconds, the ground began to calm down, slowly. Until it finally stopped.

Opening my eyes, I saw a scene I never imagined I would see.

Wrecked establishments, trees laying on the ground, destroyed cars with blocks on top of them.

My eyes went to check the club.

It was horribly torn down by the earthquake. The glass windows were broken, and I believe that those were the sounds I heard earlier. Everything is destroyed. It was painful enough to look from outside, what more inside.

I turned away, as I couldn't look at the sight much longer. Then, a thought struck my mind;

My family.

Coach and I, along with some other people who were skating with me went to the evacuation center. I immediately looked around to search for my family.

It's full of people. Well, of course. It kind of relieves me that we still have a place to stay at, even though it's this crowded.

"Yuzuru!" A voice rang through my ears, and I turned to the sound's direction. My mother tried to get through the crowd, teary-eyed, and so am I. I clenched my fists and looked down to my feet, which are still covered with my skates.

In no time, I was enveloped by my mother's warmth. Her sobs were audible, and I could feel tears fall from her eyes.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, right?" She checked me, worried. I looked at her in the eyes, aware that mine are getting watery too.

"Yuzu?" Mom called me, cupping both my cheeks. It felt like I was 5 years younger, but it didn't matter.

"I was so afraid..." I muttered. "Mom, I was very afraid..."

The next thing I knew is, I was hugged by my mother once again.

"Apparently, we were hit by a magnitude 9 earthquake.." My older sister, Saya, explained to me. Mom guided me to where we'll be staying for the rest of the day and for the days to come. "And the tsunami ended in the Sendai Airport.."

Our home was affected, of course, though it's still inhabitable. But it would be better and safer to stay in the center first.

Saya's lips were quivering, evident that she still hasn't recovered from the devastating earthquake earlier. I couldn't look at my sister either.

"Yuzuru, we're glad that you're alright.. Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere though?" My mother spoke with that concern, comforting voice of hers. It helped me calm down.

"No," I answered, "I'm okay. But.." I eyed the skates in my hands. They're damaged as well because I used it to run away from the rink.

"I should stop skating.." I can't help but whisper, looking at my poor skates. I've decided.

"That's great, since it's really exp-"

"Dad!" Saya interrupted, frowning at our father. "Look, Yuzu, I gave up skating for you. And you're just.. gonna let skating go too?"

"But!" I exclaimed. However, my sister continued.

"Don't give me that face! This event is just a challenge. Don't ever, ever think about giving up."

I looked down to the skates in my hands again. But if I continue to skate, leaving my family and people behind.. it would be selfish of me, isn't it?

Suddenly, we heard the announcement of distribution of relief goods. "I'll go." I volunteered to get those, and my parents agreed.

It took me at least 5 minutes before finally getting my turn. The volunteers gave me two rice balls, which means we'll have a half of these each in the family. Also, a big bottle of water. I wonder how long will it take for us before we go back to our house..

I bowed and thanked the lady, offering my brightest forced smile.

"Hey, aren't you the Yuzuru Hanyu boy?" The lady asked before I could turn away. Oh, she noticed.

"Ah, yes, I am." I nodded.

"My name is Mayu! I saw you on TV, you're a really good skater! I hope you continue your skating."

The woman's words made me gulp, knowing that I'm already contemplating whether to stop or resume. A forced laugh escaped from my lips.

"I-I'm not sure.. about that.. since the rink is.. destroyed, and I.. don't really want to go to other rinks."

"Oh come on." The lady, who is apparently named Mayu, waved her hand in front of me, which made me lurch backwards. "You can do it! You know, I'm also a victim. But here I am, serving you. It feels nice. Go and continue skating. Don't mind us here. It will help us recover, I tell you." She grinned at me and patted my head, making me chuckle. It's so warm..

"Thank you very much." I smiled, no longer forced, before I let the person behind me have their turn.

I walked back to my family and handed them the food. This will do, they'll give out more later anyway. I sat beside my sister and heaved a deep sigh.

"Sis,"

"Mhm?" Saya turned her head to me.

"I'll continue skating."

First, her eyes widened at my words. Then, she laughed and ruffled my hair. Everyone seems to be fond of my hair. I grinned at her and then stared at my halfed rice ball.

For Sendai.

∽☆∽

Ohai. I'll update this today since the prologue isn't really enough (*´ω｀*) I know most of you guys already know this event but!! Yeah. ( ￣▽￣) I've experienced an earthquake myself but it wasn't as strong as what Yuzu experienced, but it was actually frightening.. Which reminds me, a 7.2 earthquake might hit us here soon.. We're advised to stay alert since we don't know when will the earthquake occur, but they said it's quite soon. Idk. Haha just sharin'. ( ・∇・)