Melody of You | Yuzuru Hanyu

56.

Even being the first skater to certify a Quad Axel, completing the necessary rotations to do so, Yuzuru felt like the whole thing was a defeat.

He wasn't ready to crumble and cry in front of the cameras, he hated every second of it but it was a part of his job.

The negativity spiral he went through after that was something not even his mother was ready for.

On ice and painkillers, Yuzuru locked himself in his hotel room and refused to talk with almost anyone. Ignoring every single call of Sophia's and her messages. The musician could only worry as he once again closed himself off.

Soph called Yumi once desperation hit, she was barely sleeping straight with worry for him all the way from Sendai.

When Yumi informed her of his current status, she barely turned the call off before taking her laptop and booking the nearest flight.

Sophia's experience with the last time he closed himself from the world told her someone needed to act before things got out of control and for some kind of reason, she felt like she was the only one able to do so.

Her only hope was the news that she had been keeping away from him, maybe it would be enough for her man to be happy again and get out of the hellhole he dig for himself.

Flying out of Japan was still a challenge due to the pandemic measures and going back could be even worse, but she hoped that the Hanyu power would be enough once the time for that came.

Ditching every single violin class she was supposed to give that week, as well as her orchestra rehearsals in Tokyo, Sophia went to Beijing with only a small cabin-size bag and a backpack.

She hoped that Yuzu would at least allow her to stay in his room, because booking anything in the Chinese city was almost impossible at the time.

Sophia arrived in Beijing the next night, completely lost in a country she knew nothing about and without speaking the language.

Thankfully, a stranger woman was nice enough to book her a taxi and help her reach the hotel Yuzuru was staying at.

She could only be thankful that he booked his own room away from the rest of team Japan and they had the privacy to fix all of this away from the prying eyes.

Finally arriving at her destination, a quick call made Yumi come to her and hug her as tightly as ever.

"Thank you for coming. I'm desperate" Yuzuru's mom told her as they finally parted.

"I will do my best, no promises. He is very hard headed"

Yumi chuckled at Sophia's comment, she knew her son better than anyone else, especially his stubbornness.

Taking a keycard from her pocket, Yumi gave it to her.

"It's from his room, I don't think he will allow anyone in willingly."

Even with the key, Yumi would never break his wishes to be alone and that's part of the reason why Sophia had to be the one breaking his self-implied jail.

Without any more words, they stepped together into the hotel entrance, finally leaving the cold Beijing night behind.

Yumi's room was right next to his so the two women took the elevator together. Reaching the room floor, Yuzu's mom said her goodbyes paired with Good luck wishes before leaving her staring at the closed door in front of her.

Doubts finally crept in, if Yuzu reacted badly Sophia wasn't sure what her next course of action would be, she hadn't planned this that well.

Knocking softly on the door, she heard a Japanese mumble coming from the other side in protest, probably telling whoever was at the other side of the door to just disappear.

Ignoring it, she scanned the keycard and entered the room without any words. She saw his head raise from his lying position and what looked like a pissed expression turned into a surprised one in seconds, his eyes widening when he recognized her.

"Sophia?"

"Hey"

They stared at each other in silence for a while, allowing emotions to take in before Yuzuru stood and reached her body, hugging it tightly in a swift motion, surprising her.

"You shouldn't have come"

"Well, you weren't taking any of my calls"

"I was busy"

"Depressing?"

Yuzuru's shoulders slumped, he knew there was no point lying to her when she would see it through his face.

He placed his head on her shoulder, just enjoying the warmth and positive emotions she gave him with her closeness.

"How's the ankle?"

"In pain, but it's ok"

"Of course... And you're not going to the gala? Planning on staying here in this room forever?"

"What's the point?"

"Yuzuru!"
Sophia felt like his mother more often than not, but it was what he needed on times like these. "You're not serious."

"I lost"

"So?"

"I'm not worthy of being there"

"The fans are waiting for you."

"I'm injured"

Sophia hit his chest in protest and held his face to stare directly into those almost black orbs that she loved so much.

"As if that was ever an excuse for you not to skate, not even when you were forbidden by the doctors... You do remember when we met?"

"I don't think I can find the strength to skate right now. I need time to heal my heart..."

"And you will have it after the gala. You still have a proper farewell to do."

"But..."

"Let me speak." She said, not allowing him to speak "Besides, I flew all the way to Beijing to get you out of this room and watch your final skate on competitive ice. We are not flying back until you skate on that gala."

"Sophia..."

"If you don't do it for me, do it for your little girl."

"Huh? What little girl?"

"I'm pregnant."