Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

6.

Joanna couldn't stop talking about the competition, especially about Yuzuru's new record.

"It's just crazy how he keeps getting better and better."

"That's probably the point. If he wasn't, my guess is that things wouldn't be as exciting for him or the public."

"Yeah, but he's on a completely different level from everyone else. When he's on, it's almost as if he's unbeatable."

"Probably works very hard for it."

"And you?"

"Hum?"

"What did you think?"

"I liked it."

"Just liked? You seemed entranced when he was skating."

"I liked his skating a lot. It's different from the others."

"Yes... Does that mean you're a fan now?"

Athena chuckled at her friend and kept a smile on her face.

"I won't be tuning in to watch competitions, if that's what you mean. But it's cool to watch every once in a while."

The next two days were filled with the same routine. Athena would watch the competition and later on at night would go for walks in the Barcelona night.

It wasn't the freedom she expected, but she wasn't one to attend nightclubs either. It was more about having the option to leave than actually doing something with that time.

The next night, she saw the same man again, still wearing a mask, on the same bench, looking around.

Her eyes lingered a bit longer than they should have but Athena couldn't explain what it was that made her look, she could barely see the man's face and their interactions had been very brief.

She found his eyes staring directly at her once again and her cheeks flushed.

What was it that made her so interested in this stranger?

When he noticed her eyes, a smile showed up on his face, just like on that first night. His eyes almost disappeared and his expression was warm, even with the mask covering it, she could sense how nice it was.

She gave a little wave and sat down on the bench that was directly opposite.

They didn't speak, they didn't even interact, they just looked at each other for a few minutes in complete silence.

Athena changed focus to the other people around, but deep down, she knew where her brain was. In the stranger right in front of her.

Eventually, he stood up, drawing her attention once again.

"Bye." she heard him softly say in a high-pitched voice "Good night."

"Bye..." was all she answered before he was turning his back and left her alone once again. It was weird how they kept running into each other.

She was confused but went on to get some sleep either way.

The day after was the last competition day and the final for the men. It meant that she was going to see Hanyu skate again. Excitement ran through her body and even if she would never admit it out loud, it was embarrassing for her just how much she was looking forward to that day.

They arrived at the competition site and were escorted to the VIP area just like the previous days, even if part of Athena just wanted to be closer to see just how different it was from the rink side. That was impossible, of course, but the wish was there.

Both her and Joanna watched the first groups without much excitement until someone broke their attention.

"Your highness, we have a request, if possible." a man in a suit asked.

"Hello... how can I help you?"

"I'm a representative of the ISU and we would be honored if you would accept to be at the men's medal ceremony and present the medal to the winner. We hadn't realized you were here before but the Spanish Royal family informed us yesterday."

"I don't see why I should..."

"Your highness, I think it's a good idea." Joanna interrupted, making Athena stare at her.

"You do?"

"I think whoever wins the medal would be delighted to meet you." the princess wanted to roll her eyes at her maid, she knew exactly where she was getting at.

"It's also very quick. We wouldn't dream of stealing your precious time."

"I see..."

"And since you're already going to the banquet... it seems fair."

"I am?"

"It's in your schedule."

"I hadn't seen that... Well, I guess I can give a few medals."

"Thank you, your highness. We will have someone call you and explain the procedure once it's time."

As soon as the man was out of sight, Athena glared at Joanna.

"What?" the girl asked.

"Are you serious?"

"Come on, I would die to be in your place. I can't wait for you two to finally meet."

"Are you talking about Hanyu right now?"

"I'm just saying... I've never seen you this focused on a man before and I think that's a sign."

"Once and for all... it's not about his looks, rather about his skill."

"Whatever it is, I think meeting him is only fair... You will never know if you don't"

"Know what?"

"If there's a spark."

"You read too many romance books. That doesn't exist."

"One day you will thank me for this..."

Dismissing Joanna, Athena looked at the ice again, where the last group was just preparing to warm up.

Everything else was similar to the previous event. He glided smoothly through his warmup and when he finally took the Team Japan jacket off, a beautiful costume was revealed. Full of sparkles, just like the previous one, this had a different energy to it and the skater looked like a Japanese warrior.

He did a few jumps and every time he did, the crowd would cheer just a bit louder. It was unlike anything Athena had seen before in a sports event.

Eventually, when his time finally came, her eyes were captured by him once again. Athena was certain she wasn't the only one, all of the arena was completely at his feet, and that was just how good he was. She might not understand anything about this sport, but it was very easy to tell that what she had just witnessed was a one-of-a-kind performance.