Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

15.

It was Christmas Eve and the day of the short program of the Japanese Figure Skating nationals arrived, and it was because of that that Athena was wide awake at 4 am, in the cinema room of the palace with a direct stream connected to the screen.

It wasn't easy to find a way to get the Japanese channel playing legally, but she would do it illegally if necessary to be able to watch him.

A thick blanket was wrapped around her body, December was incredibly cold, even in the well-heated walls of the palace. By her side were a series of snacks that she stole from the kitchen and a bottle of water.

There were a few skaters already doing their programs but Athena was almost asleep while waiting for Yuzu. She had known before that her interest in skating was exclusive to him, but even so, it was still crazy to her how she couldn't care less about the others.

She had promised herself not to bother him at all, allowing the skater to focus on the competition. Even so, she couldn't resist sending him a good luck message.

'Hey Zu, I just wanted to wish you good luck for today. I know you will kill it!'

To her surprise, the answer was almost immediate.

'Thank you. What are you even doing awake at this hour?'

'Watching your competition?'

'You didn't have to... You will be tired tomorrow.'

'It's okay. I was going to stay at home either way. You should be focusing.'

'Can I tell you something?'

'You know you can tell me anything.'

'I'm not very confident today...'

'What are you talking about? Haven't you won this a few times already?'

'Yes, but my foot hurts, it's been bothering me. I'm afraid it will make it hard for me to jump.'

'Have you told anyone about it?'

'Not yet. If I do, they won't let me compete.'

'Wonder why. Have you considered not competing?'

'I can't... Have to qualify for competitions.'

'Even if you're injured?'

'I'm injured all the time.'

Athena sighed audibly, she worried about Yuzuru all the time, and it didn't get any better when she realized that he was probably hiding an injury from his coaches and family. It was a recipe for disaster.

'I don't like this... You don't usually complain so it's probably bad.'

'I'm okay.'

'Just make sure you're really ok. I worry about you.'

'Do you?'

'of course, silly...'

'Can I tell you something else?'

'Again, always...'

'I'm happy you're watching me. I have to skate extra well for you.'

'Just skate like you always do, it's more than enough.'

Athena heard the door of the room opening and her father entered with a similar blanket to her around his back. He sat by her side.

"Am I still on time for your boy?"

"Ah... Yes... I didn't think you were coming."

"Why not? Let's see why he's so great."

Her phone vibrated again making her focus shift toward it.

'Don't fall asleep, my princess' Athena figured he texted that since she hadn't answered him in a few minutes. Her cheeks flushed at the way he wrote that but she had to admit it felt incredible to feel like she was 'his' princess.

'When are you skating?' she asked quickly, a bit too desperate to catch a glimpse of that silly Japanese man.

'3 skaters left, then me.'

'Shouldn't you be warming up or something? Either way, I know that texting me is not part of your pre-performance preparation'

'I can get ready while texting you'

'I thought you were very serious about your preparation'

'I am'

'But you don't care that I'm disrupting it?'

'You're not.'

'I find that hard to believe'

'You are good to me, Athena-chan'

The princess couldn't help but google the Japanese honorific, she knew they existed but wasn't familiar with the culture itself. Truth be told, it only brought more red to her face.
The honorific wasn't used often or lightly, and even if it could be used when the person was younger, she had a feeling Yuzu wouldn't use it with that context on her due to her title. Does this mean he felt close enough to use it?

"What is he saying that makes you so red?" her father interrupted her reverie.

"Hum... nothing."

"Don't lie."

"It's nothing inappropriate..."

"Ok. What is it then?"

"He just keeps writing these small things that somehow have a hidden affectionate meaning and I can't help it..."

"Young love... Adorable."

"What? No. He's a friend!" All of these hints that her dad had been giving about being okay with this scenario of Yuzu and her being more than friends weren't helping her.

Athena had this scenario in her head that even if she liked him a lot, her position didn't allow for anything like that. The king himself seemingly being a strong advocate for this possible relationship was making her question everything. Even if deep down she knew it was unrealistic to think like this.

"So I have heard. Did he at least tell you when it's his turn?"

"Almost there, 2 or 3 left."

Her mind was still drifting, she had no idea if Yuzu even considered her anything remotely close to a friend, let alone think of her in any possible romantic way. The truth was that they barely knew each other.

Their physical interactions had been short-lived, a series of moments on random days, a few of them without any words uttered. The whole thing was built upon their texting.

Even if Athena knew they had been texting back on forth for the last two weeks about the most random topics that made her keenly aware of certain things about the Japanese Skater, they were far from knowing each other deeply enough for her to be considering anything less, no matter how much her dad's teasing was getting to her.

In fact, the more she thought of the whole thing, the fewer possibilities she considered.

Yuzuru was famous in Japan while most people in Europe hadn't heard about him unless they followed the sport.

Athena let herself be convinced that even if she had a very warm spot reserved for him in her heart, nothing could ever happen.

After all, the last thing Yuzuru needed was to be dragged into the politics of Royalty.

What the Princess didn't quite understand was that you can't always dictate what your life will be.