Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

53.

The emotions at the Olympics were an entirely different ball game than what Athena had watched in any other competition.

You could feel the tension hanging around in the air as the athletes prepared themselves to skate on the side of the ice.

The first few groups consisted of skaters that in theory wouldn't be contesting for the victory.

Truth be told, Athena was quickly bored while she watched other skaters.

It was no secret that the only skating that she ever found interest in was his, but even so, it still surprised her that she couldn't find interest in others during a live situation.

Athena always figured this would be like going to a concert with several bands playing. Even if you came for someone in specific, you ended up enjoying the rest too.

Well, it seemed like figure skating didn't work this way for her.

There was something about him on the ice, it just seemed so effortless and intensely connected to whatever he chose to skate to, that it felt different to everyone else.

Watching a whole competition meant that she had to put up with seeing everything, even if she was just a little bit bored with it.

'Are you watching?' he texted her. Athena couldn't help but smile as soon as she saw the message on her phone.

'watching what?' she replied jokingly.

'Don't mess with me (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)'

If there was something she loved in his texts was the extensive use of text emojis.

'Of course, I'm watching. Shouldn't you be getting ready?'

'just taking a small brake. I wanted to speak to you for a bit.'

'nervous?'

'yeah... ⊙⁠﹏⁠⊙'

'You will be ok. How does the ankle feel?'

'loose, the usual.'

'Worse after the short?'

'yes, but I expected that.'

'Just make sure you don't hurt yourself, ok?'

'I will do my best.'

'Good luck, love.'

''Thank you, princess. Can't possibly lose while you watch.'

'Love you.'

They stopped texting after that and she figured he had to focus on his preparation for the program and warmup. Her stomach had butterflies merely at the thought that he was close to her.

The only downside of watching here was that she didn't have a chance to see the images that they showed of the backstage. Because of this, she had no idea what he was up to.

Skater after skater, she watched with a bored expression. Up until the 4th group, she had never heard of any of the skaters.

Not that she was an entire encyclopedia of skating. She knew nothing if Yuzuru hadn't tried it before or competed with these people.

Doing nothing was the death of her, but it was still better than being recognized.

As she took a decent look around the venue for the first time, she saw just how many Winnie the Poohs were around.
Athena had already noticed the banners, but only noticing the bears now just made her realize how popular Yuzuru was.

They often joked about who was the most famous and they ended up agreeing that it depended on where you asked, because she would probably win in Europe, but he would certainly win in Japan.

Trying to keep her face hidden from the cameras was no easy task given just how many there were around.

One slip could be enough for her to be forbidden to leave her country once and for all. Her mother had tried it before but didn't have enough arguments.
Athena wasn't going to be the one giving them to her now.

When it finally came time for Yuzuru's group to start, Athena's focus was back on track.

Now, these guys she recognized.

Mostly because they were always around when he competed and she had already watched her fair share of competitions.

The only one that she knew personally was Javi and to this day, Athena wasn't quite sure if he approved of her and Yuzu yet. Now that it mattered that much but she wanted his friends to be supportive.

They had more than enough people against them from the start, and having some friends around to help was always nice.

Her attention was now far more alert. Athena wanted to see how each skater did and how many points they received by the end of their performance.

Her eyes were constantly traveling to the edge of the rink in hopes that his face would grace her vision.

It didn't take too long until she finally saw him in all of his glory.

Yuzuru was in the midst of one of his aggressive playback sessions and Athena couldn't help but laugh.

He looked ridiculous.

It was no wonder that all of his competitors went crazy when he acted like that. Yuzuru just looked ready for war and if the short program was any indication, he didn't come to play.

The Hanyu glare was a thing and it was certainly alive whenever someone tried talking to him.

Do not mess with Yuzu before a competition. Duly noted...

Eventually, his time came and so did the screams.

It was no secret that he was admired, but it was straight-up crazy how people reacted to him.

Japanese flags and Banners were waved merely because he had stepped on the ice, and he looked like a champion in his new Seimei costume, ready to conquer another Olympic medal.

Not only did he look like a winner, but Yuzuru also looked good. Better than she remembered, but it might have been her deprivation of him speaking, but he looked so handsome today.

As soon as he started she knew that he wanted this. He wanted the second Olympic gold. Yuzuru wanted to write his name in the history books as the best ever.

The thing was, she had no doubts that he could do it.