Beyond the Sound | Yuzuru Hanyu

30.

On the morning of the show, Maya woke up before Yuzuru and made sure to order breakfast.

Not knowing what he would usually eat on a show day, she just ordered a bit of everything and hoped he wouldn't mind.

About half an hour later, room service was at the door.

She smiled as she watched him sleep.

At least in that moment, with one eye open and his hair in disarray, Yuzuru looked peaceful.

It was hard to imagine just how much pressure was on his shoulders then. The biggest show of his career was happening today and he was far from being in his best physical form.

All of it made her wonder if his fans ever suspected just how much pain he endured to go on that ice sometimes.

Not that he did it just for them. Deep down, Maya knew that a big aspect of this was psychological. Yuzuru didn't just want to prove to the world that he could do this, he wanted to prove it to himself.

Watching him with a cup of coffee in her hands, she couldn't help but wonder just how many sacrifices he had made for his career. Just how much she didn't know about him or his personality.

Yuzuru was stronger than she ever imagined him to be and she barely knew half of his story.

When he stirred awake, she just stayed in the same position and noticed him slowly wake up.

"Maya?" he mumbled right away as he noticed she wasn't by his side.

His voice looked so weak. All of it was a stark contrast to the man she thought she knew.

"I'm here, Yuzu."

He visibly sighed in relief, looking into her eyes and smiling.

"Good." he mumbled.

"How are you feeling?"

"No pain, but I haven't moved much."

"Yeah... Slow. Nice and easy."

"I know."

"There's breakfast for you. I hope you like at least something. Wasn't sure what you wanted in a show day."

"Thank you... I will eat eventually."

Seeing this man, who was usually the prime of athleticism, struggle to just stand up was painful in her eyes.

If she had any doubts about her feelings for him, they would all be gone as the current emotions filled her.

"Anything I can do?"

"No. I'm just glad you're here."

As much as it was easy for her to admit her feelings, Maya didn't want to have too many hopes. It was hard to know how things were between them when he was in the middle of his struggles and had a show to do.

The last thing she wanted was to succumb to her feelings and find later on that they weren't returned as expected.  

Just because he was a bit more sensitive than usual, it didn't mean a thing for them or their relationship.

A knock on the door made her attention shift.

"Is it ok if I answer?"

"If you don't mind."

"No, of course not."

At the other side of the door was the skater's mother, who gave her a smile as she opened the door, seemingly satisfied that Maya chose to listen to her request to stay with Yuzuru.

"How is he?"

"Still in pain, but better than yesterday, I think..."

When Yumi saw Yuzuru on the bed, she gave her son a bright smile before turning into her protective mode. In moments, Maya saw her check his temperature, force him to show her his peak flow measures, and even go as far as making him follow her finger.

This made Maya realize that he had Asthma, Yuzuru had never told her he did.

"Mom, I'm not sick, just injured." 

"Just making sure. How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright."

Yumi didn't seem to believe it for a second but then again, she knew her son better than anyone else.       

"Sure you are... Kikuchi might give you an injection for this show but you will rest after."

"I have Notte Stellata in two weeks, Mom"

"What's that?" Maya asked, risking what she hoped wasn't a stupid question.

"You didn't tell her about it?"

"I haven't had the time."

"hum?"

"It's another show I'm doing."

"Another? Why would you book it so close to this one?"

"Because of the date."

Maya couldn't understand what he meant, but Yumi was quick to explain.

"It's the earthquake's birthday."

"Oh... I'm... I'm sorry."

"No, beautiful. Don't you dare to feel bad about not knowing."

"I should, though."

"No, you weren't even in Japan back then, were you?"

"No."

Yumi watched their interaction with a knowing smile and Yuzu knew why. She had seen right through him as usual.

"Well, I should get up."

"Slowly." Maya said immediately, worrying about the skater.

"Nice and easy, I know."

He didn't look as bad as she expected, but Maya was keenly aware that he was very good at hiding his pain when he wanted to. All of it was a game of trying to figure him out through every small expression.

He ate well for his standards and even moved around for a bit before flinching slightly.

"Stop trying to be a hero." Maya said making his mother laugh. It was exactly what she wanted to say to her son.

"I'm starting to get this feeling that you are spending too much time together." he told the two women in the room.

"Stop complaining. Kikuchi should be at the Dome soon, we should go there was soon as possible."

"I should go as well." Maya said "You know... the team is probably waiting for me."

Yuzuru stared at her with one of those looks that she missed that previous night.

"You can go with us."

"That might not be a good idea."

"Why not?"

"What if people ask questions?"

"About?"

"Me arriving with you... It's already clear that you treat me differently when you call me Maya, if we arrive together..."

"Let me make something very clear." he finally said while pretending his mother wasn't in the same room "I have no problems in being seen with you. I don't care what they think or if they mind that I treat you differently. It's none of their concern. if anyone has anything to say, they can come straight at me and ask themselves."