Beyond the Sound | Yuzuru Hanyu

36.

Maya knew they didn't have the time to talk about it in detail, so she just gave her friend the shortest version possible.

"I think...hum... we are kind of dating now?"

"Wait... actually dating? Not just fooling around?"

"Yeah..."

"Holy mother, this is a miracle. You two have finally come to your senses."

Maya laughed at her friend's reaction, already half expecting it.

"I'm just going to stay with him a few days."

"I'm happy for you... I still think you took my advice of finding a rich artist a bit too seriously but..."

"Hey! You know it isn't like that!"

"I do. And I know he makes you happy... well, when he isn't leaving you for months in a row."

"It was just a month, don't overdo it."

"Make sure to pack your sexy clothes and get the hell out of this house. You deserve some vacation time and he probably deserves it too given the show he pulled off."

"You saw?"

"Yeah, I can see why he has so many fans."

"I know."

"He won't take some free time, though. He has a show in two weeks, but at least I can be there, you know?"

"Just get the hell out of here and go have some fun!"

"Damn, everyone is telling me to get out of places today, first my team at the Dome and now you."

"Because we, better than most, know how much you work. Come on, Maya. Hurry up."

She did as told and quickly prepared a cabin-sized travel bag with clothes for the next two weeks. Obviously, they had rushed so much that she wasn't completely sure of how long she would stay in Sendai, but knowing the man she was about to travel with, the two weeks would probably not even be enough to get tired of him.

"Alright... I think I have everything."

"I'm happy to provide condoms, if you don't have them yet. I'm sure you will need them"

"Shut up, Chiara..."

"Fine, fine. When you come back, you will be giving me every single detail."

"Not every single detail."

"We'll see. Now go!"

Maya just allowed her friend to drag her out of her own apartment and into Yuzuru's arms. Not that she minded any of it.

"Mr. Hanyu, take good care of my friend." Chiara told the skater with a knowing smile.

"I will do my best."

"Alright kids, go, go... just don't forget protection and have fun."

"Oh god." Maya merely said, already too desperate from Chiara's boldness.

Yuzuru just laughed, not looking even slightly bothered by the situation. 

"Bye Chiara, I will bring Maya back safe and sound."

"And well fucked too, if you don't mind."

"Chiara! That's enough!" 

"Too much? Sorry..." The wink she gave them both didn't indicate her to be sorry at all, but Maya already knew her best friend well enough not to be too surprised.

Before Maya could even complain any longer, Yuzuru just dragged her way.

"Come on..."

"But that girl..."

"Is your best friend and is always like this. It's the cultural difference as well..."

"Alright, I admit you're right about that."

They got to the station with a few minutes to spare and seeing Yuzuru place the mask and cap on him before entering the crowded place was the only indication of his worries about them being seen.

"Should I get some distance or something?" she eventually asked.

"No. I want you close."

"You don't worry that someone might recognize you?"

"I'm not that famous. People rarely notice me on the trains."

As much as she wanted to argue about the validity of that argument, Maya knew that he had been doing this for a long time and certainly knew better than her. This was one of those things that she would have to get used to.

Truth be told, Yuzuru was right.

Even with the big show in Tokyo and the fan's knowledge that he could be on one of these trains back home, no one approached him, either because he wasn't recognized or because people chose to respect him and his privacy outside of that ice.

"Your mom isn't going back home?" Maya asked eventually as the train started moving.

"She went a few hours ago already with my dad and sister."

"Ah, ok. I didn't even realize they had been here."

"They are usually a bit more reserved. My mom has always been there and knows that she will be recognized no matter what. My dad and sister are another story. Most people don't know them well enough to pick their faces in a crowd."

"It can't be easy for them either."

"At least back at home people treat us normally, so it's alright."

"Your hometown must be really proud of their champion."

"I'm just like everyone else there."

"I don't think so. I did my research and I heard about the Sendai rules."

Yuzuru chuckled.

"I'm very thankful for everything they have been doing for me, especially since the disaster."

"It's only like that because you give equally what you get. I imagine the economy got better as well."

"I try... now tell me more about this research of yours."

Maya laughed and leaned on his shoulder.

"I was just curious about the parts of you I didn't know."

"You could just ask."

"You were busy with the final preparations of the show and we were mostly in a non-conversation phase."

"Oh... it was then."

"Yeah."

"You were driving me crazy at the time... I mean... I always enjoy being in bed with you but when it's only that... I don't know, it felt weird."

"To be fair, it was the agreement."

"That agreement would've been fine if we didn't like each other from the start but that's not how things are."

"It was never just sex, was it?" she joked lightly.

"No, Maya. Not with us."