Beyond the Sound | Yuzuru Hanyu

47.

By the time Stars on Ice arrived, Yuzuru's back injury was looking a lot better, at least from what she could see during his training sessions.

Just like he did, Maya took every opportunity of a few free days to go back to his hometown and be near him.

They didn't speak of the heavy topic of marriage ever again since that night and Maya was, by now, considering that he was probably going to give up on it and decide later on.

With so much going on, it was only natural that this wasn't the right time to discuss something like that.

Even if Yuzu said that his schedule was "relatively free" at that time.

If he could say that when he was about to go on a tour throughout Japan, Maya couldn't even understand what his "busy" season was.

In a way, she had seen parts of it with the preparation for GIFT and even Notte, but they weren't close enough then for her to see the full process or even begin to understand what organizing a show from top to bottom entailed.

Maya had given up on the possibility of following the whole Stars on Ice show. Realistically speaking, she could probably attend the Yokohama shows. Everything else would be impossible because of her work at the Dome.

Even to attend Yokohama, Maya had to probably put her team in charge of one or two shows that she was going to do herself.

That's what happens when you're a busy person.

Well, Yuzuru didn't seem to expect her to be at every single event either. The skater was more than aware of her professional situation and even encouraged her, knowing her worth to the Dome and its team.

What Maya didn't know was that even from a distance, thoughts of her were constantly plaguing him.

Their conversation about marriage had been in his mind for weeks in a row and he wasn't sure what to do.

The only certainty in his mind was that he wanted her to be his wife. The details and know-how's of their engagement were some things that had been occupying his every thought when he was out of the ice.

Eventually, he went to his mother for help, even if a bit embarrassed about it.

"Okasan, can we talk?" he asked on one of the trips to a show. Yumi still went with him every single time.

"Of course, you know you can tell me anything."

"It's about Maya."

"Is everything ok? You two aren't mad with one another, are you?"

He smiled at her concern. By now there was no doubt that she had been in contact with Maya's mom long enough for them to discuss this very same subject.

"No. We're ok. But I'm in a dilemma."

"About what?"

"I love Maya."

"I know."

"And I want to marry her."

"I figured that a long time ago... even if you two haven't been together that long"

"In theory, we've only been officially together for like a month. So yes, it is crazy."

"You met her less than a year ago. But you both seem to be on the same page on this and I will gladly accept you marrying for love than having to arrange anything."

"As if I would allow that..."

"Well, I was getting desperate, you're not getting any younger, Yuzu-kun..."

He rolled his eyes and just kept talking about the previous subject.

"I just don't know how to do things. She knows my intentions and keeps saying she doesn't need a proposal but it feels weird to me."

"Why does it feel weird when you've already talked about it? Your father didn't propose to me... well, not directly. We kind of just decided it was the right time."

"Together?"

"Yes."

"I think I want to propose, though. It's a good memory to have, I think."

"If you're so keen on doing something, maybe you can settle with a small proposal, something meaningful but not too crazy."

"I think she would like that."

"As long as it's for the right reasons, I'm sure Maya will love any choice you make. That's probably why she says it doesn't matter."

"And you've spoken to Giulia about this."

"I might."

"I know you have. Maya mentioned it to her and I have no doubts she shared that with you."

"She did, yes."

"Do you think she approves? I'm not sure if I should ask her before..."

"Yuzuru, Giulia is just happy that her daughter isn't hiding you from her. Of course, given that you're my son, she would automatically approve." his mother said with a smile.

"You two talk too much for our liking."

"We already did before you two were even born so now you have to deal with it."

"Just remember that if we are going to get married, we won't want something big."

"Everything is all thought through... no worries."

He widened his eyes in surprise. As much as he figured that they had been discussing it, Yuzuru didn't expect the whole thing to be planned in their heads even before the engagement was even official.

"Just how much have you spoken with her?"

"We talk every day... I feel like those old days... except now we have internet, you know?"

"Did she mention when she's coming to Japan? Maya doesn't want to force the subject too much."

"If I tell you, you can't tell Maya."

"Why not?"

"Giulia wants to surprise her."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, so just keep quiet."

"When?"

"Maya's birthday."

Yuzuru stared at his mom, completely dumbfounded and she examined his reaction carefully, hoping that the situation wasn't as she felt like it was, but quickly understanding that her son had no clue.

"Yuzu...don't you dare and ask me when it is..."

"Come on, mom..."

"How the hell don't you know that?"

"I never asked..."

"You're marrying the girl and you don't know her birthday? You can't be serious!"

"I don't know if I'm marrying her just yet..."

"Shut up, we both know you will. Maybe it's time to do some bonding and basic questions with your future wife, Yuzu-kun."

"I know Maya..."

"You know her as a person but since you both forgot the dating part, it seems to me that it's time you two go back to the basics."

"Come on, mom."

"I won't tell you, ask her yourself."