Beyond the Sound | Yuzuru Hanyu

50.

Maya had to admit that Yuzu's strategy to keep the American boy away from her seemed to have worked.

At least he didn't dare to speak to her again after the little episode.

She wasn't sure what the gossip was, but it didn't seem like the teenager felt like sharing the episode with the other skaters of the tour.

Maya just kept herself at peace in her corner, hoping that no one would bother her any further so she could just focus on Yuzu for the time being.

On the day of the second show, she unexpectedly got a call a few hours before the show.

She had to go to work.

Searching for Yuzuru wasn't usually that hard but it still took him getting on the ice for rehearsal for her to find him without texting him.

"Yuzu." she called out before he got on the ice.

He didn't blink twice before going to her side.

"Everything okay?" he knew that she wouldn't just call him if it was nothing.

"They need me at the Dome. I'm sorry..."

"shh, it's absolutely fine. That takes priority over this. You've seen the show already either way."

"You're performing another program."

"That you've seen countless times. It is ok, love. Go and call me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Yuzu."

She was about to leave when he pulled her by the arm and kissed her lips.

Maya gasped as she realized where they were but his lips were very distracting. It just seemed like Yuzuru couldn't care less and it was scary.

"Alright, you can go now."

Maya blushed and left the venue as quickly as she could. Partly because she wanted to rush to the Dome but also because she didn't want to see any more of the reactions to Yuzuru's careless acts.

The skater, on the other hand, was very satisfied that he could finally pass the message that he had been wishing to.

He wasn't jealous of an 18-year-old, but that boy did tend to try and steal what was his.

Yuzu always treated the boy with respect during their interactions, he even congratulated him honestly on the axel but it was only days later that he overheard him say that Yuzuru was mad at him for doing it first.

If there was something that Yuzuru hated was when people tried to read his emotions and spread wrong things about him in a way to look better themselves.

So yes, now he made it very clear to the American that this woman was far from his reach.

Not that Maya allowed him any slack, but it seemed like these Americans only understood things when they were completely laid out in front of their eyes.

With that little play, he got a lot of attention on him, especially from his old training mate, Jason, who had already been tying the pieces even before Yuzuru's little show.

It wasn't that hard when he had been at Notte and seen her there as well. Coincidences were possible, but not that common.

"Soooo..." Jason came to him all excited.

"Don't"

"She's pretty."

"I know."

"How serious?"

"Serious."

"Yuzu... Don't give me those short answers..."

"Serious enough to think about marriage." was all Yuzuru answered to his old training pal.

"Oh... Damn. No wonder you were so keen on making it known."

"It isn't like that."

"It is, though."

"Not completely. I just know that no one here will say a thing without suffering consequences."

"No one would say anything at Notte either and you were more discrete. So I do think you wanted to state your claim and I don't blame you."

"you know me well enough that I don't have to explain much. I don't want to look like this jealous boyfriend."

"Don't worry. I think he got the message. Not that you have to worry about him."

"I know. She knows well how to put him in his place."

Yuzuru thought of her quick thinking and how she ignored the clear dab at him with the axel conversation. He had nothing to worry about, not with his beautiful and smart girl.

"But you wouldn't miss the chance to be the hero of the day."

Yuzuru laughed and patted Jason's back.

"I won't change suddenly."

"I'm happy for you, Yuzu."

"Thanks, Jason."

And to be honest, Yuzu was just happy to be able to trust a few select people. Those who hadn't betrayed him when he needed them the most, those who always chose against making public comments about him to get some traction.

Unfortunately, the number of people he could trust that blindly was decreasing at a rapid pace. Even those he thought he could trust with his life had managed to betray him.

Only his close family and a few others managed to stay there for him without any false pretenses or hidden agendas.

His success in skating came with a lot of things, but it also took a lot.

Jealousy, as he now knew well, was something that was able to seemingly break a bond without much effort.

So now he was careful with those he got close to.

Even with Maya, he had been reluctant at first, even if she got him to easily change for her.

Surrounding himself with the right people was exactly what he needed and by now, he had no doubts that he was on the right track.