Beyond the Sound | Yuzuru Hanyu

73.

"I think Yuzu can be my daddy!"

Maya and Yuzuru were completely stunned at what the little girl had just said.

"What do you mean, dear?" Maya managed to ask, still a bit dumbfounded about the whole thing.

"I like him... You always said daddy is someone I will like."

"Yes dear, but..."

"And he likes skating and he likes you as well."

"Likes me?"

"I think he finds you pretty. He keeps staring at you"

Yuzuru started laughing at the tiny little girl who seemed to notice things that most adults probably wouldn't even realize.

"You are a very smart girl. Can I tell you a secret?"

"Hum?"

"I think I love your mommy."

Kaiya looked at him with such a mischievous look that he realized that there were really no doubts, she had to be his daughter

"I think she loves you too... Maybe we could be a family... All my friends have a family."

"You have your mom, she's your family."

"So are you... You will be my family, right Yuzu? "

"We will see..."

"Mom needs someone to help. She never has time to have fun because she has to take care of me."

Hearing the little girl speak made him realize that Maya didn't have a single day off ever since the little girl was born. He made a mental note to take her somewhere to rest as soon as they could.

"I will help with everything I can."

"You will?"

"Of course, Kaiya...I want to be here for you both"

"I just want Mom to be happy."

"She is very happy to have you. We just need that little tiny push to make everything a bit better."

"Yes!"

"Kaiya... Give Yuzuru a break, alright?"

He could note her concern about her daughter's clinginess from afar. He didn't care. In fact, Yuzu was enjoying the interaction.

"We are talking in secret, Mom! It's not about you."

"sure it isn't" Maya huffed adorably in Yuzu's eyes. He just wished he could be like this every single day.

Never before had Yuzuru wanted nothing more than to find a solution for them. He would make it his life's mission to redeem for their past mistakes.

He stood up, still smiling at Kaiya, and went near the beautiful woman in the kitchen.

"How can I help?" he asked, kissing her cheek.

Yuzuru noted her red cheeks in response and found them utterly adorable. Maya still didn't push him away and he found himself enjoying the warmth of her proximity.

"I can do this, why don't you watch TV or something?"

"You've been doing everything by yourself for 5 years. Allow me to at least take part of that burden."

Maya couldn't focus when Yuzu was grabbing her waist. She had been trying to tell herself that they couldn't do things too fast and yet, with every touch he gave her, it seemed like her body pleaded for more.

Still, her daughter was right there, watching every interaction and Maya was afraid of this not working out. What if Yuzu couldn't be sure of their safety? What if they couldn't go back?

Realistically speaking, if they were to stay in Toronto, it would be very hard for Yuzu to be constantly around them.

"Yuzu..."

"Relax."

"I don't want to give her the wrong idea."

He stared at the little girl and understood Maya's words.

"Even if I'm not successful, we will always find a solution. I told you, I'm here to be her father now."

"Just her father?"

"You know I've always wanted to be your husband as well." he whispered so the little one wouldn't listen.

She blushed at how easily he allowed those words to leave his mouth. From the very start of their relationship, he had always been so sure of his feelings that it was almost scary. It was no wonder that 6 years later, they were still just the same.

As his touches got bolder, Maya had no idea how she would escape that night without kissing him properly but she knew very well that her apartment was no place for reunions when there was a single bedroom and her daughter usually slept by her side.

His teasing was thankfully interrupted by his phone.

It took one look at the caller ID for Yuzu's face to get far more serious than it was before.

"Your team?" Maya asked right away.

"No. My mom."

"Oh..."

"I won't tell her, not yet."

"I think it is best. I want them to know but..."

"I know."

Yuzuru kissed her cheek softly before answering the phone and Maya looked at her daughter to find her staring at them with wide eyes.

"Kaiya."

"Are you dating Yuzuru, mommy?"

"Would you mind if I was?"

"No. I like him and you smile when he's close."

Being so aware of her surroundings was something that Kai had gotten from Yuzuru. The girl was always able to tell when her mother was down on when she was happy, like now.

Because, yes, even with all the uncertainties, Maya was the happiest she had been in years and there wasn't much of a question as to why that was.

That man always had that effect on her. Even when they fought, Yuzuru was able to bring a smile to her face and there was something oddly reassuring about his confidence that they would find a way.

Kaiya was already deep in love with Yuzuru and you could see how she looked at him with so much admiration, even if he was just taking a phone call.

This wasn't about skating either.

The little girl had never seen him skate before his appearance at the club and even if she was probably aware of his success and a few of his medals, this admiration that she developed for him seemed to be more personal.

Maya just hoped that it would be possible, that they could be a family.