Spice [NaNoWriMo 2023 Winner]

Battu

The Onsen was full by the end of the week and Yuuri's mother was beside herself with glee at all the interesting people. Yuuri's friends had been amazing guests and were taking full advantage of the private closure. Baths were taken, food consumed and everyone was enjoying the sake and beer.

The outside world was ignored for a short while as everyone gathered and enjoyed the Katsuki hospitality.

There was some laughter and exchange of ideas over dinner, but mostly there was joy. Everyone was teasing Yuuri, Phichit and Malee. There was conversation about trips and shows. Phichit moaned on about his mother, practically crying when Mrs. Katsuki agreed with her. More laughter and fun, and then serious topics came up.

What to do about Roswell.

Everyone suggested that they should just be honest, whatever came up, don't sugarcoat the truth. There was no point trying to keep her away from their personal business so maybe it was about time she had her own dirty laundry aired for all to see.

"Fire just brings more fire," Yuuri's Dad said, "You know it was her, but what proof do you have?"

"None, really," Phichit said, "Our best bet is to just face the media head on and take whatever ammo she thinks she has."

"Don't let her take you down to her level," Yuuri's Dad agreed, "You can beat her, but not with her own tactics. You are all better than that."

The group agreed and set out to address the media, dressed in the signature styles and ready for onslaught. Yuuri led the way, heading up to Ice Castle, one of the few buildings that still had a large enough conference hall, and taking a deep breath when he parked. People were already crowding the doors, Takeshi keeping them all at bay while Yuuko waved from the back entrance.

"Sorry about all this," Yuuri said as everyone filed in quickly before someone saw them.

"Don't be, we're never been so busy!" Yuuko laughed and closed the door tight as someone shouted from the front door.

"Uncle Yuuri!" Three little girls came running from the shadows and Yuuri laughed as he was bombarded by the triplets. "Come skate with us!"

"Later, later, I'm working," Yuuri chuckled and crouched down to look at the triplets. There was a time when he was jealous of Takeshi, he had adored Yuuko in their childhood. They had both taken lessons with Minako, skated and learned figures together. When Yuuri had left to do more with himself, Yuuko had stayed. She had made her way through Juniors and almost made it to seniors but quit when she inherited Ice Castle. She fell in love and dated Takeshi and married soon after. Yuuri had gone to the wedding, hell he helped design her dress and she had been so beautiful. Takeshi had kept playing hockey all the way up until Yuuko fell pregnant and then quit to be a father and partner at the rink.

Yuuri had never been so lucky to have such amazing friends. They named him godfather to their children and he spoiled them rotten.

"You promise?" Loop asked and Yuuri chuckled and ruffled her hair.

"You, me and your sisters, we'll skate when all this is over, alright?" Yuuri said and felt a tug on his sleeve,

"And Victor too, right?" Axel asked and Yuuri laughed, pulling all three girls for a tight squeeze.

"And Victor, now off you with rascals," He said and stood, smiling as the girls ran off with excited chatter. People chuckled around him and Yuuri sighed as his friends cooed at and swooned over him.

"Come on, you have people to face," Yuuko said and led the group away from the door and into Ice Castle proper. Cameras flashed from the windows as the troop of designers and their partners strode for the conference room. The girls were already there, adorably ushering in the invited media and handing out water bottles and badges. They had invited the local news outlet, so there was space for a large camera set up and reporters and journalists filled the small room. Yuuri and Phichit took the center of the table and everyone else found their seats and got comfortable.