Unforgettable | Yuzuru Hanyu

33. Revelations

Yuzuru seemed as uncertain as she was when they finally spoke of the matter.

He slowly explained what he remembered from that dreaded week of a few years before. Yuzuru explained their relationship, how they had met when they were teenagers to the years of dating when he was still in Japan.

The whole thing confused her so much, unable to connect the dots when it seemed like everything she had been told by her family had been a lie.

And no, she didn't doubt for a second that he was telling her the truth. Kana had long learned that she couldn't trust a single thing when it came to the people who had taken her in after the accident.

She was thankful to have them after the accident but it didn't mean that all of their wrongdoings were redeemed.

"Your family surprised you with a trip to Canada by the time of your birthday and I couldn't wait to have you in my arms again. It was so difficult to say goodbye when I came here."

As if on cue, a sharp headache reached her, followed by what she now knew to be a flashback.

...

Two strong arms enveloped her form as she cried. Comforting words being whispered in her ear.

"I don't want you to go." she whined against his shoulder, unable to stop crying with so many overflowing emotions.

"I will always be here for you."

"Liar."

"No, Kana. I will."

"You say that now but I bet you will find another hot skater and forget about me in the blink of an eye."

She felt his chuckle reverberate on his chest against her.

"My love, I don't think you realize how much you mean to me. You don't realize how much I love you."

"You promise me you will always feel like that?"

"I will never forget you. I will never stop loving you. You will be the woman for me until the rest of my life."

One last kiss sealed the deal and she saw him leave her embrace, tears in his eyes as he too, was overfilled with emotions.

...

"Kana, are you okay?" she heard him ask as she went back to the present.

"Sorry... it happens sometimes."

"Headaches?" he asked, being able to read her unlike any other person ever did.

"Yes. They...come with the flashbacks."

The sudden realization of what she had just admitted made his eyes focus on her with a shine that she hadn't seen before.

"You remember?"

His hopeful tone made her want to kiss him but she was unsure of just how much he would like to know exactly what she was feeling.

"Just... little snippets. I only realized now that they're memories. Or at least I think they are."

It didn't take that much to confirm that. He asked her to tell him and well, as embarrassing as it all was, she was thankful to learn that maybe there was some hope after all. Maybe she could remember everything eventually.

But why now? Why only now?

"Kana...I..."

"Whatever you're about to say, this isn't your fault. You couldn't control that drunk driver, you couldn't control what happened."

"No, but I could have been there for you when it happened."

With everything that had been revealed on that night, the last thing she had even considered was how Yuzuru seemed to have vanished from her life for years without a single explanation. He could have easily sneaked in years before if he wanted to.

"Why weren't you?"

She wanted those answers more than anything. He could evade their past all he wanted but this? This was an answer that even her long lost memories could have never answered and the truth was that she probably wasn't ready to find out about it either.

Once again, she saw him consider everything, wondering what he should tell her or even how to explain it in a way that conveyed his feelings properly. She knew he was struggling even without looking at him. Yuzuru was so obvious in her eyes and it was now painfully obvious why.

Kana had known him for her whole life, she knew his mannerisms even without her memory.

"I don't want to explain this in a way that will hurt you even more. I never want to hurt you." he admitted eventually when he felt her gaze on him. Just as she could read him, he was able to do the same with her.

She got closer to him, ignoring all the warnings of her brain to stay the hell away before she knew exactly what had happened and before either of them realized what was happening, Kana was kissing his lips softly.

"Whatever it is, I just want to know. Please tell me."

There was no doubt that a single request from her was able to shake him to the core and start talking. Yuzuru was too weak when it came to her.

With a deep breath and a sigh, he finally started explaining the events of that night.

"You came to Canada when I was away for a GP event. I was competing when it all happened and only heard about it when my mom came to me with teary eyes after the Gala. She had known what happened hours before and kept it from me so I could perform. I don't blame you if you don't fully believe what I'm about to tell you, but I have no other choice but to explain the truth."

"Tell me."

"When it all happened... We... We were told you were dead."