This is the story of Ayame, a young artistic gymnast who, due to a stroke of fate, can no longer practise her sport. In search of a new purpose in life, she comes to Sendai from her home town of Sapporo by chance to work in the house of a famous fig...
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She still had time. And so she went back to the ice rink, now wrapped up warm. But there were only five people still skating there. And they all seemed to be in their cool-down phase, so there wasn't much left to see. So Ayame decided to go to the cafeteria.
It had only opened a year ago. Yuzuru had suggested creating at least a small, separate area with a view of the ice rink where it wasn't so cold. A real blessing for parents whose children were training!
When Ayame entered the room, which was partitioned off with glass panels and located right next to the skate rental, she could smell the aroma of coffee. Mmmh, that was a really good idea. She took off her jacket and scarf, as it was much warmer here than outside next to the ice.
Behind the sales counter, a young girl moved nimbly back and forth, going about her work. She was maybe 16 or 17 years old.
"Hello, I'd like a hot drink, please. What can you recommend?" asked Ayame.
"Hello, you came with Yuzuru-san, right?" the girl asked curiously. "Would you like to drink what he always orders?" Ayame quickly understood; the girl had obviously seen them together. "Yes, I'd love to," she grinned, "I'd like to know what my boss always orders!"
The girl seemed pleased and a little surprised that this strange woman worked for Yuzuru. She eagerly set about preparing something. After a short time, she placed a large cup of steaming hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and cinnamon on top in front of Ayame.
"This is the favorite drink of Yuzuru-san!" she explained, "He likes to drink it when he comes to see me." She blushed slightly and pointed to a framed photo of Yuzuru, with his signature, hanging on the wall behind her. "I have his autograph too," she said dreamily.
Ayame could see that the girl adored Yuzuru, maybe even had a little crush on him. She thought at that moment that she understood all too well... how could you not adore him and, well, fall a little in love with him?
"Thank you for telling me that story, and thank you for the hot chocolate," she took a sip. "Oh my, it's delicious!"
"Yes, it really is. He loves to drink it," the girl's eyes got glossy and she suddenly opened them wide. "Oh, look, there he is!" She pointed to the glass front where Yuzuru was suddenly run past and waved at him.
He waved back and continued walking along the stand when he saw that Ayame was also sitting in the cafeteria. He laughed and made a hand gesture, which probably meant that he wanted to run a few more lengths. The girl gave him a thumbs-up.
"I'm sure he's about to go on the ice soon," she explained knowingly. "So nice that he's back!" she exclaimed.
"Then I should probably finish my chocolate so I'm not late when he starts his training," Ayame said. "Oh, you get to watch him?" "Yes, I work for him after all and need to know what he's up to," Ayame winked a little. "But I'm sure you can watch too," Ayame had seen the disappointment in the girl's eyes. "Really?" "I'll ask him."
"Thank you, I don't have much time, I have to keep working here and close soon, but a few minutes would certainly do, there are hardly any more people around today. You're my last customer right now." She bowed gratefully and effusively to Ayame. "Please, just take the chocolate with you, you don't have to finish it quickly. You should enjoy it! I'll pick up the cup later, that's no problem."
"Thank you, that's very kind of you. How much is it?" "No, no, it's fine!" "Oh, how nice, thank you very much! So I'll see you outside in a moment?" asked Ayame. "Oh yes, I'd love to!"
***
Ayame left the cafeteria. Yuzuru was still running up and down the corridor and now waved to her from the lower end. He had just jumped from a standing position and performed several turns while jumping, slowly getting closer and closer. Ayame was amazed at the technique!
Finally he was with her, taking the earphones out of his ears. "I see Kirumi-chan served you a chocolate," he grinned. "Yeah, she said it is your favorite? Do you want a sip?" "She's right, I love hot chocolate, I usually can't get enough of it... unfortunately! But I'd rather not now, thanks for the offer." "Of course not, an unnecessary question... Hm, can Kurumi-san watch you train? I have a feeling she'd love to," Ayame smiled.
"Yes, she doesn't mind at all! I'll run a few more meters, in the meantime make yourself comfortable on one of the benches somewhere, okay?" and he ran off, putting the earphones back in his ears.
Ayame turned to Kurumi behind the glass and gave her a thumbs-up, indicating that Yuzuru wouldn't mind if she watched the training. Kurumi understood and waved to her enthusiastically, bowing once more.
***
The bench Ayame had now sat down on was made of blue plastic, which certainly had its advantages in this place, but it wasn't comfortable at all. Still, it was the perfect place for the moment, right next to the open entrance to the rink, and Ayame could see over the boards reasonably well from here. There was no way she would miss Yuzuru here when he took to the ice.
Ayame had brought a blanket, which she now wrapped her legs in, making her sit a little softer and, above all, warmer. She finished the rest of the chocolate and placed the now empty cup next to her on the bench.
At that moment, Yuzuru came around the corner and quickly spotted her. He had Pooh-san under his arm and was dragging his suitcase behind him.
"Ah, there you are! Good spot," he nodded, "right by the action!"
He put Pooh-san on a shelf that was right by the boards, opened the suitcase, took out his skates and then came over to Ayame. "Pooh-san has to be there today... it's important to me... and we're about to start," he justified his comrade's presence.
"Of course! Pooh-san absolutely has to be there!" Ayame of course knew how important the yellow bear was to Yuzuru.
Yuzuru nodded and sat down on another bench that was right next to Pooh-san and his shelf.
And now Ayame got to admire the spectacle that Yuzuru put on while he laced up his skates.
She had never seen such fast hand movements before. It reminded her of women's hands making lace. Incredibly precise, fast and powerful at the same time. An event!
"If you skate on the ice the way you tie your shoelaces , I'll kneel before you and worship you!" she said with a laugh.
He just gave her a mischievous grin. "I've often heard that the fans like it... It's just routine, I don't know how many times I've done it! Thousands of times, I guess.... It seems I have another fan now!"
"Yeah, you definitely do!"
Yuzuru laughed once more before standing up. He sighed and took off his skate guards, which he placed on the shelf next to Pooh-san.
All of a sudden he looked different, his expression was suddenly serious, he seemed quite still and collected as he stood there looking at the ice. Then he took the few steps to the entrance, bent down and touched the ice with his hands, his lips moving.
He then gave Ayame a short look, which she acknowledged with a nod.
