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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"GIFT", his first really big solo ice show, lasted almost three hours. He had written and developed all the texts and the entire concept for it himself. Not only did it include some of his best-known programs, he had also developed new choreographies for it.
Together with Mikiko, the choreographer and specialist for stage shows, and a small, fine team, he had put together something that had never been done before.
In recorded videos, he talked about himself, his feelings, the development of his career, the highs and lows, the loneliness and the ways to get out again.
It wasn't just a series of individual skating programs or random texts, it was a story that ran through him, presented in a multimedia format. The inside views he showed had an important function and combined everything into a wonderful gift for the fans. Just "GIFT"...
Ayame was very touched, not only once did she have tears in her eyes because of the stories that Yuzuru himself told the audience with his own voice in the video recordings, because she often knew exactly what he wanted to express with his thoughts.
Then he was on the ice, she saw him at times completely absorbed in himself, then again self-confident, radiantly open or wild and cheeky. It was a special moment every time he stepped back onto the white surface, which was then bathed in colors and patterns as he skated.
His farewell at the end of the show, already in his show hoodie over his last costume, was once again typical of him. Friendly, approachable and playful, he chatted to his audience and said he didn't want to go home! The emotion was written all over his face and there were tears.
But finally he had to say goodbye with his already traditional Arigatou gozaimashita! shouted loudly into the audience.
When Yuzuru had stopped the recording, he looked over at Ayame. She had leaned back into the couch, eyes closed.
"Are... are you okay, Aya?" he asked, a little worried.
"Yes... Yuzu... everything's fine! I'm just..." she began, "... overwhelmed. By you, your work and this show."
"Oh... thank you, my flower."
"You know, I'm just starting to discover you! You're not just a sportsman and an athlete, you're an artist. You obviously manage to tell a story with your sport, which you also turn into an art form. And you give so much of yourself in the process. I think I understand much better now why you suddenly couldn't carry on," Ayame finally summarized her thoughts.
"Thank you, Aya! Yes... it's different when you take part in an ice show where there are lots of other people and you only skate in the group scenes and have one or maybe two solo performances. It's much more relaxed, it's not about so much... you can also just have fun. It's good and I've always loved doing it.
But a solo show is a huge challenge that you have to face, physically, but above all mentally!"
"And you had that under control for years... until recently..."
"Right... then came the cut. The strength to tell a new story suddenly disappeared. And now I'm back to square one, and I don't know what's waiting for me behind the curtain. Is it the ice? Is it... a loving wife, a family? I don't know..."
Ayame realized again that this was about so much more for him. The same, yet completely different, than for herself. She sighed.
"It all feels a little heavy right now, don't you think? We still can't answer many of the unanswered questions we're dealing with right now. We still have to wait and see... again! Unfortunately..." she mused.
"Mhm... we're going round in circles!" added Yuzuru. "You know what? We'll just eat something now, it's already evening, we've wasted the whole Sunday!"
Ayame grinned with relief. He managed to make the situation a little easier again with a very simple and practical suggestion. Because they had to eat!
"Good!" she stood up. "I'll go to the kitchen and you get everything ready for dinner. We're eating traditionally again today!"
"Whoopee! I'll get the seat cushions!"
***
Ayame had conjured up another nice, light vegetable curry, along with carrot and cabbage salads, some salmon onigiri and, for once, strawberry-flavored mochi for dessert.
"Wow, that's my favorite!" Yuzuru wanted to grab a mochi. Ayame tapped him playfully on the fingers. "No, no! Dessert last, Yuzu!" and she laughed.
"Okay, of course!" and he bowed teasingly in Ayame's direction.
"Ah, the curry is fantastic. Why do you always get it so good?"
"I don't know... I just manage it. That's my great art!" laughed Ayame, and Yuzuru applauded her.
They ate happily, their hearts somehow lighter at the moment. No matter what would happen... they got along so well! They could talk about anything and that seemed to be the key to them being able to overcome any challenges together.
After dinner, they tidied up the dining area in the living room and the kitchen together. While they were still chatting, putting dishes away in the cupboards and cleaning the work surfaces, Ayame suddenly stopped as if rooted to the spot.
Yuzuru didn't notice right away.
"Yuzu..." she said, and he turned to Ayame.
"What is it, my flower?"
"I think... the 'event' just happened!" Ayame's eyes were wide and she smiled.
"No? Really? I mean, seriously?" Yuzuru didn't quite know what to say now. Was she sure?
"I'll... wait a minute, ok?" and with that, Ayame walked out of the room.
Yuzuru stayed behind in the kitchen.
How does one behave in a moment like this? He could do nothing but wait again. All sorts of things raced through his mind. Had they - been lucky? Would he be sad or happy? A rollercoaster of emotions... He sat down on the stool by the fridge.
Shortly afterwards, Ayame came back into the kitchen. She didn't see him immediately.
"Yuzu?... Oh, there you are!" she spotted him in his corner
"Aya...!!!" he looked at her with questioning eyes.
"It's... yes... I mean, I got my period!"
Yuzuru let out a sigh of relief, stood up from his stool and took Ayame in his arms. "Aya... Aya... Aya..." he kept whispering in her ear. "I promise you once again, I will never put you in a situation like this again!"
"Us... Yuzu... it will always be both of us!"
"Yes, you're right..." he affirmed, looking at her. "The next time we experience this again, it will be planned and on purpose!" he winked at her.
Ayame understood and suddenly felt that she could hardly wait for it to happen.
"It will then be a gift, a GIFT for us!" she said.
