Of Angels and Phantoms

Chapter 32- Her Solace

HELLO DAHLINGS THANK YOU FOR 5K READS!!!

I really didn't expect to come this far tbh hahahaha really thanks for reading! Your comments and encouragement has carried me through many difficult times :') I hope to finish this story by chapter 45 so I'm working overtime to squeeze out the chapters now haha. Fingers crossed!

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"She's lying."

"How would you know?"

"June would've told me if she's dating Adam!" Javi yelled and crossed his arms, huffing. "I don't believe May."

"Why would she say a lie that's so easily exposed?" I questioned back, yet feeling uncertain myself.

"She likes you, that's why." Javi rolled her eyes, crossing his arms. "She's so obvious."

"She heard it from the skaters from Team Canada, though..."

"So? She could've made it up." Javi folded his costume and packed it neatly in his luggage and threw the rest of his clothes in, zipping it up.

I wandered around Javi's room and helped him clean up a bit, picking up bits of rubbish on the floor.

"Don't bother, man..." Javi laughed, tucking his luggage beside the door. "We're leaving tomorrow, anyway."

"Yeah...can't believe it." I smiled, feeling nervous yet excited at the same time. It's really the Olympics...and I'm worrying Javi over such trivial things. I slapped my forehead and sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Sorry, Javi...I shouldn't ask you such things now."

"It's fine, Yuzu." Javi patted my back reassuringly. "Tomorrow, we will be rivals. But we are also teammates."

"Yeah." I smiled, giving him a tight hug. "Let's do our best, Javi."

"Yeah!"

--- ---

And so, the Olympics commenced.

The Games flew by in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, I had broken the world and Olympic record for the short program and won the gold medal. I was elated, of course, yet there was a tinge of regret. It was an imperfect performance, yet I had won.

Was I truly satisfied?

To win under such conditions was unexpected, at least to me.

--- ---

"Mama, where's Pooh?"

"I kept it in your luggage. Are you going to carry it in your bag?" Mum replied as she made a last check around our hotel room.

"Yeah. Since I've finished all the interviews endorsed by the IOC..." I unzipped my luggage and took out Pooh, stuffing it into my bag. "When do we need to leave?"

"We should head down to the lobby soon...in about 10 minutes." Mum came out of the bathroom holding some loose items. "Is your medal in your bag? You need to wear it once we hit Narita!"

"Yes, Mama..." I chuckled and held up my bag. "It's a lot heavier now."

"It's an important weight to carry, Yuzu." Mum smiled and patted my shoulder lightly. "It comes with many responsibilities."

"I know."

"Speaking of which..." Mum veered off and slipped the last few items into the pocket of the luggage before locking it. "I didn't see your friend June the whole time. I thought she was national champion for Canada?"