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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Yuzuru had had to make Ayame a promise. He should spend the Sunday before the premiere away from the production, as calm and relaxed as possible and together with her!
Although he had kept up very well in the last few days, it was a little noticeable now that he had reached his breaking point.
Yesterday evening after the final rehearsal, he had still been reasonably okay, had greeted the guests in a friendly and attentive manner, had talked to everyone, and then, yes... he had also more than managed to convince Ayame in the dressing room that he was fine!
But now he urgently needed some rest so that he could go into the show with all his strength on the premiere day.
So Yuzuru followed what Ayame asked him to do. But it wouldn't be Yuzuru if he hadn't planned something special to surprise her with...
As the driver chauffeured them through the streets of Saitama, Ayame was very, very curious. Yuzuru hadn't told her where they were going.
"Yuzu! Please... tell me, where are we going?"
She couldn't imagine that there was any place in Saitama where they could enjoy their free time in peace, because the city was already full of Fanyus who would immediately recognize their star if he showed his face anywhere. That left only their hotel suite, and they hadn't stayed there, so... where was he taking them?
He just grinned. "You'll see..."
"You're mean!" she laughed and pinched his arm a little.
"Ouch! Is that how you thank me for all my efforts? Even the sexy one from last night in the dressing room, my beloved Aya!" he acted indignant and grinned mischievously.
"Yuzu! The driver!" she whispered.
"Don't worry, we're good old friends! Aren't we, Hiro-san?" Yuzuru addressed the driver.
"Yes, Yuzuru-san, I've been driving you around Saitama for years when you're busy here. Always happy to do so. Please don't let me bother you." He nodded briefly at them over the mirror, but immediately focused on the traffic again.
Ayame loved that Yuzuru thought of all the details, even about hiring a reliable and trustworthy driver who wouldn't post photos of them on X...
Shortly before the destination, Yuzuru put on his masquerade after all, this time with a winter cap, mask, tinted glasses and of course he was back in his oversized clothes. Ayame looked at him with amusement.
"What?" he asked her in surprise.
"You look like one of those huge, hulking rappers, the only thing missing are the gold chains around your neck!" she laughed out loud.
"Ha, maybe I should try that too, rapping I mean!"
"Oh, don't!" Ayame grinned. She had already heard Yuzuru sing...
"Stay on your ice, my heart!"
"Yeaaa, I already know...." Yuzuru grinned behind his mask.
"Hiro-san, we'll do it as usual, yeah? I'll contact you when you can pick us up again."
"Of course, Yuzuru-san! I'll be ready. Enjoy your day!"
They had arrived, now nodded to each other and said their goodbyes.
Ayame and Yuzuru got out of the car and were now walking up the slightly uphill, cobbled path to a building when Ayame finally realized where they were, reading the sign above the entrance.
"No?! Yuzu! How... what... how do you imagine this?" she asked in surprise.
They were standing in front of one of Saitama's most famous public bathhouses, Seiganji Hot Spa. It was Sunday, it would be completely crowded!
"What do you think?" Yuzuru teased.
"We can't set foot in there, that's what I think. But, I know you! We wouldn't be here if you didn't... tell me!"
"Hm... I think....," he took his time with an answer, obviously enjoying Ayame's impatience and burning curiosity.
"How long are you going to keep me out here in the cold? Yuzu!!!"
"It's okay, Aya!" Yuzuru laughed. "We're the only guests today," he finally revealed the secret triumphantly.
"Ooohhh... is that the Yuzuru effect?"
"The Yuzuru effect..." he grinned, just nodding.
He didn't do it often, but sometimes he used his notoriety, and, yes, his money, and did something very unusual.
"I rented the whole onsen exclusively for us, for the whole day. We can do whatever we want. My team has worked with the management to ensure that only a few select employees are here today to pamper us. All of them have signed NDAs. So massages, carbon dioxide and salt baths, lots of rest and delicious food await us... whatever we feel like!"
"Oh Yuzu, that sounds... fantastic!" Ayame threw her arms around his neck and they finally entered the bathhouse.
***
It was going to be a great day!
The onsen may not have been one of the famous old bathhouses that tourists liked to visit. But it was beautiful, well-kept, and the hot carbon dioxide spring in the outdoor pool did its best to relax Yuzuru's muscles and pamper Ayame's skin. They enjoyed it to the full, had a massage and ate a ramen meal in the in-house restaurant.
They slept for a good hour in the relaxation room, snuggled up together in their yukata like little children. They enjoyed the closeness, exchanging little caresses. Nobody disturbed them.
The staff were invisible, respected and protected their privacy. Of course, they all knew who he was. But no one bothered him about it, no one did anything to disturb his and Ayame's peace. It was like a dream.
"Aya, my flower...," Yuzuru said softly, "I'm so grateful that I can share this with you. Because money doesn't make you happy if you have it... but no one by your side, a person you love so much who you can make happy with it!"
Ayame smiled, she knew that Yuzuru was extremely generous with his money when it came to charity. His willingness to donate was great, and he saw it as a drop in the ocean every time he was able to help people in need. But he rarely allowed himself anything.
Now he had finally done something for himself and rented the whole onsen so that he could spend the day here with Ayame unmolested.
"It's wonderful that you're doing this for us today, Yuzu! We couldn't be here otherwise, and that's not likely to change anytime soon... especially if you're going to blow people away with your show tomorrow!"
"Ha, don't remind me!" he groaned a little. "Please, be prepared, Aya... it's going to be insane, no matter what I do on the ice tomorrow..."
Yuzuru was a little afraid of all the hustle and bustle that would befall him. It had been like this every time, and now, at the long-awaited premiere of "Together : Forever?", it would probably be no different, perhaps even worse, because he hadn't performed for so long. He sighed.
Ayame cuddled up to him, stroking his chest reassuringly, and he hugged her gratefully.
"Don't worry, my heart. I'm not worried at all either, because I saw you on the ice yesterday..."
Yuzuru looked at her. "Are you satisfied with me?"
"Who knows..." she grinned and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
