Love Him...Forever

Two Shine Meet

"Let's talk about you," Shine began.

"Me? What about me?" Yuzuru leaned back in his chair.

"Anything—your likes, dislikes... or maybe why you became a figure skater?"

"I became a figure skater because I saw my sister skate. I was amazed by her. Then I told myself I could do what she was doing." Yuzuru laughed softly as he said the last line.
"We trained hard—two to three times a week, for years. Then one day, my sister quit skating... for me. And I'm still very thankful to her."

"Your sister must really love you. And we have to thank her for letting you skate," Shine said matter-of-factly.

"We?" he repeated.

"Yes, we. I became a fan not too long ago, but I still don't know much about skating's technicalities."

Yuzuru smiled shyly.

"Anyway... I think she was your first fan, right?" Shine added, pretending to be curious.

"No. My first fan is Shine... aside from my mom."

"Shine?" Shine frowned, acting like she couldn't believe it.

Yuzuru nodded proudly.

"Sorry for asking—it's just that I've heard how other people describe Shine, but I've never heard you describe her. I know you love her, but... I don't know your reasons." Shine's voice grew hesitant.
"I'll understand if you don't want to answer."

"It's okay," Yuzuru assured her.
"And actually... I think I owe you an explanation since that day..."

Shine smiled gently and listened.

"Shine is my childhood friend. She lived not far from us in Japan. She always came to the rink when I practiced. She cheered for me—even when I was just doing basic routines. I remember how I looked in her eyes," Yuzuru said, pride and nostalgia softening his voice.

"So... why did you two get separated?" Shine asked, playing her role.

"I honestly don't know. She just... disappeared. Without a trace."

"Without a trace? Yet you still waited for her?" Shine asked lightly.

"Shine is my forever." The certainty in Yuzuru's tone made Shine's heart squeeze.

"How did you know?"

"I just know. And waiting fourteen years for her... it was worth it."

"Fourteen years? That long?" Shine forced a soft laugh.
"I asked Allen about her. He showed me Shine's picture—she's nothing compared to Mikka... no offense."

"Mikka is just a friend. And... I liked how I looked in Shine's eyes. It always felt like I was the only one she saw. That's probably why I waited for her."

"What if she never appeared?"

"If she didn't?" Yuzuru thought for a moment. "Maybe I would've gone to Mikka and been with her instead."

Shine's heart dropped a little—realistically, logically. But Yuzuru caught her expression and smiled.

"Is that what you expected? Mikka is pretty and very nice, yes. But Shine is prettier—to me. Kinder. Much cuter, too."

Inside, Shine's inner self was doing Olympic-level cartwheels.

"Shine is lucky to have you," she said softly, admiration in her eyes.

"I'm lucky to have her. I know she only loves me."

"I agree," Shine replied truthfully.
"Allen told me Shine only has you in her heart and mind... that she even flew to Japan the moment she saw you in China."

A bittersweet memory flickered between them.

"Even when I was physically hurting back then... seeing her made everything easy. I didn't even feel the pain," Yuzuru said with a deep sigh.

"You must really love her."

"I do. And she does too."

Shine noticed his eyes getting glossy.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.

"Yes," he exhaled.

Shine continued, carefully.
"You once said Shine is alive. How are you so sure? If she is... why doesn't she show herself to you?"

Yuzuru met her eyes calmly.

"At first, I was angry. But now... I think she must have a reason. Whatever it is—I know it's for the best."

Just wait a little longer, Yuzu... Shine's inner self whispered painfully.

"Shine always puts others first. She even took a job here because of Min. Her brother wants to skate, so she worked here to let him train."

Shine bit back tears.

"I see..."

Yuzuru checked his watch, then looked back at her.

"Are you free later?"

"Why?" she asked, cautious.

"I want to introduce you to Shine."

"Huh? How?"

"I'm going to bring you to her grave."

Shine blinked.
"Wait... I thought you don't believe Shine is dead?"

He nodded silently.

"Then why bring me there?"

He took a deep breath.
"It sounds crazy... please don't laugh."

Shine nodded, genuinely curious.

"Well... because... I think she can hear and see me from there."
A blush crept onto his cheeks.
"I think she planted a camera or something."

Shine had to bite her lip to hold back laughter.

"I know it sounds insane. That's why I hesitated to say it."

"I'm sorry," Shine said, still amused. "But honestly... maybe you're right."

Later that day at the cemetery

"Shine, this is Hana—Allen's girlfriend, and my newest friend," Yuzuru said gently as they stood before the gravestone.

"H-hello," Shine said, waving awkwardly at her own name engraved in stone.