Destined

Trust

Koharu's POV

The day he confessed to me.

I was in a turmoil.

I'd been closing myself off from other people ever since Kouji died, and I only slowly opened up to people with Yuzuru's help.

I didn't know if I was ready for a relationship.

I kind of expected it, by the way he stuttered, and blushed all day long.

I was ready to say no, but I'd realized that I liked him too.

From the day I treated his cut.

His long fingers, his slender hands. I didn't dare look at him at first, because his eyes were so intense, I felt like he would see through all my secrets in just one look.

He was good looking, I had to admit.

And he looked like the boy back from the evacuation center in Sendai.

He brought back too many memories.

I can't.

I can't go near him. He reminds me too much of Sendai. Of Japan.

I came here to escape from all the bad memories in Japan. It took me over a year to just save up to come here, but my aunt gave me the ownership of her old house, and she helped a little with my living expenses.

Even so, I still had to work my butt off just to afford university.

I would secretly watch him from my office, pretending to study whenever he looked back at me.

He was so graceful on ice...

As if nothing could ever affect him. As if he had not a single care in the world, and he was just on ice to show the audience how much of a great skater he was.

And he did.

I think I gradually fell in love with him too.

His shy habits, but his brave and kind personality. The way he would shake his head after a bad jump, always fighting for better better better but never for once thinking that he was the best. That humbleness was especially rare amongst world class athletes. And that was what spurred him to get title after title, rising slowly to the top in the skating world.

That day, when I changed his shirt, I was blushing so hard. He was so cute, but his body wasn't bad either. Ugh. Hormones.

That's why I kissed him back.

I didn't think I would start a relationship, especially this soon after losing Kouji.

But I just followed what my heart said.

Yuzu, please don't hurt me.

I trust you.

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Yuzuru's POV

The first few days of being in a relationship was really awkward.

I told Coach and the boys, but I didn't dare to tell my mother yet.

Coach's reaction was priceless. He was mumbling "I knew it, my ship was arriving" the entire time.

But he was happy.

Nam and Javi were happy for us too, and we didn't quite know how to react.

That morning, I packed an omurice bento for her, in a small pink bento, and dashed out of my house with my training stuff, the bento cradled in my arm.

I told mother to include another set of chopsticks as I would be bringing a somebody home for dinner.

She thinks it's Javi or Nam.

I wonder how she's going to feel about me having a relationship at this age.

In Japan, we're more conservative about having relationships.

Especially more so if you're an athlete, since you have things to focus on first.

I quietly knock on the door, quickly running my fingers through my hair.

I wasn't the best looking bloke on the block, but the least I could do was to look presentable.

The door opened, and Koharu's messy bed hair greeted me.

Her hair was all over the place, very much unlike the tame and slick hair I usually see her with. Her eyes were bleary and still submerged in sleep, but her dark eyes were still as beautiful as the day I first met her.

"Oh my god, I look horrible," she mumbles, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

One thing I loved about her was that we were both ethnically Japanese, so we always conversed in Japanese, even at the club. It gave me a sense of security, because only she could understand me, and only I could understand her. It was our little circle, with no one else.

She donned a large sweater, with the logo of Irene, the mascot for Sendai ice rink. There had been more merchandise produced ever since the disaster; I'd skated in many ice shows to promote the rink. And they're doing well now. It's a relief.

She looks awfully cute in that sweater. I have a strong urge to envelope her in a big hug but Japanese are more conservative about touching other people of a different gender...

She's not wearing any pants, I realise, blushing a little. She's not fat, but not very skinny either. Just lean and perfect.

"You don't look horrible, you look good," I stutter a little, averting my eyes from her exposed legs.

Goddamn.

"Oh shucks I'm going to be late, I totally forgot about work-- I have to shower -- no um you come in first, make yourself at home, um yeah--" she suddenly straightens up and starts fumbling with her jumper, dashing into the house.

I take off my shoes and step in gingerly.

My first time in her house.

I close the door after me, and stand awkwardly in her living room.

It's a beautiful place, decorated with shades of blue.

I hear the pattering of her hurried footsteps, and she pokes her head out from her room.

"Don't stand there so awkwardly, you potato. Make yourself comfortable," she laughs, dashing to the toilet across her room in only a small green towel draped loosely, her hair bouncing behind her.

Startled, I trip over my own luggage, before steadying myself.

I prepare the bento on her dining table, and sit quietly.

The sounds of the water rushing stopped, and I straightened up.

Koharu rushes around, towel drying her messy hair, in jeans and a flannel, grabbing her backpack.

She's balancing on one leg, like a wobbly crane, trying to put on her Stitch socks.

I laugh softly.

"Hey potato, you have to eat too,"

She looks up, her hair dripping a little. She looks like a wild raccoon caught in a supermarket.

"Thank you Yuuuuuu, that's really sweet of you," she whispers, picking up the chopsticks.

I've arranged the fish cakes to make a small heart.

Am I too cheesy?

"Uh... Sorry if it's not very good, I tried to make it nice but.." I say, a little flustered, but she cuts me off, leaning in for a quick peck on my lips.

Her soft lips again. I missed it.

"Delicious."