Love Him...Forever

He... Falling for Hana

"Hana, what now? What if he falls in love with Hana? What are you going to do?" Monika repeated her question.

"Huh? What?" Shine blinked and snapped back to reality when she heard Monika's voice.

"What were you thinking?" Monika asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing. What were you asking again?" Shine said, trying to compose herself.

"I said—what will you do if Yuzuru falls for Hana and starts courting you?" Monika repeated for the third time.

Shine scoffed lightly. "Don't be silly, Monika. That's not going to happen. It's Yuzuru we're talking about. He's smart enough not to fall for someone else's girlfriend."
Her tone sounded confident, but deep inside, she wasn't sure at all.

"Is he... falling for Hana?" her inner self whispered.

Shine shook her head slightly, trying to push the thought away.

A Month Later...

When Shine arrived at the club, she noticed several cameras set up around the rink.

"What's with all the cameras?" Shine asked as she walked toward her post.

"They're filming Yuzu today," Monika replied.

"For what?"

"To show his training. I think the whole of Japan is curious about him."

Shine snorted. "Correction—the whole world, Monika. Remember the mountain of packages his fans sent?"

"Oh, right!" Monika laughed.

They were still laughing when Javier suddenly appeared.

"What are you two laughing about?" he asked.

"Nothing. We were just saying Yuzuru is becoming a superstar by the minute," Monika said, pointing at the cameras.

Shine stepped into the back to get Javier's key and didn't see Javier's reaction.

"But Yuzuru is a very private guy," Shine said when she returned. "Right?"

"Right," Javier agreed. "His skating life is an open book, but his personal life? Not even we know everything. I think he only shares the deep stuff with Shine."
He turned to the ice rink while taking his key from her.

"But who knows? He and Kazumi look close." Javier pointed at Yuzuru and Kazumi walking into the rink together.

"Yuzuru's been lonely for almost a year because of Shine," Javier added sympathetically. "Maybe it's time he moves on."

"I agree," Monika said softly.

"Alone?" Shine asked quietly, but neither of them heard her.

Javier shifted from sympathy to teasing mode as they approached.

"So, the new love team is here!" Javier announced loudly.

Shine frowned. Her chest tightened.

Kazumi blushed proudly.
Yuzuru simply smiled.

Monika handed them their keys.

"Yuzu, you're becoming a leading man. Is Kazumi going to be your leading lady?" Javier teased again.

Yuzuru glanced around at the cameras. "Sorry for the trouble, guys. It's part of my contract."

"It's okay," Shine said quickly, not wanting him to answer Javier's question. "Your fans will love it."

"Thank you." Yuzuru bowed slightly.

Kazumi looked around. "Where's Nam?"

Everyone looked at Monika.

"Why me?! I don't know where he is!" Monika said defensively.

"Nam won't join morning practice," Coach Brian said suddenly. Everyone jumped.
"He'll try to make up for it this afternoon."

Coach Brian motioned to leave.

"Come on. We need to catch up, especially you, Yuzuru. First competition is less than two months away."

"Yes, Coach," Javier and Yuzuru answered in sync.

As the group walked off, Monika's phone rang and she stepped into the back.
Shine suddenly realized she was alone with Yuzuru.

"Yuzuru?" she asked.

He didn't answer. He leaned forward, staring directly at her.

Shine felt her heartbeat jump.
"Why?" she whispered.

Yuzuru shook his head, smiling mischievously.

"Mata ne," he said softly, stepping back.

Then he winked.

Shine felt her cheeks heat up instantly.
"See you later? What... was that?" she whispered to herself.

Later, Allen arrived to pick her up.
Before they could leave, Nam, Javier, Yuzuru, and Kazumi appeared.

"Hana, going home?" Nam asked.

"Yeah."

"We're going to grab something to eat. Come with us?" Javier offered.

"Maybe next time. Allen wants to go home already."
Shine noticed the look of disappointment on Yuzuru's face—and she hated how much she secretly liked that.

"You promise?" Yuzuru suddenly said.

Everyone stared at him—shocked at his boldness.
Even Kazumi's face darkened.

"Huh?" Shine blinked.

"You said you'll join us next time. Was that a promise?" Yuzuru asked.

Shine had never seen this side of him.

"Uh—yes, I guess?"

Yuzuru grinned. "Just kidding. You look so serious! Go rest."

Shine smiled awkwardly.

"See you tomorrow," she said as she waved goodbye.

At 10 PM that evening

Her phone buzzed.

Yuzuru Hanyu
Can you come out for a moment?

Hana Kim
Why? Where are you?

Yuzuru Hanyu
In front of your house :)

Shine didn't reply.
She ran downstairs so fast she nearly tripped.

"Where are you going?" Hyun asked.

"Yuzuru's outside!"

She opened the door.
There he was—smiling like sunshine.

"Hi!" he greeted.

"Yuzuru... what are you doing here at this hour?"

"I realized... we don't have a picture together."

"You came for THAT?" Shine asked, stunned.

"Yeah," he said proudly.

He stepped closer and suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Shine froze.

"Smile," he said, lifting his phone.

"Wait—" Shine turned her head toward him.

Their eyes met and locked.
Yuzuru held her tighter when she tried to pull away.

Her heart pounded wildly.

He smiled softly.

"I'm here because..."
He paused, smiling even more.