Love Him...Forever

Uncontrolled Feelings

Yuzuru lifted his phone again and snapped a photo.

"This! ... I came here because of this," he said cheerfully as he loosened his arm around Shine and showed her the picture.

Shine looked stunned—caught completely off guard in the photo.

Yuzuru burst out laughing.
"Look at your face here!"

Shine squinted at him, pretending to be annoyed, but a smile slowly formed. She was happy to see this playful version of Yuzuru again. So she played along.

"Give me that!" she said, snatching his phone.
"That's not my right angle." She struck a pose.
"There."

She handed the phone back, and Yuzuru grinned as he checked the new photo.

"Thank you. I'll leave now since I've accomplished my mission."

"Are you serious? You came here just to take a selfie with me?"

"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "Actually, I only needed one... but you gave me an extra."

"O...kay... but since it's late, I'll have our driver bring you home."

"No need. I came alone, I can go home alone."

"No. I'm not comfortable letting you go alone," Shine said firmly.

"Hana..." Yuzuru tried to resist.

"Yuzuru, please."
Her eyes told him she was genuinely worried.

He smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Alright. If it will help you sleep tonight."

"Thank you."

Shine called Carlo, instructed him to take Yuzuru home safely, and he nodded.

"See you tomorrow!" Yuzuru said through the car window.

Shine waved until they disappeared from her sight.

Yuzuru always acted like a different person around Shine. Since returning from Japan, he had been unexpectedly bold and playful whenever they were alone. But in the club? He was a totally different man—serious, guarded, as if they weren't close at all.

"What are you thinking?" Monika asked, snapping Shine out of her thoughts.

Shine straightened up. "Nothing important... I was just wondering if the club will give a good luck party for the skaters."

"I wonder too. But if they don't, we can always have one at your house."

"I guess."

"But why does it bother you? You don't even like gatherings."

"Last year... the party happened on my birthday." Shine's voice lowered. "It's kind of significant to me."

"Oh, right—"

Monika stopped as Nam appeared with Javier, Yuzuru, and Kazumi following behind.

"What do you remember?" Nam asked.

"Hola, amigas," Javier greeted warmly.

"Hello too, my friend," Shine replied.

Yuzuru bowed politely; Kazumi copied him.

"Nothing. Just that last year, the club held a good luck party before the season started," Monika said.

"Yeah, and it turned into Shine's surprise birthday party. Isn't that right, Yuzu?" Javier's mouth ran ahead of his brain again, and he elbowed Yuzuru.

Yuzuru frowned.

"Sorry," Javier immediately said, covering his mouth.

"We can always throw our own party," Nam suggested instantly.