Love Him...Forever

The Girl

Nam and Javier returned from the store.

"What did we miss?" Javier asked as he set a pizza box and a paper bag on the center table. He and Nam sat beside Yuzuru.

"I don't know, I was outside too," Monika answered honestly.

"We just talked about Skate Canada... and my plans after," Yuzuru said with a small smile in Shine's direction.

Shine quickly opened the pizza box and stood up—using Yuzuru's ramen as an excuse to escape the conversation.

"Javi, where's your hot water?" she called from the kitchen.

"Plans? Isn't it obvious you're going back to Japan after Skate Canada?" Nam asked Yuzuru.

"There—the kettle. Next to the paper towels," Javier answered Shine.

"That was my plan," Yuzuru said with emphasis.

"Oh, I see it—thanks," Shine replied, pretending she didn't hear the conversation.

"So it's not your plan anymore? What changed?" Monika pressed curiously.

"Is it because of the girl you were talking about?" Nam teased.

Shine couldn't hear Yuzuru's answer, but the boys' reactions told her everything—he must have admitted it.

"A girl can actually make Yuzu change? Wow!" Monika squealed.

"Seriously! She must be special—changing Yuzu's schedule isn't easy," Nam added excitedly.

"What girl?" Javier asked, confused and feeling left out.

"Yuzu has someone he likes, but he won't tell us who," Nam explained.

"Hana, isn't it done yet? Come sit with us," Monika called out.

"Just pretend you know nothing," Shine reminded herself as she composed her face.

Shine exhaled, then turned around.

"Coming!" she said, carefully carrying the ramen.

"Careful," Yuzuru said as he took the bowl from her—touching her hand on purpose.
"Thank you," he added with a mischievous smile.

Shine narrowed her eyes, which only made him smile wider.

"What were you guys talking about?" Shine asked casually, sitting beside Monika.

"Yuzu's girl," Monika whispered into her ear.

"How am I the last to know?" Javier complained.

"It happened before Autumn Classic—Nam saw my phone," Yuzuru started explaining.

"What did you see?" Javier asked.

"He still had Shine as his wallpaper. It frustrated me!" Nam replied.

"Shine is not my ex," Yuzuru said plainly.

Shine smiled inside. Monika squeezed her hand.

"So that's why I told them I have a girl in mind," Yuzuru finished, focusing on his ramen.

"Who is she?" Javier asked excitedly.

"We already tried to make him tell us—he won't," Nam replied.

Just as Yuzuru placed his bowl down to speak, his phone rang.

RING... RING...

He looked at the caller, stood up immediately, and left.

"Excuse me—I'll take this," he said, heading for the balcony.

"Is that her?" Javier teased, but Yuzuru was already gone.