Love Him...Forever

Epilogue

The 2016–2017 season began rough for Yuzuru, but it ended beautifully—claiming his fourth Grand Prix Final title, winning Four Continents with a world-record combined score of 345.89, and finally earning his second World Championship crown in Helsinki.

Now, at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the biggest battle of his career awaited him. The competitors were stronger than ever—Javier Fernández, Patrick Chan, Shoma Uno, Boyang Jin, Nathan Chen, and even the suddenly upgraded Mikhail Kolyada.

It was the day of the long program.
The judgment day.

Yuzuru whispered to himself, "Focus... focus. Jump. Jump." His nerves were obvious.

"Relax. You can do it," Shine whispered into his ear, surprising him.

He turned around and saw her standing there with a bright smile. His eyes widened, then softened. In a heartbeat, he pulled her into a tight embrace, uncaring that other skaters were around.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as he released her.

"I'm here to support my boyfriend," Shine said proudly.

Yuzuru's face lit up. He hugged her again, holding her close. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Yuzu! Let's go!" Coach Brian called from behind. Their warm-up group was next.

"I have something to—" Yuzuru began, but Javier suddenly threw an arm over his shoulder.

"¡Hola, Shine! Wish us luck!" Javier said with a grin before dragging Yuzuru along.

"I'll wait!" Shine called out, waving at them. "Go get that gold, Yuzu..." she added quietly to herself.

As soon as they disappeared behind the curtain, Shine headed toward her seat. Halfway there, her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:
This is URGENT. Stay where you are and don't move.

Shine froze and looked around, but no one suspicious appeared. She decided to ignore it and continue walking.

She reached her seat, put her phone away, and focused on the ice.

Yuzuru landed his triple axel.
"Wooo! Go Yuzu!" she screamed.

Javier nailed his quad salchow.
"¡Vamos, Javi!" she cheered.

Suddenly, a hand covered her mouth.

"I told you not to move," a familiar voice whispered behind her.

Shine's whole body went cold.
Allen.

She turned around and saw him smiling—his signature smile that girls loved. And beside him—

"Monika!" Shine gasped.

Both jumped down from their row and rushed to her. Monika hugged her tightly.

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," Shine said, hugging her back.

After the Competition

Yuzuru defended his Olympic gold. As expected, the media swarmed him. Shine stood behind the cameras, with Allen and Monika at her sides.

"Yuzuru is really a superstar now," Monika said. "Too bad he's retiring soon."

"Well, skating will always be a part of him," Shine replied softly. "But I don't think he has any regrets. He's achieved everything he dreamed of."

"So what's your next plan?" Monika asked.

"Honestly? I just want to rest. And think."

"His English has really improved," Allen commented.

Shine smiled proudly. "He worked really hard for that."

On the ice, a reporter asked Yuzuru, "Aside from winning the gold medal, do you want something else?"

Shine saw Yuzuru looking around, searching. Their eyes met. She smiled.

Yuzuru walked straight to her, took her hand, and gently pulled her forward until she was standing beside him in front of all the cameras.

"What are you doing?" Shine whispered.

Yuzuru only smiled before turning back to the reporters.

"You asked if I wanted something else aside from a gold medal," Yuzuru said, squeezing her hand. "My answer is yes. I want to be the right man for her."

"Is she your girlfriend?" a reporter asked.

Instead of answering, Yuzuru turned Shine toward him. He removed his gold medal and placed it around her neck.

"You're the reason I kept skating," he said.

Shine frowned slightly, confused—until she saw him drop to one knee.

A small box appeared in his hand. Inside was a white-gold ring, its infinity center lined with tiny red diamonds.

Shine covered her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.

"This is another unexpected move from the King!" one reporter exclaimed.

"We are seeing this live—Yuzuru Hanyu is proposing!" another shouted.

Yuzuru looked up at her, voice trembling with sincerity.

"Without you, I don't know if I'd still be skating now. Maybe I would have quit long ago. But knowing you might see me again someday kept me moving forward. When I saw you at the club that day, my heart jumped. And as time passed, I realized I made the right choice in waiting for you... because I fell in love with the most wonderful person."

Shine cried quietly.

"I prayed I wouldn't want anything else but for you to like me back—and my prayer was answered. After almost losing you sixteen years ago... I can't risk losing you again.

Shine, my love—
Would you give me the honor of marrying you?"

"Yes! Of course, yes!"

Yuzuru stood, and Shine threw her arms around him. The cameras flashed all around them as he held her tightly.

For them, this was the beginning of forever.

Thank you all for reading :)