I Can't (Yuri On Ice)

I can't believe this

Chapter Two

"I can't believe this."

~I Can't~

After the crushing defeat of the Grand Prix, everything else in my skating career went downhill. I graduated from my college in Detroit then decided to go home. I haven't talked to Celestino since. Out of my rink mates, the only one I've really kept in touch with was Phichit-kun since we were roommates.

I walked out of the station, sighing. I caught sight of a whole line of posters of me that someone had put up. I looked down so I didn't have to see what reminded me of the recent bitterness. Everyone in Hasetsu had made an effort to support me after finding out that I'd made it as a pro skater, but I'd let them down. I didn't make it as far as they'd hoped.

"Yuri!"

I looked up to see my ballet teacher. "Minako-sensei!" I waved at her, smiling.

Her eyes narrowed as she examined me. "Have you gained weight?"

"Ehh?" I chuckled nervously. "Of course I haven't! What are you talking about?" I scratched the back of my head.

She gasped. "Oh, my god, you have!" She slapped my belly. "This is not the weight of a skater!"

"Haha, well..." Okay, I admit I did gain a bit of weight.

Minako-sensei sighed. "You always did gain weight easily."

Someone behind us gasped loudly. "It's Katsuki Yuri!" I turned around to find a kid pointing at me. He held out a notebook and pencil. "Can I have your autograph?!" He looked so happy to see me even though I had no idea who he was that I felt sorry for being such a disappointment.

"Uh... Well..."

"Yuri, be kind to your fans!" Minako-sensei scolded.

I smiled at the kid. "Sure."

"Yes!" He beamed when I took his notebook from him and reluctantly signed my name. I handed it back to him. "Thank you!"

"Don't mention it."

The kid ran back to his grandpa. I shook hands with a few people who asked for it on the way out.

Minako-sensei smiled. "Well, let's go home. Everyone's dying to see you."

I sighed. Hopefully, they won't bring up how my nerves destroyed my performance. But then again, it's no use to keep dwelling on it.

~I Can't~

"Yo, we're here!" Minako-sensei yelled. She ran in and plopped herself down at the table in front of the TV.

"Yuri's back!" Dad yelled.

I heard footsteps running toward the door while I took off my shoes.

"Yuri..." Mom was teary-eyed behind her glasses when I saw her.

"I'm home," I said, giving her a weak smile. It wasn't like I wasn't happy to see her. I was just sad I didn't meet her expectations. They even prepared a whole 'Welcome back, Yuri!' sign. How was I supposed to respond to that?

She hugged me tightly. "Welcome back." One thing's for sure. I did miss her the five years I was gone. "Come in, come in!" she said pulling me in.

"Sorry I didn't visit. I wasn't even here when Vicchan died."

"Nah, it's fine. You can pay your respects now. Sorry I couldn't make it to your graduation," she said, smiling. "You must be tired after your trip. Go take a bath, Yuri! I'll have some food ready for you afterwards."