In Love Again

8th

"And where do you think you're going?" I grabbed Fujio by his collar from the back, hearing a yelp from the kid.

"Coach! I-I-I found!! I found!!" He spoke incoherently, making weird hand gestures to me.

"Hey, hey, calm down, boy. Now tell me, what is it? You shouldn't run around, someone's gonna fetch us so what if they don't-"

"I found the girl from the picture!"

My expression became listless as my heart began to beat fast.

"What?"

"The girl-- The girl who was with you from the picture! I think I saw her- no, it really is her! Believe me, Hanyu-senshū! I-"

I grabbed Fujio's hand and walked back to the welcoming crowd, "Let's go, we should find the person who has your name. Let's stop wasting time, shall we?"

"Coach-"

"Fujio." I looked at him, not even sure what I'm feeling right now. He curled his brows, looking down before sighing. He gave up and just went with me.

"Fujio and Yuzuru!" A man shouted that got the attention of the two of us. He waved at us, holding the card with Fujio's name on it. He smiled brightly, seemingly like we were two relatives that he was excited to meet.

The blond guy walked towards us, extending his arm to shake my hand. "I'm Jessie, I'll be the one who will assist you today."

"Yuzuru Hanyu," I spoke, smiling at him while reciprocating the hand shake. "And this is Fujio Sawamatsu." I put my arm around Fujio as he smile at the man, bowing afterwards.

"Nice to meet you two! Shall we head to the bus?"

I nodded, but as we walk around I couldn't help but look around for Aren. Is she really here? But why? Does she know that we're coming? I frowned to myself and sighed. What am I even thinking. Fujio is probably messing around.

"Oh!" Fujio suddenly gasped, pointing at Jessie's employee ID. "You have the same ID!"

Jessie and I looked at each other in confusion as Jessie laughs at the boy. "With who?"

Fujio then looked at me and pointed at Jessie's ID. "He has the same ID with the girl!" Fujio mouthed.

I blinked and gulped. "Uh, sorry, Jessie? Do you know someone named Aren?"

The man furrowed his brows and rolled his eyes upwards. "Hmm."

I knew it. I swear, if Fujio's just making things up-

"Oh yeah! Arenella? Why, do you know her?" Jessie queried.

It almost made my heart drop, hearing her name. I gazed at Fujio and he did the same as I make up my decision.

--------

"How have you been, Ms. Simonovitch? How was your flight?" I grinned at the tall woman beside me.

"Just Eva is fine," she answered, giving back a smile, "It was okay. Good thing I was able to sleep on the plane. Are we going to hold a meeting today?"

"Oh no, no. The bus will just take you to where you'll be staying, then we'll hold individual interviews tomorrow after you've rested." I explained. I looked ahead and finally saw our bus, in which I pointed out to her.

"That's great. I still need a bit of rest, to be honest." She chuckled and I did too, then I assisted her into the bus. There are already some athletes inside.

"Oh, do you mind if I just go to the washroom for a bit? Really quick!" Chuckling in embarassment, I asked while Eva nodded.

"Sure! No worries, it's fine as long as you come back before the bus goes." She smiled at me, and so I went.

I observed the people around, trying to be cautious. They're still not there in the bus.. I wonder if they're one of the athletes who will come later in the afternoon? I gazed down to the floor, and then noticed the washroom as I looked up. I stepped forward before feeling a strong tug in my arm that made me wobble back and turn, not expecting a tight hug.

Surprised, I stayed in that position, also confused at the moment. "Who.." I blurted out, but the embrace just tightened.

"Sorry, I think you've got the wrong person?"

The man slowly pulled away while his hands made their way to my face. Seeing his face made me feel like my heart is eager to escape my chest. He didn't change a bit. Everything's the same, after those long years. Not even noticing it, a single tear drop rolled down from my eye without breaking the stare. I couldn't speak at all.

"It's you." Yuzuru let out a weak chuckle, as I could see his own eyes getting watery as well. "It really is you, Aren."

[A/N: It's funny how every chapter has 60+ reads but there's these chapters with only 40+? Do you guys skip chapters? 😂]