Hey Wonder

Aftermath (Pt.2)

Yuzuru

Ever since yesterday, I finally calmed down and decided to think further about my decision. My mother already passed my resignation letter to JFS too, which we surprisingly haven't heard of their response about it yet. I wonder what's taking them long.

Coming down the stairs, I greeted everyone a good morning. I saw father sitting by the table reading the local newspaper while taking a sip of his coffee, Saya dressed up in her work attire while preparing the table, and mother just finishing up the last batch of omelette. It was a typical and cliché morning scenario, but I couldn't care less. For me, it was a very rare moment that I only experienced a couple of times before. And you could say I missed it a lot.

"What are the odds that Yuzuru woke up this early in the morning?" Saya exclaimed, acting as shocked enough for mother to release a chuckle. I took a seat beside father as he quietly turn a page at his newspaper.

"If you're wondering enough, then I'll tell you why." I said, sipping on the tea my mother had also prepared. "It's because I had a good night's rest on your comforter. Felt like I was sleeping on clouds, I tell you."

"You! So that's why the comforter I just bought last week was missing." Saya was furious when she took a seat infront of me. I took a bite of my meal while holding the urge not to laugh. "I am never going to let my room unlocked again."

Part of that was true, part of it wasn't. I actually just spent the whole night thinking of future plans while the rest was just a bunch of what ifs and stuff. I didn't even realize I doze off in the middle of thinking.

Breakfast passed by quick when Saya realized she was late for work. Fortunately, father decided to drive her to the company before going to the university. Surely, his students wouldn't mind if their strict professor is tardy in History class, would they? They probably would've been even glad.

After helping my mother clean the table and wash the dishes, she quickly prepared to go out and bid goodbye, not giving me a chance to even properly ask about it. She might not have a permanent job but she's much busier than my sister is -- especially when she was still acting as my manager when I skated competitively. But now, I don't have any idea about her business this time.

I went upstairs to my room and took a bath. I decided to take my usual morning jog in Sendai. Since I've been in Canada for years, it's only normal to miss my hometown. Hope I don't bump into someone that knows me.

Picking a white V-neck shirt and sweatpants, I also settled for a black jacket and rubbershoes. I took my time choosing for a pair of earphones over my probably hundreds of collection.

Was I really this addicted in collecting? Probably. Since I did have a crazy amount of Pooh that I had to give them to the orphanage because it was literally taking up too much space.

I took my phone and wallet before going outside. The weather was nice today and I couldn't help but smile at the beautiful scenery of nature welcoming me just as I stepped out. Good thing I decided to take a jog this morning. I stretched for a bit before starting to run.

With the help of some sign directions, I was able to go to the park nearby the house. There was a lake sitting peacefully along with thick trees and trimmed bushes. I wouldn't be much surprised if I see someone drawing or painting the breathtaking scenery here at the park.

I took a seat in one of the stone benches and turned off my music. I could hear every nature's wonder starting off with the chirping of the birds, the faint sound of the lake's water bumping its waves into the shore and along with the wind brushing the leaves of the trees so softly. The air was fresh as well that I couldn't even feel the urge to cough once in a while.

This was the peace I always longed for in all these years. Although I love the feeling of being free when I'm skating on ice, I couldn't remove the fact that I still suffered and felt suffocated. I know I wasn't like this before, but now that I'm looking back and rethinking all of those years, I could only sigh. I really overdid myself, huh? I guess it was right to resign from competitive skating after all.

I took my phone and checked the time. 8:47 am. Still pretty early, and I don't really have something to do today. Should I just go back and play videogames?

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a young boy approached me. He was holding a piece of torn paper from what seems like a sketchbook and handed it to me.

"For me?" I asked, crouching down to meet his eye level while he nodded in response.

"It was from the pretty one-san right there." The young boy said and pointed at the girl he was referring at. I saw a lady sitting on another bench clutching on her sketchbook. Apparently, she was trying to avoid my gaze. Was she embarrassed?

The young boy went away and I started to open the folded paper. It was a sideways portrait of me sitting in the bench with the trees and lake as a background while sunrays glistened on my direction. I was so stunned and at lost for words. Did she manage to do all of this in just a span of 15 minutes?

She suddenly piqued my interest so I stood up and decided to talk to her -- only to see she was starting to walk away from me.

"Miss, wait!" I called out and ran towards her. She was still walking away so I grabbed a hold of her wrist.

If I could describe the way I felt when she turned around and let me see her face, I would probably take years to do so.

Her brownish eyes locked on mine. I couldn't help but stare at her short jet black hair, her long eyelashes, how her soft features and fair complexion screams innocence right in front of me. The world spun around me then it came to a stop. Everything just seemed blurry besides her.

Then, I felt my heart beat differently for the first time. Wait a minute, I've seen this scenario in a movie before!

"W-Were you the one who drew this?" I asked, suddenly stumbling with words.

She nodded with her cheeks flushed pink as she turned away to avoid my gaze for the second time. I realized late how my hand was still grasping her wrist, so I quickly retreated it back and went automatically to my nape. I wish the ground could swallow me right now.

"Um, I just wanted to tell you that your work is really beautiful. I appreciate it." I flashed a smile and tried to have an eye-contact with her. I think I saw her pupils dilate after my remark.

What was that just now? Did I say something wrong to her?

"Anyway, I'm Yuzuru Hanyu. It's nice to meet you." I extended my hand and felt glad she took it. I really couldn't afford another cloud of awkwardness forming above our heads.

"T-Thank you. I'm Sena, and it's a pleasure to meet you too." She greeted back with a smile that caught me off-guard and sent me rocketing off to Pluto.

I think I'm doomed.

Just how can I save myself from this hole I just fallen so deep in?

•••

A/N: Hope you like it! I'd be more than glad if you don't forget to vote and leave a comment~

Credits to the owner of the pic that I used in the media by the way~ It was the closest image I could find from Yuzu's sketch so please bare with it for now! :)

Will post the next part soon!