Gold (Yuzuru Hanyu)

4.Saturday

It's been a few days since the last time I saw Yuzuru, he hasn't visited the store since our awkward encounter. It was Saturday, the day I usually had no classes, therefore I was working first shift. It was always hard to wake up for first shift though, then again, it felt great to leave work at 2:00 pm.

That was me right now, leaving work, a cigarette between my lips, ready for a weekend of "fun". Thank God the store didn't work on Sundays, I would have died a long time ago, if it did.

Just as I was about to light my cigarette and cross the street, an odd creature appeared in front of me (was running towards me to be precise). Yuzuru-still on crutches-san was approaching me with the speed of light, a furious expression on his face, fire in his eyes. 

He stopped in front of me, and his expression softened.

-You smoke?- He asked, pain in his voice.

-Yeah...?- I answered hesitantly, the cigarette now just loosely hanging from my mouth.

-Why?- Was the next question.

I was just so confused at that moment, like I was hit by a truck. Where did he come from anyways? 

-Um... I don't know.- I shrugged my shoulders, answering honestly, I didn't have a reason. -I don't smoke much.- I tried to help my case. I did feel a bit embarrassed and guilty, he seemed like such a sporty type. Maybe now I just looked awful in his eyes, and I didn't like the thought of that so I took the cigarette out of my mouth, and carefully placed it back in it's pack. After that I looked up at him to find his usual polite expression back.

-Better?- I raised my arms in question.

-Better.- He exclaimed nodding in approval, his English still funny.

-Where are you going?- I asked, as I was ready to leave.

-Um nowhere, really.- He said awkwardly, like he was hiding something,- Where are you going? No work today?- He said shifting his  weight from one crutch to another, obviously uncomfortable. I noticed that.

-I'm heading home, I usually work first shift on Saturdays. Wanna walk with me?- I gestured towards the direction I was headed to.

He followed my gesture with his eyes, squinting in process. -Sure, I live that way.- 

...

I was walking slowly and he was trailing behind me, trying to keep up. We walked in silence for a bit. It wasn't awkward, It was rather exciting, for me at least. But I realized he was getting tired.

-Do you want to take a break?- I asked pointing to a bench in a small green aria, which Toronto was full of.

He looked at me, confused, then looked at the bench, then his foot.

-Mmm.- He mumbled nodding his head. 

We walked to the bench, I sat down and watched him do the same. He sat down, exhaling, and put his crutches to the side. He rested his elbows behind him and looked up at he clear sky. 

I realized I was just awkwardly staring at him so I looked up as well.

-Pretty.- He commented.

-Yes.- I agreed.

.................

-Did you find a Japanese restaurant then?-

He placed his dark eyes on mine, a look of confusion, but then realization.

-No, I didn't really look for it though.- He smiled.

-Why did you ask me about it then?- I laughed.

-My mom is going to leave for Japan this weak, and I'm no good at cooking.- He admitted, shaking his head in defeat.

-Can't you eat anything else, besides Japanese food?- I asked laughing again. He was silly.

-No!- He said looking at me with horror in his eyes, like I had just suggested the impossible.

I just laughed some more at that. -How old are you?- I asked, curious.

-23- He answered, now laughing as well.

So this guy, 3 years older than me, lived with his mom, and was now in a terrifying situation, just because she was about to leave. 

-How long will she be away?- 

-A week probably.-

-You're staying alone?-

-Yes.-

-Never done that before?- I said teasingly.

-Right.- He said, making a silly face.

-Why is she leaving? Why not go with her?-

-My cousin just had a baby, so she is going to go help out. I wish I could go too, but I have to stay here and recover.- He genuinely looked sad that it was so, looking at his leg.

I felt bad, his face was in such grimace that it made me want to hug him, and make his leg all better.

-Can't you recover in Japan?- I mean, what is it that he does here anyways?

-I could, but it's not ideal. I've got my team over here, and everything. Plus my leg hurts, so a 13+ hour flight would be really annoying.- He said nodding his head.

"His team?" I thought.

-What about you?- He asked looking into my soul through my eyes again, before I could further interrogate him. -Who do you live with here?-

-I live with my roommate Mila, she's from Ukraine.- I stated like a fact.

-Oh cool.- His eyes wide with surprise, he really was expressive with his face.

-How did you two meet?- He was now almost completely turned towards me.

-Well, when I was looking for apartments here, I knew I couldn't afford to live alone as a student, so I looked for roommates online, and we sort of found each other. We get along well.- 

-You're a student?- He looked at me, like it was the strangest thing in the world.

I was offended. -What did you think I was? Did you think a cashier was my profession?- 

He laughed apologetically, hiding his face between his hands. -I saw nothing wrong with that.- He said, trying to look serious.

-Stupid.- I mocked him, not really mad at him.