Gold (Yuzuru Hanyu)

6. Mint tea

I unlocked the doors and entered, holding them for Yuzuru. I quickly mumbled -I'm home- a Japanese saying, and as I was going to the kitchen, I heard another Japanese saying - Pardon the intrusion- coming from him. 

I haven't heard that in years, and it suddenly brought so many memories. In that moment I was so glad I invited him in. 

If I was to really think about it, it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do. I basically knew nothing about him, not even his last name. I haven't seen his Instagram for Christ sake. By all means this was a big social no-no. 

But it felt fine. To be fair, I have known his face for a year, it wasn't like a met him yesterday. At that moment I didn't want to give it much thought. It just felt fine.

-Is your roommate not here?- Yuzuru asked, now standing in the living room space.

I noticed he managed to take his snickers off. "He didn't have to do that." I thought.

-No, she went out with her friends after her classes. Poor thing she has classes on Saturdays.- 

-What kind of tea do you want? Or maybe you want hot chocolate?- I asked from the kitchen, which was really in the living room.  

-What kind of tea do you have?- He asked, sitting himself down on the couch, putting his crutches to the side. I saw him looking around, examining the surroundings. 

-You know what, I'll make you mint tea, just the way I like it, I bet you will too.-

He just agreed. It's not like I gave him much choice.

We proceeded to chat, as I made the tea.

-So..., guess we both like science huh?- I started.

-I guess so. But that's the only thing I'm good at, I suck at languages. My English is rubbish. How is yours so good?- He half whined.

-I never studied it. I was raised bilingually, that's why I'm sort of fluent at both I guess. Although my Japanese is a bit weak.-

-Eh? Really? But you said you were born in Japan? Why is Japanese your weaker language then?-

-I moved from Japan when I was 8, that's why my Japanese is a bit childish.- I explained, his eyes carefully following my every move.-

-You've been living in Canada for that long?-

-Yeah. I studied French as a second language here. Never got the hang of it, I'm just as bad with languages as you are Yuzuru-san.-

-I doubt that.- He laughed, mocking himself.

-Why don't you live with your parents then?- He asked.

-Because I study here, in Toronto. I'm actually from Winnipeg.-

-I like Winnipeg.- Yuzuru laughed excitedly.

I didn't get it.

-How do  you feel about milk? Lactose intolerant?-

-Milk's fine.- He answered, sounding distracted.

I looked over at him, and caught him with my headphones in his hands, examining them. 

-Cool! These are the AKG HSD 271!-

-Yeah. You a gearhead?-

-More like and earphone-head.- He laughed, still holding onto my gaming headphones.-

-These are cool for gamers, but have you tried ATH-R70x?- He said all excited.

-Those are way too expensive for a poor uni student like me. Plus when it comes to regular headsets, I prefer earbuds. I'll show you which ones I have.-