Of Angels and Phantoms

Chapter 6- Helsinki

"Passport?"

"Yup," I nodded to Coach, waving them in my hand. I lifted my luggage up to the check-in counter, handing my passport to the staff.

"Business or holiday?" She asked.

"Um...business." I replied nervously, glancing at Coach. He nodded back assuringly. The lady smiled, handing my passport and ticket to me as I tucked my passport into my bag safely.

"Have a safe trip!"

"Thank you," I smiled back before turning to Coach and Javi.

"Man, she's really not coming..." Javi sighed, staring away.

"Maybe she's busy?" I said.

Coach patted him on the back. "Let's go, boys."

--- ---

"I'm taking the window seat!" Javi quickly slipped through us, nabbing the prime seat. Coach lightly whacked his head as he sat on the aisle seat, leaving me in between them.

"Rest up, boys. It'll be morning when we're in Helsinki." Coach pulled out a book for some light reading before the flight. I took out the pouch June gave me yesterday, opening the envelope inside.

"You haven't read it yet?" Javi asked, raising his eyebrows.

I shook my head. "She said to read it on the flight..."

Javi chuckled, ruffling my hair. "God, you're cute."

"Have you read yours yet?"

"Yeah, last night. Finished the goodies inside too."

"What did she write?" I asked curiously.

"Uh...just some well wishes. Told me to get my shit together during Finlandia," Javi replied, scratching his face. "How about yours?"

"I haven't read it yet..." I unfolded the letter. It was in Japanese.

 

'Hey Yuzuru!

You know...thanks for teaching me Japanese. This letter probably contains like 20 mistakes but I'm trying my best. Lol.

You're a great skater. A really great one. REALLY. SERIOUS.

But I'm still going to wish you the best of luck for Finlandia, because more luck never hurt anybody. Stay focused and be careful!

Oh, and sorry for being an ass to you on your first practice. But you were kinda an ass too, so we're even.

I'll treat you to something nice if you medal, okay? :P

Alright, I'll see you around~ :)

 

-June

 

I chuckled softly at her childish mistakes and scraggly handwriting and folded the letter, grinning to myself.

"What did she write to you?" Javi asked curiously, peering over at me.

"N-nothing much..."

"Lemme see!" Javi snatched the letter, unfolding it. "Uh..." Javi stared blankly. "Japanese?"

"Yup. June...learn fast," I chuckled, taking the letter back. I slipped it carefully into the pouch, taking out a packet of cookies from the pouch.

"Oh, she baked these. It's really good." Javi pointed, nodding. "June's bakes are wicked."

"Wicked...?" I looked at Javi tensely.

"Uhh...very good. June is very good at baking."

"Ah..." I nodded, trying one of the cookies. I took another bite.

And another bite.

And another.

"Oh my God."

"Told you." Javi grinned and stretched over, trying to grab one. I swerved my body, protecting the cookies.

"Mine!" I pushed Javi's arm away as he persisted, pawing at the plastic wrapping.

"C'mon, don't keep the good stuff to yourself!"

"Javi have yours!"

"No!"

"GOD. SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN, BOYS!"

--- ---

"Alright, I'll be in my room. Call me immediately if there are any problems, okay?" Coach reminded us as he turned to leave.

"Aye, sir!" Javi mock-saluted cheekily. "We'll be returning to our quarters, sir!"

"You'd better. And don't go running around the city, you hear? You need rest for tomorrow's practice."

Javi sighed as Coach left, grinning to me. "He's a bit of a nag, isn't he?"

"Eh?"

"Like a mother. But he cares a lot for us," Javi continued, his grin turning to a thoughtful smile.

I nodded along, catching the gist of Javi's words. "So..."

Javi's grin returned again, this time more devilish than before. "Let's hit the streets!"

"But Coach..."

"Just for 30 minutes, alright? He'll never know!"

"But-"

"Come on, or he's gonna find out later!" Javi pulled me along, exiting the hotel.

I looked back uneasily. "This is bad..." I gulped as I caught up with Javi, panting. "It's cold..."

"It'll be fine! I know Helsinki better than you think." Javi started sprinting across the road, waving me over. I followed behind quickly, avoiding the traffic. Javi jumped over the fence, climbing into a backyard.

"J-Javi! That's-"

"Quickly! They won't notice if you're quiet."

I sighed, following suit. I had absolutely no idea where we were going.

"We're almost there! See," Javi pointed towards a brightly lit street a few blocks away and took off.

"Javi, wait!" I panted heavily as I struggled to catch up with him.

"Here we are!"

"Ja...Ja..." The words couldn't get out of my mouth. "J-" I crumpled on the ground, wheezing.

"Yuzu! What's wrong??" I could barely hear Javi's panicked voice anymore.

Ja...

"Oh God, Yuzu. Yuzu. Stay with me. Yuzu. Yu..."

The lights are blurry...

I can't breathe...

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