Of Angels and Phantoms

Chapter 8- Adam's apology

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Adam Rippon. I looked up and nodded at him, smiling politely.

"Yuzuru...Hanyu?" He pronounced my name with some difficulty, putting out his hand. "Nice to see you."

"Nice...to see you too..." I replied slowly, shaking his hand. "Adam...practicing too?"

"Hm? Oh. Yeah. Just a little bit...It'll be difficult to practice later with everyone around." He took off his skating guards and slid onto the rink, making his rounds around the rink as he warmed up. I sat back down, watching him.

He's pretty good...Coach used to teach him, right? As my breathing went back to normal, I got back up and stepped onto the ice, taking my time to move around the rink.

"Hey," Adam shouted across the rink. "I saw you at the Cricket the other day, right?"

I turned around in surprise. "Y-Yeah." I replied. "I'm new..."

"...I see. Um..." Adam hesitated. "Did June come along with you guys?"

"No." I shook my head, skating closer to him. "June in Toronto..."

"Oh. Thanks..." He glanced away, looking slightly disappointed. "Do you know..."

"Hm?"

"Do you know how's she doing?"

"Eh?" I looked at him puzzledly. "Um..."

"Like, is she okay. Is she...happy?"

"Happy?" I thought for a while, scratching my head. "Eh...happy." I nodded.

Adam gave me a skeptical look before looking away. "Well...that's good. That's good enough... As long as she's happy." He looked down and slid around solemnly.

"You June's..." I paused for a moment as Adam looked up at me. "You...June's friend?" Am I an idiot? Of course he is! He's probably her... too.

"Well, I- Yeah. I'm her friend." He stopped for a while, standing still with his hands in his pockets. "And...she means a lot to me. A whole lot."

The both of us were silent for a long time, practicing on our own quietly.

I guess that's enough... I looked up at the time. It was almost 11am. I stepped out of the rink and changed out of my skating boots, slipping them into my bag carefully as I walked to the lobby. Adam stepped off the rink, putting his skating guards back on and followed along, entering the lift with me.

I fidgeted about, shifting my bag around my shoulder uncomfortably.

"Uh, Yuzuru?" Adam broke the silence awkwardly.

"Yes?" I turned quickly, gulping.

"Keep a lookout for June for me, will you?" He smiled at me sadly, with pleading eyes.

I nodded quietly.

"Thank you."

--- ---

"You're the man, man."

"Nah..." I scratched my head bashfully, grinning happily. "Javi good too."

"Don't give me that, champ! You totally thrashed us with your free!" Javi punched my arm lightly, ruffling my hair as we stood behind the gates in the dimly-lit stadium, while the audience chattered away restlessly.

"Two medals. For Coach," I grinned at Javi excitedly, glancing over at Coach, who was standing a few feet away from us, smiling from ear to ear.

"June's going to be speechless when we get home."