Moment of Truth

Chapter 16: Concern

"Here we are at Skate Canada, we have some of the best men's figure skaters of this generation. We've got likes of Patrick Chan, Yuzuru Hanyu, Kevin Reynolds, and Takahito Mura. Of course we have Yuzuru Hanyu, who is a favorite for gold. But right behind him is Patrick Chan," speaks one announcer.

"That's right. But very good skaters. Patrick Chan representing Canada is on his home turf. But Yuzuru, skates in Toronto and is very comfortable in front of the Canadian crowd. He has won medal after medal and it doesn't phase him at all. He's definitely a favorite for gold," responds another announcer.

"Right now the first set of men's skaters are on the ice for their 6 minute warm up. Yuzuru Hanyu will be the last of the first bracket to skate. It's odd to see him go in the first bracket, but that shouldn't change anything."

"We can see that he's taking a moment to talk to his coach, Mr. Brian Orser."

"And who is that little lady next to Coach Orser?"

"With confirmation from Hanyu himself, she is his translator/mini-manager; Marie Vincenté. At the Autumn Classic, he dedicated his short program to her."

"What a sweet gesture for the ever expressive Hanyu. Are we sure he isn't dating her?"

"He's strictly said that she's just his translator/mini-manager. But they are friends. People were so curious about her after the Autumn Classic that people have asked Hanyu's rink mate, Javier Fernandez, who this mysterious lady is. He confirmed that they are all friends. She does spend a lot of time with Hanyu and Fernandez at their training facility. For a 22 year old, she is fluent in three languages. The most important one being Japanese."

"Well, we might just see more of her as the season goes on. Oh, and we have a head pat from Hanyu to Vincenté. What an adorable moment caught on camera. They may not be dating now, but I see a budding romance in front of me."

"I can say the same thing here."

---------------------------------------------------

"Yuzu," I whine as he pats my head.

"You have the same cheeks as Pooh-San," Yuzu states before skating back to the ice for the remainder of the warm up.

"Ugh. He's such a little kid."

"Why do you think I call you guys my kids?" Coach Brian asks as if stating the obvious. "You guys act like children around each other so much that it feels like I'm coaching novices."

"I don't know about Javi and Yuzu, but I don't act like a child."

Coach Brian looks at me as if to prove him wrong, but I just look away. Ever since that day at the cafe, Yuzuru and I have been off. And it's affected his skating too. I'm worried that he won't do well today. I don't want him to get distracted today. Especially over me. We've exchanged words over the past week or so, but we always end up not talking to one another. Like we've run out of things to say and just choose silence. I'm surprised he even said anything to me today.

The warm up is over now. Yuzuru comes off the ice after since he's the last one in his bracket. I sit beside him on a bench in the back area for the skaters. I sense his tension and figure out what I can do to help him. But I feel like I would only add stress to his situation. I just want to help him. Coach Brian is talking to him about his short program. I can tell he's not feeling it. I don't think today is going to go well.

I was right. Yuzuru missed two jumps in his short program and ended up in fourth going into the free skate. I can't help but think it's my fault. I don't know if I can help him get out of this hole he has kind of put himself in. I know he isn't himself.

Yuzuru is eighth to skate. I can barely handle myself. I'm just a bundle of nerves. Yuzuru is back on the ice for the warm up for the free skate. Javier has joined us today to support Yuzuru after I told Javier what happened. I'm sitting at the side of the rink with Javier at my side.

"Chica, calm down," Javier says to me putting a hand on my knee to stop it from shaking so much. "He'll do fine. He can come up in his free skate."

"I know, but I can't help but feel nervous for him," I reply back.

"You're such a concerned little mother." Javier throws his arm around my shoulder and ruffles my hair.

"Javi!"

I swat his arm away. I turn my attention back to the ice as Yuzuru comes off it. I guess the warm up is done. Yuzuru stays at the side since he'll be up after the first skater. I sigh to myself. He still seems unfocused. I didn't want to stay at the side of the rink like I usually do. I felt unneeded there. I just need Yuzuru to get himself together for this free skate or else he'll feel worse.