Moment of Truth

Chapter 23: Costume

Yuzuru managed to break 100 as his score in his short program. Something he had yet to do in this season. It's nice to see him all the way at the top. He has quite the margin between him and an American, Nathan Chen, too. I always feel like it's cat and mouse game between him and his competitors. But they have seem to play it right. He's not exactly content with his performance, but that's how he always is after skating. I know he just wants to put out a perfect skate, but it doesn't always have to be that way. But the numbers don't lie, he's gunning for gold.

And everyone loved Yuzuru's costume. The purple was definitely a good change, and it's a lavender color so it isn't so harsh. It adds to his character and the music. And who could hate someone in a lavender pantsuit skating to Prince?

It's the free skate today and Yuzuru is feeling some pressure.

"Yuzu, can you calm down?" I ask him as he's bouncing around backstage. "Just relax."

He stops bouncing as he stares at me. "Sorry," he mutters softly.

I sigh as he inserts his ear phones in and turns away from me. I can imagine that he's listening to the music for his free skate. He begins stretching. I sit on a bench near by as Yuzuru has some time before he needs to change into his costume and take the ice. Coach Brian is observing Yuzuru from the same bench.

This is Yuzuru's last chance to get a spot in the Grand Prix Finals. If he fails to get anything but gold, he won't make it to Marseille. And he needs to defend his title as the reigning gold medalist at this event. But he's already standing well at first after the short program. He just has to do well in the free skate and he can hold onto first.

He's practicing his moves off the ice in just his warm up clothes. It's such a funny sight as he's staying in one area practicing jumps that would cover more ice than on solid ground. I can't help but giggle to myself before I turn to my phone. I pull up Snapchat and take a quick video of him. I always show him when I post things on Snapchat of him. He usually finds it funny. And pats my head. Damn Yuzu.

I wait outside of Yuzuru's dressing room as he gets dressed. His half of the men's bracket is coming up and he needs to get into this costume. Suddenly he peeks his head outside of the door. He looks around for someone. He looks relieved to see me.

"Mai, help," he says before pulling his head back into the room.

I shake my head at him as I follow him in. Yuzuru has his back turned to me as he points to it.

"Zipper please," Yuzuru asks softly.

I notice his zipper isn't completely pulled up all the way. I walk over to him. I've already done this before as one of the many jobs as his manager. I make sure all of his necklaces are tucked in before completely zipping up his back and latching it shut so it doesn't come undone while he skates. But it's useless to tuck in his necklaces because they come out while he's skating anyways, but I guess presentation matters when he first takes the ice. I pat his back letting him know I'm done before leaving the room so he can finish getting ready. He thanks me before I completely leave and I just wave him off. Just another aspect to my job.

Yuzuru comes out of the dressing room a few minutes later with his skates on. He has his team jacket in one arm and Pooh-San in the other. I already have his towel and a water bottle for him. I make sure he has his I.D. badge before we leave the dressing room. Yuzuru places it around my neck for safe keeping. We go towards the holding room right outside the ice rink. Once he gets to the rink, it's time for the 6 minute warm up. Yuzuru takes off his skate guards and hands them to me. He bows to the ice before stepping on to it. Yuzuru takes a few laps around the rink. Coach Brian calls him over to tell him some things he needs to do before he skates. I'm there at the side as faithful as ever with Pooh-San and everything else Yuzuru needs at the side of every rink.

Soon enough it's time for Yuzuru to take the ice for his free skate. Yuzuru bows to Coach Brian and the ice and shakes Coach Brian's hand as well as holding my hand in an endearing way before skating off to his starting position. He does his signature routine before skating that I still don't know the meaning behind but I know it's something he does for every competition. I hear the piano notes of Yuzuru's free skate and I focus in on him. I love the music for his free skate. I'm a fan of Joe Hisaishi and listening to the music of Hope & Legacy makes me feel like I'm in a Studio Ghibli film.

I watch as Yuzuru glides across the ice and I know he's going to do great. I admire his costume while he skates. I've looked up previous costumes from his past programs. He uses a lot of gradients in his costumes and I have to say, they are gorgeous. They also have crystals and sparkles on them. The one he has on now starts off white, then fades into a beautiful green, then a deep blue, and lastly, into black. Even his sleeves follow the gradients. I love that Yuzuru is not afraid to wear colors like that. It almost gives him a bit of a boost over his competitors since he looks aesthetically pleasing on the ice, adding to his presentation.