Moment of Truth

Chapter 28: Confessions

It wasn't until after Yuzuru's short program did we have time to actually talk to one another. After the practice, Yuzuru had to go straight into interviews and a press conference with the other men's single skaters. During the whole time, I was seated or standing behind Yuzuru ready to step in when he needed me. Then the next day was the men's short program. I took my place as I always do at the side of the rink to watch with Coach Brian. Yuzuru was last to take the ice.

When Yuzuru was in the Kiss & Cry, he received the third highest score in ISU history, but he still wasn't happy about it. I nearly hit him in the head for being sad for it. He's so hard on himself for someone who wins so many medals and championships. But that's the kind of character he is.

At night was the only time Yuzuru and I had time to talk to one another. I made sure to pull him into my room before anything or anyone could pull us away from one another. I sit Yuzuru and myself on my bed after placing all of Yuzuru's things on the coffee table in the room. We sit in silence until I decide to break it.

"So we've kissed, what does that mean for us now?" I question Yuzuru in Japanese, looking him in the eye. It would be easier for the both of us to converse in Yuzuru's native tongue.

"I like you," Yuzuru confesses. "And I've never dated a girl before so I don't know what to do."

"I've never dated a boy either. But I like you too. I guess that kiss is all it took to make me realize my feelings for you."

"Me too."

We're silent for a moment absorbing in what we just said. We both like each other. And we don't really know what to do now.

"So you were jealous of me talking to Patrick," I say to gain confirmation of what happened yesterday.

"Yes, I was," Yuzuru confirms softly.

"Does that mean you were jealous of Ricky when he was here?"

"I guess I was. I never really thought I was. But seeing you so happy around him made me so mad that I wasn't making you that happy. You coming into my life has made things much more difficult but even better than it was before you came in."

"You know, Ricky said I shouldn't fall for someone when I moved to Toronto and I shouldn't be with you because you're an athlete who will be busy all the time, but being around you and getting to see the world with you has been the greatest time of my life. Want to know what he told me before he left?" Yuzuru nods his head quickly. I giggle at his response. "He told me that I shouldn't be afraid to fall for someone here. And that someone was waiting for me. And I guess that was you."

"You're not afraid to fall for me, right?"

"Of course not. There's nothing to be afraid of as along as you're here. My parents always taught me that love will get you through anything. It's the best kind of glue when it comes to people."

"Your parents are very wise."

"My parents have their moments. Now, back to us. I know we had the whole talk about courting me, but that's thinking too far ahead. I'm not in the Philippines so I don't want to follow that anymore. You don't need to court me at all. We can just date and be boyfriend and girlfriend. That's if you want that."

"I'd like that very much."

"Then ask me."

Yuzuru gives me a confused look. "Ask you what?"

I chuckle as Yuzuru doesn't understand what I'm hinting at. "Ask me out, silly boy."

"Oh! Um... Mai, will you go out with me and be my girlfriend?"

I decide to tease him a bit. "I'll think about it."

"Mai!"

I burst out laughing as Yuzuru gives me pout. What a little cutie, I swear. "I'm just kidding. I'd love to be your girlfriend, Yuzuru."

"Good."

Yuzuru smiles at me and I smile back. Yuzuru leans forward and places a hand on my cheek. He brings my face to his. As I think he's about to kiss my lips, Yuzuru moves his face quickly and kisses my cheek. Yuzuru pulls away and gives a cheeky smile.

"That was rude," I huff at him.

"That's what you get for teasing me."

"Fine, then you won't get any kisses till you win gold."

"That's not fair!"

"Well you just crossed the queen of unfair. Now I'm going to need you to go back to your room before Javier comes a knocking cause I have a feeling he might. And you need to have a good night's sleep for tomorrow's free skate and I am not going to be blamed for your lack of sleep, Yuzu."

I grab Yuzuru's things and hand them off to him. I walk Yuzuru to the door. I open it for him and allow him to leave my room. He walks over to his door and pulls out his hotel key. He manages to get it open after a few tries, which causes me to laugh at him. Before he walks through his door, I give him a finger wave. He tries to wave back before he's suddenly pulled into his room by a hand. Then out pops Javier's smiling face.

"Thanks for finally returning Yuzuru," Javier calls to me.

"You're welcome," I respond back before going back into my room.

I walk over to my bed and falls face first onto it. I hear my phone buzz. I see it on my bed so I grab it. I unlock it to see a message from Javier. It's a picture of Yuzuru on a bed face first with Pooh-San clutched in one arm. I laugh at the picture as I had just done the same thing. I close my phone and place it back on my bed. I turn over and look up at the ceiling. I'm dating Yuzuru Hanyu.