I've never written a letter before...how should I start this? How to start? Ummm...I guess I'll start from the beginning... That first time you laid your eyes on me I knew we were going to be good buddies. Your eyes twinkled and turned into small crescents as you smiled. I sat there not knowing how to smile and honestly not knowing what to do. It was when you reached out booped me in the nose I knew that you had chosen me. I spoke no japanese and didn't know anything about japanese culture, but you taught me everything. I remember when you brought me to your house for the first time. I met your mother, father and sister. I was nervous, but seeing how close you were to your family and how nice they were, my nerves melted away.
My first competition with you was in 2010. Before your competition I had no idea why you liked the thing called figure skating. I didn't understand why you left me at home and spent hours away from me. But at that first competition I was at, I felt your heart and soul truly. Your heart, which was in every spin and every jump. Your soul, which was shown everytime your blade slid across the ice. I was captivated by your movements and how slick they were. You looked like you were flying and gliding around the ice. You looked so free and so relaxed...it was like time had stopped. And, the smile after you had after you finished...you looked like you were going to cry tears of joy. I felt so happy that you found something you really really really loved. I begged you to take me to your competitions after that first one, and one after another I went.
I remember that day oh so vividly. March 11, 2011 at 14:46 JST. It started out as any other day. I went with you to the rink and you skated. Then, the ice started to crack and I saw you running towards me. I fell off the ledge I was sitting on and fell onto the cracking ice. You picked me up and proceeded to try to take of your skates. Holding me in your arms, Saya, you and I went to the evacuation center. It was the first time I saw you cry that day. I wanted to comfort you, but didn't know how. You held onto me and your skates as if you were going to lose us. I wanted to talk and say "it's ok"...I wanted to say "everything will be alright". It was then I started to think I'm useless. I couldn't make you feel better in that moment and all I could do was exist.
Your were very broken after the earthquake and tsunami. I had no idea what an earthquake or tsunami was until that day. It was all over the news and every source of media was covering the catastrophic event. When you saw the rink gone I thought you were going to break. I felt sad too. I felt sad that the thing you really really really loved had disappeared. You were absolutely devastated. The place we once called home was not really home anymore. The city was in ruins and I thought it would never recover.
At night even months after the earthquake you would wake up sweating. You would have the same nightmare over and over again. Through those months I finally found out that I was useful. You would hold me in your arms and I would be the one that would finally lull you back to sleep. You talked to me about your troubles and gave me kisses. You started to rely on me more. You changed that year also. You became more mature and I saw you grow as a person. Through the ice shows you attended to the large donation you would make to help our home recover. You were becoming very strong and your growth in your skating also reflected that.
In April 2012, we moved. We moved to a new country a new surrounding. Yes, you would make frequent trips back to Sendai for Highschool, but it wasn't the same anymore. I found out that I was from this country we moved to. This place called Winniepeg. Toronto, Canada was nice and the air quality was the only thing I liked a first. I was sad because we left Ms. Nanami Abe, but the new coach was pretty nice. I didn't like Mr. Orser at first. He didn't really care about me and wondered why Yuzu carried me around all the time. After knowing how important I am to him he would make sure I have front row seats to watch Yuzu.
In the 201213 season, you started to blossom. You won your first Japanese National Title. I was so happy and the crowd finally started to give you the recognition you deserve.
In 2013-14, I felt something was off. It wasn't about your skating, but more about your fans. They started to throw plushies in ressemblence to me out on the ice. I wondered why. Every so often he would pick some of the up and I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. That season was the olympic season. I had no idea what an "olympics" is until you patiently explained on the plane. I didn't understand half of what you said, but- I knew they were inmportant. Was it a pair of skates? Was it the ritual of switching coaches? Wait-is it the ritual of finding a new best friend?
I quickly realised what the Olympics were and I tried to collect myself. i felt proud that you were representing your country and that you were happy. I could tell that you wanted to announce yourself to the world. You do not know how happy I was when you finished first in the men's short program. Not only were you first, but you had broken the hundred point barrier for the first time in the history of skating. I wanted to cry, but I knew that your fans could cry for me, so I held my tears. You blossomed that day and I was really proud of you.
During the Cup of China in 2015 I had a midlife crisis. When you bumped into Yan Han I was about to fall out of the arms of Orser. I wanted to run to you and see if you were ok. When you finally turned forward and got up I felt my heart shatter. You were bleeding a lot. I was so scared, but relieved you got up. You insisted on finishing your free skate for the day and the moment you stepped onto the ice I felt myself wanting to turn into a guardian angel to protect you. I winced everytime you fell. I had seen you fall before, but this was diffrent. You had such determination in your eyes desperate to finish your free skate and desperate to get to your Juliet. Everytime you fell I felt my self wanting to become a cushion and protect your body. Most of the crowd was crying and I honestly wanted to cry as well. But, I told myself I want to be strong...as strong as you. When, the music finished I felt so relieved, but so hurt as you limped across the ice. I wanted to hug you and heal all your cuts and bruises.
Little did I know that that was just a little hardship on the road of fame. In the 2015-16 season you broke record after record. You were so suprised, but I wasn't. I knew you were going to get here and that all your hard work, cuts, bruises would all lead to fame.
I'll admit that I thought of your Gold at pyeongchang better than your one at Sochi. I felt that it was more meaningful. Your skatign was absolutely beautiful and even after your long hiatus I felt happy that you came back strong and unwavered. You really grew and I really felt you had become a man.
I want you to know that these years to come even throught these difficult times are worth it. There will be times where you feel like the younger generatian is coming to take your place, but I urge you never stop doing what you love to do becuase if you stop you will lose apart of you. All these years I spent with you I cherish every millisecond of it. I'm glad I have become a symbol for you and I'm glad we are buddies. Keep smiling Yuzu ( btw recently I realised Yuzu is a Lemon?) I hope you never feel alone because I will Always be with you.
Buddies till the end and forever,
Pooh-san
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(this is one of my favorite fanarts! All credits to the owner)
