Once upon a time, there was a boy who loved to skate on the ice. He put everything he had into it to become the best. Along the way, he became to caught up in the techniques that he forgot where his heart was. He became cold as the ice he skated on.
Then there was a girl, who loved to skate as much as the boy. However, unlike him, she was full of fire and passionate about skating. She skated with her heart and emotions in every movement she made. But what would happen when a spirit sees them and decides to bring them together to create the most amazing technique ever? Will the boy as cold as ice be able to warm up to this girl? Will the girl who's so warm be able to withstand the cold harshness of the boy? Will they ever pull it off at this rate?
That morning, Tora woke up with a groan as her alarm clock began its incessant ringing. Sluggishly, she rolled over to her night stand and turned the thing off. She didn't want to get up, but she needed to the Prince of Ice skating rink and practice.
Getting up, she got dressed in a brown t-shirt and blue overalls with a drawstring around the waist to adjust the waist. Next moving on to fixing her long auburn hair into a low ponytail. After checking her outfit in the mirror and that she had everything, Tora ate a quick breakfast, then put on her running shoes.
With a sigh Tora stepped out and locked the apartment door, thinking about what all she had to do that day.
'Let's see. After practice, I'll need to get something for lunch, and after that I'll need to head to work. I hope those kids won't try to pull my hair again. I wonder if I should cut some of it to make it more manageable?'
Adjusting her bag, she then began a light job to help her warm up her muscles before she reached the rink.
Looking around, Tora was glad for the beautiful summer days as she went down the stairs and to the sidewalk. Outside her apartment, there were lined with a few trees planted a while back for a 'help the environment' project by the city. She could hear the birds singing to one another above her head. She smiled as she saw children head to a park further down the road in the opposite direction and smelled the fresh bread from the bakery, making a mental note to get some later if it would fit into her budget and have some for breakfast next time.
As she went past, Tora waved at friends from the neighborhood and finally after a few blocks, she reached her destination. The Prince of Ice skating rink was an amazing building that had existed for as long as she could remember. In her childhood, Tora would beg her parents to go there just to watch the others skate. When she was old enough, she took ballet lessons and skating lessons. There was just something about skating and The Prince of Ice that drew her in and she was helpless against it.
The sliding doors opened for her as cold air greeted her. Tora shivered a little and looked around the lobby until her eyes settled on the woman in charge of the skating rink. With her back turned to Tora at the moment was a woman by the name of Rachel. She was a motherly figure to all who knew her with her sweet demeanor and kind dark eyes. Her brown hair held back in a pink bow and a section of long bangs her left side of her face. She wore a shade of pink lipstick and was always seen with a shawl wrapped around her. When she turned around and saw Tora, she smiled.
"Tora. It's good to see you again as usual. I'm afraid you won't be able to practice right now, though." Rachel said.
Tora tilted her head in confusion. "Why? Is something happening?"
Rachel just chuckled. "Well, I guess you could say that. You remember Karon, the owner of the Prince of Ice, right? Well, his son is a figure skater. His teacher uses the rink for classes. Recently, they've changed to time for classes and they're practicing right now. You can watch until they are done, though. They should be finishing in a little while."
"Oh. Okay, thanks Rachel-san. But I didn't know Karon-san had a son." Tora said. She membered meeting Karon a few times before, but never heard of him having a son after all these years of coming here or Karon being married now that she thought about it. She once asked if he and Rachel were married, but she told Tora that she was already married to another man. Her and Karon were just old friends. But if they had classes at night, then Tora could see how they never had meet. This would affect her schedule a little, but that wouldn't stop her.
"Oh! Did I forget to tell you? It must have slipped my mind. He was adopted by Karon many years ago. I've known him since he was a little boy. He's practically a son to me. But enough of that, why don't you go and take a look for yourself. He's probably still practicing. I'll get your skating route music ready and you can go change." Rachel said as she moved to the back.
Tora yelled her thanks and made her way to the dressing rooms. She changed into a warmer light green track suit and her hair in a bun. Once she was ready she carried her skates and moved over to the rink.
She saw many student around her age off to the side watching. Out on the rink was one boy, he looked a few years older than Tora. She guessed around twenty. He long dark green hair, but she couldn't tell what color his eyes were due the distance and his eyes were closed. He was still as a statue wearing a black shirt covered with another shirt that was dark blue. He also wore black leggings and black skates. Then the route music began to play. The boy sprang into action. Tora was in awe of his fluid movements and technique. Flips and spins and other moves that only those who trained the hardest could do. But its seemed so . . . cold. And it wasn't just the rink. There was no warmth as he skated. Tora couldn't help but wonder why.
When the music ended the rest of the class clapped. "Excellent work as always Fakir! I got chills from watching. That will be all for today class. If you lag around I will force you to marry me!" The man, Tora believed to be the teacher, shouted. He had brown hair and wore a green track suit. He also carried at cat with him in his arms. Quickly all the students left and the teacher seem disappointed.
"Well at least I have you." He said to his cat and left as well.
After they were gone Rachel came out to join her, wearing a white track suit and skates. The music began to play and Rachel began her routine. The music she played, 'The Bartered Bride', earned her the nickname, 'The Ice Bride'.
Rachel's moves always amazed Tora. They were so elegant and filled with a type of longing that Tora never could figure out. Long ago, Rachel was also a great skater and entered big competition, but she only got as far as sixth place. Later on, she meet her fiancé and eventually got married. She didn't really do competitions anymore and mainly worked here at the Prince of Ice. But that didn't mean her skills had diminished over the years, not by a long shot. It made Tora happy she got a private show of this when the rink wasn't busy. Which was one of the reasons she went early.
Rachel then performed a axel jump. Tora let out a sigh as she watch and stretched for when she went to skate. Tora still had troubles with jumps sometimes and couldn't help but wish she could go that high or higher someday and not fall flat on her butt.
Soon the song was over and Rachel posed with her hands like in a prayer. Tora clapped.
"Great job Rachel-san! I wish I could skate that pretty." Tora said.
"Don't worry Tora-chan. The way you skate is much better than mine."
"W-What? Don't tease me like that Rachel-san. Yours is way better. I have trouble with my jumps all the time." Tora said.
"My way maybe beautiful, but yours is full of warmth. I can feel your passion of skating. You just need to keep practicing and never lose that passion. One day you might consider entering completions. I know I would love to see that one day." Rachel explained.
"T-Thank you, Rachel-san." Tora stuttered blushing from the compliment.
"It's nothing. I'll go now before Karon sees I'm not working. I'll get your song ready song ready soon." As Rachel skated off Tora made her way to the center of the rink, waiting for the music to start. Soon music came from the speakers within the rink playing the song from the Arabian Dance from the Nutcracker. Tora liked the way it started slow and people said it went well with her passionate warm style. But when it came to her jumps she would have trouble. On good days she would wobble, on bad days she would fall on her butt. But today was good a day. After the song came to an end. Tora was surprised to hear clapping. She looked up to see the teacher from earlier.
"That was beautiful, miss. It has been a long time since I've seen a routine with such passion and warmth. But, where are my manners? I'm Neko-sensei and this lovely lady with me is Mrs. Neko. I believe you saw one of my students performing earlier. I was wondering, if you don't have a teacher and classes already, would you be interested in joining mine. You have talent and lots of potential. It just needs some polishing to shine. What do you think?" The man now known as Neko-sensei asked.
Tora was at first confused about when he said 'lady' until she realized he was talking about his white cat which was still in his arms.
"I-I am honored you would ask me sir, but I don't know if I can pay for your classes and I already have a job later."
"Hmm." Neko-sensei thought for a moment. "You already have your skates and I don't force a uniform for my classes so that's no issue. How about this? I'll let you have a free month trial. If you don't like it, then you can leave with no charge. At the end of the month, our sponsor will be coming to check my students progress. Many of my students have a similar situation to yours, and if you can impress him, he can pay for your classes." He suggested.
Tora debated it in her head. This could be her chance to get some real lessons from a teacher. Rachel was good but she didn't always have time to teacher her. If she could impress the sponsor then she wouldn't have to pay either. She didn't have anything to lose.
"Well, ok. I'll give it a shot." Tora said.
"Excellent! Be here bright and early tomorrow and we can introduce you to the rest of the class. If you are late, I WILL HAVE YOU MARRY ME!" Neko-sensei shouted. Tora could have sworn she heard the Wedding March playing somewhere.
Tora could help but wonder if this guy was for real. Her thoughts showed on her face with an annoyed look. But he was kind enough to offer her a free trial month and that was better than anyone else had ever done for her. So she would deal with it.
"Neko-sensei, calm down."
Then his cat bit him. "Ow! Sorry dear. She will never replace you. Anyway, good to hear. Oh, by the way I didn't catch your name."
"My name is Tora. It means 'Tiger'."
He nodded and with a wave goodbye left the rink.
"Do not worry, Miss Tora. I'm sure you'll enjoy learning under Neko-sensei. He's right about you having talent." A female voice spoke.
Tora turned around. 'What is with all these people sneaking up on me today?' What she saw was unbelievable.
There was an older woman with light green hair pulled up and tied up on top of her head. She was really pale with blue eyeshadow, pink lipstick, and a tint of rouge on her cheeks. Her eyes a deep blue. around her neck was a pink flower chocker and a strange dress. The weirdest thing about her was she was tiny and floating in the air in front of Tora's face.
"You being able to see me is proof of that. You are one of the two people I have been searching for, Miss Tora."
Tora stood silent for a about a second before she cried out, nearly falling backwards trying to move away from whatever this thing was. Did she fall while practicing and dream up the entire thing about the sensei wanting to teacher her and now this was another hallucination?
"Miss Tora, please calm down. I mean you no harm. I am the Spirit of the Rink. Think of me as a guardian to future figure skaters helping them reach their full potential. I'm not a hallucination and you're not losing your mind. If you try to ask anyone about me, they cannot see me, so please don't bother. The only one who can see me is only you right now until your destined partner appears and is ready. You are special, for you maybe able to preform a never before seen technique that has the power to connect the hearts of others." The self-proclaimed spirit explained.
Tora stropped for a moment as the spirit's words processed through her brain. She blinked for a moment. "Technique?" Tora asked.
The Spirit smiled as she went to sit down on the wall surrounding the rink. "Yes, a technique. No one has ever been able to perform it yet and thus never seen. It requires two people and if they are deemed worthy, only then will I reveal the secrets to making the technique possible. There have been a few in the past who could see me, but unfortunately, they could not reach their full potential. I think you could be the one to do it. Hopefully your destined partner will appear soon, but until then, you can focus on your classes."
Tora clamed down enough during the explanation and regained her breath, but was still wary of this spirit.
"Okay, look, even if you say I'm this 'destined one', how do I know it can even be possible if no one's ever seen it? How do I know you're real to begin with?" Tora asked.
The Spirit sighed. "I know this is all new and strange for you Miss Tora. I have waited a long time for two people to be able to preform this technique. In theory, it can be done. In the past, others have tried to do it. But they were not ready and they did not know the secrets only I possess. When they tried, it could not connect with hearts of others. They grew impatient and failed. Tell me. Why do you continue to practice skating even though you're not a professional and continue to have trouble with it? You could just give up figure skating and get a full time job."
"W-Well, I love skating. There is something about it that just draws me in. Ever since I was little. I can't just give it up." Tora answered.
The spirit smiled. "That passion and determination of yours is why you are able to see me. That is the first step to being able to perform it. Have some faith. It can be done, but it never will if you don't at least try. All I ask is that you wait a few days to see if your partner appears. If someone else can see me then it will show that you are not going crazy. Then we can begin preparing you two."
Tora thought for a moment, it seemed fair, and the spirit looked sad when she spoke about the others not being able to perform it.
"Guess I can trust you and try. But what do I call you?"
The spirit looked surprised for a moment and smiled again.
"I knew I had a good feeling about you, Miss Tora. It has been a long time since someone has asked me that. Most don't bother to ask and just call me spirit. But you may call me Edel."
As soon as Edel said her name, she rose up from her seat on the wall and disappeared. Tora looked everywhere for any sign of the spirit, but it was like she was never there to begin with. Then Tora checked her watch.
"Ah! I better go or I won't have time for lunch before I have to teach class!"
"Okay girls! That was good. Take a short break then back to practicing those poses." Tora instructed her students.
The girls went off to chat with their friends and get water while Tora thought about what Edel said.
'Am I really the destined one able to perform this never-before-seen technique? Did I really just imagine it all?' She thought.
In all honesty it gave her a big headache. 'How many years has she been searching for two people to be able to perform this? Who's my partner? Will I really find them in a few days like Edel said?' Tora sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Tora-sensei? Are you okay-zura?"
Tora turned to see one of her youngest students named Uzura. A curious little girl with blue eyes and light green hair. Now that Tora thought about, it Uzura reminded her of Edel.
"I'm okay Uzura-chan. I was just thinking about a figure skating technique that no one has ever seen before. Someone I met thinks I might be able to do it, but I'm not sure." Tora answered.
"Don't worry Tora-sensei! You always tell us as long as we put our minds to it there is nothing we can do. I'm sure you can do it-zura!" Uzura encouraged.
"Hehe. Thank you for reminding me Uzura-chan. I'm also going to have a real figure skating class with a man called Neko-sensei."
"Wow! You'll be the prettiest one there-zura! I can't wait to see you skate-zura."
"We'll see what happens. Now hurry along. We'll be starting again in a few more minutes." Tora said.
Uzura nodded and ran off to join the others.
'Maybe she's right. I won't know until I try and who knows class might be fun and I might really be the one Edel is searching for.'
The next day Tora got up earlier than usual and headed out to the rink. After all the excitement yesterday she had slept well and was nervous and excited to begin her real figure skating classes. She also wondered if she would met the elusive son of Karon.
When Tora entered Rachel greeted her. "Good morning Tora-san. You're here early. What's the occasion?"
"Yesterday after you left to go back to work, Neko-sensei saw my routine and was impressed. He asked me to join his class! The best part is that he's letting me have a free month trial to see if I like it. At the end of the month, the sponsor will be coming and if I impress him I might be able to continue lessons without paying!" Tora explained.
"Oh, Tora! That's wonderful! I'm sure you can do it. Class is starting in a few more minutes so hurry and go get changed."
Tora nodded and hurried to the changing room. Once she was ready she headed out to the rink, already the other students were on the ice. Some of the students huddled in their own groups which worried Tora just a bit. For all she knew they were all snobs. There were two groups that really got her attention. One was a group of three boys and two girls.
One young man with silvery-white hair and large amber eyes wore a white short-sleeved shirt, black pants, and white skates. The second had dark hair and eyes along with a pair of glasses. He wore a red jacket with what appeared to be a green lizard on the back and white pants and skates. He had this air about him that screamed snob. The last boy was the one she had seen yesterday skating. with the same dark attire and hair in a ponytail.
Then there were the two girls who appeared to be twins. Both had long dark brown hair, red eyes, and pale skin. One had her hair in a bun and her outfit included a dark red skating dress with matching skates and dark tights that makes her skin tone seem darker. The other, her hair was pulled up and looked a lot like a feather and she was adorned in a black dress skating dress designed to look like it was edged with black feathers, along with black stockings and black skates.
The second group made up of three girls. The first had orange hair that was braided, icy blue eyes, and light skin with freckles. Wearing a light grey shirt that has a dark blue stripe around its waist and a red jewel on the front of its neckline and yellow pants. The second, her dark pink hair was in a high tight bun, her bangs angles to the right side of her face, two barretes, yellow and blue, on the opposite side, with a single curly lock jutting from the side. Her eyes dark purple. For her outfit, she wore a pale blue long sleeve shirt, white leggings and white skates. The third girl had green sweater and black pants and she had green eyes and blond hair tied in two pink bows to create pigtails.
Tora debated which group to try and make friends with first and decided to try the first group.
"Hi, I'm Tora." She greeted.
The five of them turned to her, a little surprised but quickly it changed to welcoming expressions from the white haired boy and girl in red. The boy with glasses watched her with a critical eye and smirked. Defiantly a snob. The boy with green hair looked over and gave her a bored and somewhat annoyed look. The girl in black scowled at her.
"Hello, you must be the new student Neko-sensei mentioned earlier. He spoke highly of you. I'm Mytho, this is my partner and girlfriend, Kuroha Rue. It's nice to meet you." The white hair boy introduced himself and the girl in red.
"Greeting. I am Author. You may address me as Author-sama or Author-senpai either will due. If Neko-sensei says you have potential, then I will believe him until proven otherwise. Do try not to bring us down. It would reflect badly on our sponsor." The boy in glasses introduced.
"I'm Kuroha Kraehe. Twin sister of Rue. The one beside my is my partner, Fakir. Son of Karon the Prince of Ice's owner and we are the main stars of Neko-sensei's students. Author took the words right out of my mouth. Do try to keep up." The girl in black said with a sickening sweet tone.
'Well nice to meet you too. I hope we get along well. Those two certainly woke up on the wrong side of the bed. They have the same bad attitude. They would certainly make a wonderful couple. At least now I've met Karon's son. Isn't he going to say anything about what they said. Karon would, he's so nice and Fakir looks like a total grouch.' Tora thought as she glared at them.
"Author! Kraehe! There is no need to be to rude. It's her first day. I'm sure Tora-san is a great skater other wise she wouldn't be here joining our class. We are her senpais and should be setting a better example." Mytho scolded.
Then Fakir spoke up for the first time. "You're too soft, Mytho. Unless this girl is smarter than she looks, she needs to learn sooner or later that we're. not here to play buddy-buddy with people who aren't going to put everything they have into these classes. We are training to become the best and one day go to the Olympics. We don't have time for lazy cheapskates who haven't even taken real classes before. She hasn't been here for ten minutes and already she is becoming a useless eyesore." Fakir mocked with a cold glare in his eyes.
Tora was beyond shocked. Her mouth dropped. This guy was worse than the other two combined! How did Karon raise such a jerk?! Now she could see how him and Kraehe were partnered. As she stared at him, she knew this guy would be trouble.