Breathe in. Breathe out.
Yuuri was past the main gate of the university and into the main campus now. In theory, there was no need for him to be nervous. He found himself constantly having to push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose due to them slipping down. He made note that it may be time for new glasses soon. This university was among a few that had a skating rink on campus. That way, it'd make it easier for him to keep up his figure skating. In fact, that's exactly what he was planning on doing after classes today. It was always a good stress reliever.
First class of the day was a biology lecture. It'd be mostly general classes for now, though to be honest, Yuuri wasn't sure what he wanted to get a degree in. For him, figure skating was what mattered, but it's not like he could just major in figure skating. But for now, he intended on doing well in the classes he was currently enrolled in.
Luckily, he had spent yesterday walking around the campus and familiarizing himself with where the different buildings were. He remembered where the science lecture hall was and went there to room 265. The room itself was huge, seating a few hundred students. He picked a seat toward the back, carefully pulling out the little desk and placing a notebook and pen there. A few others were starting to file in, and Yuuri began to busy himself with his phone. He was glad for living in such a technological age where he could distract himself from his current anxieties. He could already feel himself itching to get on the ice. The rink was only a few blocks away from the lecture hall, and this was his only class for the day.
It was the usual syllabus day. It was passed out which Yuuri immediately stuck into his folder. He'd only look at it when he needed to anyway. For the rest of the class period, the professor only went over the syllabus. The words began to soften into the background as Yuri's mind drifted elsewhere. It was boring syllabus talk anyway. He thought of home and the warm food and people there. He missed it already. This university was just outside of Tokyo, and the city seemed vast to him compared to his little town. He had been in the student housing for a few weeks now, but still hadn't managed to make any friends. Everything seemed so unfamiliar, but it was a great university. He'd get a quality education here.
He snapped back to reality when people started getting up from their chairs. With a sigh of relief, he packed away his folder and notebook into his backpack, having to shove his skates out the way. He had packed them, knowing the ice rink was the first place he'd be going after class.
The sun was out and bright in the sky as he exited the building and walked up the road to the rink. It was about the same size as the one back at home, maybe even a bit bigger. He hoped it wasn't too busy. It might even be a way for him to meet some new people who also enjoyed skating. Going inside, he made his way to the main rink and to the seating area where he could change into his skates. Since classes were still going on, it was mostly empty except for a silver haired guy currently changing into skates at the far bench. Yuuri took a seat on the opposite side and grabbed his out of his backpack. He started to lace them up, making sure they were nice and tight. His brown eyes glanced over to his left, noticing the other was occasionally glancing over at him. He supposed it would be polite to introduce himself, though his heart started to pound at the thought of it. With a deep breath, he looked over at the other who was currently distracted with tying up his skates. He looked to be a foreigner, and Yuuri wondered where he was from. He was working up the nerve to ask him when the door suddenly slamming open literally made him jump. He almost fell off the bench entirely.
"Victor! There you are!" The screeching voice echoed throughout the rink.
"Yuri, you shouldn't shout like that. We're not the only ones in here." Viktor motioned to the dark haired Yuri on the other bench.
Yuuri cocked his head to the side in confusion.
So, his name is Yuri too?
Yuri looked over, giving the other a venomous look. He looked from him to Victor before huffing and sitting next to Viktor, putting on his own skates as well.
Victor chuckled before standing up suddenly and waddling over to the dark haired Yuri in his skates.
"Sorry about him. He can get antsy when he knows I'm going skating without him. I'm Victor Nikiforov. I'm from Russia but decided to go to school here. The angry one over there is Yuri Plisetsky."
He held bent down to Yuuri's level and held out his hand. It took Yuri a few seconds to realize the gesture, face turning even redder. Quickly, he shook his hand.
"Oh, uh, nice to meet you. I'm Yuuri Katsuki," he said shyly, his dark eyes met Victor's light blue ones.
Victor couldn't help but chuckle a bit as he looked from the Japanese Yuri to the Russian one.
"You hear that, Yuri? His name is Yuuri too! I'll have to come up with a nickname for one of you."
Yuuri's face felt hot as he looked up at him with a nervous smile.
"So, Yuuri, I'm guessing you skate," he said with a sly smirk. "I wonder if you can wow me. I'm quite a well known figure skater in Russia, you know."
Yuuri nodded, trying his best to avoid Yuri's intense glare.
"Well, uh, I don't know if I'd be as good as you, but I did have a coach in my hometown and a rink, and I guess I'm..pretty good."
He wasn't usually one to brag and especially not in front of another skater.
"I'm interested to see. Would you like to join me on the ice?"
Victor offered him his hand, which Yuuri slowly grabbed with his own shaky one. In one motion, Victor pulled him up onto his feet. As they got out onto the ice, Yuuri prayed he wouldn't fall onto his face.