Ryuugazaki: I'm honestly not ready. This is the first piece of fiction that I am completing (but not really because I have like two more parts planned out so… it's a minor win). I genuinely don't know if I'm going to post the second part despite actively working on it as we speak. Just give me the chance to look over the first three chapters, run them through at least one of my betas, and come back. (I recently had a new friendo join me in the pit and I am currently working on a gift for them and for them to watch the series before I begin to explain this excessively lengthy project to them that is taking away from my real books. Because that's actually what I was working on before Haru introduced me to this.)
Chapter Sixty
(Thursday, 17 December 2015 – 11:45am, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
Yuuri took their French final and they were confident that they got a solid C. Their parents would be disappointed in them for getting a C, but it was better than a F for not doing anything. Cs get degrees; from C to shining C. Yuuri was sad about their French grade because they knew that they could do better – so much better – but this C was the best that everyone was getting.
Yuuri was in the cafeteria of the Main Hall, waiting for Mama Awa to come. She stayed true to her word and called them to tell them to be ready after class. Mama Awa was a good woman with her flaws, but the way she loved her daughter's rink mates was unparalleled. "Hummingbird!" Mama Awa said on the other end of the phone.
"Yes, Mama?"
"I am on Cass Avenue," she said. "Come out."
"Yes, Mama," Yuuri said. She ended the call and Yuuri got up. While Yuuri was walking, they ran into Victor – who was with a girl with red hair. They were talking about something.
"S-sorry," Yuuri murmured. They tried to rush past, but Victor grabbed Yuuri by the elbow. "Let go, please."
"Did you read my letter?" Victor asked.
"You're with your friend. We can talk about this later."
"How are we supposed to talk when I texted you last night and you never responded?" Victor clapped.
"You're literally with your friend. Don't be rude."
"I actually don't give a fuck," she said. "Nice to meet you, by the way. Victor talks about you a lot." Yuuri looked at Victor. "All good things! He's heads over heels."
"Is he now?"
"Extremely," she said. Victor looked back at his friend. "Don't look at me. Talk to your boyfriend." A blush crept across Victor's face. Victor ushered Yuuri to an isolated corner of the hall.
"I have an appointment," Yuuri clipped.
"This won't take long," Victor said. He loosened his grip on Yuuri's arm. "I'm sorry for being rough. I just needed to talk to you." Yuuri "hm"ed. "But you haven't read my note yet, have you?" Yuuri shook their head. "Do you still have it?"
"I don't have my art history binder on me," Yuuri said.
"Fuck," Victor cussed in Russian. "You kind of need to read it."
"CliffNotes."
"What?"
"What are the CliffNotes?"
"I don't know what that is," Victor said. "What is that?"
"Well," Yuuri started to explain. "I–" Their phone started to ring. Yuuri signaled to hold the thought and picked up their phone. "Yes, Mama?"
"Where are you? I am waiting."
"One of my friends stopped me. I'll be right out." Victor opened his mouth to protest, but Yuuri hushed him with their finger.
"Okay," she said and ended the call. Yuuri put their phone back in their pocket.
"Look, we can discuss this later," Yuuri said and walked off. They exited the building and started to walk towards Cass Avenue.
Awa: Yuuri, dépêche-toi. Je ne veux pas acheter Kiki Tim Hortons.
: I'm walking to you right now. Send your location.
Awa: CL
Yuuri opened the location in their maps. They didn't have to walk far. Yuuri walked around to the passenger's side; Khoudia was sitting there. "Washpoppin?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Moral support," Khoudia said. "Mom said we can get Applebee's after and I'm not the one to pass up Applebee's." Yuuri deadpanned. "You're letting the heat out; get in." Yuuri got in the backseat and put their bag next to them.
"How was your French final, Yuuri?" Mama Awa asked as she shifted gears. Yuuri mentally cursed. Their French final was the last thing they wanted to think about.
"It was fine," Yuuri said.
"Do you think you did well?"
"I think I passed," Yuuri said with a shrug. Yuuri looked into the rearview mirror; Awa was back in her niqāb.
"Why do you not know?"
"I mean… I just took the test," Yuuri said.
"Have confidence in yourself, hummingbird," Mama Awa said.
"Yeah, hummingbird, have confidence in yourself," Khoudia irreverently said. Yuuri poked their head from the backseat to look at Khoudia. "Put on your seatbelt."
"I am in my seatbelt," Yuuri said.
"Yuuri, sit back," Mama Awa said. Yuuri sat back. They were going to see their doctor. They felt like boiled feces once again after ~6 hours each in two days of not feeling like that. Yuuri didn't know why they had a total of 12 hours of not feeling like trash during a heat wave, but they were going to the doctor to find that out.
"So, Kiki, how was your French final?" Yuuri clipped.
"I passed it with flying colors," Khoudia coolly said. "I'm an A student in French." Yuuri rolled their eyes but didn't dare expose Khoudia and her habit of getting Cs on her French assignments. Yuuri looked at the rearview mirror again. They could see the crinkle in Mama Awa's eyes at the conversation and pride she has in her favorite daughter.
"I am sure you did very well, Yuuri," Mama Awa said. Yuuri's phone buzzed.
Victor: I know we don't have to anymore, but I want to go to the museum with you again. Our museum excursions have been, simply put, the best.
Victor: I don't appreciate you walking away from me.
: I *have* an appointment, Victor.
Victor: I know. I understand. But it still hurts.
Victor: What about what I said yesterday?
: Do whatever.
Three dotty bois appeared on screen and Yuuri immediately went to their chat with Khoudia. She had texted them this morning to remind Yuuri of their appointment with Dr. Kasparian. Yuuri's been going to Dr. Kasparian since they've been in Detroit. At first, they didn't have a doctor and their conditions remained untreated which made for a hellish year or so, but, once they met Khoudia's mother, she set them up with a primary care doctor and Dr. Kasparian has been treating them ever since. Dr. Kasparian has been treating all of the rink, actually – everyone except Olivia seeing as how she had her own doctor before she became Celestino's student.
Dr. Kasparian is going to yell at Yuuri for not coming to their other appointments, but they had a valid reason for not coming. They were busy suffering so they couldn't. Surely Valencia had to understand that. After all, she is their doctor.
#
(Thursday, 17 December 2015 – 3:43pm, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
Yuuri's appointment was awkward. Mama Awa – in response to Yuuri's weight loss – insisted that Yuuri acquire nutritional supplements to offset their eating habits. In addition to that, she wants to keep Yuuri with her until they're better and they know how to take their new medicine. Khoudia is also insisting on Yuuri staying with them, but only because she wants to help Yuuri learn how to take their new medicine.
"I can't believe we're doing this," Yuuri murmured as they sat in front of their drawer.
"But it's for your own good," Phichit said. He had been home for a while. Khoudia keyed him in on Yuuri's appointment a few days ago.
"I know, but I can learn how to use it here," Yuuri grumbled.
"Hey, at least Mama is going to make maafe again," Khoudia said.
"You're only saying that because you want maafe," Yuuri said. Khoudia shrugged.
"I mean… yeah," Khoudia said. "It'll help you regain weight. I'm all on board with this."
"My weight is fine," Yuuri murmured. They folded up the clothes they took out and put them in their suitcase.
"You lost 15lbs," Khoudia said. "That's not good in any situation. You have to expect that the meds are going to help you regain the weight and the maafe is going to help facilitate that."
"Do you think I can ask your mom to make aloko?" Khoudia nodded. "Do you think I can teach her how to make katsudon?"
"She can't," Khoudia said. "She's not going to touch pork no matter the request. You're going to have to learn how to eat halal for a month."
"I don't mind that," Yuuri said. They went to their closet. "Do you think she's going to need me to go anywhere with her?"
"Yes," Khoudia said. Yuuri looked at Khoudia. "To Aida and Yande's recital."
"I said I wasn't going."
"And we agreed that you are because Aida and Yande need you there," Phichit said. "It'll absolutely ruin them if you didn't go to their recital." Yuuri grumbled. Phichit got up and went to the closet.
"I'll pick out your clothes; you go pick out your underclothes."
"Hey, at least you won't have to walk to the laundromat for a while," Khoudia said. "Sorry you can't come along, Phichit. I didn't think to ask Mama if you can come."
"It's fine," Phichit said. "I have to stay with the hamsters anyway."
"Are you sure?" Yuuri asked.
"No, Yuuri, you can't stay here," Phichit said. "You're going to stay with Khoudia and that's that." Yuuri rolled their eyes.
"You're going to like staying with me," Khoudia said. "We get to spend all day together. You can come with me for therapy and meet Angie and we can go to IHOP."
"Should we be eating IHOP?"
"Oh, you're going to learn how to get to eat what you want and also keep your levels under control," Khoudia said. "It'll get easier once you get a pump."
"What about you?"
"Oh yeah, I got approved my request for a pump," Khoudia said. "I'm going to try and see if we can get it the same day so we can learn how to use it together."
"I mean… that's why I'm staying with you, right?" Khoudia nodded and smiled. "Are you excited to get your pump?"
"Yes! I can finally eat things and not have to worry about having a shot! It just happens automatically!" Khoudia grinned. "I'm so happy!"
"You deserve it. You've been diabetic since you were 13," Yuuri said. "I'm surprised you didn't get one sooner."
"I don't know if you know this but… I'm a lazy fuck."
"We know," Phichit said. He was nose deep into the closet, picking out clothes.
"Shut up," Khoudia said. "Anyway, do you want to go back to Dr. Kasparian next Monday?" Yuuri nodded. "Great! I'll tell Mama to call Valencia and we can go next Monday." Khoudia grabbed her phone from the charger and started to text her mother. "You know, Phichit."
"Hm?"
"It's about time for you to get a check-up," Khoudia said.
"I can take myself to the doctor."
"But it'd be easier for you to ask my mom to take you."
"I'm not you nor am I Yuuri."
"Cheap shot," Yuuri said. They picked up their onesie.
"Oh yeah, bring your onesie for ice cream and Hulu time," Khoudia said. "I'm gonna try and sneak a bottle of wine, too. But we're going to have to wait for Aida and Yande to go to sleep so they don't snitch on us."
"Should we be drinking with diabetes?"
"Well, no, but you're going to learn how to be able to drink and monitor your levels," Khoudia said.
"You've been saying that a lot," Yuuri said.
"Yes, because you need to learn how to manage your levels when you engage in normal activities," Khoudia said. "And I'm going to teach you how. That's why you're staying with me for the month."
"I'm not sure if I want you to teach me given how bad you are at managing your diabetes," Yuuri said. Khoudia deadpanned.
"Take what I do and make it better, then," Khoudia said. "But I don't know how you're going to make drinking three iced lattes a day better because it's pretty solid and I haven't died yet." Yuuri looked at Khoudia. "I know that look and I am not here for it."
"You know you'd probably control your blood sugar better if you didn't do that, right?"
"Drinking is easier than eating," Khoudia said. "Even though I will slurp me down some maafe with thiébou yapp." Khoudia's eyes widened. "Actually, I think I know what I want to ask my mom to make for dinner tonight." Khoudia grabbed her phone again and started to text her mother. "I hope you like lamb."
"I'm impartial to it."
"Oh good! So you can eat dinner with us tonight," Khoudia said. "My mom's thiébou yapp is good. I think you'll like lamb after you try hers."
"I hope so," Yuuri said. "Maybe she can teach me how to make it if I really like it."
"Oh, she'll gladly teach you," Khoudia said. Yuuri looked down at their suitcase. Phichit was busy folding their clothes. "Don't forget to pack your gadgets, and don't forget to grab your 3DS. I deserve my Smash rematch, scrub."
"I won't forget," Yuuri said. They got up and went to their desk. "Khoudia, reach between my desk and grab my laptop sleeve." Khoudia did as Yuuri asked and produced their teal laptop sleeve and put it on their desk. "Can you clean my bookbag out while you're at it?" Khoudia nodded. She got up and grabbed Yuuri's bookbag from beside their desk. Khoudia found the note from Victor in the bottom of their bookbag.
"What's this?"
"Um, I don't know, actually," Yuuri said. "Open it." Khoudia grabbed Yuuri's katana letter opener and opened the envelope. "Oh, you have a ring!"
"Huh?" Khoudia took the ring out of the envelope and gave it to Yuuri. Yuuri took it and put it on their finger.
"It looks nice!" Khoudia shrieked.
"It does, but I don't know where it came from," Yuuri said. "Did I buy a ring when I was in Moscow?" Khoudia shrugged. "Phichit, did I buy any jewelry when I was in Moscow?"
"Not that I can remember," he said. Yuuri gave Khoudia their new ring hand so she can have a better look. It was a simple white gold band that strangely yet perfectly fit their finger. "It's like a wedding ring."
"Huh…" Yuuri said. They looked at the ring themselves, clenching and unclenching their hand. "I hope it doesn't get in the way of anything."
"Get a silicone ring and put that on a chain, then!" Khoudia suggested. "It's so beautiful and it goes with your skin."
"I still don't remember getting a ring, though," Yuuri said.
"It doesn't matter," Phichit said. "All that matters is that you have it now and that it fits."
"Okay, but can we discuss why it fits so well?" Yuuri said.
"Well, you bought it," Khoudia said. Yuuri made a face. "Well, we're assuming you bought it. That's why it fits so well." Yuuri shrugged.
"I don't even like jewelry like that," Yuuri said. "Me buying a ring is out of character."
"Mania does that," Phichit said. "Plus, what other alternative is there? It's not like Victor up and bought you a ring." Phichit closed the closet. "Okay, I think this is good." Phichit started to fold the clothes he took out. "Anyway, how is Victor?"
"He's being difficult and it's frustrating as fuck," Yuuri said.
"Welcome to my world," Phichit said. Yuuri picked up their slipper and threw it at Phichit's head.
"Bitch, what the fuck?!" Khoudia yelled.
"Tired of y'all coming for me with no retribution," Yuuri said. Phichit looked at Yuuri. "Do what you want. I can fold my own clothes." Phichit continued to fold Yuuri's clothes and put them in their suitcase.
"What's going on with you two?" Khoudia asked and immediately looked at Yuuri.
"Ask Phichit," Yuuri said. Khoudia looked at Phichit.
"Ask Yuuri," Phichit said.
"Okay, one of you start explaining what's going on before I flip my shit," Khoudia said.
"I went to where Olivia's staying because Vicchan died and I was sad and now Phichit's being a passive aggressive bitch," Yuuri succinctly said. Khoudia looked at Phichit.
"Is this true?" Phichit nodded. "Okay, Yuuri shouldn't have gone to Olivia – and I'm only saying this because I despise Olivia – but Yuuri's an adult… An adult with a questionable moral compass, but an adult nonetheless."
"Yuuri could've told me where they were going," Phichit said.
"I get that. I feel like Yuuri could have at least left a note, but you also have to acknowledge that Yuuri's depressed and they can only handle a few things at once and leaving a note just wasn't one of them. Their head wasn't on straight. You can't get mad." Phichit made a face. "You. Can't. Get. Mad. Yuuri's an adult. They should be able to come and go from their home as they please. You're their roommate and their best friend, not their mother. My mom and Yuuri's mom can deal with that at some point." Phichit rolled his eyes. "Now give that girl a hug. I'm sure they'd love one." Phichit looked at Yuuri.
"I just want things to go back to normal," Yuuri said. "I do not deserve to live a life where my roommate and other best friend and boyfriend hate my guts."
"Wait, Victor hates you now?" Phichit chimed. "Oh God, what did you do?"
"I don't know; he won't tell me," Yuuri said. "All I know is that I apparently did something and now he's being a weirdo."
"Yeah, he was being a weirdo with me, too," Khoudia said. "He wouldn't come in your room when I woke you up. I thought he'd be excited to see you before he stepped on, but he didn't seem interested in waking you up with me."
"You jumped on my chest," Yuuri said. "I wouldn't be alive if Victor jumped on me, too."
"Don't you want to die?" Khoudia asked.
"I do, but not like that," Yuuri said. "I want to be able to pick my time and place of death."
"Everyone does," Phichit said. "But nonetheless, that's weird. Victor always wants to see you."
"Now he's being even weirder and I'm over it already," Yuuri said. They started to rearrange the clothes in their suitcase. Khoudia suddenly jumped into Yuuri's suitcase. "What the fuck?!"
"Stop that," Khoudia said.
"Fine, fine!"
"Go make chicken strips or something," Khoudia said. "Just stay away from the suitcase. Phichit and I can handle this." Yuuri got up and went to the kitchen. They hopped on the counter and looked around. They weren't the gladdest about having to stay with Khoudia and her family. Only 77% of the Bâ-Sène family liked them, and the 23% that didn't like Yuuri… They are very obvious in their dislike of them. So staying with Khoudia's family should be a disaster waiting to happen. They understood why Awa wants them to stay and they know Khoudia wants them to stay, but they would really rather not stay.
"I don't smell chicken strips!" Khoudia yelled.
"Khoudia, do you want chicken strips?"
"Yes!" Khoudia ran into the kitchen. "Make chicken strips."
"We're going to your house literally after I pack and we're having thiébou yapp for dinner," Yuuri said.
"…I still want chicken strips," Khoudia murmured. "Plus, it takes forever to make thiébou yapp. I'll be even hungrier and more annoying. Do you want to have a hungry and annoying Kiki?"
"No," Yuuri said.
"So you know what you need to do then," Khoudia said. "Do you want me to help? I can help!"
"Khoudia, did you take your medicine today?" Yuuri asked. Khoudia made a face. "That's a 'no,' I'm assuming?" Khoudia nodded. Yuuri sighed. "Is it too late to take it?"
"Probably?"
"Do you have an app that reminds you to take your meds?"
"I do, but I don't use it," Khoudia said. Yuuri deadpanned. "Don't judge me. You don't even take your meds half the time."
"Okay, true, but at least I pay attention to the app notification," Yuuri said. "Something you probably don't do."
"No, I pay attention to it. I just don't take it." Yuuri sighed and got off the counter. "Do you want me to help you make chicken strips?"
"Ask Phichit if he can handle my suitcases and you might be able to," Yuuri said. They went to the fridge to take out the chicken breast and the spice cabinet to gather the supplies. Khoudia ran back to the kitchen. "So?"
"He said he can handle it," Khoudia said. "So we're making chicken strips. Where do you want me to start?"
"Wash and slice the chicken breast," Yuuri said. Khoudia nodded and grabbed the chicken breast off of the counter.
"Where do you keep the knives?" Khoudia asked. Yuuri arabesqued and pointed their toes towards the drawer. "Extra."
"I'm better at dancing than cooking," Yuuri said.
"Not true. I've eaten food you've made hundreds of times." Yuuri looked at Khoudia. "Not saying you're not an excellent dancer, but your cooking is on par to your dance skills." Khoudia moved Yuuri's foot and grabbed a medium-sized knife. She started to slash the air with it. "Which is why it's so important that you come to Aida and Yande's recital."
"What do you gain from it?"
"The smiles on my baby sisters' faces when they see that you're in the audience to support them," Khoudia said. She made her hand into a balance and gauged the heaviness of the knife. "I want them to have an amazing recital and you being there would make their entire night. Even if they fuck up. Because Lord knows Yande is uncoordinated as all hell when it comes to dance."
"She's eight, Khoudia," Yuuri said. "No eight-year-old is good at ballet."
"I know, but… she's not good at ballet," Khoudia said. She shrugged. "It's just a fact. Yande has two left feet. Aida less so. You don't even get good at ballet until you're like sixteen and have been doing pointe work for a few years."
"Isn't Aida supposed to be starting pre-pointe soon?" Yuuri asked. They started to prepare the breading.
"Yes!" Khoudia gushed. "She said she wants to start pointe work as soon as possible!"
"I'd suggest that she start doing exercises, but there's no need to put her eleven-year-old body through its paces so soon," Yuuri said. They put the lid on the bowl and started to shake it. "She can wait. There's no rush."
"She just wants to get as good as you before you did," Khoudia said. Yuuri rolled their eyes. "And now that Aida has mentioned it, Yande wants to do pre-pointe, too." Yuuri rolled their eyes harder. "I told you these girls look up to you."
"So much so that they want to surpass me?"
"Let's be honest: They're not going to surpass you, but they damn sure want to try. What kind of older sister would I be if I tried to take that passion from them?" Khoudia rinsed off the knife. "I don't want to do to them what Adeola did to me."
"Adeola never danced, right?" Khoudia shook her head. "Why is she like this?"
"She's just bitter. About everything."
"Did your mom tell them that I'm staying over for a bit?" Khoudia shrugged. "Dinner should be a disaster, then."
"It won't be that bad," Khoudia said. "Adeola's kind of a bitch, but she has restraint."
"And she didn't show you where to get some?" Yuuri clapped. Khoudia deadpanned.
"Do you really want to come for the person holding a sharp kitchen object?" Khoudia dryly asked. Yuuri shook their head and continued to shake the container. "I think we're forgetting something."
"Are we?"
"Yeah, something's missing," Khoudia said. "You have all the spices, right?" Yuuri nodded. Khoudia put the knife down and looked at the spice bottles. "This looks about right." Phichit rolled the suitcases into the living room and came to the kitchen. He went into the cabinet and took out the frying pan and shortening.
"You two are useless in the kitchen," Phichit said. "I'll take over from here."
"We were going to get to that," Yuuri said. "Eventually."
"You two were going to starve."
"We would've figured it out," Khoudia said. "At some point."
"Go play Smash or something. I've got this," Phichit said. He started to shoo them out of the kitchen. "Go in the room and play Smash until I'm done."
"My 3DS is in my suitcase," Yuuri said. Phichit continued to shoo Yuuri and Khoudia out of the kitchen. Khoudia and Yuuri sighed.
"Well, we might as well fish your 3DS out of your suitcase," Khoudia said. "Actually, I'll get it. You go in the room."
"I can get my own 3DS," Yuuri said. Khoudia was already in Yuuri's suitcase and getting their 3DS out. She ran back to Yuuri and put it in their hands. "Thank you."
"No problem," Khoudia said. "Now, Smash rematch! Smash rematch!"
"Why are you two rambunctious children?!" Phichit yelled.
"Shut up," Yuuri said. Khoudia hopped on Yuuri's back. "Khoudia, what the fuck?!"
"Sorry!" Khoudia hopped off of Yuuri's back and pushed them towards the bedroom. "Smash rematch! Smash rematch!" Khoudia bellowed in a sing-songy voice. "Sing with me! Smash rematch! Smash rematch!" Yuuri sighed and started to sing along. Phichit sighed and resumed preparing the chicken strips for a hangry Khoudia's consumption.
#
(Thursday, 17 December 2015 – 6:19pm, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
"Mama! Guess who's home!" Khoudia bellowed from the front door. "Wait, no, Hadiya, you didn't have to run!"
"Hadiya's going to be running for a while," Yuuri said as they wheeled their suitcase inside. "Hello, Mama."
"Hello, Yuuri!" Mama Awa said without looking up from the stove. "I am just about done with dinner. Go upstairs and freshen up. Kiki, show Yuuri Amadou and Malik's room." Yuuri picked up their suitcases and walked towards the stairway. Khoudia grabbed one and walked upstairs with Yuuri. They stopped across the hall from Adeola and Fatoumatta's room.
"Kiki," Amadou said. "Can you check my homework after practice?"
"Sure, Doudou," Khoudia said. She grabbed the fold away bed.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Amadou asked. "Mama said Yuuri was sleeping in here with me and Malik."
"I want Yuuri in my room," Khoudia said. "Yuuri, go to my room and get comfortable." Yuuri and Amadou exchanged a look. Yuuri shrugged and brought their suitcases to Khoudia's room.
"Yuuri!" Yande yelled. She jumped on them as soon as they left their suitcases alone. Yuuri redistributed Yande's weight and hugged her. "Aida's in the bathroom."
"…Thank you for that?"
"Are you coming to our recital?"
"I –"
"Yuuri!" Aida yelled. She ran into her room and hugged Yuuri. "Are you coming to the recital?"
"I –"
"Okay, I got the bed!" Khoudia proclaimed as she entered her room.
"Yuuri's sleeping in here?" Aida asked Khoudia. Khoudia nodded. Aida and Yande grinned.
"Oh no…" Yuuri whispered.
"Don't worry," Khoudia said, "I won't let them do anything." She patted Yuuri's back.
"But Yuuri," Yande said. "You didn't tell us if you're coming to our recital!"
"Of course Yuuri's coming," Khoudia said. "They can't wait to see you two on stage." Yuuri stared daggers at Khoudia. "In fact, they want to have front row seats." Yuuri took their phone out of their pocket and started to text Khoudia.
: Why are you lying to your sisters like this
Khoudia's MacBook Air pinged. "Go get ready for ballet, you two."
"Yuuri," Yande said. "Daddy takes us to ballet!"
"He does?" Yande nodded. "Do you have ballet tonight?" Yande nodded.
"We have to go to extra classes to practice for the recital," Aida said. "What are you and Kiki doing?"
"Yuuri and I are having a sleepover," Khoudia said.
"A sleepover?" Yande asked, her brown eyes getting wide. "Sleepover, sleepover!" She yelled as she ran out of the room. Aida rolled her eyes and looked at Yuuri.
"Yande's weird," Aida said.
"She's eight, Aida," Yuuri said. "All eight-year-olds are a little weird. She's still a baby."
"Mom said she wants to have another baby," Aida said. "You have to convince her to not do that."
"Why me?"
"You're you," Aida said. "You have to tell Mom to not have another baby."
"I tried before," Yuuri said. Aida looked at Yuuri. "When your sister and I were at the Grand Prix. I tried. She's dead set on it."
"Don't worry, Aida," Khoudia said. "Mom isn't having another baby."
"How do you know?"
"Menopause," Khoudia said.
"What's menopause?" Aida asked.
"It's when you're old and you stop getting your period so you stop having babies," Khoudia explained. "It's super uncomfortable for everyone, but especially Mom."
"Wait, so one day you stop getting a period?" Khoudia nodded. "Are you going through menopause?" Khoudia deadpanned.
"Go get ready for ballet," Khoudia said, unamused and patting Aida's back. Aida shrugged and left the bedroom. Yande was running up the stairs and yelling "sleepover." Khoudia looked at Yuuri. "That girl has too much energy."
"You see where she gets it from," Yuuri said. They unfolded their bed. Khoudia rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to take a shower before we go to practice?"
"Is it Thursday?" Khoudia nodded. "Already?"
"Yeah! That's how time works apparently!" Khoudia helped Yuuri unfold their bed. She sat at the head and Yuuri sat at the foot. "I hope Olivia doesn't come tonight."
"I suppose there's only one way to find out," Yuuri said.
"Go take your shower."
"Why do I have to go first?"
"Because you take long showers," Khoudia said. "Then I'll shower and by the time I'm done, you'll be ready for practice." Khoudia leaned over and patted Yuuri's shoulders. "Now get up and go shower, pretty girl."
"Says the prettier girl," Yuuri said. Khoudia grinned and leaned on Yuuri. Yuuri got up and gently eased Khoudia on the bed. They went to their suitcase and got their clothes and a plastic bag out.
"Why are you getting a bag? You can do laundry in the basement."
"Oh," Yuuri said. Khoudia went into the closet and produced an empty hamper.
"It's yours," Khoudia said.
"Isn't four of us being in the room a fire hazard?"
"No, why?"
"Just curious," Yuuri said.
"Shower time."
"Right, right," Yuuri said. They got up and went to go take a shower.
#
(Thursday, 17 December 2015 – 6:59pm, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
When Yuuri came out of the bathroom, Aida and Yande were nowhere to be seen or heard; neither was their immature older sister. "Boo!" Khoudia whispered behind Yuuri. "Good, you're ready. Let's go."
"Did you shower already?" Khoudia nodded. "Where are Aida and Yande?"
"On their way to ballet," Khoudia said.
"Amadou and Malik?"
"Working on their homework like good boys," Khoudia said.
"Adeola and Fatou?"
"With their fiancés." Yuuri nodded. "So it's going to be just Mama, Amadou, and Malik until we get home from practice. Because then it's going to be all of us and that should be interesting." Khoudia hopped on Yuuri's back. "My equipment is already in the car. Let's go, Katsucky."
"I can drop you right now," Yuuri said. Khoudia clasped her legs around Yuuri's torso.
"Good luck doing that," Khoudia said. "To the car!"
"To the car, I guess," Yuuri said. They stood there.
"Shouldn't we be moving?"
"You're on my back, Kiki," Yuuri said. Khoudia sucked her teeth and hopped off of Yuuri's back. She grabbed Yuuri's equipment and ran out of the room.
"Khoudia, stop running before you hurt yourself!" Mama Awa yelled from the kitchen. Khoudia rolled her eyes and started to walk – not run – downstairs. Khoudia made it to the car before Yuuri. Mama Awa stopped Yuuri as they went across the living room. "That girl did not take her medicine this morning," Mama Awa told Yuuri.
"I know," Yuuri said.
"Hopefully Kiki will learn how to take her medicine properly with you around," Mama Awa said. "I will eat when you two come home."
"What about Amadou and Malik?"
"They can eat whenever they are ready. I will probably sit with them while they eat." Yuuri nodded. "Now go to practice. I am sure Celestino is waiting for you two."
"I mean, we don't have to go to practice," Yuuri said.
"No, Kiki told me about Japanese Nationals. You need to go to practice." Mama Awa kissed Yuuri's cheek. "Now get in the car. Do well at practice. Make sure Kiki doesn't get in too much trouble at the rink."
"I always do," Yuuri said. They hugged Mama Awa and went to the car to go to practice.
#
(Thursday, 17 December 2015 – 7:30pm, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
"Yuuri, Khoudia!" Celestino yelled as soon as he entered the rink. Yuuri looked at Khoudia; she pretended not to hear Celestino. "Khoudia Bâ Sène, Yuuri Katsuki!"
"Yeah?" Yuuri said as they skated to the barricade.
"Yuuri, grab Khoudia and come to the locker room," Celestino said.
"Khoudia!" Yuuri yelled. She ignored even them. Yuuri skated behind and grabbed her by her hoodie. Yuuri closed the gap and wrapped their arm around Khoudia's waist and pulled her off the ice. "Celestino wants us. Stop that." Khoudia pursed her lips.
"I need you to get me out of this."
"I can't," Yuuri said. "Celestino knows I've heard him. You should just come." Khoudia rolled her eyes and let Yuuri take her off the ice. They put on their blade guards and went to the locker room.
"What the hell did you two do?" Celestino asked as soon as they came inside. Yuuri and Khoudia looked at each other. "Don't clamor to answer me all at once."
"I… I don't understand," Yuuri said. "What happened?"
"At the Grand Prix banquet. What did you two do?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about," Yuuri said.
"Yeah, I'm drawing blanks," Khoudia said.
"One of you knows something and I'm going to get answers," Celestino said.
"I don't know how you're going to get answers when neither of us knows anything," Yuuri said. Celestino looked at Yuuri; Yuuri shrugged. "Can we go now?"
"Yuuri, leave me alone with Khoudia," Celestino said. Yuuri and Khoudia looked at each other. "Yuuri. Go." Yuuri patted Khoudia's shoulders, wished her luck, and returned to the ice. Olivia skated up to them as soon as they came back.
"Didn't expect to see you tonight," Olivia said. Yuuri shrugged. "Do you want to come over later?"
"Can't," Yuuri said. "I'm staying with Khoudia for a while." Olivia made a face. "I don't have an option. I have to go home after practice."
"What about your boyfriend? Does he know you're staying with her?" Yuuri shook their head. "Interesting."
"My boyfriend is being weird. I think he wants to break up with me. Which is fine, I suppose, but I wish he would just be up front with me about it."
"So what are you doing tomorrow? Maybe we can go on an adventure – or out to dinner. Whichever one you want." Yuuri shrugged.
"I have ballet."
"Then after ballet, duh," Olivia said. "What are you doing after ballet?" Yuuri shrugged.
"I should probably practice for Nationals," Yuuri said.
"Then after you practice," Olivia said.
"I don't know what I'm doing after practice," Yuuri said. "So maybe. I'll text you as soon as I have an idea on what I'm doing."
"Great!" Olivia said with a grin. "I'm thinking Italian. Are you okay with Italian?" Yuuri nodded. "What about drinks? Sì? No?"
"I'm not sure how I feel about drinks, but that's within the realm of possibility." Olivia touched Yuuri's shoulders. "Maybe we could… I don't know, maybe we could go to a free event at the park."
"I don't think there's any at this time of year," Olivia said. "But a meal and drinks is certainly a great plan. When do you want me to pick you up from here?"
"You want to come get me?"
"I don't mind it," Olivia said. "Just text me after you're done, and I'll come get you." Olivia skated off to practice and Yuuri was standing at the edge of the ice like a putz.
Ryuugazaki: The end of an era but not really because there's more.
