(Author's Note: There's 2 big pics that go along with the end of this chapter so please hop over to AO3 if you'd like to see them~)
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED FOURTY NINE
Fans and event personnel were milling around in the arena's main public hall as the ice was prepared for the highly-anticipated Opening Ceremonies. A massive red velvet carpet was rolled out, taking over a full quarter of the rink on one short end. On top of it, pieces of a multi-tiered stage were being arranged; the largest out in front, shaped in a half-circle, taking over a full half of the carpeted area. Behind it was assembled a higher level, smaller, with a few stairs on either side. Three mid-sized chū-daiko were set up in a circle on the raised stage, then promptly hidden behind a large curtain that helped divide the front-stage area from the back.
Local group-skaters were starting to assemble on rink-side, each of them carrying an array of colored ribbon-batons in their hands. They glanced from the stage set-up to the arena beyond, looking on fans and spectators as everyone waited in hushed anticipation for the show to come.
Under the stands, in the regular prep area, the Men's Event athletes were getting ready as well. Three of them were dressing for the Opening Ceremonies, as well as three from the earlier Ladies program, and two sets each of Pairs and Ice Dance. There seemed to be two distinct groups that were getting more attention than usual though; one being the obvious newcomer to the JSF, the other being a returning athlete.
Viktor and Yuri had switched their Olympic track-suits for a simpler pair of black slacks and button-downs, though like at the Grand Prix Exhibition, Viktor was in all black, whereas Yuri's shirt was white. Similar to Duetto, the shirts were open by a few buttons down the front. Once skates were on and the pair rose to standing, there was a resounding echo-chamber of applause, and a path was cut to let them through to start heading to rink-side. Viktor was the only one who could see past the tops of peoples' heads though to see the second group farther down the hall. He gave a skeptical look as he beheld that there were almost as many people surrounding Asahi as had been around himself and Yuri.
Who is that guy? If he's so popular, why don't I remember much of anything about him? He can't have been that good a skater if he never made it to the Final… Has he been to Worlds before? Did he not score high enough to make it to the Free Program? Ahh this is frustrating.
"Viktor-san-" A voice came, grabbing his and Yuri's attention. Then they turned, they spotted one of the event coordinators approaching through the group, offering an earpiece with its small receiver. The man tried to explain what to do with them, but his English was appalling, and he gave a desperate look to Yuri for help, speaking the information in Japanese before bowing his head apologetically towards them both.
"Oh, okay..." Yuri started, pointing at the items, "Seems they're foregoing microphones. They want you to wear this for when you get your time to talk. He says that it'll be off during the show, but they'll turn it on for you when the President calls out to have you speak."
"Okay~" The Russian answered happily, placing the earpiece over the left side, but then tugging on the collar of his shirt, "Here, help me get this thing through so I don't have cables flapping around when we're out there. Would be a bit embarrassing if I go out there and get caught on someone."
Nodding, Yuri stepped behind his partner, feeling the small black box-clip going down the back of the silver legend's shirt, tugging a bit of it out from where it had been tucked in, and found the device to clip it and put everything back in place. When he was done, he stepped to the side again, watching his spouse trying to settle the upper piece to his ear, "All set?"
"I think so. This is getting really exciting~!"
Both of their attentions were grabbed then as the second group was starting to clap like their own had. Asahi was sporting the same white-shirt-black-pants ensemble that Yuri wore, and he was bowing his head politely to the crowd as he tried to back out from it.
Viktor looked from him down towards his partner, reaching up to adjust his earpiece one more time, "Leave it be."
Yuri glanced back, but then down, nodding sullenly, "Wakatta, wakatteru yo..." (I know, I know.)
"Yuuuuri-kuuuuuun!" Minami's voice rang out, shattering the awkward aura like brittle glass as he came rushing up quickly. He was heaving for breath as he finally arrived, "I thought I was going to miss you before you guys went out! My shuttle got here so late!"
"What happened?"
The teen got sheepish, and his ears and cheeks went equally pink, "I got so excited about tonight that I left all my stuff in the hotel room, so we had to go back up to get it, and then we got stuck in all the traffic from people who're just arriving for the OCs and Men's. We had a hard time pulling into the parking lot!"
"Well, you're here now so that's good!" Yuri nodded, "Oh, come back with me a second. I got something for you."
Minami's light-brown eyes grew to twice their natural size at the sound of it, and he followed like the dutiful fanboy he was as Yuri went back towards the gear he and Viktor had stored. Viktor waited where he was, since it was nearby.
As Yuri went rummaging into his carry bag, Minami was bouncing with excitement, "I'm not 100% sure, but I had this feeling that you..." He started, finding the gift—wrapped package, "...Might like this."
"Whoooaaaaa what is it!?" The teen asked, accepting the present with both hands, "Can I open it now!?"
"Of course!"
"Eeeeeeeeeee!" Minami squeak-screeched, ripping into the paper like a ravenous animal. When the contents were revealed, he saw a yellow and black lanyard, as well as a black robe with yellow lining, "Ohmygodisthis-"
"I hope I'm right about you being a Hufflepuff." Yuri smiled nervously, "It was either that or Gryffindor, but my gut said Hufflepuff."
"I'm a Hufflepuff!" Viktor called excitedly from the side, waving to get attention.
Yuri laughed and waved back to placate his husband, but then turned back to the younger skater, "Do you like it?"
Minami's eyes grew even more, but then tears started rising in them, and soon the teen was a mess of waterworks as he looked from the cloak and lanyard to the idol who'd given it to him, "I am a Hufflepuff! Thisisthebestdayofmylife!" He quaked, throwing the robe over his shoulders quickly and the lanyard over his head, clipping it to his event badge before pulling the original lanyard away. He twirled around happily to let the robe's cape-like length flare out around him, then lifted those tear-filled eyes back up to Yuri, "Thank yooouuuuu!"
"Glad you like them."
The young skater could hardly contain himself and lunged forward, throwing his arms over Yuri's shoulders and clamping down tightly, "This is so great! You shouldn't have, but I'm super-glad you did!"
Yuri smiled and returned the hug, "I should thank you, too, Minami-kun."
"Eh? Why…?" Those big brown doe-eyes blinked in confusion as he pulled back to look up, "What'd I do?"
"Back when we were at Regionals, and I got all weird about you wearing a replica of my Lohengrin costume. I didn't realize it then, but when you told me, 'You don't have a dark past. Don't make fun of me for looking up to you,' I should've appreciated you more for it." He explained, "Because I did the same thing with Viktor...looking up to him and replicating his programs to try and be as good as him. I guess I didn't think I was good enough to be replicated by anyone else...but you did anyway. So...thank you."
Minami was a puddle of happy tears. He just stood there in front of his idol, hardly able to process the words. Yuri pat the teen's shoulder to try and reassure him.
Viktor huffed a laugh to himself as he watched, You've grown up so much since that Regionals event, Yuri. I'm sure Minami will skate much better now, even if he's superstitious about going fourth, he thought, leaning back against a corner of the wall that lead to rink-side, and casually crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes were grabbed briefly as Asahi tried to slip past, and for the briefest of seconds, their eyes met, but neither said a word to the other, and Asahi managed to get through without issue. Slate eyes followed the man as he moved on, noticing at the same time that the lights were starting to dim in the arena. He turned back towards his husband, "It's just about time, Yuri. We should go."
"Hai."
"Ganba, Yuri-kun!" Minami called out, waving with both arms as the pair started moving off, "I can't wait to see the full show!"
.
The murmur in the audience put a certain vibrating energy in the air. The stage area was dark, occasionally hovered-over by the multi-colored spotlights that slowly meandered across the rink. When the lights started to converge on center though, all 12 of them creating a ring around the JSF logo within the ice, the audience started cheering and clapping excitedly.
['Error' - GARNiDELiA (Beatless OP)]
The scratch-like sound of a techno rhythm started playing overhead, and the lights fanned away from the ring, changing colors as they started wandering around over the crowd, drifting about in a choreographed path, colors changing with the lyrics. Everything at rink-side and beyond was pitch black.
Kowarete shimatta mono wo miru you ni
(As if looking at something broken)
"Okashina koto da to" daremo ga iu
(Everyone says, "It's so weird.")
Soredemo shinjitai sono te wo tsukamitai
(But I still want to believe. I still want to take your hand.)
The stage area suddenly burst to life, five white lights shining down from the rafters as a group of dancers slowly rose to standing. Their glittering black-trimmed silver outfits shimmered under the illumination.
An Error, code Error, code Error, code Error...
An Error, code Error, code Error...No Error!
The music took on an added layer of the beat, and the dancers lifted their heads, then their left arms, extending their hands out towards the audience.
An Error, code Error, code Error, code Error…
Their right arms came up to match the left, rising slowly with hands reaching out.
An Error, code Error, code Error...No Error!
The music's tempo grew more intense, hitting a strong beat before falling quiet for a moment. The dancer's raised both arms up above their heads, and burst into an energetic group routine as the lyrics returned.
Bokura no mirai ga seikai to iu katachi ni naranakutemo
(Even if our future doesn't take the "proper" form,)
Ima furetai to omou kimochi dake de ii
(All we need right now are the feelings we wish to feel.)
From both sides of the stage, the first set of six background support dancers started filtering out onto the carpeted area in front of the stage. Their costumes shone like the main group, but they were adorned in mostly black with silver trims, the inverted version of the five on stage.
Dareka ga egaita puroguramu doori ni kimerarenai ne
(We can't make decisions based on a program someone else wrote!)
Imi nara tsunagu te no naka
(Our meaning is here, in these joined hands.)
Another group of six joined the first set on the carpet, weaving in between the performers as the music faded down and their movements halted along with it, their bodies appearing to 'shut down' like robots. The five on stage converged together, back to back in a small circle with the 'lead' in front, the only person in the rink allowed to move as she 'sang' along with the hums of the lull.
As the music jumped in again, more subdued than the previous stanza, the dance began again, all twelve of the actors in front moving together as the five on the stage behind them moved in time as well with different moves, spreading out across their entire space. The spotlights above them all converged and dimmed, coming back to life in a kaleidoscope of color, sliding out from the rink and over the audience.
Sakkaku darake no kono yo no naka de
(In a world that's filled with illusions,)
Tadashii koto nado dare ga kimeta no?
(Who on Earth decided what's right and wrong?)
Me no mae no shinjitsu sae tsukurimono kamo ne
(Even the truth before our eyes might be a fake.)
Kekkyoku dare ni mo wakari wa shinai
(In the end, no one really knows.)
The dancers in front crouched down and held in place, the lights on them fading to black, coming on again directly onto the stage as the main group back back together again in a tighter formation. The 'singer' held still in the middle as the other four circled around her.
Sore nara shinjitai sono te wa atatakai
(If that's the case, I want to believe. Your hand is just so warm.)
The lights all changed to blue suddenly, and the five performers lined up across the stage, moving slowly at first, building up as the tempo of the chorus grew.
An Error, code Error, code Error, code Error...
An Error, code Error, code Error...No Error!
Green lights added to the blue, and smaller disco-ball-like lights flitted across the arena. The beat of the music changed, and the first six of the front-half background performers started rising up, 'coming online' like the androids they represented.
An Error, code Error, code Error, code Error…
The last six actors rose again like the first, each of them either clapping or stomping a foot with the beat.
An Error, code Error, code Error...No Error!
The pace rose to critical mass, and the entire group dipped down to one knee, rising slowly again with right arms extended, snapping their heads on the last beat and grasping their hands into fists. They all shot forward with renewed energy as the lyrics returned.
Kimi to no kotae ga machigai to iu katachi ni naru to shitara
(If the answer I find with you takes the form of a mistake,)
Kono sekai o isso uragitte shimaeba ii
(Then we should just turn our backs on this world.)
Dareka ga egaita puroguramu doori ni kimerarenai ne
(We can't make decisions based on a program someone else wrote!)
Imi nara, tsunagu te no naka
(Our meaning is here, in these joined hands.)
The lyricless climax of the song came into play, and both dancing groups moved in unison, jumping up together on the last beat. The five on stage then started coming down to the carpet, weaving seamlessly into the mass as it, in turn, backed up to make room. Lights moved forward to the ice, lighting a path for the next group of performers to enter the stage; ribbon-dancers on skates, long tails of their multicolored streamers fluttering behind them like smoke in the wind. They formed two long lines on opposite sides of the rink, then merged in and out of each other fluidly, ribbons mesmerizing in their flow, with the dancers on the carpet and stage moving evenly behind them.
As the lyrics returned, the bladed group spun low and came to a halt, lights moving quickly back to the main five, who were now at the very front of the circular-edge of the red carpet, spread out across its whole circumference. The 'singer' took center stage, more lights on her as the four who accompanied her stood still, looking out into the dark. The larger part of the stage fell to black, the 12 background dancers completely invisible where they stayed low.
Nani wo ki ni shite nani ga kowakute
(What are we so worried about… what are we so afraid of…)
Jibun no koto made gomakashite ikiteru no?
(That we end up living a lie?)
Half of the ribbon-skaters rose up again, streamers flowing magically as they moved through their crouched cohorts, music increasing its tempo above them all.
Donna fuu ni iraretatte iin datte
(You can choose to be anything you please,)
Tada daiji na mono mamoritai dake datte
(As long as you protect the things most important to you.)
The remaining skaters rose up then as well, moving their ribbons in slow circles above their heads.
Wasurenaide what is precious to you!
(So don't forget what is precious to you!)
All ribbon-batons were tossed up into the air on the last note, spiraling down to be caught on the beat. Lights burst to life in all directions, flooding the stage in a bright glow as all the background dancers rose up to join in, and movement overtook the ice for the finale.
Bokura no mirai ga seikai to iu katachi ni naranakutemo
(Even if our future doesn't take the "proper" form,)
Ima furetai to omou kimochi dake de ii
(All we need right now are the feelings we wish to feel.)
Dareka ga egaita puroguramu doori ni kimerarenai ne
(We can't make decisions based on a program someone else wrote!)
Imi nara tsunagu te no naka
(Our meaning is here, in these joined hands.)
Energy flowed from the ice, and the spotlights danced around from the rink to the audience and back again. The skaters slowly started making their way to the rink walls as the music started to slow down, the background dancers on the stage doing the same, until it was only the five first performers left, and all the light faded down. The song tapered out to silence, and the ice went dark, leaving only a subtle blue glow for the actors to find their way by.
The audience burst into applause, cheering and clapping before realizing the show wasn't over yet. A single spotlight faded onto the stage, illuminating a woman in a pale white and blue Romanesque silken robe, dark brown wavy hair tumbling down over her shoulders, the hum of a quiet orchestra rising around her. As she brought one hand up to rest gently over her heart, she lifted her head, looking down onto the ice where a certain darkly-clad silver-haired Russian was coming out on his own, one light on him as well. The audience did everything it could not to interrupt, but many couldn't help but cheer out excitedly when they saw him.
['The Voice' - Celtic Woman]
I hear your voice on the wind
And I here you call out my name
Viktor slid about the rink gracefully, his frame moving like liquid on blades.
"Listen my child, " you say to me,
"I am the voice of your history.
He swiveled around the rink wall, blades leaving fine scratches in the ice in his wake. He then made his way towards the crest of the circle of carpet, and tip-toed onto it before turning around.
Be not afraid, come follow me.
Answer my call and I'll set you free…!"
The Russian swept his arms forward as he crouched, bending his head down as the ice was suddenly flooded with skaters, flanking him on both sides. They quickly took their positions, using the full field of ice to spread out, setting down a toe-pick to hold in place.
Viktor stepped back onto the ice as the lyrics picked up again, weaving casually through the group as they began to move around him. The spotlight followed him as he glided between different skaters, setting a hand on a shoulder or against someone's lower back as the lyrics were sung, as though each line were a tale he told to each person he encountered.
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
The silver Russian moved to the front of the group, throwing himself into a flying sit spin while the other skaters wove their two lines through each other behind him.
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
He rose up for the camel spin variant, hands clasped behind his back for a few rotations, then straightening out to jump and switch feet for another camel spin on the other leg. The rest of the group moved out into two concentric circles, the outer ring moving clockwise to the inner's reverse rotation. When Viktor hopped, the rings broke apart into two big U-shaped lines, reversing their direction as they moved down to place the Russian in the middle of them all as he continued the spin.
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
The camel spin morphed into a full Biellmann before Viktor let the blade go for the last scratch spin, becoming a blur on the ice as the other skaters flew around him on all sides.
Ne'er do I sleep throughout all the cold winter long
When the silver legend stopped himself and veered off, the two rings broke up again, each skater twisting off and away from him, drawing the eyes of the crowd as Viktor moved back towards the carpet.
I am the force that in springtime will grow
Half in the dark, Viktor took hold of a small instrument, setting it up against his shoulder and neck before coming back into the light of the performance. The group made way for him again, and the crowd rose up in excited screams as the strokes of a violin played overhead, and Viktor strummed a bow across the strings.
The skaters all around him broke off into pairs, each duo skirting around in a small circle where they stood. The Russian slipped through and around them, sliding along on one blade as he played on.
The lights suddenly dimmed on the ice, with spotlights shining down on the last raised stage at the back, the curtains that hid it from view moving away. Behind them, three drummers started pounding away at the chū-daiko drums that were tilted towards them. The audience clapped excitedly to see the kumi-daiko performers, lights staying dark for the moment on the rest of the rink, leaving only the sound of the drums and the woman's voice singing together.
I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future
Bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal
Lights shone down on the rest if the ice again, and the skaters all rose back up to standing, immediately breaking off to weave spirals through each other. The drums pounded on with the inclusion of the full unseen orchestra. By then, Viktor had given up the violin, and had returned to his place in the front-center part of the group, twisting off to single out a nearby Ladies skater for a mini-duet for a line, then moved off to find another.
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice…
He moved across the aisle to the second group, picking up where he left off by 'stealing' the female half of a pair of Ice Dancers for a moment, then sliding off again as the lyrics went on.
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
Eventually, the silver legend found the only partner he was willing to skate with for more than one sentence, and pulled Yuri from the group to skate in the center spotlight. The crowd cheered happily at that, and watched as the duo seemed to move like ballroom dancers. Unlike their impromptu Waltz in Detroit though, Viktor lead this dance, and Yuri rested his free hand on his husband's shoulder.
I am the voice…
I am the voice…
I am the voice…
The last line of the song, and the Russian legend lifted his partner where he'd had his free arm around the man's side and lower back, pulling him up against his frame for a final spin with both of those golden blades up off the ice.
I am the voice…
As the line faded out, Viktor let his spouse down again, and with the final beat, Yuri spun out away from him, and they both raised up their arms as they stood side by side, facing the end of the rink.
The audience was ecstatic, clapping even more eagerly than they had before. Before they had a chance to think it was over though, the lights shut down again, plunging the arena into complete blackness. Spotlights came back on with the call of a woman's voice, shining at the stage area to illuminate the same group of 5 as had been there before, but in new outfits, wearing what looked like a monochrome set of street clothes; jeans, t-shirts, boots, cute jackets, and messy wind-swept hair. The sound of guitars and a synthesizer resonated throughout the arena.
['Who We Are' - FAKY]
As the 'lead singer' performed in center at the front of the stage, her four cohorts performed behind her, moving in synch with one another as perfect mirror images on either side.
Suka retakute enjite itakedo
(I pretended to be someone else to be accepted)
Doka ka chigautte zutto kizuite ita
(But now I know that's not who I am)
Cuz I…
The lead stepped off the front lip of the stage, one boot at a time setting down on the vast red carpet, spotlights following her as she sang, hands moving about as she was making her next heated declarations. The dancers behind her moved closer to the edge, but stayed on the raised platform as they continued their performance.
Jissai I'm not that kind of girl
(Actually, I'm not that kind of girl)
Zettai I'm not that kind of girl
(Absolutely, I'm not that kind of girl)
Ohh…
Kotae denai mama I couldn't sleep
(Not knowing the answer, I couldn't sleep)
Wakatte tte ienai yo ne
(I didn't know how to ask for help)
The singer had made it to the front of the carpeted area, and parted her feet in a stance, raising her right hand up as she dipped down on one knee.
Hitorikiri de down, down, down...
(I found myself going down, down, down…)
But mou The End
(But that's all ending)
So I'll let you know now
She quickly stood back up again and spun around 180 before landing, and lights burst back to life on the ice, revealing the skaters that had rearranged themselves on the rink walls. Two lines of them started creeping forward, gesturing at the line opposite them as they slid gradually closer and closer to one another.
Nobody gon' rip
Nobody gon' tear
Nobody gon' break my heart
Two pairs of skaters stepped into the fore, the Pairs duo and the Ice Dancers with them, spotlights shining down to focus on them apart from the Singles staying on the fringes. Both women were soon up in the air, held up by their male partners in a complex array of aerial moves.
Honto no Feelings
(My feelings)
Honto no Wishes
(My wishes)
Kukusanakute ii
(I won't hide them anymore)
Blades set back down to the ice, and the duos stepped into a series of pair spins.
We are, we are (who we are)
We are, we are (who we are)
Nobody gon' change itsudatte
(Nobody ever gon' change)
Who we are, who we are
Darkness fell over the ice again, and spotlights focused back onto the singer and her entourage closer to the stage. The four surrounded her, staying close initially, but then breaking off as she stepped forward a few paces away from them.
I love what I look like
Mitomete ii yo ne
(And I know it's okay to admit that)
She started pacing the edge of the stage, gesturing out at the audience as the dancers performed together behind her, staying in center.
Honki de sukinara
(If you truly love yourself)
Osaenakute ii (I already told you)
(You don't need to hide it away, I already told you)
Anyway...
Don't care what you say about me
Don't care what you say about me, no
Twisting on the heel of one boot, the singer changed directions on the stage's edge, making her way back along the lip to 'speak her mind' at the audience on the other side of the arena.
Cause if I let what you think take over me
Then I wouldn't be, I wouldn't be me
Watashirashikunai nara
(If I'm not myself)
Dare ga watashi wo ikiru no?
(Who's going to be me?)
The leader hopped back to the middle from where she'd ended up on the other side of the stage, and lights came back on over the ice, this time featuring the entire group. The Pair and Ice Dancer couples were in the middle, but four of the Singles skaters had paired off as well, skating together in a behind and to the sides of them. Yuri and Viktor stayed together, and they were mirrored by the two Ladies Singles skaters on the opposite side. Along the front curve of their circle, the remaining Singles Olympic hopefuls were skating on their own, rotating in swift sit-spins and rising up through an arranged combination spin.
Nobody gon' rip
Nobody gon' tear
Nobody gon' break my heart
Honto no Feelings
(My feelings)
Honto no Wishes
(My wishes)
Kukusanakute ii
(I won't hide them anymore)
The couples in the center merged together to perform a combined double-Death Spiral. The Singles in front stopped their spins in place, but started skating backward and around the spiral, and switched places with the coupled Men's and Ladies' pairs.
We are, we are (who we are)
We are, we are (who we are)
Nobody gon' change Itsudatte
(Nobody ever gon' change)
Who we are, who we are
The Death Spiral pulled in and each couple split off again, weaving around the different groups of skaters that had spread out on all sides. The Singles skaters were synchronizing their moves together again, stepping through a string of twizzles as they all rotated clockwise around the peripheries, dipping and thrusting with each line.
Nobody gon' rip
Nobody gon' tear
Nobody gon' break my heart
The whole group synched up, skating one big step sequence together like a murmuration of starlings.
Honto no Feelings
(My feelings)
Honto no Wishes
(My wishes)
Kukusanakute ii
(I won't hide them anymore)
We are, we are (who we are)
We are, we are (who we are)
Nobody gon' change itsudatte
(Nobody ever gon' change)
Who we are, who we are
The lights died down again, but instead of completely shutting out the ice, spotlights came down instead onto each of the different groups of skaters while focus returned to the stage area. The main five spread out across the wide carpet, four dancing in time with the skaters while the lead stayed stationary in front as she sang on.
If you love yourself
And you don't care what they say
Shinjiteminai, baby, don't care what they say
(Believe in yourself, baby, don't care what they say)
All five came back together again, and the background dancers lifted the singer up over their shoulders.
Cause it doesn't matter anyway, hey
They tossed her up like a cheerleading throw, catching her carefully as the chorus began anew and the skaters took over the focus again, repeating the moves they'd done before.
Nobody gon' rip
Nobody gon' tear
Nobody gon' break my heart
Honto no Feelings
(My feelings)
Honto no Wishes
(My wishes)
Kukusanakute ii
(I won't hide them anymore)
We are, we are (who we are)
We are, we are (who we are)
Nobody gon' change itsudatte
(Nobody ever gon' change)
Who we are, who we are
The music slowly faded down, and the bladed dancers made their way closer to the carpet, half of the group on each side as they slid towards where the red velvet met the rink-wall. The dancers on the stage backed up until they were right up against the curtains that hid the drummers' raised stage. Everyone lowered their heads, and the lights dimmed until it was black with the finale of the song.
The audience went wild with cheering, clapping and stomping along with the whistles and screams. A dull glow rose off the ice as lights gradually came back on again, but only barely enough to see. A single spotlight then shot on to one side of the rink, shining down onto the very woman who had offered Viktor his place in the JSF; President Keiko Hashimoto. The cacophony of cheering died down a little to a more-polite clapping, and the stately woman stepped out onto the red carpet, until she made it to the front of the curve.
[Thank you, everyone, for your excitement and energy as we kick off the first day of competition at the All Japan Championships!] She called out in Japanese, earning another round of applause, [Please lend all of your well-wishes to the athletes whom we have already begun to choose for Japan's Olympic Figure Skating Team for this season's Winter Games!]
Six spotlights came down onto the ice, but each was empty for the moment. A pair of shadows started skating forward though, stepping into the light of the first pillar.
[Pair Skaters Myu Sakamoto and Kenichi Fujiyama!]
The next pair of shadows moved forward, entering the light opposite the first.
[Ice Dancers Kiara Tabara and Daisuke Watanabe!]
The next two spread out to the far sides, entering their different pillars of light in front of the two couples that preceded them.
[Ladies Singles Ariyana Nagai, and Hiroki Kobayashi!]
The final two lights were quickly entered into by the last pair of known Olympic competitors.
[And finally, Men's Singles Yuri Nikiforov, and Viktor Nikiforov!]
Applause exploded, and each of the skaters on the ice raised their hands to wave, or bow, politely to the unseen fans in the dark beyond the rink wall.
[There's still one last spot on the Singles set that has yet to be chosen! Please wish the rest of the group luck, as they are our preliminary front-runners!]
The last gaggle of skaters stepped into a light that came on in the middle, Asahi among them, and they too nodded their appreciation to the fans. A few moments later, as the skaters all started moving off again, the spotlights converged on President Hashimoto prepared the next announcement.
[The news has spread like wildfire since the announcement, but to those for whom this is unknown...please let me formally welcome the newest member of the Japanese Skating Federation...Viktor Nikiforov!] She called out, clapping her hands as she stepped back to make room for the Russian. He bowed his head as he slid closer, waving into the dark as blades moved from ice to velvet.
He could suddenly hear his happy chuckles echoing off the arena walls, and he realized his mic was live, which surprised him into taking an uneasy stance, "Whoops...mic is hot all of a sudden." He laughed, then half-bowed again, "Arigatou, mina-san." (Thank you, everyone.) He turned around and bowed to the woman who'd announced him, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Madame President." Finally, he turned back towards the open rink before him, and stepped off the carpet to glide forward casually on one blade, light following him as he moved, "I apologize for my lack of Japanese right now...I promise, I'll be fluent in time." He explained, pausing in the center of the dark frost, and pivoted on one blade, the other going heel-down with the back pick digging into the ice for balance. He waited a moment for the applause and cheering to fade down before he suddenly took on a slightly more serious tone, and he looked down a little, "It's come to my attention that I'm actually supposed to be retired right now. I guess I didn't get the memo in time...because I'm so full of energy now and ready to skate my heart out for Japan." That earned a new swell in excitement, and Viktor had to wave his hands down to quiet them again, "I know, right?" He laughed, turning in place to face the group behind himself again, "And while my eternal gratitude goes out to the Japanese Skating Federation for this incredible offer and opportunity...I must also thank someone who helped me get here. Without him, I'd be in St. Petersburg now, sitting at home on my second year of retirement. Yuri..." He reached his hand out and waited, spotting the shadow of his spouse coming closer through the dark, coming into focus as he stepped into the light and new energy clapped out at them from the audience.
Yuri reached forward and took the offered hand, letting his partner pull him closer and share the light shining down on them both. Without a mic of his own though, he had no easy way of speaking, so he just waved politely and held fast.
"When I came to Japan in April almost 2 years ago, I did so because I wanted to coach this lovable guy." Viktor explained, pulling his partner's head closer to nuzzle the side of it briefly with a cheek, "He'd skated my 'Aria' so beautifully, and I wanted to see him be able to show that beauty to the whole world. He's done pretty well since then, ne?"
Yuri's face went red, but the audience wouldn't let him off easy, cheering madly for him. A few chants of Viktuuri could be heard under the murmur.
"Grand Prix Final Silver in Barcelona, Gold at Japanese Nationals, then Four Continents...and even the World Figure Skating Championships! He owes me four more of those though, so he's not done yet."
The crowd laughed, and Yuri blushed even more as he stood there nervously with Viktor sliding around him in a circle.
"Then we have this season so far...Gold at both Skate Canada and Cup of China...and even the Grand Prix Final in his own former home-rink city of Detroit!" Viktor went on, cheers echoing from all sides as he slid up behind his spouse, settling one arm over the man's shoulders, "It's been my privilege and pleasure to be Yuri Katsuki's coach...and even to be a little bit more to my beloved Yuri Nikiforov."
Whistles responded to that, and more chants of Viktuuri rose up again.
The Russian came around to face his partner, sliding his hand from one shoulder to the side of that pale neck, "And it's been exciting to skate against him as a fellow competitor. I haven't had so much fun on the ice in years. Yuri..." His voice lowered a bit, and he got 'that' look in his eyes, "There isn't a word strong enough for me to accurately express my gratitude to you for all that you've done to breathe new life into a sport I already loved...and because of you, I've been granted a literal resurrection to a career that had nearly been cut short by forces beyond my control. But..." He said, seeing the light reflecting off his husband's eyes as Yuri started to realize the parallel to the speech that had been given at their wedding party nearly a year before, "...I suppose 'thank you for everything' will have to suffice."
Yuri could feel his eyes getting misty again, but he managed to hold the tears back for the moment, nodding and smiling as he said 'of course' under the roar of the applause.
"Now," Viktor started up again, "In March, right before the next World Championships, on the 16th to be specific...it'll be the one-year anniversary of yet another special event in our lives. Apparently I'm in charge of the festivities." He pushed forward on a toe-pick, and moved to turn his spouse around, going back towards the edge of the red carpet in a slow forward glide, "I remember hearing a story once about a hill in the warmth of nice weather, lights floating into the sky, a few dogs running around...and a tree with leaves the color of fire...red, orange, yellow...like an autumn maple in its splendor. There's only one problem..."
Yuri gaped at his partner, nearly tripping over himself as he wondered what those last words were about.
"This whole thing we have now kind of came about by accident, if you recall." Viktor explained, reaching forward to take his spouse's right hand, lifting it up and clasping it with his own right hand, "These rings we exchanged in Barcelona last year...you said it was as a thank you. It all started so innocently..." He mused, recalling that night fondly, "The two of us at the Sagrada Familia, the Christmas choir singing softly...and your flushed face as you tried to explain why you'd chosen a gold ring, of all the things. Do you remember what I said back then?"
"Of course I do..." Yuri answered easily, though his voice was only heard by those standing close by.
"Skate the way you can honestly say you liked the best." Viktor said for him, pulling the man's hand closer to himself, "I told you I wanted to kiss your Gold medal when you won it...but it ended up being this Gold ring instead." He pressed his lips to kiss the ring on that finger, "We showed these matching rings to our friends, and one of yours actually mistook us for being married already, excitedly telling everyone who would listen that his friend had gotten hitched. It wasn't quite true though... This situation we find ourselves in now, it all kind of came about by accident. A simple misunderstanding took us from friends to...a little something more. But we'd been getting that way over the months as it was...maybe this was just the nudge we needed to be the way we both knew we wanted to be all along." Viktor went on, smiling and letting it all sink in a bit before continuing again, "But I never actually said the words. Not properly anyway."
Yuri looked on in confusion, but his heart was pounding in his chest...he had a feeling about what was going to happen.
"It's my duty to make our one year anniversary something special. You've already given me the blueprints for how to make your dream of our wedding a reality..." The Russian said softly, rubbing his thumb over the gold he still held onto, "So let me say...ask...this one thing. Something I should've said in the first place."
Hazel eyes watched in shock as the silver legend took half a step back on the red velvet, and lowered down to one knee before him, reaching both hands forward to take both of his own into his gentle grasp.
"Yuri...my truest and dearest love... Will you marry me? ...Again?"
The audience was roaring with the echo of those words, and the tears that Yuri was trying so hard to hold back suddenly got the better of him and started trailing down his pink-hued cheeks. He could hardly form coherent thought, let alone speak them, so he just sputtered a laugh through his tears and nodded enthusiastically, starting to lean down to throw his arms over his husband's shoulders. Viktor quickly rose up to meet him, hugging his soul mate close, lifting him off the ground and spinning him one around before setting him down again.
Asahi watched the whole thing quietly from the background, seeing the joy on his old friend's face as Viktor effectively declared for all the world to hear that Yuri was his. A pain clenched in his throat, and Asahi raised one hand up to press his fingers against it, trying to make it go away before anyone saw him. He lowered his head and backed off into the pitch dark beyond that spotlight shining down on the couple in front.