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It had been a while, ever since Inori had nervously confessed to Hikaru while they were both 15. After all, they had spent so much time together, inspiring both one another, and even leading them to finding things about themselves. Inori’s gloved hand held Hikaru’s tightly, as they walked on the yet to be shoveled snow filled sidewalk. The bottoms of their snow boots leaving tracks on the snow, a soft crunch sounding quietly in the early morning. Hikaru grinned mischievously, and bent down for a moment, leaving Inori confused—until a snowball flew into her face, she quickly got the snow out, and then grinned.
They panted, they had been running around for a while now, throwing snowballs at each other until they had gotten into a snow filled field, where flowers were to bloom in the spring. They laid on their backs, catching their breaths. Then a chuckle, and then two chuckles in unison, the cold puffs of air coming out with each laugh. Back then, they didn’t have time to do this. At 13, they were already stressed. Championships and all of that. More so being rivals, it made seeing each other feel tensing. They both wanted to prove something, to be the best, to be great—even if they had started to like each other.
The two made snow angels, as slow snowflakes fell on them. The trees filled with snow, their skatebags discarded near them. They were supposed to go to practice in an hour, but they couldn’t keep track of time. This moment was special, it was as if time went slow. Everything felt so calming—and filled with tension. ‘We now are dating, so…’ Inori thought, a small blush coming to her cheeks. She hadn’t thought about it until now. It was so shocking, wanting to kiss the girl you’ve known since 11, known as a rival and a best friend until a week ago. Yet… Inori turned her head to Hikaru, glancing at her lips, but noticing her Chrysolite colored eyes, looking above into the pale white skates as snow flakes gently fell, she was entranced. She was focused on Hikaru’s lips now, how did they stay healthy during this cold weather? She couldn’t even see that Hikaru had her head turned towards her too.
“I-no-ri~” Hikaru said playfully, a grin on her lips, she turned completely to her side to face Inori, as she sat up slightly, her forearm on the ground to support her. With the other hand, she cupped Inori’s cheek. Inori looked at her, waiting, and nervous, a blush on her cheeks. Hikaru slowly leaned in. Everything paused. Inori could feel Hikaru’s lips on her, everything then felt electrical, her heart ached—in a good way. Inori finally relaxed into the kiss, sighing, eyes closed, as Hikaru slowly left the kiss. Their eyes opened again, before they both grinned, and hugged each other in the snow.
Something about the snow felt relaxing after this day, even as the snow dissolved in another month, whenever they passed the field, hand in hand, that memory passed through their minds. It was unexpected. When they were 13, they were so swept up in competition, rivalry, and the slight lingering friendship. Everything they have been through together, lead through this moment. From Inori and Hikaru bumping into each other in the woods, to Hikaru seeing Inori crying in the locker room because of some pest adults and then skating together, Hikaru expressing her desire to make it to the Olympics, inspiring Inori, to seeing Hikaru skate after her own prelim comp—it was too long to list.
。。。。。。。。。。
Hikaru always thought she was alone in this world, stuck in the first place chair stacked on top. Empty silence. Every time, someone would try to climb on top of it, almost making it, until falling. She was like a ruler, a crown that couldn’t be replaced, a ruler that wouldn’t have to fight for that crown. But when Inori came, the determined girl had climbed the stacked chairs quickly. They made eye contact. Those determined eyes, it reminded her of Jun Yodaka at one point. But when she saw Inori’s tearful eyes that day when she didn’t get a Q in the leaderboard, she realized, Inori wasn’t anything like Jun Yodaka. She was born out of that passion and determination. She wasn’t no Jun Yodaka, she was Inori. Inori Yuitsuka. That day forward, Inori got close to the top chair Hikaru was in. She remembered that determined glance she so loved deeply. It reminded her that she wasn’t alone, not at all. It also reminded her of everyone else around her. She was full of support from Rioh and his family, the skaters at Meikoh, Starfox, and Inori herself, even though they were competing against each other.
Then one day, Hikaru had come very close to falling off her first place chair. She should have felt anxious, but she had felt exhilarated. Even now, she is subtly fighting for her first place with Inori at 15. Yet instead of just being rivals and best friends, they were now rivals and a couple. It made them feel warm inside. Senior level was no joke for them, they worked hard. Senior Grand Prix was a challenge for them, they had competed against each other and other competitors that were nothing to joke about. Yet, their love for the sport and each other never wavers.
When they had first announced their relationship, the week was full of surprises. The couple had expected the people around them to be against it. But coach Tsukasa was so supportive—too supportive, full on bawling about how Inori had grown so much, hugging her so tightly, they already had thought of each other as family, they had been through so much together. Next was Inori’s parents and her older sister Mika. Inori’s parents were a bit surprised, they didn’t think Inori would date so young—well, she was 15, but this was too fast. Yet they were happy for her, they weren’t against it, and Mika sure as hell wasn’t against it. Actually, that whole day, Mika had pampered Hikaru, and giving advice to Inori on the side.
One person didn’t take it well in the beginning. Rioh. Rioh had liked Hikaru for the longest time, yet, after Hikaru and Inori showed their affection subtly—holding hands and staring at each other with love, Rioh finally got it, and accepted it. If Hikaru was happy, then so was he.
As Hikaru and Inori walked outside, hand in hand, they felt so warm, the spring skies shining against them. Hikaru spoke “I used to think skating was the best thing that happened to me…” Inori then spoke “mhm?” Hikaru finally continued with a rare warm grin, only shown to Inori.
“It is, but I think I found someone that rivals with it.”
—the end—