The Return of Fujimoto Ayaka

Emiri’s routine had evolved into something far more competitive. Ayaka watched with more concern than she wanted to admit. Her time away had proven costly.

Hoshino Emiri had learned to be playful on the ice. Her opening was more fun than technical, but the Latin‑dance‑inspired arm movements would be devoured by a crowd. She leapt and swung her arms as if she were dancing, every motion clean and polished.

She opened with a powerful triple lutz–triple toe, a combination she had already mastered before Ayaka’s injury, but now it looked sharper. The confidence was the same, but Ayaka wondered if Emiri even realized how much she had improved.

A double axel flowed into a layback spin, each transition seamless. Ayaka could not tell whether it was her own rising fear or Emiri’s growing skill that made everything look so flawless. This was not a competition, yet she felt the pressure tightening around her ribs.

Kanae watched her friend’s expression sink as the young challenger’s routine progressed. Ayaka had been struggling to finish her own program cleanly since returning to the ice. Kanae was not nearly as confident in her ability to lighten the mood as Ayaka always was.

She pulled out one of her magical juice boxes, though Ayaka was too focused to notice the magic, and waved it in front of her face. The trick was missed, but maybe the juice could lighten her mood.

“The little brat is improving,” Kanae admitted. “But she still has a long way to go to catch you.”

Ayaka took the juice and carefully pushed the straw through the foil before looking back at the young skater. It eased her a little, knowing Kanae would always have her back.

Unfortunately, the little brat then hit her triple loop with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Every movement was as graceful as any champion Ayaka had ever faced. After a beautiful step sequence, Emiri performed a flying sit spin and closed with a combination spin that Ayaka feared would replay in her mind during her own routine.

As much of a brat as she was, Ayaka had to admit Emiri was now officially on her radar. She turned away from the rink, leaned against the wall, and sipped her juice.

“If I don’t find my form soon, that brat is going to medal in my place.”

Kanae motioned toward the stands. Kaito had brought his friends to watch practice.

“You’re not going to let her outshine you with that audience, are you?” Kanae teased.

Ayaka waved at the three swimmers, her supposed support squad. She was unsure if Kaito had dragged them here or the other way around. She was grateful for the support of her new teammates either way.

“Well, let’s go find out.” Her turn always came after Emiri’s.

As if on cue, Reiko waved Ayaka onto the ice.

Reiko steadied Ayaka by clasping her shoulders, staring straight into her eyes.

“You’ve got this,” she said with confidence.

Ayaka could not help noticing the nervousness flickering behind that confidence. Reiko glanced toward the stands for a moment.

“Besides… you want to look good for him, right?” This time her voice sounded more hopeful than firm.

Ayaka rolled her neck, loosening the tension. “Reiko sensei, did you and Kanae rehearse this?”

Reiko let go of her and exhaled, the stiffness leaving her posture. Maybe she was the more nervous one here. She clapped her hands together, trying to reclaim her usual composure.

“Okay. Go get it.”

Despite Reiko’s motherly worry, Ayaka felt steadier the moment her blades touched the ice. All the teasing about Kaito had pushed Emiri’s routine, and her own shaky practices, out of her mind, even if she had not realized it herself.

Ayaka centered herself on the ice, holding her pose as she ran through her mental cues. It was the same routine she had used before her injury; she knew it like the back of her hand. Still, it did not hurt to keep it fresh in her mind.

Kaito watched from above as she stood alone in the center of the rink, every eye on her. Every detail exposed, every movement judged. He would crumble under that kind of pressure. To him, she was the bravest person he knew.

The music filled the rink, and Ayaka began to move. The grace and elegance of her opening steps pulled Kaito in even further. She was on an island, the spotlight inescapable. He could not tear his eyes away. She was poised and unshakable in what would have been his most vulnerable moment.

She leaped into the air with more power than his bursts from the starting blocks. The girls cheered from the side, and he joined in without thinking.

“What was that jump called?” Takeru asked, unable to look away.

“A triple axel,” Ren replied. “She’s the only one who does it in these group trainings.”

Takeru nodded. “That’s why she’s the Fujimoto Ayaka.”

“Yes, but I hear the other girls practice it in private,” Ren added, waving him off without taking his eyes off the ice.

Ayaka moved into her second jump: triple flip, triple toe. She made it look effortless. Kaito jumped out of his seat; he had watched her previous stutters. This was Japan’s top figure skater. She had finally appeared.

“Seriously,” Takeru said, not thinking it through, “how does she not have an Olympic medal?”

Both Ren and Kaito slapped the back of his head. He was the first to look away from Ayaka, glaring at them and wondering what he had done wrong this time.

As Ayaka spun across the ice, Kaito found himself wanting one of those music boxes, but with her spinning inside it. Even Takeru, rubbing the back of his head, was entranced again. This was a nearly flawless performance in Kaito’s eyes; he did not want to miss a second of his teammate’s return.

The triple loop went off without a hitch. All her jumps were complete. Reiko’s tense expression finally softened. Kanae was cheering like she was at a concert, and the boys had all risen to their feet. Ayaka was in her own world, taking in none of it.

She kicked high and sharp into her step sequence, showing more confidence than she had in years. The other skaters were eating it up. Emiri sulked at the side, but even she couldn’t look away.

As Ayaka lifted her skate high above her head in her layback spin, she allowed herself a glance outward. For a moment, Kaito thought their eyes met.

She finished her final combination spin and punched the air. She had finally returned to form. She was going to win gold; she could feel it.

Ayaka skated straight off the ice, leaving Reiko behind as she climbed into the stands. She stopped right in front of Kaito and stared at him. She was breathless from the skate; he was breathless from the sight of her.

“You owe me a date after I win gold at the All Japan.” Her eyes made it clear this was not a request.

Kaito nodded immediately. How could he refuse.

“Where would you like to go?” he asked.

Takeru and Ren slapped the back of his head at the same time.