𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 ⬥︎ ᴛᴀᴅᴀꜱʜɪ ᴋɪᴋᴜᴄʜɪ x ᴏᴄ

chapter six

The two opponents projected on the large screen were no other than GENESIS and SHADOW. Yuko had defeated him which in turn lead to his photo being covered with 'Lose' in purple lettering while her photo was illuminate with light and 'win' in gold lettering. 

There were whispers amongst the crowd about the newcomer that had been sweeping away the usual top skaters without much challenge along with Tadashi who'd also been talked about amongst S. 

"Another win for me~" Yuko sang sweetly and nudged Tadashi with her elbow after she ran along side him. He smiled down at her and felt rather relieved that she didn't hold any ill intent towards him especially after everything that's happened. 

"Do you think we're doing this right?"

Tadashi turned to her and searched for any sense of reassurance that the two of them were actually doing what was best for Ainosuke. She'd been caught off-guard but placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort while placing her other hand on his cheek. 

"I can't tell you with complete confidence that we are but, we have to be doing something right since Ainosuke is finally giving us his attention after all these years. It's just like how it used to be and that's really all we can ask for."

"Maybe..." Tadashi mumbled in thought. 

The large screen displayed the race between the rookie 'SNOW' along with one of the founders called 'JOE'. It appeared the rookie had one somehow in the last minute as the crowd cheered aloud for the young boy. Though he didn't seem to being much attention to anything around him as he stared longingly down at his board that had broken from his race. 

Yuko and Tadashi soon turned their attention to Ainosuke on the stage in front of them. He danced enthusiastically around the stage while doing dramatic poses. 

"Congratulations Snow! You really do make sure to go beyond my expectations. Truly lovely!"

He halted his celebration dancing to pull a new card from the hat and held it between his fingers. "Now, what kind of skater will be chosen next?" He flipped the card towards the crowd and everyone gasped upon seeing the name enlarged on the screen. 

"It's Adam!" Someone called out from the crowd. 

"In order to fight against you, I have to make sure I win." He couldn't prevent the grin tugging at his lips until he pulled the next card for his opponent from the hat. Yuko had suspected that he'd pulled Tadashi's name and frantically pulled at his jacket beside him. 

"I think her might have pulled you, Tadashi." she muttered quietly as she nervously waited for the screen to enlarge the name. 

However, the name showed on the screen instead had been "Cherry". 

"Cherry Blossom," Tadashi announced aloud under his breath and he anticipated that Yuko's grip on his sleeve would loosen rather then tighten around him. "What's wrong?"

"Those are the high school boys. When he'd sneak out late at night."

Yuko closely analyzed Ainosuke's behavior and studied every minute of the race from the large screen. She hoped and wished that this could be what Ainosuke needed to begin his change back to his original self. The young boy who was kind and genuinely loved skating with all his heart.  

The boy who Yuko would cover for when he snuck out of the house in the middle of the night and would return with a wide smile on his face just before the break of dawn. Ainosuke had once been everything that Yuko idolized. 

Though, she really only had herself to blame for his change. She knew that all too well. 

However, maybe just maybe this reunion is what he needed to remind him of the past. 

 As the race progressed, Yuko's grip tightened on Tadashi's arm and her eyes never left the screen for a moment. She felt her body becoming light with hope since Ainosuke was far less aggressive with his skating then his previous races. In the back of her mind, doubt lingered and tugged at her instincts telling her that something wasn't right but she needed to believe. Or rather she wanted to. 

Tadashi's eyes focused on the race in the same manner and similar thoughts occupied his mind. He reminisced on the memories they'd all made with one another and the key role that skating had played in their childhoods. It had been what brought them together and strengthened their bonds. 

But, ultimately it's what tore them apart. 

'Mr. Ainosuke has changed.'

'Ainosuke changed.'

 Their thoughts were unknowingly in complete unison. 

'And it's my fault.'  The two of them send to themselves. 

At that single thought, Yuko's worst fear was becoming reality right before her eyes when Ainosuke gained speed ahead of Cherry Blossom. He got off his board and brought his board within his hands while running full speed towards the pink-haired skater. 

"No.." Yuko mumbled and covered her mouth in horror as her eyes widened with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. 

Adam mercilessly swung his board at his opponent's face, one of his closest friends during youth with a proud, shit-eating grin clear on his features. 

Yuko's worst fear was that Ainosuke couldn't and didn't want to be changed from this persona he had created of himself in his mind. That the past she so desperately clung to was permanently gone and after witnessing such a race, Yuko was convinced that it just may be true.