Ojiro stirred awake and as soon as he opens his eyes, a familiar headache welcomes him. He pulls himself up from the bed, massaging his forehead.

He can hear voices beside him and one squeaks "He's awake!" which he can tell it was Sakiko's. She approaches him, tapping him in the shoulder. "Korishima-senshu, are you alright? How are you feeling now?"

He responds to her with a grunt.

"Good." The voice comes from Kaede as if she understands the meaning of the sound. "You need to get yourself together Ojiro. The NSF officials wants to see you."

He realizes he was still under her joint management and in times like this, no one can be able to help him but his team.

Ojiro remembered it now. It was the practice session for the free skating event and he got on ice, matching everyone's energy in the arena.

Wanting to give them an experience, he decided to entertain his fans who flew all the way from different countries just to give him their to support.

After practicing his free skating, he skated near the bleachers, and waved at them looking up to the banners they created for him.

His rival, Austin brown has the home court advantage. His fans who were mostly US based dominated the other side of the arena so the opposite sides of fans bantered up to each other in the bleachers while he and Austin shows off their best jumps.

Having to be able to feel the pressure of the competition is such a thrilling experience for Ojiro but then, while he is gliding away, going back to practicing his routine while someone's music is on, his vision suddenly darkens. He felt like his strength, which has been not that great since the start of the day, was sucked away, making his legs wobble.

He passed out during the live free skating practice session.

"Hmmm, good you're awake. You got a lot of explaining to do boy." Minoru-san said, standing with arms crossed beside his bed with Sakiko and Kaede. "How irresponsible of you to hide something from us." His voice quivered.

Ojiro can hint how angry he is at the moment but he sits still not making any movement.

"Eh, ano..." Sakiko-chan is quick to go between Ojiro and Minoru-san. "We can talk this out calmly, right? —"

"If you can't tell us what happened back there then explain this to us!" the coach snaps making Sakiko-chan almost jump. Minoru-san gestured to the can of beers scattered on the floor of his room and his food left untouched on the table. "I knew it..." he walks back and forth, waving a hand to his student. "I know something is wrong with you—"

"Maybe we can let him rest for a moment?" Sakiko tries to guide Minoru-san away from Ojiro.

"Is this about that girl?" The old man turns to him.

"Eh?" Sakiko suddenly stops. "Cho-chotto matte. Girl? What girl?" Sakiko-chan looks at them, cluelessly.

Minoru-san put his hands in hips, huffing in anger when Ojiro's answer didn't come.

"Korishima-san?" Sakiko is the one who asks him this time.

"I can't believe that this is happening just because of a girl—"

"What girl? You mean, a-a girlfriend?" Sakiko chimed.

"I don't know the whole story nor do I need to know the whole reason how everything in between you have ended—"

"An ex-girlfriend?" Sakiko throws Ojiro a surprised look.

But in case you have forgotten..." Minoru-san continued. "You have a world title to defend." He pressed.

Ojiro hangs his head lower, letting his shoulders droop in defeat while he bathes in the weight of his sensei's words.

"Gomenasai." Is the only word he can utter after a minute of waiting of his answer.

Both Minoru-san and Kaede shook their heads. Sakiko who were still clueless what is going, is still throwing them questioning looks.

"Look, Ojiro..." Kaede sighs. "Me and Minoru-san can deal with the media and the NSF officials for you for the mean time but you know, we can't keep you away from them for too long, alright? You need to collect yourself together. Right now."

Minoru-san gives Ojiro a lecture in the next minute before he left eith Sakiko to give their statement to the media and to the Nippon skating federation officials in behalf of Ojiro who couldn't pick himself up for the moment leaving Kaede and Ojiro left alone in the room.

"Here, take this." Kaede sits beside him handing him pain relievers and a bottle of water.

Ojiro pops the pill inside his mouth and swallows it down with the liquid.

"I know this is hard for you right now. Believe me...I understand it," she started. "But you need to eat. You need to replenish your energy," she holds his arm in comforting manner, her face crumpled in worry.

Ojiro eyes her hand. He appreciates that after all these years, Kaede was still there for him, providing him guidance in all situations but he's not that ignorant to not to understand that the way she's acting is the product of her managerial responsibilities, probably in Minoru-san's direction just to get him to eat something.

"Arigatou Ishioka-san. Please forgive me for bringing you all this trouble." He smiles to her. They should not forget he also have the acting skills. "I already called Atsushi-san to bring me something to eat."

--continue reading next page