Winter Calls

A/N: I would like to start by saying that I am sorry for making evryone wait 3 GODDAMN MONTHS. ...probably the biggest writers block ive had, but I am very proud that i have pushed myself to write this chapter. But fear not!! (i think) because i have the last 2 chapters planned. Thank you guys for reading, much luv from savi <333

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Midterms had come and gone. But that only meant Kusuo was busier.

His days were blurred in a frenzy of classes and assignments, save for skating and other extra practices that he carelessly threw himself into. But his greatest dismay came the day after midterms.

There was a dense crowd surrounding the school's newsboard when Kusuo walked into the university.

After managing to slip through the crowd, he looked up and saw a short list decorated with paper snowflakes. The paper printed the names of student-athletes. More specifically, the competing ones, which had been highlighted with a bright neon.

Kusuo stood there and let out a quiet breath. The words on the paper blurred together. The voices surrounding him shifted into incoherent, buzzing sounds. It was like water clouded his vision. His mind—a swirling haze of everything he was putting into this competition.

He didn't want to think about it right now.

As soon as he was about to turn away, a student caught sight of Kusuo's pink hair and said, "hey! That's Saiki! He's the one who will be skating at the competition in four weeks!"

Damn it, he frowned.

Other students turned their heads, and Kusuo grimaced. He turned on his heel, pulling his hood over his head as he rushed to dip away from the commotion. Attention was expected, his coach warned him. Still, it was bothersome.

The hoodie did its work—Kusuo was quickly lost in the crowd, escaping unnoticed. With hurried steps, he made his way to his scheduled morning lecture, crossing the halls with impressive speed. The halls were empty, and he only pulled down the hood when he reached the classroom.

Students sat sparse inside the room. The professor hadn't arrived yet. Sitting by Kusuo's preferred spot, Riki and Shun were there, excitedly waving him over. From where he was standing, Kusuo stared at them, realizing that he was likely to be questioned.

Good grief.

There was no getting out of this.

Bracing himself, he muttered something under his breath before shuffling over the seat that was saved for him. When he sat down, he wasn't questioned, but only greeted.

For now, Kusuo was momentarily relieved. As he went to take out a book, he noticed the tremor in his hand.

Really...? He asked himself.

That was likely the beginning of all the attention. Seriously. If he got like this after one person called him out, how would he react when he had the attention of the entire student body during a performance?

Kusuo nervously glanced to his side. Shun and Riki were acting themselves. He thought.

Unexpectedly, Shun caught his gaze with a smirk.

"I heard a certain someone is going to be the representing athlete for a competition," he voiced teasingly, leaning into Kusuo's side.

Despite himself, Kusuo gripped the book tightly. It would have ripped if it weren't for his quick thinking, and he instead grabbed onto his sleeves as Shun spoke.

"I can't believe you were selected! It's amazing!"

"That's pretty intense, buddy! I can't believe it either," Riki added.