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Snow in Hasetsu at this time of the year—what a sight!
The usually green and vibrant seaside town on Kyushu would be covered by flowers but was now draped in a serene blanket of white. The snowflakes drifted lazily, piling up on the stone path that led to the entrance.
From his spot at the front desk, Toshiya Katsuki watched as the snow accumulated on the stone path leading to the entrance, wondering if this unexpected weather was some sort of sign. A few guests shuffled quietly through the inn, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, but it wasn’t the bustling energy of a fully booked weekend. It was quieter than usual. The kind of quiet that usually settled in during off-season, the sort that made him itch for something lively to happen—a soccer game on TV, perhaps, or a burst of laughter from Hiroko in the kitchen.
His hand idly flipped through some papers from the inn's management, but his mind was elsewhere.
The clock on the wall ticked closer to midday, and upstairs, Yuuri was still fast asleep.
Normally, he might’ve been inclined to knock on his son’s door, gently coaxing him awake with the promise of breakfast. But lately, he had been sleeping in more, and honestly, who could blame him? The boy had been through a lot. Ever since being back, Yuuri seemed to stay in his room longer, alone, sinking into the comfort of extra sleep.
“Not that I’m complaining.” He mused, smiling faintly at the thought. Yuuri had worked hard—college in America, training, skating competitions, the whole deal—and now, finally home after what felt like ages, he was catching up on rest. Probably needed it. But still, it was hard not to worry. “Ah, let the boy rest.” He thought, though there was always that small pang of worry tugging at the back of his mind. Every time Yuuri disappeared up the stairs and shut his door, it felt like a little piece of that fire, the one that used to blaze so brightly on the ice, was dimming away. “Where did all that passion go, eh?” he mused to himself, setting down his teacup with a soft clink on the counter. There used to be such fire in Yuuri’s eyes when he talked about skating, but now… no amount of extra sleep or katsudon seemed to bring that spark back.
Setting down his teacup with a soft clink, Toshiya sighed, the sound echoing his unspoken concerns.
There was also Mari. She worked alongside them every day, just as stubborn and hardworking as he and Hiroko had always been. But she refused to take a break—no vacations, no days off. Toshiya wished she’d slow down a bit, and find some time to enjoy life outside of work. It wasn’t good for her to be so wrapped up in the daily grind. “She’s just like me,” he mused with a small smile. “Takes after her old man, that one.”
Toshiya chuckled to himself; stubbornness really did run in the family.
His thoughts drifted briefly to Sagan Tosu’s game. Would it be canceled due to this unexpected snow? Could be. But there was always next week. The weather would clear, it always did. And so, maybe, would the heavy air hanging over their little inn. With a soft hum, he returned to the guest registry, flipping the pages casually but with a mind half on the snow, half on his children, and entirely on the hope that, soon, things would start looking up.
The soft chime of the front door interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back to the present.
Expecting to see one of the town’s regulars— perhaps old Mrs. Tanaka coming in for her usual Sunday soak —he glanced up.
But what he saw instead made him blink twice, just to be sure.
Standing in the entrance was a tall man with striking silver hair, his warm smile almost glowing in the muted light of the lobby. Beside him, a large poodle wagged its tail eagerly, already sniffing the air like it could smell the onsen from here.
The man’s appearance was nothing short of striking—impeccably dressed in a long, stylish coat that seemed more suited for a fashion runway than the quiet streets of Hasetsu. Snowflakes still clung to his hair and the edges of his coat, giving him an almost surreal look. It was as though he had stepped straight out of a magazine, which made the realization hit even harder: this wasn’t just any guest—this was the world-renowned figure skater Yuuri had idolized since he was a boy.
Toshiya could hardly believe his eyes. The very same Viktor Nikiforov whose face had adorned every wall of Yuuri’s room, whose routines had been analyzed and admired with a fervor that bordered on obsession, was standing right there in the entrance. For a moment, he felt his mind racing with disbelief. Was this really happening? Had Yuuri somehow orchestrated this and not told them? No, no—Yuuri wouldn’t have kept something like this a secret… would he?
He quickly gathered himself, flashing the warm, welcoming smile that he was known for—one that had charmed countless guests over the years.
"Ah, good afternoon! Welcome to Yu-topia Katsuki!" he greeted, bowing slightly, his voice as inviting as always. “How can I help you today?”
If he’d told Yuuri a few years ago that Viktor would one day just stroll into their inn, his son would’ve probably laughed and said something like, “Only in my dreams, Dad.” And yet, here he was. Toshiya wondered if he should be nervous, but the joy of the moment overpowered any such feeling. After all, this was an opportunity not just for Yuuri, but for all of them. He could practically see the headlines: “World-Famous Skater Stays in Local Onsen Inn!” Business might even pick up!
Viktor returned the bow with a graciousness that struck Toshiya as particularly Japanese, almost as if Viktor had spent years perfecting the art of politeness. Or maybe it was something rehearsed a lot of times in front of a mirror? That also could be, but in any case, it was quite an impressive first impression.
“Good afternoon.” Viktor replied in that smooth blend of English and Japanese, his accent distinct yet soft. “I’m Viktor Nikiforov. I apologize for showing up unannounced—I’m here to be Yuuri’s new coach. I hope it’s alright—I’ve sent some of my belongings ahead. I’m sorry if I’ve imposed on you.”
Toshiya blinked, the phrase “new coach” lingering in his mind like a pleasant echo. Viktor Nikiforov—Yuuri’s idol, the man who had been at the center of so many family dinners where Yuuri would eagerly bring up his latest routine—was here, at their doorstep, asking to stay. Toshiya’s heart swelled with a mix of emotions—pride, relief, and curiosity about what this might mean for his son.
Before he could delve too deeply into those thoughts, Hiroko emerged from the kitchen, her hands still dusted with flour from whatever delicious food she’d been preparing. The moment she saw who it was, her eyes widened in delight, and her entire face lit up. The young man, noticing her arrival, immediately bowed again—a gesture that made Toshiya wonder if Viktor had spent some time in Japan before. Or if he had taken some time to read a little about the formalities of the country. He certainly seemed to know his way around. Well, that’s interesting. Toshiya mused.
Toshiya chuckled inwardly, thinking how polite this young man was. Yuuri’s always been so fascinated by him—probably imagined Viktor as this larger-than-life figure, but here he was, bowing like any other guest. Not bad. This was more than he could have hoped for—a good first impression, and, dare he say, a humble one at that.
Hiroko, practically glowing with excitement, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.
“Oh my goodness, Viktor Nikiforov! What a surprise!” She exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. Viktor straightened, smiling warmly at her greeting.
Before the conversation could continue, Toshiya realized the polite thing to do was to introduce themselves properly.
“Ah, where are my manners? I’m Toshiya Katsuki, and this is my wife, Hiroko. We’re Yuuri’s parents.” He said with a touch of pride, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. And there it was—plain and simple. After all, how often do you introduce yourself to someone who’s been a constant in your home through the TV screen?
Viktor’s eyes seemed to brighten even more, and he bowed once again.
“It’s so good to meet Yuuri’s parents!” The young man said sincerely, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks as he straightened up. “I’ve been really looking forward to this.”
Looking forward to meeting them? That blush again! Toshiya exchanged a quick, knowing look with Hiroko. That blush—was there something more behind it? They’d always known Yuuri admired Viktor, but could it be that this admiration ran both ways? Was this just a professional relationship, or something a little more... personal? Toshiya’s mind buzzed with the possibilities, but he kept his tone light and welcoming.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you too, Viktor-san.” He said, his voice cheerful. “We’ve heard a lot about you as well—as you might’ve guessed.” He chuckled, thinking back to the countless times Yuuri had gushed over Viktor’s performances. How many times had he listened to Yuuri ramble on and on about Viktor’s quadruple flip or his perfect spins? He almost wanted to say, “You’re practically family already.” but held back.
It was the first meeting, after all—no need to scare the poor guy off.
Hiroko nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, yes! We’re very happy to have you here. How was your trip, Vicchan?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Then, realizing her slip, she quickly corrected herself with a little laugh. “Oh! I mean, Viktor-san. It must have been a long journey.”
At her accidental use of Yuuri’s old nickname for their late dog, Toshiya couldn’t help but smile. It was such a slip-up, but somehow it felt right. Viktor was already starting to feel like part of the family. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Here was the man—no, the living, breathing person—who’d inspired the name of their beloved Vicchan, and now Hiroko was standing here, accidentally calling him by the same name. Maybe it was fate or just one of life’s funny coincidences. “Well, well,” he thought, “Life really has a way of bringing things full circle, huh?”
“Yes, tell us about your trip,” he added, genuinely curious. “You must be tired after traveling all this way.” He hoped Viktor wasn’t too worn out.
The young man smiled at Hiroko’s slip, clearly not offended in the slightest. If anything, it seemed to endear him to them even more.
“Just a little, thank you so much for asking…uhm, Toshiya-san and Hiroko-san. I’m just glad to finally be here.” He replied, his tone softening as he spoke. “I can’t wait to see Yuuri again.” That blush returned, ever so faintly.
Toshiya found himself wondering just what had passed between these two before this visit. Was Viktor this excited for all his fellow skaters, or was there something special about Yuuri? The way he kept blushing, it almost felt like watching a young man meeting his sweetheart’s parents for the first time.
Now, wouldn’t that be something?
Viktor then glanced down at the poodle with a fond smile.
“This is Makkachin. He’s very dear to me, and I’m sorry if he causes any inconvenience.” Viktor, ever the polite guest, apologized once more—this time for bringing his dog along.
Hiroko and Toshiya exchanged another amused glance before he waved off Viktor’s concerns with a light-hearted laugh.
“Oh, no need to worry about that! Makkachin is welcome here. Like family.” Toshiya said, already reaching out to pat the large poodle.
The dog’s fur was soft and fluffy under his hand, bringing back fond memories of their own Vicchan. How surreal it was, he thought, to finally see in the flesh the dog that a 13-year-old Yuuri had once shown him in a magazine, almost begging for one just like it. And now, here was Viktor’s Makkachin, right in their lobby.
Viktor’s smile widened at the reassurance, and he seemed genuinely touched.
“Thank you so much. That means a lot.” Viktor said, his voice warm and sincere.
With Makkachin happily exploring the lobby, Hiroko and Toshiya turned their attention back to Viktor.
“We hope you can relax while you’re here.” Hiroko said kindly.
Viktor nodded, his expression softening further.
“Thank you both for being so welcoming.” He said, the sincerity in his voice unmistakable.
“Oh, it’s our pleasure. Well… Yuuri is still sleeping—but you, too, should relax. Why don’t you go soak in the hot springs for a bit?” Hiroko beamed at him.
Toshiya quickly chimed in, nodding in agreement.
“Our hot springs are the perfect place to unwind. Why don’t you take a dip?” He could see the hesitation in Viktor’s eyes, though, and for a moment, he wondered if Viktor was nervous about leaving his dog alone.
Makkachin trotted off to explore and, to their surprise, the poodle found a little ball tucked away in a corner. It was an old toy that had once belonged to their Vicchan, still with the faintest traces of slobber and teeth marks. The dog, delighted with his find, began happily munching on it, the ball squeaking with each bite.
Viktor noticed and immediately called out softly. “Makka! No, give that back.” He took a step forward, reaching out as if to gently retrieve the toy, but then hesitated, glancing back at Toshiya and Hiroko, his brows furrowing slightly. It was clear from the way his shoulders tightened that Viktor wasn’t entirely comfortable leaving his dog, even in such friendly company. “He’s not used to being left alone.” He admitted, his voice with affection and a touch of worry.
Toshiya grinned, crouching down beside Makkachin and petted the poodle, scratching behind the ears.
“Don’t worry. I can keep an eye.” Toshiya said. “He’s already made himself at home!” As if to prove his point, the dog wagged his tail enthusiastically, nuzzling into Toshiya’s hand.
Viktor watched this small interaction, and after a moment, his shoulders relaxed. He smiled—a real, warm smile—and nodded, visibly relieved.
“Let me explain how our hot springs work.” He began, moving into the familiar rhythm of hosting that came as naturally as breathing. He led Viktor over to a small side counter where an assortment of olive yukatas were neatly folded, took one and gave it to Viktor. “You’ll need to leave your clothes in the lockers here.” Toshiya said, pointing them out as he handed Viktor one of the robes. “Then, you’ll head into the public wash-up area first. Make sure to shower before you go into the hot springs—that’s important.”
He then reached for a brochure and handed it to Viktor, noting the English translation printed alongside the Japanese.
“This should help you with the rules and customs of the baths.” He added cheerfully. “And don’t worry, it’s pretty straightforward. We just want you to be comfortable.”
“Yes, and if you have any questions or need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Hiroko nodded beside him.
Viktor looked between the two of them, clearly appreciative of their kindness.
“Thank you, I’ll make sure to follow everything.” He said, his voice sincere.
With one last polite bow, Viktor headed towards the lockers, he cast a final glance back at Toshiya and Hiroko, his smile lingering, before disappearing into the baths, leaving the lobby with a quiet anticipation hanging in the air. Toshiya and Hiroko both watched as Viktor went inside, the soft click of the wood and paper panels closing behind him. They let out a sigh at the exact same time, an unplanned but perfectly synchronized release, and glanced at each other, sharing an amused look.
“Do you think… maybe Vicchan has a soft spot for our Yuuri?” Hiroko whispered, using the affectionate nickname with a sly smile.
There was a knowing twinkle in her eye, one that spoke of a mother’s intuition. She was always the one to see things first, like she had a radar for these kinds of feelings, and right now, her radar was pinging loud and clear.
Toshiya chuckled, leaning back against the counter with a thoughtful look.
“Could be.” He replied aloud, his gaze lingering on the hallway where Viktor had disappeared. “Hmmm…” He tapped his chin, his mind darting between all the possibilities.
Maybe they’d met before, in some way Yuuri had never mentioned. If Viktor’s presence could light a spark in Yuuri again, then it didn’t really matter what had brought him here. “Either way, it’s good for Yuuri. Might be just the push he needs.”
As if on cue, Mari appeared at the entrance to the lobby, her expression one of mild curiosity. She glanced between her parents, taking in their somewhat suspiscious looks.
“What’s going on? Why do you two look like you’ve been plotting something?” She asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone edged with the usual dry attitude.
“Oh, nothing much…” Hiroko replied with a smile and she nodded towards the direction of the bath area where Viktor had gone. “Just Viktor Nikiforov, here to coach Yuuri.” There was a sparkle of pride in Hiroko’s eyes as she spoke. “Have you seen your brother yet?”
Mari’s eyes widened briefly, a flicker of surprise breaking through her otherwise composed demeanor. She quickly collected herself.
“No, Yuuri’s still asleep.” She said, going from sisterly annoyance to genuine concern. “I was just about to wake him up. He should help shovel the snow, and… it’s not good for him to stay holed up in his room all day.” There was a quiet firmness to her voice, a subtle way of saying she wasn’t going to let Yuuri off the hook, not today.
“Yes, let’s get him moving. Viktor’s arrival may be exactly what he needs.”Hiroko nodded, her expression softening. She patted Mari on the shoulder and made her way upstairs, ready to knock at Yuuri's door.
Toshiya lingered, crouching down beside Makkachin, who was still blissfully chewing on Vicchan’s old toy. The sight tugged at his heart, pulling up fond memories of all the joy Vicchan had brought into their lives. It was comforting, in a way, seeing Makkachin here, happy and relaxed, as if this place was already a second home. He reached out and gently took the toy from Makkachin’s mouth, giving it a light toss. The poodle bounded after it, all fluffy ears and wagging tail, and Toshiya couldn’t help but smile.
He looked up to the stairs.
“Oh, you’re in for a surprise, son.” He thought to himself, the corners of his mouth lifting in a quiet, knowing grin.
Makkachin, who had been wandering curiously, stayed by the door as if waiting to be let outside. Toshiya patted the dog affectionately but just as he was about to turn back, he heard a soft, insistent bark from the poodle, who was now pawing gently at the door.
"Alright, alright, you impatient thing." Toshiya chuckled, opening the door just enough to let the poodle bound outside for a little while. He knew Makkachin would find his way back to Viktor soon enough, but for now, the dog seemed content exploring his new surroundings. With that done, Toshiya went about his business, exchanging baskets and tidying up the front desk area.
Just as he finished, he heard the familiar sound of footsteps coming down the stairs that connected their family’s private quarters to the inn. Yuuri appeared, already bundled in his coat, looking every bit the sleepyhead with his hair still tousled and his glasses slightly askew. Toshiya watched his son, shovel in hand. He was rubbing his eyes, the usual morning fog still clinging to him. When he opened the sliding door to the outside, he was immediately tackled by Makkachin, who leapt up with enthusiasm, knocking Yuuri off balance.
Yuuri stumbled, the shovel clattering to the ground as he fell back.
“Vicchan!” He exclaimed instinctively, a smile breaking through his sleepy demeanor. The poodle’s size and exuberant licking, however, quickly jolted Yuuri out of his daze. He pushed the dog back just enough to take a good look, blinking rapidly as if trying to reconcile the past with the present. “Wait… You’re not Vicchan,” he muttered, his brows knitting together as he took in the dog’s larger size. “You’re much bigger… no, could it be…?”
Toshiya strolled over, unable to hide his amusement as he watched the scene unfold.
“Yuuri, isn’t he just like Vicchan?” He said, his voice fond but with a hint of mischief that Yuuri seemed to miss at first.
The way Makkachin happily wagged his tail, still nuzzling against Yuuri, tugged at Toshiya’s heartstrings. It was almost as if Vicchan had sent a friend to keep Yuuri company. And he was still in the middle of figuring out why Viktor’s dog was here when Toshiya casually kept going.
“He came with a really good-looking foreign guest!” He delivered the line with a deliberate casualness however there was nothing casual about the set of words.
He spent ten minutes coming up with them before his son came down the stairs. And now he watched Yuuri closely, knowing exactly what kind of reaction he was fishing for. Sure enough, the words hit Yuuri like a bolt from the blue. Toshiya could practically see the gears turning in his son’s head.
Yuuri’s eyes widened and his face began to flush.
Ah, there it was—the recognition, the dawning horror, and finally, the complete and utter panic. Yuuri’s entire demeanor shifted as the pieces fell into place, his glasses skewing comically on his face as his mouth hung open in a loud gasp. Toshiya had seen his son flustered before, but this was a new level.
“Oh, he’s in the hot springs right now.” Toshiya added with a cheerful innocence that he didn’t quite feel.
He was having too much fun watching Yuuri’s brain catch fire. “One of the delights of parenthood”, he chuckled in his mind.
For a split second, Yuuri just stood there, frozen in shock. Then, in a flurry of movement that startled even Makkachin, Yuuri practically twirled on the spot, slipping as he scrambled to get up. The shovel was forgotten, clattering to the ground as Yuuri dashed back inside with a speed that rivaled any of his skating routines.
“Yuuri! What's wrong? Wait—” Toshiya called after him, but it was no use. Yuuri was already out of earshot, barreling down the hallway in his frantic rush to get to Viktor.
He’d never seen his son move like that, not off the ice, and certainly not with that kind of urgency. He watched, stunned and amused in equal measure, as Yuuri sprinted toward the baths, not even pausing to remove his socks—which, Toshiya realized with a small, bemused chuckle, were going to be thoroughly drenched. Seeing Yuuri’s reaction only confirmed what he’d been suspecting all along—there was definitely something between his son and Viktor. And by the looks of it, Yuuri had no idea that his coach, boyfriend—or whatever they were—was about to move in for the foreseeable future.
“Well…” Toshiya muttered to himself, a chuckle bubbling up in his chest. “Things are about to get lively around here.”
With a final glance at the door where Yuuri had vanished, Toshiya shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. He turned back to Makkachin, who was now sitting innocently by the door, his head tilted in that curious way that dogs do.
“You’ve certainly brought some excitement, haven’t you?” Toshiya bent down give the poodle another affectionate pat.