Chapter Text
Unfortunately, Chuuya Nakahara found himself spending November drinking a half-cold cup of coffee, while his step-sister, Kyouka, talked her head off about some nonsense as they leaned against an outdoor Ice rink.
“Chuuya, you should skate… I know you quit figure skating years ago, but can you do it for me…?” Kyouka urged his older step-brother.
Chuuya huffed and sighed as he gave in to her pestering.
“Fine…” He had indeed quit, but the reason was far more than some pressuring fans. Chuuya’s dream was to become a figure skater after reading a book about it when he was a teen. To be honest, the author of that book was the same age as him when he read it, fifteen…
Chuuya was so inspired that he promised he’d be one of the most famous skaters in the world, and with that promise came his dream. He moved to the top at just eighteen after only a few years of training. He then had his senior debut not long after. Nakahara was made into a future star, winning gold medals in every competition he was in. But the stress and pressure put him in a vulnerable spot, and soon he decided to quit at twenty.
That was two years ago…Maybe Chuuya would give it a try again? He just needed a little push in that direction…
Now, Chuuya pushed himself onto the ice as he skated along the rink, his movements aggressive yet gentle. It fits him perfectly. Soon, a crowd gathered as he gracefully glided along with his blades on fire. Cheers and claps could be heard, and even recordings. Chuuya swore under his breath as he felt the pressure of impressing these people grow.
Suddenly, laughter spilled into the auburn’s ears. He turned his head and glared at Kyouka. Sure, it was quite funny that he was holding a cup of coffee while skating, but she did not have to laugh!
He spun, and as he stopped, he locked eyes with a certain brown haired man. He had amber eyes and bandages wrapped around both of his arms. The man wore a light brown trench coat, and he looked so out of place in the crowd. The man’s expression was one of amusement and boredom. Chuuya broke eye contact and continued his skating, which was coming to an end quickly.
Chuuya bowed and skated back to Kyouka while grumbling, This was not how he wanted this afternoon to go! First, he was pressured to skate by his annoying sister, and then there was a crowd! And finally, he looked into the eyes of no other, Osamu Dazai. The author who inspired Chuuya to skate! It was so embarrassing for the young auburn-haired man.
“Do a sit spin next, Chuuya.” Kyouka pressed, knowing Chuuya could not refuse. He scoffed and handed the cup of now-cold coffee into her hands, then started spinning on the ice in a sit position, his head close to his leg and arms gripping his leg. Chuuya then broke the spin with accuracy as his blades scraped along the ice.
“Impressive,” Kyouka called in her serious and cold voice. Chuuya took back his cup and drank it all in one go.
“Ew, it's all cold now.” He grumbled and got out of the rink with Kyouka, silent beside him.
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Dazai strolled around aimlessly, a task on his mind that he had yet to complete.
To feel positive emotions of some sort.
He was so in his head that he didn't even realise he stood in front of an outdoor ice rink, plus it was snowing, in November.
“Isn't it too early to snow? It's only November…” Dazai mumbled as he leaned against the ice rink. To observe that means to regard someone or something with attention, usually to learn from. That was what he was doing now, to observe those who feel any type of happiness. His stupid father, Mori, set it upon him to do it too! Just because he doesn't show positivity, doesn't mean he couldn't feel it! Right…?
Laughter…That's what Dazai's ears picked up on: laughter from the tiny child who tried to skate but failed miserably. Laughter from high school sweethearts who clung to each other on the ice. Laughter from a girl in a red kimono with a long yellow obi blowing in the wind around her. Dazai’s eyes widened as he looked at who she was laughing at. A man skating with elegance, his auburn hair whipping in the air, and his brown eyes that seem to burn into Dazai’s memory. He wasn't sure why he was so captivated by a random man, but he couldn't look away. It was unlike him to act in such a way, to behave like he saw the world for the first time in his life. Chuuya…certainly brought out a side of Dazai that he had never experienced before, and he was determined to hide it at a high cost.
Dazai narrowed his eyes as he shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned further against the fence of the ice rink. The auburn-haired man continued to skate along the ice with focus and then finally came to a stop. He bowed and went back to the girl with the red kimono, muttering angrily as he approached.
The girl ignored his pestering and said in a serious tone.
“Do a sit spin next, Chuuya.” The man, Chuuya, scoffed and handed the girl his cup of drink. Then, on the spot, he decided that it was enough distance to do a spin, and gracefully spun in a seated position. His arms were outstretched, and his other leg, the supporting leg, bent. To be honest…Dazai was in awe; he could see the precision and skill put into that one move…Perhaps, he could get to know this man a bit better.
“He’s perfect…” Dazai smirked and walked away from the rink, his mind in action, forming a new plan.