"Of course I do. I really want to compete on the ice with athletes from all over the country, and even the world, just like before."
Sanmu Baiyu didn't need to hesitate or hesitate about this question, and blurted out the hope in his heart.
"But what's the point of thinking about it? I can't compete with my former opponents now... What's more, I can't even stand on the same stage with them."
Maybe it was because sitting in his arms made her feel safe and warm, as if she had walked into a safe haven. The bitterness and grievance in Miki Baiyu's heart could not be stopped from flowing out, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
She tried really hard, but due to her leg injury, she couldn't train as hard as before.
She really wanted to be like before, facing one difficult move after another, mastering it through constant practice, and finally presenting it on stage so that the audience could cheer for her.
She had been to the top of a mountain and seen an incomparable view, the most beautiful view in the world... But she knew better than anyone how difficult the climb was.
Every contestant has put in unimaginable effort and sweat to be able to stand on the highest level stage.
"If you want it to work, it will work."
Seeing her loneliness and grievance turned into words, Kurosawa Hikaru's left hand gently lifted her fingertips, supported her palm, and rested it on her thigh.
He could feel that the twilight trough of Miki Baiyu, which had been buried by strength and love, had broken out of the ground.
He could imagine the scene of Miki Baiyu, who had retired due to injury, feeling sad alone in the dead of night.
"Uh-huh."
Miki Baiyu felt his movement, looked down at the hand he was holding in his palm, raised her right hand and wiped away her tears, not wanting to continue crying in front of him.
This was her second date with her senior, and she didn't want it to be ruined by such a sad thing.
In fact, she knew that for many things in this world, it was useless to just think about them.
If you miss it, you miss it... She wanted to be completely ahead of her peers, but she failed in her attempt at a quadruple jump and has since suffered an irreversible injury.
After a complete rest for a few years, she did return to the ice rink, but she could no longer train as intensely as a professional player.
It was because of this incident that she learned a lesson, which is to cherish the present and seize opportunities.
"Would you rather stand on the same stage and compete with players from all over the world, or would you rather stand on the ice and have the whole audience cheer for you?"
Seeing that she had stopped crying, Kurosawa Mitsuru asked again before he finished speaking.
"I think I will go back one day."
Finding that he had not given up yet, Miki Baiyu cheered up, turned around and looked at him, clenched his free right hand into a fist and waved it, looking very energetic, to show that he was fine.
"Okay, I'll help you get back to the arena."
In response to this, Kurosawa Mitsuru nodded heavily as if he had made up his mind.
"help me?"
Miki Baiyu looked at him with some confusion.
What does this mean? Wasn't the senior comforting her just now
"Bai Yu, do you want to practice pair figure skating with me?"
Facing her puzzled look, Kurosawa Mitsuru smiled and asked.
"?"
Miki Baiyu widened his eyes and tilted his head to look at him, confused by the suggestion.
"Although I can massage you and you can soak your feet to relieve the pain in your legs, so you can stay on the ice longer and practice longer. But to be honest, it's hard to win the championship because you have had a leg injury and you have been out of the game for a few years."
Seeing that she hadn't reacted yet, Kurosawa Mitsuru simply laid out the matter and made it clear.
No matter what field you are in, it is very difficult to be the best.
Even if Bai Yu's leg injury can be completely healed, it will be difficult for her to win the championship again, because she has a few years of gap period. During such a long time, she has to recover from the injury and cannot maintain her competitive state.
What's more, her leg injury cannot be restored to its original state.
"I know."
The cruel truth was revealed, Miki Baiyu's expression froze, he lowered his head and smiled bitterly.
She once fantasized about recuperating for a few years, making a comeback, and dominating the competition.
But in fact, after she was admitted to university, no matter how much she practiced, her level was not as good as before.
Although her mother promised her that she would let her skate again as long as she got into a good university... she also believed that her competitive level was definitely not good enough and was unwilling to be her coach.
Now, when she is training, she wants to find out what is wrong with her movements and what needs to be improved, so she needs to buy a SLR to record videos.
Without a coach, during the window period, and with old injuries, it would be difficult to even get a good ranking, let alone win the championship.
"So come practice pair figure skating with me, I can help you win the championship."
Kurosawa Mitsuru pointed this out and invited him again.
"Senior, the difficulty of winning the championship in pair skating is similar to that of single skating, or even more difficult. Because pair skating requires tacit understanding and cooperation, and requires a good partner. Players who have achieved good rankings in pair skating usually practice together since childhood and constantly run in together."
Miki Baiyu didn't understand why he came to such a conclusion. After being stunned, he explained it to him.
Senior, you don't think it's easy to win the pairs skating championship, right
"I know that, but I also know that pair figure skating doesn't require as many single jumps, so it puts less pressure on your knees."
Kurosawa Mitsuru nodded slightly, naturally understanding what was going on.
"Since you know, then you still..."
Miki Baiyu looked at him, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
To be honest, she was a little angry because the senior's words looked down on figure skating.
However, when she saw the handsome face of her senior, she couldn't get angry.
He must have his reasons for saying that, right
"Would you like to try it first? Come skate in pairs with me."
Kurosawa Hikaru realized that she didn't believe him, so he didn't argue with her, but asked.
He knew that his figure skating level was not high in Bai Yu's eyes. After all, all his figure skating moves were taught by her.
However, he is absolutely confident in his skating skills.
With the two entry-level skills of skating and ballet, as long as he wants to learn, he can become a figure skating master in a short period of time.
This is still the entry-level stage. If his skills are further upgraded and both items reach the proficient level, he will be confident that he can win even the world championship in single figure skating.
Because mastery-level skills are equivalent to a level that a genius can only achieve after a lifetime of hard work.
As long as he can get skating skills to the master level, he will be sure to lead Miki Shiraha to the championship.
"OK."
Although Miki Baiyu felt that his proposal was unrealistic, she was deeply moved when she thought of walking onto the ice rink with her senior to participate in a pair skating competition.
Putting aside the slim chance of winning, she and her senior would have more time and opportunities to be together if they practiced pair skating together.
And it is different from single skating, because in order to cooperate well, a lot of practice is required, and there will be a lot of interaction between them.
You know, during pair skating, there will be a lot of physical contact.
As she was daydreaming, the system's voice rang in Kurosawa Hikaru's ears:
"A new mission."
Then, scenes appeared before his eyes.
Dating Mission: A Dream Journey with Miki Shiraha
Mission objective: Meet her on the ice and dance with her on the ice rink. The dance moves should be synchronized with her at 90% so that she feels like the happiest person in the world.
Mission duration: one month.
Mission Funding: Entry-level Ice Skating, Entry-level Ballet (Experience Card)
Mission rewards: entry-level skating, entry-level ballet (permanent)
"Sure enough, the date location she most wanted was still on the ice rink."
When he saw the mission, Kurosawa Mitsuru was a little surprised, but he was soon relieved.
When he made up his mind to take time to figure skate with Bai Yu, he actually anticipated that the dating task would be triggered very likely.
To his surprise, the reward was exactly the same as on the first date.
But it’s normal to think about it, as Miki Shiraha’s hobby is very clear, which is figure skating, also known as ice ballet.
Maybe she likes piano and a variety of other things, but there is absolutely nothing that can surpass figure skating.
If you have to say, for Miki Shiraha, there is something more beautiful in the world than single figure skating, it is only pair figure skating.
“I hope I can help her win the championship.”
After confirming the mission reward, Kurosawa Mitsuru looked up at Miki Baiyu's beautiful face and was very moved.
Perhaps because he was a man, he had an instinctive aversion to effeminate dances like ballet, so he was not very interested in figure skating.
Even though he had spent a great time on the ice with Miki Shiraha, he was just thinking about having fun.
But when he saw Miki Baiyu's lonely look just now, his mind changed. He wanted to see her shining again, standing on the ice rink, with the whole audience cheering for her.
Don’t consider world-class competitions for now. Let’s win the regional championship first and then make her official comeback.
"Senior, why did you think of pair skating with me?"
Miki Baiyu found that he was looking at her, she turned around and met his dark and beautiful eyes, and couldn't help but ask.
"Because I want to see you laugh, not cry."
Kurosawa Hikaru held her hand, raised his right hand that was massaging her knee, and gently slid his index finger across the corner of her eye, speaking softly.
"… "
Miki Baiyu felt that his eyes were so gentle, and he spoke in a soft voice that seemed to melt her bones, and her heartstrings couldn't help but beat faster.
As expected, she really likes Senior Kurosawa.
"The mission goal was accomplished to make her feel like the happiest person in the world."
“Isn’t this too easy?”
When Kurosawa Mitsuru heard the prompt that the task was completed, he was stunned.
When he saw the mission objective just now, he thought it was quite difficult and could only be completed on the ice rink.
"Actually, I seldom cry. I'm not a crybaby."
Sitting on his lap and leaning sideways in his arms, Miki Baiyu felt really happy and her heart was extremely sweet, but also a little embarrassed, and she whispered.
"I know, that's why I don't want you to cry."
Kurosawa Hikaru found her whispering in defense very cute and touched her head with a smile.
This girl is not much different in height from Xiao Yuki, but maybe because she is too light, or maybe because she looks childish, she looks like a tiny kid, so adorable.
"Don't cry anymore."
Faced with such pampering, Miki Baiyu also made up his mind.