Chapter Text
Minako thought to herself that Fukuoka Airport was quiet this early in the morning. A few footsteps echoed against the walls. Wheeled suitcases scratched the floor. A vending machine buzzed over in the corner behind her. It isn’t enough to distract her from her nerves, however. It had been years since she had seen Lilia Baranovskaya face to face. They had been exchanging letters and long-distance phone calls since Minako had retired from that dazzling part of her career, but it wasn’t the same. The woman was single-handedly her greatest inspiration, the reason she found success on international ballet stages, and someone she deeply wanted to impress. Her mentor. Her friend.
Lilia hadn’t agreed with Minako’s decision to retire at the time. It had been a rough year in her life and their friendship. Lilia knew that Minako had the talent and grace to keep being a prima ballerina for many more years. Minako knew that her father was sick, and her mother couldn’t take care of him on her own at their age. She hadn’t once regretted her decision, but she did lament the loss of her old life when she was alone, dancing in her studio late at night. The studio opened when she moved back home to Hasetsu five years ago. It’s small, burning a hole in her wallet, and the pride of her life. Before her father passed, he helped her open the doors and greet her very first students. The smile that he gave her was larger than life. Even now, it radiated off the walls lending her the energy to give it her all.
Yes, she thought her business was wonderful even if she did say so herself. It’s small and she made just enough money to get by day to day, but it was hers. She wanted it to be successful, but most of all, she wanted to guide another prima ballerina into greatness like Lilia did for her. That’s why she invited her here. To catch up on old times, sure, but she desperately needed advice. She had found her premier danseur.
Lilia had told Minako in one of her most recent letters that she had recently married a man named Yakov Feltsman. Minako remembered faintly that there had been a romance between the two before she left Russia. It had felt one-sided on his part at the time, which worried her at first, but there must have been reciprocation on Lilia’s part after all. That had brought her relief. Minako had felt the bitter sting of love that wasn’t reciprocated in her youth. She’d sworn off the stuff entirely. Lilia and Yakov deserved more than that. The letter also said that the pair was not going to go on a honeymoon due to not agreeing on a location and not wanting to be away from their businesses for long. This gave Minako an idea. Hasetsu was a coastal town that offered a few resorts, hot springs, and tourist spots. There wasn’t enough to warrant a long visit, enough to give them a pleasant experience, and there was Minako – an old friend who would love to talk business.
Yakov hadn’t been sold on the idea apparently. He had an up-and-coming figure skater (which was apparently his business, she learned) who was going to be a star. Lilia seemed to agree with him that the 7-year-old was very talented, but she loved the idea of visiting Minako. So, the newlywed couple compromised and did what Lilia wanted. Visit Hasetsu.
Now the time was here, the plane should be deboarding any minute, and Minako couldn’t stop bouncing her knee. She was excited, but now that it’s happening, the fear that Minako will not exceed Lilia’s estimations gnawed at her. The thought of the little 5-year-old boy with stars in his eyes, dancing to music that palpably emanates from him, snapped her out of it. No, this will go well. She was enough, her studio was successful, and Yuuri had something special that Lilia needed to see.
“Minako, darling, is that you?” A familiar voice called from her right side. That accented English and attention commanding confidence told her that Lilia had arrived. A smile grew on her face as she turned to face the older dancer. She wasn’t surprised by her friend’s appearance. A tight bun sat atop her head with not a single hair out of place. They had just been on a 15-hour trip, she could be forgiven for having a messy bun. Not her Lilia, though. Her outfit also spoke of poise and money. A pink blouse, pressed trousers, and a long coat. She did not opt for comfort when traveling. Yakov trailed behind her with none of the same grace. The thinning hair on the top of his head appeared to be sticking up in any direction it pleased. He sported a puffy jacket, a tracksuit, and a yawn.
“Lilia, I’ve missed you! I’m so glad you’ve come.” Minako exclaimed. Rising from her seat, she quickly moved to Lilia. She clasped her two hands in the other woman’s and kissed her cheeks. Minako smiled deeply and turned to the man who was sleepily looking at the pair. “Hello to you as well, Yakov. I don’t believe we have formally met. My name is Minako, and your Lilia was my mentor when I studied and danced in Russia. I owe my success, in part, to her advice and friendship!”
“Your success is all your own, my dear.” Lilia laughed softly. Yakov gave Lilia an adoring smile.
“You shouldn’t sell yourself short, dove.” He said as he patted her cheek.
The conversation flowed after that. The ballerinas shared stories of Minako sneaking out of practice to peek at male skaters at the rink down the street. Stories of celebratory drinks, laughs, and hurts. It felt wonderful to have a piece of her past in her grasp again. Minako guided them to a diner nearby to grab breakfast. They then had a few hours to kill before their scheduled train ride to Hasetsu, so it was time for a few sights. To no one’s surprise, at least not Minako’s, the pair were very stoic about it all. They smiled politely and made conversation about the environment around them, but they weren’t awed, and they didn’t dwell. Truly, their biggest passions were in their work and in their home countries. Minako hoped that they would find some joy in what she truly brought them here for at least. It was only day one of the 5-day stay, she shouldn’t worry so much.
The train ride was quiet despite Yakov's snoring. Lilia pleasantly observed the passing scenery, which gave Minako time to think about how she would bring Yuuri up to Lilia. She wanted to offer him the same support and structure she had received. She wanted to learn how to make a person feel so supported that they have no chance to doubt themselves. That feeling was sorely missed these days.
“You have something on your mind, Minako. I suspect it is the real reason you have brought me here, yes?” Lilia said after a while. Her tone told her that she wasn’t truly asking a question. She could always see right through her and hasn’t changed.
“Yes… As you know, I have my own studio. I’m quite proud of it,” Minako started. She thought about beating around the bush, but she should have known that directness was the only path here. Lilia watched her with a wry smile, and Minako let out a nervous laugh. “I have a godson. My childhood best friend has two children whom I adore as my own. The youngest, well, has something special about him. He’s only five years old and still learning, but I can feel that the potential is there. I want to help him be the best dancer he can be. I would love your advice.”
“I see, when can I meet him? I am not much of a tourist. If this is what I’m here for, then I’d like to begin right away.” Lilia wasted no time inquiring about his practice routine, and the chatter teased Yakov out of sleep.
“He has begun to skate, you say.” He hummed to himself for a moment, “Dove, it seems that there may be something for me to do on this trip after all. I will observe him too.” His voice was resolved, stern. Minako frowned.
“That would be great, but please remember that he’s a young kid. Don’t push him too hard. He’s still learning.” She replied.
“If he has the heart of a skater, then he will have a hunger in his eyes no matter his level. I will see it when I observe.” Yakov nodded slowly with his eyes closed in contemplation.
“No, he will be a danseur. Not all talent leads to the ice, dove.” Lilia replied. Her voice was a bit tight, which told Minako that this had been a conversation in the past. Perhaps a tense one.
“He could be a danseur on the ice. We must see where his passion lies.” Yakov replied with the same tension.
“I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. He is too young to know what route he will take, or even if he’ll continue his training. I just want advice on how to nurture him while I have him in my studio.” Minako threw her hands up to diffuse this situation.
“We will see,” Is their shared reply.
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A knock at the door was the most exciting thing to occur that day for young Yuuri. His Mama nodded at him with affection when he threw a pleading look her way. He jumped up from his place at the table where food was being placed for dinner. Bouncing up to the front of their home and stretched to reach the knob. Yuuri was a little shorter than he would like to be and wished, not for the first time, to be older. Then he could help Mama reach the cab-i-nets in the kitchen! With a big tug on the door, it was freed from the hinge.
“Mina-chan! Want some din-ner?” Yuuri asked brightly when he saw his auntie, his words stretching longer than they should. Yuuri knew that his Mama and Mina-chan were not siblings like Mari and he were, but she was still his auntie. His fun auntie teach-ed him to spin and dance! He loved spinning.
“Hi Yuuri!! I missed you today. Can you go let your mom know that our guests have arrived?” Mina-chan asked sweetly, bending down to give Yuuri a hug. He looked up at the two people behind his auntie. They stared at him, and it made him feel shy. He backed away from the hug, ran to the kitchen, and hid behind his Mama’s leg.
“Mama. I’m ‘poss-ed to tell you that Mina-chan brought strangers.” He whispered. She laughed and reached down to pick him up.
“Wow, Yuuri, you’re getting so tall. My big boy.” She hummed. “Yuuri, these are our guests! They want to dance with you like Minako does. Will you say hello?” Yuuri shook his head.
“I’m not tall.” He whined. “I don’t wanna dance with them, only Mina-chan.” His Mama tutted at him.
“Yuuri. It’s okay to be shy. Maybe if you say hello, you’ll feel differently.” She set him down and encouraged him to walk back over to Minako. She talked with them softly, using words he didn’t understand.
“Um, Mina-chan?” He whispered, feeling bad that he had interrupted. The three adults turn toward him and smile. The strangers’ eyes were much softer this time, which helped him relax.
“Yuuri! This is my friend and teacher, Lilia. This is her husband, Yakov.” She pointed to each adult as she said their names, which were a little strange to his ears. Yuuri twisted his face slightly, which made them smile. “Lilia is a ballerina, and Yakov is an ice skater.” This made his heart flutter. A ballerina and an ice skater want to dance with him? Lilia leaned down to look him in the eyes gently.
“Hi Yuuri, it’s nice to meet you. We speak little Japanese. Minako will talk for us.” Lilia’s words were thick, and it took a long time for him to hear them. He nodded. This made sense to him. They can’t talk. That’s why they were strange. He smiled at her and took a step back. He pulled his arms above his head and pulled his right foot to his left knee like Mina-chan taught him. Lilia smiled and clapped her hands together. “Very good!” Minako laughed, patted his head, and picked him up to go to the dinner table. She said something to the two other adults in those weird words.
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“Lilia, I will say again that he is a figure skater. Didn’t you see his eyes? With training in the rink, he would have more success than on the stage!” Yakov grumbled as they watched Minako work with the young boy. They had been viewing his skills for four days now, they were scheduled to leave tomorrow and return to Russia. Lilia watched as Yuuri’s eyes closed and fell into the few positions he had learned. They needed work, of course, but he was only five. No, what she was watching was the way Yuuri became the music. Such musicality at that age is something rare. The smile he wore when he was praised tugged at her heartstrings. There was a time when she felt her career more important than children, and now she was at an age where they weren’t possible so it no longer mattered.
“Yakov, I am not telling you that I didn’t see his heart on the ice. Listen to me when I tell you that he is meant for ballet. I did see the passion in his eyes. However, if he chooses to compete when he’s older, he should never give up dancing. It will set him apart from the others.” She said firmly.
“If he spends too much time dancing, he will never have the technical skills to win.” Her husband grumbled. Lilia set her sharp gaze on him firmly, and he flinched.
“Do not imply that there are no technical skills in ballet.”
“He will be weak. It will hold him back.”
“No, He will be firm, strong, and graceful. He will fly!” She silenced him and walked over to where Minako stood. Yuuri had joined some of the other students across the room.
“Thank you for your visit. It has been very good for my confidence as his teacher.” Minako sighed with a smile. “I hate that you are leaving tomorrow.”
“You are going to be a wonderful teacher. You are gentle when needed, firm when the time calls for it.” Lilia hummed thoughtfully before continuing, “I know that he is young, but you will have to watch his anxiety. He may grow out of it, but I’ve noticed a few patterns.”
“I’ve felt the same for a while. His mom has observed his separation anxiety since he was an infant. As he’s gotten older, it’s been evolving and changing in different ways. It may be his largest obstacle.” Minako agreed.
“You wanted my advice. I advise you to believe in him more than he believes in himself. Teach him to listen to his body. Show him that opening up is a strength. It’s a tool to express his art. Never stop his dancing.” Lilia nodded as if in approval of her own statement.
“Never stop dancing?” Minako quirked an eyebrow.
“He will be a skater. Teach him to be more than that.” Lilia spoke as if it were an absolute fact, a prophecy even. Maybe it was.