#joikshipping

[merryfortune]

A Secret Born in the Ski Fields

Written for 12 Days of Yurimas

Dec 28th: Sledding or Skiing 

Title: A Secret Born in the Ski Fields

Ship: Joikshipping | Olga/Yuzu

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V

Rating: T

Word Count: 4,384

Warnings: None

Tags: Alternate Universe - Shugo Chara, Fluff, Meet-Cute, Keeping Secrets, Holding Hands, Developing Relationship, Crushes

   The snow…! Skiing…! How exciting!

   Yuzu’s eyes lit up as the teacher explained the premise of the weekend away that the students were allowed as a field trip quite soon. Being a beach city, and a daughter of a single parent household, Yuzu had never gone on too many holidays and let alone to somewhere it could snow. After all, the best vacation was in her own backyard on that kind of salary. So, she was looking forward to experiencing something completely different to what she was used to as a hit the beach for a weekend away kind of girl. 

   Especially because the teacher promised a surprise: an encounter with a skier who was going to be appearing at the next Winter Olympic Youth games. That sounded crazy, like meeting a celebrity. That was also something Yuzu had never done.

   Even though it was kind of dorky to be so excited about a school trip at the ripe old age of fourteen as a middle schooler, Yuzu was unabashed in how much she was looking forward to it. Of course, being good friends, those nearest and dearest to her like Yuya and Gongenzaka would never make fun of her for being excited. They were also just as excited for it and the cheerful company did, indeed, shorten the miles.

   Yuzu must have counted the calendar days and was ready the night before with a bag packed full of warm clothes due to her exuberance towards the field trip. Her Father was worried to see her go on an overnight trip but was happy for her - so long as she kept in touch with updates on how much fun she was having. Too easy. 

   Or at least it should have been.

   Her life was never quiet with Rena, Ruru, and Riri around as her Guardian Charas.

   See, despite being an ordinary girl on the surface, one who had never done ordinary things like seeing the snow and playing snow-based sports, Yuz was actually quite the heroine in secret. Entrusted with the lead role to purify the swayed and lost spirits of hopes and dreams. With Yuzu having not one, not two, but three Heart’s Eggs manifest and hatch on her, thrusting her into an topsy-turvy world of Character Changes and Character Transformations.

   The trio of her Guardian Charas very happily jibbered and jabbered whilst Yuzu tried to look out the window of the bus or chat with her friends. Yuya and Gongenzaka were oblivious to the three, chatty and sometimes bratty or argumentative Guardian Charas on Yuzu’s shoulder. Their Heart’s Eggs were close to hatching but not yet so it was Yuzu’s little secret until then and for the time being, being so easily distracted by her Guardian Charas did make for some awkward incidents. It was hard paying attention to so many different voices when all she wanted was to watch the countryside roll by outside.

   Seeing the beachy and salty city meld into the sprawling highways was quite the treat. It was beautiful, seeing the evergreen trees and the sparses one, too, go from bare bones to snow capped. Yuzu gasped in delight to see the winter wonderland they would be spending the weekend together on.

   In a few short hours, the bus took them to the town and accommodation they were staying at for the trip. It was a quaint little town nestled in a small mountainside. The inn they were staying at was seemingly refurbished quite recently and had a warm, almost orange colour palette to the interior. It would no doubt be wonderful to rug up under the blankets later in bed to avoid the cold and then wake up to a big day of skiing, sledding, and snowboarding.

   Yuzu could hardly sleep a wink in her room that night. Not with her own excitement, let alone the company of her Guardian Charas. All the students were paired up to share rooms with single beds. Yuzu tossed and turned all night with a smile on her face whereas her roommate slept like a log.

   Breakfast the next day, she ate with her friends Yuya and Gongenzaka. They were in a similar kind of state, looking forward to the day ahead over a continental breakfast. They had been paired up as well but now in daylight, the trio was reunited and ready for the day.

   At around nine sharp, their teacher took them outside to where the promised encounter on this excursion would take place: the ski slopes. Outside of the resort they were staying, that small mountainside looked its absolute best in the glory of the morning.

   The size of the mountain was unimposing as a bunny hop for the newly minted skiers in the co-ed class. The trees glistened in the distance with the pristine snow and verdant fir leaves underneath. There was no breeze and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and nor a teacher, either, for this skiing lesson which was peculiar.

   “When’s it gonna start?” Yuzu whispered to her friends.

   Her Guardian Charas clustered around her, chatting amongst themselves as they didn’t see the promised celebrity either.

   “Yeah, weird.” Yuya commented with a shrug.

   Gongenzaka scanned the distance and spotted their teacher checking his watch. It was the promised time so the youth Olympian should be here, that was apparent for him much the same as his students. The restlessness began to grow, a thrum and a murmur until… Yuzu spotted her first.

   She had a captivating aura about her. That was what Yuzu noticed first, a self confidence that everyone else lacked and so, made her sparkle all the same as the snow around her. Her eyes were sharp, her stride was elegant as she appeared before them fashionably late and from over the bunny hop, lugging her gear as effortlessly as possible despite the awkward shape of the sports equipment.

   She stood in front of the group of students and dropped her stuff. It clattered in the snow, muffling its fall and she flicked her hair over her shoulder. Her hair style was in plaits and bore an unusual mix of strawberry and platinum blonde. She didn’t smile, she smirked as she assessed all the students, left to right, with a calculating gaze.

   She knew she was better than them all combined - and she relished it.

   “I am Olga.” she announced. “Future championship medal winner. Already the best in my home country.” She bowed her head but her body language didn’t seem to imply that was a gesture she was overly accustomed to her.

   The teacher quibbled and introduced Olga some more to the students. The students seemed split on if they liked or not initially. Yuzu found herself in the controversial camp of liking what she saw. It, too, so different to what she was used to from such humble origins as being a public school student from the beach. 

   An instinct that would prove fortuitous as Olga soon proved her chops and so earned the respect of anyone of mixed opinion on her. It was not arrogance when she really was that good. 

   Olga treated them to a training session. It was pitiful practice to her and yet, a marvel for everyone else. She hit the slopes like it was what she was born to do. She was graceful, a wonder amid the snow as her skis carved through it so softly and delicately. The streaks she left behind were defined and parallel, her movements were excellently rehearsed and nothing was done in either excess nor surprise. She finished up in top speed, too, without sacrificing poise.

   Yuzu had her breath taken away by it. That was something she couldn’t do. Not to say she didn’t have her own talents, she took choir and could play a mean board game but skiing was so out of the realm of ordinary for her, Yuzu innately knew it would take her a million years to be even a sliver as good as Olga. A premonition proven true in due time.

   Equipped with her own skis and the matching sports gear, the students were given the opportunity to learn from the best and Yuzu was not exactly taking to it quite elegantly. She was wobbly and uncertain, she was slow and gawky. Yuya was doing fine, he was all athletic and bendy bones in his body and Gongenzaka was taking the slow and steady approach but at least he could stay upright. The same could not be said for Yuzu.

   She had taken face plant after face plant, wipeout after wipeout on her two skis. They felt weird strapped to her feet and out of balance with the heavy snow-resistant clothing that was keeping her warm despite how dusted she was in the fresh, cold powder. 

   Yuzu’s apparent lack of innate skill in the sport caught Olga’s eye. Of course, she was a professional surrounded by amateurs but Yuzu was doing the worst of anyone and so, Olga came closer. To Yuzu’s surprise.

   She was on her knees, bent at the waist, pushing herself up after her latest wipeout when Olga skied in closer to her on the slope. Olga didn’t give her a hand but she did give her some encouragement. Amazingly. Despite her severe and even seemingly self-important demeanour, Olga had a thawed heart in her nonetheless.

   “You wipe out the safely of anyone here.” Olga informed her. “We all make mistakes, we all have to start somewhere and so, that is why it is important to wipeout safely. So as to not break your bones or otherwise injure or strain yourself. Good work. Balance can come later.”

   “Oh, okay… Thank you?” Yuzu didn’t really know how to react to that but Olga was right.

   Despite all of the failures thus far, Yuzu didn’t even have so much as sprained ankle or wrist to show for it. Huh. Self-preservation really was a useful and underrated skill.

   “I will give you some tips.” Olga said next now that Yuzu was on her own two feet, and skis, again.

   Olga then demonstrated some better poses and footwork for Yuzu to imitate. She corrected as necessary, not afraid at all to touch and grab a stranger like Yuzu. Meanwhile, for Yuzu, it gave her a strange moment of pause as her heart skipped and then her Guardian Charas, of course, had to give their two cents.

   “Do you two feel it, too?” Ruru asked, her voice a whisper.

   Riri and Rena exchanged looks and eyed up Olga. The pristine and efficient professional.

   “I think so.” Riri agreed.

   “Yeah, a strong one, too.” Rena affirmed.

   Yuzu blinked, “Really?” 

   “Yup, a Heart’s Egg.” Rena said.

   “And soon, too.” Riri said and Ruru nodded vigorously as well.

   “I see.” Yuzu murmured.

   Olga stared. “You are a strange one. Girl whose name I did not catch. Talking to yourself like that.” 

   “Oops!” Yuzu squeaked. She laughed awkwardly and found an excuse quick enough, “Sorry, I was, um, thinking over what you said and how to ski better. Your a good teacher, Olga, and sorry for being so rude. That’s oopsie, too, my name’s Hiiragi Yuzu, it’s good to meet you.”

   “My apologies, I misunderstood. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Yuzu.” Olga replied. “It is my first time teaching others to ski and I am enjoying it. I appreciate hearing that I am good at it, that, too, is a first for me. Thank you.”

   She offered her gloved hand to Yuzu and Yuzu smiled sweetly. She accepted the handshake and was happy to make the acquaintance. She just hoped Olga was, too, but it was hard to tell with her icy exterior. 

   “Your welcome, by the way, and good luck with the championships.” Yuzu added after the twice bounce of the firm handshake.

   Afterwards, Olga moved on and micromanaged some of the other students who were struggling, although not as terribly as Yuzu, with the brand new experience of skiing. She also gave sparse praise here and there. Soon enough, most of the students had done a top to bottom of the mountain on their own and was confident enough to ski on their own and have some fun with it.

   At the bottom, and ergo the end of the lesson, Olga was satisfied that she had managed to pass on some of her skill and experience in skiing. She stood next to the class’s teacher who smiled benevolently as he gathered up his students in front of him.

   “Olga is going to participate in an exhibition match against some of the others who will be competing in the next Winter Olympic youth games. Let’s all cheer on her on this afternoon.” he said.

   “Thank you.” Olga said, tight-lipped and yet, Yuzu caught something.

   A flick, a small incongruence in her expression where her cold facade dropped. Was it possible? Was she nervous or somehow uncomfortable with the well-wishing? An observation that seemed to gain speed as Olga steeled against the cheers of Yuzu’s classmates as they wished her the best for after lunch. 

   Yuzu rejoined Yuya and Gongenzaka. The resort’s restaurant overlooked the snowfields from its front door and served a delicious meal of traditional, Japanese cooking. Yuya and Gongenzaka ploughed through their rice, tempura, and other goodies in the assorted, ceramic plating it had arrived in,

   Yuzu was hungry but did not eat with their gusto. She was too busy, staring out the window, back into the wintry snowfields that her friends had their backs to due to the seating arrangements.

   “You seem to really like skiing for someone bad at it.” Yuya laughed, with stray grains of rice on his face.

   “Or maybe she likes the teacher.” Gongenzaka added, astute as ever.

   “What?!” Yuzu gasped. “Olga’s… Olga’s barely nice.”

   “Yeah, she is a little cold but you probably get like that when you're the best and stuff.” Yuya agreed.

   “Yeah…” Yuzu hesitantly agreed. 

   She took a sip of her miso soup and dwelled on what Yuya said. It wasn’t like that. She didn’t know why, it was just a hunch. No one is that simple and uncomplicated, after all. Just look at her, she could be equally hot and cold subject to her Guardian Chara’s Character Changes - some, or more accurately most, of which were hardly consensual or otherwise well timed.

   Still, she wanted to see more of Olga’s skiing and, perhaps, more of Olga herself. She was someone to keep an eye on, after all, if her Heart’s Egg was so close to hatching. She wanted to meet Olga’s Guardian Chara, someone born from such strong feelings of competition and professionalism was sure to be interesting if any of the other Guardian Charas outside of her own were anything to go by.

   “Let us all wish the best for young Olga in this afternoon’s exhibition match then.” Gongenzaka said as he put his chopsticks down and his hands into a thankful position. “Thank you for this meal.” He was already finished.

   “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.” Yuzu chirped in agreement.

   Yuya laughed, “You really do want to see more of Olga, huh?” He sounded teasing and Yuzu didn’t know why.

   Nor did she know why her cheeks flushed red. Likely in irritation, surely, as Yuya could be such an annoying jokester from time to time.

   They finished up lunch not too long after Gongenzaka who could really put it away. Then, with their stomachs settled, and not a moment too soon, the rest of the class was ready, too. Their teacher herded them up once more so they could all go and watch the exhibition match on the professional ski fields nearby. An idea which was quite popular as in the hour or so it took to have lunch, many others had now gathered to make up the crowd for such a well anticipated sporting event.

   The buzz and energy in the air after lunch was immaculate. The weather remained good and steady. The teacher took them up to a nearby slope which was bigger and sleeker than the little bunny hop they had been fooling around on. The crowd here was larger, too, and filled with sports fans and the competitor’s loved ones.

   Voices rang out over the speakers, telling the participants to get organised. T-minus twenty minutes and that caused anticipation to skyrocket. Whispers erupted out of good will towards Olga and her rivals. It had all the excitement of a real game, or at least that’s how Yuzu felt as she was sequestered to the middle of the group and straining her head to see the ski course. The class managed to get some good views from the middle of the slope. It was cordoned off with triangular flags dyed in the primary colours. 

   Luckily to the far side of the slope, there was an encampment for the judges, adjudicators, coaches and press which was adorned with a massive flat-screen television. It broadcast the commentators in the booth and intercut their speeches with vision of the competitors. 

   All of the skiers were dressed to the nines in their big, bulky gear and flashy colours. They wore goggles and gloves, their gear matched their jackets in colour. It was quite the scene to behold, especially with so many smiles and cocky attitudes to match.

   Which made it all the more peculiar when there was a switch to Olga and she was the odd one out amongst such expressions. She seemed oblivious to the fact that she was on the big screen. Her face was pensive, her eyebrows quirking and her lips quivering until she hit a sudden breaking point whilst the commentary played.

   “That’s Olga Lindström, our youngest competitor here today and most travelled competitor from the far flung regions of Scandinavia. We are sure to see big things from her as she is the favourite far and wide.”

   The commentary was benevolent, even exquisite praise for the young skier and yet, she couldn’t take it. She bolted. She disappeared from the television screen, not even to anyone’s bafflement sans Yuzu’s. The footage changed to someone else and the commentary moved along with it.

   Yet Olga was gone with the wind.

   She excused herself out the rear of the competitor’s loading zone and dashed away. She left her gear behind and Yuzu caught her out of the corner of her eye. Where she was running, who knows but Yuzu had to follow.

   “That’s Olga, I'm gonna go check on her.” Yuzu hastily mentioned to Yuya and Gongenzaka but she was gone before either could protest.

   She manoeuvred through the crowd and gave chase to Olga whose footprints in the snow were obvious. They were going in a different direction to everyone else, after all and Yuzu was speedy enough, even in her warm winter clothes. She followed Olga around the bend of a building some feet away from the main action of the games this afternoon.

   Olga buckled in anxiety, curling up like an egg in the vast, dark shadow of the building. She held onto her fluffy hat and panicked.

   Yuzu felt intrusive stepping onto such a scene and yet, “Are you okay?” Her voice was quiet to match the dim of the secluded location. 

   Olga worried. Frantic. She squeezed her eyes shut and ignored Yuzu. She chewed her lip and Yuzu came closer but not too close. Olga reminded her of a wounded animal and didn’t want to impede if all Olga needed was a breath of fresh air then some alone time.

   “Expectations this, expectations that, we expect great things of you.” Olga repeated the commentary’s highlights but her tone of voice was twisted. Full of resentment. “Big things, far and wide, I’m only fourteen. I love skiing and I love competing but I can’t deal with the expectations that come with it. I just want to have fun.”

   “Oh.” Yuzu mumbled.

   “Enough!” Olga shouted. 

   The volume of her voice spiked and made the snow on nearby tree branches fall off. Then, there was a light. Bluish-white and blinding. It came from within Olga, from her heart.

   Olga reeled back, surprised by what was happening to her.

   She fumbled in the snow, Yuzu crouched down next to her and they both watched as the light transformed and concentrated into the shape of an egg. It floated in the air, bobbing like snow drift on a breeze. It was pale blue in colour and emblazoned with the insignia of an ornate snowflake in the middle, it was a darker blue to the rest of the shell.

   Then. It cracked.

   Just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared all the same. A crack through the middle and then a tiny fairy-like creature emerged from the two halves of the egg. 

   “Hello.”

   “Hello.” Olga replied.

   “You may call me Lumi, I am your Guardian Chara.” 

   The Guardian Chara, now identified as Lumi, bowed her head in introduction. She had dark, navy coloured hair and wore traditional yet festive garb from Olga’s home country. Her dress had intricate embroidery at the bottom and was adorned with thick, fluffy-looking fur. 

   “It is good to meet you.” Lumi continued. “Now, allow me to help you free yourself from expectation. You are already good enough, you do not need to worry about anything else. You know you have practiced and practiced, the opinions of others need not worry you. Therefore, Character… Change!”

   Lumi struck a pose, her stubby, little arm surged upwards and Olga was hit by the magic. A snowflake clip now appeared in her hair, tucked under her hat and Olga was surprisingly okay with it.

   She stood there, shoulders back and looked forward. She took a moment to breathe and nodded decisively.

   “I… feel better.” Olga replied. “Calm.”

   “Good, that means it's working.” Lumi smiled.

   Olga turned around and was spooked to see Yuzu. She clutched her heart and made a frightful expression, to Lumi and the other Guardian Chara’s amusement. They snickered and laughed together.

   “More of them?” Olga exclaimed. “Just what are these little creatures?”

   “The Guardian Charas?” Yuzu did her best not to laugh. “They’re born from our heart’s desires and our wishes for our future selves. Not to brag but I’m kind of an expert when it comes to them.”

   “Oh really?” Rena teased as Riri poked and prodded Yuzu’s face, to Olga’s amazement.

   “You could have fooled me.” Ruru laughed.

   “Okay, I’m still learning.” Yuzu fessed up. “But I can totally help you out with the basics.”

   “I see. I am in your care then.” Olga replied.

   She came closer and took Yuzu’s hand again. She gave it another, trademark Olga handshake with enough firmness to almost break Yuzu’s fingers. Yuzu laughed awkwardly and Olga let go.

   “Now, I must be going. Lumi and I have an exhibition match to appear in.” Olga announced, refreshed by Lumi’s magic and her own self-confidence restored.

   It made Yuzu happy to see.

   Olga strode off and Yuzu trailed along behind her. She returned to her own spot amongst the crowd just like Olga returned to her spot on the starting line. With not a minute to spare, Olga reappeared and the crowd was raucous for it. She was the clear favourite by a mile and for good reason.

   Even though she was stacked against adults with years more experience than her, Olga left them all behind her in the ploughed snow. 

   Olga careened through the course at top speed. A smile plastered on her face as she did so, underneath the glint of her goggles. Her movements were precise and beautiful. Her elegance on the snowfield could not be understated, her skis and her poles were extensions of herself. She had full control over them as she all but flew through the snow, carving it up and leaving a magnificent, glittering trail behind her.

   She finished first and with quite the league between her. The crowd was boisterous, none could be prouder for her - except, perhaps, Lumi. Her Guardian Chara, invisible to the eye of most and a shame.

   Olga and Lumi had been the dream team together. Laughing, smiling, skiing. They were the queens of the snowfield. Olga couldn’t have been more overjoyed to share her skiing with her Guardian Chara - let alone the fact she “won”. It didn’t count towards anything by virtue of being an exhibition match but it was more than enough to sate the victory both she and Lumi desired as professional skiers.

   The adrenaline didn’t wear off and Yuzu could tell. As soon as the formalities were over, Olga made a beeline to go and see her new friend.

   “That was amazing!” Olga gushed to Yuzu.

   They were kind of on their lonesome. As lonesome as a pair could be flanked by Guardian Charas, as well as the lingering dregs of the crowd as it dispersed to return to the resort or to otherwise leave.

   “I can tell, you were having so much fun!” Yuzu replied, matching Olga’s glee. 

   “Normally when I ski, I am unable to enjoy myself so much. I blink and its over, my nervousness leaving me a wreck but I was fully awake during that. Thank you, Yuzu, Lumi.” Olga replied.

   Now, for a third time, Olga grabbed Yuzu’s hands but this time, rather than shake them, she held them. Yuzu’s heart throbbed as she met Olga’s excited gaze. The grey of her irises lit up to the most joyous blue, absorbing the sky and snow around them, to say nothing of the magic of her own happiness.

   It was a strange yet bubbly feeling. It started in her fingertips, making her heart skip a beat, and put butterflies in her stomach as she smiled. Their fingers interlocked through their gloves and they held onto each other as tight as tight could be.

   A secret. Their secret. Even if it was shared amongst four Guardian Charas. Yuzu was more than happy to partake in it with her new friend. Even if said friend elicited such peculiar feelings amid the snowfield. 

   “I want to learn more about the Guardian Charas, will you have me?” Olga asked. “It will be our little secret, yes?”

   “Y-Yes.” Yuzu laughed as she basked in the radiance that Olga emanated.

[checkurselfb4umachuwreckurself]

So giving it a quick look at your YXE tag I gather two things: wow a fan of your blog likes fushia (not wrong just noticing) and a character that's missing is Olga! so could I request Joikshipping?

(I don’t think it’s just one anon, but if so they are dedicated… I hope they like it at least!)

I mean if you want to nitpick I don’t have Halil either

Yuzu sat in the waiting room with the other contenders for the Junior Youth division of the championship. There were only a handful of people there since some people were busy dueling and others were out and about. She tapped her foot on the ground, looking around. Neither Gongenzaka or Yuuya were there.She recognized Michio, but he was busy talking to some other red head boy. She saw some knight cosplayers and some bandits, but figured they wouldn’t be willing to chat.

He eyes fell on a girl with white and brown braids. She wore a heavy winter coat, despite it nearing summer. She was facing a rotating fan, breathing in and out its cold air.

Yuzu got up and walked up behind her, humming a few bars. She groaned, covering her face with her mitten-covered hands. “God!” she complained “That movie is so old!”

She cocked her head. “What?” Yuzu asked. “I liked Frozen.”

She- Olga, right?- turned around to face Yuzu. “Yeah, maybe if you’re a child or something. Oh, and by the way, no, I don’t want to build a snowman.” She turned back to the oscillating fan.

Yuzu pouted. What a grump. “Come on! Would you still be apposed to it if it wasn’t tied into a cash-hungry franchise?” The boy who’s bandit hat resembled mouse ears perked up, but then sunk back into the background.

Olga sighed. “Entertain me. Why would I be interested in participating in a childish activity with one of my possible opponents?”

Yuzu sighed at the negativity. She walked back to her seat, stopped, and looked over her shoulder. “Geez, you’re quite a fixer upper, aren’t you?”

She merely laughed at Olga’s angry outburst

[arcvshippings]

Joikshipping

Joikshipping = Yuzu x Olga

Named as such because a joik is a term used to describe various types of song in Sami culture, and the Sami are from Norway, Sweden, Finland & Russia. It’s also said in oral tradition that fairies of the arctic land gave this style of singing to the Sami people. Not only is this kinda a Norse thing (in the sub, Olga says she’s from the Nordic LDS branch, that was omitted in the dub), but it’s said to have been given to people by fairies, the same type as Yuzu’s Melodious deck.