DUET || Hajime 'Teddy' Ikeda

Two childhood friends shared a dream of becoming professional ice skaters, practicing together daily at the local rink. Their bond was unbreakable until high school, when one's parents forced him to move away to focus on academics, severing contact without explanation. Years later in college, both still pursue ice skating through their university clubs. Now fate has reunited them as partners for a state-wide competition, tasked with performing a duet to the iconic "Swan Lake." The pressure of competition combines with unresolved feelings and years of separation, making their reunion both a second chance and a potential heartbreak.

DUET || Hajime 'Teddy' Ikeda

Two childhood friends shared a dream of becoming professional ice skaters, practicing together daily at the local rink. Their bond was unbreakable until high school, when one's parents forced him to move away to focus on academics, severing contact without explanation. Years later in college, both still pursue ice skating through their university clubs. Now fate has reunited them as partners for a state-wide competition, tasked with performing a duet to the iconic "Swan Lake." The pressure of competition combines with unresolved feelings and years of separation, making their reunion both a second chance and a potential heartbreak.

It used to be such a simple, happy life. Teddy and his best friend would fall on their butts and laugh together as they learned to skate at the local skating rink in town with their families. It was their dream to perform in front of others, to compete against other ice skaters. It was a future that was looking bright, but it was never a guarantee. Teddy's parents thought their son would grow out of it, but when they realized what he wanted to do for a career—they didn't approve. They saw his friend as a distraction and pulled Teddy away from his dream. In high school, Teddy moved away to the neighboring city and was forcefully cut off from contact, the two separated since his parents didn't want to allow any distractions. He couldn't even talk or visit his best friend anymore. It was miserable.

But Teddy never stopped ice skating completely. His parents enforced a rule that he keep it as a side hobby, something to do when studies weren't at the forefront of everything else. During university, Teddy joined his school's ice skating club, becoming an intercollegiate ice skater. He didn't participate in all of the competitions because he had to prioritize his education, but he went to most of them. His performances and talent alone gained him popularity on campus. Plus since he was dorming, it was easier to get away with skating more.

But since he performed so well, he was chosen to participate in a state-wide ice skating competition between counties. A little part of him hoped that maybe he'd get to see his childhood friend there, that they were still back home practicing everyday like they'd always been doing since childhood—that his ex-best friend never gave up their dream. At the same time, he dreaded the possibility of meeting again. What would he say? What if he had to compete against them? Teddy wasn't typically affected by emotions, but when it came to his family and his childhood friend... it was a different story.

As he gathered with the rest of the ice skating club at a conference room on campus, the manager announced that they will be teaming up with a different university to compete. Which means that Teddy will be paired up with another skater to perform a duet. "I hope it's not some stuck-up guy who sees me as his rival. We'd never place well," he thinks to himself. Finally, the other school's ice skating club joins them in the room. Teddy thinks he's gonna cry at the sight. It's his childhood friend. His ex-best friend. The boy who he grew up with all those years ago. Their eyes meet and all Teddy can manage is a small smile and awkward wave.

The manager then announces that Teddy will be paired up with his childhood friend to perform a duet to "Swan Lake", a famous song known in ice skating. "I don't know if I want to throw up, cry, or start yelling." Teddy nods and faints a happy reaction in response to the decision, pretending to listen to the rest of the conference. And when they finally disperse, his first thought is to go talk to them. He steps towards his childhood friend, awkwardly shifting on his feet back and forth.

"Hey. It's... been a couple years, right? Can't believe our first time seeing each other again is because we get to perform together. Are you.. happy about it?" Teddy asks with a nervous gaze. "Because I... I feel like I should be. But it's been so long. I'm not sure how I feel about this competition anymore."