Whispers in the Winter Wind

Yasushi drifted through the echoing corridors of his school, a solitary figure during this brief respite from scheduled classes. Engrossed in his self-directed studies, he was unexpectedly beckoned by a neighboring teacher to lend a hand, the call of coincidence guiding his steps.

With just one more class lingering before the day's end, freedom seemed tantalizingly close. Delivering the requested aid, he found himself in the faculty office, dropping off documents as per the request. It was there, amidst the official hubbub, that he caught the principal's eye and was beckoned closer, the gesture imbued with unspoken intrigue.

"Sir, is there a matter requiring attention?" Yasushi inquired, his stance poised beside the principal and the vice-principal, their presence casting a subtle aura of significance.

"I stumbled upon an interesting post," the principal began, his tone a blend of curiosity and mild amusement. "Have you been stirring the rumor mill with your actions, young man?"

"Not really, no. Something happened on Friday, and Jishiha has decided to become an honest person and left the school voluntarily," explained Yasushi vaguely.

The principal and vice-principal exchanged knowing glances, their expressions hinting at a shared understanding that remained unspoken. Without delving into further inquiries, they directed Yasushi to return to his classroom, a command he obeyed with haste, eager to evade any lingering scrutiny. Stepping out of the faculty office, he retraced his steps back to the familiar confines of his learning space.

As he drew nearer to the classroom door, Yasushi encountered a figure that was no stranger to the school's social fabric — a student of notable repute named Tanaka. Athletic prowess defined Tanaka's presence, his prowess extending from the baseball diamond where he partnered with his friend Furuya, to a past dalliance with volleyball, now left behind for reasons unknown to most.

Furuya, a close companion, often spoke of Tanaka's dual sporting talents, emphasizing his prowess as a pitcher while highlighting the seamless camaraderie shared with Furuya himself. Tanaka's gaze ignited with recognition upon spotting Yasushi, prompting an enthusiastic dash toward their chance encounter.

"Hey there, Mr. Superhero! Whatever you did, you managed to get Jishiha out of here, and that's got everyone grinning ear to ear. You're in for some serious VIP treatment," Tanaka chirped, playfully tapping Yasushi's shoulder.

Yasushi, caught off guard by the unexpected attention, responded with a hint of discomfort. "I didn't plan for that outcome, but thanks, I suppose," he murmured.

Undeterred, Tanaka continued with his brash curiosity. "So spill it, did you throw down with him? Take on his whole clan, including the dog? Sounds like you went all in," he prodded, mixing jest with a touch of crudeness.

Choosing his words carefully, Yasushi offered a vague explanation. "Let's just say there was a bit of confrontation and negotiation involved. Would that satisfy your curiosity?" he countered, to which Tanaka chuckled heartily and gave him another friendly slap on the shoulder.

"Who needs words when we can make our own theories, Mr. Super-Secret Spy!" Tanaka exclaimed, his joviality infectious as he bounded away, leaving Yasushi to ponder the curious blend of admiration and amusement that often accompanied their interactions.

Yasushi exhaled softly, a gesture of mild exasperation, as he shook his head in self-disapproval. "I don't want to be called that," he muttered under his breath, a quiet protest to the accolades that felt undeserved. With a determined step, he entered his classroom, aware of the curious glances that followed his every move, yet choosing to pay them no heed.

Taking his seat at his desk, Yasushi's eyes caught sight of a discreetly placed note beneath his textbook. His curiosity piqued, he retrieved the note and unfolded it with a sense of anticipation. The name "Jingliu" graced the paper, a surprising revelation that sparked intrigue within him.

"I am eager to discover more about this city. Your mention of being a lifelong resident intrigued me. Would you be willing to show me around, dear friend?"

The emphasis on "friend" did not go unnoticed by Yasushi, eliciting a faint smirk that danced across his lips. It was evident that Jingliu was making a concerted effort to forge a connection with him. Glancing over at her, he caught her absorbed in her studies, yet she spared a fleeting smile in his direction before returning to her books. The subtle gesture did not go unappreciated, stirring a sense of warmth within Yasushi as he contemplated the budding friendship on the horizon.

'Where exactly are we supposed to meet?' Yasushi pondered, his thoughts drifting to the vague nature of Jingliu's invitation that lacked a specific time or place. Opting to leave it to chance, he tucked the note into his pocket and refocused on his studies, allowing the mysteries of fate to guide their eventual rendezvous.

+-+

After the bell rang and the corridors emptied, Yasushi lingered behind, his thoughts weaving through the usual end-of-day chaos. Furuya's hurried exit, fueled by the ambition to shine on the field this year, caught Yasushi's attention briefly before the real world dissolved into the quieter spaces of the classroom.

Jingliu, the mysterious presence amidst the fading echoes of classmates, rose from her seat with an air of purpose. She slung her bag over her shoulder, her gaze locking onto Yasushi's like a magnet finding its north.

Before Yasushi could utter a word, Jingliu's voice cut through the silence, crisp and unexpected. "It's a date then," she declared, her words landing with the weight of a feather and the sting of a playful challenge. Yasushi's attempt to respond was halted by her next words, delivered with a teasing edge that caught him off guard.

"I jest, my dear friend Yasushi," Jingliu continued, her smirk suggesting secrets shared between their unspoken words. "However, I was serious about my request. The daylight lingers, beckoning us. Let's go."

"You have a strange way of speaking sometimes," Yasushi remarked as they strolled away from the school, falling into step with Jingliu.

The campus, now deserted of its bustling crowds, allowed them the luxury of uninterrupted conversation. Jingliu, with a hint of anticipation in her voice, proposed a detour to the bakery. "I need to pick up a few things," she said.

Yasushi shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure, do you have a sweet tooth or something?" he inquired, to which Jingliu responded with a nod and a glimpse into her past.

"Indeed," she confirmed. "As a child, I harbored a fondness for sweets, but my grandparents' stringent rules restricted such indulgences. It was only after their passing and our nomadic lifestyle that I had more opportunities to satisfy my cravings." Her words painted a picture of a bittersweet journey, a blend of longing and liberation.

"Is that so?" Yasushi remarked with a hint of nonchalance. "I've been dabbling in baking lately, so perhaps I can use you as a guinea pig," he added, trying to sound casual, though Jingliu's expectant gaze gave away her genuine interest.

"Do you mind being one?" Yasushi clarified, a touch of uncertainty in his voice.

"One does not decline free food easily, do they?" Jingliu replied, her words carrying a subtle challenge wrapped in amusement. Yasushi chuckled, shaking his head.

"True enough. But my creations might not meet the standards of your refined palate," he admitted with a self-deprecating smile.

Jingliu fell silent briefly, contemplating before shaking her head. "One must make sacrifices on the path to enlightenment. I'll support your journey to mastery, and when you get there, I'll gladly savor your perfected creations. Does that sound acceptable?" Her words held a quiet determination, a willingness to accompany Yasushi on his culinary quest.

"Fair enough," Yasushi responded, their banter continuing as they ambled toward the bakery Jingliu had mentioned earlier. Inside, Jingliu moved with purpose, selecting an assortment of bread, pastries, and sweets that caught her fancy before swiftly paying for them.

Yasushi's eyes widened in surprise as Jingliu handed over a black credit card to the cashier. The cashier, equally astonished, handled the card with a trembling reverence akin to holding a mythical artifact from a video game.

Once outside, Jingliu noticed Yasushi's perplexed expression. "Is something wrong?" she inquired, puzzled by his reaction.

Leading the way, Yasushi couldn't contain his curiosity. "You... you have a black credit card?" he asked, his unease palpable.

"It's the Centurion Card from American Express. My father entrusted it to me, though I have my limits, which I rarely approach. It's no cause for concern," Jingliu explained casually, unfazed by the intrigue her card had sparked.

Yasushi's disbelief echoed through the air as he repeated Jingliu's words, his voice tinged with incredulity. "No cause for concern," he muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in skepticism. "No normal teenager has something like that," he added, his tone steeped in doubt, as he motioned for them to leave.

"I'm not normal though, neither are you, Yasushi," Jingliu remarked casually, taking a leisurely bite of her bread. Her words hung in the air, laced with a hint of amusement. She extended the piece toward him, a playful gesture, and Yasushi, with a nonchalant shrug, leaned in and took a bite.

"How is it?" she inquired, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Good... or maybe I should say, the same as ever?" Yasushi replied thoughtfully, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I sometimes frequent that place and indulge in their food, so I've grown accustomed to the flavor. They do introduce specials occasionally, though, so I recommend trying them out. But it's a bit of a gamble," he explained, his words carrying a note of caution.

Jingliu nodded in understanding, her expression bright with satisfaction. "I'll keep that in mind. Now then, where shall we venture next, my dear friend?" she inquired, her eyes dancing with anticipation, a world of possibilities unfolding before them.