Whispers in the Winter Wind

After lingering by the doorway for a brief spell, the two girls reached a conclusion.

"I haven't quite settled on a decision yet; I'm exploring the other clubs, so I'll return another time to share my answer, if that's acceptable," Xinyi remarked.

"That's perfectly acceptable; we don't plan on coercing anyone into joining us," Reina responded.

All eyes then shifted to Jingliu, who shut her book and returned it to its place on the shelf. She stole a glance at them, then at Yasushi, before stating, "I do enjoy reading, but... I won't be joining the club, I'm afraid."

"That's perfectly alright; feel free to drop by if you fancy it, as we always welcome those who wish to read with us occasionally," Reina replied, casting them a gentle smile.

"Thank you for the hospitality. Until we meet again," Yasushi uttered, stepping out of the room with the two girls trailing behind. Yet, before their departure, Reina halted Yasushi with a call.

"Yasushi. I'll be anticipating 'that' next time," she remarked, offering a smile. Yasushi simply nodded in response, leaving the cryptic exchange with Reina unexplored as he moved away.

"Next time? 'That'? What's she hinting at, Yasushi?" Xinyi inquired, skipping alongside him with a mischievous grin. "Let me guess, a secret romance between you two!?" she playfully exclaimed, covering her mouth with a hand.

Yasushi chuckled at her joke and shook his head. "No, it's nothing of the sort. Once, I encountered her twin brothers being chased by a notorious troublemaker dog in our neighborhood. I intervened, shooed the dog away, and escorted them back home."

He glanced at the passing windows, a smile gracing his lips. "They've taken a liking to me, so I occasionally drop by with homemade food or pick up some treats from the local bakery," he divulged.

"Ah, the esteemed Mr. Hero! That's what some folks have taken to calling you. Looks like you're living up to that moniker," Xinyi teased, playfully prodding Yasushi's side.

"Hero, huh? I'm not quite sold on that; I'm just doing what any decent person would do. But if you insist, feel free to use that title," he responded enigmatically, his agreement tinged with reluctance.

The two girls exchanged a glance, intrigued by Yasushi's cryptic remark but choosing not to probe further. They soon reached the school's library near the entrance.

"It's the library, as you can see. You're familiar with how they operate, but this one's quite expansive, open until six in the evening, and houses a diverse collection of books that might pique your interest. It's certainly more than what the Literature club offers; they occasionally convene here for their post-school activities," Yasushi explained, gesturing towards the library's entrance. He paused, acknowledging the librarian's wave with a friendly return gesture.

"Shall we explore the outdoor clubs next, perhaps ending at the school's pool and swimming club?" he suggested, leading the way down the corridor, turning right, and exiting through a different door with the girls in tow.

They stepped out into a vast field adorned with various buildings and outdoor spaces designated for the school's clubs. Yasushi guided them eastward, where the baseball field and the team were actively practicing.

"Just as I was saying—" Yasushi started, only to be interrupted by a resounding cry.

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaasuuuuuuuushiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!" Furuya's exuberant shout echoed, joined by the chorus of other club members who had spotted him.

Yasushi sighed, offering a wave in acknowledgment before resuming, "Here's the baseball field and our dumb team. We consistently edge close to Koshien every year but fall just short. This year, with promising first-years and significant improvements all around, our chances look promising."

Xinyi joined in the wave and chuckled. "Seems like they have a soft spot for you, Yasushi. Even though some of our peers label you as boring and dull, you've carved out your own niche of popularity, haven't you?" she teased.

"I wouldn't go that far, but I suppose," he replied modestly. "I served as a relief pitcher in our first year, and we made it to the finals before falling short of Koshien. Still, it seems to have left an impression, both on them and the coaches, so that's probably why they like me."

"Hmm," Xinyi mused, her eyes tracing the contours of Yasushi's frame. "You seem quite active, don't you? Do you engage in physical exercise?"

Yasushi let out a soft chuckle, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'd rather move than stagnate," he replied with a shrug. "A healthy body tends to accompany a longer life, after all. It's a simple equation, really."

"True," Xinyi agreed quietly, her gaze thoughtful.

"Shall we get going, then?" Yasushi suggested, taking a step forward. "There are three more teams practicing today."

They set off, their footsteps echoing faintly against the pavement as they made their way toward the trio of buildings nearby.

Their destination reached, they entered the first building, greeted by the rhythmic thud of volleyball against palms. The scene unfolded before them: boys and girls, each engrossed in their practice.

"Our school's volleyball teams," Yasushi began, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness, "haven't exactly had a stellar track record. We tend to exit tournaments rather quickly. The last time we tasted championship glory was a good thirteen years back, if the principal's memory serves right. Mind you, that's just for the boys; the girls managed a victory about seven years ago. Still, we're not exactly on fire."

Xinyi's brows furrowed slightly. "Are they really that bad?" she asked, casting a sweeping gaze across the bustling building, where both teams diligently honed their skills.

Yasushi chuckled softly, a sardonic glint in his eyes. "Not at all," he clarified. "Our teams boast considerable talent. It's just that the competition they face is of national caliber. Picture it like this: our teams are well-trained dogs pitted against colossal dinosaurs armed to the teeth with rocket launchers, guns, and turrets. It's a battle where the odds are heavily stacked against the dogs, no matter how skilled they might be."

Xinyi's laughter bubbled forth. "An odd comparison, but I'll roll with it. So, are they scouting for new blood? Specifically, for the girls' team? I used to enjoy volleyball back in my hometown."

"Anyone's welcome to join," Yasushi replied, his gaze shifting to Jingliu. "What about you?"

Jingliu shook her head, her expression serene. "Sports aren't my cup of tea. I'm here merely as a guide for Xinyi. Although I must admit, I haven't had a proper tour myself, so this serves as a dual-purpose visit."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Xinyi interjected, a puzzled frown creasing her brow. "You were part of the fencing club at our school back in China, weren't you? You led us to the national stage and secured victory twice!" Her confusion was palpable, grappling with the seeming contradiction in Jingliu's words.

Jingliu's gaze lingered on Xinyi for a fleeting moment, her expression unreadable. "I never had a fondness for it. That's all I'll say. It was more out of... duty," she explained softly, her voice trailing off as she turned away, withdrawing into a contemplative silence.

Yasushi's eyes flickered between Jingliu and Xinyi, sensing the tension that had settled like a thick fog. With a subtle gesture, he intervened, his hand raised to diffuse the unease. "Let's move on to the next building," he suggested, his voice calm but decisive. "The last one houses the swimming team, so let's head there."

Taking hold of their wrists, Yasushi guided them away, a silent acknowledgment of the need to break the stifling atmosphere. He released their wrists as they stepped outside, leading the way to the adjacent building. As they entered, the rhythmic bounce of basketballs greeted their ears, the male basketball team engrossed in their practice.

"The basketball team," Yasushi began, his tone casual yet informative. "We only have a men's team; there wasn't enough interest to form a women's team. They clinched the winter cup last year but faced setbacks in qualifying for the spring and summer tournaments." His explanation hung in the air, a snapshot of the team's recent history.

"Ah, that's a shame. I do enjoy basketball, although not quite as much as volleyball. But such is life," Xinyi remarked, her curiosity piqued. "Winning the winter cup sounds impressive. What led to their setbacks in the subsequent tournaments?"

Yasushi observed the team's movements, his gaze distant as he recounted the reasons. "I don't have all the details, but it seems there were several factors at play. The coach went through a rough patch in his marriage, which understandably affected his focus during training. Some of the players faced injuries, and the retirement of senior members left the team relying heavily on first and second years. It was a combination of these factors."

"Ah, the complexities of life," Xinyi murmured in response. "Have you ever played for them, Yasushi? You strike me as someone who lends a helping hand."

"I played with them just once," Yasushi reminisced, his tone reflective. "Our chemistry wasn't quite there since I didn't have much time to integrate. However, we managed to secure a victory in the game I participated in, filling in for a missing key player. They returned for subsequent matches, so I didn't continue with the team."

Xinyi's eyes sparkled with renewed interest. "Hmm, that's a shame. Well, onward to the final club — the swimming team!" Her enthusiasm was palpable as she raised her left hand in an eager pump.

Yasushi chuckled softly at her infectious energy as they exited the building. Their quick strides led them to the poolside where the swimming team was engrossed in their training, their movements fluid and synchronized. As they observed, a female coach approached them, her eyes curious and welcoming.

"Oh, Yasushi, what brings you here with two new faces?" The female teacher and coach observed them with a hint of curiosity.

"Just a tour," Yasushi responded calmly, gesturing around. "We're wrapping up our visit here, and this is our final stop."

"Ah, I was informed about that. Well, welcome, both of you," the coach greeted warmly. "If you're interested in joining, just let me know, and I'll provide you with the necessary paperwork. However, I should mention that we typically don't allow male members here for obvious reasons — our team is exclusively for women."

"Hmm, that does make sense," Xinyi remarked thoughtfully, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "We wouldn't want to deal with ogling guys in those swimsuits all the time," she added with a soft chuckle.

Jingliu glanced at Yasushi, noticing his deliberate avoidance of looking towards the pool and the swimmers within. The coach observed this interaction and let out a light chuckle. "You're quite perceptive. But perhaps another time, would you like to give it a shot? It's worth a try," she proposed with a warm smile.

"N-no, thank you. I don't have a towel or anything," Xinyi declined politely, her gaze shifting between Yasushi and Jingliu, who silently agreed with her decision.

The coach nodded understandingly. "Ah, that's a shame. Feel free to come back another day, and perhaps we can arrange it then," she suggested, her attention turning to Yasushi. "I'll be counting on your help again soon, alright?"

"Sure," Yasushi responded curtly as he exited the building, leaving Jingliu and Xinyi behind to converse with the coach.