Whispers in the Winter Wind

Into the late hours, nearing eleven, Yasushi found himself immersed in a nightly ritual of exercise within the confines of his backyard. The falling snow painted a serene picture, contrasting with the visible heat radiating from his exertions, forming wisps of steam around his form. Though the interplay of warmth and chill enveloped him, it mattered little; his focus remained steadfast on his regimen.

This nocturnal routine wasn't an everyday affair but occurred with enough frequency to earn the status of a habit. Yasushi persisted in his push-ups, the frigid air coaxing beads of sweat to trace down his skin. The late hour held a special allure for him, a time when solitude was assured, evoking memories of youthful defiance against even parental interference, sculpting the physique he now possessed.

With the chime of his phone marking the appointed time, he completed his final push-up, achieving the formidable count of one thousand for the night.

He rose, swiping at the perspiration on his skin as he ambled towards his phone. "Tomorrow... ten thousand kilometers run, following Saitama's footsteps," he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice, before retreating indoors, sipping milk, then indulging in a nightly bath.

After half an hour, refreshed and prepared for sleep, a notification beckoned from his phone's screen. Furuya's message awaited, a warning etched within: "Watch your back, man. Heard you stood up to one of those senior gang members. They might come back for revenge. My buddy's brother spilled about how serious they can get."

Yasushi's surprise lingered, unaware of the trio's gang affiliation. Yet, he swiftly thanked Furuya, promising to stay alert before bidding goodnight. In the dim of his room, he lay beneath the shadows, the moon's soft glow filtering through the window, casting a serene ambiance over his thoughts.

"Gangs, here? Seems improbable in Ginsukimura... though, that was ages ago, back when I was nine," Yasushi muttered into the quiet of his room, eyelids sliding shut. "Surely, they wouldn't be stupid enough to attack someone in school, under the teacher's watchful eye..." His words trailed into the night as slumber claimed him.

Yet even in sleep's embrace, Yasushi's mind churned with Furuya's revelations, painting a scene of uncertainty for the days ahead.

+-+

Yasushi's strides toward school bore a subtle tension, courtesy of Furuya's message that had lingered in his thoughts since the night prior, an unwelcome companion even upon waking. The heavy snowfall from the night before added an extra layer of challenge to the morning commute, turning familiar paths into arduous trails.

As he navigated the city's diligent efforts to clear sidewalks, observing workers already toiling under the early light, Yasushi reached the customary meeting spot, only to find Jingliu absent. Frowning, he retrieved his phone, fingers tapping out a message to her. A brief pause ensued before her reply arrived, a promise to catch up during lunch, easing some of the unease that had settled within him.

With a nonchalant shrug, he retraced his steps toward the school. Midway, a prickling sensation crept over him, as if unseen eyes bore into his back. Amidst the throng of pedestrians, he couldn't pinpoint the source, so he dismissed it for the time being. However, the echo of Furuya's cautionary words from the previous night lingered, hinting at potential repercussions for his assistance to Xinyi.

Throughout the journey, the sensation of being watched persisted, yet he refrained from casting glances over his shoulder. Upon reaching his classroom and settling into his seat, familiar faces greeted him — Furuya, Xinyi, and even Jingliu, their gazes momentarily lingering on him. Of them, only Furuya hastened to his side.

"Dude, a few of the gang's school members were eyeing you. Keep an eye out, you idiot," Furuya advised, perching on Yasushi's desk with an urgency that mirrored the gravity of the situation.

"I'm aware," Yasushi said, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon outside the window. "But what would I achieve by confronting them? A pointless fight, maybe. If they cross the line, I'll act accordingly."

Furuya nodded, his eyes reflecting a hint of concern. "I understand. But still... What's your strategy then? Not many are aware of what went down. The seniors aren't going to spread the word that Xinyi took them down alongside you."

"I didn't do much, to be honest," Yasushi said with a shrug, as if downplaying the events. "I only intervened when one of them was about to strike her. It was Xinyi who handled the situation. And as for those troublemakers, they're lying low for now. They wouldn't dare make a move in broad daylight." He leaned back in his chair, a calmness settling over him, masking the subtle tension underneath.

Furuya fell into silence, observing Yasushi's relaxed demeanor, seemingly detached from the potential events. Yet, beneath that façade, Yasushi's mind churned with plans, anticipating the unknown moment when things would come to a head, be it today, tomorrow, or whenever their potential enemies decide to act.

He trusted Xinyi's capabilities to defend herself, and he was confident in his own ability to handle any confrontation. What troubled him was not the fight itself but the prospect of it happening in the open, exposed to public eyes.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Furuya wished Yasushi luck and drifted towards their other classmates, seeking a distraction until the school day commenced. It was in this lull that his phone vibrated, drawing his attention to a message from Jingliu.

The message was concise: "Do you need help?"

Their eyes met briefly, a silent exchange of understanding. Yasushi tapped out a response: "If I need assistance, I'll reach out. But as of now, everything's under control. I'll fill you in during lunch."

Jingliu nodded without a word, accepting his assurance. With that settled, the school day commenced, sweeping them into its routine.

+-+

Lunchtime arrived swiftly, ushering Yasushi to the school's rooftop where Jingliu awaited him. The snow, meticulously cleared once again, lent an air of surreal cleanliness to the scene, prompting a subtle unease within him. Yet, rather than dwell on this peculiarity, Yasushi simply accepted it, allowing the moment to unfold.

Underneath the darkened sky, snowflakes danced down upon them as Yasushi and Jingliu sat in shared silence, savoring their meal. It was only after a prolonged period that Yasushi broke the quietude.

"You saw what happened yesterday, didn't you? With the seniors," he began, prompting a silent nod from Jingliu. "Well, here's what took place afterward..."

With a measured tone, Yasushi recounted the events and outlined his own strategies for potential retaliation. He mentioned his intention to notify Xinyi, though he speculated that she might already be aware through her own channels.

"Xinyi's probably on top of it already. She's got that knack. Sometimes she's all over it, and other times, it just slips past her or she just chooses to ignore it. It's a fifty-fifty shot with her," Jingliu remarked with a pause, her gaze shifting as if considering the implications. "I could dig into their backgrounds, you know. Find out who's pulling the strings in that gang."

Yasushi couldn't help but let out a sigh of disbelief. "Background checks? Do you have your own surveillance squad lurking around the city?" His tone was tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity, unsure of what to make of Jingliu's capabilities.

To his surprise, Jingliu simply nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Yes, we do."

"Seriously?" Yasushi's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"Absolutely," she confirmed with a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

After a moment of contemplation, Yasushi relented. "Well, if it makes my life easier, then please, go ahead. Thank you."

Jingliu nodded in agreement, and they resumed their meal in a comfortable silence. However, their tranquility was abruptly shattered as the rooftop door burst open with a sense of urgency, revealing Furuya in a state of distress. His eyes widened at the sight of Jingliu and Yasushi together, but he pushed aside his surprise, focusing on the matter at hand.

"Dude!" Furuya exclaimed, rushing toward Yasushi. "You've got to help! My teammate is being targeted right now, and I think Xinyi is facing harassment in the cafeteria!" He paused briefly, adding, "I've already alerted the teachers, so don't bother asking!"

Yasushi gazed at Furuya for a moment, his expression a mixture of concern and resignation. With a sigh, he stood up, swiftly finishing his meal before following Furuya. Jingliu mirrored his actions, joining them as they hurried towards the cafeteria where Xinyi was in need of their assistance.

"Can you handle this?" Yasushi turned to Jingliu, who nodded in response. "If possible, lend a hand to her, Furuya. I'll head over to your teammate."

Without waiting for further words or allowing Furuya to interject, Yasushi bolted towards the baseball field. It was a usual spot for students, especially players, to gather during lunch for a casual game of catch or a light practice session.

As Yasushi arrived, a scene of chaos greeted him. A sizable crowd had clustered near the fences and scattered across the field. Among them, Yasushi spotted Tatsuya, one of Furuya's teammates, being pummeled by a gang member. Nearby, a female teacher lay on the ground, clutching her stomach in pain after a brutal attack.

"I don't see a paycheck coming my way for this," Yasushi grumbled under his breath as he lunged towards the gang member, executing a swift drop kick. The blow landed solidly on the gang member's side, sending him staggering back, gasping for air.

After helping Tatsuya to his feet, Yasushi shot a stern look at a nearby student, gesturing for them to come closer. The student hesitated, clearly taken aback by the intensity of the situation. "Go fetch another teacher and help them," Yasushi instructed firmly. "I'll handle this troublemaker. If I catch you just standing around, you'll experience firsthand what he's feeling now."

The student, visibly shaken, obeyed Yasushi's command without delay. Gathering some classmates, they quickly attended to the injured teacher and Tatsuya, escorting them away from the scene. One of them dashed off to find a teacher for help, eager to fulfill Yasushi's directive.

Yasushi squared off against the gang member, still feeling the ache in his stomach from the earlier hit. Despite his discomfort, he stood firm, ready for whatever came next. Yet, what Yasushi hadn't expected was the glint of a switchblade in the gang member's hand, pointed menacingly at him.

"Rot in hell, you bastard!" the gang member bellowed, his voice laced with rage and malice.