Whispers in the Winter Wind

A few months had passed since the beginning of the new semester, marking Yasushi's third year in college. The year unfolded differently than the ones before it. This time, significant strides had been made in addressing the ongoing homelessness issue they had been tackling.

Progress with their investigation into the third council member was well underway. They had managed to uncover and analyze roughly 65% of what they needed, a remarkable improvement considering how slow progress had been with the first two. Initially, the assumption had been that these last targets would be the hardest to crack. However, reality had proven otherwise.

These individuals had private accounts on exclusive platforms tailored to the extremely wealthy. While they refrained from posting their more egregious crimes — acts like human trafficking and slavery — they were brazen enough to share content showcasing heavy drug use and other depraved behaviors.

Though this painted them in a negative light, it wasn't nearly sufficient. Their wealth allowed them to dodge accountability easily, paying off anyone who dared to challenge their image. For Yasushi and the group, it was clear that what they had wasn't enough to take them down. They needed something more damning.

Currently, Yasushi had some time on his hands, so he sat in their society's building, working through a new stack of documents handed to him earlier by Nandini and Yinhaie. Yunxue sat nearby, along with Sakura, their president, and a few other members scattered across the room.

"Yasushi," Sakura said as she stepped in front of him, her expression calm but focused.

"Hm?" He glanced up, setting his pen down briefly as his attention shifted to her.

"I managed to make some valuable connections while I was in the city over the summer. I was working with the Gyudo Homeless Association. I think you'll find this useful," she said, handing him a piece of paper.

Yasushi took it and scanned the contents. A small smile tugged at his lips as he read.

+-+

Gyudo Homeless Association:

Letter of Welcome and Agreement

Dear Yasushi,

Welcome to the Gyudo Homeless Association. We are dedicated to providing shelter, food, and essential support to help individuals in Ginsukimura overcome homelessness and regain stability in their lives. Below, you will find the rules and agreement for participation in our program. Please review these carefully and provide your feedback if any adjustments are needed.

Our Mission:

The Gyudo Homeless Association aims to combat homelessness through collaboration, compassion, and community. We are committed to assisting you in securing employment and rebuilding your life, especially in the face of Ginsukimura's harsh winters and challenging summers.

What We Offer:

Shelter: A warm and safe place to stay during the snowy months and relief from the summer heat.

Food: Nutritious meals provided daily.

Essentials: Access to hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities.

Job Assistance: Help with creating resumes, preparing for interviews, and connecting with potential employers.

Participation Rules and Agreement:

Active Job Search: You must actively seek employment with the support of the association. Provide weekly proof of job search efforts (e.g., applications, interviews) with the assistance of your assigned caseworker.

Respect and Conduct: Treat staff, volunteers, and other participants with respect at all times. Violence, theft, or harassment will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Commitment to Self-Improvement: Participate in any recommended training or workshops designed to enhance your skills and employability. Maintain open communication with your caseworker regarding progress and challenges.

Cleanliness and Hygiene: Keep shared spaces clean and maintain personal hygiene to promote a healthy and welcoming environment for all.

Substance-Free Policy: The association has a strict no-alcohol and no-illicit-drug policy on its premises. Violations will be addressed promptly, potentially leading to removal from the program.

Use of Resources: Resources such as shelter, food, and utilities are provided for your benefit; misuse or waste is prohibited.

Volunteering: When possible, contribute to the community by assisting with chores, meal preparation, or other volunteer tasks within the association.

Acknowledgment:

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge that you understand the rules and agree to abide by them during your time with the Gyudo Homeless Association. Our goal is to help you achieve independence, and we will work with you every step of the way.

Please review this document and let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for improvement. Once finalized, we will require your signature to formalize your participation.

Thank you for trusting us to support you in this journey.

Warm regards,

Kyousuke Zensu

Director, Gyudo Homeless Association

+-+

"Questions and queries, huh?" Yasushi said under his breath, his eyes scanning the document in his hands. He raised his gaze to Sakura Vae, their president, and asked, "Do you think there's anything you want to add or change? These seem alright to me."

Sakura gave a slight nod but replied, "I see what you're saying, but I think there's definitely some room to make these better. As for exactly what…" She trailed off for a moment, considering. "I'm not sure just yet. I'll share this in the group chat, though. Since we won't be meeting until next week, it's better to get everyone's thoughts on it in the meantime. We'll have a more detailed discussion when we meet again. Still, this feels like we're making good progress so far."

After a pause, Sakura added, "On that note, I've been thinking about visiting them once our meeting is done — maybe a few days afterward. Since you seem pretty interested in this, how about coming with me? You could bring Yunxue and Nandini along too, if you want."

Yasushi seemed caught off guard for a moment before asking, "Are you absolutely sure about this? I'd love to go. I haven't visited the Gyudo Homeless Association yet, but I've read up on it, and it seems like a solid choice."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah. A few of us spent some time researching which organization would be the best to collaborate with. A lot of them struggle with funding — probably because of the stuff you've been looking into. Out of all of them, though, Gyudo Homeless Association stood out. They support a significant number of shelters around the city, along with other volunteer groups and associations."

"Alright, if that's the case, I'm completely on board," Yasushi said, gesturing toward the paper. "Can I make a copy of this?"

"That's already a copy, so it's all yours," Sakura replied. "I've got a few more lectures to catch, so I'll be heading out now." She gave a small wave before turning and leaving.

"Looking at all this…" Yunxue said, holding the piece of paper and scanning its contents. "Everything seems reasonable enough, but how exactly are they planning to support all of it?"

"If and when we decide to collaborate with them, it'll be through fundraising and money I personally contribute," Yasushi replied, leaning back against his chair. "It's not going to be extravagant. I'm still a student, so I'll have to grind for the next few years after I graduate. But if the quantum tech research we pursue pays off in the future, then things will become much more manageable. At that point, upgrades won't even be an issue."

Yunxue exhaled and moved closer, resting her chin lightly on top of his head while her arms encircled his neck from behind. "It always comes down to money, doesn't it? Ugh, this world really takes it out of you. At least before I met you, my only concerns were getting my work done and finishing chores back in China."

Yasushi chuckled, the sound breaking the quiet in the room. "You would've ended up in something like this eventually. Better to jump in early than be dragged into it later, right?"

Yunxue puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms as she let out an exaggerated sigh. "Why can't life work like one of those anime where everything's easier? You know, those cozy slice-of-life ones? Ugh... I just want to serve you drinks on the beach or something. That'd be perfect."

Yasushi couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head at her melodramatic display. "Well, maybe someday. But most of those shows end with the characters kissing in high school, then jumping to the part where their lives are all sorted out. We don't get that time skip, Yunxue. We've got to actually live through it."

"I want the time skip now!" Yunxue stomped a foot, throwing a mock tantrum. Her exaggerated gestures earned a round of chuckles from those nearby, who were all too familiar with her usual level-headedness to take it seriously.

+-+

"Well, we skipped time," Yasushi remarked as he sat back in his office chair, eyes on the laptop screen in front of him. His fingers tapped idly on the desk as he seemed to mull something over.

Yunxue sat on one of the sofas facing his desk, holding a pillow close while eating from a container of food she had brought with her. "There wasn't anything magical about it. I still had to get through the day like everyone else. Shouldn't there be something to make it more seamless?" she asked, her tone carrying a faint irritation.

"Maybe," Yasushi replied, tilting his head slightly as if entertaining the thought. "I could ask Nandini or Hakufubuki about it later, but I wouldn't hold your breath for some magical shortcut. Anyway, don't you have work? It's not like you to be here at this hour."

"Yinhaie told me to take the night off for some reason," Yunxue said, resting her chin on the edge of the pillow. "I feel restless, but I guess a break now and then isn't bad. Usually, I'd stay in my room, reading something or playing games, but I figured I'd hang out here instead." She let out a quiet sigh, settling deeper into her spot on the couch.

Yasushi let out a small chuckle and said, "Missed me already? You were stuck with me the entire day."

"Ha, ha, very funny~" Yunxue shot back, her tone carrying just a hint of exaggerated sarcasm. "Tease me all you like, Master Yasushi, it won't work on me~" She sighed again, sinking further into her spot. "But really, whenever I follow you or Lady Jingliu around, it's always so quiet. I actually like that. I used to think I was more outgoing when I was younger, but now that I've grown to appreciate silence, I prefer it."

"You only learn to enjoy that kind of thing when you get older," Yasushi said, his tone more thoughtful now. "Maybe dying and ending up here taught me that. It's part of why I avoided fighting most of the time. I'd let everyone else run around while I found a quiet spot to sit and stare at the sky. Even when Furuya tried to drag me out to play, I'd part ways with him and do the same thing — just find a quiet corner somewhere and look up." A faint smile appeared as he admitted this, like the memory itself brought a sense of calm.

"Is it because you always fought in your life before reincarnating here?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"That's most likely the case. You could say I had enough of fighting, and even when I'm forced to do it now, I just want to end it. It's exhausting," he admitted, his breath slipping out in a sigh.

Yasushi's mind wandered back to his previous life, a past buried under battles that never seemed to stop. He fought because he had to, because stopping meant losing himself. He despised that part of who he was, but it kept him moving when everything else felt empty.

Anger had fueled him then — anger at the world, at himself. It was a constant fire, burning away everything in its path. Alcohol had often been his only reprieve, though that came with its own kind of destruction. Still, in the middle of it all, even when his rage took over, he tried. If he could keep the innocent out of harm's way, he would, no matter how rare that chance was. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"Hey… why don't you go into sports? Boxing, MMA, stuff like that?" Yunxue asked, propping herself up on her elbows to get a better look at Yasushi. "With your experience, you'd probably crush it, not to mention your body's… well, stronger than most people's."

Yasushi let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "And who's to say sports like that don't already have people using ki or mana? You'd be surprised. Maybe they just tap into it a little when they're up against top-tier athletes, but if someone like me stepped into the ring, they'd probably use a lot more. I wouldn't stand a chance."

Yunxue blinked, the thought catching her off guard. She didn't have much to say for a moment and simply let herself sink back onto the couch. "Huh. You're probably right. People like that have probably thought of the same thing."

She lay back down, the conversation settling for now. As the evening stretched on, the two of them talked about whatever came to mind, jumping from one topic to another with no real direction or plan. It left her feeling a little closer to Yasushi, and for reasons she couldn't quite put into words, that made her happier.

+-+

On the morning Sakura and Yasushi were supposed to meet up and head to the Gyudo Homeless Association, Yasushi woke up earlier than usual. The sky outside was a pale, dull gray as the day began, the faint sounds of the town still distant and subdued. He went through his morning routine without dragging his feet and by the time he finished, the smell of breakfast had already drifted into the hallway.

Yinhaie had been up before him, the kitchen still warm from her cooking. When Yasushi walked in, the table was set, and breakfast sat waiting. The steam curled lazily from the food, the scent rich but simple. She greeted him with a nod as she set down his coffee, already prepared just the way he liked it.

Sitting down, Yasushi took a moment before speaking, his fingers wrapped around the warm cup. "You know," he said after taking a sip, "you're acting more like a doting wife right now…"

The words caught Yinhaie by surprise. A light blush crept across her face, but she let out a soft laugh to brush it off. "I'm just doing my job the way I always do, Yasushi." Her tone carried a quiet warmth, her movements — though calm — held something more. "But," she added, unable to keep the smile off her lips, "I am happy that I can start a family of my own thanks to you and Lady Jingliu."

Yasushi closed his eyes, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile. "Well, as long as you're happy, then it's fine. Just don't overdo it. You already know how far you can go, so stick to your own pace, alright?" he said.

"Yes, of course," Yinhaie replied, lowering herself onto the bench beside him while he continued eating.

The two occasionally traded words, drifting into small conversations about various topics to fill the time.

Hours passed quietly, and eventually, Yasushi rose to leave, Nandini falling in step with him. They were set to meet up with Sakura. Yunxue, on the other hand, wanted to head back but found herself staying behind, pulled into something Yinhaie needed her help with.

The park near the association lay still under the fading light. Sakura stood against a tree, one hand holding her phone, head tilted as she focused on the screen. She looked up when she caught the sound of their footsteps approaching, raising her phone in an idle wave.

"Took you long enough," Sakura said. Her tone was casual, though clipped with the weight of a schedule. "Anyway, we won't be able to stick around too long. There's a meeting in another city, so we're looking at four hours max."