Xinyi sank into her room, cradling a pillow against her chest, the weight of the day bearing down on her. A peculiar fatigue settled in her bones, leaving her mind muddled and unsure. Yasushi, her classmate, had ignited a spark within her, a fluttering feeling she couldn't shake. Yet, despite her efforts, he remained aloof, oblivious to her subtle advances.
Jingliu, her friend, harbored her own sentiments for Yasushi, a fact Xinyi was well aware of. However, Jingliu's emotional naïvety shielded her from recognizing this truth. Temptation whispered to Xinyi, urging her to exploit this knowledge. But a desire for authenticity, for a departure from past patterns, steered her away. The path she sought was not without obstacles, yet she remained resolute in her pursuit of a more genuine connection, despite the allure of shortcuts.
"I wonder... does he already know? Perhaps Jingliu has mentioned it to him; we've been friends for so long, she must have disclosed my past strategies for approaching guys I liked," Xinyi muttered to herself, her voice tinged with frustration as she let out another exasperated sigh. "Damn it..."
She groaned aloud, the sound echoing through her room, then proceeded to toss and turn on her bed, clutching her pillow like a petulant child. Amidst her restless display, a knock interrupted the air, but Xinyi paid it no mind, continuing her frustrated antics.
"Lady Xinyi..." Catherine's voice trailed off as she hesitated, watching her master's peculiar behavior. "...what's going on?" she finally inquired, her tone rising slightly to be heard over Xinyi's groans.
"Uuuuuggghhhh...!!!" Xinyi groaned dramatically, abruptly sitting up and fixing her gaze on Catherine, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "W-what... when did you get here!?" she stammered, taken aback by the unexpected intrusion.
"Just now. What's with all the rolling, Lady Xinyi?" Catherine inquired, approaching her with a curious expression.
"N-nothing..." Xinyi began, but Catherine cut her off.
"Is it about Yasushi? Are you considering making a move?" Catherine's question hung in the air, prompting Xinyi's lips to twitch before she sighed and flopped back onto her bed.
"Am I that obvious?" Xinyi exclaimed, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Yes," Catherine replied bluntly, taking a seat on the bed and playfully pinching Xinyi's nose. "Have you considered the consequences? It's clear there's something brewing between them. Pursuing him might lead to heartache."
Xinyi fell silent, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, brows furrowed in contemplation. "He's single. Just because they have a 'connection' doesn't mean he's off-limits," she argued, pausing before adding, "but... the way things are, I doubt he'd be open to anyone else 'catching' him, if you catch my drift."
"That appears to be the case. So, what's your strategy?" Catherine probed further, fixing her gaze on Xinyi.
"I'll assess the situation over the next few weeks, especially after they start living together. If nothing changes, I might pursue him. If things do change, then I'll likely let it go," Xinyi replied wearily, exhaling a tired sigh.
"Allow me to ask, Lady Xinyi. How many of those boys you dated in the past were truly love interests? Did you chase them solely for their looks? Did you see beyond that facade? Ultimately, how many relationships were based solely on superficial attraction?" Catherine's questions pierced the air, causing Xinyi to pause and contemplate.
Catherine's words struck a chord with Xinyi. She realized that many of her past relationships were indeed shallow, fleeting connections. They rarely progressed beyond the initial attraction, often fizzling out within weeks. If any of them became too forward, she swiftly ended things. It was a pattern she now saw with clarity, one she had to confront and break.
"Like I said, I'll play the waiting game," Xinyi responded, readjusting her pillow to its usual spot. "I think I'll turn in now. Thanks," she added with a nod towards Catherine.
Catherine acknowledged her with a nod of her own before quietly exiting Xinyi's room, leaving her to rest and contemplate the complexities of her emotions.
+-+
Yasushi's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by the weight of Jingliu nestled against his arm, her peaceful slumber embracing him. As he processed the scene, memories of the previous day flooded back, and a quiet sigh escaped his lips.
Resisting the urge to disturb her tranquility, Yasushi remained still, aware of the impending school day ahead. It was Wednesday, marking the midpoint of their week, a reminder of responsibilities waiting beyond this fleeting moment.
After careful consideration, Yasushi gently began to rouse Jingliu from her sleep. Her brows furrowed in resistance as she stirred, her movements signaling a desire to linger in the warmth of their shared embrace, yet Yasushi persisted, knowing that time and duty called them back to the reality of the day.
Jingliu's eyes fluttered open, meeting Yasushi's gaze with a tired frown. Confusion lingered in her expression for a moment before recognition settled in, mirroring Yasushi's own recollection of the previous day's events. She continued to regard him wearily, a subtle yawn betraying her exhaustion.
"Good... morning," she managed with a cute yawn, her voice soft and groggy from sleep.
"Morning. Did you sleep well?" Yasushi inquired, slowly rising from the bed, prompting Jingliu to do the same.
With a tired nod, Jingliu acknowledged, "Mmm... it was a restful sleep. One of the best I've had in years," she admitted, her eyes still adjusting to the morning light. "What time is it?" she added, glancing around for a clock.
Yasushi reached for his phone, checking the time before responding, "Around seven forty. Let's get up and prepare for the day."
Agreeing with a tired nod, Jingliu stood up from Yasushi's bed and began to make her way to the door. However, a sudden thought stopped her in her tracks, and she turned back to face Yasushi. Without uttering a word, her unspoken request hung in the air, and Yasushi understood. Closing the distance between them, he enveloped her in a comforting embrace, wordlessly conveying a shared understanding and support.
After Jingliu's tired but content sigh nestled in Yasushi's embrace, she lingered there for a few precious moments before reluctantly pulling away and departing. Left alone, Yasushi swiftly proceeded to take a refreshing shower, the cascading water washing away any lingering traces of drowsiness. Dressed and ready for the day, he waited expectantly in the hallway for Jingliu's appearance.
Eventually, Jingliu descended the hallway, her bag slung over her shoulder, marking the beginning of their morning routine. They convened in the dining room, where a quick breakfast awaited them, courtesy of Yinhaie's thoughtful preparation. Sustained by this brief meal, they packed their lunches and set off for the day ahead.
Choosing to savor the morning air and each other's company, Yasushi and Jingliu opted for a leisurely walk to school instead of the usual chauffeured ride, their footsteps echoing a shared rhythm as they ventured towards another day of learning and discovery.
+-+
"It's almost time, man," Furuya remarked casually, leaning against Yasushi's desk.
Yasushi, seated in his chair with music playing softly in one ear, glanced up at his friend, a quizzical expression crossing his features as he silently inquired about Furuya's statement.
"The weekend event, you remember, right?" Furuya clarified, puzzled by Yasushi's apparent confusion. "The annual garbage collection initiative?"
"Oh, that," Yasushi responded dismissively, removing his earphones to fully engage in the conversation. "Why do they schedule it for this time of year instead of summer?" he questioned, a hint of frustration coloring his tone.
Furuya shrugged, offering his perspective. "I suppose dealing with the cold during this task is preferable to risking heatstroke in summer. Plus, our city is better equipped for winter conditions, given its prolonged duration. Besides, a few months down the line, we'll be involved in that museum project near Christmas, right?"
Yasushi nodded, acknowledging the practicality of the timing despite his initial annoyance, recognizing the logic behind the seasonal scheduling of these community endeavors.
"It's a constant cycle, isn't it? At least it contributes to the reputation of colleges and universities in our city," Yasushi remarked, reclining in his chair.
"Are you planning on going to college after high school?" he inquired, directing his attention towards Furuya.
"I'm banking on a baseball scholarship, you know? My academics are decent, but baseball is where I'm placing my bets," Furuya replied with pride, his eyes shining with determination.
"And... if that doesn't pan out? Do you have a backup plan?" Yasushi's concern seeped into his words as he probed further.
Furuya chuckled awkwardly. "N-no, not really..."
"It's wise to have a contingency plan in place. Betting everything on one path can be risky. You're a talented player, Furuya, but even the best sometimes face setbacks. It's crucial to build connections and strive to become an even stronger player if you do plan on one path," Yasushi advised, his tone carrying a note of caution.
Furuya nodded silently, absorbing Yasushi's words and acknowledging the importance of having a backup strategy in the unpredictable journey ahead.
"Hey, hey, what are you guys talking about?" Xinyi's curiosity piqued, she tugged Jingliu along, demanding an explanation about the upcoming event. Jingliu responded with a pointed glare, silently questioning Xinyi's eagerness.
Furuya stepped in, elaborating on the event — an annual garbage collection effort organized by the school, a tradition that spanned every academic year. It involved students forming groups and scouring the city for several days, clearing out litter and contributing to the community's cleanliness. While classes were suspended during this time, participation earned them valuable credits for future college applications within the city.
"Hmm, sounds like a productive way to spend time off school and benefit the city. How are the groups decided?" Xinyi inquired, shooting a mischievous glance at Yasushi.
Before Yasushi or Furuya could respond, a series of loud thuds echoed down the hallway, accompanied by startled screams from a group of girls. The sudden commotion grabbed everyone's attention, prompting them to abandon their discussion and head towards the door to investigate the source of the disturbance. Intrigue and curiosity hung in the air as they ventured into the hallway, eager to uncover the cause of the disturbance.