A stretch of days had drifted by, and now Yasushi found himself back in the familiar confines of his classroom as the homeroom bell chimed its familiar tune. Senbarisu, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front of the room, her gaze sweeping over the assembled students with an air of stern determination, her arms folded across her chest in a gesture that seemed to accentuate the gravity of her words.
"Listen up, all of you," she began, her tone carrying a weight of seriousness that demanded attention. "We're going to win this event," she declared, her eyes scanning the faces before her for any signs of dissent or disbelief.
A voice from the midst of the students piped up, breaking the momentary silence that followed Senbarisu's proclamation. "Win? But isn't the garbage collection event about helping to clean up the city? What's this talk of winning?"
The rest of the class nodded in agreement, their curiosity piqued as they awaited their teacher's explanation.
"Indeed, normally it is about civic duty," Senbarisu acknowledged, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "However, this year, the faculty has decided to add a little spice to the proceedings. Each class is to divide into groups and collect as much garbage as possible over the course of a week. And here's the twist — each teacher has placed a wager on the outcome. The class that collects the most will not only earn a small monetary reward but also a bit of liquid refreshment to celebrate our victory. So, let's roll up our sleeves and win this thing!" Her excitement was palpable, infusing the room with a newfound energy and sense of purpose.
A voice rang out in the classroom, breaking the tension with its coarse edge. "Damn drunk," it slurred, drawing a sharp response from Senbarisu who, without missing a beat, flung a piece of chalk in the direction of the offending noise. "Ow!" came the yelp in response, punctuating the momentary chaos that ensued.
"Anyone else?" Senbarisu's voice cut through the air like a knife, her eyes scanning the room for any further disruptions. Silence greeted her query, broken only by the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above.
"Good," she continued, her tone clipped yet authoritative. "Now, let's focus. We all need to aim for a minimum—"
She launched into a detailed explanation of the convoluted points system concocted by the faculty, outlining the prescribed durations for breaks and the optimal pace for garbage collection. However, her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the students exchanged glances of mild disinterest, their minds already wandering to more pressing matters.
In the end, the intricacies of the system were abandoned in favor of a more straightforward approach, much to Senbarisu's evident annoyance. The class collectively decided to proceed as they always had, opting for familiarity over the complexities of the new rules.
+-+
Lunchtime arrived, and amidst the chatter of students dispersing to various corners of the school, Yasushi and Jingliu opted to remain within the confines of their classroom. They were soon joined by Furuya, accompanied by a small entourage of classmates engrossed in their own discussions.
"Hey, did any of you catch the news last night?" Furuya's voice cut through the ambient noise, drawing the attention of Yasushi and Jingliu as he settled himself nearby.
"The news?" Yasushi echoed, his brow furrowing in mild confusion. It was a well-known fact among their circle that Yasushi harbored a distinct aversion to the news, finding its content often too grim or sensationalized for his liking.
"You missed out," Furuya continued, undeterred by Yasushi's lack of enthusiasm. "Apparently, there's been a string of disappearances lately, and they found two bodies. It's got people speculating about a possible serial killer lurking in our city." Furuya's words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the otherwise mundane lunch break.
"My mom's been on edge," Furuya added, his tone taking on a more somber note. "She's been pestering my dad about whether the school should reconsider the garbage collection event. With it running until late and starting early, she thinks it's too risky given the current circumstances. We might end up being targets," he concluded, his expression a mix of concern and apprehension.
"Serial killer... it's unprecedented here," Yasushi mused, his words carrying a weight of disbelief and unease. "Most folks around here are too superstitious to even think about such acts, fearing the wrath of Goddess Hakufubuki, the supposed guardian of our city."
"Indeed," Furuya chimed in, his tone thoughtful as he considered Yasushi's words. "But you know how it is with our generation and the one before us. They've discarded many old beliefs and superstitions. They're more inclined to take risks, which might explain why someone would dare something as audacious as this."
"Some superstitions hold truth," Jingliu added cryptically, her eyes glinting with a hint of mystery before falling silent.
Yasushi cast a curious glance her way, silently prompting her to elaborate on her cryptic statement. Jingliu met his gaze with a knowing look, conveying that she would share her experiences later, perhaps tonight in the comfort of their home. Yasushi nodded in silent agreement, recognizing the need for discretion in such discussions.
"Well, beliefs aside, we can't deny the reality of the situation. There's a dangerous individual out there, two lives lost already," Furuya interjected, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "My mom's concerns might seem exaggerated, but they could also hold some truth. We need to tread carefully."
Turning to Yasushi and Jingliu with a grin, Furuya proposed, "So, how about we team up? Xinyi already expressed interest, and Laura overheard and wants in too, making us a group of five."
"Those two? That's definitely unexpected," Yasushi remarked, his mind already calculating the logistics of their group composition. "The limit's ten, and we need a minimum of four. With Laura and Xinyi on board, that makes our entire group five. What do you think, Jingliu?" he inquired, seeking her opinion on the matter.
Jingliu's expression briefly soured at the mention of Xinyi, but she acquiesced with a nod. "I suppose that's fine, so long as our group doesn't become too large," she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of reservation.
With a decisive nod, Furuya declared, "That settles it then. I'll go relay the news to Laura and Xinyi."
As Furuya exited the room on his mission, Yasushi brought up another point of consideration. "What about Layena and Catherine? Will they stay with their class or join us? Typically, students are expected to remain within their designated classes."
Jingliu, now sipping on a glass of juice, responded calmly, "We'll advise them to support their own class, but they'll be at our disposal if needed."
Yasushi's gaze wandered to their classmates, noticing a few curious glances directed their way. However, the gazes quickly averted upon meeting his eyes.
"Don't mind them," Jingliu reassured him, sensing his discomfort. "Their opinions hold little significance in the grand scheme of things."
Yasushi, weariness etched on his face, nodded in agreement with Jingliu's reassurances. The weight of their situation hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the risks they faced.
"Oh, and speaking of Furuya's mention of the serial killer..." Yasushi began tentatively, his gaze meeting Jingliu's.
"Let's discuss it with Yinhaie tonight," Jingliu interjected, her voice steady but tinged with caution. "We shouldn't take unnecessary risks. For now, it's best to keep this information to ourselves."
With their unspoken agreement, they lapsed into a quiet meal, the gaze of their classmates a constant reminder of the unspoken tension that lingered in the air. Each bite was accompanied by the weight of unspoken thoughts and the anticipation of the night's planned discussion.
+-+
"I'm fully briefed," Yinhaie remarked as she navigated the streets, Yasushi and Jingliu seated in the back of her car. "We're taking precautionary measures and will monitor the situation closely during the event. Lady Xinyi's group will also receive the same level of oversight, ensuring our collective safety. We'll collaborate on this."
She shifted gears, moving onto another topic. "Regarding the move to your new home, that's scheduled for next week. We'll gradually transfer belongings while leaving essentials here for your convenience," Yinhaie informed them, her voice carrying a reassuring tone.
"Thank you," Yasushi expressed his gratitude, exhaling a breath of relief at the thought of their upcoming relocation.
Jingliu, her curiosity piqued, inquired further, "Do you have any additional insights on the matter?"
Yinhaie's response was measured yet honest. "At this juncture, our team is just as in the dark as the local authorities. However, we're actively investigating and will keep you updated on any developments. Rest assured, I'll share any pertinent information with you tonight."
The car halted at a stoplight, providing a brief pause in their conversation as they continued their journey home, the weight of uncertainty lingering in the air despite Yinhaie's assurances.
+-+
An hour had slipped by, the quiet hum of their completed homework lingering in the air as Jingliu and Yasushi found solace in each other's embrace, nestled on Yasushi's bed with the television tuned to the news, their eyes scanning for any updates on the unfolding situation.
In the warmth of Yasushi's arms, Jingliu broached a weighty question. "If, by some chance, we encounter this supposed killer...what's our plan?"
"Punch him," Yasushi quipped with a deadpan expression, earning a playful smack from Jingliu.
"Come on, be serious," she chided, though a soft chuckle escaped her lips at his jest.
"I am serious," Yasushi maintained, his tone shifting to a more pragmatic one. "Depending on the situation, if they're unarmed, we run after the punch. If they're armed, we rely on adrenaline and keep them down," he explained, earning a playful pinch from Jingliu.
"Was hoping for a more thoughtful response," she remarked with a sigh, snuggling closer to him. "Let's stick with the running option and make a break for it. Should we go to the authorities or reach out to Yinhaie? Assuming, of course, she's keeping tabs on us."
Yasushi pondered her question for a moment before responding, "We trust Yinhaie. She'll have our backs. But if things get dire, we go to the authorities."
As the news bulletin flashed across the screen, Yasushi and Jingliu fell into a heavy silence, their thoughts entangled in the gravity of the situation. The stark headline, highlighting yet another missing person and the discovery of another body, cast a shadow over their shared moment of contemplation.
"Shouldn't the police be treating this with more urgency?" Jingliu's voice broke the silence, her eyes fixed on the television screen as if seeking answers.
Before they could dig deeper into their thoughts, a soft knock echoed through the room, drawing their attention to the door where Yinhaie stood, her expression unreadable yet urgent. With a gesture, she beckoned them to follow, her unspoken message clear.
Turning off the television with a heavy heart, Yasushi and Jingliu rose from their place on the bed, a somber air enveloping them as they followed Yinhaie into the unknown.