Yasushi stood up, his movements deliberate, and looked at the group with a faint smile. "Why don't we call it a day? It's our first session, and we've got a good sense of how to help each other for the test at the end of the month."
Xinyi stretched her arms wide, her yawn echoing in the quiet room. "I'm with you. I'm worn out but I don't want to head home yet." She shifted, then, with a contented sigh, laid her head in Jingliu's lap, catching her by surprise.
"How about the entertainment room?" Yasushi's suggestion hung in the air as he glanced at Furuya, giving him a subtle, knowing nod.
Furuya caught the cue, his eyes widening slightly before he nodded back, his nerves evident but determination setting in. The others noticed this silent exchange, everyone except Catherine, who kept stealing glances at Furuya, lost in her own thoughts.
Laura turned to Reina, her voice gentle. "How long can you stay before you need to head home?" Reina's siblings, nestled in her lap, looked up with a mix of excitement and fatigue, their anticipation for the entertainment room clear in their bright eyes.
"Just a little bit longer before we go back home," Reina replied, her voice carrying a sense of gentle authority. "But we can go if they want."
Her brothers didn't need a second invitation. "We do!" they shouted in unison, leaping off her lap, their excitement palpable.
Reina chuckled, the sound light and airy, as she nodded. "Alright then, we're going." She rose gracefully, the motion almost fluid, and joined Yasushi and the others. The group began to file out of the room, leaving behind only Furuya and Catherine, both acutely aware of the silence that settled around them like an unwelcome guest.
For a moment, the room felt suspended in time. They stood there, both fidgeting, each unsure of the next move. Furuya knew he had to break the spell. He stepped forward, but at the same moment, Catherine did too. Their bodies collided, a soft thud breaking the silence and stunning them both.
They stared at each other, surprise etched on their faces. Then, Furuya started to laugh, a genuine, hearty laugh that bubbled up from deep within. Catherine joined in, her giggles a light counterpoint to his laughter. For a few precious moments, the awkwardness melted away, replaced by a shared, unexpected joy.
As the laughter faded, they found themselves gazing at each other, a newfound connection in their eyes. "Um..." they both began simultaneously, their voices overlapping. They paused, each gesturing for the other to go first, a silent dance of politeness.
In that instant, the room seemed to shrink, drawing them closer together, not just physically but in a way that words could not fully capture.
"C-Catherine!" Furuya's voice came out louder than he intended, almost a shout. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Y-yes!?" Catherine's response was immediate, her hands moving to her chest, fingers curling in anticipation. Her eyes wide, fixed on him.
Furuya paused, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Panic welled up, but he pushed it aside, choosing honesty over fear. "I'm… not good at this," he began, his voice steadying with each word. "So I'll just be honest. I like you. Please go out with me." He reached into his pocket and brought out a small, delicate necklace. "And here, have this."
Catherine's breath caught in her throat, her mouth forming a silent gasp. Her eyes were locked on the necklace, shimmering softly under the room's light. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingers brushing against it before she looked back up at Furuya, her expression a mix of surprise and something else, something unspoken.
Furuya smiled, a silent encouragement in his eyes. He gestured for her to allow him to put it on her. She nodded, a slight, almost imperceptible movement.
With shaky hands, Furuya moved behind her, and together, they managed to clasp the necklace around her neck. Once it was in place, Catherine touched the pendant lightly, a blush rising to her cheeks. She looked at Furuya, her eyes reflecting the emotions swirling inside her, a blend of gratitude, affection, and something new, a fragile yet blossoming connection.
"I… I also have this…" Catherine's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out two tickets. Her hands trembled slightly as she held them out to Furuya. "It's… two tickets for your favorite team's match next weekend. I thought you might want them…"
Furuya stared at the tickets, his eyes widening in shock. "T-they sold out a month ago! How did you get these?" His voice was a mix of amazement and disbelief.
Catherine looked down, her blush deepening. "…W-we have connections. I managed to get them at a cheaper price. The seats are good too… So, um… will you go with me… to the game?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes shyly glancing up at him.
"Yes, I will!" Furuya's excitement was palpable, his voice rising. "B-but… will you be my girlfriend? Will you go with me… as my girlfriend?"
Catherine nodded, her blush spreading across her cheeks. "Y-yes. I-I will. I would be… happy to…" Her voice trailed off, the words shyly spoken.
In a rush of emotion, Furuya pulled her into a hug, causing her to let out a small, surprised yelp. For a moment, she stiffened, but then her arms wrapped around him, hugging him back. A smile spread across her face, contentment radiating from her as she nestled into his embrace.
Outside the room, Yasushi peeked through the small gap in the doors, observing the heartwarming scene unfolding inside. Furuya and Catherine, wrapped in each other's embrace, unaware of their silent observer. Yasushi allowed himself a small, satisfied smile before retreating quietly, ensuring his presence remained unnoticed.
As he approached the entertainment room, he spotted Xinyi waiting outside, her smirk unmistakable.
"So?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "How did it go, Mr. Peeping Tom?"
Yasushi chuckled softly. "Awkward and clumsy, but they're dating now. Let's pretend we don't know until they tell us officially, no matter how obvious it becomes."
Xinyi nodded, a hint of a sad smile touching her lips. "Mmm. That makes sense," she murmured, her voice thoughtful. She shook her head slightly, attempting to dispel her lingering melancholy. "Oh well, I guess Layena, Reina, Laura, and I are the only single ones left in our group now," she added with a lighthearted tone, though a trace of wistfulness lingered.
"No need to rush things. Let it happen naturally," Yasushi advised, his voice gentle and reassuring.
Xinyi gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Look at you, Mr. Love Guru. But I'll take your advice," she said, her smile returning, warmer this time.
Together, they stepped towards the door of the entertainment room. Yasushi pushed it open, and the familiar sounds of laughter and conversation spilled out, welcoming them back into the fold of their friends. The atmosphere inside was vibrant and alive, a stark contrast to the quiet, tender moment he had just witnessed.
+-+
A few minutes later, Catherine and Furuya entered the entertainment room, goofy smiles plastered on their faces. The rest of the group turned to face them, curiosity and amusement in their eyes.
"Yo. What took you so long? Bathroom break? Diarrhea?" Yasushi teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. Jingliu responded with a light smack on Yasushi's arm, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection.
Furuya scratched the back of his head, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Uh... we just got lost, that's all," he said, the unconvincing lie hanging in the air.
"Right…" Yasushi drawled, clearly unconvinced but letting it slide. "Anyway, get over here. We're playing some games."
Catherine and Furuya joined the group, finding seats among their friends. Catherine subtly wrapped her arm around Furuya's, their newfound closeness not going unnoticed.
"What game are we playing?" Furuya asked as he settled in, curiosity piqued.
"Kill the Horse Fish," Yasushi said with a straight face, causing both Catherine and Furuya to exchange confused glances.
"It's a game Reina's brothers came up with," Yasushi explained, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "So, these are the rules—" He launched into an explanation, detailing the strange and intricate rules of the new game.
Laughter and playful banter filled the room as they all immersed themselves in the game. Time slipped by unnoticed, the hours marked only by the deepening darkness outside the windows. Before they knew it, the clock struck eight, signaling the end of their evening.
"See you guys... we'll discuss the next study session in the chat," Yasushi called out as he watched his friends file out, their laughter and chatter gradually fading. Xinyi and Yinhaie helped guide everyone to the door, their presence a comforting constant.
Turning back, Yasushi found Jingliu leaning against him, her warmth a gentle reminder of the day's events. "I'd say that was more or less successful. But for Furuya, it'll probably stay that way until the last one or two weeks before exams."
"What do you mean?" Jingliu asked, tilting her head to look up at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. They closed the door as Yinhaie returned, the evening air cool against their faces.
"Before the exams start, clubs usually halt operations to give students time to prepare. It's the winter break exams, after all, so they're pretty important," Yasushi began, his voice thoughtful. "The exact break period depends on what the coaches and principals decide. Ideally, it's two weeks, but in some previous years, they've settled for just one."
Jingliu nodded, absorbing his words. "I see. That makes sense. Two weeks would definitely be better."
"Definitely," Yasushi agreed. "It gives everyone more time to focus without the distraction of club activities. But whether it's one or two weeks, it'll be crunch time for Furuya and everyone else."
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the house gradually settling into the stillness of the night. The echoes of the evening's camaraderie lingered in the air, a reminder of the bonds they had strengthened and the challenges they were yet to face. Yasushi felt a quiet contentment, a sense of purpose as they navigated the complexities of friendship and academic life.
"Let's go," Jingliu said, her voice a soft invitation to unwind after the day's events. She led the way with an easy grace, her steps confident yet unhurried.
Yasushi followed, their silent companionship a testament to the understanding they shared. Together, they moved to the entertainment room, where remnants of the evening's activities lay scattered — empty soda cans, crumpled snack wrappers, a forgotten jacket draped over a chair.
They set about tidying up, their movements coordinated in the practiced rhythm of familiarity. Jingliu gathered the trash, her fingers deftly plucking stray items from the floor, while Yasushi straightened the furniture and picked up the jacket, folding it neatly.
Once the room was restored to order, they turned off the lights and headed towards their bedroom, a sanctuary of calm and quiet. The hallway was dimly lit, the soft glow of the nightlight casting gentle shadows on the walls. Inside their room, the ambiance was soothing, the bed inviting with its neatly arranged pillows and soft blankets.
They settled onto the bed, the weight of the day slipping away as they nestled into the comfort of each other's presence. Conversation flowed easily between them, interspersed with moments of playful banter and tender silences.