Days drifted by, the end of their volunteer stint nearing like the end of a long, winding path. Yasushi's group, diligent and dedicated, had outworked the other students. There had been little friction between them and the rest.
Yasushi had entrusted his close-knit group of friends, and Yukiri, with the task of collecting and recording evidence. They had painstakingly gathered it all and handed it over to Yinhaie, who in turn was to deliver it to the police. The aim was to orchestrate a sting operation, to catch and arrest those responsible on the appointed day.
Yasushi and Yukiri had become familiar faces in the group, their camaraderie and teamwork evident. Their leader had paired them up, a testament to their synergy. On this day, they roamed the museum, performing their usual duties, ensuring every corner was spotless. Souta, meanwhile, worked with the rest of the team, their collective efforts maintaining the museum's pristine condition.
"Not much longer now, huh?" Yukiri asked, leaning against the wall, her breath still fogging the glass case she had just finished cleaning.
"Yeah," Yasushi nodded, "Yinhaie's on top of things, always sending updates every hour or two. We've been working with Xinyi's staff to streamline everything, and the police are ready. When the time comes, they'll handle the arrests. Until then, we just keep an eye out for anything unusual and keep doing our jobs."
Yukiri laughed, a light sound in the quiet museum. "At least Furuya was wrong about it being chaotic. All we had to do was snap some photos and record videos while working. It hasn't been stressful at all." She spun around, the cloth in her hand, her movements fluid and carefree. Yasushi watched her, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he shook his head.
He resumed sweeping the floor, the repetitive motion soothing in its own way. A quiet sigh escaped him, a blend of exhaustion and anticipation. Lately, he had been getting closer to Jingliu. Their interactions had grown more intimate, subtle touches lingering longer than before. It wasn't explicit, but he sensed a shift, a growing connection that felt almost inevitable. He was about seventy-five percent sure they were on the brink of something more.
Whether they would cross that particular line or merely edge closer, Yasushi wasn't certain. He let his girlfriend set the pace, content to follow her lead. His mind drifted, lost in a haze of anticipation and uncertainty, when the sudden blare of an alarm shattered his reverie. A loud commotion erupted at the far end of the museum.
Yasushi and Yukiri exchanged glances. Without speaking, they both understood there was no immediate need to rush over. "We'll probably be informed during our break," Yukiri said, her voice steady and nonchalant. Yasushi nodded, but curiosity tugged at him. He pulled out his phone and saw a new message from Yinhaie.
"Masked individual tried getting in, set off alarm," read the message, accompanied by a short video clip.
He played the video, watching as a figure in a black mask attempted to enter through the back entrance, only to be scared off by the alarm's piercing wail. Yasushi shook his head, thinking to himself, 'What an idiot.'
The video looped in his mind as he swept the floor. He felt a mix of irritation and relief, knowing the security measures they'd put in place were working. Yet, the incident served as a reminder of the underlying tension, a brief disturbance in their otherwise routine day. He looked over at Yukiri, who was humming a tune as she dusted a nearby display case, seemingly unfazed.
+-+
"Did you see the video Yinhaie sent?" Laura asked as their break began. Yasushi's group gathered in their usual corner, their voices low but animated.
"Who wouldn't?" Furuya replied, raising an eyebrow. "But really, why wear black when it's all white outside with the snow?"
"It just shows how clueless they are," Reina said, picking at her food. "For someone from a slightly upper-class family, Max and his brother are pretty stupid."
"Like I said before," Yukiri interjected, shaking her head and taking a sip of her juice, "the older brother was always strange and dumb. I doubt the younger one is any better. Even if they somehow manage to pull this off, they'll probably get caught. No need to stress over it."
Their conversation dipped into silence for a moment, each member of the group lost in their own thoughts. Yasushi glanced around, noting the determined yet relaxed expressions on their faces. They were confident, almost nonchalant, about the unfolding events.
Yasushi leaned back, replaying the video in his mind. The figure in the black mask seemed almost comically out of place against the snowy backdrop. 'What were they thinking?' he mused silently. His phone buzzed again with a new message from Yinhaie, another update on the situation. He skimmed through it quickly, reassured that their plan was still on track.
+-+
A few more days slipped by, marked by Max's group trying a series of bizarre and foolish tactics that led nowhere. Yasushi and Yinhaie believed these were mere distractions, meant to lure the guards away from key areas. Anticipating this, they had brought in extra help, and the museum buzzed with increased security on the final day of their volunteering.
Yasushi and Yukiri positioned themselves strategically near the sections they suspected Max's group might target. What had initially seemed like pranks had escalated into a serious plan to steal items from the museum.
The wait was long, stretching their nerves taut. Then, suddenly, it happened. From their vantage point, they heard loud shouts and a sudden eruption of noise. Yasushi's heart pounded as he turned towards the commotion.
Amid the chaos, several guards grappled with a group of teenagers, pinning them to the ground. The teenagers struggled, faces contorted in panic and defiance. Yasushi recognized Max among them, his eyes wide with fear as a guard's knee pressed into his back.
Yasushi exchanged a glance with Yukiri, who nodded, her expression a mix of relief and vindication. They had anticipated this moment, prepared for it. Now it was unfolding before their eyes. The guards moved with practiced efficiency, subduing the would-be thieves with little difficulty.
However, not all of Max's group had been captured. A few broke free, sprinting down the corridors with guards in hot pursuit. Yasushi turned to Yukiri, urgency in his voice. "Keep an eye on them for me," he said, thrusting his broom into her hands. Before she could respond, he was off, weaving through the crowd.
Yasushi's eyes locked onto Max, who was running at a desperate, breakneck pace. Yasushi pulled out his phone, quickly typing a single word: "Go." Almost instantly, a thin rope was pulled taut at ankle height across the doorway ahead of Max.
Max hit the trap perfectly, his legs flipping out from under him. He crashed face-first into the ground, skidding to a halt, dazed and motionless. Yasushi didn't linger. He glanced back at the approaching guards, then sprinted towards the back entrance.
As he approached the exit, Yasushi spotted one last figure—Noel, Max's older brother. Noel saw Yasushi too and immediately pulled out a switchblade. Yasushi, however, remained calm. A faint smile played on his lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle, its contents opaque and unassuming. Noel's confusion was evident.
Before Noel could react, Yasushi hurled the bottle at him. It struck Noel's chest and fell to the ground, shattering on impact. A noxious odor erupted from the broken glass, filling the air with an unbearable stench. Noel gagged, his eyes watering, and dropped the knife, retching as he stumbled back.
The commotion drew the attention of the guards, who rushed over and were momentarily taken aback by the smell. Yasushi raised a hand to explain, "It's a stink bomb. They planned on using it earlier, so I made my own, just in case. Looks like it came in handy. It won't last long, but we should catch him now."
The guards, regaining their composure, quickly moved to apprehend Noel. The overpowering smell began to dissipate as they secured him, cuffing his hands behind his back. Yasushi watched as Noel was led away, feeling a sense of completion.
Yasushi then turned his attention to the scene around him. The museum, bathed in the cold glow of the emergency lights, looked surreal, almost otherworldly. The tension of the past days was finally lifting, replaced by a quiet calm. Yasushi saw Yukiri approaching, her expression a mixture of relief and curiosity.
"You alright?" she asked, glancing at Noel being escorted out.
"Yeah," Yasushi replied, wiping his brow. "Just had to get a little creative."
Yukiri chuckled, shaking her head. "You and your tricks."
Yasushi smirked at Yukiri, a mix of relief and amusement playing across his features. The absence of violence was a welcome change, though he found the situation oddly exhilarating despite its absurdity. Once the chaos settled, he checked the back entrance, confirming no one else lurked in the shadows. With a nod to Yukiri, they made their way back to the main area.
Arriving where the drama had unfolded, they saw the culprits being escorted outside by the guards. Poking their heads out, they watched as the responsible parties were loaded into police cars, the flashing lights casting a surreal glow over the scene. The quiet satisfaction of a job well done settled over Yasushi as he let out a sigh of relief.
Returning to their station, Yasushi noticed that few were aware of their crucial role in the events. He was fine with that. The museum guests, initially startled, had resumed their exploration of the exhibits, curiosity overcoming the brief disruption.
An announcement over the PA system informed the visitors of a minor incident involving some disruptive youths, assuring them that the situation was now under control. The message was delivered with a calm, authoritative tone, designed to soothe any lingering unease.
+-+
"Freedom... ugh..." mumbled Furuya as they walked away from the museum, his shoulders slumping with exaggerated fatigue.
The group had just left the museum behind, heading towards their respective homes, ready to unwind for the holidays. A three-week-long Christmas break awaited them, and the anticipation of rest and relaxation hung in the air.
"Well, we'll see you guys next year then! We'll be in our third year soon enough," Xinyi said, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy at the thought of how quickly time was passing.
"Mmm. See you guys then," Yukiri added, having joined their group for the walk. "Hopefully they won't ask us to do interviews and statements though," she said, laughing softly to herself.
"They won't, so don't worry about that," Jingliu reassured her. Yukiri nodded, a quick, decisive motion, before waving and running off towards her house.
One by one, the group dwindled as everyone said their goodbyes, until only Yasushi, Jingliu, Layena, and Reina remained. Yasushi turned to them, a gentle smile on his face. "Let's go then. You and your brothers can stay with us for the day, Reina. Get a bit more relaxing time for yourself."
"Thank you," Reina responded, her voice filled with gratitude. They decided to walk home instead of getting a ride, enjoying the crisp winter air and the quiet streets.
The conversation flowed easily among them, a mix of light-hearted banter and shared plans for the break. Yasushi felt a warmth spread through him, a sense of contentment. The tension of the past days seemed to melt away with each step they took.
As they walked, the city around them glittered with holiday decorations. Lights twinkled in shop windows, and a large Christmas tree stood proudly in the town square, its branches adorned with ornaments and garlands. The sight brought a smile to Yasushi's face, reminding him of the joys of the season.
Their journey home was leisurely, filled with the simple pleasures of companionship and the promise of restful days ahead. Yasushi found himself looking forward to the break, to the quiet moments and the chance to recharge. The museum and its challenges were behind them now, replaced by the warmth and comfort of home.
Winter break had begun, and they all planned to make the most of it. As they reached Yasushi's and Jingliu's home, the door opened to welcome them into a haven of warmth and light. The scent of pine and spices filled the air, a perfect prelude to the holiday season.