"Make sure you're back by midnight, okay? We'll be celebrating well into the early morning," Yinhaie said, her voice carrying a tone of practiced cheer. She watched the young couple with an almost maternal concern.
Jingliu clung to Yasushi's arm, her gaze fixed on some indeterminate point in the distance. She seemed almost fragile, lost in a private reverie. Yasushi and Yinhaie exchanged a brief look, a silent conversation flowing between them. He promised, without words, to look after Jingliu, to bring her back safely.
Yinhaie nodded, satisfied with this unspoken agreement. "I'll have your favorite dishes ready. They'll be in a big batch, so don't be late."
Yasushi gave a small, grateful smile. "We'll be back on time. Thanks, Yinhaie." He turned and waved, guiding Jingliu gently down the hallway. As they walked away, he glanced at her, his voice soft with concern. "Are you okay? You seem... distracted."
Jingliu remained silent for a few moments, her eyes unfocused. When she finally looked up at him, her expression held a blend of mystery and innocence, a small smile playing on her lips. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she shook her head. "N-no…there's nothing wrong…I'm…I just…I'm just looking forward to our date, that's all," she said, her voice almost shy, which left Yasushi slightly puzzled.
"Is that so? Well, I've planned this day out, so that's why we left pretty early. Just follow my lead," he said with a touch of confidence. They began walking towards their first destination, the snow falling gently around them, each flake adding to the serene atmosphere.
Jingliu's eyes remained fixed straight ahead, her grip on Yasushi's arm tightening just a bit. The days leading up to today had been filled with anticipation. She wanted to do something special for him, to take a significant step in their relationship. The thought of it made her anxious, but she was determined to see it through.
+-+
Jingliu crouched down, unable to find her voice. In her arms nestled a small, white-furred kitten with striking blue eyes. The kitten meowed softly and licked her nose, drawing a soft laugh from her. She turned to Yasushi, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, silently asking for an explanation.
Yasushi shifted his weight, his grin a blend of excitement and nervousness. "I talked it over with Yinhaie, and of course, I consulted Laura. Xinyi and I came out here on a different day to make sure it could happen. So, what do you think? Do you like it?" His grin broadened, eyes searching her face for a reaction. "Oh, and we also told our parents. They were fine with it, but since it's our house now, we had the final say."
Jingliu nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "Does…she have a name?"
"No, not yet," Yasushi replied. "We thought you could name her. Though, I've been calling her Megatron," he added with a playful smirk.
Jingliu shot him an unamused glance, but her expression softened as she turned back to the kitten. She watched the tiny creature for a few seconds, nuzzling her nose against its soft fur. "...How about Azari?" she whispered, a smile spreading across her face.
"Azari? Sounds cute," Yasushi responded, glancing from Jingliu to the kitten and then to the shop owner. "Looks like everything's fine. We'll get going then."
The shop owner chuckled, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "Yes, yes, it looks like things went well. I wish you luck, Yasu-boy," he said, waving them off as they left the shop.
Outside, the winter chill nipped at their faces. Yasushi knelt down, pulling a small, cat-sized sweater from his bag. He gently slipped it over Azari, followed by tiny boots to keep her paws warm. The kitten squirmed slightly but then settled into the warmth of the new clothes. "Don't worry," Yasushi reassured Jingliu, "we have everything set up at home. We bought it all beforehand, so we're ready for Azari to move in with us."
Jingliu hesitated, her eyes lingering on the kitten. "But…"
"Yinhaie's ready to pick her up whenever you want to continue the date, just the two of us," Yasushi interrupted gently. "For now, she can come along. I picked a few places that allow cats and won't overwhelm her too much."
Jingliu's expression softened, a smile spreading across her face. She looked at Yasushi with a mixture of gratitude and affection. "Thank you," she whispered, her grip tightening slightly on his arm as they walked forward together, Azari nestled snugly between them.
+-+
"Mmhmhmhm...!"
"Why's he looking at us like that?" Jingliu asked, her voice low as she fed Azari from her lap.
Yasushi glanced over at Furuya, who was glaring at them from behind the counter. "I didn't do anything, I swear," Yasushi replied, unease creeping into his voice. "He looks even more irritated than usual. He hasn't messaged me in days."
Jingliu watched Furuya for a moment. "Why not go talk to him? Looks like he's about to take a break." She nodded towards Furuya, who was speaking to the café manager. Sure enough, Furuya removed his apron and gestured for Yasushi to come over.
Jingliu turned her gaze back to Yasushi, her eyes encouraging. "He's asking for you. Why not go?"
Yasushi hesitated, glancing at Jingliu and then at Azari, nestled comfortably in her lap. "But…"
"It won't be long, right? I'll be right here," she reassured him with a gentle smile.
Yasushi took a deep breath, nodding. He gave Azari a final pat and rose from his seat, making his way across the café to where Furuya waited, tension hanging in the air between them.
Once Yasushi joined his friend, Furuya led him through a door at the back of the café. The air outside bit with a sharp chill as they stepped into the alley behind the building. Furuya leaned against the cold brick wall, exhaling a heavy sigh. "I have failed, Master Yasushi."
Yasushi lightly smacked Furuya's head. "Cut it out with the 'Master' stuff. Out with it."
Furuya winced, rubbing his head, his expression troubled. "...I failed."
"Failed at what? Be specific," Yasushi said, frowning at the vagueness.
Furuya hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Remember when I said I was going to get laid?" he muttered, sounding uncharacteristically sheepish.
"You didn't? So what? What happened?" Yasushi asked, leaning against the wall, mirroring his friend's posture.
"I wasn't being pushy!" Furuya said quickly, almost panicked. "I was taking it slow, doing things her way. But when we got to her place — Xinyi's place — we didn't go past kissing and a bit of touching."
Yasushi nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So you're upset because things didn't go further?"
Furuya sighed again, looking down at his feet. "It's not just that. I thought it was going well, you know? I didn't want to rush her, but now I think I messed it up somehow."
Yasushi placed a hand on Furuya's shoulder. "Maybe she just needs more time. Or maybe she's unsure about things too. Either way, it's not a failure. It's just... part of figuring things out."
Furuya nodded, his troubled expression softening a bit. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks, man." He sighed again, then looked at Yasushi. "Out on a date with Jingliu?"
"Yeah," Yasushi replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I've got a few things planned. And I'm giving her this near midnight." He pulled out a small box, revealing a delicate promise ring inside.
Furuya's eyes widened, his voice dropping to a shocked whisper. "A-a-a-a-are you proposing…!?"
Yasushi rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "It's a promise ring, you swollen caterpillar. Why in god's name would I propose now? We've barely dated a year."
"Ah!" Furuya said, calming down as realization dawned. "Right... those are a thing. But... you got her a cat too?" He gave Yasushi a strange look, eyebrows raised. "Do you really want puss—"
Yasushi cut him off with a light elbow to the side, causing Furuya to step back, coughing. "Okay, okay, my bad," Furuya groaned, rubbing his side.
Yasushi shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the situation. "Just... keep it together, will you? Jingliu's waiting inside with Azari."
Furuya nodded, regaining his composure. "Yeah, alright. Go on, don't keep her waiting."
Yasushi gave him a final pat on the shoulder before turning back towards the café. He could see Jingliu through the window, sitting at their table, Azari nestled contentedly in her lap. Yasushi took a deep breath, a sense of calm washing over him.
Upon seeing him return, Jingliu's face brightened with a warm smile. "Done already?" she asked, her fingers gently rubbing Azari's head.
"Yeah, it wasn't anything too significant. Ready to go? I'll pay now if you are," Yasushi said, his tone casual but with a hint of anticipation. Jingliu nodded in agreement. She stood up, carefully cradling Azari as they made their way to the counter, paid, and stepped out of the café into the crisp afternoon air.
The next few hours flowed by in a series of small, delightful moments. They visited various shops that welcomed pets, each place adding a layer of enjoyment to their day. Azari, with her curious nature, charmed everyone they met, adding an unexpected element of joy to their outing. They browsed through a quaint bookstore, wandered into a cozy tea shop, and even explored a pet-friendly boutique where Jingliu found a cute little collar for Azari.
As the day began to wane, the sky turning a deeper shade of blue, they decided it was time for Azari to head home. Yasushi contacted Yinhaie, who arrived promptly to take the kitten. After a brief exchange and a few affectionate goodbyes to Azari, Yinhaie drove away, leaving Yasushi and Jingliu alone.
With Azari now safely in Yinhaie's care, a new kind of quiet settled between them. It wasn't awkward, but charged with a different kind of energy. Yasushi took Jingliu's hand, their fingers interlacing naturally, and they began to walk down the street, the lights from the shops casting a warm glow on the pavement.
"Where to next?" Jingliu asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Yasushi smiled, a sense of contentment washing over him. "There's a place I want to take you. It's a bit of a surprise," he said, squeezing her hand gently.
They continued walking, their pace unhurried, as the city around them slowly transitioned from the hustle of the day to the calmer rhythms of the evening. Yasushi led Jingliu through a narrow alleyway that opened up into a small, secluded park. The area was quiet, almost forgotten, with a single bench under an old oak tree.
Yasushi guided her to the bench, and they sat down, the stillness of the park enveloping them. He took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, and turned to Jingliu. "I've been thinking a lot about us, about the future," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box with the promise ring, opening it to reveal the delicate band inside.
Jingliu's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "Yasushi…"
"I know it's not a proposal," he said quickly, his eyes meeting hers. "But it's a promise. A promise that I'm committed to us, to our future together. I wanted you to know how much you mean to me, and this felt like the right way to show it."
Tears welled up in Jingliu's eyes, her emotions spilling over as she looked at the ring, then back at Yasushi. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Thank you, Yasushi. I promise too."
He slipped the ring onto her finger, and they sat there for a moment, soaking in the significance of the gesture. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own private universe.
Slowly, they leaned towards each other, their lips meeting in a soft, tentative kiss. Jingliu wrapped her arms around Yasushi's neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Her tongue slipped past his lips, exploring, seeking, drawing him into a dance that was both tender and fervent.
Jingliu shifted from her seat, moving to straddle him, her need to be closer, to feel his warmth, driving her movements. Yasushi responded, his arms encircling her, their tongues entwining as the kiss grew more passionate, more urgent.
Their breaths mingled, their heartbeats quickening, but eventually, the need for air forced them to pull apart. They stared at each other, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. The moment stretched, heavy with unspoken words and shared emotions.
Yasushi was the first to break the silence. "Shall we head home?" he asked, his voice husky, his eyes still filled with the intensity of their kiss.
Jingliu, her eyes dreamy and filled with a soft haze, nodded. "Mmm...let's go home," she murmured, her voice a whisper against his lips as she leaned in for another brief kiss.
Hand in hand, they stood up, their connection even stronger, ready to face whatever the night held for them, together.
+-+
"Whoooooaaa!!" The staff's jubilant cries echoed through the halls, but the exuberance soon gave way to a wave of fatigue as most began to pass out, one by one.
Hours had passed since Jingliu and Yasushi had returned from their date. The party they had come back to was now winding down. The revelers, once so lively, lay scattered around the room, caught between wakefulness and the pull of sleep. Empty glasses and discarded decorations littered the space, remnants of the night's festivities.
Yinhaie, along with a few other steadfast souls, had chosen sobriety. Despite Yasushi and Jingliu's gentle urging to let loose and join the fun, they had declined. They knew that a clear head now would ease their burden come morning, allowing them to tidy up the aftermath swiftly.
"We'll head back to our room then. Are you sure we shouldn't help clean up?" Yasushi asked, his hand warm in Jingliu's as they surveyed the chaos before them.
"It's fine, leave it to us," Yinhaie reassured, her voice calm amidst the disorder. "Once we're done, we'll have a quieter celebration, just among those of us who stayed sober. Go enjoy yourselves."
Jingliu smiled, squeezing Yasushi's hand as they turned to leave. "Thank you, Yinhaie. We appreciate it."
Yinhaie waved them off, her expression softening with a touch of amusement. "Merry Christmas, you two. Enjoy your evening."
Yasushi and Jingliu made their way through the dimly lit corridors, their steps quiet on the polished floors. The silence enveloped them, a stark contrast to the earlier revelry. The house, now subdued, seemed to breathe softly, settling into the stillness of the night.
As they reached their room, Yasushi opened the door, allowing Jingliu to step inside first. She turned to look at him, her eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the room's soft lighting. "Today was perfect," she whispered, her voice tinged with contentment.
Yasushi smiled, pulling her close. "It's not over yet," he said softly, his lips brushing her forehead.
They lay down on the bed, their lips finding each other once more, picking up from where they had left off earlier. The passion between them intensified quickly, their touches growing more fervent. As Jingliu positioned herself above Yasushi, the moonlight streaming through the window bathed the room in a soft, ethereal glow. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of love and wonder.
"Jing—" Yasushi began, his voice caught between surprise and longing.
"Take me…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet filled with undeniable desire. A strand of her hair fell over her shoulder, framing her face in a delicate curtain.
Yasushi froze for a moment, searching her face for certainty. "Are you sure…?"
Jingliu's smile was radiant, almost otherworldly, a brightness that seemed to make his heart pause. She nodded, her eyes unwavering. "Yes… I want you… only you… please…"
He swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Slowly, he raised his hand, cupping her cheek gently. "Okay…" he murmured, his voice steady, filled with promise.
That night, the two of them became one, their connection deepening in ways words could not capture. Their shared intimacy moved their relationship forward, building a foundation of trust and love that would carry them into the future. The room around them seemed to hold its breath, the moonlight bearing witness to their newfound unity.