"There's Wi-Fi here too, huh?" Yasushi mumbled, noticing the icon pop up on his screen. The realization pulled him briefly from his reverie, gazing out the window at the endless expanse of sky.
"Master Liang and Madame Yuhan prioritize both comfort and practicality," Yinhaie replied. Her voice was steady, reassuring. She handed him a cup of coffee, its aroma rich and grounding in the otherwise sterile cabin. "The jet is equipped with various amenities for both short and long journeys."
"Thanks," Yasushi murmured, taking a cautious sip. The warmth spread through him, a quiet contrast to the cool efficiency of the jet's interior. He set the cup down, curiosity piqued. "What else is there?" His eyes wandered the cabin, taking in the sleek, modern design that spoke of understated luxury.
Yinhaie gestured with a graceful hand. "Two medium-sized bedrooms, each with flat-screen TVs. There are also two showers, a fully equipped kitchen, and a small dining room. We've stocked up on supplies for the journey to Hawaii. It's a long flight, after all."
Yasushi nodded, appreciating the thoroughness. The jet was a marvel of modern convenience, a cocoon of comfort amidst the vast, indifferent sky.
"I would advise you nap for now and I will wake both of you up when lunch arrives. Although you're free to do what you want, Yasushi," Yinhaie added as she settled into the seat across from him.
"Sleep? I did a lot of that already," he muttered, more to himself than to her. His eyes drifted back to the window, the vast blue sky stretching endlessly beyond the glass. "But it doesn't sound bad, considering we're hours away from the place." He sighed, the thought of the long journey ahead making the idea of sleep suddenly more appealing. "It's clear skies today, right? If it was turbulent and had bad weather, this wouldn't be all too appealing."
Yinhaie offered him a reassuring smile and nodded. "We're ninety-nine percent sure that the weather from Japan to Hawaii will be clear today, so no need to worry about that. But, I would like to say that the weather can change anytime, so don't be surprised if there's a change."
Yasushi sighed again, a mix of resignation and acceptance. "Mother nature, you scary," he mumbled to himself. He leaned back in his seat, letting his eyes unfocus as he stared out at the peaceful sky, a silent acknowledgment of the unpredictable nature of their journey.
Someone else made the decision for him. Jingliu appeared suddenly, her grip firm as she took hold of Yasushi's wrist, her eyes conveying a silent urgency. Without a word, he followed her, catching the sound of Yinhaie's amused giggle as they exited.
"What's up?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the back of her head, the rhythm of her steps leading them down the narrow corridor.
"Let's nap," Jingliu said, her tone matter-of-fact. "I've done that a lot when traveling like this. It's practical. By the time we get to Hawaii, it'll be either late in the day or early morning — I can't remember exactly."
"It'll be night," Yasushi muttered, already feeling the weight of the time difference. "We'll be sleeping again. Adjusting our internal clocks will be a hassle."
"That's true," Jingliu acknowledged, pausing as they reached the door to their room. "But we're only there for a short break. Unless we decide to stay longer and spend New Year's in Hawaii. What do you think?"
He considered her words, the idea of extending their stay hanging in the air between them. The room beyond the door promised a brief respite, a pause in their journey. He could hear the faint hum of the jet's engines, a reminder of the distance they were covering, the hours slipping by unnoticed.
"We could," he said finally, imagining the warm Hawaiian night, a different sky from the one they left behind. "It might be nice." The idea lingered, a small spark of possibility as they stepped into the room, the door closing softly behind them.
They both kicked off their shoes and climbed onto the bed, which occupied nearly eighty percent of the room, leaving only a sliver of space to navigate. The bed's size made the room feel even smaller, almost claustrophobic, but it also created a sense of intimacy. Yasushi noticed an extra door at the far end. He opened it to find a compact toilet and shower. Convenient, he thought.
"We can tell Yinhaie this now or later, or…" Yasushi's voice trailed off as he pulled out his phone. He began typing a message to Yinhaie, explaining their plan to extend their stay.
Jingliu watched him, her eyes soft as she nestled closer. Her warmth was a comforting contrast to the cool, sterile environment of the jet. She didn't say anything, just listened to the quiet taps of his fingers on the screen. It didn't take long for Yinhaie to respond: "I will inform your parents, and if they have time, they may come and visit."
"I guess that settles that, then," Yasushi said, placing his phone on the small table beside the bed. He wrapped his arm around Jingliu, pulling her even closer. He kissed her forehead, a gentle gesture that spoke of a thousand unspoken words. The jet hummed softly around them, a lullaby of machinery and distance.
Jingliu closed her eyes, her breathing steadying as she relaxed into his embrace. The journey ahead was long, but for now, they had this moment. The bed, though it dominated the room, became their little world, a sanctuary in the sky.
+-+
Hours later, when lunch arrived, Yinhaie knocked on the door and then opened it, her timing impeccable. She smirked at the sight before her. The couple looked like they had just woken up, and she noted with amusement how Jingliu was frantically wiping her mouth, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I assume you two woke up not too long ago?" Yinhaie asked, placing a hand in front of her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Yasushi turned to face her, ready to respond, but Jingliu quickly clapped her hand over his mouth. "Yes, just around twenty minutes ago. We'll be out soon," she said, her voice hurried, trying to mask the obvious.
Yinhaie nodded, the giggle escaping despite her best efforts, and left the room, her laughter echoing faintly as the door clicked shut behind her. Once they were alone again, Jingliu began to softly pummel Yasushi's arm with her fists, her face still a deep shade of red.
"Can you not say obvious things…?!" she demanded, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment. Yasushi couldn't help but chuckle, his amusement evident despite the mild assault on his arm.
He caught her wrists gently, stopping her flurry of hits. "Alright, alright," he said, his tone placating. "But you have to admit, it was kind of funny."
Jingliu huffed, her indignation slowly melting into a reluctant smile. She sank back onto the bed, her earlier frustration dissipating. Yasushi released her wrists and leaned back beside her, the intimacy of the small room once again wrapping around them.
"Let's just get ready for lunch," she murmured, still a bit flustered but calmer now. Yasushi nodded in agreement, and together, they began to straighten themselves up, the comfortable silence between them punctuated by the distant hum of the jet and the promise of a meal waiting just beyond the door.
+-+
"We're two hours away from Hawaii, and the staff that live there have gotten everything ready for our arrival," explained Yinhaie as they ate. She glanced up and pointed discreetly at a spot beside Jingliu's mouth. "Lady Jingliu…" she said, tapping her own cheek as a hint.
Jingliu tilted her head, her fingers brushing the indicated spot. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly wiped away a sticky white substance. Yasushi couldn't help but smirk, but Jingliu's glare quickly made him avert his eyes, though a smile lingered on his lips.
"I've never been to Hawaii," Yasushi admitted, breaking the silence. "I'll be relying on you two for guidance. Where exactly is this home?" He glanced between their maid and his girlfriend, curiosity evident in his voice.
"It's near the city and was custom-built," replied Yinhaie, her tone matter-of-fact. "It cost around thirty million dollars, or about four point eight billion yen."
Yasushi choked on his food, eyes wide with shock. He grabbed his glass of water, gulping it down as he coughed, trying to regain his composure. He stared at the two women, flabbergasted by the staggering amount. The number echoed in his mind, almost surreal in its enormity.
"Thirty million dollars?" he repeated, his voice a mix of disbelief and awe. "That's... incredible."
Jingliu nodded, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as she watched his reaction. "Yes, it's quite a place. You'll see."
The rest of the meal passed in a blur of conversation and shared glances. The anticipation of their arrival in Hawaii hung in the air, a tantalizing promise of luxury and new experiences. As they finished eating, Yasushi's mind was already racing with possibilities, the earlier shock giving way to excitement for the adventure that awaited them.
+-+
Hours later, they were preparing to land in Hawaii. From their vantage point, the island shimmered below, a patchwork of lights against the dark canvas of the ocean. Just as Yasushi had predicted, it was nighttime. Despite the late hour, none of them, except the pilot, felt the least bit tired.
"Nighttime... I read online that the nightlife here isn't particularly vibrant. Maybe in different parts of the city? Do you two plan on going out, or would you rather stay in for the first day?" Yasushi asked, his voice steady as the wheels touched the ground, signaling their arrival.
"I'm not much of a party-goer, so I will decline," Jingliu said softly, holding his hand, her fingers warm and reassuring.
"I prefer a calmer atmosphere myself," Yinhaie added, her voice thoughtful. "But I wouldn't mind going if you wanted to, or if my friends were here."
"Oh, neither am I, really," Yasushi replied, squeezing Jingliu's hand gently. "I just wanted to hear your thoughts. Anyway, let's make the most of our week and a few days here."
The plane taxied to a stop, and once they received the go-ahead, they finally stepped off, the cool night air of Hawaii enveloping them. The anticipation of their short-week journey hung in the air, a blend of excitement and curiosity.
As they made their way through the small, private terminal, the island's distinct scent — a mix of sea breeze and tropical flora — greeted them. They walked towards their waiting car, the realization sinking in that this was the start of something unique, a brief escape from their regular lives.
"Here we are," Yinhaie said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she took in the surroundings. "Home away from home."
Yasushi glanced at Jingliu, her eyes reflecting the lights of the island. "Let's make this trip memorable," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination.
They climbed into the car, their journey having only just begun. The driver started the engine, and they drove off into the Hawaiian night, ready to embrace whatever the island had in store for them.