Yasushi sat alone, his eyes tracing the outlines of his family, Jingliu's, and Xinyi's, as they laughed and splashed around the Wailua Falls. The waterfall, majestic and sprawling, cascaded into a serene pond below. The place was nearly deserted, save for two strangers who kept their distance.
Content with his role as the guardian of their belongings, Yasushi watched over the scattered bags and towels, ensuring nothing went missing. Yet, his gaze frequently drifted towards Jingliu and Xinyi, captivated by their playful movements, though they remained oblivious to his attention.
Beside him, Yinhaie settled in, unwilling to leave him in solitude. She noticed where his eyes lingered and, with a gentle tap on his shoulder, brought him back to the present. She smiled warmly, a mix of amusement and understanding in her eyes. "Are you enjoying the view of Lady Jingliu, Yasushi?" she teased, her grin widening.
Yasushi turned to her, his expression unflinching. "Yes," he replied smoothly, "It's enjoyable as they're both curvy in the right places, the same with you."
Yinhaie, taken aback by his bluntness, felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks, but she laughed, the sound light and unforced. "I certainly didn't think you'd say that, but thank you for the compliment."
Yasushi nodded, his gaze drifting from her face to her figure, before returning to her eyes. "Why are you still single? No offense, but you're quite beautiful, have a personality that's desirable, and, well, a great body."
Again, she blushed, a deeper shade this time, but she sighed and looked out at the families frolicking in the water. "Master Liang Yang hired me after finding me shivering and homeless. My family — mother and father — both died a year prior, leaving me alone. My extended family wanted nothing to do with me, so when he found me, he offered me a job, and I had no other options."
She paused, her eyes distant, before continuing. "I never hated it, though. I actually quite liked working here. Lady Jingliu's parents were fair, and once she was born, I was assigned as her personal maid. Over time, I moved up the ladder among the servants. Slowly, they also made me part of the family. Unlike others who were just there for a job and quit."
"None of the other staff caught your eye? Or any friends in your off time?" Yasushi asked, reaching over to grab a sandwich. He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.
"I rarely take time off," Yinhaie replied. "As I said, I enjoy my work, especially taking care of you two. You're both very independent, so there isn't much work. But when there is, it's enjoyable. I never found that special person, and I don't think I will. But I'm fine with it." She smiled, her eyes steady and her voice even.
"I see," Yasushi responded, searching for the right words but finding none.
Before he could say more, Yasushi felt a tug on his leg. He looked down to see Xinyi, grinning mischievously. Before he could ask what she wanted, she pulled him with surprising strength. Yasushi managed to hand his sandwich to Yinhaie just before he was yanked down, his body hitting the rocks and splashing into the water.
"Ow…" Yasushi mumbled, rubbing his sore rear and glaring at Xinyi. "What was that for?" Annoyance edged his voice.
"Join us," she said, still grinning. "Or you can use Jingliu's chest to feel better. Or mine?" She teased, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Yasushi stared at her in disbelief, but before he could respond, Jingliu's hand clamped down on Xinyi's shoulder, making her flinch. "That's dangerous," she said, her eyes drilling into Xinyi.
"I'm sorry…!" Xinyi squeaked, then quickly grabbed Yasushi's arm and pulled him up, pushing his face against her chest. "Here, some boobs, feel better, okay?" She stroked his head, leaving Yasushi speechless.
"Xinyi!" Jingliu exclaimed, yanking her away from Yasushi, who stood there, dumbfounded by the cliché playing out before him.
He was still processing when Yinhaie joined them. She placed her hands on his shoulders from behind, pressing herself lightly against his back. "It seems like Lady Xinyi likes teasing you, doesn't she?" she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"You're no better," Yasushi pointed out, casting a sidelong glance at Yinhaie. She giggled, the sound light and infectious, before letting him go. But almost immediately, she grabbed his wrist again and pulled him toward the rest of their group, her grip firm yet gentle.
Yasushi sighed, allowing himself to be led, though his eyes stayed on Jingliu and Xinyi. The two were locked in a familiar argument, Jingliu's irritation flaring while Xinyi stuck her tongue out, her expression the epitome of playful mischief.
"Maybe I should put some boundaries," he muttered under his breath, the words almost lost in the cacophony of laughter and splashing water.
"Look at you, having a harem, champ," Yuji, his father, called out, his tone a mix of pride and teasing.
Yasushi rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching into a reluctant smile. "Don't you start," he quipped back, the retort drawing a fresh wave of laughter from the adults around him. The sound mingled with the falls, creating a moment of shared amusement that seemed to ripple through the group.
+-+
A couple of days had passed since then, and their Hawaiian trip was nearing its end. Now, it was New Year's Eve. Fireworks burst into the Hawaiian night sky, splashing it with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The explosions painted the darkness in fleeting hues of red, blue, green, and gold, each burst a temporary masterpiece.
All around them, the sounds of celebration filled the air. Families and groups of friends marked the year's end with laughter and cheers, music blaring from every direction, merging into a chaotic yet joyful symphony.
"Were fireworks ever this loud?" Yasushi asked, his gaze fixed on the sky, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
"They always have been. Why do you ask?" Xinyi responded, her eyes flicking to his with a puzzled expression.
"Never mind," he sighed, the noise pressing in on him more than it used to.
Jingliu, sensing his discomfort, wrapped her arms around his, leaning into him with a contented sigh. The warmth of her embrace provided a comforting contrast to the cacophony around them. Yasushi gave her a small peck on the top of her head, finding solace in this simple act of affection.
The night carried on, fireworks painting the sky in relentless succession. Despite the noise, there was something undeniably magical about the moment. The merging of past and future, the shared joy of the people around them, and the closeness of those he cared about most.
+-+
As Yasushi made his way back to the room he shared with Jingliu, their night of celebration winding down, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw his father, Yuji, standing beside Liang Yang.
"What's up, Dad? Mr. Liang?" he asked, arching a brow, confusion etched on his face.
They said nothing at first, merely gesturing for him to follow them into the kitchen. Once inside, they leaned against the counter, letting the silence envelop them. After a few seconds, Yuji broke the quiet. "So, son, what's your impression of this entire holiday?" he asked, his tone measured.
"Hmm? I mean, I liked it and enjoyed it very much if that's the answer you're looking for," Yasushi replied, still puzzled by the question.
Yuji nodded silently, a thoughtful look crossing his face. Then Liang spoke, his eyes fixed on Yasushi. "How were my daughter, Jingliu, and her maid, Yinhaie?" he asked, his stare unwavering.
Yasushi hesitated, Liang's gaze piercing through the dim light of the kitchen. "Well, I love Jingliu, and Yinhaie is extremely helpful. I consider her more of a close friend than a maid," he said, his voice steady. Liang nodded, the lines on his face softening.
"Your father told me a lot about you, especially since we began working together on this collaboration. I'll admit, I had my doubts. But after meeting you and seeing how much my daughter smiles around you, I started to like you," Liang Yang explained, a rare smile touching his lips.
Before Yasushi could respond, he felt another hand on his shoulder. Xingyu Cheng stood behind him, his expression warm. "I want to say the same thing about my little girl, Xinyi. She hasn't been this happy since she was young," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Yasushi glanced back at Xingyu and nodded. "Well, I wouldn't say it's all because of me. Many of my classmates are accepting, and my close friends have played a big part in helping both of them open up."
Liang and Xingyu exchanged glances with Yuji, who smiled proudly, adding to Yasushi's confusion. "Um, did you guys need something from me?" he asked, still bewildered by the situation.
"Are you going to marry my daughter?" Liang Yang's sudden question took Yasushi by surprise. "I noticed the ring she has, and I know she didn't have it before."
Yasushi's lips twitched as he sighed. "I bought that for her. It's a promise ring. I'm serious about her. But marriage... that's still a distant concept for both of us right now," he explained. Liang Yang nodded, and a heavy silence settled over them.
"What about Yinhaie then?" Liang Yang's voice cut through the quiet, catching Yasushi off guard.
"What?" Yasushi asked, confusion and shock mingling on his face. He had no idea where Liang Yang was going with this.
"Don't forget about my baby girl, Xinyi. She deserves someone good too," added Xingyu Cheng, deepening Yasushi's surprise.
He blinked, trying to process the weight of their words. "Yinhaie? Xinyi?" he stammered. "They're both amazing, but I hadn't thought about them in that way."
Liang's eyes bore into him, searching for something. "Yinhaie's been part of our lives for a long time. She's family to us now, but she's still a young woman with her own hopes and dreams."
Xingyu nodded in agreement. "And Xinyi, she's been happier lately, more herself. That's because of you, Yasushi. Don't underestimate the impact you have."
Yasushi felt the pressure of their expectations, the responsibility they were subtly placing on him. The kitchen felt smaller, the walls closing in as he grappled with the unexpected turn of the conversation. The distant sound of fireworks seemed to mock the gravity of the moment, their brilliance contrasting sharply with the sober reality he faced.
He looked at his father, seeking guidance. Yuji's eyes met his, full of pride and understanding. "Son, you've grown a lot. You're handling all this better than I could have at your age."
Yasushi nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "I care about all of them. Jingliu, Yinhaie, Xinyi. But I need time to understand what that means, for them and for me. I don't want to make promises I can't keep."
Liang and Xingyu exchanged another look, their expressions softening. "Fair enough," Liang said. "Just remember, we trust you. We see the good in you."
Xingyu patted him on the back. "Take your time, Yasushi. We just want our daughters to be happy."
Yasushi nodded, the weight of their trust settling on his shoulders. As he made his way back to his room, the noise of the celebrations outside felt distant, almost unreal. The promise ring on Jingliu's finger, the warmth of Yinhaie's friendship, the joy in Xinyi's eyes — all these threads came together into something he was only beginning to understand.