Days slid by like a slow trickle of water, almost imperceptible. Yasushi, Jingliu, and Yinhaie found themselves submerged in the laid-back rhythm of Hawaii. They roamed Honolulu's streets, sampling its vibrant life, slipping into its warm embrace. Their adventures, though modest, had a way of carving out a place in their memories.
By the fifth day, they felt like they had mapped the city in their minds, each corner and alley imprinted with a faint echo of their presence. But on the sixth day, the routine took a sharp turn.
Morning light seeped into their sprawling mansion, mingling with the muted clinks of utensils on plates and the faint murmur of a YouTube playlist on the flatscreen TV. The three of them sat around the breakfast table, wrapped in a shared but comfortable silence, still cloaked in the remnants of sleep.
Yinhaie, her movements brisk but quiet, cleared her plate. She seemed more alert than the others, her eyes sharper, movements more deliberate. Then, the doorbell rang, slicing through the quiet with an unexpected clarity.
Yinhaie rose swiftly, leaving her half-finished breakfast, and moved toward the front door. Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged a quick glance, curiosity piqued but limbs too heavy to follow. They could hear the door creak open, the hinges groaning in the morning stillness.
The dining room seemed to expand and contract as unexpected visitors filled the space. Yasushi and Jingliu, both heavy-eyed and sluggish from the early hour, blinked in disbelief. Yinhaie's words about their parents potentially visiting echoed faintly in their minds, now transformed into reality.
Jingliu's parents, Liang Yang and Yuhan Yang, stood at the threshold with warm, inviting smiles. Beside them were Yasushi's parents, Yuji Futakao and Kohana Futakao, their faces beaming with a mixture of joy and anticipation. The fathers' grins were broad and infectious, while the mothers' smiles held a gentle warmth.
But the real twist came with the arrival of the Cheng family. Xinyi Cheng, their lively classmate and friend, stepped forward, flanked by her parents, Yaqi and Xingyu Cheng. The sudden convergence of familiar faces created a palpable charge in the room.
"…Xinyi?" Yasushi's voice cut through the silence, laced with surprise and a hint of disbelief.
"The one and only!" Xinyi responded, flashing a peace sign with a playful grin. Yasushi's weary smile matched the energy of her gesture.
He turned to his parents, his expression shifting to one of mild astonishment. "I didn't think you would actually make it. You did say you were really busy."
Yuji Futakao chuckled, a rich sound that filled the room. "We managed to squeeze in some time. Couldn't miss this opportunity."
Liang Yang nodded in agreement, adding, "Family is important. And so are friends. We thought it was the perfect moment to come together."
Jingliu's eyes darted to Yinhaie, who had moved to stand beside the newcomers, her expression a blend of satisfaction and amusement. The unexpected reunion had shaken them from their morning stupor, infusing the space with a lively, almost surreal energy.
Xinyi moved with a fluid grace, slipping her arms around Yasushi and Jingliu in a warm, easy embrace. "We've got a few days before New Year's and school starts up again," she said, her grin broadening. "Let's make the most of it."
Yasushi, still reeling from the sudden convergence of families, blinked. "Did you tell your parents about this after our group call a few days ago?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Xinyi's smile grew wider, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She said nothing, simply reached out and gave his back a playful smack. "Details, Yasushi! Don't sweat the small stuff. Now, hurry up and finish eating so we can go explore Hawaii!"
Yasushi sighed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he turned back to his plate. Jingliu, mirroring his urgency, quickened her pace as well. The room buzzed with an undercurrent of excitement, the earlier exhaustion beginning to lift.
Meanwhile, Yinhaie had taken on the role of hostess, guiding their parents to their respective rooms. The air hummed with the soft murmur of introductions and laughter drifting from the hallways. Xinyi stayed behind, her presence a comforting constant as she watched Yinhaie disappear with their bags.
As the atmosphere settled into a more familiar rhythm, Xinyi broke the silence with her trademark bluntness. "So, you had wild sex while here?" The question hung in the air, sharp and unexpected.
Yasushi and Jingliu simultaneously choked on their food, eyes wide with shock. Coughing and spluttering, they exchanged a panicked glance, faces flushed.
"Xinyi!" Jingliu managed to gasp out, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Xinyi's laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained. "What? It's a valid question! You're in a gorgeous mansion in Hawaii, after all." She winked, her cheeky grin never fading.
Yasushi shook his head, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face despite his embarrassment. "You never change, do you?"
"Nope," Xinyi said, settling back into her chair with a satisfied sigh. "And that's why you love me."
The friends kept talking until their parents returned with Yinhaie, all dressed for the tropical setting. They left the mansion, the anticipation of shared adventures sparking in their eyes. They had a few days left before school resumed, determined to enjoy every moment together.
+-+
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Xinyi screamed as she tumbled off her surfboard, plunging into the water. She resurfaced, coughing and sputtering, then grinned. "Again!"
Their group had returned to Waikiki Beach to try surfing. None of them had done it before, except Jingliu, Yasushi, and Yinhaie, who had been soaking in Hawaii's offerings for the past six days.
Their parents, meanwhile, were making a better go of it, having signed up for the surfing lessons Yasushi's group had taken on their first day. Xinyi, however, had opted out of the formal lessons, choosing instead to be taught by her friends and try her luck on her own.
"Are you okay?" Yasushi paddled towards her, his surfboard gliding over the gentle waves. He reached out, helping her back onto her board.
"This...is a lot harder than I thought," Xinyi muttered, flopping down on her board, clearly exhausted. "And exhausting...jeez…"
Yasushi chuckled, balancing easily on his board. "You're doing great, though. It's all about finding your balance."
Xinyi shot him a tired but determined look. "Easy for you to say. You've been here longer."
Jingliu and Yinhaie, nearby, caught the exchange and paddled over, their movements fluid and practiced. "You'll get the hang of it," Jingliu encouraged, her voice steady. "It's all about persistence."
Yinhaie nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the bright Hawaiian sun. "Remember our first day? We were flailing just like you."
Xinyi sighed, a mix of frustration and amusement. "I guess I just need to keep trying."
"That's the spirit," Yasushi said, smiling. He glanced over at the beach, where their parents were practicing under the watchful eyes of the instructors. "And look at them. They're still figuring it out too."
Xinyi followed his gaze, seeing their parents' attempts at catching waves. The sight was both comical and inspiring, a reminder that everyone was learning, no matter their age.
With renewed determination, Xinyi pushed herself up on her board. "Alright. Let's do this."
It took her a few more tries before she finally found her balance, standing on the board, gliding across the waves. Her screams of excitement echoed over the water. "Woaaaaaaaaaaaah!! This is so cool — agh!?" Her joy turned into a startled yelp as she lost her balance and plunged back into the water.
They paddled over to her, their boards slicing through the gentle surf. Xinyi was already laughing, the water glistening on her face. "Okay, I love this. There are indoor waves like this in Ginsukimura, right?!" Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"Yeah, there's a few places, we can—"
"Yes!" Xinyi cut off Yasushi's explanation, gently but quickly bumping her head against his chest before paddling away, eager to try again.
Yasushi rubbed his chest and sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face. "She's way too excited," he mumbled.
"It's fine," Jingliu said with a soft smile. "Xinyi is always like this with new things, but she seems genuinely excited to do this more." Her eyes followed Xinyi as she readied herself for another attempt. "I'll go and help her more," she added, giving Yasushi a quick peck on the cheek before paddling towards Xinyi.
Yasushi watched them, a sense of contentment settling over him. The waves rolled in, steady and unending, each one a new opportunity for Xinyi to conquer. Jingliu reached her, and together they started working on her stance and balance.
On the shore, their parents were now relaxing, the lessons concluded. Liang Yang and Yuhan Yang sat together, watching their daughter with a mixture of pride and amusement. Yuji and Kohana Futakao chatted animatedly with Yaqi and Xingyu Cheng, their laughter occasionally rising above the gentle roar of the ocean.
+-+
At night, they ventured out into the city, heading to a popular spot in Honolulu to soak in the nightlife. Despite Jingliu and Yasushi's lack of enthusiasm, they went along, their parents' excitement too infectious to resist.
Once there, Yasushi found himself alone. Jingliu had been spirited away by Xinyi and Yinhaie, leaving him in a swirl of unfamiliar faces and neon lights. The crowds moved around him, their energy palpable, yet he felt oddly detached.
He felt a gentle poke on his cheek and a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw his parents, his mother Kohana poking his cheek, and his father Yuji's hand resting firmly on his shoulder.
"Why are you by yourself, kiddo? Being a loner in a random corner and all," Yuji asked, a teasing grin on his face.
Kohana nodded, her expression warm. "That's right. You should try to enjoy yourself, even in situations you're not used to. It's how you broaden your horizons."
Yasushi sighed, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I guess I got lost in my thoughts."
Kohana gently ruffled his hair, a familiar gesture that brought a sense of comfort. "There's a whole world out here, Yasushi. Embrace it."
Yuji squeezed his shoulder. "Let's find the others and have some fun. You might surprise yourself."
With his parents beside him, Yasushi felt a surge of determination. They navigated through the throngs of people, the city alive with music and laughter. Neon signs flickered above, casting vibrant reflections on the pavement. The sounds of street performers and the chatter of passersby created a lively, almost surreal atmosphere.
They found Jingliu, Xinyi, and Yinhaie near a street performer who was captivating a small crowd with his fire-dancing skills. Xinyi's face was lit up with excitement, and even Jingliu and Yinhaie seemed entranced by the performance.
"There you are!" Xinyi exclaimed, waving them over. "Come watch this guy, he's amazing!"
Yasushi joined them, his parents close behind. The performer's movements were fluid, his control over the flames mesmerizing. The heat from the fire contrasted with the cool night air, creating a dynamic sensory experience.
As the performance ended, the crowd erupted in applause. Xinyi turned to Yasushi, her eyes sparkling. "Isn't this great? This is what I love about cities — there's always something happening."
Yasushi nodded, feeling a shift within himself. The night, once daunting, now felt full of possibilities. The performer took a bow, and the crowd began to disperse, leaving them standing together in the midst of the bustling street.
Kohana leaned in, her voice soft yet encouraging. "See? It's not so bad. Sometimes, the best experiences come from stepping out of your comfort zone."
Yuji clapped his son on the back. "We've got the rest of the night. Let's make the most of it."