Yasushi settled by the edge of the swimming pool, his legs and feet dipped in the cool water. The early morning air was crisp and unhurried, marking the start of their journey back to Japan. Yet, they had several hours before departure, granting him a precious opportunity for solitude.
He gazed at the vast, empty pool, once brimming with activity, now only a serene expanse. The lively echoes of splashes and laughter had faded, replaced by a peaceful stillness. He exhaled deeply, savoring the tranquility. But his moment of peace was soon interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps drawing near.
Without turning, Yasushi felt a gentle touch on his shoulders. The familiar presence behind him brought a sense of ease as the hands began to knead his tense muscles. He leaned into the touch, welcoming the soothing pressure.
"Your shoulders are quite tight," came the soft murmur, barely more than a whisper.
Yasushi let out a weary sigh, his breath mingling with the cool morning air. "Yeah… I've been a bit stressed about some things. But, I have to admit, I'm looking forward to getting home," he said, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
The person behind him giggled softly, their laughter a gentle, reassuring sound. They drew Yasushi closer, resting his head against their chest as they wrapped their arms around his neck. "I'm looking forward to it too. Yunxue mentioned she wants to come back with us. Did you tell her you agreed?" the voice asked, light and curious.
Yasushi responded with a chuckle, "Well, she did approach me, more like she pleaded to join us." This earned another soft, musical laugh from the person holding him. He tilted his head back slightly and saw Yinhaie's face, her smile warm and welcoming.
"Why are you up so early?" Yasushi asked, his gaze searching hers. "You said you normally wake up an hour later than this time."
Yinhaie tightened her embrace around him, her voice soft but clear. "Since we're heading back to Japan today, I figured it was a good idea to wake up earlier to get a few things ready, especially for the long flight. When I went to check on you two, I found Lady Jingliu alone, so I began looking for you both in your usual spots until I eventually found you here," she explained, her tone both affectionate and practical.
Yasushi let out a light chuckle, his eyes softening with appreciation. "Oh, really? Well, thank you for putting in the effort," he said, his voice tinged with genuine gratitude. The words lingered in the stillness that followed.
After a moment of quiet, they rose from their seats by the pool. Together, they walked back toward the house, a sense of purpose settling over them. The day ahead was filled with tasks to complete, despite the progress Yasushi and Jingliu had made the previous evening. The anticipation of the day's responsibilities loomed, marking the transition from their peaceful morning to the busy schedule that awaited them.
+-+
Furuya approached Yasushi with an exaggerated swagger, his grin wide and unmistakable. "Well, well, well, who do we have here?" he asked, his tone both playful and weary. "I'm completely exhausted, man. I had to scramble to finish up all my homework from last week and then pack everything up this morning. It's been a rough ride."
Yasushi shook his head, a wry smile forming on his lips. "You can't undo what you've already done. Just remember to manage your time better in the future, especially during the holidays. Otherwise, you'll end up stressing out and rushing everything at the last minute."
Furuya's energy seemed to rebound slightly as he puffed out his chest and crossed his arms. "I live on the edge of life!" he declared, his voice taking on a defiant edge as he stood with a proud posture.
As they talked, several curious glances were cast their way. They were at the airport, waiting for clearance for their respective private jets. Xinyi's group, including Catherine and Furuya, occupied one side of the waiting area, while Yasushi's group, with Jingliu, Yinhaie, and Yunxue, was on the opposite side. The contrast between the two groups was evident, each preparing for their journey in their own way.
"By the way, did you manage to do anything else over the past week, or was it all just nonstop homework?" Yasushi asked, casting a sidelong glance at Xinyi and Catherine. They both shook their heads in unison, almost as if they were speaking for Furuya.
"No…" Furuya muttered, his voice trailing off. Before he could say more, Xinyi grabbed him by the arm and was led away by a staff member who motioned for them to follow.
"See you back in Japan!" Xinyi called out, her voice cheerful as she waved towards Yasushi and his group. Catherine offered a polite bow in farewell, while Furuya, in a display of reluctant resistance, fussed and protested. But before long, they had rounded a corner and were out of sight.
"Looks like they'll be taking off before us," Yasushi remarked, watching their departure. He then checked his watch, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "We'll probably land in Japan by evening. That means we can just head straight to bed and leave the unpacking for the next day."
"Sounds like a good plan. Oh, and by the way, where will I be staying?" Yunxue asked, her eyes fixed on Yasushi and the rest of the group. "I heard that the place we're going to isn't as large as this one, so I'm a bit curious…"
Yasushi glanced at her and then at Yinhaie, who gave a confirming nod. "Once we get there, I'll take your room, Yunxue. The house might not be as spacious by our standards, or even yours, but by the standards of many ordinary people, it's quite luxurious. There are plenty of rooms available, so you don't need to worry. We've got more than enough space for everyone," Yinhaie clarified, her tone reassuring.
Yunxue gave a nod of understanding, and the conversation shifted to more details about their home in Ginsukimura. Soon, an airport staff member arrived to guide them. They were escorted to their private jet, and it wasn't long before they were airborne, heading towards their destination.
+-+
"Oooh! Oooh!" Yunxue exclaimed with wide-eyed excitement as she gazed out the window of the private jet, her face lit up by the breathtaking panorama of the clouds below.
Yasushi watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity before turning to Jingliu and asking, "Is this her first time flying on a plane?"
Jingliu, uncertain, glanced at Yinhaie, who paused to think. "I'm not entirely sure. Yunxue has never mentioned flying before, so it might be. I also don't know if she's ever traveled outside of China, so… it might be best to ask her directly."
Yasushi nodded in acknowledgment and approached the still-enraptured Yunxue. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Is this your first time on a plane? Most people feel a bit nervous about flying, you know."
"Yes, that's right," Yunxue replied, her eyes still fixed on the stunning views outside the plane window. "I've only seen these kinds of sights in pictures on the internet. I haven't been on a plane before. I mostly lived in China and Mengyinhu." Her voice carried a hint of awe. "It's really… beautiful."
Yasushi smiled warmly at her and gave her head a gentle pat. "Well, you might want to get accustomed to this view, as we'll likely be flying quite a bit more in the future. Speaking of which, I do have a question for you," he said, stepping back slightly to give her space.
Yunxue turned her head to look at him, her expression puzzled. "A question? About what?"
Yasushi nodded and switched from Chinese to Japanese, asking, "Do you know how to speak Japanese? If so, how confident are you in it?"
Yunxue blinked for a moment, processing his question, before responding in Japanese. "Yes! I'm confident in it! We learned several languages because Master Liang Yang conducts business in many countries. Japan is one of them, so I'm almost fluent!" She beamed at him, her enthusiasm evident. "I also know English, French, and Spanish!"
Yasushi let out a soft chuckle and remarked, "That's good to know. At least we won't have to worry about… wait a minute, are you going to be joining us for our final year of school?"
Yinhaie jumped in to clarify, "Yes, she will be. Having Yunxue close by to both of you will be as beneficial as having Catherine close to Lady Xinyi. Additionally, Layena will be joining you as well, so she can look after Lady Jingliu, while Yunxue will take care of Yasushi."
Yasushi tilted his head, curiosity evident on his face. "Speaking of Layena, I haven't seen her much this summer. What's been going on with her? And why isn't she here with us now?"
Yinhaie responded, "Layena has been busy with extensive retraining. She wanted to become much stronger after seeing how you handled various challenges during our first year in Japan. She also returned home a couple of days ago to prepare things there and to continue her studies."
Yasushi seemed taken aback by the explanation, but he accepted it with a nod. The conversation shifted to other topics related to their upcoming school year, their summer break, and future college plans. They discussed various aspects and shared their thoughts, each offering their perspectives on how to navigate the challenges ahead.
As they exchanged opinions, they largely agreed on a strategy of taking things one day at a time. They decided to focus on meeting certain milestones and requirements as they arose, rather than trying to plan every detail in advance.
+-+
A couple of hours later, their private jet touched down in Japan. They hurriedly gathered their belongings and made their way outside the airport, where the crisp air greeted them. Although winter was still some time away, autumn had arrived, and Yasushi couldn't help but smirk at the brisk chill.
"Autumn, huh? Before we know it, snow will be falling," he mused quietly as they climbed into their waiting car, which whisked them away through the bustling traffic.
The drive took a couple of hours due to the congestion, but they eventually reached their luxurious neighborhood. The gated community, with its high fence and meticulous landscaping, came into view, and they were welcomed by the guard at the entrance.
Upon arriving at their home, Yunxue's voice rang out with excitement. "Oooh! It's still so large! It looks fantastic!"
They exchanged smiles at her enthusiasm and proceeded inside. As they stepped through the front door, they were met by a group of butlers and maids, with Layena standing prominently at the forefront. She looked up, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Welcome back, Lady Jingliu, Lord Yasushi, Yinhaie, and Yunxue. Everything is prepared for you. Please, let us handle the details and take the evening to unwind."
"Then we'll leave it in your capable hands, Layena. Thank you," Yasushi said, handing over his bags to a butler and maid, giving each of them a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Yinhaie and Yunxue joined in, assisting with the unpacking. Jingliu and Yasushi expressed their gratitude once more before heading towards their shared bedroom. As they walked away, they could hear the staff briefing Yunxue about what to expect while working in the house.
When they finally reached their room, they changed into their sleepwear, turned off the lights, and sank into the comfort of their bed. They cuddled closely, savoring the warmth and coziness.
"Finally… some much-needed rest," Yasushi murmured, his voice laced with exhaustion.
"Mmm… even though we caught a bit of sleep on the flight, we're still pretty tired," Jingliu replied, stifling a yawn.
"Ah… who cares? Let's just go to sleep. School starts in two days," Yasushi said. Jingliu nodded silently in agreement, and soon, they both drifted off into a peaceful slumber.