As night descended, Jingliu and Xinyi made their way out of the classroom, intent on discussing a detail they had both observed about Yasushi earlier in the day. They headed toward a secluded corner of the school, finding a quiet spot by a set of seldom-used stairs. The dim light of the hallway cast long shadows, adding a sense of privacy to their meeting.
"What did you make of that?" Xinyi broke the silence, her voice steady as she initiated the conversation.
Jingliu, her gaze fixed on the uneven concrete steps beneath her, furrowed her brow. "He seemed preoccupied, lost in thought. I've noticed that when Yasushi gets like this, he tends either to say nothing at all or to offer a vague, agreeable response that doesn't really reveal much," she said, her tone carrying a hint of frustration.
Xinyi nodded in agreement, her own expression thoughtful. "I've seen that too. But what do you think he was actually contemplating? If we confront him, he might try to protect our feelings or, perhaps, he'll open up. Honestly, I'm uncertain about which way he'll lean."
Jingliu was silent for a few moments, the quiet weighing heavily between them. Finally, she spoke, her voice measured. "I believe he will eventually tell us what's on his mind. However, whether we choose to accept his explanation or question it… that's a different matter entirely. I think that's how he'd frame it."
"Alright, let's get into some speculation," Xinyi suggested, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "What if… he's considering going out there himself, trying to convince the authorities to speed up their response? It sounds reckless, but remember, he was attacked with a knife last year. So, it's not entirely out of character for him."
Jingliu listened to Xinyi's theory, weighing the possibility. The idea did seem somewhat in line with Yasushi's past actions, yet something didn't sit right with her. "It does seem like something he might do, but I don't think that's it. If he were planning something like that, he would have mentioned it by now. So, I personally don't believe that's his intention."
"Mhm… so what do you think it could be? You're the one who knows him best," Xinyi remarked, clearly waiting for Jingliu to offer her insight.
Jingliu fell into thoughtful silence, reflecting on her year of knowing Yasushi. She reviewed their first meeting and everything that had happened since. The details of their interactions and his behavior over time seemed to come into sharper focus. After much contemplation, she arrived at a conclusion.
At first glance, it hadn't seemed significant. But as she examined it from different angles, she found it increasingly peculiar. It was a notion Yasushi might not even fully grasp himself. Yet now, she wasn't so sure what to make of it.
"The deity," Jingliu murmured almost to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xinyi turned to her, puzzled. "The what?" she asked, her confusion evident.
Jingliu met her gaze and explained, "Do you know the legend that's tied to this city?"
"Um… yeah, you mean Goddess Hakufubuki, right? She's part of the city's history, along with some guy from the past, the first mayor. They're said to have worked together to establish the city. Now she's a big attraction because people believe she's responsible for the long, harsh winters we experience," Xinyi responded. She paused, then added, "But why bring this up… wait, don't tell me you think Yasushi believes in her?"
"I think he might," Jingliu said, her voice carrying a note of uncertainty. "Every time the topic of the supernatural comes up, he seems unusually attentive. I've noticed his eyes brighten, just a bit, whenever it's mentioned. So…"
Xinyi considered this for a moment. "The paranormal, huh? We both grew up with all sorts of stories about it. But, given the endless snow and the legends, it's not entirely out of the question, right?" She glanced out the window, watching as the blizzard intensified, the swirling snow obscuring the view beyond.
"Yes… anyway, let's go find him and discuss this," Jingliu said, standing up decisively. "If Yasushi is planning something reckless, I'm going with him. This might be the first real disagreement we face together."
Xinyi let out a soft chuckle. "Well, whether it turns out for better or worse, I'm with you. If he keeps refusing, we'll just keep insisting until he finally gives in."
Jingliu offered a tired smile, already anticipating a night filled with back-and-forth arguments. Despite the looming disagreements, she felt a strong need to be involved, to stand by Yasushi's side. She was determined not to be left on the sidelines while he embarked on what she feared might be a dangerously impulsive course of action.
+-+
Jingliu strode into the room where most of her classmates and the teacher had settled in for the night. The atmosphere was relaxed, with many students sprawled out on the floor, preparing for sleep. The authorities hadn't arrived during the day, so the room had turned into a makeshift sleeping area for the weary.
She spotted Yasushi among the group and moved purposefully toward him. Without hesitation, she seized his wrist and tugged him out of the room. The sudden movement stirred a murmur of curiosity among their classmates, who began whispering about a potential "lovers' spat" and similar gossip. Yasushi, though taken aback by the unexpected pull, didn't resist.
Once they were in a quiet, secluded corner of the building, away from prying eyes and ears, Jingliu faced him directly. "Tell us what you've been thinking," she demanded, her tone firm. "We can tell you're preoccupied with something, and it might even involve leaving the school to search for something. Does this have anything to do with the goddess?"
Yasushi's eyes widened in surprise. He looked between Jingliu and Xinyi, searching for the right words to explain himself. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to be straightforward and open about his thoughts.
"Yeah," Yasushi began, his voice steady despite the seriousness of his words. "I'm planning to investigate the shrines dedicated to Goddess Hakufubuki scattered throughout the city. From what I recall, there are five in total. I've already sent a message to Yinhaie about my plans. It took some effort to persuade her to let me go, but she eventually agreed, on the condition that she accompanies me. I've also asked Yunxue and the others to cover for me if I'm not around during the night," he explained.
He offered them a tentative smile. "So, if you've figured this out on your own, I'm guessing you want to join me? If that's the case, you're welcome to come along. Just be prepared — it's going to be a very cold walk to each shrine."
Both Jingliu and Xinyi were momentarily taken aback by Yasushi's plan. They exchanged glances, their minds racing with the implications of his proposal. After a brief pause, they moved away from him to confer privately, leaving Yasushi standing there, leaning against the wall. He waited patiently for their response, his expression a mixture of anticipation and resolve.
"This sounds stupid, but fine, I agree," Xinyi said, her tone a mix of reluctance and determination. "With Yinhaie joining us, that makes four of us. We'll need the others to cover for us while we're out. But with that settled, how do we plan to leave and stay warm in this freezing weather?"
"I've collected several coats and pairs of gloves over the past few hours, so we should manage," Yasushi responded. He looked at them with a serious expression. "However, even with all that gear, it will still be quite cold. There's a significant risk of frostbite. So, once again, are you sure you want to go through with this?"
Xinyi glanced at Yasushi, her unease evident but her resolve unshaken. "I don't care. I'm going. I want to find out if the paranormal and supernatural are real."
Jingliu nodded in agreement. "I'm in as well. Let's wait until the lights are turned off before making our move. Heading out now would attract too much attention."
Yasushi sighed and turned away, responding, "That was the plan all along." He then added, "I've prepared everything we need, so we'll just have to go when the time is right." With that, he walked back toward their classroom, leaving the two of them to finalize their preparations.
+-+
"Lover's spat?" Senbarisu asked the moment Yasushi stepped through the door. She leaned in far too close for comfort, a wide grin stretching across her face. "Are you two breaking up?"
Yasushi forced a weary smile, stepping back from her proximity. "You seem oddly pleased about that, teach. Were you hoping we would?" he responded, his voice tinged with mild irritation.
"No… certainly not!" Senbarisu replied quickly, her hands coming together in a clapping motion as she continued to smile at him. "So, did you?"
"No," Yasushi answered flatly, moving past her and hearing the disapproving click of her tongue as he walked away. A few of his classmates remained awake, their curious eyes following him as they wondered what had just transpired. He brushed off their stares and thoughts of Senbarisu's behavior flickered through his mind. He mused to himself, 'She needs to find someone soon, or she'll end up as a grumpy old woman.' He then took a seat next to Yunxue, trying to shake off the unsettling encounter.
"Why were you pulled out?" Furuya asked, his voice thick with fatigue as he yawned, pulling his girlfriend Catherine closer to him.
"Xinyi and Jingliu are coming with me, so I have to factor them into the plans now," Yasushi said, leaning back against the wall with a resigned sigh.
"Seriously? Are you sure about this?" Furuya asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"I can't dissuade them. I even told them they didn't have to join, but they're determined to come along, so it's happening," Yasushi explained. "Anyway, I'll need you all to cover for us if we're not back on time."
Furuya nodded, accepting the responsibility. "Another long night ahead, huh? Well, whatever. I'm game," he said, stifling a yawn.
After a short while, Jingliu and Xinyi returned to the group. Senbarisu intercepted them, still curious about the rumored breakup, but Jingliu quickly dismissed her inquiry. For the rest of the evening, until the lights were turned off, Yasushi and his friends continued to converse quietly among themselves. They kept a close eye on the latest updates regarding the intense blizzard that had been sweeping through the country.
+-+
Later that night, around midnight, the school was silent, save for the occasional murmurs of a few teachers still awake. Yasushi, Jingliu, and Xinyi decided it was time to set their plan in motion. The front entrance was heavily guarded by the principal and vice principal, so they had to find an alternate route.
They made their way to the room where Yasushi had stashed their coats, gloves, and a few mufflers. After donning the cold-weather gear, they stepped outside. The biting cold hit them immediately, and their breaths turned into visible puffs of mist in the frigid air.
"Alright, follow me. You two aren't familiar with the locations of these shrines yet, but I know the way," Yasushi instructed, his voice cutting through the cold night. "Yinhaie will meet us halfway to the first shrine with additional supplies to keep us warm and some food. Just hold out until then."
"Don't count us out like that. We're not planning to freeze to death!" Xinyi shot back, giving Yasushi a light smack on the side, which made him chuckle despite the cold.
"Alright, here we go," Yasushi said, his breath forming a faint mist in the cold air as he began walking. He set a steady pace, leading the way through the darkened school grounds. Jingliu and Xinyi followed closely behind, their muffled footsteps barely audible against the crunch of the snow.