Hours later, as the day began to wind down and the time approached for them to leave their parents at the workplace, Yasushi approached Jingliu's parents. He stopped them mid-conversation and directed their attention toward him.
"Is something wrong, Yasushi?" Yuhan Yang, Jingliu's mother, asked, her voice low, her expression filled with worry.
Yasushi hesitated, his gaze drifting momentarily to the side before he refocused on the couple in front of him. His voice held a careful tone as he repeated Jamie's words to them. He explained the details without embellishment, including his own ability, something Jamie had already revealed to the group before joining them.
For a moment, silence settled around them as both parents absorbed what he had said. Once Yasushi finished, he leaned forward slightly, his tone more insistent now.
"Is any of it true? What Jamie said?"
Yuhan's expression tightened, her eyes betraying an emotional turmoil that she didn't put into words. She turned her face away, and it looked as though she was fighting tears that threatened to break free. Liang Yang, her husband, exhaled slowly and placed a steadying hand on Yasushi's shoulder.
"It is," Liang admitted after a pause, his tone heavy with the admission. "The doctor told us about it years ago. At the time, we thought it was better for her not to know... to spare her from worrying about something she couldn't control."
His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, guilt weighing visibly in his posture. Yuhan's back trembled as she kept her face averted, her silence an unspoken agreement with her husband's words.
Yasushi's expression tightened as he spoke, his voice low. "I'm sorry. I should have handled this better. I wasn't thinking—"
Liang cut him off, his hand dropping to his side. "No. The fault isn't yours. This is on us. We kept her in the dark, and that wasn't right. Maybe if she had known earlier, she wouldn't have been blindsided like this." He paused, glancing toward Yuhan, who stood a few steps away, her face turned away. Liang exhaled before continuing. "But I do appreciate you saying that. Thank you."
Releasing Yasushi's arm, Liang stepped back slightly. "By the end of the week, we'll talk to her ourselves and try to make this right. Until then, please stay close to her."
Before Yasushi could reply, Liang and Yuhan walked off together, their footsteps echoing softly in the enclosed space. Yasushi stood there for a moment, staring after them, before shaking his head slightly. His mind was already made up.
Turning on his heel, he approached Jingliu, who sat on the low concrete divider near the cars. She didn't react as he drew closer. Her focus was distant, her hands resting limply in her lap.
"We're heading out," Yasushi muttered, reaching out to nudge her cheek lightly with his finger.
She blinked, her eyes snapping back to him as if she'd only just noticed he was there. After a pause, she nodded wordlessly.
He extended a hand, helping her to her feet. Together, they walked toward Yinhaie's parked car, waiting silently as the others gathered.
+-+
Hours later, back in their temporary home in London, Yasushi sat quietly on a couch in one of the living rooms within the sprawling, castle-like residence. The room carried an atmosphere of timeless elegance, its high ceilings and detailed woodwork adding a layer of quiet grandeur. In front of him, Yinhaie poured a steaming cup of coffee with a practiced hand, her movements unhurried yet purposeful.
"Is something wrong, Yasushi?" she asked, her tone direct yet laced with enough concern to draw his attention. She placed the cup on the table before him, her gaze studying his expression.
Yasushi remained silent for a moment, his eyes locked on the dark surface of the table. It wasn't hesitation, but rather the weight of his thoughts anchoring him. After what felt like an eternity, he raised his head to meet her eyes. "I've been thinking about taking tomorrow off," he said, his voice calm but carrying a note of finality. "I want to go meet my previous parents. Jingliu might come with me."
Yinhaie's brow lifted slightly in surprise, but her expression softened almost immediately. She leaned back slightly in her chair, her demeanor composed. "If that's what you've decided, then I'll let Master Liang Yang and the others know. Just say the word, and I'll handle it."
He inclined his head, a subtle yet definitive acknowledgment. "Thank you," he replied simply before reaching for his cup. He downed the drink in one long swallow, setting the empty cup back on the table with a quiet clink. Without pausing, Yasushi rose and exited the room, already intent on speaking with Jingliu.
Yasushi entered the room, his eyes catching her seated on the bed, a book resting in her hands. Her expression appeared lighter than before, though her brow occasionally furrowed, revealing thoughts still churning within. As soon as she noticed him, she lowered the book and extended her arms toward him without hesitation, silently requesting an embrace.
He crossed the room without delay and wrapped her in his arms, feeling the warmth as she rested her head against his chest. Her breathing steadied as the tension in her shoulders eased. "Can we talk? I've been thinking about tomorrow. There's something different I'd like us to do," he said, glancing down at her as he spoke.
Her face changed as she tilted her head back slightly, meeting his eyes. "Talk? Different? What do you mean? I thought we were supposed to go with the others," she asked, her tone full with unease.
"I've come up with an idea," he replied, taking a seat beside her as her arms fell to her sides. "But before we decide, let me explain."
He began recounting what had been on his mind. He spoke of his parents handing him a slip of paper, the kind that seemed insignificant at first glance but carried so much weight. It held the address where he had once lived in this city, in a life that felt distant yet close enough to reach out to.
The thought had been stirring for some time, and he wanted to see them — his previous parents. He explained how he wished to observe them, to understand whether they had changed over the years. If they seemed different, he would try to speak with them, to exchange a few words. If not, he would quietly move on without disturbing their lives.
She listened intently, her fingers loosely interlaced on her lap. She didn't interrupt, her expression changing with each new detail. As he finished speaking, her lips parted, but she hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
Jingliu hesitated, her eyes holding on to his longer than she might have intended.
"After that, let's spend the rest of the day on a date to unwind. How does that sound? Yinhaie's already letting our parents know," he added, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Jingliu exhaled softly, leaning further into him. As she mulled it over, the idea seemed less daunting. The best outcome might be a conversation that offered closure, and the worst? Walking away unchanged but no longer wondering.
"Alright… but you'd better show me the best spots in London afterward," she said with a small grin, tilting her head up to look at him.
Yasushi's expression lit up as he nodded. "Absolutely. I'll take you to all the places I've only ever seen from a distance. Never got to enjoy them back then, so I'm excited for it too." His tone carried a warmth that made her laugh along with him.
The rest of the evening passed quietly as they spent time together before bed. Not long after, Yinhaie came by with an update. Their parents were fine with the plan, which brought some relief as the next steps approached.
+-+
The next morning arrived, and while the others focused on their usual tasks, Yasushi and Jingliu set off together. They boarded a bus heading toward the outskirts of London, where Yasushi's parents lived. It wasn't quite within the city itself but rather in a quieter area about thirty minutes away by bus. Walking there would have taken close to an hour.
The bus ride had been calm so far. They were about twenty minutes into their journey, sitting on the lower level of a red double-decker bus, tucked near the back. The seats around them were mostly occupied but not overcrowded. It helped that it was still fairly early in the day, and many students were on vacation, which meant the usual weekday crowds were thinner than usual.
Jingliu leaned lightly against Yasushi, her voice low as she asked, "The fare was pretty cheap. Is it like this on all the buses around the country?"
"Yeah, for the most part. Though depending on where you are, it can change a little. It's usually not a big difference, but they try to keep it consistent across most areas," Yasushi answered, glancing briefly out the window as the city's edges gave way to more residential streets.
"What about those cards people use?" she asked, gesturing slightly toward the cards people tapped near the front of the bus.
"They're called Oyster Cards," he replied. "You can use them to pay for different kinds of transport around London. All you have to do is load some money onto it, hold it up to the scanner at the entrance, and it deducts the fare automatically. If you don't have one, you can just use a credit or debit card with contactless payment."
He continued after a pause, "They work in most places around London and even in some areas nearby. Outside of the city, though, it's a bit more hit or miss. I wouldn't know for sure since I didn't venture too far from here even back when I lived here."
"That does sound convenient," she said. "We don't have anything like that back in Ginsukimura, do we?" Her tone carried a quiet sense of curiosity. They usually relied on Yinhaie's car or Yasushi's motorcycle to get around. Public transport wasn't something they had much experience with in their small town.
"We've got something similar, the Gin-Gin Card. Yeah, the name's a bit odd, but it works. It's mostly for Ginsukimura since there aren't many towns or villages nearby anymore — most of them were abandoned years ago after the weather wrecked things. Anyway, it works the same way. I still have mine, but I don't use it much. Yinhaie usually drives us wherever we need to go, or I just stick to my motorbike," Yasushi said, his tone casual as he explained.
Their conversation carried on as the bus rattled along its route. After another eight minutes or so, their stop came into view. They stepped off together, Yasushi naturally taking the lead. He paused for a brief moment, taking a quick glance around at the familiar streets. Something about the sight tugged at him — a mix of old memories and feelings he didn't want to dwell on.
'For all the hell I went through in this place back in my first life, it's strange how coming back stirs up memories like this,' he thought, his expression unreadable as the thought passed. With a small shake of his head to clear it, he reached out, grabbing Jingliu's hand without hesitation and moving forward, his pace deliberate.
+-+
The cul-de-sac was quiet, a neat circle of about fifteen identical houses. Despite the late morning hour, the atmosphere felt still. It was the middle of a break for students, so the neighborhood remained undisturbed. The sun hung high, but the streets showed no signs of the usual hustle and bustle.
Near the farthest corner, Yasushi's pace faltered as his eyes locked onto a small group — a man, a woman, and a little girl. He tightened his grip on Jingliu's hand, his throat constricting uncomfortably. She didn't respond to the pressure, her expression unreadable as they continued walking. He kept moving forward, unable to tear his focus from the scene ahead.
From a distance, the trio appeared cheerful, laughter spilling between them as they played in their garden. Yasushi couldn't look away. His parents — the ones he remembered with cold expressions and harsh words — were there. The sight made his chest ache in a way he hadn't expected. They weren't withdrawn or distant. Instead, they seemed warm, almost unrecognizable.
As they came closer, the sound of their laughter grew louder. Yasushi observed them intently, catching glimpses of the care they showed their young daughter. The joy on their faces stood in stark opposition to the memories he carried from his previous life. They were strangers to him in every sense, and yet, the familiarity of their faces made it impossible to shake the dissonance.
He stayed where he was for a few moments, observing them quietly. Thoughts churned in his mind, trying to construct a reason that could justify approaching them without drawing too much suspicion.
Just as he prepared himself to take a step forward, their attention snapped to him. Their expressions shifted subtly, the man narrowing his eyes while he reflexively placed himself between Yasushi and the others. He moved his daughter behind him, shielding her with one arm, while the woman crouched slightly to embrace the child protectively.
"Is there something you need?" the man — his former father — asked, his voice carrying a note of caution.
Yasushi gave a quick nod and cleared his throat, though the tightness in it lingered. His words came out slower than he intended. "Uh, yeah… Sorry to bother you. We're trying to find the local Spar. Would you happen to know the way? We kind of got turned around and saw you over here…"
He made an effort to sound casual, his fingers gripping Jingliu's hand a little tighter. The unease he felt from the past interaction with them loomed over him, but he forced a smile that he hoped passed as harmless.
The tension in their posture lessened as they looked at the two of them more closely. The younger appearance of Yasushi and Jingliu, coupled with the fact they were holding hands, must have painted them as lost tourists rather than a threat. The man chuckled quietly, straightening his stance and stepping forward.
He gave Yasushi a solid pat on the shoulder and said, "You almost gave me a heart attack, mate. Anyway, go back the way you came, then take a left. Keep walking until you spot a sign that says 'BORG.' After that, turn right, and you'll find the Spar there. Got it?"
Yasushi let out a shaky laugh, nodding. "Yeah, got it. Thanks for that." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "You've got a wonderful family there. Any advice on being a good dad?" He threw in a grin, trying to lighten the moment.
The man gave him a knowing smirk. "I'm still figuring it out myself, as you can see. It's a lot, especially early on. You're up all night with the crying. It's rough. But once you get through that, it gets easier. That said, every kid's different, so it really depends. Best thing you can do is stay on the same page as your missus and roll with it." He clapped Yasushi on the shoulder again before turning back to his family.
"Th—thanks…" Yasushi muttered before turning away, walking alongside Jingliu.
His thoughts churned as they moved, emotions tangled in a way he couldn't unravel. He didn't know what to make of these people, but their kindness wasn't lost on him. He glanced back, catching sight of their cheerful expressions.
Their happiness stung in a way he couldn't fully explain. These weren't his parents, not really. Yet, that little girl, their daughter, was something else entirely in this version of reality.
As they continued down the path, following the directions the man had given, Yasushi's emotions seemed to pull him in two different directions.
His chest felt strange, almost like something was pressing against him, but at the same time, there was a peculiar sense of relief, like a tension he didn't know he carried had loosened. What escaped his notice, though, were the tears rolling down his cheeks, leaving faint streaks in their wake.
Jingliu noticed immediately. She stopped abruptly, reaching for him. Without a word, she wrapped him in her arms, guiding his head to rest against her shoulder. Her hand moved slowly across his hair, her grip firm but not overbearing.
"It's okay… let it go," she murmured quietly, her voice calm yet holding a gentleness that left no room for argument. Her fingers moved in soft patterns, her hand now resting against his back. Yasushi squeezed his eyes shut, and the flood he had been holding back came pouring out. He stayed silent as the tears continued, but the release felt inevitable, like he had been holding it in for too long.
He still didn't fully understand what he felt inside. The bitterness he once carried for the people who bore the title of his parents had faded into something quieter, less consuming. This time, in this version of his life, they weren't the same people who had let him down before.
They were kinder, softer in ways he hadn't thought possible. It wasn't forgiveness, not entirely, but it was a release, a loosening of the tight knot that had gripped him for so long.
Jingliu didn't say anything as he let his emotions pour out. She just held him close, her hand moving gently through his hair. The quiet between them wasn't uncomfortable; it felt safe, a place where he could allow himself to be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
His breathing hitched now and then, his chest rising and falling unevenly, but her presence anchored him, her patience unspoken but unmistakable.
He felt exposed, the tears running down his face without restraint, but he didn't stop them. Somehow, her being there made it okay, made him feel like he didn't have to apologize for what was spilling out. He trusted her, and that trust made him feel something unfamiliar but welcome. For once, he didn't feel the need to hide.