Whispers in the Winter Wind

Yasushi pulled himself out of bed as the morning sun began lighting up his room, moving through his usual steps like clockwork. In the calm of his house, he brushed his teeth and then headed down to the kitchen to get breakfast ready. Now living on his own, he rarely saw his parents, who only visited during major events when their work allowed for it.

A monthly stipend showed up like clockwork, helping cover his day-to-day expenses. What they didn't know was that he'd hit the lottery twice — something he kept locked away as his personal secret. The idea of telling them made him uneasy; he knew what kind of eyes would turn toward him once money got involved.

He made breakfast, packed his lunch, and let his thoughts wander to the weekend creeping closer. Thursday always carried that weight, signaling that Friday's just around the corner, bringing the chance to finally break free from the grind. As he mixed ingredients in the pan, the familiar smell filled the kitchen, setting his mind on what the weekend might hold when the workweek finally let him go.

After carefully preparing his meal, a mix of Japanese dishes and the familiar elements of an English breakfast, Yasushi took his seat at the table to enjoy what he had made. The tastes combined in his mouth, reminding him of his mixed heritage, connecting his history to the present.

As he ate, Yasushi scrolled through his phone, exploring the wide world of social media. A flood of everyday updates filled the screen, interrupted now and then by lively exchanges in a LINE group chat. His classmates, mostly guys, shared their thoughts and dreams about the upcoming transfer student — an ongoing topic that held little interest for Yasushi.

Once he finished his meal, he cleaned up the table and moved on to the tasks of the morning. He took a shower, dressed in his winter school uniform, and made sure his home was secure before stepping outside. A look at the sky showed dark clouds gathering above, serving as a plain backdrop to his daily journey. The air felt heavy, hinting at the weather's potential change. Yasushi adjusted his backpack and headed out, the sounds of the world around him merging into the flow of his morning.

Snowflakes fell from the sky as Yasushi walked toward school, the delicate flakes catching his eye. He reached up and caught one in his hand, a small smirk appearing on his face. Winter had a special significance for him, a feeling rooted in his past life as an Englishman.

In England, known for its mix of damp weather and cloudy skies, he had experienced fleeting moments of sunlight and even rarer snowfall, which had fostered a deep appreciation for the season. The soft landing of snowflakes filled him with a sense of calm, a stillness that Yasushi valued.

As he walked through Ginsukimura, a place unfamiliar from his previous life, he passed many shops, businesses, and tall buildings, their doors swinging open to welcome the day. He glanced at his watch, noting the familiar hour of arrival at school, a pattern that brought him comfort. This early part of the day felt like a refuge, a brief escape before the busy chaos of school life began to unfold. Each step took him closer to the noise and bustle, but for now, he embraced the quiet that surrounded him.

As Yasushi climbed the hill, surrounded by cherry blossom trees that swayed gently in the wind, a figure caught his eye. He focused on her, the breeze playfully lifting her hair while snowflakes floated around her. She stood still, her presence striking against the wintry scene. Her white hair stood out sharply, and her red eyes seemed to hold secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Yasushi felt an odd pull toward her, as if some unseen force drew him closer. He found it difficult to look away from this unknown girl. Although he had never seen her before, a sense of familiarity sparked in the back of his mind, a name just out of reach.

"Jingliu..." he murmured to himself, the name rolling off his tongue quietly. His feet stopped, planted firmly on the ground as he continued to take in the captivating sight of the girl before him. The chill of the air faded into the background as he became lost in thoughts of her presence, his mind racing with questions he couldn't yet voice. The moment stretched on, filled with an unspoken connection that made the world around him seem distant and unimportant.

In a flash, Yasushi recognized her as a character from a game in his previous life — Honkai Star Rail. The unexpected meeting left him feeling slightly confused; he had never encountered such a strange overlap of realities before. His gaze stayed locked on her, silently acknowledging this strange connection that seemed to bridge two worlds.

As if she felt his stare, the girl turned to face him. Her calm expression changed to one of cold disdain. The liveliness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp glare that forced Yasushi to instinctively take a step back. The intensity of her reaction caught him off guard, making it clear she did not welcome the attention. Her posture and movements communicated her displeasure without the need for words.

Without saying anything, she moved on, walking past the school gates and into the building. Yasushi observed her exit, his brow furrowing in thought. "Looks like she doesn't enjoy being watched. That could cause some issues; she will attract a lot of attention today," he whispered to himself.

As he continued his climb up the hill, a sense of curiosity mixed with caution filled his mind, pushing him to think about the girl and the day ahead. Each step brought him closer to the bustling nature of school life, but the image of her icy demeanor lingered, leaving him to wonder about the story behind her cold exterior.

+-+

The morning settled into a quiet feeling as Yasushi took his seat, thoughts lingering on his encounter with "Jingliu." The minutes moved slowly as he lost himself in the sounds of his music, a refuge of calm mixed with the lively chatter of his classmates.

Whispers floated around the room like playful spirits, carrying stories of an unknown girl seen earlier — a girl who had sparked the interest of the male students, setting off a wave of speculation and excitement. Each murmur added to the growing buzz, filling the air with questions and theories about this new presence.

As the clock moved closer to the hour, the bell rang out, cutting through the idle chatter and marking the start of homeroom. Senbarisu entered the classroom, their homeroom teacher. She appeared to be in her early thirties.

Her black hair pulled back into a ponytail framed her figure, and her warm brown eyes held a steady gaze. Her presence filled the room, drawing attention and creating a sense of calm authority as she prepared to lead them through the day's lessons.

Students settled down, readying themselves for the knowledge she would share, yet some still whispered about the girl who had captured their thoughts earlier. The blend of anticipation and respect marked the beginning of their time together in class, with each student wondering what the day would bring.

"As you may have heard—"

"Girl! Transfer student!" a loud classmate interrupted, sending laughter rippling through the group of boys. The amusement, however, faded quickly under Senbarisu's piercing glare.

Clearing her throat, Senbarisu continued, "As I was saying, we have a new transfer student, a girl. Let's welcome her warmly." The warning in her eyes added weight to her words, prompting a collective nod from the class.

The girl from earlier stepped into the room, capturing the attention of everyone present. Her snow-white hair fell around her shoulders, and her red eyes drew looks of surprise and curiosity. She wore the school uniform, consisting of a black and red blazer, a skirt that blended shades of black and gray, knee-high socks, and black shoes. She stood apart from the familiar faces, her appearance seeming to pull every gaze toward her like a magnet. The atmosphere changed, charged with a mix of intrigue and anticipation as the class waited for her to introduce herself.

She offered a formal bow and introduced herself in a direct manner. "My name is Jingliu Yang. I come from China. My parents are of Chinese and Japanese descent, and we have recently moved here because of their work. I will be part of this school and class for the rest of my high school years. It is a pleasure to meet you all," she said, her words clear and straightforward.

A heavy silence filled the room. Every eye focused on her, some mouths hanging open in disbelief. Yasushi pretended to be uninterested, looking out the window as he often did, but he stole occasional glances at her. To his surprise, he caught her looking in his direction for a brief moment before she quickly turned her gaze away.

"Wait, you're mixed!?" a classmate shouted, earning a sharp reprimand from Senbarisu.

"Yes, I am," Jingliu replied plainly.

The classroom held its breath as another voice broke the stillness, asking, "Are you single?"

"I am," she answered directly, her face revealing little as she addressed the question.

"Will you go out with me!? Be my girlfriend, please!" Another voice cut through the uncomfortable silence in the classroom. 

Jingliu reacted quickly. "I will respectfully decline. That idea is frankly disgusting," she shot back, her glare enough to make the boy flinch and take a step back. 

The awkward tension hung in the room until Senbarisu stepped in. She instructed Jingliu to take a spare seat in the class. Jingliu moved to the same row as Yasushi, but she sat two seats to his right, settling into her new place. 

With the introductions out of the way, the school day began, but an undercurrent of curiosity and intrigue surrounded the new transfer student, Jingliu Yang. Some whispered about her being strange and cool, yet others described her as cold. 

As Jingliu sat down, her gaze moved subtly toward Yasushi, who had turned his attention back to the window, appearing indifferent once more. But Jingliu had noticed him before, and a quiet determination filled her expression. She would not forget their brief encounter easily.