Whispers in the Winter Wind

Jingliu sighed wistfully, her fingers yearning to caress the soft, snow-white fur of the cat that had slipped away. "I wanted to pet it more," she murmured, her disappointment palpable.

Yasushi, noticing her crestfallen expression, offered a comforting smile. "There will be more cats to pet at our destination. Don't be too disheartened," he reassured her.

"Will there be an entrance fee?" Jingliu inquired, her anticipation beginning to rise.

"Yes, but it's quite affordable. I'll cover it, so you needn't worry. Let's hurry up then; the park closes at eight, and the cats tend to retire early there since a decent number of people visit," Yasushi said, urging her forward.

After a brisk five-minute walk, they reached the park's entrance. A sizable stone cat greeted them, frozen in a playful pose, its orange coat painted with whimsical charm. A plaque beneath it declared, "Butters, the most mischievous orange cat."

"Butters," Jingliu whispered, her voice carrying a hint of fondness as she playfully tapped one of the stone cat's paws. Following this, they proceeded to the entrance of the building and paid the required fee.

Inside, a staff member recognized Yasushi and greeted him with a warm smile. "Laura is outside playing with the cats right now. You can join her if you'd like," she informed them.

Yasushi acknowledged her words with a nod. "Thank you. We'll definitely do that. Follow me," he directed, leading them down a brief hallway before pushing open a door.

Stepping through, they were greeted by a sprawling park teeming with cat toys and structures scattered about. A variety of felines in different hues and sizes populated the landscape. Some lounged lazily, while others engaged in lively games amidst the grass and playthings.

Yasushi stole a glance at Jingliu, whose eyes widened in wonderment as she beheld the array of cats before her. Amused, he chuckled softly and offered a gentle caution, "You're free to interact with them as you please, but remember, don't force them if a cat isn't interested in your company, alright?"

Absorbed in the feline playground, Jingliu nodded absently, drifting away to immerse herself in the playful antics of the cats and kittens. Yasushi observed her departure with a smile before turning his attention to the park's surroundings, eventually spotting Laura in the distance.

"Hey there. Still 'working' today, I see," he remarked, approaching her with a playful glint in his eyes.

Laura, her long blue hair tied in a ponytail and distinctive yellow eyes shining, glanced up from her task, a sheepish chuckle escaping her lips. "I suppose so. This place belongs to my parents, and it's quite popular. Me being here isn't exactly out of the ordinary. What brings you here? You're not a frequent visitor," she inquired, rising and cradling a kitten in her arms.

Yasushi casually remarked, "Just showing someone around the city," gesturing towards Jingliu engrossed in her feline frolic.

Laura's eyes widened with surprise as she observed Jingliu's animated expressions, her fingers gently caressing the kitten's fur. "She's quite expressive, isn't she? I never realized you two were so close. We've seen you interact, but I didn't expect it to evolve like this," she mused softly, her gaze shifting between Yasushi and Jingliu.

Yasushi shrugged nonchalantly. "Life has its surprises. Why don't you go over and introduce yourself? She could use more friends, besides me, Xinyi, and to some extent, Furuya," he suggested, encouraging her.

Laura hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her uncertainty evident. "She doesn't seem intimidating... Alright, I'll go," she decided, setting the kitten down gently before heading towards Jingliu.

"I'll take care of feeding the cats now," Yasushi assured with a gentle smile.

Alone now, he knelt down, extending his hand towards a cat that approached, nuzzling against his palm. "I used to have mixed feelings about cats, but... I suppose you're not so bad after all," he murmured softly, commencing his temporary task with a newfound sense of ease.

+-+

Jingliu's world brimmed with contentment as she frolicked among the cats, a sense of pure joy enveloping her like a warm embrace. Cradling one feline in her arms, she basked in the affectionate rubs and purrs of the others weaving around her legs.

Cats had always gravitated towards Jingliu, a bond that traced back to her childhood days. Their natural attraction to her was a source of comfort, especially during moments of pain and solitude. Amidst the rigors of training and the fleeting solace from her grandparents, wild cats would offer fleeting but precious moments of respite.

Gradually, Jingliu's heart opened to these creatures, embracing their presence with love and gratitude. Yet, intertwined with this affection lay the bittersweet reminder of past sorrows.

The fleeting joy Jingliu found among the cats was abruptly shattered when her grandfather caught sight of her playful moments with one of the felines. Instead of a direct reprimand, he orchestrated a far crueler act.

One morning, as young Jingliu stirred from sleep, a grim tableau greeted her. Several lifeless cat bodies lay in a somber line at her training spot, a devastating sight that tore at her heart. Her grandfather, an unusual presence that day, left her with chilling words as he departed.

"If you hang on to those wretched creatures, they'll only serve as distractions. Should you form attachments elsewhere, we won't hesitate to kill them. Understand?" his words rang with a menacing finality.

Jingliu, though her heart ached, couldn't shed a tear that day. Instead, she internalized the pain, learning to guard her emotions and keep her vulnerabilities veiled — a cautionary lesson etched into her past.

"Are cats your thing, Jingliu?" a voice queried, drawing her attention. Jingliu glanced up, encountering an unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar face — a classmate from school, Laura.

"Laura? What brings you here?" Jingliu inquired, a tinge of confusion in her voice, though she continued to engage with the cats, her emotions guarded.

"My family owns this park, so I pitch in whenever I can. It's refreshing to see you so lively; it's a side of you I haven't seen before," Laura remarked with a playful chuckle, noticing Jingliu's slight blush.

"I suppose," Jingliu replied, her tone measured. "There's no need to show every facet of oneself at school. Besides, I've always had a soft spot for cats. It feels natural to express it here," she added as two kittens leapt onto her lap, their gentle purrs adding a soothing melody to the moment.

"Absolutely. Being a cat person, these little guys hold a special place in my heart," Laura remarked, her eyes drifting between Jingliu and Yasushi, who was engrossed in caring for the cats. "Yasushi's giving you the grand tour of the city, isn't he? How's it going? Seems almost like a date," she teased lightly.

Jingliu blinked a few times, a subtle flush gracing her cheeks as she shook her head. "It's been... enlightening. The city's unique weather patterns and rich history add layers to its charm. Exploring the landmarks and hearing their stories was quite fascinating," she reflected, her expression softening.

"No, it's not a date," Jingliu clarified with a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes. "He's just being a guide, and plans on giving Xinyi a tour as well," she added, though a faint furrow appeared on her brow, betraying her true feelings despite her words.

"Hmm..." Laura mused, sensing the fleeting annoyance that crossed Jingliu's face at the mention of Xinyi. "Would you like to join Yasushi in feeding the cats? He's occupied with that at the moment," she proposed, attempting to steer the conversation away.

"Alright, I'd be happy to," Jingliu agreed, and they set off, the cats curiously trailing after them, one of them content in Jingliu's arms.

They soon arrived where Yasushi was engrossed in his task, surrounded by a swarm of eager felines clamoring for attention and food. Yasushi, unperturbed by the chaos, welcomed the playful invasion, allowing the cats to crowd around him without protest.

A particularly assertive cat tapped his cheek until he obliged it with food. "Patience, you little glutton," he mock-complained, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he indulged the furry creatures' demands.

Once Yasushi finished feeding the cats, he reclined on the grass, becoming a human perch for the furry creatures. They clambered onto his chest, their incessant meows filling the air. With a serene expression, Yasushi picked up one of them, gently stroking its head before placing it on his neck. The cat responded with a contented purr, its eyes closing in peaceful slumber.

This pattern continued as Yasushi repeated the soothing gesture with several other cats and kittens, the once bustling area now filled with the soothing sounds of gentle meows and rhythmic purring.

"Considering he claims not to be a cat person, they seem quite fond of him," Laura remarked softly, a sly smirk gracing her lips as she observed Yasushi, lost in the tranquil moment. Not receiving any response, Laura turned her gaze to Jingliu, who was fixated on Yasushi with a curious intensity.

She observed Jingliu for a few seconds before grinning. The way Jingliu was staring at Yasushi was a lot different from how she usually did, it seemed to have a bit of a curious tone, along with something else that Laura couldn't discern but at the same time, the girl in question was the most confused between them.

Jingliu stood there, captivated by Yasushi's presence. A strange yet familiar sensation stirred within her, a warmth enveloping her as she gazed at Yasushi and the playful kittens. Driven by an impulse she couldn't quite decipher, Jingliu approached him without hesitation, kneeling down and gently poking his cheek.

Yasushi's eyes fluttered open, a soft smile forming as he reached for a kitten, offering it to Jingliu. She accepted the furry bundle, now cradling two cats in her embrace.

Observing this silent exchange, Laura couldn't help but grin to herself, her thoughts racing with anticipation. 'I wonder where this will lead. I'll be eagerly watching your love story unfold,' she mused, silently rooting for Jingliu and Yasushi.