Whispers in the Winter Wind

As lunchtime arrived, a cluster of girls encircled Jingliu's table, bombarding her with questions. Her responses were as concise as they were elegant, leaving no room for further elaboration. It became apparent to all present that she harbored no intentions of forging friendships or engaging in amiable banter.

As the lunch hour meandered on, a gradual exodus ensued, leaving Jingliu in solitary repose. Yasushi, meanwhile, occupied his own space with Furuya as his lone companion.

"She's pretty cold, isn't she?" remarked Furuya, his gaze lingering wistfully on Jingliu.

"One might say so," replied Yasushi between mouthfuls, occasionally stealing glances at their cold and mysterious new classmate.

"It wouldn't hurt her to extend a bit of warmth, you know? All that excitement and expectation, dissipated," Furuya lamented with a defeated sigh.

"That would be your responsibility, not hers. None of us had any clue about her personality; she never gave off a warm vibe," Yasushi retorted sharply.

"I understand... but still..." Furuya grumbled between bites of his meal.

Jingliu finally unpacked her lunchbox, delicately handling her chopsticks like the others in the room. Despite rebuffing all attempts at conversation, the others remained fixated on her, observing her every move with intense curiosity.

Sensing Jingliu's growing irritation, Yasushi averted his gaze, unwilling to provoke her wrath.

"Why did you look away?" Furuya teased with a grin. "Could it be you're blushing?"

"No," Yasushi replied evenly. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. Can't you sense her simmering anger? If we keep staring, she might snap. I'm avoiding that by looking away."

"Hmm... maybe," replied Furuya, tilting his head as he fixed his gaze on Jingliu. "I think I'll give it a shot."

"Don't," Yasushi cautioned, but his words fell on deaf ears as Furuya rose from his seat and approached the odd and cold girl.

With a casual wave, Furuya greeted her. "Hey, Jingliu! How are you finding the school so far?" he inquired, attempting to spark a conversation.

Jingliu paused, her chopsticks hanging in mid-air as she directed her unblinking, emotionless red eyes at him. Her gaze seemed to penetrate deep into his soul, leaving Furuya squirming uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"It's been tolerable thus far, although the constant barrage of questions and attention can be rather draining," Jingliu responded coolly.

Furuya interpreted her response as encouragement and pressed on. "I see. Would you mind sharing why you turned down that guy earlier?" he inquired, leaning in with interest.

Jingliu's gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing into slits reminiscent of a serpent's. "My reasons are my own affair. I declined his advances, and he should respect that without further questions," she retorted curtly, turning her focus back to her meal.

Sensing the abrupt end of the conversation, Furuya retreated to Yasushi's side, sinking into the chair with a defeated slump. "Mission unsuccessful," he confessed, his shoulders drooping with disappointment.

"Told you," Yasushi remarked casually, his focus divided between his meal and the unfolding interaction. Drawing from his past experiences and observations, he had already likened Jingliu's demeanor to that of a character from a game he once knew, as well as the glimpses he caught earlier in the day.

"Jingliu Yang was a formidable challenge, not one to lower her guard easily," Yasushi reflected inwardly. He understood that she had valid reasons for her caution, a realization stemming from his own experiences in a different world and a slightly greater emotional maturity compared to his peers.

Yasushi was well aware of the typical immaturity of teenagers, having firsthand knowledge from his previous life and the numerous mistakes he still carried with him as regrets to this day.

"Why, though?" Furuya questioned, a hint of irritation in his tone.

Yasushi responded with a gentle admonition. "Everyone carries their own burdens, Furuya. Some are more transparent about it than others. We shouldn't rush to judge based on surface actions, as they might simply be protective habits. It's not ideal, but often it's a defense mechanism. Let's not be too harsh on her. With time, she might soften."

Furuya regarded Yasushi with a mixture of confusion and surprise. "What's with the sudden burst of wisdom?" he inquired.

"Just my perspective on the situation," Yasushi explained calmly. "Whether you heed it is your choice; I'm not here to dictate."

With that, Yasushi returned his attention to his meal, leaving the conversation to linger in the air like the remnants of a passing thought.

Furuya gazed at Yasushi a moment longer, his thoughts swirling as he shifted his attention back to the secretive Jingliu, pondering his next steps. He couldn't help but notice the growing resentment from their classmates towards her, a blend of her standoffish demeanor and the historical complexities between Japan and China, even in this alternate universe where such tensions persisted — a reality Yasushi was well aware of.

"I'll make another attempt before the end of school," Furuya resolved quietly.

"Some might view that as harassment, so it might be wise to reconsider," Yasushi cautioned.

"I won't overstep boundaries, you can trust me on that," Furuya replied, exuding a hint of confidence.

"I'll hold you to that promise then," Yasushi acknowledged, their exchange carrying an undertone of cautious understanding in the delicate dance of social dynamics.

+-+

The day unfolded in its usual rhythm, with fleeting moments between classes becoming opportunities for students to steal glances at Jingliu from a distance. Even the Chinese students among them couldn't resist the curiosity, their gazes lingering on her beautiful presence. Among them, Jishiha stood out, harboring a distinct interest that hinted at a potential encounter after school.

As the final class concluded and the school bell echoed its familiar chime, a flurry of activity ensued. Some students hurried home, others gravitated toward club activities, yet a sizable group lingered, drawn by the magnetism of Jingliu's aura.

Jishiha, his long and sleek black hair swaying with each step, entered the classroom with an air of confidence. His brown eyes bore a determined glint as he approached Jingliu, standing beside her with arms crossed and a self-assured smile.

"Jingliu, isn't it?" he inquired, casting a gaze downward at her figure.

The classroom fell into a hushed anticipation, each breath held in suspense as all eyes fixated on Jingliu, waiting for her response. Calmly finishing her book-packing ritual, Jingliu lifted her gaze to meet Jishiha's, her expression unreadable as she assessed the boy before her.

"I am Jingliu, and you are?" she countered, her tone cool and composed.

"I'm Jishiha, a fellow Chinese student. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Jishiha replied smoothly, his confidence unwavering. "Let's not beat around the bush. I know I'm quite attractive, as are you. How about we go on a date?" His directness sent a ripple of gasps through the room.

Beside him, Furuya, now by Yasushi's side, couldn't contain his astonishment, shaking Yasushi urgently. "Is this for real?" he whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Jingliu returned Jishiha's gaze with her characteristic blank stare, her response succinct. "No," she stated bluntly, preparing to walk past him. However, her movement was halted by his firm grip.

"...may I ask why?" Jishiha managed to keep his anger restrained, though the sting of such public rejection was a new experience for him, catching him off guard. He had faced many things in life, but this marked his first public dismissal.

"I have no interest in romantic relationships. They're a waste of time," Jingliu replied calmly before exiting the classroom, the sea of onlookers parting before her like the biblical parting of the Red Sea.

"I understand," Jishiha muttered to himself, masking his disappointment with a forced chuckle. "Seems I've been turned down," he remarked with a wry smile before leaving the room.

However, Yasushi noticed the underlying anger in Jishiha's demeanor, evident even in his tone masked by charm. It was a façade Yasushi found concerning, knowing that unresolved emotions could simmer dangerously beneath the surface.

The aftermath of Jingliu's rejection set the room and hallway abuzz with animated chatter. Her dismissal of one of the school's most attractive and popular figures, sent Furuya and everyone there into a frenzy of disbelief beside Yasushi.

"Whoa, dude! Did that seriously just happen!? She turned down even him?! Then she's bound to reject all the other big shots too! Maybe us average Joes have a shot!" Furuya exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

"...let's not go there," Yasushi interjected, gently delivering a karate chop to the side of Furuya's head. "Anyway, let's head out, unless you're heading to baseball practice."

"You know I am," Furuya replied with a grin. "Catch you tomorrow, it's Friday and we usually get a break from practice then. Later!" With that, he grabbed his bag and dashed out of the room, joining the stream of departing students.

Yasushi released a quiet exhale as he leaned against the window frame, his gaze fixated on Jingliu's figure as she departed from the school grounds. There was a grace in her movements, yet he couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that some less savory individuals were discreetly trailing her.

It wasn't a mere hunch for Yasushi; his intuition, honed by experiences from his previous life, picked up on the subtle signs of danger. While he held no obligation, a sense of responsibility stirred within him, compelling him to keep a watchful eye and intervene if necessary.

With resolve solidified, Yasushi gathered his belongings and slung his bag over his shoulder, quietly slipping out of the classroom. His plan was simple: to shadow Jingliu from a distance, vigilant and ready to step in at the first sign of trouble.