Whispers in the Winter Wind

Laura's hands clapped lightly, the sound a gentle punctuation to the evening. "Would you be willing to lend a hand until the park shuts its gates? I promise, there's something in it for you. But if you'd rather carry on with your date, I completely understand," she said, a playful smile curving her lips as her gaze lingered on Jingliu, who returned her look with a steady stare.

"I leave the decision to Jingliu. Today, I'm merely a guide. If she prefers to leave, we'll leave. If she wishes to stay, we'll stay," Yasushi remarked, settling back against the grass, his fingers gently stroking the fur of the cats gathered around him.

Jingliu pondered the proposal, weighing the options silently before responding, "We'll stay. We can continue our exploration another time."

"Fantastic! I'll inform the staff and my parents," Laura exclaimed, her steps quick as she darted off, leaving the pair in their newfound solitude.

"So, why were you staring at me just now?" Yasushi's inquiry turned towards Jingliu as he shifted his focus.

Her gaze held steady on him as she replied, "It was the cats."

A brief pause ensued as they locked eyes, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They both understood the unspoken truth, yet neither felt the need to vocalize it. Jingliu settled beside him, her fingers deftly engaging with the playful felines as they awaited Laura's return.

"Any particular destination in mind for our next outing, or shall I take the lead?" Yasushi's voice broke the tranquility, his eyes drifting upwards to the sky.

Jingliu continued her interaction with the cats, mulling over her response. She had pondered this question extensively, even conducting research in anticipation of their future adventures. Several ideas swirled in her mind, but she opted to keep her plans veiled for now.

"I'll leave it to you. I prefer the element of surprise, much like discovering this park," she finally replied, a hint of mystery lacing her words.

"Got it," Yasushi murmured, closing his eyes once more. The tranquility was fleeting, disrupted by a soft rustle beside him. Opening his eyes, he found Jingliu with a kitten tugging at her skirt, inadvertently revealing a glimpse of her thighs and the curve of her ass.

"Do you need a hand?" Yasushi inquired, his gaze alternating between the kitten and Jingliu.

Flustered, Jingliu nodded, her cheeks tinted with a flush. Yasushi rose to his feet, retrieving a small treat from his pocket and placing it before the eager feline. As the kitten reached for the treat, Yasushi playfully withdrew it, enticing the creature's attention away from Jingliu. Succumbing to the allure of the food, the kitten released its hold on her skirt, leaping towards Yasushi, who deftly caught it and offered the treat.

Exhaling a sigh, Jingliu straightened her skirt, her cheeks retaining a rosy hue as she cast a pointed glance at Yasushi, who pretended not to notice. He had caught a glimpse, appreciated it, yet remained steadfast in his silence.

"Phew, I'm back!" Laura's sudden return caused Jingliu to startle, her eyes flickering between Laura and Yasushi as she tilted her head in curiosity. "Is everything alright?" Laura's question hung in the air, directed at both of them.

Yasushi, rising once more, brushed off the momentary disturbance. "Nothing worth mentioning. What did they say?" His voice carried a note of anticipation.

"They're on board with it. Familiar with you already, they're keen on your assistance," Laura confirmed with a nod. "They've asked you to guide Jingliu through the ropes, leaving me to handle the other tasks, unfortunately."

"No worries. I'm familiar with the drill. Let's get started," Yasushi responded, acknowledging Laura's thanks as she scurried off to attend to her duties. He turned to Jingliu, determination in his eyes. "Just stick with me. I'll walk you through the ropes here. And yes, we'll have some feline company as we work. I've already handled one of the tasks — feeding them — but not all yet, so let's finish that first."

+-+

Yasushi led them into the central chamber, the nighttime sanctuary for the resident feline companions. Cages dotted the room, a few occupied by restless cats, while the majority of the space sprawled open, adorned with numerous cat beds. Cupboards and concealed compartments stored an array of food and water, ensuring the furry inhabitants were well cared for.

"Why the cages?" Jingliu's concern resonated in her question.

"I wondered the same when I started here," Yasushi reminisced. "Some cats, especially the lively ones, tend to stir up trouble at night. They disturb others' sleep or wreak havoc around the place. So, they're caged overnight, given a chance to improve their behavior during the day. If they show promise, they earn their freedom to wander and sleep beyond these confines." His explanation carried a hint of understanding and empathy for the feline residents.

Jingliu's nod signified her acceptance of the task at hand. "So, what's our plan?" she inquired, ready to dive into their shared responsibilities.

"We'll tidy up the cages, refill food and water, and spruce up the surroundings. It typically took me an hour solo; with both of us, we'll breeze through it. Follow my lead, okay? Some cages have been shuffled around, so we'll need to restore their original positions," Yasushi detailed, and Jingliu nodded in agreement.

Their concerted effort commenced, gently relocating cats and kittens from their temporary enclosures as Yasushi refreshed the bedding. Used bedding was set aside for laundering, replaced by fresh layers. Jingliu was tasked with grooming the particularly soiled felines, though Yasushi cautioned about the occasional resistance during bath time.

Returning with new bedding, Yasushi diligently reassembled the cages, ensuring each was clean and inviting. With the last cage completed, he ventured towards the adjacent bathroom, only to encounter an unexpected scene.

Jingliu was slightly damp, a result of wrangling with the spirited kittens and cats during their baths. Yasushi observed her progress, noting that she had managed to handle eight of them quite skillfully, leaving only the two most resistant ones.

Approaching her, Yasushi demonstrated a technique to soothe and bathe the feline troublemakers. "Like this, see? They're much calmer now. Give it a try," he encouraged, returning one of the kittens to her care. Jingliu attempted the method but encountered some difficulty, prompting Yasushi to step in. He stood close behind her, encircling her with his arms and guiding her hands.

Jingliu's eyes widened in surprise, a blush tinting her cheeks once more. Despite this, she chose to focus on the task, albeit finding herself inadvertently leaning against Yasushi's comforting presence.

"You're making progress," Yasushi acknowledged, stepping back from her.

Before Jingliu could filter her thoughts, her words stumbled out, "C-can you show me again? I need to refine the technique..."

Yasushi was taken aback by her request but complied nonetheless. He moved behind her once more, his arms encircling her as he guided her hands. Jingliu focused intently on the task at hand, yet she couldn't deny the comforting sensation of his embrace.

There was a strange familiarity in Yasushi's presence that Jingliu found soothing. Despite knowing him for only a few weeks, she had grown to trust him more than she did Xinyi, a longtime friend, or even her own parents. While her relationship with her parents had improved from its distant past, there still lingered an underlying tension. This newfound connection with Yasushi felt unfamiliar yet oddly gratifying, providing a sense of solace she hadn't realized she needed.

With their task completed, Yasushi stepped back, satisfied that Jingliu had grasped the technique. He observed her as she bathed the final kitten, a sense of accomplishment settling between them. Together, they dried each feline before returning them to their refreshed cages, replenishing food and water for all. Some cats roamed freely, while others cozied back into their familiar spaces.

Throughout this routine, Yasushi couldn't help but steal glances at Jingliu. Her blushing cheeks and subtle smile spoke volumes, revealing her enjoyment of their shared task. He wasn't oblivious; he understood that her request earlier stemmed from a genuine liking for his company.

Yasushi planned to broach the subject with Yinhaie during a private moment, seeking insight into Jingliu's feelings. However, he resolved to respect any response or silence from Yinhaie on the matter. As they quietly observed the contented cats, a peaceful silence enveloped them, marking the completion of their duties.

"I'm thinking about having a cat or maybe a dog in the future," she murmured, lost in thought.

"Just one?" he inquired, stealing a glance at her.

"For now, just a cat. When I move out on my own, I want a single cat. Maybe later, when I'm more stable financially, I'll consider a dog or another cat. But being on my own feels daunting because of who I am," she confessed, a hint of melancholy in her voice.

Yasushi studied her silently for a moment, searching for the right words. Before he could speak, she rose from her seat and stood before him. She was shorter than him by a few inches — five feet seven to his five feet eleven. He met her gaze without uttering a word, waiting for her to make a move.

"May I ask you for something?" she ventured, her voice tinged with nerves, yet her gaze remained steady on his.

"If it's within my power, certainly," he responded, his eyes locked on hers as well.

"Could you... hug me?" She paused, cheeks coloring slightly. "I... appreciated what you did earlier. I didn't experience many hugs growing up."

Yasushi nodded quietly, arms opening in invitation. Jingliu hesitantly stepped forward, finding refuge in his embrace. Her head found its place against his chest as Yasushi enveloped her in his arms, eliciting a brief startle from her before she settled into the warmth of his hold.

No words passed between them, only a shared, tender silence — a moment etched in their memories, offering solace and connection they both cherished.