Whispers in the Winter Wind

"Let's skip the museum, please? Not exactly my idea of a fun adventure," Xinyi remarked, her gaze fixed on the city streets blanketed in snow.

Yasushi paused, considering her suggestion. "No museum then. Any particular spot in mind? Otherwise, I'll just lead us to some random place I know," he proposed, turning to meet her eyes.

Xinyi's face lit up with enthusiasm. "I've heard about those indoor beaches and tropical getaways you guys hit up when winter gets too intense here! Can we swing by one of those?" she inquired eagerly, her anticipation palpable.

"Ah, those places. Yeah, we could do that. But what about Catherine? Is she tagging along for the ride or planning to keep us under surveillance the whole time?" Yasushi questioned, glancing back at Catherine, who was attempting to stay inconspicuous but evidently caught off guard by Yasushi's awareness of her presence.

Xinyi chuckled softly. "You're turning into one of those anime characters with a sixth sense, sensing people without even laying eyes on them," she quipped, her laughter carrying through the wintry air.

Her attention shifted briefly to Catherine, whom she spotted behind Yasushi. With a playful wave, she called out, "Come on, Catherine, join the party~!"

Catherine emerged from her hiding spot, her gaze fixated on Yasushi with a hint of wariness. She remained silent but acquiesced to the invitation, nodding her agreement as they resumed their journey together.

+-+

As they reached the building, they proceeded inside, paying the admission fee without much fuss. What caught Xinyi off guard was the bustling crowd already gathered within. She had expected a moderate turnout but was taken aback by the near-packed space.

"It's quite a surprise to see this many folks here already. I was under the impression it doesn't get this busy until later in the year," Xinyi observed, her gaze sweeping across the sea of people streaming towards the indoor beach.

Yasushi offered an explanation. "It's the same story every winter. Not much action in summer, given the heat, but when winter rolls in, this place fills up. People opt for this over jetting off to Okinawa or abroad for that authentic beach vibe."

"Money?" Xinyi inquired, and Yasushi nodded in confirmation, a brief motion of his head.

"Hmm. Not everyone can afford frequent visits down there, which explains why this place is still a hit in the summer. Anyway, let's head in," Yasushi suggested.

"But... we don't have our swimsuits," Xinyi voiced her concern.

"You can pick some up here; they're pretty basic. Besides, going to a beach isn't just about swimming, right?" Yasushi reasoned as he started walking, Catherine and Xinyi trailing behind.

"I suppose you're right. But what exactly do we do here?" Xinyi questioned as they stepped into an elevator, the doors sliding shut.

Their conversation continued during the rapid descent. In a matter of minutes, the elevator doors opened, revealing a breathtaking scene: a vast, stunning beach sprawling before them. Stepping out, they were met with throngs of people, a fake azure sky overhead, swaying palm trees, various shops, and winding rivers and slides snaking around the area with pools nestled among them.

"Woah..." Xinyi breathed in wonder, her eyes roaming the expansive scene before them. "This place is massive! It's not just a beach; there are pools too?! Isn't this like... an underground pool-beach fusion or something?" Her excitement bubbled up, evident in her animated tone.

Yasushi chuckled at her enthusiastic description. "You could put it that way, but essentially, it's primarily a sprawling beach with some pools, a river, and slides scattered about. If I had to quantify, it's about eighty percent beach and twenty percent pool."

"Where should we start?" Xinyi asked eagerly.

"That's for you to decide. You can grab a swimsuit here if you like, although they're pretty basic as I mentioned earlier. If you prefer activities away from the water, there are small shops and food joints aplenty. Take your pick. Oh, and just so you know, this place shuts down at eight tonight. We've got a few hours left, and as I mentioned, I need to leave by six," Yasushi explained, setting the time frame for their exploration.

"Food!" exclaimed Xinyi, her voice a burst of enthusiasm that pulled Yasushi and Catherine into her orbit. She seized their wrists and led them with an infectious energy to one of the bustling food stands.

Upon arrival, they craned their necks to survey the menu suspended above them, a show of tantalizing options. The prices, while slightly loftier than supermarket fare, didn't loom oppressively high, offering a compromise between indulgence and frugality.

"The prices seem reasonable, but what about the taste?" Xinyi turned to Yasushi, her eyes probing for assurance.

Yasushi considered for a moment, his gaze flickering over the offerings. "Not amazing, but certainly above average. They strike a balance, reflecting the price point without compromising too much on flavor," he responded, his choice already made as he waited patiently for the others to decide.

Xinyi nodded thoughtfully, her gaze drifting back to the suspended menu as she made her selections. With their orders placed and transactions settled, she and Catherine moved to a nearby table, where they waited for Yasushi to join them, and he did, a minute later.

"Could we return here during the school holidays?" Xinyi's eyes gleamed with excitement as she posed the question, her anticipation palpable. "And maybe invite Furuya and Jingliu," she suggested, a playful grin tugging at her lips as she glanced at Yasushi.

Yasushi's response was measured, tinged with a hint of pragmatism. "Furuya's commitments to the baseball team's training camp during the holidays make it challenging for him to join us. He's determined to play in the tournaments, so skipping the camp isn't an option. Nonetheless, we can show our support during the finals, provided they make it that far," he explained, his tone reflecting both encouragement and realism.

"As for Jingliu... well, we'll need to have a chat with her," Yasushi remarked, his fingers deftly navigating his phone to send a text her way. A moment later, he captured an image of their surroundings and sent it to her too, a silent invitation in their digital conversation.

Observing Yasushi's actions, Xinyi couldn't resist a playful smirk. "Hey, are you developing feelings for Jingliu?" she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.

Yasushi met her gaze, his expression mild yet curious. "What do you mean by that?" he inquired, his tone hinting at a blend of bemusement and intrigue.

"Romantically," Xinyi clarified with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "You and Jingliu seem unusually close lately. It's only been a short while since you two met, yet your bond has deepened remarkably. Not many people build connections that quickly, especially at our age," she observed, her words dancing with playful curiosity.

"I don't know," Yasushi replied nonchalantly, a casual shrug punctuating his words as he returned to awaiting Jingliu's response.

However, Xinyi's grin widened, mischief twinkling in her eyes as she leaned in closer. "You know, Jingliu had a fiancé back when she was younger. They called off the engagement before she left. I'm not sure about the specifics behind it," she disclosed with a hint of intrigue.

Yasushi's demeanor shifted, his eyes widening in surprise and disbelief at this revelation. His gaze locked onto Xinyi, seeking clarification amid the sudden influx of information.

Amused by Yasushi's reaction, Xinyi chuckled softly before elaborating, "But here's the kicker — she couldn't stand him. Ever read any Chinese novels, manhua, or manga? He was like one of those young masters, all arrogance and entitlement. There wasn't any love lost between them; it was probably a setup by their grandparents or something." Her tone was playful yet tinged with a hint of insider knowledge.

Xinyi went deeper into the tale. "But as I mentioned, something happened that led to their breakup. I thought it might end after Jingliu's grandparents passed, but it didn't. Then, one day, Jingliu stormed into school, visibly furious, and... the next day, the engagement was called off."

Yasushi's curiosity piqued further. "How did you come by this information?" he inquired, a quizzical eyebrow raised in his characteristic manner.

Her laughter was tinged with a hint of nervousness as she confessed, "Well, I may have provoked her with some rather harsh words... and ended up getting a beating for it. It was quite a scene, worse than my usual fights with her, and I ended up in the hospital."

"More like a black eye and a broken arm, Lady Xinyi," Catherine interjected, their conversation interrupted by the arrival of their food. Xinyi chuckled nervously at the reminder of her misadventure.

Their conversation subsided, flowing into the simple pleasure of shared meals and lighter topics. Yet, beneath the surface, Yasushi's mind churned with the weight of newfound information. Thoughts of Jingliu and her past engagement danced at the edges of his consciousness, a puzzle begging to be solved.

To some extent, Yasushi trusted Xinyi's account. He sensed that Jingliu hadn't harbored any true affection for her former fiancé. Still, the question lingered: why did they end things? The mystery tugged at his curiosity like a persistent itch.

Despite his curiosity, Yasushi hesitated to broach the subject. He wasn't certain if their relationship had deepened enough to revisit such sensitive matters. He suspected that Jingliu might still carry lingering resentment, adding layers of complexity to an already delicate situation.

Navigating these intricacies required a deft touch, a balance between curiosity and caution. Yasushi drew upon lessons from past experiences, trusting that his acquired wisdom could guide him through this delicate dance with minimal casualties, if any at all.

"Come on, let's go!" Xinyi's voice carried a playful urgency as she seized Yasushi's wrist, a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes.

She was eager to squeeze every drop of enjoyment from their time at the indoor beach before the day drew to a close. Yasushi, lost in his thoughts but not wanting to dampen the mood, absentmindedly acquiesced, allowing himself to be tugged along as they concluded their meal.