Whispers in the Winter Wind

Yasushi settled on the beach, a silent observer to the lively dance of Xinyi and Catherine at the edge of the man-made sea. Others mingled around, immersed in their own delights. His gaze lingered on them, a protective vigil to ensure their safety amidst the playful waves and bustling crowds.

In the middle of this scene, a trio of young men went towards them, their intentions clear. Yasushi watched with a mix of caution and curiosity as they approached, only to be met with swift rejection from both women. To his relief, they accepted the refusal gracefully and retreated, leaving the scene as they found it.

Observing this exchange, Yasushi couldn't help but muse, 'It's refreshing to see grace in the face of rejection.' A sigh escaped him, a quiet exhale of relief. He knew that avoiding conflict was paramount, not wanting to jeopardize his frequent visits to this cherished place.

"Oh? Yas, it's rare to see you here on a whim. What brings you today of all days?" a woman's voice inquired, breaking through the beach's languid atmosphere.

Turning, Yasushi met the gaze of an older woman clad in a crimson speedo. "Oh, Miss Yui. Just showing a new classmate around town; she wanted to explore this place," he replied, his attention briefly flitting back to Xinyi and Catherine.

Yui chuckled, sidling up beside him to observe the duo Yasushi had been watching. "Seems like you're embracing your youth, Yasushi, and with two cute ladies, no less. Well done, I must say," she teased, her tone playful.

A grumble escaped Yasushi, earning a hearty laugh from Yui as she tousled his hair. "I'm joking, I'm joking. But I can't deny, they're quite adorable, aren't they?" she remarked, flashing him a mischievous grin.

"Yes, objectively speaking, they're both quite beautiful," Yasushi acknowledged, his countenance retaining its customary reserve.

"You ought to learn to relax a bit. Your response was way too serious. Don't you feel any attraction toward them?" Yui inquired, her tone a blend of confusion and mild irritation.

"Just because someone is aesthetically pleasing doesn't mean I have to find them attractive on my part. Is there a mandate dictating such reactions? What if my criteria for attraction extend beyond just appearance?" Yasushi countered, his tone measured yet resolute.

Yui paused, momentarily taken aback by his response. She regarded him thoughtfully before responding, "Fair enough, no need to get worked up. My bad for presuming. It's just that your reactions are unlike those of typical high schoolers I've encountered over the years. It's rather strange...you exhibit a maturity beyond your years, if I may say so."

Yasushi shrugged, his response lost in the sea breeze, unsure of what words could bridge their perspectives. Yet, before he could gather his thoughts, Yui playfully ruffled his hair once more. "I should be off now. Can't stay here forever. Remember, a bit of ease might draw others closer to you. Take care," she advised before departing.

As Yui retreated, Yasushi watched her go, a fleeting acknowledgment, before refocusing on Xinyi and Catherine. They were again the target of unwelcome attention, this time from persistent suitors who refused to accept rejection.

He stood up with a sigh, a silent protest against the stupidity of teenage expectations. "There are no rules saying I have to do the same thing as everyone else—no need to rush into love or relationships just because everyone else does," he murmured to himself, a mantra of independence, before striding over to join his friends.

Xinyi's words cut through the air like a sudden gust of wind. "I don't need your small and limp dick near me. Piss off," she said, her tone sharp and uncompromising.

The four men stood frozen, their faces a mix of disbelief and rage. Before any of them could make a move, Yasushi stepped in. His arms encircled Xinyi and Catherine, pulling them close as he guided them away. The men watched them leave, their anger simmering beneath the surface.

As they rounded a corner and put some distance between themselves and the men, Yasushi spoke sternly. "You really need to stop provoking people so quickly. Those guys were ready to fight."

Xinyi and Catherine exchanged a knowing glance. They understood Yasushi's intentions, even if they didn't agree with his methods. In that moment, the tension of the encounter began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude for Yasushi's protective instinct.

Xinyi glanced at Yasushi with a hint of defiance in her eyes. "Hmph. People like them need a reality check," she muttered under her breath. "I'm no pushover either; I've trained in martial arts back in China. I can handle myself just fine."

Yasushi shook his head, his expression a mix of concern and resignation. "I know you're capable, but we can't afford any trouble here. They'll ban you for a long time, maybe even for life. It's not worth it."

"Let them come," Xinyi declared, her voice tinged with determination. Catherine, sensing trouble, quickly excused herself and made a discreet call, leaving Xinyi and Yasushi to confront the impending confrontation alone.

Catherine returned to them with a playful karate chop aimed at Xinyi's head. "We won't have to deal with them once we step outside," she remarked, her tone light but with a hint of caution. "But let me just say, Lady Xinyi here has always been a bit stubborn. She won't budge unless she sees a good reason."

"Like getting into a fight?" Yasushi quipped, earning a soft punch from Xinyi and a blush in return. "Well, I suppose that proves my point. Let's enjoy ourselves a bit longer before we head out; six o'clock is approaching fast."

They agreed to set aside the looming trouble and savored the remaining moments of their time there. However, they couldn't help but notice the four men from earlier keeping a watchful eye on them until their departure.

+-+

As the clock neared six, Yasushi's group bid farewell to the indoor beach and stepped out into the biting cold. The sudden change in temperature sent shivers down their spines, prompting Xinyi and Catherine to hastily wrap scarves around their necks. Despite their efforts to bundle up, the chill persisted.

"Does it get any worse than this?" Xinyi muttered through chattering teeth, her coat and scarf barely keeping her warm.

"Much worse," Yasushi confirmed, his breath forming wispy clouds in the frosty air. "You'll want to layer up with two or three sweaters once October hits. It stays bone-chilling until February, and then the heat comes rolling in. It's a cycle of extremes."

They trudged through the nearly deserted parking lot, bracing themselves against the cold that seemed to seep into their bones with each step.

Their tranquil day took an unexpected turn as the four men reappeared from a car and approached them with purpose.

"Keep walking, everything will be handled," Catherine said nonchalantly, dismissing the men with a wave of her hand.

Following Catherine's lead, Xinyi ignored the approaching figures and continued walking, unfazed. Yasushi, however, couldn't resist stealing glances back at the unfolding scene. A group of about fifteen individuals, clad in snow camouflage gear, appeared seemingly out of thin air and swiftly subdued the four men in a flurry of activity.

Yasushi shook his head in disbelief but couldn't help his curiosity. "The lengths rich folks go to hire muscle like that. How much does all of this cost?" he pondered aloud, his attention momentarily captivated by the spectacle before him.

"Do you really want to know?" Xinyi asked with a mischievous giggle dancing in her voice.

"Nope, I'll pass on that offer and protect what's left of my sanity," Yasushi replied firmly, a hint of amusement in his tone as Xinyi continued to giggle.

They eventually arrived at a car and stood beside it. "We can drop you off at home if you'd like, Yasushi," Xinyi offered, giving the car's hood a friendly pat.

"No need, I have a brief stop planned. Thanks, though," Yasushi declined politely, shaking his head.

"Alright then. Thanks for today; I'm excited for many more adventures in the future!" Xinyi exclaimed cheerfully, hopping into the car with Catherine. Before they drove off, Xinyi slipped some money into Yasushi's hand. Before he could protest, they zoomed out of the parking lot, leaving Yasushi and the commotion behind.

With a sigh, Yasushi turned and began strolling towards his destination, a familiar bakery where he and Jingliu often picked up their favorite bread and pastries. He fished out his phone once more, checking for any new messages.

Among them was a message from his father, informing him of a rescheduled video call. "Our video call is being rescheduled. Since you're friends with Jingliu Yang, please visit her home tomorrow for a video call with her and her parents. Apologies for the inconvenience, Yasu," the message read.

Surprised by the sudden change in plans, Yasushi quickly replied, agreeing to the arrangement. Pausing for a moment, he mused aloud, "I suppose I'll pick up some fresh treats tomorrow morning for everyone. Might as well swing by after school too, just to stock up for Jingliu's parents."