Whispers in the Winter Wind

As midnight crept closer with each languid tick of the clock, Yasushi found solace in the rhythmic exertions of his backyard workout. Wisps of steam rose from his body, casting a ghostly aura under the moonlit sky, while beads of sweat adorned his skin like glistening jewels, testament to his relentless regimen.

"...and ten thousand," he murmured, completing his final set of sit-ups with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. "My abs will be hurting tomorrow," he quipped to himself, a wry smile dancing on his lips as he sauntered back into the house, bare-chested and invigorated.

As he reached for a carton of milk in the kitchen, a subtle ping from his phone diverted his attention. Setting the milk aside, he approached the device, curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption. A message from Jingliu awaited him, accusing him in playful tones: "You didn't update me after that single message even though you said you would, liar. Don't pretend otherwise," accompanied by a sad cat emoji.

He chuckled softly as he typed his response, fingers tapping with a deliberateness born of distraction. "Apologies for the delay. I got caught up in a web of things. How about this? Let's go to that place, just us. Maybe this upcoming weekend?" His message, adorned with a remorseful emoji, floated through the digital ether.

Jingliu's reply appeared after a brief pause, her words echoing a hint of anticipation. "Alright... I need to hunt down a swimsuit. Would you care to join me tomorrow?"

Surprised by her suggestion yet pleasantly intrigued, Yasushi's lips curved into a smile as he texted back. "Sure thing. I'll swing by your place tomorrow. Have you been briefed about my visit?"

"Yes, I'm aware. That's why I proposed this plan. It'll be a seamless transition from one event to another," Jingliu's reply arrived promptly, carrying with it a sense of quiet assurance.

Yasushi reclaimed the milk carton, sipping thoughtfully as he started texting more with Jingliu. Yet, a twist awaited him when she proposed a phone call. Intrigued by this departure from their usual exchanges, he acquiesced and set the milk aside, turning his focus to the incoming conversation.

His phone buzzed, heralding Jingliu's voice through the receiver. "Good evening," she greeted, the warmth of her tone carrying across the wires.

"Evening. Any particular reason for the call?" Yasushi inquired, stowing the milk in the fridge before wandering toward the bathroom, phone pressed to his ear.

"...What colors do you like?" Jingliu's question, seemingly out of context, momentarily puzzled Yasushi.

"Colors...uh, white, blue, red, and green. Why do you ask?" Yasushi's confusion tinged his response.

"Just for reference," Jingliu replied casually, brushing off the inquiry.

Though Yasushi sensed an underlying motive behind her question — perhaps linked to their upcoming swimsuit shopping expedition — he couldn't quite unravel the mystery, uncertain if he was overthinking or if there was more to her query.

Their conversation meandered through the night, a gentle current of words flowing between them until an hour had silently slipped by. Recognizing the impending demands of the next day, they bid each other goodnight, their voices carrying a blend of anticipation and fatigue.

As Yasushi reclined in his bed, the dim glow of moonlight filtering through his window, he mused aloud in the quiet of his room. "Speaking to my parents alongside Jingliu... Will they project it on some grand cinema screen?" A wistful shake of his head accompanied his words, followed by a resigned sigh. "Tomorrow's concern," he murmured, letting the weight of uncertainty drift away as he surrendered to the embrace of sleep.

+-+

As the sun began its ascent, Yasushi found himself awakening thirty minutes earlier than his routine, a silent dedication guiding him to the bakery. There, amidst the aroma of freshly baked goods, he carefully selected a medley of bread and pastries, his choices a reflection of Jingliu's preferences and the potential appetites of others like Furuya or Xinyi.

With his offerings in hand, he navigated the familiar paths that led to their customary meeting spot, where Jingliu awaited him, a shadow of weariness beneath her eyes. Offering a tender smile, Yasushi greeted her. "Good morning. I've brought some of those treats we spoke of. Care for one?"

Jingliu's response was a soft smile, accepting the gesture with gratitude. She chose a delicate donut from the assortment, savoring its sweetness as they embarked on their shared journey, the morning unfolding with quiet camaraderie between them.

"Your parents will join mine in a video call," Jingliu explained with a tinge of sorrow in her voice, a weight of disappointment evident. "They had to rush off last night for a meeting and flew out unexpectedly. It seems your paths won't cross in person again, at least for now."

"I understand," Yasushi responded, his gaze fixed on the horizon ahead, absorbing the news with a calm demeanor.

"But..." Jingliu interjected, then paused, her brow creasing in thought. "Never mind. It's best left for them to explain later in the day," she decided, shaking her head slightly before diverting her attention to her phone briefly.

Intrigued by her cryptic remark, Yasushi refrained from probing further, simply nodding in acknowledgment. The remainder of their journey unfolded in a tranquil silence, a mutual understanding between them, occasionally punctuated by fleeting conversations that flowed and ebbed like gentle currents.

+-+

Lunchtime approached with an unexpected twist as Furuya sought Yasushi's aid, piquing the curiosity of Jingliu and Xinyi. When they inquired, the reason unfolded: "One of our catchers fell ill, leaving a gap in our lineup for the lunchtime game. We've asked Yasushi to step in as a substitute."

Armed with their midday meals, Jingliu accompanied by Layena and Xinyi with Catherine, they gravitated towards the baseball field, where a crowd of students and a handful of teachers had gathered to witness the mock game in progress.

"Hmm, fans of the sport?" a curious teacher queried upon spotting Jingliu and Xinyi with their companions.

"We're here for Yasushi," Xinyi replied nonchalantly, her tone carrying a hint of indifference that caught the teacher off guard. A subtle smile or perhaps a smirk crept onto the teacher's lips, silently acknowledging their presence with a nod of understanding.

As the game commenced, a student on the field took it upon themselves to explain the modified rules, a necessary adjustment to accommodate the limited time available during the lunch break. Despite the alterations, there were few complaints, and the game unfolded seamlessly.

On one side stood the first string and on the other, the second string of their school's baseball team, locked in a friendly yet competitive match. Through snippets of conversation, Jingliu and Xinyi pieced together that Yasushi was part of the second string, alongside familiar faces like Furuya and others.

It became evident early on that the first string was dominating the field, their prowess almost unnaturally impeccable, while the second string struggled to keep pace. Halfway into the lunch break, Yasushi had yet to make an appearance, though Furuya had been actively involved in the game since its onset.

A swift change swept over the field as the players shuffled positions; Furuya stepped into the pitcher's role, while Yasushi took up the mantle of catcher. At the pitcher's mound, a hushed gathering unfolded, Yasushi issuing directives with an air of authority that surprised even Xinyi. The ease with which the team accepted his guidance spoke volumes about their respect for him, a fact that hadn't fully dawned on Xinyi until that moment.

With the impromptu strategy session concluded, they resumed their positions, the game restarting with renewed vigor. The impact of the change was immediate and palpable.

"Strike! Strike two! Strike three! You're out!" echoed the umpire's voice, punctuating Furuya's masterful pitching display as he swiftly dispatched the first opposing batter, a triumphant grin adorning his face. The shift in dynamics was undeniable, a testament to Yasushi's strategic insight and Furuya's skillful execution.

"I've witnessed it once," remarked the nearby teacher, his voice drawing attention to his insights. "Baseball is a passion of mine, and I make it a point to support our teams, especially when they excel. Furuya and many other pitchers show immense talent, yet at times, they lack the necessary direction and confidence."

Leaning closer to Jingliu and Xinyi, he continued his commentary. "This season, we boast three exceptional catchers, each possessing remarkable skill. However, there's something missing — that 'bang!' or 'umph!' that ignites a team's spirit. We had it two years back but struggled with reliable pitchers."

His gaze shifted back to the game, his observations seamlessly weaving into the ongoing play. "But Yasushi, he possesses that spark. The coach acknowledges it too. It's disappointing that he's not keen on joining the team. Despite our inquiries, he's never provided a satisfactory explanation. Yet, we can't compel him to play. He mentioned it doesn't resonate as his true calling," the teacher explained, gesturing toward Yasushi. "Observe him closely."

The surrounding students followed the teacher's directive, their attention fixed on Yasushi's movements. As they observed, Yasushi's strategic plays led to two swift outs, marking the end of their defensive stand.

"Ah, Furuya's turn," remarked Xinyi, her focus shifting to Furuya as he approached the batter's box, his stance poised for action.

The opposing pitcher hurled the ball toward his catcher, but Furuya's response was immediate and decisive. With a fluid swing, he connected with the ball, sending it sailing between the center and right fielders, securing his place on first base.

"The comeback begins now!" Furuya exclaimed from his newfound perch, eliciting laughter from his teammates at his spirited declaration.

As the lineup progressed, Yasushi assumed his place in the batter's box with a calm demeanor, acknowledging Furuya's nod of encouragement. However, what followed surprised everyone; Yasushi remained motionless as the first three pitches whizzed past, resulting in two balls and one strike. The tension mounted as the pitcher delivered another ball and then a decisive strike, setting the stage for a full count.

With every eye trained on Yasushi, the anticipation grew palpable. He began to swing his bat, connecting with each pitch but sending them sailing foul, prolonging the suspense. The atmosphere crackled with intensity as the pitcher persisted, Yasushi matching each throw with an expert flick of his bat, keeping the game on a knife's edge.

Then, in a pivotal moment, the pitcher's resolve wavered, a split-second hesitation that Yasushi seized upon. With precision timing, he swung his bat and connected with the ball, sending it soaring into the distance. A collective gasp filled the air as the ball sailed over the outfield, a perfect home run that leveled the score.

The students around the field erupted in a cacophony of cheers and applause, a symphony of jubilation as Furuya sprinted around the bases, arms flailing in unrestrained excitement.

"I told you!" Furuya's exuberant shout filled the air as he touched home plate, Yasushi following suit with a composed grace that belied his stellar performance.

"He's a natural talent, the kind of captain and ace our team craves," the teacher remarked with admiration, eyes fixed on Yasushi as he completed his victory lap around the bases.

Jingliu and Xinyi watched in awe, their gazes locked on Yasushi as he removed his helmet and glanced in their direction, a warm smile gracing his features as he extended his fist towards them. Both girls blushed, their hearts skipping a beat in response to the simple yet impactful gesture.

Jingliu quickly regained her composure, her eyes widening as she noticed Xinyi's flushed cheeks. She recognized that look, having seen it many times before. Yasushi's charm had stirred a romantic admiration in Xinyi, evident in her murmured words, "He's so cool..." A tinge of unease flickered in Jingliu's eyes, aware of the budding romantic feelings blossoming within her friend.