Whispers in the Winter Wind

Once the final whistle blew, it was the reserves who found themselves on the losing end. Furuya and Yasushi poured their hearts into the game, yet the first team's seamless coordination and strategic plays netted them even more points in the following innings, ultimately securing an eight to four lead.

Yasushi, in a moment of brilliance, slammed another home run, adding two precious points to their tally. However, his efforts were thwarted when Furuya was replaced after a few more pitches. Despite Yasushi's valiant attempts to rally his teammates, victory remained just out of reach. Still, the game was a remarkable journey for all who took part.

As Yasushi reunited with Jingliu, Xinyi, and their support staff, a tension hung in the air. "Something on your mind?" he inquired, catching Xinyi's gaze as she shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his eyes.

Xinyi glanced away, her words stuttering as she tried to mask her unease. "N-no... I just thought you did fine. That's all," she murmured, her gaze flitting elsewhere, avoiding direct contact with Yasushi.

Yasushi raised an eyebrow in response, a hint of bemusement in his voice. "Is that so? Well, thanks, I guess," he said, shrugging slightly. Yasushi had long found Xinyi to be an enigma, her actions often veering into unpredictability, so he didn't dwell too much on her peculiar behavior.

Concern etched on her face, Jingliu offered Yasushi a towel she had brought along, anticipating a scenario like this. "Are you okay? You were sweating quite a bit," she inquired, her eyes scanning Yasushi for any signs of discomfort or fatigue.

Accepting the towel gratefully, Yasushi wiped his brow, nodding in response. "Yeah, I'm fine. I tend to cool down quickly," he explained as they headed back to their classroom. Throughout the walk, Xinyi remained visibly flustered, stealing quick glances at Yasushi when she thought he wasn't looking.

The trio returned to their classroom amidst a chorus of praises directed at Furuya and Yasushi for their lunchtime game performance. Some classmates even expressed their intentions to attend the baseball team's upcoming games during both summer and the school year, a gesture that Furuya graciously acknowledged with thanks.

As the day unfolded, minor disturbances were scarce. However, Yasushi couldn't help but notice Xinyi's frequent glances in his direction, a perplexing behavior that left him puzzled. Each time their eyes met, she would quickly avert her gaze, adding to the mystery. Jingliu, too, observed this peculiar dynamic throughout the day, growing increasingly irritated despite her own confusion about the situation.

+-+

The walk to the bakery shop unfolded in a hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the rhythmic sound of their footsteps. Jingliu appeared lost in her thoughts, her expression hinting at a deep contemplation that Yasushi hesitated to disturb. However, before this moment had arrived, back at the school before they embarked on their journey, Xinyi had asked if Yasushi was free for the day. His polite refusal prompted Xinyi to swiftly abandon her pursuit, especially after encountering Jingliu's intense glare that seemed more akin to a threat of physical confrontation than a mere expression of disapproval.

Now, as they traversed the streets, Yasushi and Jingliu walked in a silence tinged with a subtle awkwardness. It wasn't until they were halfway through their excursion that Yasushi decided to break the tension by addressing the unspoken unease hanging between them.

"Is something troubling you?" Yasushi ventured, his gaze fixed on Jingliu, searching for any clue to unravel the mystery shrouding their walk.

Jingliu stopped abruptly, her steps ceasing as if anchored by the weight of Yasushi's question. Her gaze descended to the ground, silence enveloping them before she exhaled deeply, her breath carrying the weight of an impending revelation. "Xinyi... she has romantic feelings for you," she confessed, her words hanging in the air, casting a spell of astonishment over Yasushi.

"Excuse me?" Yasushi echoed, his head tilting in confusion. "What makes you think that?" His bewilderment only intensified, caught off guard by Jingliu's unexpected revelation. His eyes remained fixed on her, silently urging her to elaborate and shed light on this newfound perspective.

"She harbors romantic feelings for you," Jingliu reiterated, maintaining steady eye contact with Yasushi, her expression conveying a mix of seriousness and concern.

"What evidence do you have to support this claim? It feels like this came out of nowhere," Yasushi responded, his tone tinged with disbelief as he grappled with the sudden revelation of Xinyi's supposed romantic interest.

Jingliu's expression shifted into a faint frown as she crossed her arms, a gesture of contemplation and assertion. "I've known Xinyi for a considerable time. I'm familiar with her quirks, her preferences, her dislikes, and her typical demeanor. I've been observing her closely ever since she transferred here. While she may have undergone changes, her core behavior remains largely unchanged since our days back in China," she elaborated, her hands finding their place on her hips as she spoke with a hint of authority.

"She's consistent in this aspect. Xinyi has a fondness for athletic individuals. Back in China, she often pursued the popular, athletic and attractive guys, often initiating relationships with them," Jingliu continued, her tone carrying a matter-of-fact quality.

"So, what you're implying is..." Yasushi trailed off, his brows furrowing in contemplation as he sought to piece together Jingliu's assertions.

Jingliu nodded affirmatively. "After witnessing your performance during lunchtime, she developed an interest in you. Though it may not be overt at the moment, keep a watchful eye on her over the next few days. You may notice subtle changes or actions that hint at her growing feelings," she explained, her demeanor shifting slightly as she transitioned to a lighter tone. "Anyway, let's get going and buy my swimsuit..."

Yasushi nodded slowly, his mind processing the newfound insight provided by Jingliu. "Right," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of contemplation as he absorbed the implications of Xinyi's potential feelings for him.

+-+

Arriving at a store Jingliu had scouted online, they ventured inside. Jingliu wasted no time in navigating to the swimsuit section, quickly selecting a few options before disappearing into a fitting room. Yasushi, feeling a tad awkward amidst the predominantly feminine ambiance of the store, found himself observing couples browsing together, a reminder of his solo presence there, his sole purpose being to assist Jingliu with her purchases — or so he reasoned to himself.

After a brief wait, Jingliu emerged from the fitting room clad in a predominantly black bikini, its frilly edges adding a touch of charm. Yasushi couldn't help but be taken aback by how stunning she looked in it, his surprise evident in his gaze as he took in her appearance.

Jingliu, noticing Yasushi's reaction, awaited his response or feedback. Yasushi, clearing his throat awkwardly, finally spoke up. "You look... really good in that. But I assume you have others to try on as well? I'll reserve my comments and give my verdict once you've tried them all," he offered, trying to maintain a composed demeanor despite his initial surprise.

Throughout the fitting process, Jingliu's cheeks remained flushed with a persistent blush, though she managed a smile each time she emerged from the changing room. With each new swimsuit she tried on — each boasting a different design and color — she grew increasingly bashful, yet she persisted in showing them to Yasushi, her shyness mingling with a hint of excitement.

As she donned the final swimsuit, her personal favorite, Jingliu stepped out once more, this time revealing the piece that had captured her heart. She couldn't help but notice the faint gleam in Yasushi's eyes, illuminated by the soft glow of the store's lighting, his pupils widening in admiration.

A moment passed in silence, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Jingliu, breaking the quietude, tentatively inquired, "Um... are you all right?"

Yasushi, snapping back to the present, blinked rapidly and let out an awkward chuckle. "I really like this one. It suits you perfectly. It accentuates your natural beauty, if that makes sense," he remarked with a warm smile, his words carrying a touch of genuine admiration.

With a deepening blush, Jingliu nodded in affirmation. "O-okay, I think I'll go with this one," she replied, her voice carrying a note of contentment. Hastily retreating into the fitting room, she busied herself with tidying up, a sense of joy washing over her at Yasushi's approval of her chosen swimsuit.

The swimsuit itself was elegantly simple, resonating with Jingliu's personal taste. A rich shade of deep blue adorned with delicate patterns of lines and miniature fishes, it hugged her figure snugly, accentuating her curves in a way that made her feel both comfortable and confident.

Emerging from the fitting room once more, Jingliu cast a gentle smile in Yasushi's direction before reaching out to take his hand, leading them towards the checkout counter. The cashier, a friendly woman with an observant eye, couldn't help but comment on the obvious chemistry between the two.

"Well, well, an after-school date?" the cashier remarked playfully, her smile widening as both Jingliu and Yasushi blushed at her words, their shared embarrassment adding a touch of warmth to the air around them.

As they exited the store, the cashier's playful giggle trailed behind them, a light-hearted echo of their shared embarrassment during the transaction. Yet, amidst this fleeting moment of mirth, they realized something peculiar — they hadn't let go of each other's hands. Simultaneously, their gazes lifted and met, a silent understanding passing between them like an unspoken melody.

Without a word, they chose to remain intertwined, their fingers weaving together as they drew closer, bridging the gap between them with an unspoken comfort. A palpable silence enveloped them, serene and inviting, as if the chill of winter had lost its bite in their shared warmth.

Breaking the silence, Jingliu spoke softly. "Let's head to my place. Both our parents are expecting us," she suggested, her voice carrying a hint of warmth and anticipation.

Yasushi nodded in agreement, his response a gentle affirmation as they began their journey towards Jingliu's home. Hand in hand, they walked at a leisurely pace, the connection between them radiating a soothing warmth that seemed to shield them from the winter's cold, cocooning them in a quiet yet profound embrace.