31 Snowy Winter Night

Yasushi and Jingliu stayed in the room, suspended in a display of stillness for what felt like an eternity, though it was only minutes. Jingliu's arms found their place on Yasushi's chest, her head nestled in the comforting curve of his embrace. The persistent meows and gentle pitter-patter of feline feet provided a rhythmic backdrop to their quiet intimacy.

In this serene moment, Jingliu noticed a curious sensation stirring within her — a quickening of her own heartbeat, a foreign melody in her veins. Affection and love had been elusive companions in her life so far, leaving her unfamiliar with such tender emotions. Yet, amidst this unfamiliarity, she found herself drawn to this warmth, this inexplicable comfort that enveloped her in Yasushi's arms.

Without fully understanding the impulse, Jingliu's embrace tightened, pulling Yasushi closer as if seeking solace in the proximity of another soul. It was a silent plea for more of this newfound sensation, a silent acknowledgment of the yearning for connection that had long been dormant within her.

"Ahem…am I interrupting something?" Laura's interruption sliced through the air, drawing Yasushi's attention away from Jingliu. He shifted slightly, caught in a moment of awkwardness as he tried to explain their situation.

"We were just finishing up," Yasushi offered, though Laura's skeptical expression betrayed her disbelief. Her grin, however, remained intact, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Sure, sure," Laura replied playfully. "Anyway, Mom and Dad are here, and they're treating us for our help. Head to the employee lounge when you're ready." With a wink, she departed, leaving Yasushi and Jingliu in the aftermath of her breezy intrusion.

Glancing down at Jingliu, Yasushi couldn't help but notice the faint flush coloring her ears and the subtle tremor in her demeanor. He recognized her embarrassment, a quiet admission of vulnerability in the unexpected moment. A smirk played on his lips, a silent acknowledgment of their shared amusement amidst the mild embarrassment.

"Are you alright?" Yasushi's concern gently probed, hoping to coax her thoughts into words.

After a measured silence, Jingliu eased away, turning to face him with hands folded over her chest. "I'm fine, thank you. But, could I ask for one more thing?" Her gaze met his, a delicate plea hidden within her words.

"Of course, go ahead," Yasushi responded evenly, his expression a mask of neutrality.

"Um, could we...do that more often? It's...nice," she confessed, cheeks now aflame with a deeper blush. "B-but only if you're comfortable. I understand if you're not."

Yasushi studied Jingliu, contemplating her request. It wasn't a proposal beyond his realm of experience; in his past life, he'd traversed more intimate paths with women. Yet, he recognized the significance it held for Jingliu, a glimpse into her vulnerable heart.

He pondered briefly before offering a gentle nod, a silent promise of understanding and willingness to navigate the nuances of her maidenly desires.

"I don't see why not. Just ask, and I'll oblige," Yasushi responded, sensing the subtle shift in their dynamic, knowing that their relationship would now embark on an altered course, its trajectory dictated by his choices and emotions.

Jingliu's expression softened into a grateful smile. "Thank you, I really appreciate it," she murmured, a delicate hint of relief in her voice. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she added, "Shall we head to the employee lounge then? We shouldn't keep them waiting."

"Yes, let's," Yasushi agreed, taking the lead as they made their way to the lounge. The short journey lasted only a couple of minutes, leading them to a spacious room adorned with beanbags, couches, and a sizable circular table at its center, surrounded by plastic chairs and an array of snacks.

On one side, water dispensers and essential tools for employees were neatly arranged, adding to the functional charm of the space.

"Ah, you're here at last! We've prepared some food, so please help yourselves," Laura greeted them, turning with an animated wave.

Beside her stood her parents, a man of about five feet nine inches in height and a woman standing at around five feet four inches. Laura herself, nestled between them in height at five feet six inches, exuded a lively presence in their midst. The absence of other employees spoke to the deliberate privacy afforded to this gathering.

"Hello, and thank you," Yasushi acknowledged with a nod, extending a hand in greeting as he approached them. Jingliu followed suit, offering a polite handshake when they reached Laura's family.

"I'm Tatsuya, and this is Kiko," Laura's father introduced himself and his wife.

With a self-conscious chuckle, Laura added, "I'm not sure why they settled on 'Laura' for me; it's not very...Japanese, is it?" Her hand wandered to the back of her head in a gesture of mild bemusement.

"We simply wanted you to have a name that stands out, dear," Kiko explained with a warm smile, turning her attention briefly to Jingliu and Yasushi before returning her gaze to them. "Thank you both for your assistance today. It's rare for us to be short-staffed, but circumstances aligned in such a way. Yasushi, your help is greatly appreciated."

"Oh, it was no trouble. I brought a new classmate along to show her around, so the short shift worked out well," Yasushi responded casually, with Jingliu nodding in agreement beside him. "And thank you for the snacks."

Tatsuya offered a genial smile, motioning towards the snacks. "Please, indulge yourselves. We'll attend to the customers outside; there's a large party underway. Until next time, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Jingliu."

With their farewells, Laura's parents departed, leaving Yasushi, Jingliu, and Laura alone. Before any other topic could unfold, Laura posed a direct question: "So, are you two dating?"

Both Yasushi and Jingliu shared a moment of mutual surprise, their eyes widening as they turned their attention to Laura, who met their gaze with a playful grin, awaiting their response. Jingliu's cheeks began to flush with a delicate shade of pink, while Yasushi let out a resigned sigh, his hand finding its way to his forehead.

"No, we're not dating," Yasushi answered, reaching for a piece of candy from the bowl at the center of the table and popping it into his mouth.

Arching an eyebrow, Laura pressed on, intrigued. "Why not? I saw the two of you hugging."

Yasushi sighed once more, patiently explaining, "Hugging doesn't automatically imply a romantic relationship. You hug family and friends too, right? That doesn't mean you're dating them."

Laura paused, mulling over Yasushi's rationale. "But...when guys and girls get that close, doesn't it usually mean something else?" Her confusion lingered, her curiosity evident in her expression.

"Is it a crime for people of the opposite sex to share a hug without sparking assumptions?" Yasushi's inquiry hung in the air, his gaze fixed on Laura. After a brief pause, he continued, "It isn't. Our reasons for embracing were innocent, devoid of any lascivious intentions or the scenarios you might imagine. People's lives carry complexities beyond what meets the eye."

Laura fidgeted, a touch of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "Alright, I understand. It's like getting a lecture from my grandparents," she muttered awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, but I've encountered this misconception often," Yasushi explained with a hint of frustration, adding another candy to his mouth.

Meanwhile, Jingliu stood by his side, nibbling on snacks as she absorbed Yasushi's words. Their relationship, as she perceived it, was rooted in friendship — a bond that was growing stronger, yet still within the boundaries of amity. However, beneath this clarity lurked unfamiliar emotions she couldn't decipher, a tangled web of feelings that remained unexplored.

Yasushi and Jingliu lingered a while longer at Shirayuki Neko Hiroba before venturing out into the darkening night, snowflakes descending gently around them.

"Could you walk me home? I don't want to bother Yinhaie," Jingliu requested as they set off on their journey.

"Of course, but it'll be a bit of a walk," Yasushi replied, his eyes catching sight of a distant shop. "We can grab you an extra coat. That scarf alone won't keep you warm."

"Alright, but I insist on paying," Jingliu insisted, and they hastened their steps towards the shop. It was unassuming yet inviting, radiating a cozy charm.

Inside, they selected a snug coat, Jingliu taking care of the transaction before donning her new garment. Stepping back into the wintry night, she was shielded from the cold by her new acquisition, ready to brave the frosty world outside.

They walked on, enveloped in a quietude that allowed the world's sounds to weave their melody around them. Their footsteps marked a rhythm on the snowy path, accompanied by distant echoes of voices from nearby houses. Laughter from children at play floated through the air, mingling with the soft whispers of the evening.

As the hush settled around them once more, it seemed as though they inhabited a world suspended in stillness, cocooned in a bubble of solitude. Eventually, they broke the silence, engaging in casual conversation to bridge the gaps of quietude, allowing the exchange of words to fill the void.

Their conversation continued until they reached the expansive driveway leading to Jingliu's home. "I'll see you on Monday, then, Jingliu," Yasushi remarked, adjusting his scarf with a faint smile.

Jingliu stood rooted in place before Yasushi, a quiet contemplation veiling her face as she debated within herself. After a brief internal dialogue, she took a tentative step closer, her gaze fixed on him.

"Could I... ask for another hug?" she inquired, her eyes meeting his in the soft illumination of the night.

Yasushi regarded her with a thoughtful gaze before a gentle smile graced his lips, his nod granting her request. Closing the distance, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into a warm embrace. Jingliu responded in kind, her enthusiasm evident in the way she returned the hug.

Despite the comfort of their embrace, the bulk of their coats introduced a sense of awkwardness, a reminder of the practicalities that tempered their intimacy.

They parted ways, stepping back from their shared embrace. Jingliu, usually reserved, surprised Yasushi with a radiant smile that illuminated the snowy night under the moon's soft glow.

"Good night, Yasushi," she whispered, her words carrying a tender warmth, before she inputted the security code and disappeared into her home.

"Good night," Yasushi echoed softly, his gaze following her until she reached the safety of her front door. They exchanged a wave, a silent acknowledgment of their fleeting connection, before Yasushi turned to begin his journey home, a sense of contentment blooming within him.