Bath

As the final scenes of the movie unfolded and the credits began their slow crawl across the screen, Yasushi and Jingliu found themselves in a still embrace. Yasushi's arms enveloped her, forming a protective cocoon, while Jingliu lay nestled against him, her eyes closed, and her breathing gentle, akin to the rhythmic cadence of slumber.

"Jingliu?" Yasushi murmured, his voice barely audible in the dimly lit room. He gave her a gentle shake, but she remained serenely unmoved, lost in a peaceful reverie. "Has she drifted off to sleep?" Yasushi wondered aloud, his words mingling with the hushed ambiance of the room.

As if in response to his query, Jingliu stirred slightly, a subtle shift in her position, yet her eyes remained closed, as if guarding a secret world within. Yasushi, sensing her tranquility, reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone, its soft glow casting an ethereal light on their shared moment.

A quick glance at the screen revealed the time, approximately eight o'clock in the evening, their customary hour for dinner. However, earlier arrangements had been made for a delayed mealtime, courtesy of a message from Yinhaie. Despite the tempting call of hunger, Yasushi chose to linger in the embrace, savoring the quietude and intimacy of the moment, where words were unnecessary, and time seemed to stand still.

+-+

An hour drifted by, and Jingliu stirred from her slumber. Her gaze drifted upward, settling on Yasushi, who was deeply engrossed in an episode of an anime. Blinking sleepily, she shifted within his embrace, finding a comfortable position once more.

Yasushi, sensing her awakening, glanced over and asked, "Are you awake?"

"Half-asleep," Jingliu mumbled in response, her words softened by drowsiness, before closing her eyes again. "...what's the time?" she inquired, still reluctant to fully awaken.

"It's nine. Dinner will be served soon, so I suggest you rouse yourself. You'll be back in dreamland before you know it," Yasushi advised, his tone laced with gentle amusement at her groan of protest.

After a brief moment of silence, he continued, "In just over a week, we'll be embarking on the garbage collection event. Are you prepared?" Yasushi switched to a new channel, allowing the television to fill the air with ambient noise as they settled into the evening's quietude.

"How long does it last?" Jingliu's voice carried a hint of curiosity as she finally stirred awake, leaning against Yasushi's chest and peering up at him.

"Usually a week," Yasushi replied, his tone soft but matter-of-fact. "It'll give us a break from school, but it's also an opportunity to contribute. We'll need our own bags with food, some money, gloves, masks, and other essentials to stay clean and safe," he elaborated, ensuring she understood the preparations required.

"A whole week dedicated to cleaning up the city? I don't mind," Jingliu mumbled, her gaze slowly shifting to the television screen.

"It's a beneficial arrangement for the city and us. Saves money, helps the environment, and gives students like us a purpose. We should start planning soon to make the most of it," Yasushi suggested, a touch of enthusiasm in his voice.

Before Jingliu could respond, a knock interrupted their conversation, and Yinhaie entered with a warm smile. "Dinner is served, Lady Jingliu, Lord Yasushi," she announced, prompting them to rise from their cozy spot and follow her out of the room.

As they made their way to the dining area, a news report on the television caught their attention: "Four people reported missing, two found dead — could a serial killer be at large?" The sudden shift in tone hung in the air, juxtaposed against the mundane activities of their evening.

+-+

An hour ebbed away, marked by the slow clinking of utensils against plates as everyone savored the remnants of their dinner. Yinhaie, with a measured air of authority, cleared her throat to address the gathering.

"In light of today's events," she began, her voice carrying a blend of solemnity and resolve, "the individual causing disruptions, Daiki, will be relocated to a different city and school. Additionally, he will undergo corrective classes to address his troublesome behavior, which has been a concern for everyone, not just our students. His history also includes multiple restraining orders, a testament to his troubled past," Yinhaie explained, her tone firm and unwavering.

Jingliu, her gaze fixed on Yinhaie, broached a sensitive topic. "Is it true that he... did certain things to women?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Yinhaie met her gaze with a solemn nod. "While there were allegations, unfortunately, there wasn't enough evidence to pursue legal action. The affected women chose not to press charges, citing fear as their reason," she added, a hint of frustration seeping into her tone at the injustice of the situation.

Yasushi, his tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of concern, broached the subject of Daiki's associates. "What about his little group of followers? I didn't really get a good read of them since we just… well, dealt with them," he inquired, recalling the recent altercation.

"While their punishments won't be as severe as Daiki's, their parents have been notified," Yinhaie replied, her voice carrying a note of authority. "They've also been cautioned that if they persist in their current path, more serious consequences will follow."

"That's reassuring," Yasushi acknowledged before turning to Yinhaie with a tentative request. "I have a small favor to ask, if it's within your means," he began, seeking her permission, which she granted with a nod of assent.

"There were transfer students who arrived at the same time as Xinyi," Yasushi explained, referencing a past event. "Furuya mentioned they had troubled backgrounds. If possible, I would appreciate it if some background checks could be conducted on them," he requested, his voice carrying a mix of caution and concern for the safety of the school community.

Yinhaie's smile hinted at understanding as she posed a question to Yasushi. "Are you looking to prepare for potential future incidents like this?" Her words carried a sense of foresight and readiness.

Yasushi, sipping his coffee thoughtfully, replied with a touch of realism. "Yeah. I don't possess any supernatural abilities to foresee such events. This is the best proactive step I can take. However, I understand the limitations, given my role as a family friend," he elaborated, acknowledging the boundaries of his influence.

Jingliu, supportive and assertive, chimed in, affirming their collective stance. "Please, Yinhaie, explore this for us," she urged, her tone carrying a blend of trust and determination.

Yinhaie, nodding in agreement, continued their conversation, seamlessly transitioning to discuss the logistics of the upcoming garbage collection event. The room hummed with a blend of anticipation and resolve as they delved into preparations for the future.

+-+

Yasushi reclined in the comforting embrace of his connected room's bathtub, the warm water washing away the weariness of the day. As he savored this moment of tranquility, the door creaked open, startling him from his reverie. To his surprise, Jingliu stood there, draped in a bath towel, her presence unexpected.

"Um..." Yasushi stammered, unsure of what to make of this sudden intrusion. Without a word, Jingliu proceeded to discard her towel and joined him in the bathtub, settling against his body with a quiet determination.

"Good evening?" Yasushi attempted to maintain some semblance of normalcy, his mind racing to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.

"We're sharing a bed again tonight. I find comfort in our shared sleep," Jingliu stated matter-of-factly, her gaze fixed ahead as she leaned back into Yasushi's embrace.

"Understood... but why did you enter while I was bathing?" Yasushi's confusion lingered, evident in his tone as he sought clarification.

Jingliu, however, remained silent, content to bask in the serene atmosphere, her eyes closed as she allowed the calmness of the moment to envelop them both.

She then turned to look at him, her gaze spoke volumes, a silent plea for a familiar comfort. Yasushi, attuned to her unspoken desires, responded by enveloping her in a warm embrace, drawing her close as their bodies intertwined in a dance of closeness. He noted Jingliu's acceptance of this intimacy, her blush betraying a mixture of emotions.

"This feels really nice," Jingliu murmured softly, meeting Yasushi's gaze with a hint of vulnerability, her cheeks tinged with a delicate shade of pink.

Curious about her sentiment, Yasushi queried, "Why do you say that?"

Jingliu, caught off guard by the question, paused to gather her thoughts. Unable to articulate her feelings eloquently, she opted for honesty. "I can't quite explain it, but... I enjoy your hugs. They bring me comfort, like earlier and now... So, could you... hug me like this more often?" Her words were a mix of longing and uncertainty, baring her heart in the quiet intimacy of their shared moment.

"Consider it done. So, just to clarify, you're requesting the regular hugs and hand-holding too?" Yasushi teased, giving her a playful squeeze that elicited a quiet chuckle from Jingliu.

"Y-yes," she replied with a hint of adorable shyness, her request tinged with a touch of playfulness that momentarily widened Yasushi's eyes before he composed himself.

With a small sigh, Yasushi nodded affirmatively. "Alright, I suppose I can indulge you a little," he conceded with a gentle smile, his gaze softening as he looked at her fondly.

"Thank you," Jingliu murmured gratefully, nestling her head against his neck, savoring the comfort of their closeness.

The remainder of their evening bath unfolded in a tranquil manner, filled with casual conversations about school, homework, and the upcoming garbage collection event. Yet beneath the surface, both sensed a subtle shift in their relationship. While Yasushi was more cognizant of these changes, he resolved to respect Jingliu's pace and let their bond evolve naturally.