White Day

Yasushi and Furuya stood in the schoolyard, leaning against the weathered wall, their gazes drifting over the fluttering cascade of bright green leaves tumbling through the air. Spring had arrived in earnest, bringing with it the subtle promise of change. The school year was winding down, the days of their second year growing shorter with each passing week.

March 14th was on the horizon, White Day — a day when men were expected to reciprocate the gestures received on Valentine's Day. It was a tradition steeped in social expectation, and both boys knew that soon enough, they'd see the seniors off as they graduated at the end of the month. The once-bustling campus would thin, leaving only the second and first-year students behind.

Furuya broke the silence, his eyes following a particularly vibrant leaf as it danced in the breeze. "We're nearly there, huh? It's March already. April, May, June, July… Just a few months left for us."

Yasushi nodded, his gaze still fixed on the azure sky above. "True. But the long winter will come creeping back before we know it. It'll hit around June or July. I can never remember the exact timing."

The two friends stood there for a moment longer, the lively spring atmosphere a fleeting comfort before the inevitable chill of another season.

"By the way, have you figured out what you're doing for White Day?" Yasushi asked, his eyes shifting to his friend. "It's just two days away. Catherine went all out for you on Valentine's, right?"

A broad grin spread across Furuya's face as he pushed off the wall, hands settling confidently on his hips. "Oh, hell yeah. Catherine went above and beyond that night. And as for White Day, I've got quite a few surprises lined up for her. It's a weekend, after all. What about you?" He turned his attention to Yasushi, his expression brimming with curiosity.

Yasushi shrugged, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Well, Jingliu actually asked if she could plan the day. We're staying in, so I guess that's how it's going to be. I had some ideas, but if she wants control, then she can have it."

Furuya's eyebrows lifted in interest. "Really? Sounds like she's got something in mind. I'm guessing you'll be busy running errands for her?" He chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Who knows?" Yasushi said with a shrug, his gaze drifting to the second-year students engaged in an intense soccer match in front of them. "But I'm guessing Jingliu's planning something for our trip to China over the summer."

Furuya's eyes widened, a flash of realization crossing his face. "Oh, right, you two are going there." He paused, a look of horror spreading across his face. "Wait a minute — doesn't that mean I'll be away from Catherine since Xinyi's heading back to China too?"

The revelation hit Furuya like a tidal wave, his mind racing as he stared at Yasushi. Yasushi met his gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Hmm, I suppose you're right. We'll be seeing Xinyi while we're there, and Catherine's presence there would fit."

Furuya suddenly clutched his head and let out an agonized scream. Yasushi was momentarily stunned, his eyes locked on his friend in confusion. He fumbled for a response, but words eluded him as he watched Furuya's outburst. Around them, the chaos of the soccer game continued unabated; Furuya's dramatic display barely registered with the students, who had grown accustomed to his occasional bouts of eccentricity.

"Calm down," Yasushi said, trying to steady his voice. Furuya, however, remained in a state of frenzied agitation.

"What do you mean, calm down!? She'll be gone for a whole month! I can't handle this!" Furuya's voice rose in pitch, frustration evident in every word. Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and sprinted off, his footsteps echoing as he dashed away.

Yasushi pushed himself away from the wall with a resigned sigh, watching as his friend disappeared around a corner. Shaking his head, Yasushi began making his way toward their classroom. "He's acting like the world's ending without her," he muttered, a note of bemusement in his tone. "Overdramatic doesn't even begin to cover it."

+-+

Two days later, White Day arrived with the spring air still crisp and clear. Yasushi entered the dining room, a small, neatly wrapped gift in his hands. He approached Jingliu, who was sitting with Yinhaie, and held out the box with a modest smile.

"I know you wanted to plan the day yourself," Yasushi began, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation, "but I couldn't resist getting you something small. You already have the ring and the necklace, so I thought… well, why not this?" He extended the box towards her.

Jingliu looked up, her gaze shifting from the box to Yasushi. For a moment, she seemed to ponder the gesture, before carefully taking the gift from his hands. She unwrapped it with a delicate touch and lifted the lid to reveal the contents.

Inside the box lay two charming cerulean earrings, each shaped like a star. Yasushi had observed her fondness for earrings during their trips to Hawaii and other outings. Although the earrings she owned seemed rather conventional to him, he had set out to find something special. These unique star-shaped pieces had caught his eye, and he had hoped they would suit her taste.

Jingliu's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of the earrings, her fingers gently touching the delicate items. The surprise was clear on her face, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath as she processed the thoughtful gift.

"Th-thank you, Yasushi," Jingliu stammered, her voice breaking the silence that had settled over the room. She carefully took the earrings from the box, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. As she fastened them to her ears, she stood and made her way to the mirror, a soft smile playing on her lips as she admired her reflection.

Yinhaie followed her, positioning herself behind Jingliu. "They look wonderful, Lady Jingliu," she said, her hands resting gently on Jingliu's shoulders. Her smile grew wider, clearly pleased with the sight.

Yasushi watched the exchange with satisfaction before shifting his focus. "So, what are our plans for today?" he asked, eager to move on from the gift-giving.

Both Jingliu and Yinhaie turned back towards the table, nodding in agreement. Yinhaie reached for a remote control and pressed a button. To Yasushi's astonishment, a flat-screen TV descended smoothly from the ceiling, its sudden appearance clearly taking him by surprise.

"We had that?" Yasushi asked, his eyebrows raised in genuine amazement.

"There are many more surprises in this house that you haven't discovered yet," Yinhaie responded with a playful grin. "If you're interested, I'd be happy to give you a tour of our secrets sometime. Of course, Lady Jingliu will be with us as well." She chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment.

Jingliu nodded toward the screen as it flickered to life, displaying a series of images, graphs, and various pieces of information. "I've mapped out a plan for us," she began, her tone both practical and enthusiastic. "While it won't occupy the entire month and a few weeks we'll be there, it should keep us busy. I've also factored in some time to assist Xinyi with her trouble. There's a chance she might join us after it, as well as our parents."

Yasushi's eyes were drawn to the screen, where unfamiliar locations and their corresponding images filled the display. The sites shown were foreign to him, places he didn't recognize from his past experiences.

He had always suspected that Ginsukimura was not the only city or region unique to this world, but seeing these new locations confirmed his suspicions. It seemed that some places were not prominent enough to be widely known or featured online. Yasushi's curiosity was piqued; he wondered if there were even more hidden or lesser-known places waiting to be discovered.

"Which one is your hometown or city?" Yasushi inquired, his gaze scanning the array of images on the television screen.

"Mengyinhu," Jingliu replied, her voice tinged with a note of nostalgia. "That's where I grew up. Mengyinhu is a charming and picturesque town nestled beside a serene lake in the heart of China's countryside. It boasts a rich history that stretches back to the Tang Dynasty, a time when it was a favored retreat for scholars, poets, and artists."

She continued, her eyes reflecting the warmth of her memories. "Mengyinhu is renowned for its stunning wood carvings, complex stone sculptures, and beautifully preserved traditional architecture. Key sights include the town's temple, Wood Carving Street, Jade Bridge, and Scholar's Cottage. Visitors often partake in activities like boating or fishing, or simply immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of the lake and its beautiful gardens."

Jingliu's expression grew more animated as she described the local cuisine. "The town's food is just as delightful. It features fresh lake fish, organic vegetables, and fragrant spices. Some of the local favorites are Steamed Lake Fish, Woodland Mushroom Soup, and Lotus Root Cake. Mengyinhu is also known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Moon Viewing Festival, Wood Carving Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival, each celebrating the town's rich cultural heritage and natural splendor."

Yasushi chuckled, a playful grin spreading across his face. "You sound more like a tour guide with all this information." His smile faltered slightly as he pondered the contrast between her vibrant descriptions and the darker stories he had heard about her childhood.

Despite knowing about the hardship she endured at the hands of her grandparents, he found it intriguing that Jingliu spoke so fondly of her hometown. He had anticipated that she might have grown up in a bustling city or a large town, but Mengyinhu was far different from what he had imagined. Yasushi's curiosity about what Mengyinhu represented for Jingliu lingered, but he chose to keep his questions to himself for the moment, preferring to focus on the conversation at hand.

As Jingliu and Yinhaie continued to discuss their plans, Yasushi actively engaged in the dialogue. He suggested various nearby towns and cities they might explore, offering ideas on potential destinations and experiences. Yet, after some back-and-forth, they agreed to let their exploration unfold spontaneously, guided by their own sense of adventure.

And so, Yasushi's White Day came to a close. He had anticipated a series of grand gestures, but the day had evolved into a collaborative effort to shape their summer break plans. He was more than content with the outcome, happy to contribute to the plans and share in the excitement of what was to come.