Preparations, Start!

"What do you think?" Jingliu asked, holding out more sketches for Yasushi to inspect. The papers rustled slightly in the quiet room, their edges curling with the weight of graphite and imagination.

Yasushi leaned in, squinting at the fine lines. Her breath caught as recognition dawned. Every detail mirrored "Jingliu" from "Honkai Star Rail." The shoes, the hairstyle, the intricate clothing, even the ice sword — an impeccable replication of the character's attire.

Yasushi's eyebrows knitted together. Jingliu noticed the shift, her fingers tightening around the edges of the sketches. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice a delicate thread in the air.

"Well... this is amazing, really," Yasushi began, her eyes scanning the drawings again. "But... why did you change the color of our eyes to blue?" She turned to Jingliu, the question lingering like an unsolved puzzle.

Jingliu's gaze flickered away, finding a spot on the wall that suddenly seemed intensely interesting. She took a deep breath, as if drawing strength from the silence. "I thought... people might see my red eyes and think they're too harsh, not fitting for a goddess. So I figured, maybe blue contacts during the event. Make them softer, more... divine."

Yasushi had long suspected Jingliu's unease with her eyes, noticing the subtle ways she avoided mirrors or the way her gaze would shift when someone mentioned them. Yet, he had never broached the subject, thinking it might unsettle her. Now, hearing her voice the insecurity, it stung him in a way he hadn't anticipated.

He reached out, his hand finding her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "I don't think anyone would be put off by them," he said, his voice steady, but carrying a hint of concern. "Your crimson eyes carry a depth you might not realize. Sure, they can signify intensity, power, blood, and sacrifice. But they hold more than that."

He paused, searching for the right words, wanting to convey the breadth of his understanding. "In Western cultures, crimson has been a color of royalty and nobility. In Europe, it was reserved for the elite because crimson dyes were rare and costly. It symbolized high social status and continues to do so in some contexts. In Christianity, crimson represents the blood of Christ, symbolizing sacrifice and redemption."

Yasushi's hand continued its gentle path, offering comfort through touch as much as through words. "In East Asian cultures, crimson is tied to luck and celebration. In China, your home country, red, including crimson, is seen as a harbinger of good luck, happiness, and is often used in festival decorations and clothing. It's believed to ward off evil spirits, offering protection. Crimson, in particular, is considered a potent shade."

He looked into her eyes, seeing not just the color but the complexity behind them. "Your eyes don't need to be hidden or changed. They tell a story, one of richness and significance. They are a part of you, and that's something powerful."

Jingliu's eyes softened, and the tension in her posture seemed to dissolve as she absorbed Yasushi's words. She leaned into his touch, her cheek pressing against his palm, then set her sketch aside. Both of her hands found his, holding it gently but firmly.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but brimming with sincerity. The warmth of his touch seemed to spread through her, easing a tightness she hadn't fully acknowledged until now. She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze with a new clarity and determination. "I'll change it then. No matter what others might think... even if it's only you who appreciates it, I'll keep the design with the red eyes."

Yasushi chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to lighten the air around them. He stroked her head gently, his fingers weaving through her hair. "Alright, good luck with it. If you need any more input, you know where to find me."

Jingliu nodded, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. She returned to her desk, a newfound resolve evident in her movements. Sitting down, she picked up her pencil and began to sketch again, her strokes more confident and deliberate. The outfit for the Halloween event began to take shape, each line infused with her revitalized spirit.

+-+

"Yes!" Senbarisu exclaimed, her voice ringing through the room as she smacked the whiteboard behind her with an enthusiasm that was almost palpable.

It was that time again, the anticipation buzzing in the air. The rest of the class had brought out their materials for the event, eagerly displaying their ideas and suggestions. Jingliu, calm amidst the flurry, stood up and handed Senbarisu the sketch she had painstakingly worked on, the attire meant to embody the goddess of their city.

Senbarisu's excitement was immediate and infectious. She scrutinized the sketch with wide eyes, nodding appreciatively. Her approval was unmistakable. Once she had taken in every detail, she passed the sketchbook around, allowing the rest of the class to see Jingliu's vision. Compliments flowed freely, voices overlapping with praise and admiration. Some offered suggestions, ideas to enhance or modify the design, but the tone was always constructive, respectful of Jingliu's craftsmanship.

In the end, the consensus was clear. Jingliu had been chosen for this role for a reason. Most of the students deferred to her, acknowledging her creativity and the thoughtfulness behind her design. They trusted her vision, even if they had their own ideas to share.

+-+

"You're just ordering everything online?" Yasushi asked, shifting a stack of boxes to make more space in their walk-in closet.

"Mmm. I always did that before," Jingliu replied, her voice carrying a touch of nonchalance. "I suppose you could call it one of the perks of wealth. Everything should arrive by tomorrow, maybe the day after. If I'd really pushed for it, I could've had it all here today."

A few hours had slipped by since they left school. Now, back at home, they were focused on clearing a space in the closet for Jingliu's future event attire. The idea had come up during a conversation earlier that day. They agreed it would be a nice touch, a cool feature to have her costume displayed prominently. Their discussion had wandered into bigger ideas too — expanding the closet if they decided to showcase more outfits.

Jingliu worked methodically, her movements precise as she organized and sorted. Yasushi mirrored her actions, their teamwork seamless. The closet, already spacious, started to transform, an area gradually emerging that would soon host her elaborate costume.

"Perks of the rich, huh?" Yasushi said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Seems like a pretty good deal."

Jingliu chuckled softly, pausing to look at him. "It has its moments. But it's also about making things easier, more efficient. I like having everything ready, not waiting around."

Yasushi nodded, appreciating the practicality behind her words. They continued working in comfortable silence, the room slowly taking shape around their shared vision. This space, once just a closet, began to feel like a small gallery, a place where creativity and preparation met.

As they finished up, Yasushi glanced around, satisfied. "This is going to look amazing," he said, imagining the completed display. "You're really putting a lot into this."

Jingliu smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "It's worth it. I want it to be perfect." She stepped back, admiring the cleared space. "And who knows? If this turns out well, we might just need to expand and do more."

"Well, we'll see more of it," Yasushi said, then paused, an idea sparking in his mind. "Actually… apart from the Halloween event at school, there's another one happening in the city. It's called Spooks Fest. It's basically a giant costume competition. Why not participate in it?"

"The… Spooks Fest?" Jingliu echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Yasushi nodded, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, it's a costume competition that's open to everyone, regardless of age. You just go up on stage, and the crowd votes on who has the best costume. It's mostly for fun, but there's a small cash prize. I think it's around eight to nine thousand yen."

Jingliu crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Hmm… I'll do a bit more research on it and decide from there. Thanks for letting me know."

She then reached out, taking his hand. "Let's go take a bath. We need to sleep early tonight. We have a few places to visit tomorrow to get more supplies. Senbarisu said we could start early with the planning, so we can get an edge on the other classes."

Yasushi laughed, a warm sound that filled the room, and nodded. "Alright, sounds like a plan."

As they walked to the bathroom, the house was quiet, the only sounds being their footsteps and the distant hum of the city outside. The bathroom was a sanctuary, with soft lighting and the scent of lavender in the air. They filled the tub, steam rising as the water flowed in.

Slipping into the warm water, they both sighed in unison, the tension of the day melting away. Jingliu rested her head on Yasushi's shoulder, the water lapping gently around them. "I think I'll really enjoy Spooks Fest," she murmured, closing her eyes. "It sounds like fun, and who knows? Maybe we'll win that cash prize."

Yasushi chuckled softly, running his fingers through her hair. "I'm sure we will. You've got a knack for these things."

They stayed like that for a while, letting the warmth and quietness envelop them, their plans for the next day already taking shape in their minds. The thought of Senbarisu's enthusiasm and the excitement of the upcoming events filled them with a shared sense of purpose.