Halloween-ic Date (1)

Yasushi leaned against the wall, catching his breath. The gym echoed with the sounds of their sparring, the clack of wooden swords still ringing in his ears. He had taken up Jingliu's offer for a quick match, intrigued by the idea of wielding a sword for the first time. Until now, his fights had always been raw, bare-knuckled brawls, sometimes aided by crowbars or metal pipes. This was a different kind of challenge altogether.

He had underestimated the difficulty. Jingliu was relentless, a whirlwind of precision and speed. She didn't hit hard enough to injure, but her blows landed with an accuracy that left him no room to counter. Every part of his body felt the sting of her strikes.

"Time... out... Jesus... I'm dying here," he muttered, his breath ragged. Jingliu's laugh was light, almost musical, a stark contrast to the intensity of their bout.

She approached, her wooden sword resting casually at her side. Bending over slightly, she smiled at him, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. "Can I take this as a surrender?" she asked, the corner of her lips curving upward.

Yasushi nodded, his pride taking a backseat to exhaustion. "No more," he gasped, surrender evident in every word. He let himself collapse onto the floor, feeling the cool surface against his back.

Jingliu chuckled softly, the sound a gentle balm to his bruised ego. She joined him on the ground, her presence warm and comforting. With a light touch, she began drawing lazy circles on his chest, her fingers tracing patterns that seemed to soothe his ragged breathing. Yasushi watched her, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest slowly stabilizing as he regained his stamina.

He opened his eyes again, catching her gaze. "In a few days, the Halloween costume competition is starting around eleven at night. Are you planning to use the same costume?" His voice was steady now, curiosity mingling with the remnants of fatigue.

Jingliu's smile widened, her fingers never pausing their gentle motion. "Yes. A lot of people saw it and had plenty to say when we went through the haunted house. I think it'll still be a hit for the competition." Her tone was light, but there was a determined gleam in her eyes. "Even though you say it's just for fun, I still want to give it my best shot." She continued drawing circles, the simple act grounding them both in the moment.

Yasushi turned his head, eyes meeting hers with a spark of intent. "Then... let's go on a date before that day arrives. A lot of shops and places will be decked out for Halloween since it's almost here."

"Today?" she asked, a hint of excitement dancing in her voice.

"Yeah, I know a few spots that'll have great deals and some interesting Halloween items," he replied, pushing himself up from the floor. He reached out a hand, pulling her up with him in one smooth motion.

Once on her feet, she pressed her head against his chest, looking up with a smile that carried both warmth and anticipation. "Then it's a date..."

+-+

Jingliu gently squeezed Yasushi's hand as she looked around them. Ginsukimura was both amazing and strange, its uniqueness always a marvel to her. Snow covered the streets in a blanket of white, contrasting sharply with the vibrant Halloween decorations that adorned every corner.

Snowelon, the city's beloved mascot, was dressed up in various costumes, each one highlighting his distinctive charm. From a zombie to a vampire, android, and more, his costumes were both creative and entertaining. The snowy backdrop added a surreal touch, making it unlike any Halloween scene Jingliu had seen back in China, where snow during this time was rare.

Yasushi took in the scene with a familiar smile. "I'll never get used to seeing Snowelon dressed in those. This also happens during Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and of course, summer," he informed Jingliu, his hand giving hers a gentle squeeze in return.

She looked up at him, her smile reflecting the festive spirit around them. "It's amazing how the city transforms for each season."

"Yeah," Yasushi replied, his eyes reflecting the twinkling lights that lined the streets. "Ginsukimura always finds a way to make every holiday special."

He began to walk with her beside him, their steps syncing as they moved through the bustling streets. "Anyway, there are three spots I want to bring you to," Yasushi said, a hint of mystery in his voice. "I'll keep them a secret for now, but I think you'll like them. And there's a chance we'll run into some classmates since some of them work during holidays."

Jingliu glanced up at him, curiosity in her eyes. "The school allows it? I heard and saw online that some schools don't let their students have part-time jobs," she asked, tilting her head slightly.

As they walked, various stores caught her attention, each one a small universe of its own. A particular shop window displaying unique antiques drew her in. She gently tugged Yasushi towards it and crouched in front of the window, her eyes wide with fascination.

Yasushi crouched beside her, his gaze following hers to a small wooden zombie doge figure, intricately carved and hauntingly detailed. "Yeah, they allow it now. I heard they didn't before, but that was before we started, so it doesn't matter anymore. For students from less privileged families, part-time jobs are a necessity," he explained, his voice thoughtful.

Jingliu's fingers lightly traced the glass separating them from the antique, her breath fogging the window slightly. "It's incredible," she murmured, lost in the craftsmanship of the tiny figure.

Yasushi nodded, his attention divided between the figure and the reflections of the city lights dancing on the glass. "Ginsukimura always has something unexpected," he said softly, almost to himself.

"Do you want to get it?" Yasushi asked, expecting a yes. But to his surprise, Jingliu shook her head.

"No, it's fine. I want to wait until Christmas to get things I want. With the recent purchase of our costumes, I think I overspent for now," she replied, a trace of sadness in her voice.

Yasushi chuckled and gently poked her forehead. "I meant, as your boyfriend, let me buy it for you. Consider it a gift."

Jingliu's cheeks turned red. After a moment, she shyly nodded. "T-then…p-please and thank you…"

Yasushi laughed softly at her response, and they entered the shop together. The place was filled with a quiet charm, each item a testament to the past. They wandered for a bit, soaking in the atmosphere until they found an entire set of wooden zombie doge figures, around twenty in total. Jingliu's excitement was palpable, but she fidgeted nervously, glancing at the price.

"Let's get them all," Yasushi remarked casually, his words catching Jingliu off guard.

"B-but…the price…" she mumbled, anxiety clear in her eyes.

He smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. Think of it as an early Christmas present. You love them, right?"

Jingliu nodded slowly, her eyes still wide with wonder. Yasushi's smile broadened as he watched her. There was something incredibly satisfying about making her happy.

They approached the counter together, the shopkeeper giving them a knowing smile as they made their purchase. The set was carefully wrapped, and Yasushi handed the bag to Jingliu, who accepted it with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

Outside, the city's festive air seemed even brighter. The snow continued to fall gently, adding a layer of magic to the evening. They walked hand in hand, the bag swinging lightly between them, a symbol of the day's unexpected delight.

Yasushi glanced at her, seeing the joy in her eyes. "Happy early Christmas," he said softly.

Jingliu squeezed his hand, her smile lighting up the snowy streets. "Thank you, Yasushi. This means a lot to me."

They continued their walk, the warmth between them cutting through the winter chill, the wooden figures nestled safely in their bag, waiting to find a special place in their home.

+-+

"This is...?" Jingliu's voice trailed off as she stared at the shop in front of them.

"A café," Yasushi replied, a smile playing on his lips. "I know I delayed our date and we skipped lunch, so I thought we could come here. This place is famous for going all out with their food, especially during holidays. I remember coming here with my mom and dad when I was younger for Christmas, and the dishes they served were something else."

Earlier, they had ducked into an alleyway to stow her recent purchase in her necklace, a clever way to avoid carrying too many things. Now, with their hands free, they stepped into the café. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped them as they were led to a cozy, empty table.

Jingliu glanced around, taking in the décor and the surprisingly sparse crowd. "It's surprising that not many people are here," she remarked, noting only around seven other patrons scattered throughout the room.

Yasushi nodded, his eyes scanning the menu. "It usually gets really busy a day before the holiday or on the holiday itself. But a few days before, it's pretty quiet."

The café had a whimsical charm, its walls adorned with holiday-themed decorations that added to its festive atmosphere. Jingliu's eyes sparkled as she looked at the menu, which featured an array of creatively themed dishes and drinks.

"This place feels magical," she said, her excitement evident. "What do you recommend?"

Yasushi thought for a moment, recalling his childhood memories. "Their seasonal specials are always a hit. The pumpkin spice hot chocolate is amazing, and their gingerbread pancakes are unforgettable."

Jingliu smiled, the anticipation of the meal adding to the warmth she felt. "Let's try them both," she suggested.

They placed their order, and as they waited, the café's charm continued to work its magic. The soft murmur of conversation, the clinking of dishes, and the gentle hum of background music created a soothing ambiance. Yasushi and Jingliu chatted, their conversation flowing easily as they shared stories and laughter.

When their food arrived, it was as delightful as Yasushi had promised. The pumpkin spice hot chocolate was rich and aromatic, and the gingerbread pancakes were beautifully presented, each bite bursting with flavor.

"This is incredible," Jingliu said between bites, her eyes wide with pleasure.

Yasushi watched her, his heart swelling with happiness at seeing her so content. "I'm glad you like it," he said, savoring the moment.

As they finished their meal, the café seemed even more enchanting. The holiday decorations twinkled softly, and the warmth of the place wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. They lingered a while longer, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and each other's company.

Finally, as they prepared to leave, Jingliu squeezed Yasushi's hand. "Thank you for bringing me here. This has been perfect."

Yasushi smiled, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. "Anytime," he replied softly. "There's still more to see and do today."

Hand in hand, they stepped back into the snowy streets, the memory of the café adding to the day's experiences.