For The Credit!

The day before the museum event, Yasushi found himself sunk deep in one of the worn-out chairs in his living room. The late afternoon light cast long shadows, making the room feel like a still life painting.

Yinhaie stepped in, her footsteps almost inaudible on the tatami mats. She had a folder in her hand, its edges frayed from frequent handling. "Yasushi," she began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement beneath her calm exterior, "I've tracked down those students you asked about." She handed him the folder, her eyes scanning his face for a reaction. "There are about thirty of them. You mentioned one of them said to involve others. The next steps are up to you."

Yasushi nodded, the motion slow and deliberate. He opened the folder, his eyes skimming over the detailed reports. The first page caught his attention: the leader of the group, Max Peggysus. The name felt out of place, like a misplaced book in a library.

"A foreigner?" Yasushi said, his brow furrowing. "We don't have many in our school."

Yinhaie nodded. "Max Peggysus was born in the USA. His father moved the family to Japan. His mother is Japanese, his father American. They're down-to-earth people, quite kind, but their son... Max is a different story." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "He's less than desirable, to put it mildly."

Yasushi exhaled slowly through his nose, a weariness weighing down each breath. He started flipping through the profiles of the other students in the folder. Their faces stared back at him from grainy photos, each one telling a different story.

Some had the defiant glint of rebellion, others the hollow eyes of neglect. A few seemed burdened by troubles too big for their age, while the majority, he noted with a touch of sadness, seemed to be looking for something as simple as fun — a break from the monotony of their lives.

He closed the folder, placing it on the low table before him. The room felt heavy with unspoken words and the silent ticking of the clock. "...I'll rely on what I've learned from the past year's issues," he began, his voice steady but low. "We'll inform the families of what we know, present the evidence, and let them handle it first. If they don't, we'll step in. And if the students still choose to push back, we'll deal with it. I'll call for assistance if necessary."

Yinhaie, who had been standing quietly, moved behind him. Her hands found his shoulders, fingers pressing into the tense muscles. "What about those with siblings in your school?" she asked, her voice soft, almost as if trying to soothe the tension away with her words.

Yasushi closed his eyes, leaning into the massage. The question hung in the air, intertwining with the murmur of distant traffic outside.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Yasushi said, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the room. "I know at least four of them will be at the event. If the parents don't take action, they might turn to their older siblings for help. We can't be sure of anything right now."

Yinhaie nodded, her hands continuing their steady, rhythmic pressure on his shoulders. "Very well, we'll wait for your signal," she said, her voice a soothing counterpoint to the tension in the room. "And what about the other transfers? Have they caused any trouble recently?"

Yasushi shook his head slowly. "No, they've been quiet. But I suspect they'll limit themselves to minor skirmishes with anyone who crosses them. They know we're watching."

Yinhaie laughed softly, her fingers kneading into his muscles. "You sound like those rich villains in stories, Yasushi. But I suppose you're right."

The corners of Yasushi's mouth twitched into a brief smile. The tension in the room eased slightly, replaced by the shared understanding between them.

Jingliu entered the room, her eyebrow arching at the sight of her boyfriend and Yinhaie so close. "Is something wrong with you two?" she asked, stepping closer.

Yasushi and Yinhaie both smiled and shook their heads. "No," Yasushi said, "but there is something I need to share with you and the rest of the group."

Intrigued, Jingliu sat on his lap, resting her head against his chest, and waited for him to continue. Yasushi chuckled, the sound low and warm, then began to recount his suspicions, observations, and plans. Jingliu listened carefully, nodding at the right moments, her expression thoughtful.

"I understand," she said finally. "I'll help. I have Yinhaie on speed dial, so you can rely on me when the time comes."

They lingered in the room for a few more minutes, their conversation meandering through a maze of what-ifs and tentative plans. The discussions remained abstract, a scene of possibilities rather than solid strategies. Despite their efforts, no concrete decisions emerged from the conversation.

Eventually, Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They rose from their seat, their movements unhurried, and made their way to their room. The soft thud of their footsteps was the only sound in the quiet house.

Yinhaie watched them go, a thoughtful expression on her face. Once they disappeared down the hallway, she turned and headed to the kitchen. The familiar sounds and smells of cooking soon filled the air as she began preparing dinner for everyone.

+-+

"For the credit!" Furuya shouted, his voice breaking the morning stillness. Heads turned, a mix of amusement and annoyance flickering across faces. A few snickers escaped from the boys in the group, their breath visible in the chilly air.

It was early morning in Ginsukimura, and the entire second-year of students stood outside the museum where they would spend the next three weeks. The sky was still painted with the hues of dawn, and many students fought off the remnants of sleep, stifling yawns and rubbing their eyes. Seven in the morning felt like a cruel joke to most, especially after only three days of rest. But the promise of extra credit, a coveted prize for those eyeing Ginsukimura's prestigious colleges and universities, kept them going.

"Cold... so cold... so early," muttered Xinyi, her body shivering as she clung to Yasushi. Her teeth chattered slightly, her breath forming small clouds in the air.

"You'll get used to it," Yasushi replied, his voice steady. He patted Xinyi on the head, a gesture of comfort. Beside him, Jingliu leaned against him, her eyes half-closed, still battling the urge to fall back asleep.

The crowd bustled around them, a blend of anxious chatter and sleepy murmurs. Layena stepped forward, addressing their friend with a composed demeanor. "Lady Reina, please rest assured your brothers will be taken care of while in our care. I will periodically call Yinhaie for updates, and if you wish, we can start some video calls during our breaks," she suggested, her voice calm and reassuring.

"I'd like that, thank you," Reina replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

Despite all the meticulous planning, a thread of worry still tugged at her thoughts. Her brothers had their own school to attend, but the knowledge that Yinhaie would personally escort them back to Jingliu and Yasushi's home each evening brought her comfort. The arrangement included dinners for the next three weeks, creating a semblance of routine and familiarity amidst the chaos.

As the morning light grew stronger, the principal of their school ascended an elevated platform. His voice cut through the chatter, drawing the students' attention, if only briefly. The speech was the standard fare — encouragements and reminders, words they had heard many times before. Most students tuned out, their minds drifting or their eyes fluttering closed in a final attempt to catch a few more moments of rest before the day truly began.

"For reasons I cannot disclose," the principal said, his tone taking on a note of seriousness, "the other schools will not join you in the first week but will be here for the last two. Please keep that in mind. We will inform them of everything that has taken place during this week, so do your best."

A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd. Students exchanged puzzled glances, the principal's words stirring questions that remained unanswered. The sense of mystery added an unexpected layer to their anticipation, the unknown mingling with the routine, casting a different light on the days ahead.

Before anyone could voice their thoughts or concerns, the principal stepped down from the platform and departed, offering a final wish of good luck to the students. The group was then herded into the museum, their footsteps echoing in the grand entrance hall.

Inside, the museum management took over, their voices carrying a blend of authority and enthusiasm. They detailed a myriad of rules, the high standards of work expected, and various other specifics relevant to the tasks at hand. The importance of the event was palpable. Students, now fully awake, listened with a focused intensity. This opportunity held significant weight for their future academic and professional endeavors.

Once the briefing concluded, the students were divided into groups, selections made by the museum's management. Given the involvement of multiple schools, some positions remained unassigned for now.

This week, their class could function as a cohesive unit, but changes loomed on the horizon. The management's parting words served as a reminder not to grow complacent; next week would bring new faces and new dynamics.

The air inside the museum was a mix of anticipation and determination. As the students began to scatter to their assigned areas, whispers of plans and strategies filled the space. The exhibits around them stood silent, soon to be transformed by the efforts of these young minds. Yasushi glanced at Jingliu and Xinyi, their expressions mirroring his own resolve. This was just the beginning, and they all knew it.