Short Trip

The morning sun crept through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the bedroom. Yasushi and Jingliu lay intertwined, remnants of their first night together. Their bodies, bare and warm, still embraced in sleep. As the light kissed Yasushi's eyelids, his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

His eyes fluttered open, finding Jingliu nestled against his chest, her breath a steady rhythm against his skin. He watched her, captivated by the tranquility etched across her face — a peace he had rarely seen in her. A gentle smile curved his lips as he let his fingers drift through her hair, each strand a silken thread between his fingers.

The motion disturbed her slumber. Her brow knitted, reacting to the encroaching daylight. Moments passed before her eyes slowly opened, annoyance flickering briefly at the sun's intrusion. But as her gaze found Yasushi's, confusion and fatigue melted away, replaced by a soft, sleepy recognition.

"Morning," Jingliu murmured, her voice muffled as she nestled her face against his chest, seeking warmth and comfort.

"Morning," Yasushi replied, his voice a gentle murmur. "Did you sleep well?" He stroked her head softly, fingers threading through her hair in a calming rhythm.

"Mhm, like a log," she mumbled, inching closer to his face. She planted a soft kiss on his lips before nuzzling into his neck, her breath warm against his skin. "How about you?"

Silence settled between them, a quiet pause filled with unspoken thoughts. Yasushi pondered the words he wanted to say, feeling the weight of the moment. He turned to look at Jingliu, meeting her eyes that seemed to search his for something.

"I liked your moan—"

Before he could finish, she playfully headbutted him, her face flushing a deep crimson. Embarrassment painted her cheeks as she began to lightly smack his chest with her hands, her laughter mingling with her protests.

"Idiot," she muttered, unable to hide her smile. Yasushi laughed, capturing her wrists gently to still her movements, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection.

Jingliu's brow furrowed as she gazed at Yasushi. "You seemed like you knew what you were doing. Are you sure that was your first time?"

Yasushi, without a moment's hesitation, responded, "Yes. It was my first time." The truth was layered — this body, this universe, they were new to him, but memories from his previous existence lingered. Experiences from another life, another time. But how could he explain that to her?

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding her face, but she let out a resigned huff. "Fine, I believe you... What time is it, anyway? Feels like it should be breakfast," she mumbled, her voice trailing off.

Yasushi reached for his phone, the screen illuminating with a soft glow. "Five more minutes before Yinhaie wakes up," he said, stifling a yawn. "We should probably shower and get dressed," he suggested, stretching his limbs as the remnants of sleep clung to him.

Jingliu sighed and nodded, disentangling herself from the warmth of their shared cocoon. The day awaited, but for now, they moved with the languid pace of early morning, savoring the last moments of their intimate quiet before the world outside demanded their attention.

He slipped his arms around her from behind, the sudden embrace drawing a soft, surprised yelp from Jingliu. Yasushi's smile widened as he leaned in closer, whispering, "How about we continue in the bathroom?"

Her cheeks flushed a deep red, but after a brief pause, she nodded. "Perv," she muttered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and growing familiarity with this new side of their relationship.

Together, they moved to the bathroom, where the warm water and shared intimacy extended their morning by an extra half hour. The bathroom became their private sanctuary, a space where the outside world momentarily ceased to exist.

When they finally emerged, dressed and refreshed, they headed to the dining room for breakfast. Yinhaie was already there, seated and staring at the neatly arranged food and cutlery. At the sound of their footsteps, she looked up and greeted them with a smile.

"How was your morning, Lady Jingliu, Yasushi?" she asked, her tone polite but laced with a knowing edge.

Jingliu's face turned an even brighter shade of red, the realization dawning that Yinhaie, someone who had known her since birth, was likely aware of their earlier activities. Yasushi, sensing her discomfort, gently squeezed her hand, offering silent reassurance. Yinhaie's smile didn't waver, but there was a twinkle in her eye that spoke volumes, adding an unspoken layer to their morning routine.

"We were having early morning wrestling—" Yasushi began, but Jingliu jabbed his side sharply, cutting him off with a yelp that turned into laughter. "My bad," he chuckled, rubbing his ribs.

Yinhaie laughed along with him, her amusement clear. She reached into her pocket and tossed something towards Yasushi. He caught it reflexively and looked down to find a small box of condoms. "I think you may need this," she said, her smile widening.

Yasushi examined the box, nodding in understanding. "Thanks, these will be useful." He was well aware of the need for precautions. The two times they had been intimate so far, he had relied on the withdrawal method, knowing it wasn't a foolproof strategy.

Jingliu's face flushed crimson. She buried her face into Yasushi's arm, mortified. Yinhaie's knowing gaze only made it worse, the older woman clearly aware of their burgeoning relationship. Yasushi, sensing Jingliu's embarrassment, wrapped his arm around her protectively, offering silent reassurance.

Yinhaie, still smiling, turned her attention back to the table. The morning's light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The tension eased as they settled into their routine, the unspoken understanding between them deepening in the quiet moments shared over breakfast.

+-+

"So… where are we going?" Yasushi's confusion was evident as he glanced around after their unexpected departure from breakfast.

They were in Yinhaie's car, the familiar vehicle that usually shuttled them around. But now, its destination was unclear. From the direction and pace, it seemed they were heading toward the airport, a realization that only added to their bewilderment.

"Madame Yuhan and Master Liang booked a small trip for you two," Yinhaie explained, her tone calm and composed. "You'll stay there for a few days and fly back before the New Year. It's their gift to both of you. The flight is to Hawaii, on one of their private jets, and you'll be staying in a private villa on the island."

Jingliu sighed, placing a hand over her face. "They're going overboard again," she muttered, shaking her head. The surprise was not unwelcome, but it felt sudden, like a last-minute decision made without their input.

"Hawaii, huh?" Yasushi mused, looking out the window as the scenery blurred past. "I've never been to that state in America before."

The car moved steadily towards the airport, the hum of the engine a backdrop to their thoughts. Yinhaie's announcement lingered in the air, mingling with the quiet anticipation of the unknown. The surprise trip was another twist in their journey, one that promised new experiences and moments to be shared.

+-+

Eventually, their group reached the airport. They retrieved their luggage from the car and hurried to get things in order. Yinhaie had informed them that she would accompany them on the trip. Despite knowing that Yasushi and Jingliu were responsible for their age, her protective instincts couldn't be quelled.

The private jet they were taking eliminated the usual airport stress—no crowds, no baggage weight limits. They moved at a relaxed pace, completing the necessary preparations. Jingliu and Yinhaie took charge of most tasks, their familiarity with travel evident. Yasushi, who had little experience with such journeys, followed their lead.

With the formalities done, they made their way to the first-class lounge. The space offered a quiet reprieve, a contrast to the bustling terminal beyond. They helped themselves to food and drinks, and took advantage of the amenities. Yasushi, still adjusting to the luxuries of his new life, found himself marveling at the ease and comfort surrounding him.

He watched as Jingliu and Yinhaie conversed in hushed tones, their closeness a testament to years of familiarity. Yasushi felt a twinge of displacement, but he decided to roll with it, embracing the strangeness of his situation. The journey to Hawaii promised new experiences, and he resolved to meet them with open arms.

"Is something wrong, Yasushi?" Yinhaie asked, her voice tinged with concern as she and Jingliu walked back toward him.

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing," Yasushi replied, shaking his head slightly. "I'm just not used to this, that's all. I didn't go on many flights before, so being here feels strange. Especially being in the first-class section of an airport. Not many people around, huh?" He glanced around the lounge, noting the sparsity of travelers, leaning casually against his bag.

"That's true," Jingliu said, nodding. "Not many fly first-class, even fewer have their own private jet. It makes sense that this area isn't crowded. But if you look over there—" she pointed to their right, where a more bustling area of the airport was visible through the glass walls "—you'll see many people heading to the same destinations we are. Just a bit more crowded."

Yasushi followed her gesture, observing the mass of people moving with purpose. The contrast between the calm lounge and the busy terminal was stark. He nodded, absorbing the new experience, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar environment.

Jingliu handed him a bag of chocolates and a drink, her gesture grounding him in the present moment. "Thanks," he said, unwrapping a piece and popping it into his mouth. The sweet taste was a small comfort. He offered the bag to the women, and they took pieces, sharing the quiet moment.

Their small group settled onto nearby sofas, the plush seats providing a temporary respite. They waited for the announcement that their flight was ready, the quiet hum of the lounge a gentle backdrop to their thoughts. Yasushi leaned back, still marveling at the strangeness of his new life, but finding solace in the companionship of Jingliu and Yinhaie.

After a twenty-minute rest, Yinhaie received word that their jet was ready for takeoff. They stood and made their way toward the screening area. Unlike the usual airport rigmarole, the staff here, familiar with their status and wealth, were relaxed, even jovial, sharing jokes as they processed them.

They were led through a narrow tunnel and then down a set of stairs, where the jet came into view. Yasushi marveled at its sheer size. It was large and black, the simplest and most striking descriptors he could think of. Lavish, too — undeniably so.

"How long will this take?" he asked, still captivated by the sight of the jet.

"From Ginsukimura to Honolulu, it'll take about six to seven hours," Yinhaie replied as they boarded their private aircraft. "So, you better strap in for a long flight."

"It's a lot more spacious than I thought," Yasushi remarked, following the two women inside. He settled beside Jingliu, while Yinhaie took a seat across from them.

"It was designed with comfort in mind. There are also bedrooms, though they're relatively small, but still enough for..." Yinhaie trailed off, a playful smile curving her lips as she looked at the young couple. Jingliu blushed deeply and turned her gaze away. "Some fun," Yinhaie added, her smile widening mischievously.

Yasushi chuckled, feeling the warmth of the moment. The interior of the jet was a study in opulence, from the plush seats to the carefully curated decor. He took it all in, realizing that this was yet another layer of his new life that he was still coming to terms with.

The jet engines roared to life, and they began their taxi on the runway. Yasushi felt a thrill as the aircraft gathered speed, then a gentle lift as they ascended into the sky, leaving Japan behind. Hawaii awaited them, a distant promise of sun and sand.

Yasushi gazed out the window, mesmerized by the shrinking landscape below. The cities, roads, and fields became a patchwork quilt, gradually fading into the vast expanse of the ocean. His thoughts wandered as the scene transformed, a canvas of clouds and endless blue.

He glanced back at Yinhaie and Jingliu, who had risen from their seats to explore the spacious interior of the jet. Their movements were unhurried, their conversation a soft murmur that blended with the ambient hum of the engines.

Leaning back in his seat, Yasushi let out a quiet sigh. The flight would be long, but he welcomed the break from their routine.