Working Together

Monday unrolled itself, bringing Yasushi back to the volunteer work he and his classmates had been committed to. This time, however, an assortment of other schools would be joining them, adding new faces to familiar tasks. Today, two new students would integrate into his team, altering the group's dynamics.

"So, this is Souta and Yukiri," the staff member introduced, his voice carrying the weight of routine. "They'll be in your group from now until the end of your volunteer work. Good luck. Higurushi, you're the appointed leader, so I trust you to show them the ropes. I'll be in my usual spot, keeping an eye on things. If you need assistance, come to me."

Higurushi nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the responsibility handed to him. The staff member's footsteps faded away, leaving the group to themselves. Higurushi turned to Yasushi and the other classmate, his gaze steady and clear.

"You two know your tasks. I'll explain everything to the newcomers. Once they're up to speed, they'll shadow you today. Tomorrow, we'll switch. After that, they can decide who they want to work with for the rest of our time here."

With that, he approached Souta and Yukiri, ready to impart the necessary instructions. Yasushi and his classmate resumed their duties, a seamless continuation of the routine they had come to know so well.

+-+

A few minutes drifted by like slow-moving clouds, and Yasushi found himself at his usual task, inspecting the traps he had set in the corners and crevices, hoping they had caught any unwelcome rodents. His concentration was broken by the soft approach of Yukiri, the only girl in their group, her presence a subtle shift in the atmosphere around him.

"Higurushi told me to follow you today and switch with Souta tomorrow," she said, her voice quiet but clear as she stood behind him.

Yasushi turned slightly, catching her eyes for a moment. "Did he explain what I do?" he asked.

She nodded, a small, affirming motion.

"Alright then. Just watch me for the first few checks. After that, join in. If you're unsure about anything, ask."

Yukiri nodded again, her determination unspoken but evident. She followed Yasushi as he methodically moved from one spot to another, his hands deftly checking traps and examining hidden spaces. She observed closely, noting the details of his actions, the way his fingers moved, the care he took with each inspection.

As they finished with two spots, Yukiri dropped to her knees beside Yasushi, mirroring his actions. Together, they crawled into the necessary spaces, her presence now an integral part of the routine.

Yasushi glanced at Yukiri, his eyebrows raised. "I'm surprised this doesn't bother you," he remarked, curiosity lacing his words.

Yukiri looked up, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "My dad's always been hands-on, both at work and home. I grew up helping him, doing all sorts of tasks. Getting my hands dirty isn't a big deal," she said, her tone casual. She reached under a metallic box and pulled out a dead mouse, holding it up. "Found something."

Yasushi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, he chuckled softly. "I should have given you gloves first. Here, put it in this," he said, handing her a plastic bag. She dropped the mouse in, and he tied it securely. "Let's get your hands cleaned up and then put on some gloves. That's on me for not mentioning it earlier."

They walked to a nearby bathroom, the quiet only interrupted by the echo of their footsteps. Yukiri washed her hands thoroughly, scrubbing with soap and then using sanitizer. Yasushi observed, making sure she did it right. Satisfied, he handed her a pair of black gloves.

"These should help," he said, watching as she put them on with practiced ease. They went back to their task, the interruption now part of their routine. Yukiri, now properly equipped, blended seamlessly into their work, her presence adding a new dynamic to their efforts.

+-+

Lunch rolled around, and Yasushi found himself alone, his usual group scattered, still caught up in their tasks. They had managed a brief conversation earlier, sharing updates and plans during their common lunch break. They promised to reconvene later in the day, but for now, Yasushi ate in solitude. The break room was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling morning.

As he took a bite of his sandwich, Yukiri entered, her presence instantly changing the room's atmosphere. She made her way over, her steps light but purposeful, and sat down across from him.

"Hey, there's some commotion outside the museum," Yukiri began, her tone casual but with a hint of intrigue.

Yasushi looked up, his brow furrowing. "What's going on?" he asked, perplexity evident in his voice.

"A few guys were streaking out in the cold. It was bizarre. Didn't expect to see... certain things today. They weren't impressive, though," she added with a smirk, a playful glint in her eye.

Yasushi felt the urge to correct her but let it pass. Instead, he focused on the peculiar situation. "Do you know who they are? Or at least what they looked like?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

Yukiri leaned back, thinking for a moment. "I didn't recognize them. They were just a bunch of random guys, shivering and trying to act tough. It was like they had a bet or something, but it didn't look like it was going well for them."

Yasushi nodded, the image forming in his mind. "That's odd. Maybe we'll hear more about it later," he said, his thoughts drifting to the unusual sight outside. The break room's quiet returned, but now with an undercurrent of shared amusement at the strange episode unfolding nearby.

Just then, Yasushi's phone buzzed, pulling him from the odd conversation. He glanced at the screen. The message from Furuya in their group chat read, "It's Max's group. They're streaking for some reason!"

Yukiri, noticing his reaction, leaned closer. "Oh, they're part of Max's group? Makes sense now."

Yasushi looked up, curiosity evident. "You know Max Peggysus?"

Yukiri nodded, her expression a mix of amusement and familiarity. "Yeah. His older brother goes to my school. Noel Peggysus. We call him The Silent Chick Killer. Want to know why? He's good-looking, sure, but once girls start dating him or get to know him better, they realize how strange he is and end things pretty quickly," she explained, a smirk playing on her lips. "Lately, though, he's been acting even stranger, and I can't figure out why."

Yasushi's interest was piqued. In the reports he'd read, Max's siblings were mentioned, but Noel hadn't seemed significant at the time. "How so?" he asked, leaning in, intrigued by this new piece of the puzzle.

Yukiri shrugged, her eyes thoughtful. "He used to be more reserved, keeping to himself most of the time. But now, he's more erratic, unpredictable. Sometimes he mumbles to himself, other times he disappears for hours, no one knows where he goes. It's like he's dealing with something big, but he's keeping it all inside."

Yasushi absorbed this, considering the implications. The Peggysus family dynamics were complex, and Max's actions might be influenced by more than he'd initially thought. Yukiri's insights added another layer to the enigma that was Max Peggysus, and Yasushi couldn't help but wonder what hidden currents were shaping their strange day.

"Hmm…" Yasushi absorbed the information, letting it sink in. "Thanks for the insight."

"Why are you so interested in them?" Yukiri asked, her curiosity piqued.

Yasushi glanced around, ensuring no one else was within earshot. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice. "I overheard something from Max a while back. We started a little investigation on our own."

Yukiri laughed, a bright, surprised sound. "So, that ridiculous stunt outside is part of it? I can't imagine they'd risk coming in here without a solid reason. And with all the precautions you've put in place, they'd have a hard time pulling anything off without breaking the law."

"Exactly," Yasushi nodded. "But it doesn't hurt to be overly cautious. Thanks for the info. Let's focus on our work for now and deal with whatever comes our way."

Yukiri nodded in agreement. "I'm in. This seems pretty interesting, and I'd like to help out if I can."

Yasushi smiled, appreciating her enthusiasm. "That would be great. More eyes and ears can only help."

+-+

The end of the day came quietly, a stark contrast to the lunchtime commotion. After that brief interruption, Yasushi's afternoon had passed without incident. Yinhaie had been quick to act, informing the police and ensuring that the streakers were forced off the premises.

With the day's work concluded, Yasushi and his friends, along with Yukiri, headed to a nearby café. They settled into a secluded corner, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery creating a cocoon of normalcy around them. It was a perfect spot for discussing their plans without drawing attention.

Furuya leaned forward, his voice low but animated. "So, I didn't catch the whole scene, but one of those guys from Max's group stripped down in the cold and ran around naked. It was bizarre. I didn't see Max anywhere near them, or any of the people in those profiles Yinhaie put together," he said, pausing to take a bite of his food.

Yasushi nodded, his mind turning over the details. "It's strange that Max wasn't involved directly. It doesn't fit with the way he usually operates. He's more of a hands-on kind of guy."

Yukiri, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, chimed in. "Maybe he's trying to throw us off. If he knows we're watching, he might be using his group as a distraction."

Furuya considered this, then shrugged. "Could be. But what's the point of streaking? It's such a random and pointless thing to do, especially in this weather."

Yasushi leaned back, his thoughts drifting. "Maybe it's a diversion, something to keep us busy while he's up to something else. We need to stay vigilant, watch for anything unusual."

Xinyi leaned back in her chair, fingers tracing the rim of her glass, eyes narrowing slightly. "You mentioned they wanted to stir things up and get noticed. Well, they certainly managed that. But I can't help but think this is just the beginning, like they're testing us. Maybe the real move is planned for later, closer to the end of the event. Christmas seems like a likely time, don't you think?"

Laura stirred her tea slowly, watching the liquid swirl. "You might be onto something. We don't have any hard evidence yet, so we need to stay sharp. Max's friend's other sibling has been pretty quiet. I'm near his section a lot, and he's been keeping his head down, frowning more often, like he's worried about something."

Furuya, his head resting on Catherine's lap, let out a long, frustrated sigh. "Why do we have to keep this to ourselves? Informing the authorities now would save us a lot of stress as Christmas gets closer." He sat up suddenly, eyes bright with a new idea. "Why not draw them out and end this? Bait them and take control?"

Just as they were about to take Furuya's suggestion into account, a new group entered the café. It was Max's crew, accompanied by one of his older brothers, Noel, and a few other lackeys. They settled nearby, their conversation low but animated.

Yasushi's group fell silent, exchanging quick glances. They shifted gears, talking casually about mundane topics while straining to catch snippets of Max's conversation. It felt almost too convenient, but they weren't going to waste the opportunity.

"So, we're going to set those stink bombs inside the museum on Christmas when more people are there," Max said, leaning in and speaking with a conspiratorial edge. "Killikan made sure we can get in posing as visitors. That idiot over there," he pointed at another member, "can slip in through the back with his help."

"The rest of us just act…normal then?" another asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"For a bit, yes," Max continued, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But after a while, I'll give a signal. That's when you start causing a scene to draw attention. We'll set them off in the middle of the chaos. We're also going to steal some valuables to sell off. I've got a buyer lined up already. Easy money."

The rest of Max's group buzzed with excitement, their voices rising as they exchanged ideas about what they would buy with the money. They shifted seamlessly from planning their mischief to fantasizing about the rewards that awaited them, their enthusiasm palpable. The conversation grew more animated as they detailed the chaos they intended to cause and their plans for the aftermath.

Yasushi's group exchanged uneasy glances, a shared sense of dread settling over them as they listened. The reality of Max's plan was sinking in, and the weight of it was clear in their expressions. Max's group eventually finished their meal, leaving the café with laughter and smug looks. Yasushi's group collectively let out a breath they didn't realize they were holding, the tension in the air dissipating slightly.

"So that's their plan, huh?" Furuya remarked, running a hand through his hair. "Wait, how are we—"

Yasushi raised a hand to silence him, then pulled out his phone. He played a recording of Max's conversation, the voices surprisingly clear. His friends stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless.

"I think we've got enough evidence with this," Yasushi said, his eyes gleaming with a mix of relief and cunning. "But I suggest we hold off until the day they plan to do it. We can catch them red-handed and get even more proof. We'll coordinate with the police through Jingliu and Xinyi's families," he explained, a smile spreading across his face, one that hinted at a carefully calculated plan.