Chapter 83: Halloween-ic Date (2)
"W-what is this?" Jingliu asked, her voice trembling as she gazed around. "I didn't read anything about this…"
Yasushi chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Of course you didn't. Most articles about it vanish into thin air. This place exists only because of the peculiar weather in Ginsukimura. During these months, we can make them. The snow and ice here behave differently. Haven't you noticed?"
Before them lay a park, but not an ordinary one. Every object within its bounds was crafted from snow and ice. The transformation began with the city's first snowfall.
Locals nearby constructed it gradually, piece by piece. Benches made from compacted snow, forts with walls of translucent ice, seesaws that glistened under the weak sunlight. The entire park was a community project, a seasonal marvel. As soon as the four-month summer arrived, the whole park would melt away, only to reappear when the eight-month winter returned.
The park's existence was fleeting, a temporary wonder created and erased by nature's rhythm. It was a secret held close by the residents, a wintery world built from their hands and the cold.
He squeezed her hand gently, leading her to one of the many creations within the park. They were far from alone. Children, teenagers, and adults populated the space, chatting, playing, or simply sitting around, soaking in the extraordinary atmosphere.
"How... how are those swings even working? The same with the seesaws and... I just can't believe this is real," Jingliu said, her voice full of wonder.
"Many people here believe it's due to the powers of the goddess Hakufubuki," Yasushi explained, his tone both reverent and skeptical. "Her control over snow and ice supposedly makes all this possible. But that's just a popular legend. Scientists have come here over the years, tried examining everything. Their research always ends up inconclusive, so they've stopped trying. Some of them even began to believe in the goddess's power."
Yasushi himself had been skeptical when he was younger. Reincarnated into this world, the idea of a park made entirely of snow and ice seemed like pure science fiction, the stuff of stories. But experiencing it firsthand had shifted his perspective.
He had seen the swings moving, the seesaws balancing, all made from ice and snow. Despite his rational mind, the evidence of his senses was undeniable. He had started to accept the inexplicable wonders of his new world, even if his understanding of reality had to stretch a little to accommodate them.
They strolled over to an unoccupied swing. Jingliu sat down, and Yasushi began pushing her gently. To her amazement, it functioned like a regular swing, moving smoothly back and forth. But there was more to it. With each push, tiny, shimmering snowflakes appeared, twinkling in the air around her.
She marveled at the spectacle, her curiosity piqued by the mystery of how it all worked. Yet, she understood that some things defied explanation. Accepting this, she decided to simply enjoy the magic of the moment. They continued this rhythmic dance for a few seconds before noticing a family approaching. With a shared glance, they stepped aside, offering the swing to the children, who responded with grateful smiles.
"Can we make one ourselves?" Jingliu asked, her gaze shifting to the snow at their feet.
"Yes," Yasushi replied. "When I was younger, I made a small swing out of snow, and it worked perfectly."
Encouraged by his words, they both crouched down. Jingliu began shaping the snow, her hands moving with a mix of excitement and precision. Together, they crafted a small slingshot from the snow. It was a simple creation, yet infused with the same magic that animated the park around them.
To her astonishment, the "rubber band" made of snow stretched and flexed, ready to be pulled back. She crafted a small snowball, placed it in the slingshot, and pulled back the snowy band. When she released it, the snowball flew through the air just like a regular slingshot would propel it.
"This... is incredible. Why hasn't anyone tried to take them out of here?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the snow-made slingshot in her hand.
"A few have tried over the years," Yasushi replied, his tone casual yet informative. "But these creations always melt as soon as they leave the city limits. Even when wealthy people used advanced technology to keep them cold, they still melted almost instantly. It's as if the goddess wants to keep this phenomenon confined to Ginsukimura."
Jingliu's eyes widened further. "So it's designed to exist only in this city... Amazing," she murmured, gazing at her snowy creation with a newfound sense of awe. The slingshot in her hand felt like a link to the city's mystery, a tangible piece of the enchantment that Ginsukimura held within its borders.
For the next hour, the couple immersed themselves in crafting snow-based items, their laughter and chatter mingling with the crisp winter air. Jingliu's excitement was palpable as she experimented, shaping the snow with a childlike enthusiasm. She even managed to recreate a replica of her sword, a feat that made Yasushi laugh heartily, his breath visible in the cold air.
Other people in the park joined them, their curiosity piqued by the couple's infectious energy. Children eagerly participated, while the older ones watched with smiles of amusement, reminiscing perhaps about their own youthful winters spent in similar pursuits. The park buzzed with a communal spirit, the shared wonder of creating fleeting, magical objects from the snow.
Eventually, as the shadows grew longer and the sky began to take on the hues of early evening, Jingliu and Yasushi decided it was time to move on. They brushed the snow off their hands, exchanged a few final words with their newfound companions, and began walking towards the next part of their date. The Park behind them slowly returned to its tranquil state, a white wonderland filled with the silent promise of more snow creations to come.
+-+
Yasushi led them to a small cliff on the outskirts of the city. Though it lay within the city limits, it was still touched by Ginsukimura's peculiar weather. The view from there was breathtaking. Jingliu stood silently, eyes wide in awe as she took in the sky, the scene of stars twinkling above, while snowflakes drifted gently down.
Below them, the city sprawled out, its lights creating a mesmerizing mosaic interspersed with Halloween decorations. The combination of warm glows and cool whites formed a surreal landscape, like something out of a dream.
"The view here during Christmas is even better," Yasushi remarked, his voice soft but filled with anticipation. "We should come back then. You'll see the Aurora Borealis from here. It might be a bit colder, but we can bring things to keep us warm. Some canned coffee, perhaps."
Jingliu didn't reply immediately, too captivated by the scene before her. After a few moments, she murmured, "It's better during Christmas…?"
"Yeah," he paused, considering his next words carefully before nodding to himself, "it's something you have to experience for yourself. But I promise you, it's extraordinary. Ginsukimura really pulls out all the stops for Christmas. Some even call it the North Pole of Japan."
"Mmm…" Jingliu agreed, nodding. Her eyes were still full of wonder as she glanced between the view and Yasushi, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "I'd love to come back here, many more times with you…"
Her words brought a smile to Yasushi's face. "Yeah, that would be wonderful. Let's celebrate more moments together here."
They stood in silence for a few seconds, the weight of the moment settling around them. Then Jingliu turned to Yasushi, a knowing look in her eyes. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Yasushi leaned down and kissed her. Their lips, though cold, brought a warmth that made them forget the chill in the air for those few precious seconds.
The city lights below flickered like distant stars, the snowflakes continued to fall, and the world seemed to pause. Wrapped in each other's embrace, they felt the magic of Ginsukimura envelop them. The promise of future adventures, of returning to this enchanting place, lingered in the air around them, a silent vow to share many more moments like this.
+-+
"Catherine, just go with what you think will be good. Why are you panicking so much?" Xinyi asked, puzzled by her maid's uncharacteristic worry.
Before her, Catherine darted around the room, frantically assembling her costume for the Halloween event. She wanted to participate, to catch Furuya's eye. Usually calm and composed, she now felt a mix of nerves and uncertainty, emotions she wasn't accustomed to.
For some inexplicable reason, Furuya Itsuki made her feel this way. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
"I-I want to stand out, g-get his attention," she stammered, still bustling about, trying on different costumes, adjusting accessories, and checking her reflection repeatedly.
Xinyi watched her, bemused. "Catherine, you've always been dignified. Just be yourself. If he's worth it, he'll notice you for who you are, not just your costume."
Catherine paused, taking a deep breath. Xinyi's words cut through her frantic haze. She glanced at the mirror, seeing the reflection of a young woman who was usually confident, but now vulnerable. Her heart raced at the thought of Furuya, the way his smile made her feel both giddy and apprehensive.
"I suppose you're right," she said softly, a small smile creeping onto her face. She chose a costume that felt right, something that reflected her true self, and began to get ready with a renewed sense of calm.
"You also have his birthday present ready for next month, right?" Xinyi asked, watching Catherine closely.
Catherine nodded, her hands momentarily pausing in their frantic activity. "I... I talked to Yasushi about it. He said Furuya would appreciate anything, but I pressed for specifics. So, I got him a game he's wanted for a while now. Yasushi has been hinting to him not to buy it because it's coming soon, so there's that," she mumbled, a hint of relief in her voice.
Xinyi laughed, a sound both light and reassuring, shaking her head with a smile. "See? You're all set for the costume event in a few days and his birthday in a month. You're going to be fine. If you manage to catch his interest at the event, then step up the flirting before his birthday. When you give him the game, he'll definitely fall for you! Teenage boys are easy like that! Especially Furuya!"
"O-okay," Catherine replied, her voice trembling slightly but determined. She clenched her fist, trying to summon confidence from within.
Xinyi's words echoed in her mind as she took a deep breath. The costume event loomed closer, a gateway to a potential connection with Furuya. The thought of giving him the game, seeing his face light up with surprise and joy, filled her with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Borta bra men hemma bäst." -Swedish proverb
"Away is good, but home is best."
Meaning: This proverb highlights the comfort and preference of one's own home over other places, emphasizing that no matter how nice it is to travel or be elsewhere, home is where one feels most comfortable and happy.
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