Capítulo 93: Brief Respite
The last day of the first week at the museum arrived, marking the end of Yasushi's volunteer stint. Everyone from his school had put in solid work, and the final hour ticked away before their release for the weekend. The museum's agreement with the schools was simple: a week of labor in exchange for Saturday and Sunday off, when the regular staff would resume their duties.
Yasushi made his rounds, eyes sharp for signs of rodent activity, hands busy with a cloth, wiping down display cases and railings. He moved with quiet efficiency, weaving through the museum's halls, careful to avoid visitors and his classmates, ensuring their paths didn't cross.
It had been a quiet week. Yasushi and his friends had noticed the older siblings of the first years gathering now and then. Recently, though, only three of them showed up for brief, uneventful meetings. The fourth sibling had become something of an outlier, seen less frequently, often with a self-satisfied grin on his face, as if privy to a private joke only he understood.
+-+
Yasushi stepped into the crisp, snowy evening, the cold air a sharp contrast to the warmth inside. To his left, Jingliu latched onto his arm, her breath visible in the chill as they walked. They had finished their work for the week, and the sense of relief was palpable among the group.
"Next week we start all over again," Furuya remarked, his voice heavy with fatigue. "More people joining, and we've only got a few days to get everyone in sync. Otherwise, the last two weeks are going to be hell."
Xinyi, always the pragmatist, brushed off his concern with a wave of her hand. "We know the drill by now. We'll show the newcomers the ropes and hope they fall in line. Anyway, I'm heading home. Hurry up, Furuya, I'll give you a lift," she added, giving Furuya's shoulder a playful smack. He groaned, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming," Furuya replied, waving to Yasushi, Reina, Layena, and Jingliu before climbing into Xinyi's car with a few others. The car's engine rumbled to life, its headlights cutting through the growing darkness as they drove away.
Yasushi watched them go, the warmth of Jingliu's arm linked with his a comforting presence against the encroaching cold. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, settling on the ground in a soft, white blanket. The week had been long, but for now, a brief respite awaited them before the cycle began anew.
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Later that night, Yasushi and Jingliu lounged in their room, the day's fatigue slowly melting away. A soft chime interrupted their quiet, a message from Yinhaie. Yasushi opened it, and Jingliu leaned in, her curiosity mirroring his own.
The message contained a series of pictures and a video, each frame capturing various parts of the museum's exterior. The images revealed figures, some solitary, others in groups, moving with an air of suspicion, their actions deliberate as they scouted the premises. The video, though silent, depicted the same individuals, their body language suggesting whispered conversations.
Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed. The unease was mutual as they watched the shadowy figures move in and out of frame. When the video ended, a follow-up message from Yinhaie popped up, asking, "What shall we do?"
"Good question," Yasushi muttered. "We need more evidence. This isn't enough, and without sound, it's not definitive. Our first warning seemed to work for three of the siblings, but the last one... he's persistent."
Yasushi began typing a response with swift, deliberate keystrokes. "Keep monitoring the museum during the weekend. If they act, we can catch them and get the evidence we need. Send in some undercover people. Have them record video or audio, and take pictures."
"Understood," came the quick reply, ending the conversation for now.
Jingliu shifted closer, her head resting against Yasushi's shoulder. "Should we go to the museum on Saturday and Sunday?" she asked, her voice soft and contemplative.
"No," Yasushi said firmly. "It's our day off. Yinhaie's team is reliable; we can trust them to handle it. Let's enjoy our break. So, do you want to go anywhere?" He kissed the top of her head gently, his lips lingering for a moment.
"Let's stay in," she suggested, her cheeks coloring slightly. "Maybe go to the rooftop bedroom for some more alone time."
Yasushi chuckled, a warm, genuine sound. "Seems like someone wants to be spoiled this weekend," he teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.
"All girls do," she replied with a small pout, nuzzling closer to him. "I'm no exception."
His laughter filled the room, a bright contrast to the quiet night outside. "Then let's make it a memorable weekend," he said, wrapping his arm around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The weight of the week lifted, replaced by the simple pleasure of being together. The world outside continued its relentless pace, but for Yasushi and Jingliu, time seemed to slow, offering them a brief respite in each other's company.
+-+
"Mmm~ don't stop… harder~" Jingliu's groans echoed softly through the warm room, her voice a mix of pleasure and playful exasperation.
Yasushi chuckled, his hands working firmly on her shoulders. "You know, the way you're saying that sounds a bit... suggestive," he teased.
The next day arrived, and they found themselves in the rooftop bedroom surrounded by the indoor garden. Snow fell heavily outside, transforming their lush green sanctuary into a winter wonderland, the usual view obscured by a thick curtain of white. Despite the cold outside, the heater inside kept the room cozy, a bubble of warmth against the winter chill.
"You're the lewd one for pointing it out," Jingliu shot back with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. But she left it at that, not pushing the banter further.
Yasushi noticed the hesitation, a familiar pattern in their relationship. He had tried to move to the next step before, but Jingliu always stopped, a subtle but unmistakable sign that she wasn't ready. They had discussed it openly, and she had admitted her reluctance. Yasushi respected her boundaries, deciding to let her take the lead when she felt comfortable.
He continued the massage, fingers kneading into her tense muscles, feeling the knots slowly unwind. The snow outside fell in a steady rhythm, a silent, almost hypnotic backdrop to their intimate moment.
"Your shoulders are always so tight," he murmured, focusing on a particularly stubborn knot.
"Maybe because you're not around enough to take care of them," she replied, half-joking, half-serious.
"I'll have to remedy that," he said softly, his voice carrying a promise.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the only sounds the gentle hum of the heater and the occasional creak of the building. Yasushi's mind wandered, thinking about the future, their unspoken desires, and the patience they both exercised. It was a delicate dance, balancing affection and respect, moving forward at a pace they both could handle.
Jingliu suddenly stopped him and got up before facing him. Her gaze settled on his face, as if trying to read a message written in invisible ink. After a few breaths, she asked, "Do you want to have sex?"
The question hung in the air like smoke in a still room. Yasushi felt the weight of her words, a mix of surprise and something deeper coursing through him. He sighed, then nodded. "Well, I'm a healthy teenage boy, so it's in my mind, yes," he replied, his eyes meeting hers with quiet intensity.
Jingliu's eyes drifted closed, her head bobbing in a slight nod. "I... I need more time and when it comes, I'll... tell you why I'm hesitant but..." Her words faded into silence, leaving the thought unfinished.
"It has something to do with your grandparents again?" he asked. She looked at him, then nodded once more. "It's okay, I can wait," he reassured her, drawing her into an embrace that felt both familiar and strange. "Take your time."
Yasushi's mind wandered to his previous life, to the dark undercurrents he'd witnessed. He remembered broken souls, lives shattered beyond repair, people spiraling into an abyss from which there was no return. Those memories pressed against him, a silent reminder of human fragility. He knew forcing someone was a bad idea. He'd seen too many people break, or worse, choose a permanent escape. He didn't want that fate for Jingliu.
"Thank you," she whispered, embracing him gently before easing him down onto the bed. She rested her head on his chest, finding a semblance of peace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Time slipped by, unnoticed, as they lay intertwined. Eventually, he shifted, lifting her effortlessly into his arms, his smile widening. "We shouldn't spend the whole day inside," he suggested, trying to infuse some lightness into the air. "Let's head out and do something fun."
Jingliu offered a hesitant smile, a shadow of worry lingering in her eyes, but she nodded in agreement. She understood his need to break free from the confines of their home, and she shared it. The earlier conversation had cast a pall over her mood, and a change of scenery seemed necessary.
"Can we visit Shirayuki Neko Hiroba?" she asked, her voice soft but hopeful. Yasushi nodded.
"Of course. I'll let Laura know." He retrieved his phone, fingers moving swiftly over the screen. Laura's response came quickly: the weather had kept most people away, but the cats were still eager for company.
He tucked his phone away, looking at Jingliu with a reassuring smile. "It's all set. Let's get going."
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente." -Spanish proverb
"Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel."
Meaning: This proverb suggests that ignorance or unawareness of something unpleasant can lead to less emotional pain or distress, emphasizing the role of perception in emotional experience.
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