章節 8: Of Bonds of Ice and Snow

Snow fell, a silent white blanket covering everything as Yasushi let go of the man. The body dropped, hitting the ground like a discarded sack. Red spread onto the snow, a harsh mark against the white, showing life ending.

Yasushi turned toward Jingliu, a small smile on his face that didn't match what just happened. He shook his head slightly. "This isn't my mess," he said, his voice tired. "Looks like you won again. You are just too good at what you do, it seems to always work out for you."

Jingliu's voice was soft, full of shock. "You... you did all that?"

Yasushi nodded once. "Yeah. I walked here by myself. But it's getting cold out here. My place is near. Do you want to come over? I can make some tea. It's the least I could do after tonight."

Jingliu's eyes widened as she stared, mouth agape and her face filled with confusion as she took in the scene of destruction that was before her eyes, the man sprawled out and the stark red stain mixing into the white snow.

It was hard to believe what had just taken place, but even more difficult to comprehend that this man, who seemed so peaceful, could be capable of such things. Yasushi's calm demeanor and gentle smile only added to her bewilderment as she tried to process everything.

She was taken aback at how nonchalantly he was acting after what he just did, but this just might be who he is as a person.

+-+

Jingliu and Yinhaie came to Yasushi's home, just them for tea. Yasushi prepared tea, his movements unhurried. The room went quiet; the night's tension remained. The recent events weighed on them.

A bit of blood stained Yasushi's pants, but Jingliu and Yinhaie did not look, acting like they didn't see it. They understood, showing respect for the situation. It was not a proper sight for polite company, they all agreed without speaking about it.

Yinhaie spoke, a touch of pride entering her tone. "Lady Jingliu is from a large family in China," she announced. Jingliu stopped her with a sharp look. Yasushi saw this, but showed no reaction to the silent conversation between the two women, his face stayed still as he watched.

Jingliu's voice made clear there was no argument. "Let's keep this quiet, like last time," she said. She needed what happened tonight to remain secret. Jingliu held a position and a name, she couldn't let it be tainted. They all understood what was at stake, and how harsh things could get if they failed to keep a lid on things.

Yasushi nodded and drank some tea, thinking. "That's what I wanted too. No worries about that." He looked at Jingliu. "What you saw about me tonight, it's best if it's not talked about, yes?" He needed her to understand that what she witnessed had to remain between them, to protect them both.

Jingliu nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Secrets keep our lives tied together," she said, enjoying the tea. "This tea is very good. Is it some type of special tea?" Jingliu was curious about its distinct taste and how it was different from anything she had tasted previously.

Yasushi shrugged, acting casual. "Just tea from the market. If you like it, it could be more than just regular tea. You must have tasted great tea, from your rich family." Yasushi watched how the woman reacted as he spoke, he needed to know how they would move forward from the night's events. He found some amusement in her being surprised by something as mundane as his simple tea.

His question made Jingliu think about the past for a moment, then she came back to now. Yasushi looked toward Yinhaie, seeing her neat bun, her green eyes, and her old-style clothes. He noticed how the maid kept herself and her face, a quiet sort of beauty.

Yinhaie felt Yasushi looking at her and narrowed her eyes, a little suspicious. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her tone showing caution. She did not like his attention and was suspicious of what he was thinking or planning.

Yasushi quickly answered, avoiding the question. "Just wondering if you were warm enough in those clothes," he said, looking away, to change the subject. He hoped that his deflection would be enough to get her focus away from his intentions.

"That is correct," Jingliu agreed, with a nod, her tone thoughtful. "The tea here is simple but special, with many kinds." She smiled as she took another sip, glancing at Yinhaie. "Yinhaie's clothes are meant to be both comfortable and fit all seasons, always ready for whatever we do and wherever we go". Jingliu, being a woman of wealth and standing knew that such attires had both practicality and elegance, allowing free range of movement.

Yasushi listened to her, drinking his tea slowly. "I will take your word on that then," he said with a small smile, it seems he was happy with her answer. He was content to believe what she was saying about the tea and her maid's attire.

Yasushi, a bit concerned, asked about something he had been thinking. "What about Jishiha? Will he cause trouble after tonight?" He really didn't want to deal with the man again, not after what happened tonight.

Jingliu replied with a firm tone. "He won't do much from now on. I'll make sure he gets a message tonight. He can't hurt or talk to us anymore, though he might look at us sometimes. We will be safe," she said, it was clear she was sure of her words. She made it clear the man would not be able to keep messing with them and cause harm to them or their name.

"That's good," Yasushi said, looking at his tea. The room became quiet again as the conversation finished. The only sound came from them drinking their tea. They all knew that the night had been harsh, but they also knew things would soon be better and they would have peace.

Yinhaie stood after a minute, her voice cutting through the silence. "Sir Yasushi, have you eaten?" she asked, showing a gentle worry. Yasushi shook his head, he had not even considered eating.

"Then, may I fix us dinner? It is almost Lady Jingliu's dinner time," she said, looking for approval. She was a servant, but she also showed care for others.

Yasushi looked at Jingliu, who nodded yes. He looked back at Yinhaie. "Of course, go ahead. I just got more food, so there should be plenty," he replied. He was grateful for the offer, since he wasn't one to often think about the need to eat.

Yinhaie bowed and went to the kitchen, her movements sure as she collected the items. Yasushi and Jingliu were alone again, they understood each other without words, relaxing in the peace. They knew things had been tough, but now they had a moment of relief from the chaos, a brief period of peace.

Jingliu looked at Yasushi, her voice thoughtful. "We seem to meet more than what is normal. Even though I just got here, our lives have joined in ways I never expected," she spoke. She found it very strange that they kept meeting each other. She did not know what the world had planned for her.

Yasushi's voice sounded tired as he looked away. "Don't think too much about it. We just got caught off guard by chance. We will soon go back to doing things like before," he said, putting down his teacup. He tried to make light of it, to bring down the tension.

"Maybe," Jingliu said, her eyes fixed on him. She copied Yasushi, putting her cup on the table. Her red eyes looked through him, trying to see what he was thinking. She was looking for something more in him.

Yasushi looked back at her, curious. They looked at each other without talking. Each was trying to figure out what the other person wanted, what their motives were, it felt like a game of cat and mouse. The silence grew.

An hour went by, Yasushi and Jingliu stayed in their silent conversation. Yinhaie came back, seeing them like that, confused by what she saw. She quietly said their names, but they did not react. It was like they were in their own little world, completely unaware of her presence. She was baffled by what was happening between them, but also weary to interrupt whatever it was.

Yinhaie walked up to Yasushi, waving a hand in front of his face, but he did not react. She tried to get Jingliu's attention, but she was also lost in thought. She started to worry and shook Yasushi lightly, trying to bring him back. He blinked and focused back onto reality.

"Oh, Yinhaie. What is it?" Yasushi said, his voice breaking the quiet. Jingliu turned to her maid, looking confused, like she had just woken up from a deep sleep. It was as if they were both just pulled back from another world.

Yinhaie let out a breath of relief. "It has been an hour, and I came back because dinner is ready. But I saw you two just staring at each other, not reacting to me. I thought something was going on," she said, relieved that they were both okay, but also curious to what had caused their strange behavior.

"Ah, yes, time went by fast," Jingliu said quietly, finding the situation to be funny. "Let us go eat dinner now," she said, standing up and walking toward the table. She had enough of her confusion and silence with Yasushi and was now ready to eat and have some peace of mind.

Yasushi, giving Yinhaie a silent sorry, got up and went to the table with Jingliu. They ate quietly, the mood feeling odd and thoughtful. The recent events hung in the air even as they tried to move forward from the awkwardness.

Yinhaie, confused by what just happened, had seen this many times. She shook her head a little, accepting that this was just how things were, and kept doing what she needed to do. She has learned to not question things and just let things play out. She was content in the knowledge that they all made it through the weirdness.

+-+

The meal finished in a quiet manner, the sounds of silverware the only thing that broke the silence. Jingliu sat alone at the table, enjoying her tea, while Yinhaie and Yasushi worked together in the kitchen, washing the dishes. They moved with ease as they did their work.

While washing, Yinhaie spoke, surprising Yasushi. "Sir Yasushi, can I ask for a favor?" she asked, her voice soft but also serious. She needed his full attention for what she was about to say.

Yasushi stopped what he was doing, turning to her. "I would like to hear your request before I say yes. If I can, I will help," he said, curious about what she wanted from him. He was always intrigued by what the maid would do.

Yinhaie waited before she spoke, bowing slightly. "Please, become Lady Jingliu's friend," she asked of him, a sense of desperation seeping into her tone. She knew how important this was for the woman she served.

"Her friend?" Yasushi repeated, a little confused. "Why ask me to do this?" He couldn't understand her request. He knew she was a thoughtful woman, and he knew there had to be a reason.

Yinhaie looked down at the plate in her hands, thinking, before she spoke again. "She... she has always been alone, even when she was young... there are things that caused this, but I can't say them. You must find them by yourself. But, I haven't seen her so happy in a long time, and it always involves you. Please... be her friend." She was pleading for the woman she cared for.

Yasushi took her words, thinking about them. He became curious about the way she lived. He had seen that she kept herself away from others, but he did not think she was that isolated. He was curious about what secrets she held. He wanted to know her better and he wanted to be someone she could rely on.

"Just her friend? Not a hired bodyguard?" he asked, teasing a bit, making Yinhaie smile. He wanted to see if she would joke with him as well, and her reaction was pleasing.

"Yes, only her friend. Will you do it?" Yinhaie asked again, her voice soft but she wanted to make sure he would agree with her and not let her down. She knew this was very important.

Yasushi nodded, thinking. "It's not that hard. I don't know if she will say yes, but I will offer to be her friend," he said. Yinhaie smiled, showing thanks as they kept washing the dishes quietly. They were content knowing that things were better, even if just a bit. They knew that the world was harsh, but that small things could bring people together.

+-+

Another hour went by as they talked easily before it was time to say goodbye for the night. Yinhaie stood near the gate of the Futakao house, waiting as Jingliu spoke to Yasushi for a last moment. She knew that these talks were very important for her charge.

"Goodbye now, Yasushi. Have a good night, and I will see you on Monday. Enjoy the weekend," Jingliu said, getting ready to leave. She was content knowing that she would see him again soon.

"Wait, Jingliu," Yasushi said, stopping her. He needed to ask her his question, but he did not want to alarm her.

"Yes?" Jingliu asked, curious, tilting her head, waiting for what he wanted to say. She was intrigued by the change of mood and the sudden need to stop her departure.

Yasushi paused, then spoke quietly, looking at her. "Would you like to be my friend?" He put his hand out to her, asking without talking. He knew this would be something that she would have to consider before answering.

She looked at him for a second, then laughed suddenly. "That was not what I was expecting," she said, smiling. She looked at him, sure of herself, then grabbed his hand. "Yes, there's no reason we cannot be friends. Let's start this together, Yasushi," she said, accepting his invitation and showing happiness.

He smiled back, a little shy, "Thank you. To our new friendship," he said. He was content with how things were going, he liked her, and she now wanted to be his friend.

They said their goodbyes, their eyes meeting for a bit before Jingliu let go of his hand and walked to Yinhaie. The two women left the house, walking away into the night.

Yasushi watched them leave, keeping his eyes on them until they disappeared. He walked on the snowy path, and held out his hand, a snowflake landed there. He held his breath, amazed by the sight, a small smile grew on his face. He was happy with the way things turned out and looked forward to see where this would lead him.

"...this world is not that bad," he said to himself, his voice full of surprise, before going home. He was realizing that there was more than just what he thought. He had come to like this new place he found himself in.

He went inside, his mind full of thoughts about what was to come. He felt excited, for the first time in this life, and he did not only think of himself. The friendship he made was different from any he had had before, it was new and special.

It came about in the quiet snow, a bond that he felt would stay with him. He knew that this friendship would be something he would cherish and protect. He had been alone for so long and now the world had decided to bring someone special into his life.