章節 74: Antiques of Melancholy
A few days had slid by since the incident, the kind that sinks into the fabric of life quietly, almost unnoticed. Yinhaie had kept her word. The evidence they gathered from Ryusei and the police's findings from his home built a solid case.
They presented everything to the judge, who granted a restraining order. This legal move pushed Ryusei to transfer schools within the city, stirring a subtle undercurrent of drama among the students. The school buzzed with the news, whispers traveling through the hallways like a restless wind.
Yet, amidst all this, the real focus was on Yasushi and Jingliu's relationship. Their dating status became the epicenter of attention. Many students, fueled by jealousy or plain spite, directed their animosity towards Yasushi. He remained indifferent, the weight of others' opinions barely grazing his composure. In his previous life, he'd been through worse; reincarnation hadn't softened his resilience.
"Yasushi, a moment please?" Yinhaie's voice cut through his thoughts as he walked past the kitchen. He paused mid-step, then turned and nodded, walking over to her.
"What's up?" he asked. He had just finished his daily workout, sweat still clinging to his skin. His muscles felt the satisfying ache of exertion, and he was headed to the room he shared with Jingliu to take a shower.
"We recently got word from our team," Yinhaie began, her voice steady and calm. "The gang Saisei was trying to join — they didn't care what happened to him. They laughed it off, using some rather colorful language. So, rest assured, things should stay calm from now on." She smiled gently, a reassuring presence in the midst of recent chaos.
Yasushi exhaled deeply, the tension easing from his shoulders. "That's good to hear. I'd prefer to avoid any more action for a few months, or better yet, the rest of my life," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. His words carried a weight, a longing for tranquility that resonated in the quiet kitchen. They shared a brief laugh, the sound lightening the atmosphere like a cool breeze on a warm day.
"Thanks for your help again, Yinhaie," he added, his gratitude sincere.
"You're welcome," she replied, her eyes following him as he turned to leave. She watched his retreating figure for a moment, then returned to her work, the day moving forward with its usual rhythm.
+-+
"So... we'll have a quiet few months?" Jingliu's voice was soft, contemplative. She nestled against Yasushi, the flickering light from the movie casting gentle shadows across their room. The day's activities had wound down, and the evening settled over them like a comforting blanket. "That's good to hear. I'd much prefer that over the chaos we've had these past few months. It's been mentally exhausting," she added, her tone carrying the weight of accumulated fatigue.
A half-hour had slipped by since Yasushi's bath, and now they were in their shared sanctuary, savoring the rare moments of peace that followed their hectic school days. The room had an air of tranquility, a space where time seemed to stretch, giving them a brief respite.
"Yeah," Yasushi murmured, his gaze fixed on the screen but his mind clearly elsewhere. "But with that said, Halloween is coming soon, so you should get ready for that," he added, a playful grin spreading across his face. The hint of mischief in his voice caught Jingliu's attention.
"Halloween... is something special happening for it?" She turned her head slightly, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"Yeah," Yasushi replied, his grin widening. "Just like the long winter in this part of Japan, we incorporate it with Halloween. There are lots of activities and events during that time. Both in school and around the city. We can check them out when the Halloween break arrives. That's two weeks off school," he explained, his excitement evident.
Jingliu's eyes lit up with interest. "Two weeks, huh? That sounds like it could be a lot of fun."
"It is," Yasushi confirmed, his voice soft but carrying a hint of excitement. "But like I said, it's its own unique thing. Halloween meets ice and snow. Try to imagine that. Just like our tour before, Snowelon might make a more... Halloween-istic appearance. Plus, there's actual folklore that ties into Halloween from long ago," he added, squeezing Jingliu gently.
"More folklore? What is it?" Jingliu's interest was piqued, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
Yasushi grinned, a teasing glint in his eyes. "It would be better to find out during Halloween week at school. We still have normal classes, but only for half the day. The rest of the time is dedicated to preparing for the Halloween Event, which lasts three days from Wednesday to Friday. It's like a cultural festival. Something smaller happens for Christmas, but we know that event is also significant. Hence why Halloween is such a big deal."
Jingliu shifted slightly, turning to face Yasushi more fully. "So, the city really transforms for Halloween?"
"Yeah, you'll see soon enough," Yasushi said, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "I should mention, during most holidays or events here, the city undergoes quite a transformation. There are more events in the summer and deeper into winter. For now, during this period, things are pretty normal. There's the garbage event, which is interesting but not particularly noteworthy, except for the college thing it has going on," he explained, his words weaving a picture of the city's rhythm and quirks.
Jingliu hummed softly in wonder, her mind absorbing the details but remaining silent. She leaned into him, their shared warmth a comforting presence as they settled back into watching the movie. The screen flickered with changing scenes, the story unfolding before them, but their thoughts wandered to the upcoming events and the promise of Halloween.
Every so often, one of them would break the silence, mentioning a stray thought or a question about what was to come.
+-+
"See ya, man. Just get ready! Tomorrow we're picking out the Halloween attraction for our class," Furuya called out, his voice carrying across the schoolyard as he waved and jogged off toward baseball practice.
"Yeah, see you," Yasushi replied, waving back. His friend's enthusiasm was infectious, but as the school day ended, a different kind of anticipation settled over him. His group of friends had scattered, leaving him and Jingliu alone. The lingering gazes of their classmates followed them as they walked out of the school grounds. Yasushi and Jingliu ignored the stares, silently agreeing that it was high time the school moved past their relationship.
"Round three, where do you want to go?" Yasushi asked as they started making their way into the city. His tone was light, but the question held a deeper significance. This wasn't just another after-school errand.
Jingliu smiled, pulling out her phone. She showed him the spot she had in mind for their third and official date. Their previous outings had been brief, practical trips to buy snacks or run errands. This time, it was different. It was their first real date since the initial whirlwind of their relationship.
Yasushi stared at what Jingliu showed him, a bit surprised. "Are you sure?" he asked, his eyebrows raised.
Jingliu nodded with a small smile. "I want to look for certain things there. Is it fine?"
Yasushi's surprise lingered. "I didn't think you were into antiques. I didn't see anything like that in your room before," he said as they began walking towards the shop.
"I'm not really an antique collector," Jingliu admitted. "But I think having some old items from the past is important. Not just for their quality, but also for their sentimental value. People back then made things with the same love and effort that some passionate third-party sellers do now."
Yasushi nodded, understanding her perspective. The conversation flowed easily between them as they walked through the city's winding streets. Their destination was a place not widely known, hidden in the shadows of larger, flashier stores and restaurants. It was nestled beside a small apartment building, the sign above the door reading "Kaze no Yume."
"Kaze no Yume," Yasushi repeated thoughtfully. "I think it loosely translates to 'Wind of Dreams,' which seems very fitting for an antique shop."
Jingliu let go of his hand and pushed the doors open. The chime above the door rang softly as they stepped inside. The shop welcomed them with a musty yet comforting scent, the kind that spoke of history and forgotten stories. Shelves lined the walls, filled with an eclectic mix of items — each with its own past, its own silent narrative.
The dim lighting cast gentle shadows, creating an atmosphere of quiet reverence. Yasushi and Jingliu walked slowly, their eyes taking in the array of objects: ornate vases, old books with yellowed pages, delicate porcelain figures, and intricately carved wooden boxes. Each item seemed to whisper secrets of a bygone era.
"Look at this," Jingliu said, picking up an old pocket watch. Its brass casing was worn, but the craftsmanship was evident. "Imagine the stories this must have seen."
Yasushi took the watch from her, feeling its weight in his hand. "It's incredible. Someone must have carried this with them every day, marking the passage of time in a world so different from ours."
They continued to explore, occasionally pointing out something that caught their eye. Jingliu found a set of delicate teacups, each painted with intricate patterns that told tales of elegance and grace. Yasushi discovered an old camera, its leather case worn but still sturdy, a testament to the durability of things made with care.
The shop's owner, a quiet man with an air of timeless wisdom, watched them with a gentle smile. He seemed to understand their fascination, their desire to connect with the past through these tangible remnants.
As they browsed, Yasushi couldn't help but feel a sense of connection not just to the items in the shop, but to Jingliu as well. Her appreciation for these old things revealed a depth of character he admired. It was as if they were peeling back layers of time together, discovering new facets of each other in the process.
Eventually, they selected a few items to purchase: the pocket watch, a small porcelain figurine of a dancing girl, and a beautifully bound book of poems. Each piece felt like a bridge to another time, a way to bring a bit of history into their present lives.
As they left the shop, the sky had darkened, and the city's lights had begun to twinkle along with the snowflakes falling. Yasushi held the bag of their new treasures, feeling a sense of contentment. Jingliu slipped her hand back into his, her smile warm and genuine.
"Thank you for coming with me," she said softly. "This means a lot."
Yasushi squeezed her hand gently. "I'm glad we came. It's been... enlightening."
They walked back through the city, the anticipation of their new discoveries mingling with the familiar comfort of their companionship. The streets, once filled with the bustling sounds of daily life, now felt quieter, more introspective.
As they reached the busier part of town, the noise and lights returned, but the calm from "Kaze no Yume" lingered with them, a gentle reminder of the beauty in preserving the past while moving forward together.
創作者的想法 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Yesterday is ashes; tomorrow is wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly." -Alaskan proverb
Meaning: This proverb emphasizes the importance of the present moment, encouraging people to focus on the here and now rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票