Whispers in the Winter Wind

Two days before their graduation, two familiar faces returned home, accompanied by an unexpected guest, making them three in total.

Yinhaie greeted Yasushi briefly with a hug. However, as she leaned close, she whispered something into his ear — something private, meant for later discussion. He didn't press for details. She stepped away and joined Jingliu, engaging with her current master to catch up. Meanwhile, Nandini stood off to the side, close to Shiva.

"What brings you here, Shiva?" Yasushi asked, his eyes fixed on the god.

Shiva offered no verbal reply. Instead, he inclined his head in a silent command for Yasushi to follow. Without hesitation, Yasushi did so, with Nandini trailing behind. Together, the three moved through the house, eventually arriving at a vacant room.

Once inside, Shiva and Nandini walked to the center, while Yasushi remained near the doorway, watching them.

"I can see what lies ahead," Shiva said, breaking the silence. "So I already know the subject you intend to discuss with me."

"If you already know what I wanted to talk to you about, why not just say it? I'm going to assume you already informed Nandini, right?" Yasushi's question remained between them as he glanced from Shiva to Nandini, who stayed still, her expression unreadable.

Shiva exhaled, crossing his arms as if to hold back the words he wanted to say outright. "I know, I know. I'm more upfront when it comes to you. But this decision isn't mine to make. It's hers, and you know that." He gestured towards Nandini as Yasushi gave a slight nod, acknowledging the point. "I told her about this a month ago. She's had time to think it over."

Both turned to Nandini, waiting for a response. She remained as she had, calm and composed, before finally breaking the silence with a slow exhale. "I made my decision about ten days ago."

Her gaze turned to Shiva, her voice firm and measured. "Do you remember what I asked of you years ago, my lord?"

Shiva tilted his head slightly and asked, "Which one? You've asked me so many questions over the years. You're in your late thirties now, almost forty, right?"

Nandini's mouth twitched, her tone flat as she replied, "About impregnating me." Her face betrayed nothing.

Yasushi froze, his thoughts racing. This was strikingly similar to the time Yinhaie had posed a question to him, except now it was Nandini addressing Shiva — a mortal making such a request to a god. Yet, considering how well he knew Nandini and her straightforward nature, it didn't seem out of character.

"I said no, didn't I?" Shiva responded, his tone calm.

"You did," Nandini confirmed, her expression fixed. "Since then, I've been trying to find someone suitable. But I don't think my age makes that easy, even with all the advancements in science and magic. I've decided I'll live out the rest of my life without becoming a parent."

Yasushi felt a sharp jolt at her words. The impact of her decision seemed to hit not just him, but Shiva as well.

"So…what does that have to do with this?" Yasushi asked, trying to follow where her words were heading.

Nandini turned to him, her tone calm but deliberate. "However, I overheard what you said about Yinhaie earlier. If you're open to it, I want to go through the same thing — so maybe giving up on being a parent isn't set in stone just yet."

Shiva raised a brow, curiosity sparking in his expression. "What exactly did you talk about?"

Nandini, not missing a beat, explained how Yinhaie had once approached Yasushi with a proposition: she wanted him to help her conceive through artificial insemination after he and Jingliu completed their studies in Japan and moved abroad. The idea was for both her and Yinhaie to step back temporarily, return to their responsibilities after giving birth, and continue life as before.

Shiva stared at her like she'd just read out the punchline to a surreal joke. Then, all at once, laughter erupted from him, loud and unrestrained. He leaned forward, pressing a hand to his face, barely holding himself together as the absurdity sank in.

"You're serious?" he asked between bouts of laughter, his tone incredulous. "You literally just said you were done with that idea…"

Nandini didn't react. Her stare was blank as she looked at the god without so much as a flicker of interest. Shiva managed to regain his composure, adjusting his tone as he spoke again. "Alright, now it's Yasushi's decision. He agreed to Yinhaie. What about you?"

Yasushi was at a loss for words, his thoughts spinning. This made it the third time he'd heard something like this. First, Yinhaie, who he'd accepted without much hesitation. Then Xinyi, although he hadn't taken her seriously at the time. Now it was Nandini. He couldn't stop his mind from drifting to the unsettling possibility of Hakufubuki being next. He wouldn't even be surprised at this rate.

He struggled to think of a reply. He trusted Nandini, there was no doubt about that. But what she said earlier stuck with him — her pregnancy would be riskier than usual because of her age. That weighed on him heavily. He couldn't shake the thought of her health and how much that mattered to him above everything else.

"You're worried about child support, aren't you? Can't say I'd blame you," Shiva said.

Yasushi stayed quiet. That wasn't what had been weighing on his mind. After a pause, he finally replied, "Can I think about it a bit more? I'll tell you what I've decided once the graduation ceremony is over."

Nandini nodded, bowing slightly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Yinhaie mentioned you'd need a moment to think it through as well."

With that, their conversation drew to a close. Shiva stepped away without much ceremony, leaving the two standing there. They exchanged a few words to fill the silence as they began walking back to join the others. There was no tension between them, only a shared understanding as they reflected on the choices ahead.

+-+

The day of the graduation ceremony arrived, and for reasons Yasushi couldn't quite place, it lacked the weight his high school graduation had carried. This felt more like a procedure than a milestone.

The graduates walked to the podium one by one, went through the motions of handshakes, and collected their Advanced Diplomas. His, printed with his name and credentials, represented the culmination of years of effort, equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

When his name was called, Yasushi walked across the stage, shook the necessary hands, and posed briefly for a photo with the dean. He stepped down, diploma in hand, and joined the rows of others who had done the same.

The rest of the event passed similarly, each graduate repeating the same pattern. There were a few additional moments of acknowledgment, but nothing that felt especially personal or meaningful to him.

It left Yasushi feeling underwhelmed, though he knew the day wasn't just about the ceremony itself. His mother, Kohana, was there to celebrate with him, along with Xinyi, Jingliu's mother, Furuya, and the parents of Laura, Reina, and the others.

Once the formalities wrapped up, they moved to a reception area for a livelier celebration. Congratulatory hugs and words were exchanged among families, their shared pride momentarily lifting the otherwise unremarkable atmosphere of the event.

"Alright, time to eat!" Xinyi's mother called out, her enthusiasm quickly mirrored by the other parents.

The graduates exchanged amused glances, their smiles filled with understanding rather than protest. Their schooling had ended — at least for most of them. Jingliu, Yasushi, and Xinyi still had a few years to complete in the United Kingdom, a future secured through their hard work and parental support.

As the group made their way forward, Yasushi slowed his steps and lightly caught Nandini's arm. His voice lowered as he leaned closer, speaking in measured tones. "I'm okay with it. I talked it through with Jingliu. She didn't expect it at first, but she eventually agreed."

Nandini studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "I see. Thank you for agreeing to my selfish request. I'll inform Lord Shiva and my family later." She resumed her pace, leaning toward Yinhaie and whispering something that made the older woman laugh quietly along with her.

"Yo. We finally graduated for the last time. Well, I did. You, Jingliu, and Xinyi are heading to the United Kingdom, right? Good luck, man. But who would've guessed King Arthur would step in to protect you? That's wild," Furuya said, throwing an arm around Yasushi's shoulder.

"Yeah, but it's only a year for me while they'll be at it for two or three. Anyway, is Catherine staying here or going with Xinyi?" Yasushi asked, giving his friend a sidelong glance.

Furuya didn't answer right away. He looked away for a moment, then smiled. "She's going with Xinyi. We talked it over a lot, and we both decided we'd settle down here. Once you guys are back, we'll get married... I actually proposed to her," he admitted, his face coloring as he spoke.

Yasushi hadn't expected that. His eyes shifted to Catherine, who stood with a group of their friends. The ring on her finger caught the light as she laughed at something someone said nearby.

"Good on you... so, when's the wedding happening?" Yasushi asked, a grin stretching across his face as he glanced at Furuya.

Furuya's eyebrows drew together as he replied, "Not anytime soon, but once I land a solid job and move up in it, Catherine and I will make it official. That's the plan."

Yasushi leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment, his mind straying to old memories. Opening them again, he said, "Feels like ages ago when you were stumbling through high school, desperate for a girlfriend. Now, look at you."

Furuya's face turned red as he locked Yasushi in a headlock. "Stop bringing that up!" he groaned, trying to laugh it off. "Those days are ancient history, man. Just forget it!" He let go and stepped back.

Yasushi laughed, shaking his head. "Come on, it's not bad to look back once in a while." His expression shifted slightly before he added, "Actually, I'm planning to propose to Jingliu tonight."

Furuya's mouth fell open, his voice lowering to a hurried whisper. "Wait, for real? Are you serious? Do you have, like, a spot picked out or something?"

"Our rooftop," Yasushi answered casually, like it was just another day.

"A-are you serious!? I planned everything down to the last detail when I proposed to Catherine, but you're just going to do it… on your rooftop?" Furuya whispered harshly, struggling to wrap his head around Yasushi's casual plan.

Yasushi exhaled, visibly unbothered. "Does it sound like something I'd overcomplicate? You were always the dramatic one back in high school, not me."

"Dramatic? You fought off a serial killer, busted up gangs, dealt with stalkers, and scared off a few so-called supernatural weirdos — plus a handful of drunk idiots. That's not dramatic to you?" Furuya shot back, his tone level, but with an edge that made Yasushi laugh.

Shaking his head, Yasushi replied, "That was me handling what needed to be handled. I didn't exactly go looking for it. Anyway, this is something private. I want to keep it under wraps until tomorrow, so keep your mouth shut, alright?"

"Got it, 'God King Yasushi,'" Furuya muttered mockingly, just before Yasushi threw a light punch into his stomach, drawing a low grunt of protest.

+-+

Later that night, after all the families had celebrated and gone their separate ways, the Futakao family, along with the Cheng and Yang families, returned to their shared home. The adults filled the living room with lively conversation, their voices overlapping in a vibrant exchange, while Xinyi was already in her bedroom. She was focused on packing her belongings for the upcoming move, despite it still being a month away.

Jingliu was caught off guard. Yasushi had asked her to meet him on the garden rooftop, specifically in the small chamber located there, saying he needed to talk to her about something. The request wasn't out of the ordinary, but the timing left her curious.

Without changing out of her usual clothes, she decided to head up after a short while. Once on the rooftop, she was greeted by the open night sky. The stars scattered above created a serene view, and a gentle breeze swept over her. Standing there, she allowed herself a brief moment of reflection.

"I won't see this sky for a while," she murmured, her voice soft as she looked up, memories tugging at her thoughts.

She eventually walked toward the small room wrapped in vines and framed by old trees. Pushing the door open, she found Yasushi inside, seated on one of the worn chairs, his focus directed downward. His posture suggested contemplation, his hands clasped loosely, unmoving.

"Yasushi?" she called, drawing his attention upward. His expression changed slightly, his eyes meeting hers. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked, a faint smile accompanying her words.

Yasushi stayed quiet, his gaze held on her face for a protracted moment. There was something unreadable in his eyes — almost like he was weighing a decision. Then, as though settling on something, he stood abruptly. His expression took on a seriousness that caught her off guard as he closed the distance between them. His hands landed firmly on her shoulders, the unexpected contact leaving her puzzled.

"Yasushi?" she questioned, tilting her head slightly to look at him more directly.

"Do you remember that conversation about how many kids we'd want?" he asked suddenly, the words carrying import she hadn't anticipated. His question made her pause, blinking at him in surprise.

"Yes?" she answered cautiously, her confusion still clear as she tried to read his expression.

Yasushi let her go and moved toward the door without saying a word, his steps paced but not hurried. Jingliu hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the abruptness, before deciding to follow.

Together, they made their way to the rooftop's railing. The space above stretched endlessly, stars scattered across the sky like pinpricks of light. Neither spoke at first, the quiet filling the space between them as she tried to piece together the reason for this sudden moment.

"Thank you," he said, breaking the silence.

Her brow furrowed. "What for?"

He exhaled through his nose, something unreadable crossing his face as he turned to her. "For everything. Ever since we met back in high school, things changed for me. I don't think I ever properly said it, but you made my life better. I know you'll probably shrug it off, say you didn't do anything, but I still wanted you to know."

His words remained in the air as Jingliu processed them. Without thinking, she reached for his hands, her grip firm. "I could say the same to you," she said, her voice softer now. "Moving here back then… I always wondered what my life would've been like if I hadn't. What would I be doing? What kind of future would I even want? I didn't have answers to those questions until you were part of it."

Yasushi chuckled, his tone easy but thoughtful as he nodded. "I've thought about that too. I don't think life would've turned out like this without you, but I can't imagine it being terrible either," he said. He paused, his expression softening before his eyes met hers. "I told you this last year, but I'll say it again — I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

He let go of her hands, dropping to one knee with a movement that made Jingliu freeze in surprise. From his pocket, he pulled out a small box and held it up, opening it to reveal a platinum ring crowned with a blue diamond.

"Jingliu Yang, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice even but his face burning as his cheeks flushed deeply.

Jingliu stared at him, caught off guard. She'd known this moment was coming; their many conversations about marriage made that clear. It was something they both wanted. Still, she hadn't known when or where it would happen — or if he had even gotten the ring yet.

"Yes…" she managed, her voice cracking, tears pooling in her eyes. She hadn't expected to cry, knowing this moment was inevitable, but it overwhelmed her anyway.

Jingliu extended her trembling hand, her breath hitching as Yasushi slipped the new engagement ring onto her finger. The promise ring he had given her years ago was replaced, but he wasn't done. To her surprise, he took out a delicate chain and threaded the old ring onto it before placing it carefully back into its box.

"We can't let this go, right? It's still our promise," he said, his voice soft but sure. He pulled her close as tears streaked her cheeks, her face pressed against his chest.

"Mhm…" she mumbled, her throat tight, words eluding her.

"No matter what comes next, we'll face it all together," he said, holding her a little tighter. "Let's stay by each other's side, always." Then he leaned in, his intent unmistakable.

Jingliu closed her eyes, her heart thudding in her chest as his lips met hers. The kiss was tender, sealing not just their moment under the vast night sky but the leap they had just taken together, bound for a new chapter.