Yěhuā
A Xiān Kè Lái Extras Collection
By: Aviantei
[Shibuya Operation – Story Storm]
13. Lotus (10)
Even with the lights turned off inside Funbari Onsen, there's enough artificial glow from Tokyo that it clogs the night sky. The stars, while visible, show off a fraction of their numbers, even in the bite of winter. It's a waste to be on the back porch, but I'm too restless to sleep. Not that the pathetic expanse of sky is helping.
"Oh, you're out here, too, Ren?"
I'm too distracted by my thoughts to cringe at Asakura's voice. There's one trimester left in my Japan stay. Next it'll be Britain, from there America, cities both of them. Two years plus change until I can see the stars again. There's no point in getting distracted over nothing.
Asakura sits down next to me and tugs his headphones to his neck. There's not much difference between his rest wear and his everyday clothes, so it's hard to tell if he's ready for bed or not. Then again, he can sleep anywhere anytime, so it's a moot point.
My eyes have adjusted enough to make out Asakura's smile in the dim lighting. "You like the stars, too?" he asks. "They're really pretty."
I snort, but with half the force as usual. "It's nothing compared to home," I declare. "Away from all the people…the sky's much clearer."
"Yeah," Asakura agrees with an easy nod. "I'm from all the way out in Izumo, so I get ya. You can see everything out there." There's a lull in the conversation. I'm too thrown off to have a response; Asakura indulges in his own pace. Just when I think he's dozed off sitting up, my host stands. "Hey, why don't I show you something neat?"
I raise an eyebrow. "It better not be one of your Soul Bob records again."
Asakura laughs. "No, something you'll like. The best star gazing spot in all of Tokyo." He offers me a hand, and I don't need night vision to tell he's got that stupid grin on his face. "I mean, I know you like to get your sleep, but I promise it'll be worth it."
I consider it. I'm not going to get some sleep any time soon—my brain's firing too much power into nothing. Maybe a short trip is what I need. It can't be too far if Asakura's willing to make it. And, I will admit, I'm tired of being so far from the sky. Even if it's just for a moment, I'll take the opportunity.
"Fine," I say, bypassing his offer up and standing on my own, "lead the way."
"Ehehe. Let's get going."
We split up for long enough to gather our shoes and jackets, then meet up at the front door. Asakura locks it behind him and heads out the gate. I follow in his wake, staying alert enough to not trail too far behind. Going out this late at night might seem dangerous, but I have enough kung fu knowledge to handle any problems. Asakura looks too scrawny to put up a fight, but his humming proves he hasn't even thought that far. I recognize the rhythm from one of his records.
I didn't bring my phone, so the travel time blurs in my memory. I know the surrounding area well enough, but after a while I lose track of which street is which. As we reach the end of the journey, I understand why: there's never been a reason for me to come close to a cemetery in my studies.
Asakura walks in the entrance with the same ease as entering his own house. I know better than to be scared of horror stories. Jun told me our family's history, worse than any ghost tale, back when I was still a brat. Taking a moment to pay respect for the dead resting here, I follow Asakura's footsteps.
Being a Japanese cemetery, family graves form neat lines. The night air is awash with blends of leftover incense. Left behind flowers cast dark shadows across the pale tombstones. Dried out plant life rustles as nocturnal animals scatter from our presence. Asakura leads me up an incline, the outline of a tree crowning the top of the hill.
Once we're at the crest, I realize how far away the city looks, pinpricks of light against the backdrop of the night. I can't hear the cars, the night life. There's just nature and us, neither out of breath from our trek. I'm struck with the tranquility of it all.
Asakura raises his arm, the light color of his sleeve catching the light, and points skyward. "Look."
I do as instructed. The view from Funbari Onsen doesn't compare to this. Without the close cluster of other buildings, there's enough dark to let the stars shine out. Not even streetlamps make it up here. A cold rush of wind blows past us, but I don't bother to move. Asakura adjusts to stand beside me, and we spend what feels like an hour frozen in place.
I work the muscles in my jaw to comment, "It's still better in Guizhou." My voice fails to carry any antagonism at all.
"I bet," Asakura agrees. "Maybe I should come visit sometime." I fail to catch my snort of laughter. "I bet Anna would like a vacation. We could have a Funbari reunion." What's even going on in that head of his? I can't comprehend. "Of course, you should come to Izumo, too. And I bet Horohoro's got a great view in Hokkaido. Well, Ryu and Manta are from around here, so we can't go anywhere fancy for them, but it'll be a blast! Don't you think?"
I look at Asakura, his perfect grin shimmering in the moonlight. I tuck my chin into my scarf so he can't quite catch the smile. When did I start to feel so at ease around him? It couldn't have happened so suddenly.
At some point, I've been sucked into Asakura Yoh's pace.
"Sure," I agree, casting my gaze skyward, "why not?"
14. Lotus (11)
I reach up for the doorknob and turn it, making sure not to rush. I manage to go slow enough that the handle doesn't click, and I push the door open with the same caution. The finale is slipping inside and shutting up without making a sound. I catch sight of Father's unmoving back, the proof of my success. I pad across the floor in bare feet to sit behind him.
Father's body seems tall even when sitting—a tower within his meditation room. There are few decorations, arranged to maximize the flow of chi, and incense burns from the shelf before him. Grandfather says that the frankincense is meant to encourage a state of calm and focus, but it just burns my nose. The yellow of Father's traditional clothes seems bright in the dim lighting.
I stare at his back, trying to fall into the same pattern of relaxation. It's hard. Most kids my age are getting used to attending school for the first time—but I'm not most kids. I'm a Tao, and that means I can do more than waste my time.
And Father's always busy, so this is the best way for me to spend time with him.
Time passes in an incense coated haze. My legs start to cramp from sitting still, but I don't dare move. I don't want to disturb Father, just spend some time with him. Keeping focused, I trace over the patterns on the back of his clothes, the tip of his hair distracting my attention.
I've seen it countless times, but the spiked topknot is one of the constants of father's appearance, along with the curved ends of his mustache. I've seen my mother and sister with their hair down, but never him. My own hair hangs short, though I've brushed up spare ends in the mirror to see what it looks like before.
Do I have to do it, too? Grandfather doesn't, but he can't because he's bald. It looks kind of stupid, though.
"You've come again, Ren."
Father's voice breaks me from my thoughts, and I straighten up to the point you could hold a ruler even to my spine. Father's turned to face me, but has kept most of his meditative posture. He looks at me, though, and I fish my voice from my respectful silence.
"I-I have. Good afternoon, Father. I haven't disturbed you, have I?"
Father looks over me with a shake of his head. The hardwood floor beneath me feels uncomfortable all of a sudden, but I don't dare move. "No trouble at all," he answers. "I didn't even hear you come in." I smile a bit, but not too wide. I've been practicing sneaking into Jun's room while she studies. "You look like something's on your mind, though. What is it?"
I stop myself from jumping. It's like Father can read my mind. Mother can do it, too, but this is just as scary. "Um, that's…"
"Don't be afraid," Father coaxes, though I feel very afraid. But I behaved when I came in, so I shouldn't get in trouble. "Ask away."
Not wanting to start an argument over nothing, I admit, "I was wondering about your hair." Father almost cracks a smile, but not quite. I keep my original observations to myself. "You and Mother and Jun all do it. What's it for?"
Father strokes his moustache, fingers sliding all the way up to its extended tip. "It's a form of chi concentration," he says. "We have explained chi to you, correct?" I nod. Grandfather's been explaining it to me between fortune telling lessons. I'm no good at predictions, but I understand the flow of energy. "Good. Essentially, the upwards and outwards direction creates a natural out in the body for chi cycle to. By having a designated focus point, it unifies the direction of chi in your body, creating a better flow."
I nod again. It's like comparing a lake to a river. The lake stays still, but the river flows towards an outlet.
"Different stylings can enforce a certain chi flow, too, but the overall effect is the same."
I think to my other family members. "Like how Jun has three points and Mother has two?"
"Correct," Father rumbles. I bask in the resulting pride. "For them, their varying points create a better result." I frown a bit as I think, keeping my hands down instead of toying with my own hair. Father realizes before I say anything. "Are you interested?"
"I—A little," I admit, muscles twitching from my urge to jump. I have too much energy, but I contain it. "If I did it, would it help me focus my chi better?"
Father's hand moves to brush his goatee instead. Counting his moustache, that makes four points for him. I wonder what it means. "It should. Are you still having problems with meditation?" I want to deny it, but I can't. Sitting still for so long is hard, and everything feels too distracting. "Having a chi focal point won't eliminate the need for practice, but it will give you a better platform to succeed from."
I knew there wouldn't be an easy answer. Nothing can take the place of effort. But if I can make my chances better, then why not? It may look dumb, but it's not like I can't take it down if I don't like it.
"Do you think…you could help me then?" When I pause, air feels like it's frozen in my throat. Father doesn't do much with me besides allow my meditation observation. He doesn't do much with Jun, either, but I still don't like it. I'm sure he'll just tell me to ask Mother, and prepare to make my exit before he gets angry.
Father closes his eyes for a few moments, and I worry he's started meditating again. I almost hold my breath so I don't distract him, but he opens his eyes soon enough. "Alright," Father allows.
My posture crumbles as I lean forward in excitement.
"I have a bit of free time this afternoon. I can help you. But not for too long, understand."
"Okay—I mean, thank you, Father." He doesn't react to my lapse in speech, but stands. He waits as I do the same, and I stick close as Father puts out his incense and leads me from the room. In the halls, he pats my hair, checking the length as we walk.
"You may need to grow your hair a bit more, but I'm sure we can figure something out for now."
I almost hope my hair isn't long enough, so we'll have to do this again later on.
15. Aster (4)
"Merry Christmas, Flower Petal."
"Merry Christmas, Min Jia."
Greetings done, Min Jia holds open the door for me, and I step inside. There's no snow outside, but the season has brought enough of a chill. Once the entrance is shut tight, I shed my jacket. Min Jia hangs it up and leads me to the couch.
Unlike me, Min Jia has roommates—a few buddies from his architecture courses. I insisted on coming over for the holiday anyway, just to get away from home. The roomies are out anyway, making visits of their own. They even cleaned up the mess, all traces of pizza boxes and stray dishes gone from the coffee table. I sit down on the cheap seating, and pat the faux leather by my side, urging Min Jia to cuddle up beside me.
I settle into his shoulder and Min Jia toys with stray ends of my hair. "So…" he stalls. "Halfway through our third year, huh?"
"Boring topic, boring topic!" I dismiss, sticking out my tongue. "It's a holiday. Let's talk about happy things. Oh, I know, let's exchange presents already."
Min Jia chuckles and tugs my ear. I pout and pinch his cheek in retaliation. "You just got here," my partner scolds. I keep my tongue out as a form of protest. "Geez, keep this up and I'll think you just came here for a present."
"Oops," I tease, snickering at Min Jia's baffled expression. Serves him right. "Don't be super silly. I came 'cause you're great company and being alone on Christmas was bumming me out. 'Sides, it's our first Christmas together, of course I wanna show off the awesome present I got you."
Min Jia scrunches up his face in mock concentration. "Does this have to do with those matching bracelets you wanted to get?" he guesses.
"Eh, you thought I'd be sneaky and buy myself a gift, too? Nope, this one's just for you. Well, I benefit, too, but you're the one that gets to keep the thing." Min Jia's confusion is real now. Hooked him. "Oooh, who's impatient now?"
"Maybe you're right," he hedges, glancing to the bag I brought in with me. "Maybe we should start with presents…"
I wiggle my arms around his waist and tighten my hug. "But I just got here," I protest, echoing his words. I press my cheek to his chest. He's nice and warm, like a fresh patch of sunlight. His cologne is faint, but still distinct from the lingering fragrance of detergent in his shirt. "Cuddles first, present later. You'll enjoy it more if I ramp up the suspense a little."
Min Jia sighs and presses a kiss into my hair. "I'll take your word on that, Flower Petal."
16. Lotus (12)
"Ren, Ren," Joco says as he whips into the kitchen. The oil in the pan snaps, and I decide to focus on not burning the bacon. "I've figured out the best joke ever. Ready? Listen:
"Santa's helpers…are subordinate Clauses."
"Go back to bed."
[Author's Notes]
I feel like I say this every [SOSS], but time always seems to fly in the midst of posting. It's week four already, can you believe that? But it's been a good week overall for me, so I'm excited to bring you the latest batch of extras!
Thanks to Chronic Guardian for finding time in his hectic schedule to leave a review!
13. Lotus (10) - This was in my notes as "Yoh finally gets to Ren." Still in his Japan year, Ren and Yoh manage to make a bond through stargazing. It's nice to poke at canon locations, too.
14. Lotus (11) - More little Ren and non-Shaman Tao family dynamics. They may not be active Shamans in this AU, but the Taos still have their spiritual side through meditation and chi. Plus there needed to be a reason for Ren to have his tongari still.
15. Aster (4) - More time with Bai and Min Jia's actual relationship, Christmas edition.
16. Lotus (12) - I cannot write Joco for the life of me, so please accept this lame pun as a look at Ren's American university year. Unintentionally follows the Christmas theme from Bai's part.
In the spirit of promoting more of the wonderful stories [Shibuya Operation - Story Storm] has produced over the years, this week might I recommend Chronic Guardian's DECK: J0ker? If you've come this far, I'm assuming you don't mind OC influenced AUs, and DECK: J0ker is a great one that should get you in the spirit for The World Ends with You -Final Mix- later this year. That should be more than enough to keep you occupied until the next chunk of extras arrives next week. Please look forward to it!
-Avi
[01.15.2018]
