Yěhuā
A Xiān Kè Lái Extras Collection
By: Aviantei
[Shibuya Operation – Story Storm]
17. Lotus (13)
Funbari Onsen doesn't have any cherry blossoms, but the surrounding garden sends fragrances even up to my second story room. The warm air slips inside as I look over everything one last time. All my furniture has been carried out, family sent help thudding around downstairs to get everything out the door. I packed up everything else and have double-checked so many times that I've lost count.
I'm certain I have everything, but I still hesitate to leave the room. While I know my ideal job involves travel, there's not much chance of me coming back here once I leave. I grip onto the door handle, the now familiar press of wood against my palm, and slide the door shut.
There's a gap between the end of the Japanese school year and the British one. I'll be spending the next few months back home before I hop on another plane to start with summer classes. It's the last such delay I'll have to face in my studies, as the remaining calendars align well.
I'm halfway done with my program.
I'm leaving Japan.
I'm leaving…
I release the door handle, shoving my hands into my pockets, and keep my pace quick as I head through the hall and down the stairs. The last of the hired help nods in acknowledgement of the job complete, and I wave him to the truck, following behind. There's still plenty of time, but I can't run late for my flight.
Fresh sunlight greets me outside, the garden's scents even stronger. I adjust my grip on my personal bag, shutting the Onsen's entrance behind me.
"Oh, crap, he's already outside."
"Ryu! You screwed up the timing!"
"What the hell? You're the one that distracted me."
"Guys, he's glaring at us…"
"W-we should try and—"
"Everyone shut up," Anna snaps, and the group goes silent. To the side of the gate stands the entire Funbari Onsen household: Asakura, Horohoro, Ryu, Tamao—even Asakura's friend Oyamada is present. I allowed their "going away" party the night before, but that doesn't seem to be a good enough farewell for them.
"I'm not going to be late," I inform them. "If you have something to say before I go, get it over with."
I don't catch the words, but I see Horohoro mumble something under his breath. Ryu sniggers. Tamao blushes and steps closer to Anna, as if for protection. Asakura pays them no mind and steps forward.
"We just thought we'd send you off," he offers, grinning as always. "Manta's got a car, so we figured we could take you to the airport and make sure you get there safely. You know?"
"Make sure I get on the plane safely," I deadpan. Asakura looks worried about my reaction. Horohoro starts to shout something, but Anna's elbow meets his gut, cutting the words off. I sigh. "You don't need to do that."
"We know."
"So why are you doing it?" I know the answer. A year ago, it would have bothered me, that people would sacrifice their time for something so trivial. I wouldn't have understood.
But he—
Asakura.
Asakura Yoh smiles and says, "Because that's what friends do for each other," and I don't have the mind to argue with him.
18. Lotus (14)
"Ren? What're you doing here?"
I stop a few steps up the library ladder. Our family's private collection of books has enough paper for everyone, even the hired help, to be satisfied for life. The quiet makes it the perfect environment for schoolwork, but that's not why I came.
"Research," I half-lie, keeping my voice to a whisper. Unlike the school library, where paper whispers and students mutters to each other, ours is perfect quiet. "What're you doing here?"
Jun frowns at me, placing a hand on her hip. "I heard you sliding the ladder around and wondered what you were doing over here," she returns. Just because she keeps her volume down doesn't take away the edge of annoyance. My sister examines the shelves, running her free hand along the spines. "Family records? What do you want those for?"
"School," I say, keeping to my prepared answers. Again, it's half true—but it works anyways. "We're supposed to talk about our family history."
Jun's hand stills, her nails shining over the bookshelves. When she pulls her hand back, it's free of dust. "Mmhmm," she says, and I know she doesn't believe me. "Why don't you just ask Mom or Grandpa Zhang about it?"
The question catches me off guard. How was I supposed to predict a question like that, let alone come up with a believable answer? I focus on my center in an attempt to keep from panicking.
"Lián," Jun admonishes.
"Run," I counter, echoing her disapproving tone.
My sister shakes her head and leans over to make eye contact. I hate how much taller than me she is. I'm still on the ladder, too! It's bad enough even the girls in my grade have the height advantage. Mother says the girls get their growth spurts first, but even among the boys I'm small. I haven't heard the end of it for weeks.
Among other things.
I inhale through my nose, but even then my breath shakes. Jun puts a hand on my shoulder, her expression giving way to a smile. "I know, I know, Mom and Grandpa are busy." She doesn't bother to suggest our father. Jun jiggles my shoulder. "So I'll tell you about it, okay? It'll be more fun than reading some musty old books.
Abandoning my futile search through the family records, I hop off the ladder and let Jun lead me to her room. She catches a servant on the way and asks them for afternoon snacks. A few flights of stairs later, and Jun ushers me to take a seat while she pulls out her low table.
I feel out of place among her pale green walls. A partly cloudy sky and traces of mountaintops through the window are framed by her darker curtains. Plush dragons stare at me from the bed with button eyes. A few books sit on the floor by her bed, one sitting open. Jun's own backpack rests by her desk. No wonder she saw through me; I didn't have any school supplies.
I expect further scolding when Jun sits across from me. She looks serious enough. The silence tugs out until she sighs. "Do you wanna tell me why you're really trying to look through the family records?" she asks, voice soft.
My eyes shoot down before I can stop it. Jun doesn't push further, just waits. With my schoolwork excuse gone, I don't have a backup, but I can't tell her the truth. I don't want them to think I'm weak. I think it over, trying to find the right words in my head.
"Everyone at school talks like our family being shamans is a bad thing." They say a lot worse than that, but that's the gist. "I know Grandfather still tells fortunes, but it's not like I'm gonna be a shaman." Mother made it clear that path wouldn't give me and Jun, her children, the best future. "But everyone brings it up a lot. Is it really that bad?"
I hate how small my voice sounds, higher pitched than a girl's. It's the best I have. Jun's the one to look away this time, lips pressed together in thought. The servant's patterned knock (one-two-three, one-two, one) breaks our silence and Jun grants permission to enter.
A plate of small ròu wán is set before us—enough for conversation, but not enough to spoil our dinner. Jun asks for snacks more than I do; I tend not to work up the nerve knowing the request will patch through Mother first. A fresh bottle of milk is set beside me for a drink, and Jun gets one of juice. Set-up complete, the servant retreats into the hall.
The door closes, and Jun waits a few moments before standing up and clicking the lock into place. I stare, not sure of what she's thinking. She tries to put on a smile for me, but I recognize the worry underneath. By the time my sister sits again, her expression has gone hard.
"I promise there's nothing wrong with us," Jun says. I knew she'd say that. It's why I didn't want to talk about it. "Our lineage doesn't mean anything to who we are now."
Jun picks up a ròu wán and takes a small bite. "But?" I prompt, reaching for one myself. The meat explodes in juices across my mouth, dough sticking to my teeth.
"But…" My sister takes a deep breath. I think I see her tremble a bit. I glance back to the locked door. Is she doing something that could get us in trouble? I almost tell her to stop but I want to hear more. "But we don't…have a very nice family history, Ren." I catch concern flickering across her eyes. "We were shamans, but we hurt a lot of people."
Jun tells me about the jiāng shi, about the wars, about the dungeons, about the poisons, about how the castle we live in was earned through blood, centuries of it. Her voice is low, without any of her usual energy to it. She speaks in facts, dried up like grass in the sun. She doesn't talk in details on purpose, like that changes the information.
Like it's why she stopped me from digging through the books in the first place.
I listen, my ròu wán half-eaten and otherwise untouched. Jun doesn't eat more, either, nor does she touch her juice. I listen and absorb, and I wonder why people need to push their feelings—their parents' feelings—about the past on me. I wonder about why the Taos before us felt the need to earn through violence.
I listen and I ask—
"Is that why Father's so mean?"
Jun scoots around to the other side of the table and pulls me into her arms while she cries.
19. Wildflowers (1)
Jun escorted the patient to their examination room and gave the usual forewarning that the doctor would be with them soon. She topped off the words with a short bow and went back to the reception desk, shoes clacking against the floor and echoing in the empty halls.
While still considered an important member of the staff, Jun had chosen to work in a smaller clinic. That meant the subordinates, no matter their level of education, all had to trade off desk duty. Jun didn't mind. The clinic was small and peaceful even on a bad day, so getting the patients situated didn't cause much trouble. Jun still preferred to help with diagnostics and treatment, but even she could appreciate a slow day.
Unlike her workaholic brother. He hadn't visited once since his graduation party, and that had been four months ago. Her little brother, all alone in a city far from home. Jun knew Ren could handle himself, but she still worried.
Back at reception, Jun sat down at her desk and thumbed through the remaining patients for the day. She could recognize a few names, but a few recent patients still eluded her. Making sure to keep the timetables in order, Jun skimmed through the list of appointment reminders she needed to make.
The door clacked as it opened, letting in a bit of breeze, sharp with falling rain. The newcomer shook off his umbrella outside before setting it by the door. Jun didn't recognize him. She could catch the bulge of muscles even under his rain jacket, a compliment to his broad shoulders, and water soaked his dark, messy hair.
The man brushed drops of water out of his eyes, and Jun remembered she was working.
"How can I help you?" she called in her best receptionist voice. Some of her coworkers were much peppier, but it got the job done.
"I have an appointment this afternoon?" the man said, with a bit of uncertainty. Jun looked to her schedule again, skimming over unfamiliar files. "I'm a bit early."
Considering the next appointment wasn't for another twenty minutes, Jun could agree with that. "Your name?"
"Lee Bailong." Jun found the matching hànzì and nodded. "Like I said, I'm a bit early, I apologize."
Jun raised her head with a smile. "It's no trouble. The doctor's with a patient now, but he might be able to see you before the next one…" The next thing she was supposed to say was to direct the man to the waiting area. But Bailong had made his way to the desk, tall enough to tower over her even while standing, and something about the sharp angles in his face seemed familiar. "I'm sorry, have we met before?"
Bailong laughed, a deep chuckle that pulled sound from all the way in the back of his throat. "I don't think so. But I'm an actor, so maybe you've seen me on a poster before."
"Ah, Fists of Fury!" Jun clicked her fingers. At Bailong's amused smile, the woman lowered her voice. "I've studied a bit of martial arts to say in shape. I've watched your films with my family…" Dressed in casual clothes, Bailong didn't make as much as an impression as he did in his on-screen costumes, but she could recognize him now. "I'm surprised you'd come to a clinic so small. It's an honor to have you."
"Well, I've come here for a long time. There's no need to change that now." Bailong shifted his hands to his pockets, a few stray drops of water dripping from his hair. "Ah, I think I'm going to dry off in the bathroom. Will you let the doctor know I'm here…?"
"Tao Jun," she supplied, words rushing out.
"Jun," Bailong agreed, still smiling. "Thank you. I'll be back out shortly." He nodded his head, sending rainwater to the floor, and Jun watched him go as he slipped into the side hall with familiarity. When he returned, the two picked up an easy small talk until the previous patient needed to confirm their next appointment date.
It was a coincidence that she worked at Bailong's follow-up care two weeks later. And the one a month after that.
20. Aster (5)
Mrs. Xia finds me as I pick fallen leaves out of the soil of a hibiscus pot. I wave with my dirt dusted fingers and pluck out the last leaf, adding it to the pile in my other palm. Done with my task I stand up straight, cupping my hands together so I don't spill the load.
"You can take one home with you, Cuì Jú," she reminds me, just like every other time I stop by her flower shop. "Goodness knows you could take care of it. I'd even give you a discount for all the help."
I shake my head and rely on the scent of petals to calm me down. Here, it's different. The plants aren't mine. They're the shop's. I don't have to worry about them while I'm out at school, if they're watered enough, if they have enough sunlight.
If they're going to be broken when I get home.
I hide my grimace with a fake sneeze, hands too full to cover my mouth. Dead leaves crunch between my fingers. My hibiscus friend sways from the small explosion of air. "Sorry," I apologize, just like every time I stop by her shop. "Budget's kind of tight. Maybe some other time?"
Mrs. Xia looks at me, her wrinkles deepening the crease between her brows. She looks at me like she knows I'm lying, just like every other time, but gives in with a sigh.
"Okay, Cuì Jú," she says, "but you've gotta get a plant sooner or later. They make the best company."
I know how right she is. I'm just too afraid to lose that all over again.
[Author's Notes]
Much like last week, we've hit another milestone and reached the halfway point of [SOSS]. Time keeps pressing onward, and this story will, too!
17. Lotus (13) - The end of the Japan arc. Though it wasn't without some trouble, Ren leaves the Funbari Onsen crew a bit more open to others than he was before. It was tricky to write a character development that didn't contradict the Xiān Kè Lái setup, but I think considering Ren's introverted nature, this works out well.
18. Lotus (14) - Back with little Ren, who wants to learn some of his family history, and Jun supplies what she can. Even without literal shamanism in play, the Tao family's carnage isn't quite unchanged, so there's some stigma still. Also some hints at a few of the darker story bits I wanted to expand on. We'll look more at that later.
19. Wildflowers (1) - There were a few ideas I wanted to explore in this collection that didn't involve Bai or Ren, so the Wildflowers third person POV sections will fill these in. This time, how Jun and Bailong would meet without necromancy being involved. For the sake of this AU, Bailong is born closer to the present timeline, and is still starting out his film career, though he's had some successes, such as Fists of Fury.
20. Aster (5) - A little bit more serious Bai in her favorite flower shop. That being said, writing serious, reflective Bai and still keeping up her diction is tricky. Hopefully it pulled together well.
Well, that's all I've got for now. Friendly reminder in place that if you want to see any additional extras, don't be afraid to request them for the bonus chapter at the end. We've covered half of my prepared material, but there's always more areas to explore. We'll see what pathways we discover next week. Please look forward to it!
-Avi
[01.22.2018]