As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

That night, while Himari slept on the bed, Nanako laid out a futon on the floor. They didn't talk much anymore even before the midnight stroke because Himari got dizzy again. Nanako quickly urged her to sleep after taking medicine.

On one side of the bed, Nanako was sitting cross-legged while staring at Himari who was already sleeping deeply. The conversation from earlier rang again next to her ears, making her pondered about it for quite some time.

Even though they basically shared everything with each other, Nanako still respected Himari's privacy. She understood there were a few things that her best friend had hidden from her. 

It was a feeling that she got since Himari broke up with Jun but, until now, she could only make assumptions. She still didn't have the courage to ask Himari about it.

And, tonight, the feeling intensified.

"Meow~"

Nanako looked down from the bed to the orange tabby meowing next to her. She raised her brows.

"Do you want to be nice to me because I'm taking care of your mama?" 

"Meow~"

Chobi turned around, showing his butt to Nanako before he jumped on the bed. The chubby cat found a comfortable space to lie next to Himari's pillow before he curling up into a ball. His action made Nanako felt both funny and angry.

"Stupid cat, go to sleep. Your mama is still sick," Nanako finally lied on the futon, her eyes fell to the furry feline, "Good night."

"Meow~"

Nanako closed her eyes. The steady rhythm of Himari's breathing echoed faintly in the dark and quiet bedroom, showing how fast asleep she was.

In the silence of the night, Nanako shifted her eyes to the tiny gap of the curtains at the windows. She could see a crescent moon outside. 

Right now, the night was peaceful. In no time, she fell asleep as well yet, her mind was still thinking of her dear friend before she slowly entered dreamland.

She just hoped her friend could walk away from anything that she concealed from the world.

As time didn't stop for anyone, the morning came. It was a peaceful morning for some while a terrible one for others.

"Ahhh! Why must my manager want to see me? I've already told him I'd just work from home today!"

Nanako was brimming with frustration as she complained when they were having breakfast. She poked at the grilled fish, brows furrowed to show her reluctance of going to the office.

"Maybe it's an important thing. Finish your breakfast first. You'll be late if you didn't go out soon," said Himari before she sipped the miso soup.

At the crack of dawn, Himari woke up. Her mind was clearer than yesterday and her limbs didn't ache much. Taking the opportunity of Nanako staying over, she made breakfast for both of them.

It was just a simple breakfast but, it was the only thing she had the mood to make. Well, it was still better than just lazying around. Being sick didn't mean she should just rest.

"I'll go and see it. If he just randomly called me because he wants to see me working right in front of him, see how I'd deal with that old man," Nanako groaned in annoyance.

Soon, Nanako left the apartment with the promise to come back. Himari and Chobi sent her off to the door. Not long after, Nanako's car left the neighborhood.

"Chobi, you don't go out this morning?" Himari lowered her gaze to the chubby feline that followed her back inside the apartment.

"Meow, meow~"

"Hehe," Himari bent down, picked the tabby cat up in her arms then walked to the living room, "It's so good of you ah. Accompanying your mama today instead of fooling around outside."

"Meow!"

Children's chatters entangled with the sound of the approaching school bus downstairs. The kindergarteners looked like little chicks as they were dressed in yellow uniforms with light blue bucket hats over their small heads. 

Upstairs, Himari watched them from the windows. She rarely encountered this scene because usually, at this time, she would already be at school.

"Ah! It's Sister Himari!" One of the little chicks saw her. 

"Sister! You're staying at home?" Another one asked while looking up to her windows, "How nice~ I don't want to go to school too!"

The chicks were nagged by the mothers. The mothers apologetically looked at Himari. She just smiled and waved her hands before Himari broke into laughter.

These children were so frank!

Himari leaned her elbows over the windowsill and talked to the little chicks.

"If you go to school, you can meet your friends! Don't you guys want to talk about the new episode of the anime?"

"Oooo! Yes ah!" The first boy gaped his mouth open, looking so cute and silly.

"Eh! Did you watch Captain Katana's cool move last night? It's his newest move!"

"I do! I do! How could I miss it? You know..."

Soon, the chicks were nagged again by their mothers. Himari laughed quietly as she watched them trying to reason with their mothers.

Ding dong~

The bell sound attracted Himari's attention. She left the windows, walking toward the entrance. Chobi was now basking under the windowsill, enjoying the soft light of the morning sun. His pointy ears flicked occasionally before he yawned, baring his fangs and barbed tongue. 

"...Aunt Mio?"

Himari was surprised to see her neighbor outside the door. The middle-aged lady stood in front of her with a lidded bowl in her hands.

"Himari, I heard that you got sick. It is because of the event the other day?"

Aunt Mio worriedly scanned Himari from head to toe. She indeed found that the young teacher appeared a bit pale and listless.

"Ah, I got a fever but, I'm all fine now," Himari stepped aside from the door, gesturing to Aunt Mio, "Aunt Mio, please come in."

"Hehe, sorry for intruding."

As the middle-aged man followed Himari, her white cat appeared from behind the door, quietly tailing behind Aunt Mio. As soon as Yuki saw Chobi next to the windowsill, she ran to him.

In an instant, the two cats, white and orange, snuggled together without caring for the people around them.

"You're really something, aye, why didn't you tell me that you have fallen ill?" Aunt Mio nagged at Himari good-naturedly while she placed the bowl on the low table, "I've brewed some chicken soup. Don't forget to have it."

"It's just a mild fever," Himari held in her laughter. She opened the lid of the bowl. Hot steam rose in the air as soon as she did it. Himari breathed in the scent, "En, smells delicious. Thanks, Aunt Mio."

"Mrs. Ieda's daughter, Mari who told me yesterday. She's in Grade 5 at your school isn't she?"

"Ah, yes. She is," Himari nodded once she remembered it, "She must have known it from someone."

Although this neighborhood was near to the school, because it was a private one, not many of the neighborhood children attended there. The Ieda family's daughter was among the few ones.

"If she didn't mention it, I would think you're just fine. Really, you have neighbors around you. Don't suffer alone," Aunt Mio still nagged at Himari which the latter accepted with a beaming smile.

Don't suffer alone.

She suddenly recalled one of Kazuya's messages the other day.

"Don't suffer in silence." 

The curves of her lips softened as if she could hear his low and gentle voice muttering the words next to her ears.

"Hehe, the next time I get sick, I'd surely pester you, Aunt Mio~" Himari playfully poked on the middle-aged woman's arm.

"Humph! You sure can!" Aunt Mio reacted by gently smacking Himari's hand.

Himari felt so full of warmth inside.

Even though she was away from her precious mother who was her only blood-related family, she was still surrounded by the people who cared for her. 

Aunt Mio only stayed for half an hour before she had to go to the market. Himari sent her off to the door, giving her thanks once again. The older woman reminded her to finish the chicken soup.

After closing the door, Himari walked back into the living room. Chobi was still cuddling with Yuki who was left alone by Aunt Mio. Himari just let the felines immersed in their pink bubbles of love.

With one hand holding on to the sleek smartphone, Himari opened the chat between her and Kazuya.

That man sent her a text as early as seven in the morning, asking for her well-being. She hadn't replied to him yet.

With a smile on her lips, she typed a reply to Kazuya.

[Himari: I feel a bit better than yesterday]

[Himari: It feels so good to just doing nothing when other people have to work]

[Himari: PinkStrawberryLaugh.png]

As a part of her hair draped over her right shoulder, Himari brushed it to her back. Her eyes were still focused on the screen, silently anticipating when would his message came.

One minute...

Two minutes...

LINE~

Soon, a new bubble chat popped on the screen.

[Kazuya: Should I get sick too just so I could escape all this?]

[Kazuya: PileofDocuments.jpg]

[Kazuya: Heh, just kidding. Are you really okay? If it's fine, go for a stroll, breath some fresh air]

[Kazuya: Don't forget to wear layers before that]

The spring air wasn't as cold as winter.

As the warmth of the sun descended to the Earth, the petals bloomed and spread their sweet scents to the air.

As the scents enchanted the passersby, they slowly taking over their hearts, luring them to breathe in the comforting scents.