As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

In the evening, a familiar dark gray car steadily speeding on the wide road, heading to Amamiya School of Early Learning. The time was three o'clock in the evening, neither too early nor too late for picking up the school children.

By the time Kazuya pulled up the car at the roadside, several other cars had lined up together with his. The mothers, fathers or the family chauffers were waiting for the children to walk out of the school gate. Some had even entered the schoolyard.

Kazuya emerged out from the car. He walked to the guard post, registering his name inside the system before he was allowed inside the school. As promised, he waited at one of the pavilions.

Soon, a soft and sweet voice called out to him.

"Uncle~ Uncle, you're here!"

Chiharu came running in the direction of Kazuya. The little dumpling left her friends as she happily deng deng deng dashed to her uncle. In the next second, she pounced on Kazuya's long legs.

"Uncle~"

Kazuya let out a helpless sigh. No matter how many times he had warned this little dumpling, Chiharu still loved to run to him out of nowhere as well as hugging his leg. He just didn't want his niece to fall down because of her constant running.

Whenever he told her off, the dumpling would just smile cutely, not at all showing remorse. 

"Your big brother is on practice, isn't he? Let's go first," Kazuya crouched down and took the pink bunny backpack from Chiharu's shoulders, "He'd be finished at five."

Izumi's basketball teacher had geared up since the tournament would be held in a few weeks, right after the test period of the school. That boy was so enthusiastic. He would even play basketball in the backyard after dinner in these few days.

"Where are we going?" Chiharu was happy as her shoulders were no longer be burdened by her bag. She happily let her uncle held on to her pink backpack. 

Kazuya quietly looked at Chiharu's anticipating gaze. Without him realizing it, the curl of his lips softened, so did his eyes.

"Let's go and buy a gift for a sick person."

"Ah, a sick person? Who is sick? Uncle Shuichi?"

"Hurm, you would know soon."

As his right hand was holding to the backpack, Kazuya held Chiharu's hand with his left. The pair of uncle and niece left the schoolyard, heading to the car. 

Neither Izumi nor Kazuya told Chiharu about Himari falling ill. They didn't want the dumpling to be worried because Chiharu tended to overreact whenever one of them got sick. Chiharu even cried at the time Aunt Mayu caught a cold and had to take a few days off.

As to how they viewed Chiharu's tendency to be close to Himari whenever she could, it was best if they didn't let her know until she could see Himari with her own eyes.

The dark gray car left the vicinity of the school. Kazuya drove to the one business district. Several prominent shops and a mall stood in the same domain. 

Because it was another sunny spring day, people flocked on the pedestrian lanes, either alone or with companies. Some of them just simply sat at the small park around the district, enjoying the breeze. 

"Uncle, eat first?" asked Chiharu as both of them walked inside the mall.

This mall was where Kazuya accidentally met Himari at the accessory store more than a month ago.

"Are you that hungry?" Kazuya teased the dumpling. He lowered his gaze to Chiharu who was holding hands with him, "But, Uncle plans to bring you and your big brother to your favorite restaurant tonight. Why don't I just buy you a drink?"

"A drink~ Strawberry juice!"

Because Uncle had mentioned it, Chiharu had to keep some space inside her stomach for the delicious dinner. 

Her uncle had been so strict in cutting down her sweets intake lately. Chiharu knew acting cute didn't work on her stingy uncle anymore. If she sulked because she wanted sweet food, her uncle might cancel all his plans altogether.

The little dumpling could only accept what was offered to her. She didn't have any choice but to surrender ah.

Kazuya bought a cup of strawberry juice for Chiharu. Both of them sat inside a cafe. A cup of black tea accompanied Kazuya while his niece was busy sipping on the juice.

"It is delicious?" Kazuya smiled as he looked at Chiharu enjoying the sweet drink.

"Delicious~ Uncle, aaa!"

Chiharu stretched out her short hands, pointing the straw to Kazuya. He laughed and shook his head, "Drink it all. If I drank so much, you'd put a long face with me again."

"...Okay, hehe~"

With her short legs dangled from the seat, Chiharu appeared so well-behaved as she quietly drank the juice. Kazuya watched her in silence, his heart was at ease.

From the day he decided to take the siblings under his wings, Kazuya vowed to ensure them living better than how he and his brother had during their early years of childhood and adolescence. At least, even though his sister-in-law had left forever, the siblings wouldn't be too unhappy and uncertain to face the coming days.

But...

When thinking of his elder brother, Hiroki, Kazuya would be at a loss.

Only a few days before, the doctor mentioned how there was no positive development from his brother. 

If this continued...

Kazuya inwardly shook his head. He refused to think about it any longer. 

There should be hope somewhere, wasn't it?

The uncle and niece headed to the accessory store after finishing their drinks. The mere sight of adorable and colorful plush toys displayed behind the glass walls caught Chiharu's interest quickly. 

"Uncle, the cat toy is cute," With one hand tugged at Kazuya's trousers, Chiharu pointed at one of the plush toys.

Kazuya gave her a meaningful smile, "Oh, didn't you say you have too many toys already?"

Chiharu grinned, "Buy one for the patient ah, not for Chiharu."

Kazuya brought the little dumpling to the shelves of the soft toys. His eyes fell on the array of orange tabby cat plush toys. Eventually, the image of Himari's feline son appeared in his mind. 

"Okay, I think this would be a good gift," He commented.

Chiharu was all smiles as her uncle agreed with her.

Besides the plush toy, Kazuya picked an arrangement of artificial flowers inside a woven rattan basket. Although fresh flowers were more suitable, the artificial ones could decorate the house longer.

As he was paying at the counter, Kazuya's eyes drifted to the section displaying various types and designs of lamps. 

He suddenly remembered the disappointed look of her when she heard the crystal lamp she coveted had sold out. Yet, even though she was let down, she could still smile at him after that.

Kazuya laughed softly at the memory.

"Uncle, who are we visiting?" Chiharu asked again as they stopped at a fruit store, buying a bag of fresh fruits.

"Someone that you know," Kazuya replied with a smile.

The little dumpling's question was finally answered once the car stopped in front of a familiar apartment building. She blinked and blinked, feeling that something was off.

"Uncle, Teacher Kato got sick?" Chiharu asked hurriedly from her child's car seat.

Kazuya just smiled. After bringing Chiharu out of the car, he took the flower basket, the fruits and the toy. The dumpling wanted to help to bring the plush toy but, because the tabby cat was as big as her, Kazuya refused. 

One by one, they ascended the stairs before they finally stopped in front of the door. Kazuya lifted the hand that was holding the flower basket, ringing the bell. 

"Uncle, Teacher Kato got sick?" Chiharu asked again since her question before wasn't answered by her uncle.

"She's all fine now. Don't worry," Kazuya stifled a laugh.

Chiharu was unsatisfied with her uncle's answer.

Since when did Teacher Kato have gotten sick? Was that why Teacher Kato hadn't appeared at school and gave cookies and strawberries to her as promised?

The little dumpling was seriously contemplating this reason when the door was opened from the inside of the apartment, revealing a face with a soft smile.

"Kazuya and Chiharu? Welcome!"

Himari was both surprised and happy. She didn't expect their arrival. Luckily, she didn't go to the nearby playground for a stroll.

Kazuya's eyes were gentle as he looked at the beaming smile on her face.

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked.

"Much better. I could go back to school tomorrow," She grinned, "Ah! Come in! Chiharu, Chobi is inside."

"Okay~ Teacher Kato, sorry for intruding~"

The dumpling followed Himari, took off her shoes, properly put them in order on the floor before she ran inside the apartment as if it was her own house. 

Kazuya helplessly smiled because of his niece's antics. 

She really treated this place as her home.

But...

Kazuya silently looked at the interior of the apartment as he walked inside. Then, his eyes fell on Himari who was now listening to Chiharu's story. Both of them sat on the carpeted floor. Her orange tabby was sprawling next to the low table.

For some reason, even though he rarely stepped inside here, this place felt so close to him.

Like a home.