As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The next day, Himari went out early to go to work. Her body had returned to its usual state. Even though she only coped up inside her apartment for a day and a half, it was still uplifting to be able to walk down the road, heading to the school.

At this time, Chobi was sprawling on the balcony railing, enjoying the morning sun.

"Himari! It's so early and you already go to work?"

Aunt Mio greeted her as they met downstairs. The middle-aged housewife had just returned from the morning market. A bag of groceries was held in her hand.

"Hehe, I want to take my sweet time walking," answered Himari who was in a good mood, "It seems like the cherry blossoms around here have passed their peak time."

As she spoke, Himari tilting up her chin, looking at a row of cherry blossom trees at the other side of the road. The pink petals flew in the air as the breeze blew past them, slowly scattering on the paved road.

"Yes, but, spring is still with us," Aunt Mio replied with a smile.

After waving goodbye at each other, Himari continued her walk. 

It was indeed too early because school started at half-past eight in the morning. Right now, the time was only seven o'clock. She would still have a lot of time left before starting with a homeroom session.

As Himari walked past the houses and entered the small business district in the neighborhood, she met more people along the way.

There were students in uniforms walking either alone or with friends, housewives who tried to get the best bargain of the day and white-collar workers who were rushing to go to their respective workplaces.

Himari stopped at a breakfast bar. She purposely didn't have breakfast at home today because she was craving the bar's specialty breakfast menu. 

"Aunt, please give me one Set A, takeaway, please," Himari made her order once her turn at the cashier arrived.

"Alright, one Set A, coming right away!" The aunt energetically yelled the order to the kitchen.

This breakfast bar was operated by an old couple. Although the menu options were limited and the shop area was small, the bar was still one of the neighborhood's favorites.

Soon, a box of breakfast set and a cup of hot green tea were passed to Himari. They were placed inside a brown paper bag. The smell alone was enough to entice her appetite.

"Thank you, Aunt. Bye-bye~"

"See you again, Himari!"

The short yet warm exchange made Himari smiled. It was one of the little things that she loved.

In another ten minutes, Himari finally entered the intersection from the main road that led to the road of the school. The road was yet to be filled by the cars sending the students to school since the time was only reaching half-past seven.

The morning sunlight slipped in between the leaves and branches above her head as Himari walked at a slow pace. Occasionally, the breeze gently brushed past her, tousling the end of her dark locks and fluttered the hem of her skirt.

Compared to how frustrated she felt in the past two days, Himari felt her mood was as light as the breeze. She enjoyed the quiet pace of her life, doing mundane things.

She stopped under a tree, looking up to the sky.

Yesterday, Kazuya and Chiharu left around five o'clock. They had to pick Izumi up from his basketball training. She didn't forget to hand him the two thermoses.

When Himari sent them off to the door, Kazuya left her a few words.

"Don't be too disheartened. You're not in the wrong if you continued to refuse his attempts to pursue you again. Just think. If you got back with him because you're worn down by his continuous pursuits, would you be happy in the end?"

In other words, even if she ended up getting together with Jun again, it must not due to her succumb to pressure exerted by him.

Kazuya's pieces of advice helped to uplift her mood even for a bit. They also helped to ease her hidden guilt.

Himari thought she still needed to observe the situation. 

If the situation worsening, she had no choice but to meet that woman.

Himari almost shivered in fright in the face of such possibility. A sense of chill ran down her spine, making her extremely uncomfortable.

"No, no. She can't do anything to me. Yes, she can't. Be brave, Himari, be brave..." She chanted the words a few times, trying to regain her courage.

To avoid her feeling too scared, Himari purposely conjured up the image of a woman in a black dress in her mind.

The woman only had a cold expression. As cold as winter night but, Himari felt safe whenever she recounted their brief meeting.

Even until now, she silently kept the woman's face in her mind without anyone's knowing. So did the woman's words.

'Child, don't let these trash confine you in fear.'

Himari shook her head a few times, catching her breath before she resumed walking. Her back was straight as she continued walking down the road.

She had to be brave.

She shouldn't let some impertinent dregs ruined her life.

Shouldn't she?

It was hard but...

She had to try until she succeeded. 

The day was the same as the usual schooling day. Aside from getting questions from the people who were concerned about her, be the teachers or the students, there was nothing uncanny happened.

"Although we do not focus on getting excellent results, we still want the students to be serious about their study! Either failure or success is important for the growth of the students! Remember, you are the educators!"

The principal was brimming with energy as he led the meeting regarding the incoming examination week. It was now past school hours.

Unlike the students of Grade 5 and Grade 6 who needed to get good grades that would determine their placement in the middle school, the rest of the students actually had it easy. The teachers won't press them to get flying colors but, the students still needed to show a good attitude in learning.

"Even though he said that but, some parents would still blame us if their children got bad grades," Teacher Goda murmured under his breath yet his words were still audible.

"Teacher Goda! Don't belittle our motivation! We have to educate the parents that good grades do not mean everything!" The principal pointed a finger at the PE teacher.

"Yeah, yeah," Teacher Goda shrugged indifferently, "Whatever you mean, Mister Principal."

"Cough! Moving on to our next topic..."

Himari refrained herself from laughing while Teacher Ayase covered with an awkward cough. The other teachers did the same. Soon, no one could be stopped when the meeting room was filled with laughter.

The principal could only helplessly shake his head as he really understood Teacher Goda's words well.

His decades of career in the education field had allowed him to meet various kinds of parents and students.

The meeting ended a quarter to five o'clock. At this time, most of the students had gone home safe for the ones who had extra-curricular activities.

While Himari was tidying up her belongings at her desk, a figure approached her in silence. Then, a fair-looking hand knocked on the desk twice, garnering Himari's attention.

"Teacher Masuda?"

Without her realizing it, the Mathematics teacher had already stood beside her desk. Her handbag was slung over one shoulder, showing that she was getting ready to go home as well.

Yuina smiled at Himari who was blankly staring at her.

"How's your fever? All good?" She asked.

"I'm fine now," Himari returned the Mathematics teacher's smile, "Thanks for asking. Ah! How much were the porridge and the medicine you bought for me? I'll transfer the money for you. Or, do you prefer cash?"

"Hahaha, there's no need for that," Yuina waved one hand as she laughed good-naturedly, "Just take it as me taking care of my fellow colleague."

Himari bubbled with laughter when Yuina suddenly winked at her.

"Are you serious? Although it's not much, it's still money," Himari asked again.

"Even if you pay me back, I won't accept it," Yuina raised her brows, "Relax. Just take it. You're in need of care at that time."

Since Yuina insisted, Himari felt bad if she continued pressing on the matter. In the next second, she suddenly thought of something. 

Himari unlocked one of the drawers of her desk and brought out something. It was something that she kept for herself for later.

As Yuina's eyes followed her movement, she saw a jar of cookies in the English teacher's hand.

"It's not much but, I hope you would accept it," Himari handed the jar to Yuina. She explained with her eyes smiling, "I made strawberry chocolate chip cookies during my trip home. This one is still sealed. I hope you would enjoy it."

Amused by the unexpected gift that was given to her, Yuina stretched out both hands and accepted the cookie jar.

"Thank you, really," She almost whispered as she thanked Himari, "I'll enjoy these."

Himari just smiled.

She still remembered how good and efficient Teacher Masuda was when she had just got a fever two days ago. If not for her, Himari thought she would just be quiet as she let her fever passed.

Teacher Masuda only left after making sure she ate her meal and the medicine. She also didn't forget to text her to ask about her well-being.

Somehow, she gave off a feeling of having an older sister, a reliable and caring older sister.

No wonder, even though Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu was surrounded by beauties in the dazzling entertainment circle, he was still entranced by a lady who was a world away from him.