As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

As the weekend passed by, another brand new week arrived. Once this week ended, the elementary students of Amamiya School of Early Learning would face the examination period.

Aside from the common subjects such as Japanese, English, Mathematics, Science and Art, they would be grouped for Home Economics and Social Studies as well.

For the students in Grade 4 and below, it was not necessary for them to face a written exam. Usually, the teachers would use creative ways to test them. The examination could be text recitals, a small play in the classroom, debates or even in the form of board games.

Simply put, the students could have fun since the examination acted as just a formality.

Himari was glad when the headteacher agreed for the Grade 3 students to have a debate for the English subject examination.

When she organized one as her lesson plan before the Golden Week holidays, she found that most of her students in Class 3-3 had what it took to debate fluently in English. Her students in the other class had the same ability as well.

Of course, the topics were mostly simple and funny like debating between ice cream and cakes, were the best pets cats or dogs and even the battle of the lover of chocolate mint ice cream and those who disliked the flavor.

Himari just wanted to see how her students had progressed so far. The other teachers also hoped for the same.

"The headteacher has approved of your exam plans?" Teacher Ayase asked once she saw Himari returned from the Grade 3 headteacher's office.

"I need to make some minor adjustments," Himari answered in a good mood, "Now, I just have to prepare the students. The other day, they debated about children are smarter than adults. Their points sounded funny but convincing at the same time."

Whenever she recalled the scene of her students debating in groups, Himari wanted to laugh due to their innocent way of discussing the topics.

"Hahaha, I remember I did a debate once last year for the third graders. They debated about the consequences of giving too much homework to students like them. I only got to know that they pointed it to a certain teacher in their class."

Teacher Ayase's story made Himari laughed as the story complemented well with her students' behaviors during the debate.

They were so sneaky! They knew to use the opportunity to counterattack their own teachers! But, the way they were firm with their own points made them so admirable.

The English Department finalized to have the Grade 3 students paired up into two persons per team. Aside from the points that were gained due to teamwork, there were also individual points to be assessed. 

The examination period would take four days, starting this coming Monday then ended on Thursday.

"Good luck," Teacher Ayase grinned, "After the exam, we have home visitation and school sports festival. It would be a really, really busy time for us all."

Himari wanted to groan. She had almost forgotten about that.

Although she was only responsible for Class 3-3 as each teacher was only assigned for one class, it was still a dire task. At the time she was still on the probation period here, she had witnessed the difficulties the other teachers had to face during the home visitation.

Some had to keep on reschedule because the parents were too busy with their time-consuming job. Some had to meet the parents' demand to hold the meet at places such as high-end salons, clubhouses or even at spas.

Himari could only hope the parents of Class 3-3 students won't make it too hard on her.

LINE~

Himari glanced at the screen of her phone. The new message was sent by Nanako. 

[Nanako: Fancy to dine with me tonight?]

[Nanako: I'm bored. Ryota is out of the country]

[Nanako: I don't have a fiance anymore Q^Q]

[Nanako: Save your friend from being single! PLEASEEEE!]

[Nanako: LittleDumplingCrying.png]

Amused by her friend's emphasis on her boredom, Himari immediately agreed. The last time they met face to face was when she got a fever. Nanako was busy with work as soon as her boss called her on the morning she slept at Himari's apartment.

Since then, they only kept in touch through messages.

[Himari: Where?]

[Himari: And the time?]

Although today was Monday, Himari wasn't too busy once she finished reviewing the lesson plan for tomorrow as well as adjusting the examination plan for her class.

It was not a bad idea to go out for dinner with her best friend.

Nanako's replies came shortly.

[Nanako: Dionysus' Abode1]

[Nanako: 8 PM]

[Nanako: You can order anything that you like for dinner. It's on his tab]

[Nanako: LittleDumplingSneer.png]

Himari showed a helpless expression as she curled up her lips. 

Dionysus' Abode was the clubhouse under Kashino Corporation, established by Ryota's cousin, the current president of the conglomerate. Himari had been there a few times with Nanako. It was truly a clubhouse that catered to the ones who were willing to swipe their cards without thinking twice.

If not for Nanako, Himari didn't think that she would ever step a foot inside the luxurious clubhouse.

[Himari: Sure]

[Himari: See you there. I'll wait at the usual place]

After deciding on everything, Himari focused back on her job. The tip of her ballpen moved on the sheets of paper as her brain moving, thinking and analyzing on the changes that she should make.

From time to time, Himari would open the book where she listed down her students' names as well as their skills and weaknesses.  A few of her students were definitely a bunch of children who had talents and were willing to work hard at the same time. 

Although she didn't want to overstress the students with unnecessary tasks that only befit the ones at higher education levels, Himari still appreciated those who loved gaining knowledge. It was not bad for these students to work hard if it was due to their own will.

As she read the profiles, Himari's eyes fell on Izumi's name.

Hayashi Izumi.

Sighing inwardly, her mind recalled what Kazuya had told her about the consequences that the siblings had to face after losing their mother and having a father who was in a comma. 

Himari understood what it felt like to live without a complete pair of parents being with her especially in her early years of childhood.

Although she loved her mother dearly, there were times when Himari longed for her father to come and pick them up at the village. Especially after she was teased by the village bullies who were around her same age.

Himari still remembered she tended to run to the stream to cry just because she did not want to make her mother worried about her.

"Hahaha! Look! The child without a father!"

"Hey, are you unwanted? That's why your father abandoned you and your mother?"

"Fool! No one wants to befriend someone who doesn't have a father!"

"Go! We don't welcome you!"

Each of their vicious words stabbed painfully at her heart. Although in the end, the parents of the bullies got to know about it and forced their children to apologize to her, the events were still firmly embedded in her mind.

Even until now, Himari did not know who was her birth father.

Himari blinked, chasing away the unpleasant memory from her mind.

"...Just forget it. Yes, forget it," She murmured under her breath, "It's not important anyway."

She had been living well under her mother's love and guidance. She did not need a father figure just for her to have a complete family.

Each family was different that the other. They had their own stories. 

Her eyes cast one last look at Izumi's profile. 

At least, like how she had her mother, the siblings had their uncle with them. 

The man who sincerely hoping the best for his nephew and niece.

At five o'clock in the evening, Himari began to pack up. Most of the teachers had already left. Even Teacher Ayase had gone home before four. 

As Himari walked on the path under the eaves, her eyes drifted to the rows of pavilions nearby the school gate. There were no familiar figures of the children that she knew by heart.

If she wasn't mistaken, Izumi should be in the gym for the basketball training at this time while Chiharu... Well, maybe Kazuya's friend had picked her up first.

It seemed like Kazuya became busy again. The last time Himari saw him was on the day he brought Chiharu to visit her at home a week ago. 

From the occasional texts that they exchanged with each other, that man lamented on an ongoing project that was met with a setback. 

It was really tough on him. He had to handle it wisely to avoid having the company's name tainted. After all, the company was his brother's blood, sweat and tears.

Himari hurried home. She had to be at the clubhouse at eight. 

"En, which dress should I wear tonight?" She murmured by herself.

Since the clubhouse had its own prestige, Himari knew she shouldn't dress too casually like usual. At this time, the dresses that were gifted by Nanako were the saviors. 

While Himari was happy when thinking that she would be able to meet her best friend tonight, she didn't know that an unpleasant encounter with someone would almost ruin her mood tonight.

With spring on each of her steps, Himari hummed a melody as she walked down the road, heading home.