As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"I'm just saying on what-ifs," Kikyo rebuked Himari as soon as she regained her senses. Discomfort flickered in her eyes yet she continued being defensive, "Even though you and Jun used to be a couple, I would be the one who would marry him in the end. No past lovers of my husband should ruin our marriage."

Although Jun had broken off the engagement, Kikyo still regarded she still had a chance to marry him. 

No one else other than her would suit Jun very well.

She just needed more time to make Jun see that. With Jun's mother's full support, Kikyo was sure she could achieve her long-time dream one day.

Himari pursed her lips while staring at the woman in front of her in disdain.

It was actually a waste of time if she continued dealing with someone who was delusional like Kikyo but, because her words were slanderous, Himari had to take a step out and strike back at her.

"Kikyo," Himari narrowed her eyes. Her voice was still cold inside the quiet restroom, "Don't think that you're above everyone and everything must follow your lead. Not everything in this world would follow what our hearts desire. Especially if it involves another person's life."

Kikyo's face flushed red. The inside of her ears started buzzing as Himari's words inevitably repeated in her mind.

This was one of the reasons why she disliked Himari since high school.

Although Himari was usually quiet and well-behaved as if she would be easily led by the nose, in actuality, she was no pushover. She would firmly stand on what she believed. No amount of threats, either subtle or clear, could really move her.

Although Kikyo wanted to maintain her good image, it would inevitably crack in front of this country girl.

"Just do what you want to do. But, I won't stay quiet if you continue to defame me like that again."

Himari turned around, wanting to get out of this restroom as soon as possible. It would do her no good if she continued staying here with Kikyo.

If Kikyo pulled some tricks, with no one around to be a witness, Himari might endanger herself.

By the time Kikyo pulled herself together, Himari's figure had already left the restroom, leaving only the faint scent of her fragrance behind. She was left all alone inside this spacious and brightly lit restroom.

Her eyes were ladened with frustration but there was nowhere to vent out. In the end, Kikyo bitterly suppressed her disappointment. She took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

It was actually exhausting to hate on someone, especially when it happened for years.

When one had moved forward, she was still stuck in the same place.

Unaware of what Kikyo was thinking, Himari walked along the hallway, heading back to the restroom. Nanako had texted her, asking where did she go. If she didn't return soon, Nanako would be worried.

Even though the security of this clubhouse was good, Himari knew she still had to be careful. In a place where lots of people gathered together, it was inevitable to have some with twisted minds.

Suddenly, Himari was reminded of that night three years ago.

She admitted that she was so stupid when she opened the door that night. If Kazuya just followed his scorching desire due to the drug, Himari was sure her fate wouldn't be good. 

A young woman like her, how could she easily subdue a strong man like Kazuya if he really wanted to do something unspeakable to her?

Since then, Himari opened her eyes wide and tried to not act as foolishly as before again.

Because on another night...

Her stupidity and naivety had almost cost her dignity and life.

"Why did you take so long? Did something happen?"

Nanako asked the questions the first thing she saw Himari returned to their table.

Himari smiled faintly, "I met someone unpleasant."

She sat on the chair, took a sip of her drink and began to eat again.

Nanako widened her eyes before she narrowed them, glinting with a hint of gossip, "Oh? Who is it? Sounds like someone that I know."

Himari shrugged. Without looking back at Nanako, she replied, "You don't have to concern yourself with that kind of person. Hurry, eat ah. I want to ask for dessert next."

Nanako didn't press on the matter as she saw that Himari didn't have the intention to talk about it. Once they finished their main meal, Nanako called the waiter and asked for the desserts to be delivered to them.

Since tomorrow was still the working day, both Himari and Nanako didn't stay for too long after dinner. They walked around the garden once, trying to alleviate the stuffines after eating before they headed to the main lobby to go home.

"I want to trim my hair a little bit. Let's go together later?" Nanako played with a strand of her hair, curling the end of the lock around her finger.

"Sure," Himari agreed immediately, "The same place?"

"Of course~"

The two best friends often frequented a salon together. The salon wasn't a high-end one but the service was good and the price was affordable.

Luckily, Nanako didn't act like she was drowning in riches after dating Ryota who showered her with luxury. If she did, Himari would be uncomfortable always going to high-end places to accompany her friend.

It was alright if it was just seldomly.

When the friends walked out of the hallway connected to the lobby, they saw Kikyo who was standing with a small group of her second-generation wealthy friends. All of them were adorned in an exaggeration of gold and glitters, somehow looking tacky to the outsiders' eyes.

Kikyo was the only one who dressed elegantly befitting her identity of the young miss of an already established family.

Nanako's eyes flickered in realization. She quickly shifted her eyes to Himari, "Wait! The one that you met... that woman?"

Himari hummed, "Slow down your voice. We don't want to attract unnecessary flies to us."

Nanako deflated her lips, silently agreeing with Himari. 

It seemed like Kikyo didn't notice their presence as she kept smiling and laughing with her mouth covered to the ones who were fawning over her.

No wonder Himari said she met an unpleasant person. A woman who could hide her hideous nature behind her gentle temperament was surely someone troublesome.

As Nanako was thinking, her eyes suddenly were fixated in a direction. Two groups of people, three people per group, were standing near the lobby entrance. Her dark orbs were filled with surprising joy.

"Hey, hey, Himari! Look! You're not really unlucky ah! I saw someone you know here!"

Himari blinked in confusion. Her eyes followed where Nanako was pointing at. 

"...Kazuya?"

She unconsciously stopped walking, her eyes were on the man.

Not far from where she and Nanako stood, Kazuya was talking to a small group of people. They looked like businessmen. Kazuya's friend who came to pick the children up before, Shuichi was standing beside him.

Himari was caught in a daze.

How could he be here tonight as well?

Out of all places, not only she met Kikyo here but, Kazuya too?

She didn't know what to say about these coincidences.

The former made her felt disgusted to the bone yet, the latter inevitably eased her mood up.

But, somehow, she was also reluctant to see him.

"He said he's busy nowadays. Seems like it's a business meetup," Himari murmured faintly but Nanako could still hear her.

"Hey, does it mean you've always keep in touch with him?" Mischief glinted in her eyes as Nanako nudged her friend's elbow.

Himari rolled her eyes. She really understood what was playing inside her friend's mind.

"Enough. Let's go home. My son hasn't eaten dinner yet."

Himari grabbed Nanako's arm and dragged her away from kept standing on the same spot. 

"Eh? That son of yours is so fat! You don't have to worry about him!" Nanako exclaimed.

"You don't know that my mom nagged at me, saying why did Chobi look thinner?" Himari complained, "It sounded like I have mistreated him. His consumption of wet food this month is higher than last month! How could he slim down? Geez, my mom surely loves her stupid orange grandson than her daughter." 

The two friends stepped out of the lobby, walking under the eaves outside the clubhouse. The attendants respectfully bowed at them as they were leaving.

"Don't call a cab. Let me drive you home," Nanako asked the valet to bring her car to the entrance before he spoke to Himari.

"Didn't I have told you that you have to make a detour?" Himari shook her head, "It's not like I'm not used to calling for a cab before. Stop worrying ah."

"Tsk, this is what you get for not having a car. Buy one oh. At this rate, you can frame your license and just put it on the wall of your apartment," Nanako clicked her tongue.

"Later. I still don't know which car I should get," Himari brushed the suggestion off once again.

Her savings were more than enough to pay for a car downpayment but Himari still thought it was not necessary at this time. She went to work on foot because the school was near and even if she went out, the public transportation was already enough for her.

Nanako was exasperated. Even though nothing happened so far but, for a young lady like her friend to take a cab at night, it was still worrisome.

"If that's the case..."

Her words were cut off by someone.

"Why don't I drive you home?"

The familiar low and husky voice came from behind, putting Himari into a daze.