As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Tonight, Kazuya brought Shuichi and his secretary to meet the party from one of their important investors. The investor needed an explanation for the problem that occurred at the technical level.

To appease the group, Kazuya didn't delay in inviting them for a meetup. The choice of place was Dionysus' Abode since the group loved to chill at the clubhouse.

Although it was not Kazuya's first time being here, the splendor and magnificence carried by the entire prestigious clubhouse didn't sit well with his way.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. 

"Mr. Koyama, our side is extremely grateful for the trust that you give us. Please rest assured, we won't let you down."

Kazuya was so respectful as he bowed his head lightly for the middle-aged man standing opposite him. He has always had a good relationship with this investor. 

Mr. Koyama was among the ones who had been supporting him since the day he took over his brother's position. He was also the one who saw potential in his brother when the latter first founded the company.

The joyful and kind-looking man laughed good-naturedly. He reached out a meaty hand and patted Kazuya's back.

"You are as decisive as your elder brother! My decision to support you three years ago was right! Easy, easy. Just make sure to give me good results. The other investors and the shareholders won't have anything bad to say to you then."

Kazuya answered with a hum. His lips smiled faintly.

When they were talking, the corner of his eyes caught a familiar petite figure. The light green color seemed to brush past him before he turned his head to look at it properly. A surprised joy beamed in his eyes.

Not far from where he stood, two young ladies were walking with their backs facing him. One of them wore a light green dress, her flowy skirt swirled around her with the ends of her long locks slightly tousled behind her back.

It was Himari. She was with her friend.

It was really unexpected to see her in such a place but...

He was glad to see her after a week of not seeing the young lady.

"Then, I won't keep you here any longer, Mr. Koyama," Once Kazuya retrieved his gaze from the two figures, he gave Mr. Koyama another bow, "You might already be tired right now. We'll keep in touch soon."

"Sure, Mr. Hayashi," Mr. Koyama nodded, "My wife is nagging me to come back already. Alright, if there's anything you need, you could immediately tell my assistant."

The man who stood beside Mr. Koyama gave Kazuya a faint nod.

Soon, Mr. Koyama and his small group walked away from the place, leaving Kazuya, Shuichi and Kazuya's secretary.

"Wow, what a deal," Shuichi whistled with his eyes still looking at the back of Mr. Koyama's group, "Lucky~ The old man still stands by your side... Eh, where do you wanna go?"

"Go home. Bye."

By the time Shuichi realized his friend was no longer beside him, he was shocked. Kazuya didn't even look back when he waved at Shuichi and the secretary.

His eyes were busy scanning around the lobby. Judging on the direction Himari and her friend walked to, it should be to the entrance.

His assumption was correct once Kazuya found them standing under the eaves of the spacious porch of the clubhouse.

As Kazuya got closer to them, the bits of the two friends' conversation flowed into his ears.

"Don't call a cab. Let me drive you home."

"...It's not like I haven't called for a cab before. Stop worrying ah."

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

"Later. I still don't know which car I should get..."

Oh? She had a driving license?

It seemed like they were arguing about getting Himari home. Even though he only heard a little bit of it, Kazuya understood why her friend was worried.

"Why don't I drive you home?"

He stood right behind her with his gaze fell on the back of her head. The words flowed out of his mouth tinged in tenderness.

Her friend was the first one to realize his presence.

While she only slowly turned around to look at him.

"Mr. Hayashi! Good, we have already seen you before but it seems like you're busy so we didn't interrupt you."

Kazuya moved his eyes from Himari who was dazedly staring at him to Ms. Hagihara. He politely greeted her, "Hello, Ms. Hagihara. I saw you and Himari just now."

In a second, his eyes fell back on her. 

With the light green dress wrapped around her small frame, his mind suddenly thought of the forest pixie that he saw in one of Chiharu's favorite animation films.

But...

She's cuter than the pixie.

Kazuya didn't realize how soft his eyes were now.

In front of him, Himari blinked, regaining her lost senses and looked back at him with a pair of clear eyes.

Yet, somehow, she appeared a little uneasy.

"Ah... Have you finished your job?" She asked quietly.

"Yes," Kazuya stared at her for a moment longer before he glanced at Nanako, "I heard that you'd need to do a detour if you sent her home. I could help you with that."

"Perfect!"

Nanako clapped her hands excitedly. Before Himari could stop her, she went on and on talking to Kazuya.

"I'm so worried for Himari ah! She always doesn't want me to send her home. What if something happens? It's good to have a reliable man like you to accompany her. So, Himari, go home now with Mr. Hayashi. Don't take a cab alone anymore."

Nanako was so friendly with Kazuya even though they only had met a few times. Himari screeched inwardly as Nanako kept tugging on her arm.

"Kazuya, don't listen to her. I could go home by myself. Hurry home ah. Chiharu and Izumi should be waiting for you, right?"

Himari quietly pinched Nanako's arm while she was smilingly talking to Kazuya, giving excuses to reject his offer.

Even though so far, Kazuya was a great friend to her, Himari didn't want to blindly accept his generosity. Like Nanako, he also wasn't obliged to always help her.

"Aiya! It would be safer if you go home with someone," Nanako lightly smacked Himari's hands that were wrapping around her arm, "Haven't you heard of the case that happened last week? A woman was robbed on her way back when she got out of the cab. And it occurred at night!"

"Ah, yes, I have also heard about it," Kazuya calmly agreed with Nanako, "Thank goodness the perpetrator couldn't do more harm on the victim."

Himari pursed her lips and obediently nodded her head as she listened to the two of them.

The case created headlines when it happened. Fortunately, the woman was just lightly injured and the robber was quickly captured by the police.

But...

Himari quietly looked at Kazuya who was smiling at her before she lowered her gaze.

Ever since she thought of the extent this man had gone to her whenever she needed a helping hand, there was both fear and anticipation budding in her heart.

It started when she thought about it deeply after Kazuya made the efforts to tell Nanako after her getting sick.

Himari was glad to have a friend like him but, at the same time, she was afraid if she would turn greedier to always have him with her.

What if one day...

Her heart would be filled with his smiles?

Himari was frustrated with herself.

Was it because she had been alone ever since she left Jun?

This was different from how she perceived her friendship with Nanako because after all, Kazuya was a man.

The two conflicted feelings made her uncomfortable.

It was alright when they were exchanging texts like how they had always done but, when she had to face him like this tonight, something surged up from the depth of her heart.

Himari herself didn't know what was wrong with her.

"Himari, are you okay?"

The man's voice was imbued with concern. When she lifted up her eyes to face him again, she immediately concealed her shaky emotions with a smile.

"Nothing. Err... Then, I have to trouble you again."

In the end, to avoid complicating the matter between them, she just agreed.

Kazuya smiled, "Let's go. I park my car over there."

"Okay," Himari nodded. She turned to Nanako, "Nanako, thank you for tonight. I'll contact you later."

"No worry ah. Text me once you're home," Nanako waved at her friend with a beaming smile, "Bye-bye."

"Bye-bye," Himari waved back at her.

"See you again, Ms. Hagihara," Kazuya politely bowed at Nanako who received it with a smile.

Somehow, Nanako felt like she could hear faint gratitude in his voice.

Himari and Kazuya walked down the staircase of the porch. Nanako stood still while staring at the figures of them walking side by side.

The silhouettes fell on the stairs, stretching wide behind them.

Nanako didn't know why but, she liked to see how respectful and considerate Mr. Hayashi was to her best friend. Even though Himari had just getting to know him, her instinct told her that she could expect something more between the two of them.

So far, Himari only had a relationship with Jun before they broke up. Even after the breakup, Himari always refused when she suggested getting to know another man.

If there was a red thread of Fate between them, Nanako only hoping the best for her dearest friend.

"...Who's that man?"

The sudden question coming from behind pulled Nanako out of her thoughts. Once she saw who it was, she frowned.

Kikyo was staring at her with narrowed eyes.

"What are you being nosy about?" Nanako shot back.

Kikyo ignored the biting words from Nanako. Her eyes strayed until her gaze finally fell on two figures who were walking to the car park together.

Was that man the same one in the photo?

Did she...

Had really moved on?