As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"She didn't accept it?" 

A voice so cold echoed in the private room of a university department. The man's brows almost twisted as he intently listened to the caller at the end of the line. His expression didn't look so good.

"...Alright, got it. Just keep a close watch on her."

Before waiting for the person to reply, Jun ended the call. He threw the phone across the large working desk. The sleek smartphone almost fell from the edge of the wooden surface.

Jun rubbed his face a few times, trying to ease his complicated mood. He felt so uneasy all over when he heard the person telling him how Himari didn't cast another look at the 99 roses he sent to her.

Instead of appreciating them, she distributed the rose stalks of the huge bouquet to the other female teachers.

"Did that man who send the flowers to her?" Jun whispered to himself. His voice was barely audible inside this room.

The person said another flower delivery guy came today. Someone sent Himari a basket of yellow daffodils. According to the person, Himari was so happy when she received the flowers. She kept the daffodils on her working desk after giving away the roses.

This was her first time receiving flowers throughout the time she was employed at the private school. 

While she despised the huge bouquet of red roses, she gladly welcomed the small flower basket.

Jun swept his gaze across the room. This room was assigned only to him. 

He was so busy in the last two weeks, trying to get used to the schedule of the university. Although he wanted to get to Himari sooner, Jun understood he had to give her some space after the chaos he created. His hectic schedule also didn't help him.

After getting the unexpected news from Kikyo last night, his sense of danger soared up. 

Kikyo said she saw Himari with the same man in the photo at Dionysus' Abode last night. Even though she didn't tell him much in detail, Jun could guess how good the relationship between Himari and Mr. Hayashi had turned out.

If he didn't act sooner, he might lose her to that man soon!

Knock! Knock!

Jun lazily looked at the door. The sound of the knocks was too familiar. He knew who was behind the door.

"Jun, I'm here."

As expected, Kikyo poked her head out from the door. With a gentle smile on her lips, she looked as beautiful and enchanting as always. A part of her long hair fell across her face, obscuring her small face.

"What else do you want?" 

And, like usual, Jun's voice turned a degree colder at the face of this woman.

Kikyo smiled awkwardly yet she still pushed open the door. In one of her hands, she carried a three-tiered lunchbox. It was the same kind of lunchbox that she brought these few days to him.

"I think you haven't eaten even at this hour. You should have some of this food, Jun. Your mother has specially cooked various side dishes for you."

Jun sneered inwardly. He ignored Kikyo because even if he wanted to chase her out, it would just complicate things for him. The reason? The deputy of this department was her aunt.

"I'm busy. Get out," He said without even looking at her.

Jun reached out for a file and flipped the pages until he reached where he left before. Kikyo placed the lunchbox on top of a table before she went to sit in front of Jun.

The desk was spacious yet, there were already many files stacked on top of the surface. Although Jun was young, his capability was looked upon highly by the university thus they wholeheartedly welcomed him as one of the young lecturers here.

Kikyo bit her lower lip. Anxiousness flitted across her eyes as the man kept giving her cold shoulders.

She forced herself to be courageous. Even though she knew Jun would be mad at her, she still opened her mouth and said the same thing as before.

"Jun, just forget about her. She doesn't love you anymore."

Bang!

Kikyo flinched. She timidly looked at Jun who had just slammed the table.

"I've told you to not speak about it. Mind your own business, Kikyo," Jun spat out the words through gritted teeth.

When Kikyo told him how close Himari with that man was last night, Jun almost wanted to rush to her home. Only his rationality forbade him from really committing the act.

Jun knew he had almost lost his courage and patience. Throughout the three years that he was away from Himari, he appeased himself by saying there would be nothing that could hinder them once he returned.

But, his calculation was wrong.

Now, Himari had been close to another man aside from him.

It was okay.

It was alright.

As long as she didn't marry anyone, his chances to win her heart again were abundant.

Nothing could obstruct him this time.

Not even his mother.

Dark obsession clouded his eyes as his mind was focused on the way to win her back.

Kikyo grew more uncomfortable as she was facing the twisted look on the man's face.

Soon, night arrived.

Although Kazuya had intended to bring Himari out for dinner to celebrate the first day of them being together in a romantic sense, in the end, he couldn't fulfill his promise.

Himari had thoroughly understood the situation Kazuya was in. 

Although Shuichi was his best friend and trusted man in the company, there were still some things that Kazuya had to handle by himself. He treated Shuichi as his friend and partner instead of a lackey. That was why Kazuya was reluctant to have Shuichi meeting the representative just because he had a personal matter tonight.

Himari would just lie to herself if she said she wasn't a bit disappointed but, she just accepted it.

In a world of adults, there were things that won't always be in their favor.

Instead of wearing a formal and beautiful dress like she was supposed to tonight, Himari wore a long pink T-shirt reaching her knees. An orange cat face was embroidered on the chest. Her long hair was bundled up into a loose bun with a few stray strands fell over her face.

At this hour, Himari spent the night talking to Nanako about her new relationship with Kazuya. 

It was still early, a quarter past eight o'clock.

As expected, a high-pitch shrilly scream came from Nanako once she opened the secret.

"YOU TWO GOT INTO A RELATIONSHIP RIGHT AFTER HE SENT YOU HOME??? WHAT THE HECK ACTUALLY HAPPENED?!"

Himari didn't need to turn on the loudspeaker as Nanako's voice was already loud enough. Chobi ran away as soon as his pointy ears caught the unpleasant loud sound.

Really disturbed his sleep ah!

In the end, the tabby cat wandered into the kitchen, searching for more food.

"I don't know what's getting into me but, I just asked him that," Himari smiled sheepishly although Nanako couldn't see her, "I didn't expect to hear him asking me if it's alright if he wanted to pursue me."

Ugh, suddenly she felt like finding a place to bury herself after such silly antics of hers.

"Well, it's indeed too surprising but, since it has already happened, just go with the flow! Who knows, you'd be married even before yours truly marrying Ryota!" Nanako laughed out loud as if it was something to be proud of.

"Don't be foolish," Himari scoffed, "Both of us just have good feelings for each other. Nothing romantic yet. I might marry him, I might not."

There was no high expectation of her new relationship. As Kazuya said she should cherish herself more, Himari didn't want her to be too heartbroken if it failed as how it did between her and Jun. 

Simply put, both she and Kazuya were on a trial period before deepening their relationship.

"But, it's too bad you can't have a romantic dinner to celebrate your new relationship. Is he too busy?" 

"I think so. Do you remember the man he was with last night? I heard that man is an important investor who helped Kazuya out of this problem."

"Ah, what could we do. At least, I don't think Mr. Hayashi would be as busy as my fiance," Nanako let out a long sigh, "What a lonely and sad fate I have~ Having a fiance who's as busy as the president of the country~"

"Heh, but you still love him, don't you," Himari said jokingly.

"Of course! His grandfather keeps on saying how lucky Ryota is to meet me. If not, he might end up alone until he's old! I'm glad the old man shares the same sentiment as me," Nanako sounded so smug to have the old master agreeing with her.

"Geez, praising yourself again~"

While the two friends were animatedly talking on the phone, the doorbell rang all of a sudden, startling Himari.

"You have a visitor?" 

"I don't know. Wait ah. I'll call you back."

Himari got up from the strawberry couch. The doorbell didn't make a sound again as if there was no one ringing it a few minutes earlier. 

Ding dong~

Ah, it rang again.

Himari looked through the peephole. Wide-eyed with surprise, she quickly unlocked the door and pushed the door open.

"Kazuya?"

The man standing outside the door looked at her with a smile. Although his face carried faint lines of exhaustion, his eyes gleamed softly at the sight of her.

Himari took a step forward. 

"What are you doing here? Aren't you meeting someone?" 

Kazuya laughed softly. Lifting up both hands, he showed what he was holding. Two paper bags were hanging from his hands.

Under her surprised and confused gaze, he opened his mouth.

"Do you fancy a casual dinner date with me?"