As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Today, the morning sky was bright. With the clouds looming in the sky, they helped to obscure the sun from directly shining on the earth. The rays sneaked in between the clouds, gently warming the surroundings as the morning in spring was still quite cold.

Forty-five minutes before the school started, Himari had already arrived. Today was the last day of the examination period. Because the examination for the English subject had passed yesterday, she wasn't as busy as before.

For the examination yesterday, Himari was assigned to invigilate the students in Class 3-4. Another English teacher was appointed to observe the students in her Class 3-3. All of the teachers in the English department would use the same guidelines in marking the students.

Since the examination wasn't a formal one because it was done in a debate format, the results would generally still be good. This was just to encourage the students to participate in this kind of setting more.

When the students were exposed early in public speaking, although the scale of debating in a classroom was small, it still helped the students to improve their critical thinking skills, gain more confidence, build up their own skills as well as collaboration in teamwork. 

Those were among what the school targeted for each student.

Elementary school was the best period to start nurturing them with these skills. Once the students grew older, their responsibilities would also be expanded and naturally, their focus would shift to college entrance examination in later years.

If they only knew to read and study books, without a doubt they would only be book-smart. 

At ten o'clock sharp, a familiar voice came from the entrance of the teachers' room. 

"Hello, is Ms. Kato here? I came from Bloomin' to deliver flowers."

It was the same exact words coming from the same person in almost two weeks. Although the flower delivery guy was already familiar with this place as well as the person he intended to deliver the flowers to, he was still acted respectfully.

"The delivery guy is here again," Teacher Ayase said in a low voice.

Himari groaned inwardly. With a forced smile, she rose up from the seat and walked to the delivery guy. A few eyes were watching her quietly, coming from the teachers who were idle this morning.

As usual, a bouquet of 99 red roses was held in the delivery guy's hands.

"I'm sorry, mister, I really can't refuse this delivery?" Himari asked the same question she had asked before. Her gaze on the fiery red roses was complicated.

If not for her didn't want to cause a scene, she really had the urge to throw these flowers away.

The man smiled awkwardly, "If you refuse it, our shop has to pay our customer back double in the fee."

Himari didn't know why did this florist had a weird policy.

No, no, it's not too weird since it involved their customers' request but, if the receiver of the flowers felt burdened by it, won't it destroy the good feelings trying to deliver by the sender?

In the end, Himari had no choice but to sign the acceptance form.

The delivery guy smiled gratefully at her, "Thank you, Ms. Kato. We sincerely hope you love this bouquet. The customer has been ordering the freshest ones from France. You should be happy to receive them!"

Himari kept a fake smile on her face. 

"Teacher Kato, you still want to let go of the roses?" A teacher spoke from where she sat, "It has been almost two weeks. The sender is so romantic ah. He does so much to woo you."

Himari gave the teacher a weird smile, "He just doesn't understand no is no."

The female teacher shut up. 

It was the first time she felt this good-natured English teacher was on the verge to lash out. She was smiling but, the annoyance in her eyes was obvious enough.

It seemed like, Teacher Kato really disliked the sender of the flowers. Even after all this time, she wasn't moved by his actions at all.

"Humph! She's just being mighty, trying to play hard to get with that man."

Envy tinged in every word flowing out from Teacher Sagami's mouth. She was eyeing the red roses held by Himari in contempt.

No one, not even Himari paid her attention. If they tried to sing along to her tune, their intelligence would just be lowered by associating themselves with this kind of woman.

"What are you going to do? You do not want them but, they keep coming," Teacher Ayase asked once Himari returned to her seat, "How are you going to give them away this time? I think, all the teachers have received them from you since last week."

In a dull tone, Himari answered, "Since it has come to it, I might as well get some money by reselling this bouquet."

Himari plucked out the white card from the bouquet, crumpled it then threw the card inside the trashcan. She didn't even cast a glance at the handwritten note. 

Himari put up an advertisement on a forum's online marketplace. Various kinds of things could be bought from here.

[I have an extra flower bouquet from Bloomin'. If you're interested, please message me privately]

It was better if she could make some money out of it. 

Teacher Ayase looked at her in awe and disbelief, "I don't know why you look like you disdain the sender so much but, gaining money by reselling this expensive bouquet, you're good, girl."

Himari laughed at the sight of Teacher Ayase gave her a thumbs-up. She was pleased because all this while, Teacher Ayase kept her curiosity in check. Never did this older lady asked her the reason for her refusals. 

It didn't take Himari a lot of time to sell the bouquet. A young man texted her on the online marketplace, saying he needed it for his mother's birthday.

[A bouquet from Bloomin' is too expensive! I'm so grateful if you wanna sell it at half its price!]

The florist Bloomin' could be considered a high-end one in the country. Each bouquet would be wrapped with its exclusive paper wrappers and ribbons. Aside from flower bouquets, the florist catered to unusual requests from the customers as well.

At noon, Himari walked out of the teachers' room to the gate. The young man had arrived. Since he was an outsider, unlike the delivery guy who got a permit, he couldn't walk all the way inside the school compound.

The transaction was done smoothly. After the young man left happily with the bouquet, one of the guards teasingly asking Himari, "Teacher Kato, did you just resell the flowers you got today?"

Himari smiled, "I don't want them but, they keep on coming."

She actually wanted to ask the guards to refuse the flower delivery every time it came but, the first time she did, the delivery guy waited for a full two hours until Himari could only accept defeat.

It seemed like Jun had given another instruction, if she didn't receive the bouquet personally, the delivery guy would just continue to wait for her.

This matter had continued for a long time. Since she wasn't as busy as she was previously because the examination period coming to end, Himari finally had the time to settle this matter.

She had no choice but to meet Jun.

But, before that...

Himari took out her phone. She tapped on her LINE account and directly opened the private chat between her and Kazuya.

The last chat between them was this morning when he wished her good morning.

Kazuya really adhered to his new role properly. No matter how busy he was, he would make sure to text her even a simple good morning and good night. 

From what he told her during their brief phone call yesterday, Kazuya said the current job in his hands would be finished soon. After this, he could really have a short break for a while.

[Himari: I have something to tell you]

[Himari: When would you be free?]

Before meeting Jun, Himari wanted to let Kazuya know about it. She had kept quiet about her receiving flower bouquets from Jun all this time. The reason was Himari thought it was insensible of her if she talked about her ex-boyfriend to her current one.

But, this matter might see no end if she didn't take any action.

Even without feelings of love between them, Himari respected Kazuya as someone she chose to be together with. To avoid having troubles in the early phase of their relationship, it was better if she came clean with him.

Kazuya's reply only came two hours after that, when Himari was finishing her lunch.

[Kazuya: Sorry, was too busy this morning]

[Kazuya: Wanna have dinner together? We can talk after that]

[Kazuya: But, the children would be there as well. Is that okay?]

[Kazuya: If not, I'll arrange another one with you. Just the two of us]

Himari suppressed her impulse to grin. She quickly replied to him.

[Himari: Let's just dine together tonight]

[Himari: I haven't met Chiharu much these days]

Because Himari didn't let Kazuya pick her up in the morning, she didn't get a chance to see the little dumpling. Moreover, this week was already a busy one.

[Kazuya: I'll pick you up at seven]

[Kazuya: Where do you wanna go? I haven't chosen a restaurant]

[Himari: Anywhere is fine]

[Himari: Go and eat lunch first. Would you be busy again after this?]

It was inevitable for Kazuya to skip his lunch these days. Sometimes, he only ate when the time had already been so late. Himari could only remind him to put down some work when mealtime arrived.

It won't be good for his health if this continued. 

[Kazuya: StacksofDocuments.jpg]

[Kazuya: Wanna finish them all by today]

[Kazuya: I miss having a proper meal]

[Kazuya: MoonBoyCry.png]

Laughter bubbled up from Himari. Her eyes were soft as she kept staring at the screen.

[Himari: Would you accept it if your girlfriend wanna send some food to you?]