As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

While the other patrons were chatting happily with their partners and friends, a couple sat quietly at a table on a corner of the garden restaurant. The woman was looking downcast while the man had a serene expression on his face.

Kazuya felt bad to see her distressing look. Moreover, he was already used to her bubbly and carefree persona whenever she was with him. He reached out a hand, grasped one of her palms and gently squeezed it.

Himari raised up her head, staring at the man silently. She didn't reject the touch. Even though it still felt foreign, it was so comforting.

Kazuya opened his mouth, letting the words flowed out one by one.

"I'd be upset if you keep talking about his good points after we're together now. If you did that, I'd think I'm not enough to be your partner and that you're actually still hoping for him. But, in this case, it's inevitable. There's no reason for me to be upset."

Kazuya understood why did Himari choose to conceal the events from him and he didn't blame her for doing it. But, at the same time, he was pleased because she didn't continue hiding them from him.

Himari smiled yet it was so faint. She hummed, "The same thing happens in a course of two weeks. I want to deal with it as soon as possible but, I just got free after the exam period. I hope he would understand but, I think it's impossible."

From Jun's words and actions so far, it was obvious that he was dead-set on getting back with her again. 

Kazuya asked, "Then, what do you plan to do?"

He was intrigued about what kind of way Himari would use on the obstinate man.

Himari opened her mouth, she appeared hesitant yet she still forced herself to say it. With a hopeful look, she asked, "Kazuya, I have to meet him but, I don't want to see him alone. Could you accompany me?"

Her suggestion brought another smile to his lips. 

Kazuya nodded. With a lift of his brows, he replied smugly, "Of course. I have to see how defeated his face would be once he knows we're dating now."

His words made her bubbled in laughter. Himari's whole face brightened, unlike how she looked a few minutes back. The change in her expression made him smile again.

Kazuya gently let go of her hand, raised his palm up, placed it over one side of her face and quietly watching her blush because of his action. Yet, Himari didn't show she was uncomfortable with his touch. 

Kazuya took a step further by softly caressing her face, letting his rough palm stroking her tender cheek. The blush on her face reddened yet she still didn't back away. Himari was dazedly staring back at him with her lips pursed.

Cute, he thought.

"Tell me when you want to see him," His voice carried his pleasant smile, "I'll be there with you."

Himari blinked. She raised one hand slowly and awkwardly held his hand that was caressing her face. She nodded and let out a soft "En."

Kazuya felt as if his heart was tickled by a brush of a soft feather. He was delighted when she also took a move to act physically with him. It made him thought that Himari was indeed getting used to him.

The future was still vast and unforeseeable. Both of them still couldn't say if they would be together after months or years but, they wanted to savor the feeling of slowly getting comfortable with one another's presence at this moment.

The future was important but, it was more relevant to put your eyes on the present. 

At a quarter past nine o'clock, the two adults and children left the garden restaurant. While Kazuya was settling the bill, Himari mumbled beside him, "Next time, let me pay for the meal."

She felt bad to always have Kazuya paying. Even though their financial level was different, she could still afford to pay for meals in this kind of restaurant.

Kazuya gave her a teasing look, "Oh, then, I should choose a Michelin-starred restaurant next time."

"Cough, not that one," Himari threw him a glare.

Kazuya suppressed his desire to laugh heartily. In the end, he could only grin.

From one side, the two siblings who were holding hands watched intently at the two adults exchanging whispers at the counter. Neither of them blinked much.

While Izumi kept a straight face, Chiharu's expression was too animated.

"Big Brother, Chiharu thinks Teacher Kato could be our auntie ah," The dumpling whispered to her big brother. With a hand cupped one side of her mouth, she continued, "Chiharu saw Uncle held Teacher Kato's hand and face oh. Like Uncle always does to Chiharu."

"Hush," Izumi narrowed his eyes, "Don't let them know yet that we know. Understood?"

"En, en!" The dumpling obediently nodded her head. Her round eyes looked so determined and funny at the same time.

The same dumpling dozed off with her mouth opened as the car drove on the expressway a few moments later. 

Chiharu was so exhausted. She played and ate well tonight. She also played and ate well at the kindergarten today.

It was time for her to rest ah!

Izumi glanced at his sister then looked at the two adults sitting in front. He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep as well.

A few minutes later, he heard his uncle's voice, "Both of them are asleep already?"

"It must be. Especially Izumi. He must have worked hard for the exam this week."

Teacher Kato's voice sounded next.

Through a slight crack of his eyes, obscured by the dark night, Izumi faintly saw his uncle's hand moved and grabbed his teacher's wrist before both of their hands enclosed together.

Izumi quickly shut his eyes tight.

I don't see anything, I don't see anything. 

Unaware of what the little boy was thinking, the couple kept holding hands.

Himari quietly thought that now, Kazuya really liked to openly hold her hand whenever he could.

"The other day, Chiharu moped with me, saying I was too busy and didn't spend much time with her. So, I'm thinking to bring them to a strawberry farm this Saturday or Sunday. Would you like to join us?" Kazuya glanced at the young lady beside him as he voiced out a suggestion.

"A strawberry farm? In two days?"

Himari was instantly reminded of the strawberry farm resort that she visited during the Golden Week holidays. She covered her mouth as she laughed softly.

"Why? Did she keep talking about it?" 

She still remembered when Kazuya told her about the dumpling pestering him to bring her to strawberry-picking.

Kazuya let out a helpless sigh, "She still remembers! Especially after she looked at your photos again. She won't stop until I bring her there."

Himari sneaked a glance at the dumpling who was sleeping in the child's car's seat. As she retrieved her gaze and looked again at Kazuya, she smiled, "Okay. It sounds good. All of us are busy since last week. Let's take this time to destress."

Kazuya smiled in satisfaction.

"Then, I'll give you the details later."

"Okay."

Once they arrived at Himari's apartment, she declined when Kazuya wanted to send her upstairs. 

"The children are sleeping. You don't have to get out of the car. I'm fine to walk by myself," She insisted.

Kazuya looked at the backseat. Both siblings were indeed sleeping deeply as if they were on their own beds.

Under her persistence, he could only agree.

"Okay. But, I'll wait until you get inside."

Himari smiled, "Okay."

Kazuya squeezed her hand for one last time, pressed his thumb over the center of her palm before he gently took his hand back. He let out a throaty chuckle at the sight of Himari suddenly blushing.

"Good night."

"En, good night. Be careful."

Himari immediately walked inside the apartment compound. Kazuya kept on watching until she reached upstairs. Before she got inside her own unit, Himari looked at him in the car, waved then turning around.

In a second, the door was closed.

Suddenly, Kazuya felt so helpless. 

He took out his phone and sent her a message before he drove the car away from the apartment. The dark gray car quietly left the neighborhood, heading home.

Inside the apartment, Himari had just changed out of her heels when she heard the familiar sound of LINE notification.

Himari waited until she sat on the strawberry couch before she opened the message. Chobi was still sprawling on the carpet as if he hadn't moved a muscle after she left home earlier.

As expected, it was Kazuya.

From initial joy to see his name on the screen, Himari smiled weakly.

[Kazuya: I know we should go on a date just us alone]

[Kazuya: I'll make it up for you, okay?]

[Kazuya: I'm sorry]

Their relationship might still be new but, this man showed how much importance he placed on it.

A couple usually went out just the two of them. Especially if they wanted to get to know more about each other's preferences and behaviors but, in their case, there were two children who tagged along. It was understandable why did Kazuya suddenly text her like this.

[Himari: I enjoy the company of the children]

[Himari: But, I won't say no to our alone time together]

[Himari: Some other time, okay? ;) Don't think about it too much]

To be with a man under such circumstances, she had to be more understanding. Yet, Himari was relieved to see Kazuya's approach on this matter.

It made her felt appreciated by him.