As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Because the time was approaching five o'clock, Kazuya couldn't show Himari everything in the villa. After they let go of each other after embracing for a while, Kazuya showed Himari the way to the backyard. Aunt Mayu had prepared the snacks and the teapot.

The faint blush that kept radiating from her cheeks made Kazuya felt so soft inside.

"Try it. I bought these tea leaves from my favorite tea shop."

Kazuya poured the freshly brewed tea inside a white teacup before placing it in front of Himari.

"Let's see how skilled you are," Himari answered as she carefully brought the rim to her lips.

The children didn't even show up when the couple sat together in the backyard, watching the blooming flowers around them. The occasional gust of wind sent the leaves and twigs rattling, creating harmony with nature.

Upstairs, three pairs of eyes were looking down into the backyard. To be exact, they were watching the couple from afar.

"Granny Mayu, Teacher Kato is good. Is it? Is it?"

Chiharu was the first one to break the silence.

"Hehe, the teacher is indeed looking so fine and gentle ah," Aunt Mayu agreed with the little dumpling, "Believe my old eyes who have discerned people throughout my life."

"Teacher Kato is a good teacher. She defended me more than once from school bullies. She also didn't immediately judge me when the bullies said I was the one who started the fight," Izumi nodded solemnly. 

"Ah, she's the teacher you've told me?" Aunt Mayu looked at Izumi, "I can't believe they are the same person. No wonder your uncle who has never brought a girl home, took this teacher along."

Although she only had a formal relationship with Kazuya due to her being the man's employee, Aunt Mayu had always hoped the best for this small family of three. For three years, she had watched her employer worked hard for the sake of his brother as well as his niece and nephew. 

Mr. Hayashi also treated her generally well. 

A man who was courteous and considerate should meet the same type of woman. If not, the relationship might not work out.

"Chiharu wants to call Teacher Kato auntie but Uncle doesn't allow it," The little dumpling said with a pair of pouty lips. She was aggrievedly staring at the back of her uncle's head from the window. 

Aunt Mayu laughed. She gently rubbed the dumpling's hair, "Don't worry. That time would come. For now, just let the two of them continue to have good feelings for each other."

If the new couple continued to get along well, maybe she could hear their wedding bells in the future.

While Aunt Mayu was already thinking far ahead, the couple had finished the snacks and tea. They couldn't stay long because the time was already showing half past four.

"We'd just take fifteen minutes to arrive at the restaurant. Don't worry," Kazuya gave a reminder when Himari suddenly looking anxious.

"I'm not worried about the time," Himari admitted with an uneasy face. She tilted up her chin, looking at the man, "I just hope this would be the last time I have to meet him because of this. I just want to part ways peacefully instead of getting entangled in this kind of thing."

"I'm with you," Kazuya smiled with one hand stroking her head, "Just say whatever you want to him."

Under the comforting touch, Himari smiled softly.

Before the couple left, Aunt Mayu excitedly saying Himari should come over again soon. The housekeeper had heard from Chiharu about Himari's skills in cooking and baking thus, the middle-aged lady would be glad to talk about recipes and whatnot with the female teacher.

Instead of Himari, the one who answered Aunt Mayu was Kazuya.

"Aunt Mayu, don't worry. Himari would come again. You would have plenty of chances to talk with her."

"Hehe, then, I'd prepare the yuzu marmalade for you. I heard you enjoyed it when you got sick the other day," The middle-aged woman said excitedly.

"...Thank you a lot, Aunt Mayu," Himari replied with her cheeks reddened.

Aunt Mayu smiled meaningfully while Himari was suppressing the impulse to pinch this shameless man.

She didn't expect that this kind housekeeper to remember about Kazuya bringing the yuzu tea for her before.

Soon, the car drove away from the villa. The traffic was neither too slow nor fast. As Kazuya stated, they arrived at the restaurant in fifteen minutes.

"You'd be coming with me?" Himari asked as she watched the man unbuckled the seatbelt.

"I won't come inside the private room with you but, I'd be nearby," answered Kazuya, "Just to be on a safe side."

Himari didn't ask more. She indeed felt safer if Kazuya would wait nearby. 

"I'm here for Mr. Fujihara," Himari told the receptionist once she entered the restaurant with Kazuya, "Is he here already?"

"Mr. Fujihara has arrived. A waiter would bring you there, Ms. Kato," One of the receptionists answered after checking the guest list.

"All the best," Kazuya whispered before Himari followed the waiter. He enclosed their hands together and pressed a thumb over her palm.

"En," Himari smiled. Her anxiousness dropped to another level.

The restaurant was in a rustic theme with finely carved furniture as the main components. As the lights fell on the wooden decorations, they illuminated the glossy surface of the crafts. 

The waiter brought Himari to a room. He respectfully bowed to Himari, "This is the room. Please go inside."

"Thank you."

Himari didn't open the door until the waiter left. She took in a deep breath, released it then straightened her posture. With one hand holding the doorknob, she opened the door.

The interior of the room was revealed to her eyes before Himari saw a figure of a familiar man sitting at the table. 

Once the door was opened, Jun raised up his gaze with an expectant look. Relief flooded in his eyes the moment he saw the person he was waiting for.

"Himari," Jun rose up to his feet, acting all gentlemanly as he went to pull up the chair for Himari to sit down, "Please, sit. I've ordered your favorite dish from the kitchen. They would all be here soon."

Himari decisively shook her head, showing her clear refusal, "There's no need. I didn't come here for dining."

Jun's heart sank but he still kept a smile on his face. He nodded, "It's alright... You, please sit down first."

Himari walked closer to the table. But, instead of sitting on the chair that was pulled up by Jun, she sat on another chair. Himari feigned ignorance at the sight of Jun's disappointed face.

Jun stiffly walked back to his chair. 

Somehow, he had a feeling that...

He would really lose her today.

Himari opened her bag, took out a money envelope and pushed it to Jun. 

"Himari, this is..."

"I gave all the flowers you sent to me to my colleagues but, I sold the last two bouquets. This is the money. I just hand it back to you."

"I don't mind if you wanted to give or sell them away but, you don't have to give the money to me," answered Jun in difficulty.

Under her indifferent gaze, it was hard for him to breathe as he usually did. Even the tiniest movement did by him felt so stiff.

"You've created troubles for me by sending the bouquets every day. I don't know how your brain works but, it seems like you keep thinking you could win me back. And, even though I'm tired to repeat myself, I have to tell you that there would be no possibility of us getting back together."

She enunciated each word clearly. Her gaze was clear and her tone was firm, showing no wavering of her heart.

Jun was painfully holding to the thread of patience that almost snapped within him.

If it broke, he might hurt her.

"I've told you. My family won't bother you again, Himari," He said in desperation, "This time, we could be together without them making trouble. I assure you that I am fully capable to defend you now."

He returned stronger than before. He also didn't have to depend on his family like he had to. 

He won't let his family be an obstacle for him again.

Yet, Himari remained unmoved.

"But, you would forever be linked with your family. Even though you say you would sever ties with them, my decision now won't change. Family is family, Jun," Himari didn't falter under Jun's pleadings. 

"Himari, I..."

"While I'm living in the present, you are still stuck in your past. I have already moved on and I already have a person I have good feelings with. You're not in the picture anymore."

The words thundered in his mind, sending shocks all over his body.

His eyes were wide as countless thoughts rushing into his mind.

"What... did you say? You are with someone right now? Who? Who's that man? It is the man from before? That Hayashi guy?"

Jun shook his head, unable to believe her words.

Since when did she get together with that man?

Himari frowned, showing her displeasure, "You know him? Don't tell me you investigate us again. You have done before by finding my apartment address."

Why must Jun stoop so low? 

Why must he act in this way?

Why couldn't he accept that what had ended had truly over?