As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

After lunch, Himari and Nanako left the restaurant. They still wanted to enjoy some time together since it was hard for them to meet now. Even though Nanako said she should be free right now, in fact, she had just been dragged by her boss to join another project.

A female celebrity wanted to commission the design firm for a red carpet event dress.

The actress was known as someone who loved to support the local designers. Even though there were times she had to wear the sponsored dresses from overseas brands, more often than not, she chose to showcase the beauty the local designers had to offer.

"I've told my boss that after I finished this dress, I would only focus on smaller projects. If not, I might not be able to finish designing my own wedding dress! And the wedding is in this coming autumn!"

Nanako complained nonstop as the two friends browsed a boutique.

"How about your engagement dress? Have you had one already?" Himari took a one-piece dress and looked at the price tag.

It was quite affordable, she thought.

"Ryota's mother wants to ask her designer friend to do one for me. Since I would design my own wedding dress, I just leave the engagement one for her," answered Nanako.

At first, Nanako wanted to have full control for both of the events but, considering it was rare for Ryota's parents to give their own opinions, she chose to relent.

Ryota's family members were all good to her. Nanako didn't want to hurt her mother-in-law-to-be's feelings just because she wanted to insist on designing both dresses.

"I'll be waiting for your engagement card," Himari winked, "Make sure the card is dotted with gems."

Nanako let out a scoff, "Sure. I'd inlaid the card with cheap crystals."

The two friends laughed together, further imbuing their surroundings in harmony.

Nanako bought two dresses while Himari didn't buy any. Both of them walked out of the boutique, still feeling giddy with the stories they shared.

But, it was too likely to bump into one's enemy when one was in a good mood.

Right after Himari and Nanako stepped out of the boutique, they came across two women, one young and one old. Like them, the pair must come here to shop on such a good day.

The problem was their identities. 

It was Kikyo and...

Himari froze once she saw the middle-aged woman standing beside Kikyo. The woman's icy cold face was reflected in her eyes.

It was Mrs. Fujihara.

Jun's mother.

In an instant, she felt her back broke into a cold sweat.

The woman's eyes were poisonous as she stared openly at Himari with obvious loath on her face. Even until now, her face would twist at the sight of the young lady.

And Himari, if she wasn't mentally prepared, she didn't think she would be able to face this venomous woman.

"...Nanako, let's go."

Himari used all of her energy to force herself to not show how terrified she was with this sudden encounter. With one hand clasped around Nanako's arm, Himari dragged her heavy legs away from the spot.

Nanako didn't ask much. She threw daggers at Mrs. Fujihara as well as Kikyo who was still staring at her friend.

But, unfortunately, someone didn't want to play the common sense card. 

Before Himari and Nanako could take another step away, Mrs. Fujihara's cold voice echoed from behind, piercing through the merriment of the people in the mall.

"Looking so free here, aren't you?"

Himari stopped in her tracks. She bit her lower lip hard, trying to gather courage before she stiffly turned around and revealed a frosty smile to the older woman.

Despite her fear, she was extremely reluctant to show this kind of woman her real feelings.

"I don't think we're in the state to exchange greetings harmoniously," Himari let the words out one by one. Her eyes didn't waver under Mrs. Fujihara's infuriated gaze, "If you want to waste your saliva by telling me to not go near your son, please rest assured, I have no intention to do so."

"Heh, do you think I'd believe you?" Mrs. Fujihara sneered with hidden wickedness in her eyes, "If not, why does my son often go to you? He's still charmed by you witch."

"It's his decision. If you're capable, why don't you try to lead him by his nose as you have always done before?" Himari retorted while raising her brows.

At this moment, it was as if only both of them stood in this vast mall. The people coming and going were just like air, so did the presence of Nanako and Kikyo who were with them.

"Vixen, if you..."

"I have a name, Mrs. Fujihara," Himari cut her off, "Let's just treat each other as strangers, won't you? If not, don't think that I would stay quiet. Some things can't be said in public."

She might be afraid of this poisonous woman but, she still held the upper hand.

Wanted to continue harming her?

Then, let's just go down together.

Himari ignored Mrs. Fujihara's death stare. Turning around, she let both the woman and Kikyo face the view of her back.

"I've really ended things with your son yesterday. Don't come after me again."

Himari resumed walking. Nanako quickly followed her, letting Mrs. Fujihara fumed in anger.

After some distance away, Nanako finally asked the questions she endured throughout the short time Himari came face to face with the despicable woman.

"Himari, what happened before? Don't tell me that wicked woman came to trouble you again? And, did you say you ended things with Jun yesterday? You went to meet him?"

Without answering Nanako's question, Himari swept her gaze on a glass panel nearby. She saw Kikyo was trying to pacify Mrs. Fujihara. Their figures kept getting smaller as Himari continued walking without stopping.

"She didn't come to trouble me, don't worry," Himari avoided looking at Nanako as she spoke, hiding her guilt, "I was just talking about the past. About Jun, I did go to meet him yesterday."

Himari dragged Nanako along with her to turn at one intersection. As she saw how curious Nanako was, Himari thought to just explain some things to her friend.

"Actually... Sigh, let's sit down first."

Nanako nodded.

While the two friends went out to the park outside the mall, Kikyo was still appeasing the angry Mrs. Fujihara. The older woman's chest heaved up and down rapidly while her whole expression twisted due to anger.

"Aunt, it's useless to be mad at her," Kikyo said in a low voice. She placed one palm at the back of Mrs. Fujihara, "Don't think about her anymore."

"Hmph! If only Jun has eyes, he won't be tricked by that vixen!" Mrs. Fujihara hurled insults with her eyes looking into the distance where Himari disappeared.

"Don't worry. She's saying the truth when she said she has thoroughly ended things with Jun."

"What?" Mrs. Fujihara was surprised. She looked at Kikyo with confusion, "Kikyo, don't tell me you've been deceived by that vixen too?"

Kikyo smiled yet it appeared bitter.

Even though she disliked Himari and her stubbornness held her from admitting she was at fault, Kikyo felt it was too exhausting to blindly hate on someone for years.

"She's currently seeing another man. She also ignored all of Jun's attempts when he sent her rose bouquets for two weeks straight."

"What? Jun did what?" 

Before Mrs. Fujihara erupted into another fury, Kikyo quickly rubbed her shoulders and said in a low voice, "Aunt, let's just ignore whoever that's not important, okay? Even though she has a history with Jun, it's just the past. I believe I can win Jun's heart if I worked hard enough."

If Himari heard how Kikyo was talking matters in her favor, she would be so surprised and thought that the sun had gone up from the west. Yet, it did happen. 

Instead of flaming the anger in Mrs. Fujihara's heart, for the first time, Kikyo followed her conscience.

She couldn't possibly be friends with Himari but, when she recalled the night she saw Himari walking side by side with that man, it dawned on Kikyo that the person she despised was actually happily living her life.

Himari didn't look back.

Only Jun fixated his eyes on the future that won't exist.

While she, Kikyo, kept standing behind him. Behind the man who had never looked back at her.

"Are you sure, Kikyo?" Mrs. Fujihara narrowed her eyes. It was obvious that she couldn't think in positive lights when it was regarding Himari, "She could two-time that man. If she keeps on playing hard to get, do you think Jun won't play along with her?"

Kikyo shook her head, "Believe me, Aunt. All in all, just forget about her. Come. Didn't you say you want to meet my jeweler friend? She's already waiting for us."

"Hurm, okay."

Although Mrs. Fujihara was skeptical about why did Kikyo say such good things about the vixen, she decided to drop the subject. She didn't want to ruin her mood today because of that lowly girl.

The fact about her son ended everything with that vixen was better to be true.

If not, that girl might let the event of three years ago resurfaced.

She won't let that vixen tarnish her precious son's name!