As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The sun had risen high above the sky. The family of four brought the bags of strawberries to the rest area provided by the farm. There were several garden tables there to be used freely by the patrons. With the shady trees offered shade from the sun, it was a suitable place to lounge after picking strawberries.

A few other families had already occupied the tables. All of them were just like the family of four. They had just finished picking the fruits at the farm.

Some children were playing at a nearby playground. There was a slide with a cartoon strawberry sculpture at the center of the playground together with a few other types of play equipment like a see-saw, monkey bars and swings.

Away from the crowd, a row of shops stood waiting for the customers. There were ones selling souvenirs, beverages and desserts.

By this time, Chiharu was practically drooling as her eyes were fixated on the cute desserts displayed by one of the shops.

"Izumi, follow me. We'll go and buy drinks first," said Kazuya while he placed down the bags on one of the garden chairs.

"Okay, Uncle," Izumi just followed his uncle.

Kazuya glanced at Himari and to the dumpling who was still clinging to her. Chiharu didn't stop holding hands with Himari from the moment they walked out of the farm until they reached this rest area.

He suddenly felt bitter inside.

Ugh...

"Himari, what do you want to drink?" asked Kazuya as he tried to ignore his niece who he suddenly found annoying.

"En, strawberry milk sounds good," Himari was tempted to have one of the milk. She lowered her gaze and looked at Chiharu beside her, "Chiharu, what do you want?"

"Aaa, Chiharu wants..."

"You can just drink plain water," Kazuya mercilessly cut the dumpling off before Chiharu could even answer.

"No~" Eyes widened in shock, Chiharu began to protest.

Kazuya ignored his niece. He beckoned at Izumi to follow him. The two men, big and small left the rest area while Himari and Chiharu waited for them there.

"Uncle is so bad bad! Always make Chiharu mad!" 

An aggrieved dumpling complained, her lips pouted. Himari suppressed herself from laughing too much. She patted the dumpling's head, trying to soothe the little girl's feelings.

"We have so many strawberries here," Himari diverted the little bunny's attention to the bags of strawberries they had, "What do you want to do with them? Does Chiharu want to make something using the strawberries?"

Chiharu's ears perked up while her eyes instantly brightened. 

"Strawberry shortcake! And cookies! Then, Chiharu wants strawberry pudding!"

In just a moment, she had forgotten how unpleasant her uncle was as Chiharu excitedly narrated to Himari about the desserts she wanted to have with the strawberries.

Himari just listened to the dumpling. Her smile could reach her ears as she attentively paid attention to the little girl's chatters.

She could imagine how hard yet funny it was for Kazuya to deal with this witty little dumpling. Fortunately, Izumi was a quiet and sensible one. If both of them were are naughty as Chiharu, Kazuya would be so pitiable ah.

Both of them didn't notice that the two men had returned from the shop. Kazuya and Izumi brought drinks in their hands. 

As Kazuya's eyes fell on the scene of the dumpling chatting animatedly with Himari, his lips curved up without him realizing it.

Aye, his niece could only talk about food and...

Kazuya's eyes softened.

His girlfriend was patiently entertaining the dumpling's chattiness.

"The drinks here," Kazuya announced once they got nearer, "We have strawberry milk."

Chiharu's attention was instantly diverted to the cold milk brought by her uncle and brother. Her chubby face broke into a grin, "Strawberry milk~ Drink strawberry milk~"

Kazuya shot the dumpling a helpless look as he gave her one cup of strawberry milk. Izumi put the other cups on the table.

"Ah! Why so small?" Chiharu blinked, looking at her own cup then at the other three cups, "Chiharu's is so small! Why?"

"Oh, Uncle bought the kiddie version for you," answered Kazuya without showing pity, "Drink ah. Don't be fussy. If not, you won't get any."

Once again, the dumpling's cheeks puffed up before she angrily stared at her uncle.

"Hahaha~ Drink it, Chiharu. Don't let the ice melts," Himari couldn't restrain laughing when the dumpling got angry at Kazuya again.

Chiharu pursed her soft lips and answered, "En, Chiharu won't be mad at Uncle. Chiharu should know Uncle has been so stingy. No worries, no worries. Chiharu could survive even without the stingy Uncle."

Kazuya rolled his eyes, unable to fathom why did his niece turn even more dramatic right now.

The dumpling quickly finished her milk before she jumped out of the chair and dragged her brother to go play with her. She couldn't possibly stay still when interesting plays were waiting for her at the playground.

Kazuya put down his empty cup of milk on the table. He turned to look at Himari who was sitting beside him.

"Did you enjoy the activity earlier?" He asked with a smile on his lips.

Himari laughed, "Hehe, I really enjoy it. The strawberries are so ripe. I've already thought of making some desserts using them."

Even though she had just gone for strawberry picking a few weeks ago, Himari didn't feel bored. The other day, she was with her mother while now, she had different companions.

The light in Kazuya's eyes mellowed as he saw the smile on her face. He was glad to see her smiling happily but, at the same time, he felt sorry for her.

"The hiking trip that we planned before, we can change it into another one. Where do you want to go? The park? Or the beach? Just us two."

Himari blinked. She didn't expect to hear him changing the topic now.

"Haha, don't tell me you would really leave the siblings if I asked to go somewhere far?" She teasingly answered him.

Kazuya shrugged, "I've already regretted that I didn't dump them at Shuichi's place today. I've never thought Chiharu could be so annoying today. Sticking at you like gum. It's like you two who are on a date."

Himari bubbled with laughter. Her shoulders shook as she tried to control herself from continuing to laugh. Kazuya snickered. His eyes drifted to where the siblings were playing.

"I know I've said it before but, I am sorry if you feel like you have to take care of the siblings like how I'm doing now."

Kazuya lowered his gaze to the grass beneath his shoes before he lifted his eyes again, staring at Himari who was now quietly looking at him too.

"We couldn't even have a proper date," He added quietly, "Until now."

In another week, their relationship would pass the very first month. 

Although their new relationship came up impromptu, Kazuya couldn't shake off the guilt he felt toward Himari. He was busy for two weeks, leaving her unattended when she had just become his girlfriend.

Not only that, in the few times they could meet, he still had to bring the children with them. 

The only times they were alone was when he brought her to tour around the villa and the short time when he accompanied her to meet that man the other day.

Himari lightly shook her head with a soft smile curled up, "The first moment I agreed to date you, I've already thought of the siblings. I know you have to make them your priority but I don't find it a point to demerit you."

Her answers made him laughed.

"So, you're already evaluating me in your mind? Have you given me many demerits?"

Himari shrugged, "En, let's see. Either you get many merits or demerits, only I know."

Kazuya gave her a hopeless look while Himari burst into laughter.

"I don't want to think which is a proper date or not, as long as both of us enjoy it," Himari shrugged. Her eyes were beaming under the sun, "So, let's just go for the hiking trip? I don't need you to plan something elaborate just because we're going on a date with only us."

Kazuya suppressed a sigh. He reached out a hand and gently took hold of her hands.

Under Himari's eyes tinged with faint shyness, he answered, "Even though you said so, I won't shortchange you. I admit that I might not be able to be like the other boyfriends out there but, I also won't make you feel unimportant in our relationship."

Kazuya understood where his responsibilities lied now. Just because he was dating someone, he shouldn't shirk away from taking care of the siblings as to how he had always done.

At the same time, he also knew he shouldn't make his partner seconds in everything he did. He still had to try balancing his responsibilities on the siblings and Himari now.

No one should be left out.

When he let the words out of his mouth, they were spoken slowly yet steadily. Himari felt reassured enough even though now, she just heard his stance.

This man... Until now, he was still worried about this matter.

Himari squeezed his hand then replied cheekily, "Aye, your words make me think that I'm dating a single father with children ah."

Kazuya almost choked in disbelief.

This girl...

That was her reply after he gave her some touching words? Can't she act like she was touched by his determination ah? This was not how the script should be.

Himari laughed freely, letting the coming breeze floated her laughter in the air as Kazuya was looking at her with a funny look.