As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

How astonishing it was for you to meet someone that was engraved in your mind even after so long? Especially when you just had met for only one time?

Himari was totally bewildered but she didn't object to such a meeting.

The flow of time suddenly reversed as Himari's mind was quick to remember the one event where she met this woman.??

It happened on a cold night.

The coldness was not only due to the weather but, the danger that almost pulled her into the never-ending darkness also seeped the frostiness deep into her bones.

When she was totally in despair, Fate brought her to meet this woman.

The woman's face didn't change much.

Her eyes were deep without any obvious emotions flickering in them. Her lips were painted with red lipstick, adding contrast to her white face. The crow's feet around her eyes were faintly visible, showing that she had kept her elegance even in her later years.

As to how Himari remembered that night, this elegant woman's face was as cold as the night but, her incoming actions helped to dispel Himari's despair.

Unknown to anyone, she silently kept thinking of this woman.

"It seems like you remember me, child."

The words pulled Himari out of her thoughts. She quickly rose to her feet. All of the woman's belongings were still in her hands.

"Err, yes..." Himari dazedly admitted. She looked at the woman who was now standing opposite her, "I think... I won't ever forget you, madam."

How could she forget?

If not for this woman, she might not be as happy as she was today.

She might even choose to drown herself in the darkness.

The woman lightly nodded. Her face still wore the same cold expression that was embedded in Himari's mind but, Himari didn't feel repulsive. She faintly understood this was her nature.

Himari quietly assessed the woman she called madam.

Today, she wore a cream-colored dress but, her dress was obscured by a long black trench coat over her slender frame. Her hair was pulled into a neat bun with no stray hair sticking out, looking as flawless and uptight as ever.

On that night, she wore a black dress, as black as the inky night sky.

It was unfathomable for Himari to think that after all these years, they would meet again in such a setting.

"Madam, I also didn't expect to know that you remember me," Himari said after a long pause, "Why are you here? Are you sick?"

The woman closed her eyes. When she opened them again, a trace of indiscernible warmth tinged her eyes.

"I have a good memory," The woman replied coolly without answering the last two questions, "Especially when I witnessed something like that. You look like you're doing well."

Himari couldn't resist smiling just because of those simple words. The corners of her eyes raised up slightly as she nodded happily.

"Yes. I've been well. Ah, I should return these to you."

Although there were some unpleasant things and encounters that happened to her as of late, Himari still could pleasantly say that her life had been well all this time.??

The woman nodded again as Himari handed her the items. She seemed pleased to hear what the young lady said, "Good. It's not worth it if you self-destruct yourself because of those scums."

Himari just smiled.

She wondered if this was what Kazuya felt when she unconsciously helped him on that night three years ago? Even though he didn't immediately recognize her like how she did to this madam, Kazuya didn't forget the gratitude he felt toward her.

"Ah, since we met again, I want to..."

Ring, ring~

Before Himari finished talking, her phone rang. With one glance, she saw Kazuya's name displayed on the screen.

"En, excuse me," Himari bowed at the woman before she took the call, "Hello, Kazuya? Ah, you're here already? No, no, I can go down myself. Meet you in the car. Ah, what?"

While Himari was talking on the phone, she didn't notice that the madam was intently appraising her. The last trace of the coldness in her eyes melted, revealing a contented look on her face.

"It seems like you're supposed to meet someone," The madam asked once Himari ended the call. With a slight interest in her voice, she continued, "I'm sorry to intrude but, upon hearing it's a man's name, may I know if you have a relationship with him?"

The sudden question baffled Himari at first but, instead of denying it, she just smiled shyly.

"We're just beginning to see each other in that sense."

The madam looked more gratified as if she herself was embroiled in the new romance.

The young lady's eyes twinkled brightly when she admitted to the question.

"You should go now. Your man might worry if you don't show up sooner," With a slight lift of her chin, the madam gestured in the direction of the elevator.

"Ah, yes... Then, I'll go first," Himari thought of Kazuya who said he would just wait for her in the lobby instead of the car, "It's nice to meet you again, madam."

Himari gave a respectful bow to the woman before she ran toward the elevator. In just a few steps, she stopped, turned around and called out to the woman.

"I'm sorry, madam! I actually want to ask for your name and contact information," Himari ran back to the woman, "If it's possible, I'd like to treat you for a meal."

Even though a long time had passed, gratitude still filled her entire heart. It was really fortunate for Himari because once again she was able to meet her benefactor.

When the woman left that night, Himari was depressed because she didn't get any details about her. Since then, there were no traces left by this madam aside from the thing she handed to her.

She disappeared as if she was just a phantom looming in the night, appeared only to lend her a helping hand.

The woman was quiet, so quiet as she stared at Himari's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

In the end, she shook her head.

"You don't need to have my number. This time, I believe we will meet again," answered the woman in a low voice akin to a whisper, "Soon."

"...Pardon?"

Why did she think suddenly this madam sounded so vague?

As the woman paid no attention to Himari's daze look, she began to slowly walk away from the place where she stood previously.

"...! Madam! Your name is?" Himari yelled when she realized that until now, the woman still didn't tell her who was she.

She at least wanted to know her name.

The woman didn't glance back as she answered, "Tokioka."

Himari watched until the madam disappeared at one intersection of the hallway. Once she left, Himari was left all alone there.

As if the brief meeting earlier didn't even happen.

Like how they met before.

"...Tokioka?" She repeated the name under her breath.

Himari kept the name inside her mind. Although she didn't understand why did the madam say both of them would meet again soon, she just chose to believe it.

Sometimes, the future ended up happening because one instilled a belief over the wishes.

Himari smiled faintly, hoping it would really come true soon.

"Ah! Kazuya's waiting!"

Himari quickly rushed to the lobby. Even though she had told Kazuya to just wait at the car, the man insisted to meet her in the lobby.

After searching for a while, Himari spotted the man. He was standing near the entrance. Unlike the usual formal suit that he always wore, today Kazuya just wore a casual outfit.

He was leaning against the wall with both of his hands were put inside the pockets of his long pants. His gaze was lowered to the floor.

"Kazuya, have you been waiting for long?" Himari slowed down her feet as she got closer to him.

At the sound of her voice, the man stiffly raised up his eyes from the floor. Before the young lady could see the waves of emotions raging in his eyes, Kazuya quickly concealed all of them.

Yet, his eyes still appeared dim unlike usual.

"Not at all," He shook his head with a faint smile tugging on his lips, "Let's go now? If you don't have anything later, why don't you follow me home? We can just eat the strawberries if you aren't in the mood of baking."

Himari tilted her head, thinking that it was a good idea.

"I could bake some cookies with Chiharu today," She gave him a smile, her eyes twinkling with joy, "Hehe, before the strawberries get spoilt, let's just make some now."

Even though Himari promised Chiharu that they would bake the cookies on Tuesday or Wednesday, it was fine to bring it forward. She didn't even feel tired even though she had spent a few hours baking the same cookies last night.

It was one of the things that Himari enjoyed so she didn't find it as a burden.

The dimness in Kazuya's eyes receded as he was affected by her beaming smile. He took one of her hands in his and gently clasping his wide palm around her small hand.

"I just hope the naughty girl won't make a mess in the kitchen," Kazuya let out a faint laugh, "Let's see what excuses she would give us once she has done it."

"Hey! You couldn't even trust your own niece? Chiharu is obedient ah!" Himari laughed along as she listened to him badmouthing the little girl.

The man and the woman walked out of the hospital lobby, heading to where Kazuya parked his car.

Away from where the couple was, a pair of deep-set eyes were looking at them.??

No one saw the faint trace of warmth in those eyes.