As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The shadows stretched out on the ground as the sun gradually hid behind the horizon, giving way for the moon to rise. The ruby and amber colors dyed the sky red and orange as the night would soon greet the Earth dwellers.

At sundown, there were still many people at the park, doing their own activities. 

In one spot, under a tree, a couple was sitting on a bench.

For the past half an hour, Himari had been listening intently to what Kazuya wanted to tell her. While the man appeared only a bit downcast, she couldn't do the same.

Even though Himari didn't experience all of the unfortunate events, the sorrow imbued in Kazuya's voice was enough to stab her heart woefully.

"It seemed like the usual robbery case. The victim gets injured and the robbers run away, like the ones on the news but, my brother fell into a coma because of it."

Kazuya kept his gaze lowered to his hands that were clasping together. The well-defined knuckles of his formed knots on the back of his hands.

His voice was a bit shaky after opening up to Himari, "The rate of recovery is low but, I couldn't possibly give up on him."

Before, Himari just knew that Kazuya's brother was comatose but, she had yet to know the exact cause of it.

She didn't want to but, Himari had to reluctantly admit that the incident that befell Kazuya's brother was really an unfortunate one. His brother was alone at the park, trying to cope with the pressure of losing his wife when two men robbed him.

Because of the incident that only happened for a few minutes, since three years ago and until now, the man was lying unconscious on the hospital bed.

Kazuya stopped talking. His brows furrowed slightly as he took in the unpleasantness that came from just telling Himari the story of his brother.

The silence between them wasn't peaceful as before when they could just be quiet yet still enjoyed each other's company. Himari could sense how hard Kazuya was keeping himself together to not break apart.

Himari slowly lifted up her hands from her lap. She was a bit hesitant yet she still did what her heart was telling her to. One of her arms was wrapped around Kazuya's right upper arm while the other was gently touching his hands. 

Kazuya was a bit startled by the sudden touch. The scent that only was known from her tenderly enveloped him before it diffused into his heart.

Kazuya raised up his eyes. His gaze fell on the top of the lady's head. Himari was now leaning her head on his shoulder. He could see her eyelashes fluttered like two small black fans from the close distance between them.

His lips curved into a weak smile, "Is this your way of comforting me?"

Himari nodded. Her voice was so low as she answered him, "I don't even know which words should I use to comfort you."

In the face of this difficult moment, all words were rendered useless.

She could say, "It must have been hard on you" or "Everything would be fine" yet, the words sounded so shallow. It was just like when she tried to alleviate his sorrow from that time inside the study.

When this man asked if he could have a hug, aside from the hug, she could only repeatedly saying "You have worked hard all this time."

Kazuya held back a laugh. A little bit of light mellowed in his eyes, chasing the pain away from reflected in them. 

"I'm just glad to have someone to listen to me," admitted Kazuya honestly. He used his left hand, the one that wasn't held by Himari to gently brushed her bangs from covering her face. He spoke in a low tone, "I know that I tend to keep everything inside and, only a few of my friends know about it but, since we're together, I feel like I have to tell you."

Kazuya actually disliked bringing up such a heavy topic even when talking with his friends like Shuichi and his twin brother. Yet, he understood he shouldn't conceal it from someone he wanted to have a life with.

"Himari, I've said it a few times already but, my situation doesn't allow me to focus solely on you. If... If my brother would remain in his current state, I still have to take care of the siblings until they fully grow up. Maybe, even until they graduate from the college..."

Himari tilted up her head, looking at Kazuya who kept talking in caution. 

This man... How far along in the future that he kept the children's lives in his mind? 

"If we ever got married, we can't have a two-person world like most married couples. The siblings still need to live with me so..." Kazuya closed his eyes. He let out a suppressed breath, "...I just want to say that, if you want to stop before that, tell me. I won't force you to continue our relationship."

What came as a response from Himari was a smack on Kazuya's shoulders. 

"...!"

Perplexed, Kazuya opened his eyes and stared silly at Himari whose cheeks were now puffing in anger.

Himari squinted her eyes and asked coolly, "Are you trying to break up with me when we haven't even reached the first month of our relationship?"

"...That's not what I meant!" Kazuya quickly denied it. He profusely shook his head, "I'd never mean that!"

Himari released Kazuya's arm. She stared at the man with a pair of clear eyes ladened with her frustration. 

"You silly! If that's not what you mean, you would stop talking like that," Himari gave the foolish man a glare, "Didn't I also say, I've already thought of that possibilities when we started dating? So what if the siblings would live with us after we got married? At least, I know they would back me up if I have a fight with you."

"What... what are you thinking? If we ever fought, they would back you up?" Kazuya was almost speechless before he could answer her.

"Absolutely! Don't you think so?" Himari raised her brows smugly.

"...you might be right," replied Kazuya in a dejected tone.

Himari pressed her lips hard, trying to not laugh at the sight of this man looking so pitiful right now.

It wasn't like she didn't understand Kazuya's neverending worries. His uncertainties were rooted deep into his bones, making him always thought of matters like this - about how his personal life wouldn't be the same as other people's because of his circumstances.

Himari also knew Kazuya wanted her to fully understand what she was heading into. This man just didn't want her to wallow in regrets but, instead of feeding into his concerns due to the unforeseen future, she wanted them to work together in the path that they had chosen.

"Kazuya," Himari sighed softly.

She reached out both hands and took the man's wide palms into hers. His hands were warm, they could act as warmers to her. Although his skin was rough, Himari still liked having their hands held together.

"I'm all ears if you wanted to talk about whatever problems you're having, either small or big. But, I hope this is the last time we have had this kind of talk. Chiharu and Izumi need you, your elder brother also needs you. I won't deny that."

Himari took a pause. She let their eyes locked together as she wanted him to see the resolve she had for the two of them.

"Instead of continuing to worry about having to divide your attention to them and me, why not you let me work along with you? You're too used to shoulder everything alone. Let me take some of your loads, okay?"

Both of them won't be getting anywhere if this matter wasn't resolved clearly. Himari was also afraid if they were stuck here, their new relationship would end before the petals bloom.

Wilted even before the first bud sprouted.

Kazuya wanted to retract his eyes away from hers. He felt like he was being seen through by the young lady before him but, he couldn't do so. His neck was stiff, Kazuya could only let their gaze locked together.

After a long stretch of silence, he nodded rigidly.

"I'll try... I'll try not to talk about this again. Sorry..."

Himari hummed softly. 

This man, no matter how reliable and strong he was facing the world, in the end, he was just a foolish and awkward man.

Never mind, since she had chosen him, there was nothing she could do.

Aye.

Even though Kazuya's appearance right now reminded Himari of a puppy being scolded, she still couldn't resist giving him a side-long glance and made another remark.

"You sound as if you want me to leave you. Is this your way to break up with me while showing how pitiable you are?"

"I'm not!" Kazuya abruptly denied it. His eyes widened in horror, "Never! I didn't even think of that."

"Yeah?" Himari squinted her eyes.

Kazuya wanted to retort but, he just admitted defeat under Himari's meaningful gaze.

"Aye, sorry, sorry... I would stop talking about this again, okay? Don't be mad," He pleaded like a boy getting a scolding.

"It depends on your next performance," Himari harrumphed. 

Kazuya let out a helpless chuckle. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on Himari's shoulder. One of his arms was propped straight on the bench while the other held her hand.

"You have said so yourself," His voice came from below her chin, the warmth of his breath fanning her neck. Kazuya twirled with Himari's fingers before he slowly continued, "I'll learn to depend on you more so, don't regret it someday, okay?"

"Hehehe," Himari brought up her free hand then she played with the man's short hair, "It'd come with a price, do you know? There's no such thing as free lunch in the world."

Kazuya burst out laughing. He elevated his chin from her shoulder, looking directly at her.

As the last rays of the sunlight sneaked through the leaves above them, he found that he loved to see the twinkles in her eyes.

It was dazzling yet comforting.