As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"Are you sure you can do home visitations today? Even from here, I can see your face is pale."

"Nah, I just didn't have good sleep last night. Besides, today is the last day anyway."

This morning, Yuina received a video call from Ryuu. He was in another country right now. The time difference was only a few hours. While it was only seven in the morning at home, it was already afternoon at where the film emperor was.

Yuina was currently applying her makeup before she went out to work. She leaned the phone against the mirror of the vanity table, allowing her husband to see her.

"How many parents left for you to meet? Don't be in a rush to finish everything," Ryuu couldn't help but remind his wife as he wasn't convinced by Yuina's excuse.

Starting last Monday, all the teachers at Amamiya School of Early Learning were busy with home visitations, Yuina wasn't excluded. At noon, they left the school early to be able to meet with the students' parents. 

Although it was called home visitation, the meetup was rarely done at the student's respective home. Most parents were keener to meet the teachers outside.

Today was Thursday, the last day for home visitations.

"I only have three more parents to meet," Yuina put down the foundation then she picked one of the lipsticks in the holder. She carefully dabbed a bit of the liquid lipstick before applying the color evenly on her lips, "Luckily, the parents of my students haven't made it hard for me to meet them."

The ones who agreed to meet Yuina were mostly the mothers of her students except for one because the student's father was a widower.

The rich wives who didn't work could easily set a time for Yuina and, even the working ones didn't have a problem doing so because most of them were the superiors at their workplaces. 

"Rest well this weekend, okay?" Ryuu ruffled his hair, feeling frustrated because he hadn't been home for long, "I could book you a session at your favorite spa. Take this time to relax."

Yuina grinned. She put the lipstick back inside the holder. Her eyes fell on the screen of the phone, "Ah, how benevolent my husband is. He's willing to spend so much money just to allow me to relax."

"Well, it's nothing much," Ryuu coughed awkwardly. He darted his eyes away from his wife's face before he looked again at her with guilt in his eyes, "After all, I can't return as scheduled."

Yuina didn't let her smile fell. She answered softly, "It's alright. You have work to do."

Ryuu was supposed to return to the country in two weeks but, at the last minute, his agency changed his schedule. The agency not only agreed to add new venues for the global tour due to excessive demands but, the management wanted to send Ryuu to the United States next. 

A renowned world film director was rumored to direct a new film next year. There was a spot for an Asian character in the film. Although the appearance time of the character was only less than half an hour, the importance of the character made it sought after by the actors eyeing the project.

"Yuina, I... I'm ashamed to say that I'm sorry..."

Ryuu didn't dare to look into her eyes. 

When he first received the news, Ryuu launched his protest against the management but, in the end, he could only agree. Although his status was high in the entertainment industry, Ryuu still had to follow the company's arrangement. 

He was so tempted to leave the agency as soon as his contract expired. It was better if he just established a one-man agency for himself.

The prestige that was carried by his name, Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu was already enough for him to be independent. 

Yuina was amused at the sight of her husband looking so down. Ryuu reminded her of a dejected puppy. She couldn't help but laugh as she thought how happy this man would be once he got to know about her pregnancy.

Yuina lowered her hand and touched her belly. There was no obvious physical change yet.

"Then, once you come home, make up the times you're away for me properly, okay?" She laughed, the sound of it floated gently inside the room, "I won't accept mere and simple compensation from you."

Ryuu was stunned.

Somehow, the way his wife smiled and laugh these days appeared more radiant to his eyes.

"...yes! I will!"

Yuina just smiled. 

Usually, she could only hide her disappointment whenever she heard of Ryuu's unexpected schedule but, Yuina didn't feel too awful now.

Maybe, just maybe, it was because she didn't feel that she was too alone even though he wasn't here.

After all, she had their child with her.

Yuina ended the video call. She gathered her items and put them inside a bag before she walked out of the room.

As Yuina passed the living room, her eyes fell on the pregnancy books that she bought before. 

In the morning, the flow of the school hours didn't change much except when the clock struck one o'clock. 

One o'clock was the time when the teachers went out to meet the parents due to the home visitations. Most of the meetings were already held. There would be just a few left today, including the parents of Himari's students.

"You're going to a spa this afternoon?" Teacher Ayase whistled after she heard of Himari's arrangement.

"Yes," Himari didn't know either to laugh or cry, "In fact, I'm meeting two mothers. They are best friends, like how their children are. Since they have appointments at the spa, they asked me to meet them there."

This was not the first time Himari was invited to meet the parents and guardians at exquisite places but, she still couldn't help but be amazed by these rich people's worlds. 

The other day, one mother changed their meeting place from her office to a boutique she often frequented. It was a high-class one where one section of the boutique was closed just for the employees to serve the mother and Himari.

While they talked, the mother urged Himari to change into a few dresses while she did the same. Himari almost felt dizzy and exhausted after coming out of the dressing room for the fifth time.

In the end, Himari was given a set of summer dresses as the mother thanked her for taking care of her son.

It was futile to reject the gifts as the mother's enthusiasm was hard to be pressed down.

"Would your visitations finish after meeting the two mothers?"

Himari was pulled back from the funny scene of yesterday by Teacher Ayase's question. She suppressed a grin from revealing on her face.

A man's face gradually taking shape in her mind. 

"En, I'm going to meet Hayashi Izumi's guardian next. How about you?"

Teacher Ayase flipped a book on her table. She scanned the names, "I only have two more. Luckily, both of the meeting places are quite near to each other."

When Himari contacted Kazuya about Izumi's home visitation, the man sneakily asked to be put as the last one. A visitation period shouldn't exceed one hour and most parents respected that.

Because Kazuya wanted to have more of her time, the crafty man said if his name was put at the bottom of the list, both of them could go for a date next since there was nothing hindering Himari's schedule.

"You're not messing with what the school has tasked you to do. You're just taking this advantage to see your handsome boyfriend who is also your student's guardian. Isn't that right? So, don't feel bad about it."

The man's judgment sounded so righteous until she didn't know how to refute him.

Himari could picture how cunning the man's smile was at that time.

Aye, he was really a bad boy ah, maybe that's how he was when still in school. 

At one o'clock, Himari rushed to the spa where the two mothers had assigned as the meeting place. She arrived at the spa at half-past one, still early from the designated time.

All of them were supposed to meet at a quarter to one.

"Welcome, miss," A receptionist greeted Himari respectfully. She asked in a polite tone, "May I know if you've made an appointment here?"

"Hello, I'm here to meet Mrs. Tahara Sumiko and Mrs. Hirayama Miyuki," replied Himari, "Are they here already?"

"Ah! Are you Teacher Kato Himari from Amamiya School of Early Learning? Mrs. Tahara and Mrs. Hirayama have both informed us about you. Please follow our guide to their room."

"Thank you."

Himari was brought to one of the rooms inside the spa. Both of the mothers were already in their bathrobes. They welcomed Himari as if this was their own home.

And, once again Himari was caught in the mothers' enthusiasm.

"Teacher Kato, it'd be boring to just talk about those brats! Come! Go and change your clothes. You should join us too!" Mrs. Tahara was beaming as she raised up the suggestion.

Flustered, Himari's mind almost went blank, "Err, I don't think..."

"Yes, Teacher Kato. This is the least we can do for you. One hour is already enough! It must have been exhausting to entertain our rascals and the other students, right? Excuse me! Please bring Teacher Kato to the changing room," Mrs. Hirayama instructed one of the staff to help Himari.

Without being able to protest, Himari could only let herself be led by the staff to wherever she would be brought to.