As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"Tomorrow is the weekend~ Yay!"

"Gosh, we only have a short break before Teacher Goda pulls us for the sports festival."

"Hurm, I hope I'd be responsible for the marching. It's fun helping the students picking the costumes."

Yuina just quietly heard the other teachers talking to each other as she was packing her belongings. They were discussing what should they do this weekend as well as about the upcoming sports festivals.

All of them would be quite free for a while.

The home visitation period had ended yesterday, much to the teachers' relief. All the assessments had been finalized and uploaded to the school portal. So far, no issues were arisen by the teachers who went to meet the parents and guardians of the students. 

Yuina put the strap of her bag over her shoulder. As she walking to the door, her eyes fell to Himari who was also busy getting ready to go back. Teacher Ayase who sat next to the young teacher was already nowhere to be seen.

"Teacher Kato, you're going home too?" Yuina asked.

The English teacher looked up from her bag. Himari answered with a funny laugh, "Yes. I can't wait to lie down on my bed."

Yuina held back her laughter. With a lift of her chin, she gestured to the door, "Want me to send you back? You don't have to walk all by yourself."

Teacher Kato's residential building was just less than ten minutes' drive by car from here. Since the place was just within her way home, Yuina thought of giving Teacher Kato a lift.

It was not bad to occasionally have someone to accompany her in the car even for a short while.

"Ah, thank you for the offer," Himari was surprised by it before she added in regret, "But, I have to bring a child home with me. It'd be inconvenient for you. Sorry, I have to decline it."

Early this morning, Kazuya mentioned he would be entangled with a job during their short phone call. Without thinking much, Himari suggested having Chiharu coming to her apartment. Izumi would still be at school because he had to practice for the tournament this Sunday.

Since Chiharu was so happy to hear that, Kazuya agreed. 

Her man had stopped being stubborn and had started to share what he had to shoulder with her.

"A child?" Yuina raised up her brows, "Do you have to pick him up from somewhere?"

"She's a student here," Himari smiled sheepishly with pink color tinged her cheeks, "En, her uncle is busy today so, I would take care of her for a while."

Although she didn't openly admit to her relationship with Kazuya, by just her words, Himari knew Teacher Masuda would understand the meaning behind them.

And, her guess was true.

Yuina was intrigued by how Himari worded out her situation. 

It sounded like Teacher Kato might have something going on with the student's uncle. The way she blushed when speaking about the man cemented the assumption in Yuina's mind.

En, interesting.

She suddenly wanted to see the uncle of the student as it involved the quiet Teacher Kato.

"It's okay. Let her come with us," Yuina suppressed her curiosity in check. She smiled, "Let me send both of you to your apartment. It'd save your time from booking a cab."

"Hehe, thank you, Teacher Masuda. Then, I won't reject your offer."

Thus, the two teachers left the office. While Yuina went to get her car, Himari walked to the gate to meet Chiharu. They promised to meet at the pavilion near the gate. 

Izumi was there, accompanying his little sister before Chiharu went home with Himari.

"Teacher Kato~"

As usual, the dumpling ran happily to see Himari. Chiharu deng deng deng ran until she could hug her favorite teacher's legs. Her bangs were slightly messy due to the wind.

"Hehe, didn't your uncle has reminded you to not run?" Himari gave the dumpling a head pat.

"Don't tell Uncle ah," Chiharu said in a conspiratorial tone, "Uncle would nag and nag and nag until Chiharu's ears bleed."

Himari felt so sorry for Kazuya. From where and who did this dumpling learn of such words?

Aye, the life of an uncle was so tough. Especially in the face of an energetic and witty niece like Chiharu.

"Teacher Kato," Izumi respectfully greeted his homeroom teacher, "Thank you for taking care of Chiharu."

Himari was amused, "Hey, don't act all rigid with me, okay? It's fine ah. Your uncle is so busy."

Izumi smiled with a blush on his face. 

Although he knew this homeroom teacher of his might be his aunt one day, sometimes it was hard for Izumi to act freely with Teacher Kato.

"You may go now," Himari smiled, "The practice should begin anytime soon, right?"

"Ah, yes!"

After once again thanking Himari and giving reminders to Chiharu to behave well, Izumi ran in the direction of the gymnasium.

"Oh ya, Teacher Masuda would give us a lift," Himari told the dumpling, "Don't forget to thank her, okay?"

"Okay~" Chiharu grinned.

Soon, Yuina arrived with her car. Himari helped Chiharu to sit at the back.

"Hello," Yuina glanced at the child in the backseat. Her eyes were so gentle at the sight of the adorable Chiharu, "Little one, you're going home with Teacher Kato?"

"Hello, Teacher Masuda," The dumpling politely bowed her head. She smiled brightly, "My name is Chiharu. Chiharu's going home to play with Chobi!"

Yuina looked at Himari, "Your cat?"

Himari burst out laughing, "Yes. You have seen him once, that fat cat of mine."

Yuina couldn't stop laughing as well. She still remembered the feline of Teacher Kato's home.

Thus, the car slowly left the schoolyard, heading to Himari's apartment building.

The little girl was so bubbly and mischievous.

Chiharu looked so cute with twin pigtails on her head, adorned with yellow ribbons. Her round eyes didn't stop staring out of the car while her chubby cheeks moved every time she smiled.

Seeing such an adorable little girl made Yuina quietly thought of the one in her womb.

Would she get a son or a daughter?

If the child was a boy, he would surely be as handsome as his father. He could act as his mother's protector whenever his father wasn't here.

If it was destined to be a daughter, the cute girl could be her mother's dressing companion. Both of them could wear matching outfits and had girls' dates together.

Ah, Yuina really couldn't wait to celebrate the arrival of this child even though the wondrous moment won't be anytime soon.

Later, the car pulled up in front of the apartment building. Yuina stopped the car before the gate. She chuckled as she heard Himari thanking her.

"Thank you for sending us home."

Himari and Chiharu stood outside the car, saying thanks to Yuina.

"It's nothing much," Yuina shook her head while still laughing. She looked at Himari through the wound-down window, "I'm just sending my colleague home. Plus, your apartment is just nearby."

Himari was pleased to hear that. To her, Teacher Masuda was really a good person no matter how reserved and aloof she appeared at school. 

That was just the way she was.

"Teacher Masuda, thank you~" Chiharu didn't forget to say thank you as well. The dumpling bowed her head with both hands were placed on her stomach, "Teacher sent Chiharu and Teacher Kato safely. Thank you again."

Yuina's laughter rose to another octave because of the dumpling's lovable antics. 

How could she be this adorable? 

If not for fear of suddenly startling the little girl, Yuina was really tempted to hug her and bring the little bunny home. She would give all the food and toys the little one wanted, no matter how many of them.

"Haha, I could drive someone cute like you, little girl," Yuina grinned at Chiharu.

"Bye-bye. Tomorrow is the weekend. Just enjoy your two days of being away from school," Yuina waved at the little dumpling.

"Drive carefully," Himari reminded.

"Okay. Bye-bye, everyone."

Yuina wound up the car window, waved at the two of them for the last time before she drove away from the neighborhood residential area. The reflections of Teacher Kato and the little girl gradually grew smaller in the side mirror. 

It just happened for a short moment but Yuina was glad she offered a ride to Teacher Kato. The image of the bubbly little girl kept replaying in her mind.

"Baby," Yuina sighed in wonder, "Come out sooner, okay? Mommy really wants to meet you."

Every day that passed only deepened her longing for a child she had yet to see nor hold in her arms.

This was her and Ryuu's child, the fruit of their love.

Although both of them didn't have a happy childhood, Yuina was certain they could shower unconditional love to this child who carried their blood. Their child won't have to live like how they did before.

Yuina's eyes went up to the sky. 

The white clouds billowed in the bright blue sky, shielding the ground from the scorching sun. As the summer was closely approaching, the cool spring air had gradually turned a bit hot in the passing days.

"It seems like a good day for a stroll," Yuina murmured with a smile.

Instead of heading to Sakuya Residence, Yuina changed her destination to one of the city parks. She felt like walking around in a pretty garden than staying inside the spacious yet lonely home.