As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Himari stared blankly at the ceiling above her. She rubbed her sleepy eyes a few times, trying to think back on what she was supposed to do after waking up.

The young lady remembered that she returned home because her mother was hospitalized.

After returned home, she urged her mother to sleep and rushed Kazuya to take a rest too then...

She had to cook!

Himari abruptly sat up. She repeatedly shook her head, chasing her sleepiness away. Her long hair scattered messily behind her back as she rushed out of the bed.

It's already five o'clock! How long did she fall asleep? Her mother and Kazuya should be hungry by now!

While Himari was panicking inside, the sound of two voices faintly echoed from the outside of her bedroom.

Huh?

Himari frowned. She quickly brushed her hair using her fingers then tie her long hair into a messy bun. She opened the door and walked out of the bedroom, heading to where the voices came from.

They came from the kitchen.

"...don't know too many dishes since I just learned the simple ones."

"What a good fella! It's already admirable enough for you to learn cooking."

Himari was dumbfounded as she witnessed the scene in front of her.

Kazuya was wearing an apron. He was busy cutting the vegetables on the kitchen table. Each of his movements was quick and neat, showing he wasn't an amateur. 

While Kazuya was preparing ingredients for cooking, Himari saw her mother sitting on a chair opposite the man. Her mother was leisurely enjoying a cup of tea while chatting with Kazuya.

"...Mom, when did you wake up? Kazuya too?"

Two pairs of eyes focused on her right after Himari spoke.

She suddenly felt embarrassed because she was the last one to wake up.

"Just a while ago," Akemi laughed at the sight of her daughter's reddened cheeks. She added teasingly, "You're such a Sleeping Beauty ah. You only woke up now?"

"You guys didn't wake me up," Himari pouted. She squinted her eyes at Kazuya who looked so comfortable as if this was his own kitchen, "You're in charge of cooking now?"

Kazuya held back his laughter, "I'm waiting for the Sleeping Beauty to arise from her slumber. Since she's the head chef, I'm just helping her to prepare some ingredients first."

Himari clicked her tongue. She was annoyed to see how well these two got along with each other even though her mother and Kazuya had just met today.

Both of them joined forces to make fun of her now!

"Hahaha, stop moping ah. You can cook now. Kazuya has prepared all ingredients. We shouldn't let him go home hungry," Akemi let out a jovial laugh. She didn't even look sick as to how she was supposed to be.

"En, okay ah," Himari deliberately put up a smug face, "Of course, I'll let you both taste the greatness of my cooking skills. You would beg for seconds!"

Both Akemi and Kazuya couldn't stop laughing when Himari suddenly being dramatic. Himari ignored both of them as she went to wash her face first.

Because Akemi didn't want to disturb the couple, she moved to the living room, saying she wanted to sit while enjoying the evening breeze at the veranda.

Himari supported her mother to sit on her favorite couch. Chobi was nowhere to be seen. He might have gone on an adventure outside. 

"Feeling better?" Kazuya whispered as he brought the tray of fish to Himari. His lady was scanning the ingredients placed on the table.

Himari looked at him, she coughed awkwardly then darted her eyes away, "En, en, it feels good after having such a good and long nap."

Kazuya softened his smile. He poked on her messy hair bun, "So good until you didn't even realize that I and your mother have woken up?"

Himari glared at him. She asked suspiciously, "What did you talk about with my mom?"

Knowing her mother full well, Himari knew it was impossible if Kazuya wasn't being asked an array of questions by her mother. At the same time, her mother would happily talk to him about everything.

Ugh... Himari just hoped her mother wouldn't tell this man her dark history. She didn't want Kazuya to get more of her black materials to tease her.

A mellow light flickered in his eyes. Kazuya vaguely answered, "En, I heard a few things."

Himari blinked, "What were they?"

"Not telling you," He put up a smirk. Tilting his head, he added, "I'm hungry."

Himari narrowed her eyes in dissatisfaction but she could only admit defeat. It was clear that this stinky man won't say anything to her.

Thus, a dejected Himari just focused on cooking with an annoying helper next to her.

Well, Kazuya was good in the kitchen although this was the first time she witnessed it.

Himari was still annoyed when she couldn't pry into what this man had talked about with her mother.

Kazuya was amused to see her continued shooting a glare at him whenever she could.

Hehe, cute.

Kazuya just had an hour of nap. It was enough for him to reenergize. As he was wondering what should he do while still lying on the bed, he heard the sound of something fell to the floor.

He immediately rushed out of the bedroom, only to see Himari's mother was fumbling with her sprained ankle.

At that time...

"Ah, did I wake you up?"

The middle-aged lady was sitting on the floor but, Kazuya didn't think she was just merely sitting. Not far from where Himari's mother sat, he saw a fallen glass of water. The small carpet lying under a cabinet was wet with the water.

Akemi laughed helplessly, "Aiya, I just wanted to walk around but, I accidentally knocked on the cabinet."

"Aunt, let me help you," Kazuya asked before bending down his tall body.

Akemi accepted the young man's help. Kazuya brought her to sit on a couch in the living room. She was pleased when the man went to the kitchen and brought out a new glass of water. 

"Have you rested well?" Akemi asked after thanking the young man.

"Yes," Kazuya nodded with a smile.

Seeing that Himari had yet to wake up, she must have been still so tired until now. 

Although it was kind of awkward at first to suddenly sit alone with the mother of his lady, the two of them started to get along well as Akemi kept asking Kazuya about himself. 

Kazuya didn't mind answering them because most of Himari's mother's questions didn't touch the overly private matters of his life. They also talked about random things, sharing laughter together in the living room.

Now, Kazuya understood from where did his lady's compassion and good behavior come from. Her mother nurtured Himari since young while showing a good example of her own self.

"Aunt, weren't you surprised when suddenly Himari said both of us started dating? I only knew your daughter in less than three months."

Maybe because he was comfortable talking with Himari's mother, Kazuya brought up the subject.

Somehow, he wanted to know what Himari's mother thought of the beginning of his relationship with her precious daughter.

Kazuya didn't know he had unconsciously made Akemi found him more pleasing.

"I couldn't deny that I was surprised," Akemi answered with a smile, "As you already know, Himari was not too experienced in love. She only knew the boy from her school. Although both of you didn't know each other for long, as long as you two didn't easily back away, I'd accept that you're now my daughter's companion."

She was sincerely welcomed him as the partner of her baby daughter.

Kazuya stiffly nodded his head. 

He already understood Himari's mother had a good impression on him but, for him to hear such words, they made him both happy and conflicted at the same time.

Kazuya was happy because the one who his lady held dear in her heart didn't reject him to be with her.

Kazuya felt conflicted because it gave him a sense of heavy responsibility.

Yet, instead of taking a step back because of the overwhelming feelings, they helped to propel him forward.

Himari's mother's attitude was enough to tell him that as long as he treated Himari well, she wouldn't have any objections to him.

"Aunt," Kazuya put both hands on his knees. He gave the middle-aged lady a bow, "I would treat Himari well. I know you're worried when she's away from you but, please rest assured. She'd be safe with me. Your daughter is in good hands."

His words were spoken with deep resolve.

Kazuya wasn't just sugarcoating whatever he was telling Himari's mother. He meant every word he said.

A layer of tenderness melted in Akemi's eyes. 

Yet, what came out of her mouth was sharp.

"I'd believe your actions more than your words," Akemi kept her gaze on the young man, "Himari is my only darling daughter. I know her well. At times, she tends to bottle up her feelings, thinking that she doesn't want me to worry over her. I'd be relieved if you put your words into action. I don't want to see my daughter cries because of you."

Kazuya's tensed nerves loosened. He smiled faintly.

He thoroughly understood the meaning of her words.

For now, Himari's mother had indeed accepted him to be together with her daughter but, at the same time, she still put him on observation, seeing whether he was worthy of her daughter or not. 

"I won't give neither you nor Himari any reason to be disappointed with me, Aunt."

Instead of feeling discouraged, Kazuya sealed the vow in his heart by his unshakeable will.