As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

[Kazuya: That cheeky girl... I really have to discipline her well]

[Kazuya: Delete that photo!]

Himari burst out laughing once she read the replies from Kazuya. 

It was a fine Sunday morning. Himari was sweeping the dry leaves in the yard when she received Kazuya's messages. She leaned the broom against her body then she typed a few replies.

[Himari: Don't wanna]

[Himari: I got another black material of you]

[Himari: PinkStrawberryStickingOutTongue.png]

{Himari: Wish Izumi all the best for me!]

Once she was done, Himari put the phone back inside the pocket of her cardigan. She continued doing her task for this morning.

The swelling of Akemi's ankle had yet to subside. It was quite difficult for her to move around as usual.

But, instead of just lying on the bed, Akemi was now sitting on her favorite recliner chair while watching the morning drama. Chobi was curling up next to the chair, accompanying his grandma.

After Himari finished sweeping the yard, she rushed to the backyard next. Her mother planted various kinds of vegetables there. The garden flourished under her mother's care

"Potato pancakes sound good," Himari mumbled in a happy mood.

She dug out some potatoes, picked a few eggplants and red tomatoes as well as some scallions.

Himari thought of making miso-glazed eggplant for lunch today while the potato pancakes could be eaten as brunch. As for the tomatoes, her mother mentioned snacking on them so Himari just picked them in advance.

"Mom, do you want some potato pancakes?" Himari asked right after she entered their little home.

"Alright," Akemi immediately agreed without looking at her daughter. Her entire focus was on the handsome and young male lead of the drama, "I want mine crispier. Add lots of shredded carrots and scallions."

"Got it," Himari hummed.

After tossing the vegetables inside a bowl, Himari untied her hair bun, brushed her locks using her fingers then tied her hair again neatly. 

Although she had just eaten breakfast at seven, Himari craved some hot potato pancakes. It was one of her comfort food every time she wanted something savory.

Himari carefully peeled the potatoes, grated them into shreds, cut some onions, thinly sliced carrots and scallions before mixing them with the shredded potatoes. After that, Himari added an egg, flour, salt and a bit of pepper.

Yums!

Himari laughed by herself as she was suddenly reminded of Chiharu.

The dumpling might love to have some of these potato pancakes. But, was she being nagged by Kazuya at this time?

Himari laughed again as she thought of the possibility.

Aye, the dumpling was indeed mischievous ah.

Himari was surprised when she first received the photo from Izumi's number early this morning. The baffled feeling was replaced by amusement after knowing that the photo was sent by Chiharu without neither Kazuya nor Izumi's knowledge. 

While the two men of the Hayashi family were still sleeping, Chiharu made a call to Himari after sending the photo to her.

"Chiharu is bored ah! Uncle and Big Brother no wake up yet! Teacher Kato, hehe, make Uncle's photo cute, can you?"

Himari couldn't really understand why did the cheeky dumpling came out with such a request but, she happily complied with it.

Well, it wasn't bad to have an embarrassing photo of her boyfriend, right?

Then, Himari generously added lots of small strawberry stickers on her boyfriend's sleeping photo.

"Mom, the pancakes are ready now."

Himari brought out a tray from the kitchen. A large plate of potato pancakes, two small empty plates and a bowl of dipping sauce were served on a low wooden table. She didn't forget to brew some tea for both of them.

"Cook lunch a bit late, kay?" Akemi used the chopsticks to shred the pancakes into smaller bits, "I don't feel like eating early. Just make do with these pancakes."

"Okay, Mom," Himari dipped her pancake into the sauce, "I'll just make Granny Saichi's portion first."

"That sounds good."

The mother and daughter spent the rest of the morning having hot potato pancakes while watching the morning drama. Sometimes, the glass wind chime that was hanging above the veranda produced a tinkling, bell-like sound as the wind blew. 

The atmosphere was harmonious despite the mother and daughter only doing mundane things.

Himari secretly glanced at her mother through the corner of her eyes. Her mother was making comments about the leads in the drama. Sometimes, she laughed as if she was truly enjoying the storyline.

Her mother's ankle and wrist might heal soon but, Himari had to admit that she suddenly grew anxious to leave her mother alone again.

Before, although Himari was worried whenever she had to leave for the city, the feelings weren't as intensified as what she felt right now.

Due to the minor accident yesterday, Himari was thoroughly fearful to leave her mother alone in their hometown. Even though they were neighbors around, it was still different than having family members with them.

Somehow, Himari was reminded that as she was growing up with each time passing, her mother's time also might end sooner or later.

Her nose soured as such a thought passed her mind.

Age and time did not wait for people.

"Mom..."

Akemi blinked, thinking that her daughter's voice didn't sound right. She glanced at Himari who was sitting on the tatami floor, "What's wrong? Eh? You wanna cry again?"

Himari pouted. Her eyes were already red before she could hold herself back, "Mom, should I just apply for a job here? I can take care of you properly instead of leaving you alone at home."

When Granny Saichi suggested her finding a teaching job at any local school before, Himari just simply brushed her off because she loved her job right now. But, if she stayed in the city, it would be inconvenient for her to always come home whenever her mother needed her presence.

Akemi let out a sigh. It was clear to her that her baby daughter right now was overthinking again. Just because she suffered from minor injuries yesterday, Himari had started contemplating quitting her job in the city and returned to this village.

Aye, her daughter had already been this big yet, she was still a crybaby.

"You and your silly thoughts again," Akemi flicked on Himari's forehead. She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes were squinting as she was staring at her daughter's pitiful face, "Are you saying your mom here is a weak old lady?"

"That's not it..." Himari mumbled, feeling dejected all over again.

Akemi scoffed, "Ha! Don't even think of quitting! Do you think you can get a good job like the one you currently have if you come back here? Just stay in the city ah!"

Himari stared at her mother for a long time without speaking. In the end, she didn't refute her. Himari placed her head on her mother's thighs, she was being careful with the leg that was injured.

"You have to live long, Mom," She murmured. Her voice was still tinged with uneasiness.

Himari understood that she was being unreasonable right now but, it was hard for her to shake off the unpleasant thoughts from her mind. She kept on thinking of the what-ifs. 

She really, really hoped that her mother would live long enough.

She didn't want to be left alone.

Akemi was quiet as her gaze fell on the back of her daughter's head. She suppressed a sigh from escaping her lips. 

Her daughter's worry wasn't unwarranted.

Both of them depended on each other ever since Himari was born.

She gave her daughter a safe and happy home despite the lack of material things while her daughter gave her a new family to be cherished, someone that she dearly loved after the chaos that happened almost three decades ago.

There would be no way for Akemi to be at ease whenever she thought of her days that might come to the end sooner or later.

She didn't want to leave her daughter all alone.

"Of course your mom here would live long," Akemi swallowed the lump knotting in her throat. She gently stroked the back of Himari's head, "I have to see for myself your wedding with Kazuya later. The best bride's mother would be me!"

Himari abruptly lifted up her head, staring at her mother in disbelief, "That's what you're thinking for? Mom, we've just been together!"

"Kazuya's a good man ah. Do you wanna let such a fine specimen go to another woman?" Akemi raised up her brows. A teasing smile tugged on her lips.

Himari pouted. She understood that her mother didn't want her to overthink but...

In the end, Himari let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm still young. I don't have to get married so soon."

That was Himari's response before once again she laid her head on her mother's lap. Her pose right now resembled how she had always done whenever she returned to the village. 

Himari had always loved lying her head on her mother's lap. The simple action gave off warm feelings to her, especially if her mother played with her hair. 

A mother's lap was the best. 

Hearing her daughter's reply, Akemi helplessly shook her head.

"Yes, ah. My daughter is such a handful ah. I'd really pity my son-in-law to be," She poked on Himari's shoulders, "Kazuya has lots to handle once you two get married later. He'd gain another child to take care of."

"Mom!"

"Hahaha!"

The howling wind gently passed the glass wind chime, echoing its melodious sound in the late spring morning. 

Time continued turning, waiting for no one.