As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

On Monday morning, Teacher Goda headed a meeting in regards to the coming sports festival. All of the teachers were there except Himari who was on emergency leave.

The PE teacher gave a straightforward introduction before announcing which teachers were assigned to which posts. He gave each teacher a copy of the list in his hands. 

Since the principal gave Teacher Goda full authority to decide the post for each teacher, they didn't have to do any drawing. If not, if more female teachers got the posts that should be dedicated to male teachers, the time to reassign the posts would just delay their job.

"...parade. Teacher Maekawa, 4x100m relay... Teacher Ayase, ball-tossing game... Teacher Sagami, cheerleading... tug-of-war... trophy and gifts... emergency treatment... Teacher Masuda, food and beverage... Teacher..."

At one spot in the meeting room, Yuina heaved a sigh of relief. Her eyes scanned her own name that was printed on the paper.

For the upcoming sports festival, Yuina was in-charged of the food and beverage post. She could pick a few students to help her in making sure no one would be left behind in getting their food. 

Some teachers were even paired in two if their positions required that.

Yuina and the students had to properly check the numbers of students in each class together with the teachers and other support staff. Although the parents who came to cheer on their children would most likely bring their own food, each student would still be given a lunchbox. 

Food and beverage.

This post was indeed suitable for the pregnant her.

Yuina had initially thought that if she got a post that required more of her energy like being in the field to observe a game, she had to ask Teacher Goda to switch hers with another teacher's assignment. 

It was hard to foresee any bad things that would happen. Yuina was afraid of incidents, like having a ball thrown at her or any other thing that would endanger her baby.

After almost falling at the park the other day, Yuina grew more anxious whenever she had to go out. She was always thought the possibility of having someone or something run into her, resulting in her falling down and...

Yuina inwardly shook her head, refusing to keep on thinking of such a gruesome possibility.

Her child was alright. The doctor said the little one was growing safely in her womb.

She would do everything to protect this child.

"Teacher Goda."

After the meeting was adjourned, Yuina immediately went to see the PE teacher. She had another thing to ask the man.

"Yes, Teacher Masuda," The PE teacher stopped arranging the papers on the table. He stared at his colleague, "Do you need to change anything about your post?"

"No, it's not about that," Yuina shook her head, "I just wanna ask about Teacher Kato. Since she's on emergency leave, which posts she would be in once she returns?"

There was no mention of Teacher Kato being assigned to any position. 

"About her..." Teacher Goda flipped the paper in his hands. His eyes read Himari's name as well as the post allocated to the English teacher, "I initially want her to be on the first-aid treatment team with Teacher Kusumoto but, Teacher Kusumoto asked me to have Teacher Morine as her partner."

Teacher Kusumoto suggested the post-switching before the meeting ended. Teacher Goda had yet to finalize it.

"Then, can I have Teacher Kato with me?" Yuina made a request, "Even though my post seems unimportant compares to others, but I'd be glad to have another teacher to help me."

"Hah, what do you mean unimportant? Food is the most important, especially during a tiring sports festival!" Teacher Goda funnily refuted her, "It's decided. Teacher Kato would be paired with you."

"But, won't there be any shortchanged anywhere?" Even though Yuina was glad to have her request fulfilled, she still had to think of what would come next.

"It's okay. Teacher Morine was supposed to help the parade team but, that Sagami didn't want her. Since she made things hard on herself, let her solve it by herself."

Teacher Sagami was not on good terms with Teacher Morine. The reason was just known to her. She objected when Teacher Goda announced that Teacher Morine would be her partner. As the best friend of the latter, Teacher Kusumoto wanted to pull her good friend with her, leaving Teacher Sagami alone.

Yuina could only helplessly shaking her head.

Even at their age, they could still fight like how children often did.

"Then, I'll inform Teacher Kato about it," Yuina thanked Teacher Goda before she left the meeting room.

The headteacher informed them that Teacher Kato had to be at her hometown until a later date because her mother was met with an unfortunate incident. Even though the injuries weren't too serious, because Teacher Kato was an only child, the school generously allowed her to take a few days of leave.

"En, it's better if I pick the students from Grade 5 and Grade 6," murmured Yuina as she was thinking of her post for the sports festival.

She was walking alone in the hallway, heading to the teachers' office.

Once the sports festival ended, summer would be ushered in, leaving spring behind. Yuina and Himari would be busy before summer break started as both of them were responsible for the camping trip at Hiraya Falls.

By then, Ryuu should already be home, wasn't he?

Yuina was suddenly reminded of her husband. 

Her feet gradually stopped before Yuina stood in front of the windows. 

The sun was exceptionally dazzling today.

He had to return soon, he had to.

Yuina unconsciously touched her lower abdomen, trying to feel the existence of their child inside. Her stomach still appeared unchanging from the outside as if there was no life was growing in her womb.

The longer she concealed this matter, the more anxious she would become.

She had to let it all out to him soon.

Yuina took a deep breath, trying to strengthen her resolve. 

At the same time, in Himari's hometown.

"See! My injuries are already good ah. No need for you to stay more."

"How's that good? Your ankle is still sprained, Mom. You also almost dropped the plate because of your injured wrist."

The mother and daughter were bickering as Akemi urged Himari to not extend her leave past this Thursday. Even though her daughter's school didn't reject her application for the emergency leave, Akemi still felt reluctant to have Himari away from her job for long.

"I'm all good, no need to fuss over such a thing. Look! I can even walk normally now."

Akemi got up from the couch and started to walk. Even though her pace was slower than usual, she didn't show the difficulty she faced before.

Himari sighed. She shook her head, "No, Mom. I'd only return if I feel it's alright. What? Do you want to chase me out just so you could see Mr. Hori privately again? You just don't want me to be a lightbulb, aren't you?"

"You... brat! What are you talking about?" Akemi's face flushed red in an instant.

"Heh... Hehehe," Himari laughed funnily.

"Meow~" Chobi mewled from one side.

After Granny Hori and Mr. Hori went home yesterday, Himari didn't stop pestering Akemi to know about her mother and the son of Granny Hori. Akemi had nowhere to run as well as no rebuttal to her daughter as Himari brought up her assumptions one by one.

In the end, Akemi finally admitted that she and Mr. Hori were just started seeing each other.

It began when the two of them incidentally met again in the town. The man helped her as he saw she had so many things in her hands. 

Since then, they regularly met even though it was only for a short while.

Himari sighed inwardly.

Aye, her mother's love life finally started to blossom ah.

"You're so busy with your mom's life. How about you? Aren't you afraid Kazuya would get bored waiting for you to return to the city?"

Although Akemi still trusted the man, she still wanted to annoy her daughter.

How could her daughter make fun of her own mother? Geez. She had grown bolder ah.

"If just not seeing each other for a few days would make him already bored of me, I'd be the first one to ditch him," replied Himari with a smug smile.

"Yo, you're ruthless," Akemi laughed in helplessness.

Even though her daughter said that but, Akemi was relieved to hear it. It showed that her precious daughter won't be easily played by any man.

"So, it's decided then!" Himari clapped her hands. She eyed her mother meaningfully, "Don't think that you can chase me away, Mom. I'd only leave once you've fully recovered."

"...you!"

"Ah! I'm going to pick up more eggplants! I have to prepare dinner soon!"

Himari quickly left the living room, leaving her mother who was fuming. Her hearty laughter floated in the air as she ran out of the house, going to the backyard.

Once she went back to the city, Himari would dearly miss the time she spent with her mother, especially their silly banters.

Since she was allowed to be here longer than expected, Himari wanted to make full use of her time here. Who knew? When she returned next time, her mother would only be occupied with Mr. Hori, hehe.

"Ah, I wonder what he's doing right now," Himari looked up the clear sky, her mind drifted to thinking of a certain someone, "Is he busy today?"

She couldn't deny that she missed him.