As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Twenty minutes after Himari returned home from the market, Mr. Hori arrived in his four-wheel drive. A bouquet of pink peonies and a jar of cookies were presented to Akemi by that man while Himari was watching from one side.

"You... you don't have to bring me these," Akemi looked at the beautiful flower bouquet. Her cheeks were as pink as the petals of the peonies.

"Well, your daughter said you like these," Mr. Hori looked stiff all of a sudden, "Err... You don't like these anymore?"

"No! No! I like these! Really!" Akemi quickly shook her head, "I like pink peonies."

"That's good," Mr. Hori breathed out in relief. He appeared as if he was relieved by a burden.

The silly yet naive interaction of these two made Himari giggled before she was silenced down by her mother's embarrassing glare.

Himari prepared some snacks and drinks before bringing them out to the yard. Both her mother and Mr. Hori were sitting on a wooden plank under a tree.

Mr. Hori politely refused when he was invited inside the house. He said he shouldn't come inside because his mother wasn't with him today. It would be inappropriate if a middle-aged man like himself entered a house that only had a pair of mother and daughter.

His thinking was quite traditional but it was aligned with how the folks of the countryside often did. In the end, Himari suggested the two of them sit in the yard.

After serving the plates and cups on the plank, Himari made herself scarce, leaving her mother alone with Mr. Hori. She sat in the living room, her eyes were busy staring at the backs of her mother and the kind-looking uncle.

As the sun gradually lowered to the horizon, the cooling breeze blew past the yard, rustling the leaves above their heads. 

Akemi and Mr. Hori were just chatting but, they appeared to be so much at ease with each other.

Himari quietly tapped her chin.

Was it a good idea to observe her mother with her potential love interest? Her mother kept on holding to the bouquet she received as if she didn't want to be separated from it.

Hurm, but she was assessing a future stepfather ah. This was the first time she did this.

Feeling bored, Himari fiddled with her phone. Scrolling the news on the search engine and just randomly clicked on the links.

She deflated like a balloon on the couch as she was thinking of her boredom.

Chobi wasn't at home. He had gone for an adventure right after he finished his lunch earlier.

Hurm...

Her mind was quick to think of bothering a certain someone.

[Himari: Mr. Moon Boy, are you there?]

Was he busy?

Kazuya had told her that he was preparing materials for his business trip next week.

A few minutes later, a notification rang from the phone.

[Kazuya: Yes, my lady]

[Kazuya: Have you packed your things?]

When Himari said she would return by train tomorrow, Kazuya swiftly told her that she should just wait for him to arrive instead of booking a cab. He would come to pick her up and send her back to the apartment. 

Since it was good to have a personal chauffeur, Himari just agreed.

[Himari: Not yet]

[Himari: Am currently observing my prospective stepfather]

[Himari: Mom&Mr.Hori.jpg]

[Himari: Don't they look like an old pair of husband and wife already?]

[Himari: I feel neglected :c]

Well, it wasn't like Himari really felt neglected by her mother but, the idea of her mother having someone other than her was quite surreal sometimes. 

Himari didn't object to her mother finding her own love interest but, after being together for so long since the day she was born, there was a faint fear in her heart. 

In the little world of theirs, there were only her and her mother. 

It was a ridiculous feeling but, Himari was afraid if there would come a day when her mother had to choose between her and that man, her mother would choose the latter.

Ah! No! No! What are you thinking, Himari?

Himari vigorously shaking her head. She shooed the absurd thoughts away from her mind, refusing to be made fun of them.

[Kazuya: Let your mom fall in love with that man]

[Kazuya: While you can fall in love with me]

[Kazuya: MoonBoySmirk.png]

Baffled, Himari's face froze.

This man...

They hadn't met for a few days yet... He had unleashed another level of shamelessness to her?

[Himari: Who wanna fall in love with you]

[Himari: PinkStrawberryStickingOutTongue.png]

Even without seeing it, Himari could already see Kazuya laughing and smirking at her.

The image of his smug face suddenly irritated her.

Ugh...

Himari pressed her blushing face on the throw pillow. Her legs moved up and down as she felt restless. She didn't know that even the tips of her ears turned red.

"Himari!"

While Himari was drowning in embarrassing thoughts, her mother suddenly called for her from the yard. Startled, she quickly jumped out of the couch.

"Yes, Mom!"

When Himari walked to the open sliding doors of the veranda, she saw her mother was still sitting with Mr. Hori. Both of them were staring at them. 

"Come here. There's something Mom wanna tell you," Akemi beckoned at her daughter, telling her to go out of the house.

Himari obediently followed her mother's instructions. She walked out of the veranda, wore the clogs that were sitting on the stepping stone and went to the wooden plank.

While Himari was standing opposite the two of them, she saw her mother sneaking glances at Mr. Hori. Even without telling her, Himari sensed that these two people wanted to say something to her, maybe about them.

"Himari, the thing is, er... I want to..." Akemi paused as the words that she arranged carefully in her mind suddenly entangling with one another until she couldn't say anything.

Mr. Hori gave her a helpless yet pampering look. He took the baton from the woman beside her as he stared at the young woman before him.

"Well, let me be frank then. Himari, I'm together with your mother right now."

The man's words were straightforward and honest. The vibe was the same as the firm look in his eyes.

Yet, even though he appeared resolute, the way he clenched his knees hard indicated that this man was actually nervous inside.

"You might already notice it but, we think it's better if we properly tell you about us."

Mr. Hori continued as Himari didn't give him any response. He grew cautious at the sight of her unreadable look.

"Well, I'm not sure how would you take it as I know that you only have your mother until now but, it doesn't mean that I'm taking your mother away from you so... Could we have your blessings?"

Akemi was quiet as she sat beside Mr. Hori. She didn't push her daughter to answer. Worry lingered in her brows as she herself wasn't sure how would Himari truly react.

Sure, Himari looked alright when she was teasing her own mother regarding this matter but, this time was different because finally, both Akemi and Mr. Hori planned to be honest with her.

Himari shifted her gaze from her mother to the man beside her.

This was already anticipated by her but, how should she put it? 

Should she say she was still surprised?

Yes, she was shocked, indeed.

But, would she object to it?

Himari inwardly laughing at herself.

What was there to object?

Under the two people's nervous eyes, Himari opened her mouth. She directly looked at Mr. Hori's face.

"Mr. Hori, can I call you Uncle Yoshiro now?"

Stunned, both Akemi and Mr. Hori froze the moment the question fell.

Himari ignored their shocked faces as she continued calmly.

"Since you're dating my mom right now, both of you should think of marrying, right? I don't believe it if you denied it. Even though my mom has never been with anyone as far as I know it, as her daughter, our views shouldn't differ much. She won't agree to be with you if you two are just casually dating."

It was just like how she was with Kazuya right now.

Both of them entered a romantic relationship with the same goal, to get married in the end.

Although the possibility of them separated might still be there in the future, their main intention was still tying the knot.

Himari won't accept Kazuya if he said he just wanted to date her without any intention of marriage.

Her mother would just be the same.

If not, why didn't her mother be with any man since before? There were tens of pursuers chasing after her mother, the men even didn't mind the fact that she already had a child.

Moreover, with her mother's age right now, it was not the right time to nonchalantly date anyone.

"So, could I call you Uncle Yoshiro now?" 

Once again, Himari repeated the first question of hers.

Akemi and Mr. Hiro blankly stared at her before the realization gradually dawned on them.

"Himari, I promise to take care of your mother," Mr. Hori was all smiles as he stood up from the plank. 

His face was beaming under the light of the sun. He was obviously happy with her acceptance right now.

Somehow, the way his eyes brightened resembled a certain someone's gaze.

Himari was reminded of the fateful night, the one when Kazuya asked her if he could pursue her.

She smiled softly.

"Then, I'll leave my mom in your care, Uncle Yoshiro. Please take care of her well."

The passing breeze whispered words into her mind, telling her that her heart was missing that man.