As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"You have to come, okay? I don't care, you have to be there!"

"Aiya, my friend is inviting me to go to a luxurious private island. Of course, I have to be there and enjoy the luxury."

Himari laughed by herself as she felt funny over Nanako's insistence.

Earlier, Nanako sent her an online engagement card to her private chat. It was the long-awaited card of Nanako and Ryota's engagement party. The date was during the beginning of the summer break.

At first, the engagement should be held in a hotel in the city but, to celebrate Ryota finally having a fiancee, the banquet venue changed its place to a private island owned by the Kashino family. It was requested by Ryota's grandfather, the Old Master Kashino.

In fact, the request had to do with the old man's eagerness to play at the beach in summer. Ryota could only adhere to his playful grandfather's antics.

The attendees were mostly the closest business associate of the conglomerate. The number of people who were invited was less than fifty. The engagement banquet was done on a small scale, unlike how the wedding one was planned next.

"Bring Mr. Hayashi and the children too. Ryota's nephew and niece would be happy to befriend them. Ah, don't worry. I'd prepare just one room for you and Mr. Hayashi, okay? You two can sleep together."

"Don't spout nonsense," Himari's face blushed in an instant, "I'd crash into your and Ryota's room if you really do that."

"Tsk, I'm giving you a chance to pounce on him," Nanako clicked her tongue. She wasn't even ashamed to lead her best friend into a crooked path, "Since we're at an island, this is the time you wear a sexy swimsuit instead of the usual non-attractive one-piece!"

Himari rolled her eyes.

Ever since she started dating Kazuya, this best friend of hers kept coaxing her to do bad things.

Excuse me!

Did Nanako think she was so easy to be led astray?

Ahem!

"I'll ask Kazuya first, see if he has other plans already," Himari deliberately ignored Nanako's previous reply.

"Tell him that he has, must, come! Else, I'd introduce you to the rich young masters at my engagement."

"Haha," Himari laughed wearily. She responded with a snicker, "I think no one can match my boyfriend's good look."

Well, although there were billions of people dwelling on Earth and the possibility of there were men who were more handsome and bewitching than Kazuya, if she didn't boast about her own boyfriend, who else would do it?

"Heh, someone is falling in love already ah," Nanako laughed funnily at the end of the line.

Himari scoffed. She threw her gaze outside of the window.

The passing green scenery gradually changed into a gray-colored scheme one as the bullet train speedily entered the outskirts of the city. In fifteen minutes, Himari and the other passengers would arrive at the main station.

"I'll arrive soon. Will call you later once I ask Kazuya, okay?"

"Alright," came Nanako's languid voice. She sounded bored and sleepy all of a sudden, "I have to go and see my boss now. Talk to you later."

"En, bye-bye."

After ending the call, Himari opened the private chat of her with Kazuya. She had informed him that her estimated arrival time was at five in the evening. It was a bit later because all of the morning tickets sold out, leaving only the later ones for her to pick.

Well, it was better than choosing the evening or even night tickets. 

"Just you wait. I want to show something to you."

Those were Kazuya's words when they talked this morning.

Himari looked at the outline of her face that was reflected on the glass panel. She saw herself smiling with anticipation.

"Meow~"

Himari looked at Chobi who had just woken up. He was lazying inside the carrier. 

"Chobi~" Her finger knocked on the glass part of the carrier, "What do you think about his surprise? What could it be?"

"Meow~" 

The fat cat tilted his head before he continued sleeping. Himari laughed seeing his lazy antics. 

By the time Himari walked out of the arrival hall, her eyes were quick to spot a tall and handsome man who was waiting not far from the gate. That man wore his usual black jacket but instead of a shirt, he wore a round-neck black T-shirt underneath.

Before she could greet him, the man was smilingly looking at her back.

"Tired?"

Kazuya walked to Himari, took the duffle bag in her right hand before he enclosed his palm around her smaller one. 

Himari shook her head, "How could I be tired? Didn't you say you've prepared a surprise for me?"

Kazuya let out a faint laugh. He shot her a tender yet helpless look, "Welcome back."

"Hehe, I'm back already~"

Even though she hadn't been here only for a few days, Himari still missed a part of the city's harmony. Yet, the feeling couldn't be compared to the tranquility of her hometown.

The couple walked to the car park. Kazuya put the duffle bag in the backseat. Himari placed the cat carrier bag beside it.

"Are you really not busy today?" asked Himari while Kazuya was latching the buckle of his seatbelt. 

This man even said she didn't have to worry about the siblings.

As usual, Kazuya went to pick the children up at school, dropped them off at their home. But, today he had to make a detour in order to pick her up at the station.

Kazuya gave her a meaningful smile, "Let's go. I just hope you'd love it."

"The surprise that you mentioned?"

"En, en."

The car gradually left the area of the train station. Himari was quiet as she looked out the window.

The sky was still bright at this time but, sundown would befall in the next hour. Soon, the light blue sky would be dyed in amber and ruby, imbued in silver hues.

Kazuya didn't know where would he bring her to but, Himari's silent question was answered the moment her eyes caught the tall high-rise residential complex far ahead in front of her.

"Your place?" 

Kazuya chuckled, "Yes."

Himari didn't expect he would bring her right after she arrived back from her hometown. She was intrigued by what he had prepared for her.

Both of them entered the residential complex through the lobby in the basement. Himari looked around the path she had walked once before. Chobi was quiet as he found this place unfamiliar.

"Come in," Kazuya made a gesture with his hand right after he opened the door of his unit.

"I'm here~"

Himari properly placed her shoes in the entryway before she wore the home slippers. She glanced around the place, looking at the sun that was hovering right above the horizon.

The view from the ceiling-to-floor glass windows was exceptionally breathtaking.

"What are you doing there? Come inside."

Kazuya's voice echoed from the living room, startling Himari.

"Okay~"

She quickly ran to him.

"Let Chobi out. He can familiarize himself here," said Kazuya, "En, I've prepared some cat food too. I hope he doesn't mind it."

"He eats everything," replied Himari.

She obediently did as he said. Chobi ran out of the carrier bag once it was opened. He quietly roamed in the living room, sniffing the place.

The place was just the same as the first time Himari visited. There was nothing new except for...

"Are you going to cook?" Himari grinned as she pointed to the kitchen.

A few paper bags of cooking ingredients were placed on the marble countertop of the kitchen island. There were fresh vegetables, spices, condiments and a few other cooking things.

"Don't you want to taste my dishes?" Kazuya laughed.

"Haha, is this the surprise? What are you going to cook?"

Himari put down her sling bag on the coffee table. She followed Kazuya who had already entered the kitchen. That man had already taken off his jacket.

"I'm not confident to make steaks so, how about honey-garlic chicken bites? The last time we ate out before, I saw that you really enjoyed the dish."

"Sounds good to me," Himari agreed quickly. Her entire face was beaming as she looked at him, "Hurry! Cook dinner for me! I'm starving already."

"Hahaha, okay, my lady," Kazuya gave her head a pat before he got ready to cook, "I'll prepare other side dishes too."

When Himari wanted to help him, Kazuya was quick to usher her out of the kitchen.

"It's all on me tonight," He lightly flicked her forehead the moment she pouted her lips. His eyes were gentle as he softly added, "Go and rest first. You can do anything you want. Or, do you want to take a nap? The guest room is ready."

His lady had been seating on the train for hours. The journey might have tired her to some degree. 

"En," Himari tilted her chin, pretending to be thinking hard before she answered cheekily, "If I can't help you, can't I just watch you cooking? Watching a handsome man cooking for me is a feast to the eye ah."

Amused by her reasoning, Kazuya raised up his brows. He couldn't stop laughing.

"Alright, alright. If that would increase my favorability point in your eyes, I don't mind."

Himari covered her mouth. Her eyes curved softly as she kept chuckling.

Thus, one gentleman was busy cooking in the kitchen while one lady was intently looking at him. From time to time, laughter floated in the kitchen as they shared funny stories.

They just did mundane things together but, when they were together, it was not a boring occurrence in their lives.

The sizzling sound echoed from the hot pan, transversing the sweet scent of the honey and smokiness of the sauce to the air. 

As time passed by, the moon slowly rose up to the sky, illuminating the night sky in its gentle glow.