As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The next morning arrived without delay. Himari was ready to go to school as early as seven.

The weather this morning was slightly cooler than yesterday but, the forecast had already broadcasted that in the coming days, they had to expect hotter weather. 

It couldn't be helped since spring would leave soon.

Before leaving for school, Himari made a call to her mother. 

"Your mother here is alive and kicking. There's no need for you to worry."

Himari was exasperated by how smug her mother sounded as if she wasn't the one who had her ankle and wrist injured the other day.

"I know that you're fine already but, don't jump around happily when Uncle Yoshiro comes to see you, Mom."

"Ahem, it's fine if I'm happy ah. Go and have a date with Kazuya if you wanna be jealous of your own mom."

Himari was speechless.

Since she had openly accepted Uncle Yoshiro to be with her mother, her mother had grown daring ah.

Did her mother actually want to compete with her?

Himari ignored her mom and focused on going to school.

She was on emergency leave for so long. Tody was already Friday meant, tomorrow would be the weekend. This week, she only came to work for only one day.

Ugh...

When Himari thought of the coming school sports festival next week, she felt troubled because so far, she hadn't done anything noteworthy to help with the preparations.

"Thank God I'm working with Teacher Masuda again," murmured Himari under her breath.

She greeted the guards at the gate before she strode to the administration building.

On the previous Monday, Teacher Masuda contacted her, telling her that once again they would collaborate together after doing so for the camping trip to Hiraya Falls. Himari was elated because she didn't mind working with Teacher Masuda.

In her view, Teacher Masuda was a responsible teacher. She did her job neatly without leaving any loose ends. Even though she encountered problems later, she was quick to resolve them.

Because their post was the food and beverage section, Himari took some time discussing with Teacher Masuda about which type of food should they list out, the number of students involved to help them, the dealing with the school cafeteria and every other thing.

"Ah, Teacher Masuda, you're here early."

Himari was surprised to see the Mathematics teacher the moment she opened the door of the office. The time was barely hitting 7:30 AM. The school hour won't start until one hour later.

Yuina lifted up her eyes from her work desk. She smiled at Himari, "Good morning, Teacher Kato. You're early too. How's your mother?"

"Good morning," Himari smiled. She entered the office, "My mom is all good now, that's why she chased me back to the city. Thank you for asking."

Yuina bubbled in laughter. She was amused by Himari's choice of words.

"Well, have you eaten breakfast yet? Do you wanna go to the cafeteria together?" Yuina slowly rose up to her feet. She extended an invitation to Himari who had just placed her bag on her desk.

"Ah, good idea," Himari was quick to agree, "To be honest, I miss our school cafeteria's breakfast set. I purposely haven't taken my breakfast just so I could have it here,"

"Hahaha, well, our cafeteria has good cooks," Yuina didn't find her words disagreeable. The cooks were indeed skilled in making delicious food, "Come. Since it's still early, we can have our sweet time before meeting those brats in classes."

"Hehe, you're right."

The two teachers went to have breakfast together. While eating the warm and mouth-watering dishes, they talked about the coming sports festival. Yuina told Himari that a lot of students started to stay back until five in the evening just to practice the events that they would join.

That alone showed how enthusiastic the students were in order to do well in the sports that they participated in.

"You didn't eat much this morning. Do you have a low appetite?"

Himari pointed it out as she watched Yuina ate a slice of sandwich. It kind of resembled the time they had breakfast together a few weeks ago.

Yuina looked down at the egg and chicken sandwich in her hand. She shrugged with a smile, "Yeah. I don't quite have an appetite in these few days."

Her mood to eat came and went randomly.

There were times she had a strong craving for food, there were also times she didn't feel like eating anything.

Fortunately, this morning Yuina didn't being tormented by a new bout of morning sickness. Aside from having a low appetite, her condition was generally well.

"En, Teacher Kato, are you free after school?"

Yuina's sudden question caught Himari off guard.

"En, I don't have anything to do this evening," answered her.

Even though Kazuya asked if they should go out for dinner together tonight, Himari politely refused.

It seemed that he didn't get enough rest in these few days because of the coming business trip. 

If they went out again, she was certain it would be another late night sleep for him.

Himari just told him to have a good rest tonight since tomorrow, he would have to go out with the children. From what he told her, his mother's studio was on the outskirts of the city.

"Then, would you like to go out with me?" Yuina asked with slight hope in her voice, "Well, if it's okay with you. I feel quite bummed these days but, I don't want to go out alone."

Having someone with her would make her felt safe.

Yuina could just invite Hiro but, her brother was currently busy with his job. Furthermore, she heard that once again her aunty troubled Hiro with the money issues.

Hiro warned her to not get involve least something else happened next.

Knowing how well her aunt was, Yuina adhered to Hiro's advice. 

It was better this way. Yuina didn't want her aunt to accidentally know that she was currently pregnant. No one knew what would be her reaction.

"It's fine with me. Do you have a particular place to go?" Himari didn't find a reason to reject Yuina's request. 

Although it happened rarely, she enjoyed going out with Teacher Masuda. 

"I feel like going window shopping," Yuina chuckled, "Wanna go?"

"Haha, sure."

As summer grew closer, the new and trendy summer outfits began to be displayed in the malls. Himari wanted to see if there were nice and comfortable summer wear for her to buy. She also had to contemplate getting a new swimsuit as well.

En, what kind of swimsuit should she buy?

Himari's cheeks were tinged in blush as she started to imagine the day she would go to the beach with Kazuya and the children.

Although she rarely wore an outfit that exposed her skin daringly, as a young lady, she still wanted to look pretty in front of her man. She couldn't possibly wear her usual knee-length dress when going to have fun with the summer sea, wasn't that right?

Oh ya, she had to find a suitable dress for Nanako and Ryota's engagement banquet too.

Thus, the two teachers made an appointment to go out together after school hours ended. 

"Izumi, which event are you participating in?"

Before Himari went away from the class later in the afternoon, she took a moment to ask Izumi about the sports festival. Both of them were talking outside of the class.

Kazuya didn't mention anything about which sports the boy would compete in.

Izumi smiled, "The relay, Teacher Kato. I'd be the last runner."

On the previous Monday, the sports committee member of their class asked who wanted to join the events. Izumi and his three friends quickly jotted down their names for the relay race.

"You must have been practicing hard. Do you go back home late these days?"

"Uncle comes to pick Chiharu up first at three then he'd come again for me at 5:30. Aside from yesterday, I've been going home late," replied Izumi with a meaningful smile.

Himari laughed helplessly.

It turned out because Kazuya wanted to come and get her at the train station yesterday evening, Izumi didn't go for his practice yesterday.

"Well, hehe, all the best," Himari coughed awkwardly, "Don't force yourself ah. You have to be in your best shape next week."

"Okay, Teacher Kato," Izumi just laughed seeing his teacher's embarrassed look. He cheekily added, "You too have to there next week. Uncle would love to see you at the festival."

Baffled, Himari almost forgot to react.

"You kid!"

"Hehehe~"

Izumi ran into the class. Himari puffed up her cheeks before she shook her head in helplessness. A low laugh escaped her lips as she kept looking at the boy.

Although Izumi was mostly quiet, there were times he would act this cheeky with her. The awkwardness he showed in the earlier days when Himari got together with his Uncle Kazuya now was nowhere to be seen anymore. 

Aye, did this boy had been mentally prepared to accept her as his aunt in the future?