As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Both Himari and Yuina enjoyed the simple things they did while strolling in the mall. Instead of focusing on matters that were related to their job, they took their sweet time exchanging opinions regarding fashion, home decorations and the coming summer break.

Although their interaction wasn't as closed to how Himari felt with Nanako, she was still comfortable going out and even eating with Teacher Masuda.

"The white one looks so pure. Or, do you wanna pick the red one? It'd make you appear so seductive to your boyfriend ah."

Himari's cheeks were as red as the vibrant red swimsuit in Yuina's left hand. She stiffly smiled at Yuina who was intently assessing the various displays of women swimsuits in the shop.

"Err... I don't dare to wear this kind and... There would be children with us."

The red swimsuit was a low backless one while the V-neckline of the front only had two thin straps.

Himari couldn't imagine herself wearing such a swimsuit. Her scalp tingled at such a thought.

Well, she had been quite conservative in the way she dressed her own self. 

"Err... I think I'd just stick to a usual one," She concluded.

As both of them were having window shopping, Himari blurted out her plan to go to the beach this summer. Teacher Masuda asked if she already had a swimsuit which Himari replied she should get a new one.

Thus, she was pulled inside a swimsuit shop by the Mathematics teacher.

"Hurm, even though it shouldn't be an issue but, since you don't like it, we have to find one that suits your taste."

The beach would be filled with many kinds of people with various designs of swimsuits, no matter if there were children or not. It really wouldn't be a problem even though Teacher Kato would have her boyfriend's nephew and niece with them.

If it was up to Yuina, she would just pick the red swimsuit. She could already imagine her husband's reaction if she wore it.

Yuina snickered at the thought.

Should she buy one for herself?

In the end, Himari didn't buy anything while Yuina had one paper bag from the swimsuit store in her hand. 

"Summer break won't come soon. You can check if there's any latest trend later," said Yuina at the sight of Himari's regretful face.

"Hurm, you're right. I'll come again next time," replied Himari.

Instead of coming here to shop alone, Himari suddenly thought to ask Kazuya if she could bring Chiharu with her. Of course, neither Kazuya nor Izumi could follow them.

Both she and the little dumpling could have a girl's day out.

They could go shopping and eating out while wearing matching dresses.

Didn't the little dumpling has such a wish? Chiharu said so on the day they made the bunny pancakes.

She could even invite Nanako before her friend would be extremely busy due to her coming engagement banquet preparations.

The engagement would be overseen by a team of professional bridal planners. They were all outsourced from inside and outside the country even though the scale of the banquet was a small one.

No one could beat the old master's enthusiasm as his youngest grandson would finally be off the market.

Hurm, she really should invite both Nanako and Chiharu with her next time, especially the dumpling.

All this time, the little one couldn't experience much maternal warmth because of the sudden passing of her mother. Although Himari was far from being a maternal figure, she still wanted to do something for the dumpling.

"Ah, they are cute."

Himari paused her steps when Yuina stopped in front of a store. When she looked at what the Mathematics teacher was looking at, she stiffened in a second.

"...baby clothes?"

Her voice sounded so small when she forced the words out of her mouth.

"Yes. Nothing could be cuter than this little one's clothes," answered Yuina who was unaware of the changes in Himari. Her eyes were leisurely seeing one outfit to the next, "They are so small. I couldn't even imagine how a baby's small hands and feet feel when being held by us."

They were so delicate and must be treated with utmost care.

The light in Yuina's eyes softened as the scenes of holding her own baby began to conjure up in her mind. She didn't know how many times the same images played in her mind but, every time it did, her heart went soft all over.

Himari pressed her lips hard. Her eyes fell on the small yet adorable clothes for the newborns. 

"...have you been trying to have a child?"

Yuina glanced at Himari with a tender smile hooking on her lips. She replied, "Well, my husband has been talking about having our own child for ages but, the little one hasn't arrived yet. But, I think our baby would be here sooner or later."

No matter how comfortable Yuina was when she was with this young English teacher, she still couldn't bring herself to tell Himari about the bean sprout nursing in her womb.

So far, only her maternity doctor and Kanna knew about the fact. After all, it was inevitable.

Yuina wanted Ryuu to be the person next to know about the arrival of their child.

Himari forced a smile on her face. She tried hard to conceal the sudden sorrow that erupted within her, the pain almost clawing her heart out alive.

"That day would come," She lowered her eyelids, staring at anything but the little clothes arranged on the display. Her voice turned even quieter, "Your little family would be so prosperous with the appearance of your child."

A child was the wondrous dream carried in the parents' hearts. Once the little one graced the world, he was a dream that could be held tenderly in your hands, the love that wouldn't ever wilt from your lives.

"Hehe, I really hope so," Yuina giggled, her laughter tinged with joy as her eyes sparkled, "But, I could already picture how messy our home would be once our rascal learns to crawl and even walk."

"You and your husband would be so loving to your child," Himari lifted up her chin, finally looking at Yuina. The tumultuous emotions in her gaze calmed down as they rippled softly in her clear eyes, "Tell me whenever you're expecting one. I'd prepare a wonderful gift for your child."

"Alright! You sure have to!" As her mood continued to bloom, Yuina happily agreed, "If your gift doesn't meet my standards, you have to give our child a new gift!"

"Hahaha~ How could my measly standard match yours? Especially your husband's ah."

"Aye, although he's viewed as nation's heartthrob, he's just a clumsy man at home. His image in your mind would definitely crumble the moment you see the real him."

Himari let go of the uncomfortable feeling as she joked with Yuina. She didn't want to be chained down by the unbearable feeling of loss. It was something she had tried so hard to suppress.

But, could she?

The two ladies bid farewell at the train station. Himari politely refused when Yuina offered to give her a lift all the way to her apartment. She insisted on taking the train. She only bought one thing during the course of their outing together.

"Are you sure? What if you're met with something?" Yuina asked again.

Himari waved her hand, her face bore a smile, "This city is safe ah. Teacher Masuda, you're like my friend, Nanako. She always acts as if this is my first time living here."

Yuina burst into laughter. She shook her head helplessly.

"Text me once you've safely arrived," That was the only thing Yuina could do in the face of Himari's refusal.

"Okay. Have a nice weekend. See you on Monday!"

When they parted, the sky was already imbued in the orange glow of the setting sun.

Himari stood quietly on a corner of the ladies' coach of the train. It was a peak hour thus no seat was available. The inside of the coach was quiet because most of the passengers were either listening to music, playing with their phones or even dozing off.

The brief conversation with Yuina earlier echoed back in her mind although she didn't want to.

Teacher Masuda and Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu were a loving couple. Once they had a child with them, their small family of three might even become be more lovable.

Needless to say, even if the film emperor had to stay away due to his work, Teacher Masuda won't be too lonely anymore. The little one would incite more joyful feelings in her.

Himari swept her gaze to the fellow passengers in the coach.

Like her, all of them had different stories.

Everyone had their own path to walk on with various experiences came along.

Happiness, joy, sorrow, disappointment, loss, hope.

Everyone would face all different kinds of feelings as they continued walking on their life paths.

But, why must she experience two heartbreaks in the span of a short time three years ago?

Although it was already unbearable when she lost her first love, the pain couldn't be compared to what her heart barely endured in the face of her second loss.

Himari closed her eyes. Her lips were pressed into a straight line.

The afterglow of the sun sprinkled on her face, concealing the raging waves of her emotions in her eyes.