As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Monday was a busy day for Amamiya School of Early Learning.

Although the class was still held like usual, most teachers and students didn't go back until five to six in the evening. The major plannings for the sports festival began today.

The students were busy practicing for the sports they participated in while the teachers and the students who didn't take part in any sports were immersed in technical preparations. 

Himari wasn't excluded. 

But, instead of only having Yuina and a small group of students with her, a little addition joined them.

"Chiharu, if you're tired, tell me, okay? You can have a nap in the lounge."

"Hehe, don't worry~ Chiharu is strong ah, Chiharu can help too."

Himari smiled in helplessness while Yuina and the students who were with them laughed seeing their interaction.

Izumi joined a practice until five o'clock thus Shuichi would only pick the siblings up at that time.

Although any of the kindergarten students could stay inside the vicinity until their parents or guardians came, Chiharu didn't want to just wait there. Her instincts were telling her that something fun would happen soon so, she refused to stay there as usual. 

When Kazuya brought up the dumpling's worrisome thinking this morning, Himari suggested Chiharu be with her. The man called her before he boarded the flight since she said she was free.

At certain times, the teachers' children who studied here would rest inside the lounge while waiting for their parents to finish working after school hours. The principal didn't mind it as long as they didn't disturb the other staff.

Himari asked Teacher Ayase for clarification first. Since Teacher Ayase said there would be no problem to let Chiharu sit inside the lounge, even though they were not related, Himari just went along with the plan.

The original plan was to have Chiharu nap or play there until the dumpling cutely asked if she could follow Himari and her team.

"Hehe, don't worry Teacher Kato. These students wouldn't mind helping you looking after such an adorable little girl," Yuina chimed in with a smile was still curling on her lips.

Under the makeup she wore, her face was slightly pale, unnoticed by everyone. 

"Yes, Teacher Kato. We'll be going to the cafeteria. I think the aunties there would love to give food to Chiharu," one of the students spoke, followed by her friends humming in agreement.

The moment Chiharu's eyes blinking because of the word 'cafeteria', Himari knew the dumpling's attention was now diverted to food.

"Hehe, okay ah. Let's go now," Himari tilted her head, gesturing toward the door to Chiharu.

"Yayy~"

Thus, with a little helper in tow, Himari, Yuina and the students went to the cafeteria.

As for how the students predicted, the aunts and uncles working there were competing against each other in giving the dumpling food.

Chiharu certainly enjoyed the attention. Countless snacks and other foods were put on the table in front of her.

A photo was snapped by Himari. She sent it to Kazuya, showing how his niece was happy even when he wasn't here.

[Himari: Look at this cheeky dumpling]

[Himari: Chiharu&Snacks.jpg]

There was no immediate reply from him. Himari assumed he must be busy. She slipped her phone back inside her bag.

"...the students and their parents can gather to eat together but, we have to make sure they won't overcrowd in certain places."

"This cafeteria is for the kindergarteners, Crystal Lounge is for Grade 1 and 2 students, Emerald Lounge is for..."

"How about the students with allergies? The list..."

"We'll receive the fresh ingredients on the same day. Our supplier..."

Himari, Yuina and the leaders of the cafeteria sat together to browse through what they had planned before. The students opened their ears wide as they attentively listened to the discussions. 

On the other hand, the happy dumpling was drawing on a paper that was gifted by one of the cafeteria aunts. She couldn't eat much of the given food because Himari said if she had a stomachache due to overeating, her uncle would make a call just to nag at her.

He won't be easily deceived even if Chiharu insisted she behaved well.

It was so horrifying to think of!

Chiharu didn't want that!

In the end, the dumpling became obedient. Her gaze was forlorn as she longingly stared at the pile of untouched food on one side of the table.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"See you guys tomorrow."

"Bye-bye, teachers~"

At a quarter to five, the discussion ended. Himari and Yuina let the students went home first while both of them still lingered in the cafeteria, tidying their items.

Himari chuckled at the sight of a sleepy Chiharu. The dumpling kept shaking her head because she didn't want to fall asleep but, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. It seemed as if bubbles popped up from her little nose.

"Chiharu, let's go now?" 

"En, Teacher Kato..."

The dumpling rubbed her eyes a few times, trying to shake off her sleepiness.

"Let me bring your belongings," suggested Yuina while putting the strap of her tote bag over her shoulder, "You can carry her."

"Thank you, Teacher Masuda," Himari was grateful.

Himari bent down. She gently carried Chiharu up and let the little one leaned on her. The dumpling smiled in her sleepy state before she rubbed her small head against Himari's shoulder, looking like a kitten.

"You're good with children, I see," said Yuina. Her eyes were soft as she kept her eyes on the little one.

Both of them walked out of the cafeteria, heading back to the teachers' office. Besides holding Himari's bag, Yuina held the paper bag that contained Chiharu's snacks that were given by the cafeteria aunties and uncles.

Himari stifled a laugh listening to her, "I've always wanted a younger sibling but, I never got a chance. I could just babysit and play with my neighbors' little children."

In the village, aside from the nasty ones that loved to make fun of her for being fatherless, there were still children who befriended her. Mostly they came from households that had a good relationship with her mother. 

Although it didn't happen every day, Himari often offered to look after the young children if the aunties and uncles had to go away for a while. Mostly, the parents were glad to have her do so. 

By the time they came back, Himari would be rewarded with sweet candies and cute cookies.

The school was still lively at this hour despite it was nearing five o'clock. The sound of the children panting and shouting echoed from the yard as they scattered in small groups, practicing whatever they needed. 

"Teacher Kato, may I ask?"

Yuina's sudden question made Himari looked at her.

She grinned, "If I have the answer."

Yuina chuckled. Her eyes went from Himari's face to the little dumpling in her arms.

"It's kind of personal but, are you and this little one's uncle..."

Although Yuina had already assumed it, because she didn't ask Himari yet, she didn't dare to keep the assumptions going wild in her mind.

But, if it's true...

Hehe, it's refreshing to witness someone's romantic relationship.

Himari's smile softened. Her cheeks were tinged in pink, she answered quietly, "Yes. I'm with him now."

"Well, as expected," answered Yuina with a smug smile. She teased, "No wonder you're so close to his niece. Getting ready to be the aunt soon?"

Himari laughed along with Yuina, "Hehe, this cute little one here is already wanting to call me aunt ah. I've just been together with him for a few months. Our relationship is still new."

"It's good that you already have a good relationship with this little one," Yuina tilted her head, "I could see that Chiharu likes you so much."

"Yes," Himari rubbed the dumpling's head, "I'm glad that she likes me. Hehe, this one here always bickers with her uncle, so small yet so naughty ah."

Chiharu grinned in her sleep, she smacked her lips a few times as if she was dreaming of eating something delicious.

Yuina was all smile to hear that. She was happy on behalf of Himari.

Both of them didn't share a really close bond like how she had with Kanna but, time and again, Yuina really thought it was good to befriend Teacher Kato. She was comfortable doing things together with her, like how she felt whenever she was with Kanna.

Thus, like how she wished happiness for her best friend, she wanted the same for Himari.

"Hey, I could already picture that this little one here would bicker with her uncle to have your attention. Hasn't it happened already?" Yuina couldn't resist laughing at the image popping into her mind.

It wasn't an unlikely case seeing how close Himari was with this small little dumpling.

"You're right," Himari shot a conspiratorial look at Yuina, her eyes glinted with mischief, "It's better that way. If I have a fight with him, Chiharu would side with me."

"Hahaha~"

Chiharu kept on dreaming running on soft fluffy clouds under her little feet. Colorful snacks, cookies and candies floated in the sky, waving at her. 

She continued grinning in her sleep without knowing that two ladies were talking about her.

While the area surrounded Chiharu was soft and bright, suddenly, dark clouds began to loom over the horizon. She was terrified the moment all of her snacks got sucked by the dark clouds. 

But, before she could be angry, she saw something more terrifying!

"Ah!"

The dumpling abruptly woke up. Her round eyes widened from the fear of her nightmare.

"Chiharu? What's wrong?"

Shocked, Himari anxiously looked at the little girl. Yuina also frowned to see the dumpling woke up like that.

Why did this little one look like a scared little bunny?

"...uncle! Uncle appeared in Chiharu's dream and confiscated all of the snacks!"

Himari and Yuina, "..."

What?

Chiharu was crying inside Q^Q

How could Uncle's face appear on the dark clouds then nagging at her for having too many snacks with her? 

Uncle is bad, bad!