As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

In a blink of an eye, Wednesday arrived, indicating the last day of preparation for the school sports festival. Like how she was two days ago, Himari returned late from school, especially today. 

Himari, Yuina, the students of the food committee as well as the school janitors were busy setting up the places where the students and their parents were allocated to dine during break time and lunch hour.

The entire school was already decorated with banners, colorful flags and other items, showing how much the students were anticipating the two-day sports festival. Huge white canopy tents were set up in the school field for the students, teachers, other staff and parents to use tomorrow together with countless chairs.

"No! Don't start like that! You have to..."

"What if we used this formation?"

"Raise up the flag a bit higher! A bit more! Yes, that's it!"

"Eh, where should we place this..."

As Himari walked to close the windows of the lounge, the voices of the students floated inside, making her smile instinctively. 

"Haha, these brats surely couldn't wait for tomorrow," She laughed in a good mood.

After making sure the lounge was properly set up, Himari looked at the two students who helped her, "Both of you could go home now. Don't forget to rest well. We'd have an exhausting day tomorrow."

"Hehe, alright, Teacher Kato," A girl with a ponytail smiled. She leaned her chin on the broomstick she was holding, "Ah, I really couldn't wait to see the class parade tomorrow. The costumes would be grand!"

"Then, we'll bring these brooms and baskets to the janitor room first," Another one spoke, "See you tomorrow, Teacher Kato."

"See you guys tomorrow," Himari waved at them.

Himari closed all the windows before she went out of the lounge, locking the door next. After that, she walked down the quiet hallway, heading to the teachers' office. 

At this time, the academic building was deserted since the students were mostly occupied the field and the gym. Even so, most of them were already  getting ready to leave after finishing their tasks. 

"Teacher Masuda, you're done already? Ah, why do you look paler?"

The moment Himari walked inside the office, she saw Yuina sitting on her seat. But, after she asked the first question, Himari was baffled to see the Mathematics teacher appearing so lethargic.

"...it's nothing. I've finished my parts. You can go home now," answered Yuina with a weak smile.

Because both of them had the students and janitors helping them, Himari and Yuina split the tasks by letting each of them covered certain areas. They could save more time by working in that way.

Seeing that Teacher Masuda was already here, it seemed like she finished earlier than her, Himari secretly thought. But, why did she appear so feeble right now?

"Teacher Masuda, are you in pain? Do you want me to send you to the hospital?" asked Himari, her brows furrowed in concern, "You look worse than this morning."

Right now, not only Yuina's face was visibly pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, showing that she wasn't in a good condition.

"Perhaps, do you have a fever?" Himari asked again. She remembered seeing this Mathematics teacher appearing a bit listless when they met early in the morning.

Yuina smiled, her eyelids were half-closed, "...really, it's nothing. I just need to take a good rest once I go home."

At the crack of dawn, a sudden urge of retching jolted her awake. Both her chest and stomach hurt at the same time.  Yuina almost stumbled as she rushed to the washroom.

She stayed inside the washroom for almost an hour, vomiting only liquid inside the toilet bowl. Because she grew weaker as time passed, Yuina could only support herself by grasping on the bowl as her legs weakened. 

Yuina didn't know why it turned severe today. Starting this week, she noticed that her body felt more sluggish than usual. The inexperienced her attributed it might be due to her busy schedule taking a toll on her pregnant body.

But, this morning was the harshest.

Yuina used all of her self-control to force herself to go to school and act as if nothing happened but, several teachers including Himari pointed out that she didn't look healthy. She just brushed them off, saying she was alright.

Fortunately, Yuina didn't have many classes today. The only thing she was busy with was the preparations for the festival. Even then, the students that came with her urged her to take a rest when they saw her current state. 

"You can't drive in this condition," Himari was worried to let Yuina go home all by herself. She softened her voice, trying to coax her, "Why don't I send you back? If you don't trust me driving your car, let's take a cab."

Sunset would approach soon, giving way for the moon to rise up to the sky, shrouding the entire city in the darkness of the night. It was not practical to have Teacher Masuda continued resting at school just because she wanted to regain her energy.

Maybe at the time that her condition improved, only the night guards were around as the others already went home.

Startled by Himari's suggestions, Yuina lifted up her eyelids, "Ah, I can't trouble you like that! I can still drive, please don't worry."

No matter how awful Yuina felt right now, she didn't want to make Teacher Kato going miles just to lend her a helping hand. Teacher Kato had to make a detour if she really sent her home at the Sakuya Residence.

"What if you accidentally sleep for a while, get a microsleep? It'd endanger yourself," Himari tried again. Something dawned on her. She lowered her voice, "Ah, I'm sorry. I won't step inside your house. I won't ever tell anyone about going there."

Sometimes, Himari forgot who Yuina was.

Masuda Yuina was the secret wife of the renowned film emperor Ishizaki Ryuu. Her house meant it was the lovers' abode of her and her husband. Himari was certain only a select few had ever stepped foot inside because of the couple's hidden marriage.

"...I didn't mean that," Yuina shook her head, she smiled weakly, "I have never thought you'd do something like that, Teacher Kato. Well... alright. If it's fine with you, please accompany me until I reach home."

In the end, Yuina agreed without refusing Himari's offer anymore. She didn't have the heart to do it once she listened to Himari's continuous persuasion. 

Especially when she mentioned the possibility of her accidentally falling asleep while driving. 

Chills ran down her spine as Yuina was reminded of how her parents died.

The driver who ran into her parents' car drove under influence, which meant he was semi-conscious of his surroundings.

If she insisted on driving by herself in her current weakened state, she might become like the drunk driver.

Yuina gave permission to Himari to drive the car while she sat on the passenger's seat. The latter just followed the navigation system, heading to Sakuya Residence.

Their journey there was a slow one because the roads and expressways were filled with vehicles coming and going at the peak hour. Most people were heading home after their office hours ended.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" Himari asked as she drove the car to enter the exit of the expressway. She glanced at Yuina who sat next to her. 

Yuina was pressing on her forehead as if she was enduring great pain. She looked more uncomfortable than before, making Himari worrier. 

"I have medicine at home," answered Yuina. Her eyes were closed as she tried to not concentrate on her aching head, "Don't worry."

Seeing that Yuina insisted that everything was alright, Himari was at a loss. She only hoped that the Mathematics teacher would indeed be alright after getting some rest.

They arrived at Sakuya Residence at a quarter past six.

Himari was granted permission to enter Sakura Residence because of Yuina. After parking the car at the designated spot, Himari helped Yuina up until they reached her floor. 

Because this was her first time here, Himari couldn't help but be amazed by how sophisticated this residential complex was. This building was more luxurious than the one of Kazuya's personal place. 

Both of them went inside the condominium unit. Himari supported Yuina until the latter could sit on the comfy couch. Yuina was relieved to be at home after hours of being at school.

Himari rushed to the kitchen under Yuina's guidance before she brought out a glass of water.

"Are you sure you're fine by yourself? Don't you have anyone you can call right now? I think you've mentioned having a cousin brother."

This place was spacious and posh, befitting Teacher Masuda's husband's high status. But, at the same time, this place only exuding loneliness.

Himari couldn't imagine how Yuina lived in such a place all by herself, alone as the film emperor was often busy with his schedule.

"I'll call him later," replied Yuina with a grateful smile. She put down the empty glass on the coffee table, "I've taken up your time. You should head home now before it's getting late. We're going to be busy tomorrow."

"What about your dinner? Should I buy some?" Himari asked again.

Yuina shook her head, "I'll order it myself. Thank you for your offer though."

There was nothing much Himari could do since the party concerned was adamant. After reminding Yuina to take it easy and just took the next day off if needed, Himari finally left. She forbade Yuina from seeing her off to the door.

Once the door was closed and be automatically locked, once again, Yuina was alone inside the posh condominium unit.

With a bitter smile, Yuina dragged herself off of the couch, heading to the bedroom.