As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Kazuya left Himari's apartment at half-past eight. Although he wanted to stay longer, he still had to go home and see the brats at the villa before they slept. Aunt Mayu said Chiharu refused to sleep until he came home, insisting to get her gift from her uncle first.

Really, that girl's priority was so messed up.

"You don't want me to pick you up tomorrow morning?" asked Kazuya before he went down to the cab that was waiting for him.

Himari shook her head, "I have to go even earlier than usual. See you tomorrow."

"En, bye."

Kazuya carried the suitcase with him. Himari just watched from the balcony. She waved at him before the cab left the area. After that, she immediately went inside and locked the door.

The sports festival would begin with a speech from the principal. The students and the parents who attended tomorrow would gather inside the gym before they changed places to the school field. The highly anticipated class parade would be held right after that.

Himari was mostly free aside from the mealtimes. She, Teacher Masuda and the students they sought help from would be busy making sure the flow of the mealtimes won't be hindered to avoid delaying the coming events.

"Ah, I forgot to ask which events he would join," murmured Himari.

The school had events that required the parents or guardians to join with their children. Mostly would be participated by the fathers of the students. Knowing Kazuya, he would surely join at least one of them.

As Himari was lying on the bed later, her mind drifted to Yuina. 

While waiting for the food delivery to arrive earlier, Himari sent a text to her, asking about her wellbeing but there was no reply. She could only hope it meant that Yuina was already resting properly.

"But, why did Teacher Masuda look like that?" Confused, Himari blurted out what she had been thinking.

She might not notice it before but, after recalling the fragments of memories with Yuina inside them, Himari grew suspicious of what she was assuming.

Because they were working together for the sports festival, they spent more time with each other as well. Thus, when Himari thought again about it, there were some instances when Teacher Masuda was acting a bit weird.

At first, Himari didn't think of anything but...

The other day, the cafeteria served fish soup. Himari got a bowl of it before she sat down together with Teacher Masuda. The moment she placed the bowl on the table, a sound of retching came from the Mathematics teacher. 

Teacher Masuda dismissed her worry when Himari asked if she was feeling sick.

At one time, Teacher Masuda was snacking on sour snacks. She finished a big bag of it all by herself, startling Himari because she knew how sour the snacks were. Himari could only eat three before she surrendered due to the stinging of her tongue.

Teacher Masuda also often looked tired even though Himari often assumed it because of their workload. Today was the worst.

But...

It was only her instincts but, was Teacher Masuda...

"No way..." Himari gasped.

Teacher Masuda indeed looked so interested in the baby clothes during the time both of them went out to the mall together. Her mouth might be saying she and her husband were still waiting for their baby to arrive but, what if she was already pregnant actually?

Seeing that how she was a secret wife to the film emperor, Teacher Masuda might be acting discreetly.

"No, no, no. Don't make any assumption."

Himari shook her head vigorously, shaking off all the possibilities forming inside her mind. She pulled up her blanket, buried herself inside it then forced herself to sleep. 

She shouldn't be nosy with other people's business.

She shouldn't be.

Himari shut her eyes closed.

All of a sudden, fear engulfed her heart, spreading a throbbing pain all over her body. She curled up under the blanket as if she wanted to shrink herself, left nothing to be seen.

Sometime later, at the villa.

"Go to bed," Kazuya narrowed his eyes, throwing a stern gaze to a dumpling in a pink nightgown, "You've got your gift. It's already past your bedtime."

"Hehehe~ Thank you ah Uncle~"

Chiharu climbed on the couch, stood on the cushion then gave Kazuya a kiss on the cheek, "Good night, Uncle~"

The dumpling looked so happy to receive a gift from her uncle.

"Uncle, good night. Thank you for the gift," said Izumi. He helped Chiharu to climb down the couch.

With the gift in her short and chubby arms, the dumpling turned around and went upstairs with her brother. Kazuya let out a helpless sigh. Then, he glanced at Aunt Mayu who sat on the opposite couch.

"Aunt Mayu, you should go to bed too," Kazuya smiled, "Thank you for taking care of them in these three days."

"Haha, I'm happy to help. Both of them were obedient and Mr. Shuichi also helped me," answered Aunt Mayu happily. She was holding a box in her hands, "You also gave me a gift from your business trip, Mr. Hayashi. Thank you."

"It's the least I could do," Kazuya laughed faintly, "Besides, even though you said that I knew how it's a hassle taking care of Chiharu especially."

Aunt Mayu burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I can't deny that."

After Aunt Mayu left, Kazuya also stood up from the couch. He wanted to have a nice bath before going to bed. Since he would just be at the sibling's school tomorrow, he could take his sweet time relaxing first.

As Kazuya was undressing, his mind was unconsciously drifted to when he was buying the dress for Himari. Something unpleasant happened at that time, making him thought of troubles that might follow next.

At that time. 

Under his business partner's suggestion, Kazuya went to a mall next to the hotel where he resided after dinner last night. Since he mostly went to such shops when looking for gifts for the two siblings, Kazuya just went there without any thoughts.

He settled the siblings' gifts first before he started looking for Himari's.

Kazuya didn't find anything interesting until his eyes fell on the yellow dress that was displayed by a boutique. The yellow dress had really reminded him of the approaching summer.

The image of Himari wearing the yellow dress while both of them were on a beach date was conjured into his mind. Without any second thought, Kazuya entered the boutique and asked for the dress.

"What's your girlfriend's size, mister?" One of the salesgirls inquired before getting him the dress.

Dumbfounded, Kazuya realized that he didn't know about it. 

In the end, he resorted to calling Himari's best friend, Miss Hagihara. She happily gave him more advice about Himari's preferences. Kazuya was also joyful because he was able to finally get Himari a gift before he returned tomorrow.

But, his happy mood didn't last long.

The moment he stepped out of the boutique with an additional paper bag in his hands, he encountered Sayuri all of a sudden.

Or, rather, Sayuri followed him all the way there.

"Kazuya, I saw you heading out of the hotel so, I came to see you," said Sayuri under his complicated gaze, "I know you don't want to see me but, can we talk?"

No matter how many years had passed since their breakup, Kazuya understood Sayuri was a determined person. She might back away in the face of a huge obstacle but, she won't easily give up.

"...go to the cafe," replied Kazuya after thinking. He lifted his chin, gesturing in a direction.

If they continued standing like this, it would just attract unnecessary stares from the passer-by. 

Sayuri looked happy but Kazuya's face remained rigid.

Both of them sat down inside a cafe. While Sayuri ordered a cup of coffee for him, Kazuya didn't order anything. Yet, his action didn't seem to discourage her.

"Did you go inside the boutique to buy something for your girlfriend?" As she asked, Sayuri kept looking on the exclusive paper bag of the boutique.

"Yes," answered Kazuya swiftly although he was taken aback by her question. Looking at her, he continued in a cool tone, "Make it quick."

Staring right into his eyes, Sayuri straightforwardly told him of her real intention, "I don't mind that you already have someone else but, I want to get back to you, Kazuya."

Perplexed, Kazuya froze in surprise.

Her smile held confidence in it.

"I've heard from Shuichi that you've just got to know her for only three months before being in a relationship. Doesn't it mean that you actually don't love her? You chose her because she's your closest female friend right now, doesn't it?"

Sayuri's meaning was clear.

No matter either he was single or was currently in a relationship, she would still try to get back with him.

Kazuya frowned. He was annoyed by this turn of events.

Was this what Himari felt when that guy harassed her to mend their broken relationship back then?

"After throwing me away, you have guts to say that right after we meet again? I'm not someone you could trifle with, Sayuri."

Kazuya didn't bother to argue with her. He immediately left after saying his piece. There was no need for him to stay longer just to have a verbal fight with Sayuri.

But, he understood.

Now that she had made clear of her intention, Sayuri wouldn't act sneakily in trying to achieve what she wanted.

"Ha, so annoying."

Kazuya threw the shirt to the floor. He walked inside the washroom, his shoulders were squared.

He had to find some time to tell Himari about the incoming troubles. Kazuya didn't want she was suddenly surprised by Sayuri's appearance thus leading to misunderstandings.

Like how Himari was being honest with him about Jun, he would do the same too.

Kazuya only hoped Sayuri won't be so determined as to how she appeared.