As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The first game of the kindergartners started so did the games that involved the elementary section. Himari, Kazuya and Izumi just stayed here to give Chiharu their support.

It was so playful when the little buns ran while rolling the ball on the ground, trying to get to the end of the lanes as fast as their little feet could.

The place was booming with cheerful laughter and encouragement from the parents and other spectators. Coupled with the music and cheerings that were blasting from all over the field, they added to the merriment.

On the third lane, Chiharu and the boy Seiichi worked hard to win the race. Their cheeks puffed up as they panting, their faces flushed red yet both of them wore the same smiles and laughter.

They were pushing a red giant ball. The little children's height was just as tall as the ball, making it quite hard for them to see in front of them.

"Chiharu! Do your best!" Himari cheered from the sidelines. 

"Ah! Beware of the ground!" Izumi shouted the moment he saw Chiharu nearly stumbled.

Next to her, Kazuya was busy taking videos of the dumpling competing in the race. His actions had really resembled the fathers who came to support their young children here.

"Kaito, on your right!"

"Run, Aika! Papa's here!"

"Koko, your hair is entangling ah!"

In the midst of the happy sounds, suddenly a gasped echoed before it was drowned by the loud cheers.

"Chiharu!"

"Chiharu, are you okay?"

Because of a misstep, Chiharu fell to the ground, lying on her stomach. The ball rolled aimlessly as Seiichi quickly rushed to his teammate, ignoring the giant ball.

His teammate was more important!

Himari and Kazuya also ran to the dumpling, the race was halted for a moment by the teachers. Two students wearing emergency team bands around their arms came running with a first-aid kit.

"Chiharu, does it hurt?"

Kazuya carefully inquired about the little girl's condition. Chiharu lifted up her head. Her round eyes were already reddened with tears. The dumpling was trying hard to not burst out crying. 

"Chiharu... fell... hicc... Uncle, it hurts..."

"Here, let me carry you," Kazuya secretly sighed in relief. He carefully lifted up Chiharu and placed her bum on one of his thighs before he assessed any of her injuries, "Where does it hurt?"

"Chiharu's knees... hicc... and hands..."

The dumpling spread her palms wide, showing red marks and dust sticking on her tiny palms.

"She scratched her knees and palms," Himari was worried to see the little girl's red face, "Chiharu, do your elbows hurt too?"

"Teacher, we should treat her wound first," said one of the emergency team students to Himari.

To avoid disturbing the other students even though most of them stopped racing the moment Chiharu fell, Kazuya gently carried Chiharu to the nearby tent, followed by Himari, Izumi and the boy Seiichi. He had been quiet from the time Kazuya and Himari got to Chiharu's side.

Chiharu was seated on Kazuya's lap when one of the students helped to clean the wound. Fortunately, the scratches were just the smaller ones. After disinfecting them, the student stuck plasters with pink ribbon prints on Chiharu's knees and palms.

These students were trained by the school doctor. They were efficient in giving first-aid treatment despite still being children. 

"It's done," The student smiled. He gave reminders to the dumpling, "You just have to be careful with your wound later, especially when bathing."

"En, en, Chiharu knows," answered Chiharu with a sullen face. 

Although the plasters looked cute, she was disappointed thinking of her fall earlier.

Why did she fall down just now?

She wanna win first place with Seiichi!

Chiharu pouted. She looked at Seiichi who kept on standing nearby, next to her big brother.

Seiichi's worried face reddened. He lowered his head.

En... Until now he always felt shy with Chiharu but, he liked to be with her ah.

Unknown to what the little bunny and the little tiger were thinking, the two adults were relieved to see that Chiharu appeared alright despite the earlier fall. 

"You're great, Chiharu. You didn't cry at all," Himari gave the dumpling a head pat. She gently squeezed her chubby cheeks, "Later, I'll reward you with cookies, en?"

"Cookies!" Chiharu beamed, forgetting about her grievances in an instant, "En! Chiharu's a good girl. Chiharu didn't cry."

"Yes, you're a good girl," Kazuya chimed in with a helpless smile

"Should we cancel your entry for the piggyback ride with Uncle?" asked Izumi, thinking of another game Chiharu wanted to join.

It was a race that would have parent-and-child participation. In this case, Chiharu entered the race with their uncle. The dumpling had to ride their uncle's back and found a designated item to win the race.

Kazuya lowered his eyes, staring at the little dumpling, "So, how?"

"Play! Still wanna play it!" answered Chiharu with a resolute look. Her round eyes looked at her uncle, "Uncle, let's play it together?"

"Alright, we won't cancel it," agreed Kazuya, "I'll lend my back to you. Just don't break it, okay?"

"Humph! Chiharu's not that heavy!" Pouting, Chiharu glared at her uncle.

Kazuya burst into laughter. Himari just covered her mouth looking at their silly banter.

Since the dumpling's injuries weren't serious, Chiharu could still join the race. Moreover, Kazuya felt bad if he had to deny her that. This school sports festival was held annually. His niece didn't get to experience it often.

While they were still inside the emergency tent, someone walked inside. 

"...is Chiharu alright?"

Kazuya and Himari lifted up their eyes, staring at the young woman who had just entered the tent. 

Ah, it was Chiharu's kindergarten teacher. Himari remembered seeing her in passings although they had never really interacted. 

The kindergarten teacher's eyes fell on Himari for a second before she focused on Chiharu and Kazuya, "I'm sorry, Mr. Hayashi. Would you like Chiharu to..."

As the teacher spoke to them, Himari was baffled. She secretly thought that the way this kindergarten teacher looked at her was strange. It wasn't a friendly gaze as if there was something she was displeased about her.

En, maybe not?

Himari inwardly shrugged her shoulders, feeling that she was just being too sensitive with someone she didn't really know.

"The child here just needs to rest for a bit. We'd still join the race later. Thank you for your concern, Teacher Hirano1," replied Kazuya politely after the kindergarten teacher inquired if they would like to drop out of the race and had Chiharu resting more.

Teacher Hirano pursed her lips. She nodded, "If you say so, Mr. Hayashi."

Bzzt~

The vibration coming from her phone got Himari's attention. She quickly took out the phone and read the messages.

[Teacher Masuda: Could you come to the cafeteria now?]

[Teacher Masuda: Seems like we have to start early]

[Himari: Okay, will go now]

Putting down her phone, Himari glanced at Kazuya who was now looking at her too.

"I have to go now," said Himari before she stared at Chiharu next. She smiled regretfully, "Sorry, Chiharu. I can't watch your race after this."

The dumpling cleverly shook her head, indicating that it was alright, "Teacher Kato can see the video ah. Big Brother would shoot it for Chiharu and Uncle."

Izumi just quietly nodded. His own games would start later. He still had time to record his little sister's race.

"Hehe, okay. I'll do that," Himari grinned. Looking at Kazuya again, she smiled, "Then, I'll go now. Bye."

But, before Himari could turn around, Kazuya swiftly stretched out his long hand, enclasping his palm around her wrist.

"Call me if you needed it," said the man with a smile, "I can help."

Kazuya knew that Himari, her fellow colleague and the students that were involved in the food and beverage post were all females. Although they still received help from others, he still wanted to offer his hand if she needed him.

Himari grinned, "Okay~"

Kazuya pressed his thumb on the center of her palm before he released her wrist. 

Himari turned around. The moment the corners of her eyes fell on the kindergarten teacher, she almost froze for a second before Himari ran out of the tent.

For a second, Himari faintly sensed disbelief and anger emanating from the young kindergarten teacher.

Did she really overthink it?

As Himari continued running, she dispelled the thoughts.

There was no need for her to think about such things, wasn't it?

Her figure gradually disappeared in the crowd as Himari headed to the cafeteria. The joyful cheers coming from the field drowning her thoughts.

Back in the emergency tent, Teacher Hirano excused herself before she quickly walked out of the tent. Her eyes were fixated in a direction, trying to look at someone who had vanished from the field. 

Displeasure layered murkiness in her eyes as she felt so dissatisfied back then. 

Teacher Hirano moved away from the tent. She found a fairly quiet place, fished out her phone from her pants and made a call. She waited impatiently as she felt it was annoying to see someone else buzzing around that man.

"Sister Sayuri, you don't know what I've seen!"

Away from the crowd, the kindergarten teacher vented out to the one she called.