As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The rain continued to Monday morning the next day before the clouds gradually cleared up at noon, giving way for the sunlight to warm the chilly air. The lingering smell of the rain kept dancing at the tip of one's nose, reminding them of the rainy days that had just passed.

Yuina was discharged at half-past three after being given permission from the doctor. She had been prescribed some medicine and reminded of a few pieces of advice before the doctor left her ward, leaving a nurse to conclude things with the patient.

"Please immediately call the hospital if you need it. Don't think that you can handle the pain," The nurse kindly told Yuina. This nurse was a middle-aged lady with compassion in the way she smiled, "It's better to be on the safe side."

Because so far, Yuina only had Himari as her visitor, the nurse regarded her as someone who might stay by herself at home. If anything dire happened, Yuina only had herself to rely on.

That was why the nurse kept on telling Yuina to be alert with what the doctor had advised her before.

Being touched by the kindness, Yuina nodded, "I understood, I'll pay attention to my body. Thank you so much for your help in these few days."

Pleased, the nurse chuckled, "Hehe, it might sound rude but, I hope we won't meet again ah. What good it be to meet again if it means you have to be admitted into the hospital again?"

"Well, that's certainly what should we feel," As she was amused by the nurse's choice of words, Yuina laughed along with her, "I'd prefer it if I encounter you outside rather than here."

The nurse left the ward as she had to attend to her next duty. Yuina bowed at her, giving the nurse her heartfelt gratitude.

With that, Yuina took her bag and walked out of the private ward. Her bag didn't weigh much because she mostly bought the disposable items throughout her stay in the hospital.

She was going home, finally.

Yuina's movement was slow. Although her bleeding had long stopped, at certain times, acute pain from her lower abdomen would send prickly sensations all over her body. 

Still, it was better to walk rather than using a wheelchair.

In front of the entrance of the hospital lobby, Yuina moved her eyes as she quietly looked at her surroundings. A few seconds later, her gaze fell in a direction.

She smiled.

"Do you wanna make a stop somewhere? Buying things for yourself?"

Not far from where she stood, Himari was walking to her with a car key in her right hand.

Shaking her head, Yuina answered softly, "I just wanna go home."

"Okay~"

Both of them got inside Yuina's car, Himari was the one who sat behind the wheels. The car began to leave the hospital ground, heading to Sakuya Residence.

Yuina quietly glanced at Himari who was focusing on driving. The road was still slippery even though the rain had stopped. Most of the vehicles tended to move slower in such a condition.

After thinking through, Yuina finally agreed to have Himari sending her home after being discharged. She might be able to handle the pain when driving but, considering the current weather, Yuina didn't want to gamble.

Moreover, she would like to have someone to accompany her even for a moment longer.

It gave her a sense of courage as she thought of what she would do next.

Thus, this morning, she sent a text to Himari, asking if she could still take on the offer. The English teacher was elated, saying she would come as soon as the school hours finished.

Himari parked the car at the designated spot of Yuina's unit once they arrived at the high-rise residential complex. She brought out two paper bags from the trunk.

"What are those?" asked Yuina the moment she saw the bags.

Himari grinned. She raised up her hands, lifting along the brown paper bags with her, "Well, I think that you might need more nutrients. I just bought some fruits and dried nuts for you. Eat them whenever you feel like snacking."

"Hehe, thank you so much. En, it's actually good to be a patient. I have people caring for me."

Himari's smile drooped even though Yuina was laughing.

To her, what Yuina said was actually sad.

It sounded as if she only had people cared for her when she was sick.

Himari followed Yuina up to the floor of the latter's unit. She wouldn't be at ease until she saw Yuina safely entered her house.

"You really don't need anything else?" asked Himari once they got inside the luxurious condominium unit.

Yuina was in the kitchen, insisting to let her have some drink before leaving. Himari just asked for plain water.

This place was as just she remembered the first time she came here; spacious, cold and desolate.

"It's okay. I could order anything I need later," Yuina came out from the kitchen with a glass of water. She shot a regretful smile to Himari, "I just feel sorry because I couldn't even serve my guest a proper meal. Please, at least have a drink."

"You don't have to worry about that," Smiling, Himari took the glass from Yuina.

As she stood and looked around the condominium, Yuina swallowed a bitter smile.

She hadn't been here for almost four days yet, nothing changed. 

The throw pillow was lying on the coffee table as to how she left it, next to a pile of books. Yuina still remembered that, before she left for school last Friday, she had her morning breakfast here while browsing on a book.

Himari quietly followed where Yuina landed her gaze. Her eyes flickered at the sight of the books.

All of those books were related to motherhood and parenting.

Looking up from the books, their eyes met.

Realizing Himari's concerned look, Yuina just smiled, "I concealed my pregnancy because it's unexpected. I wanted to wait for him to come back and surprise him but... the child's gone before that."

Himari put down the empty glass. She fiddled with her skirt, restraining her discomfort, "Teacher Masuda, until now you haven't told your husband... about the baby and what happened last Friday?"

Yuina sat down on the couch. Her expression appeared tired all of a sudden, "I hope he would come home soon. There's a lot we have to talk about. About the baby... and about us."

Before, Yuina just suppressed everything that she wasn't satisfied with their relationship. In her opinion, Ryuu had done so many things to her, even when he was just a helpless young man in their youth.

She kept telling herself that some sacrifices had to be made, even though she was so uncomfortable deep inside.

But...

She couldn't do that any longer.

She wanted to truly be happy now.

Himari lowered her eyelids, once again she stared at the pile of books.

"No matter what you decide later on," Her voice was low as Himari spoke word by word, carrying her concern, "I believe that you're doing it for your own good."

Letting out a weak laugh, Yuina smiled, "That's why I need your support, Teacher Kato. Although it's only my wishful thinking, somehow, I feel so close to you."

Especially in the few days that she was at her lowest, Teacher Kato was there to lend a helping hand to her.

"Well, it seems that we share the same sentiment," Himari's eyes were soft, "I admit that I don't feel awkward with you, Teacher Masuda."

"Hurm, maybe it's time to change the way we address ourselves?" Yuina took the opportunity to broach a new subject, "Can we be on a first-name basis, then?"

"Hehe, if you don't mind it."

"Okay, Himari," Yuina was thoroughly relieved.

With the slight change in their relationship, Himari left Yuina's home with a smile on her face. She kept reminding the latter that if she ever needed anything, Yuina didn't have to act so reserve anymore.

After all, it was still worrisome for Himari because Yuina only stayed alone at her home.

The clock had just struck five o'clock in the evening.

Himari quietly walked out of the lobby with shiny marble flooring. The lobby was quiet, so unlike the one at the hospital. The only people that Himari saw were the two receptionists and the guards.

With her fingers tapping on the screen, Himari booked a cab using an e-hailing app. She had to wait outside of the complex ground because outside vehicles won't be permitted to enter if the caller wasn't the resident here.

The automated door slid open as the sensor detected one's movement. The chilly air from the outside gently drifted into the lobby, sending a cool sensation to Himari.

"It's still kind of cold," murmured Himari.

As she was walking, her shoulders almost brushed against someone, a man who was carrying a briefcase in his hand.

The man halted his steps, feeling his expression froze.

Turning his neck around, his eyes fell on the back of the young lady who had just passed.

He blurted out.

"...Himari?"

Yet, she didn't even hear him.

The moment Himari turned her face slightly, showing her side profile, the man almost wanted to run to her but his feet didn't move as if they were chained to the ground.

Unnoticed by Himari, the man was Jun.

He was deeply surprised to see her here, appearing in a place he never thought she would but, as he saw that she didn't even notice him made him buried down his longing.

As to how she had told him the last time they met months ago, they should just treat each other as strangers even if they crossed the same path someday.

Jun didn't know if Himari deliberately ignored him or she really didn't see him but...

There was nothing he could do.

He didn't deserve her anymore.

The smiling and warm sunshine that used to light up his world was not his anymore.