As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The newlyweds went to a studio where Kazuya booked a photography session. Although he intended to give Himari a beautiful wedding in the future, Kazuya thought that he still shouldn't wrong her by just having a dinner celebration tonight.

Kazuya wanted to capture the blissful moments on the first day of their marriage.

"Wait, wait!"

Himari just got reminded of something.

Kazuya glanced at Himari, brows raising, "Why?"

He stopped the car at the red light, waiting for it to change back to green.

Himari looked distressed, "Your ring... I haven't bought you one."

Because everything wasn't planned ahead of time, there were a few things missing.

For example, Kazuya's wedding ring.

Kazuya let out a chuckle. He gently took the hand where Himari wore the proposal ring.

"I also don't want to let you continue wearing this engagement ring but... the wedding ring has to wait first. En, is that alright with you, sweetheart?"

Himari's expression mellowed. She laughed at herself, "Sorry, I got anxious. Of course, it's alright with me. Then, should we go together to choose yours too later?"

It was laughable for Himari because she suddenly got fixated on the ring.

If possible, Himari wanted to choose a really meaningful one for Kazuya but, if it was done in a hurry just because she wanted them to wear rings during the photography session, won't it be less meaningful?

"Okay," Kazuya smiled, "I'm glad to."

Whether there was a ring or not, he was still her husband, hehe (#^_^#)

Soon, they arrived at the studio. The staff ushered them to one of the photography rooms inside the vast studio.

"Honey, is this okay?"

Himari was still in her white lace dress yet, there was an addition in her hands; a blooming bouquet of pink peonies.

They were getting ready to take formal photos. Kazuya said they should do an outdoor photography session at a place that she loved later. Himari readily agreed. 

Kazuya raised up a hand, smoothening her long hair. His fingers fiddled with the ends of her dark locks, feeling the tips brushed against his palm. He also helped to adjust the pearl pins on her head.

Lips smiling, he said, "You blush like the peonies, sweetheart."

Himari smiled sweetly.

The blushing pink peonies symbolized prosperity and a happy marriage, the very thing that both Kazuya and Himari wished for.

After they were done with the photography session, the time had just reached four o'clock. Because both of them were famished, they went to the restaurant that they often frequented at Kaiyo River Park. 

After a hearty lunch, Kazuya and Himari took a stroll at the park.

"Sweetheart, let's go boating?" Kazuya gestured at the jetty of the stream.

"Okay~"

Himari was still holding to the peonies bouquet. Kazuya carefully led her inside a white boat, afraid she would stumble because of her high heels. After that, he began paddling the boat away from the jetty.

There were not many people riding boats because it was still mid-afternoon on a summer weekday. Kazuya slowed down once the boat reached the place where the low-hanging branches stretched far wide to offer them shade from the blazing sun.

The soft breeze of summer tousled their hairs. The hem of Himari's lace dress fluttered gently, sunlight pouring down in between the dense layer of leaves above their heads. Their knees occasionally slightly graze one another.

"Sweetheart, do you still remember when we came boating here?" asked Kazuya, eyes dripping with honey.

Himari felt as if her own heart was smeared with honey just by looking at her husband's soft smile.

Her husband, hehe.

"Of course, I still remember," Himari broke into laughter, shoulders shaking, "We rode the boat during our first time having a picnic in spring. Who knows I'd have the boat paddler as my husband when summer arrives."

Her cheeky words made Kazuya burst into laughter. Reaching out a hand, he placed his wide palm at the nape of Himari's neck while the other gently pinched her chin.

They shared a kiss in the lights and shadows under the canopy of trees.

"Sweetheart, actually tonight... I invited my mother too... when I met her at the hospital yesterday."

Kazuya had moved from his seat to next to Himari. He leaned his body down, letting the side of his face touch her head. 

Her scent had always been so comforting to him.

Hearing that, Himari tilted up her head, staring into Kazuya's eyes tainted with anxiousness.

"You've done well, honey," Himari gently patted his face, "You're trying to reach your mother, en?"

"En," Kazuya nodded weakly.

For the celebration tonight, Kazuya made a reservation at a hotel in the middle distance between the villa and his apartment. The appointed time was at seven o'clock.

Shuichi and Taichi would go to pick Himari's mother, Aunt Mayu and the siblings before going to the hotel together.

Nanako and Ryota squeezed some time out to join them last minute despite they actually already had something planned. 

All the employees at the company were allowed to clock off two hours earlier due to their big boss suddenly getting married. Shuichi said the news caused a stir in the office because it happened all of a sudden.

And...

Madam Tokioka would also come.

Although Himari didn't know the extent of Kazuya's disappointment toward his birth mother, she could safely say this step required all of his courage.

"Well... sometimes I'd still doubt if she was really the one who saved you before because... I have never seen her as a savior to someone but, maybe she really wanna change?" admitted Kazuya.

Despite how low his voice was, Himari heard a faint hope in it.

Lips curled up into a smile, she hummed, "It might be decades late but, I'm sure your childhood wish would come true."

Kazuya returned the smile for a moment before Himari closed in the distance between them, gently brushing her lips against his.

At sundown, Kazuya drove Himari to the hotel. The others had just arrived, waiting for them inside the private dining room.

As soon as the newlyweds entered the room, loud applause and cheers reverberated inside.

Akemi, Shuichi and Taichi, Chiharu, Izumi, Aunt Mayu, Nanako and Ryota as well as Madam Tokioka were all there. They kept clapping their hands and throwing words of good wishes.

"Congratulations!"

"Aunt, Aunt, so beautiful ah~ Have to wear wedding dress!"

"Aunt and Uncle have come."

"Aiya! My friend is not single anymore ah! I have to find a girlfriend too!"

"Congrats, big boss! Our staffs were so happy they could go back home earlier!"

"Himari! Congrats! Who knows you'd be the first to get married ah!"

The youngs flocked around the husband and wife leaving Akemi, Aunt Mayu and Madam Tokioka at the big round table. Only after a few minutes did the couple be freed by the coming hugs and wishes.

As the elders of the newlyweds, Akemi and Madam Tokioka sat next to each other.

Himari sensed how Kazuya slightly flinched. It might be due to his mother's presence.

One hand gently clasped his, Himari whispered, eyes softening, "Let's greet our mothers."

"...en."

Himari and Kazuya walked to Akemi and Madam Tokioka. In front of the two middle-aged ladies, the newlyweds offered them a deep bow. 

The rest of them were quiet as they watched the couple interact with their elders. Shuichi and Nanako began taking photos and videos respectively.

"Both of us ask for your blessings," Kazuya spoke in earnest.

Himari smiled softly, wishing for the same.

Akemi glanced at Madam Tokioka. The latter did the same. As if understanding each other, they nodded slightly.

"I just wish for my daughter to find a husband who she could rely on," Akemi was the first one to speak. Tilting her head, she looked at Kazuya, "She never has a father figure so, at the very least, I hope she has a reliable husband who dearly loves her."

Himari's nose turned sour. She lightly bit her lower lip.

That had been what her mother has always wanted for her. 

Next, Madam Tokioka also opened her mouth. 

"As for me, I hope my son would have a warm home of his own little family, unlike the cold one he has to face because of me and his father. I admit that we've failed both of our sons so... that's my wish."

Kazuya was evidently surprised by how bluntly his mother admitted her own mistakes in front of so many people. Pupils shaking slightly, he was at a loss of what to do or say.

In the end, he quickly regained his composure.

No matter how deeply hurt he was since young, the last bit of hope in his heart began to flicker.

Eyes brimming with resolve, Kazuya faced both Himari's mother and his mother with a straight back. One of his hands pulled Himari closer to him.

"Both of us will live up to your wishes," said Kazuya firmly, "We thank you for your blessings."

Then, he gave the two elders a deep bow. Himari followed suit.

In the past, present and future, their hearts were one. 

Be it a sunny day or a day full of storms, they would weather the obstacles together. 

Until the end of their life journey.