As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The arrival of the family of four before noon was greeted warmly by Akemi, Granny Saichi, Granny Hori and Uncle Yoshiro. All four of them gathered together to welcome the newlyweds and the children.

Delicious homecooked lunch was spread on the big dining table that Akemi newly bought the other day. She did so as Granny Saichi said they should invite Madam Hori and Yoshiro to eat together when the newlywed couple came. 

After lunch, all of them sat in the living room. Akemi opened the wooden sliding doors wide, allowing the breeze to flow inside the house. 

While the adults sat down and shared stories, Izumi and Chiharu ventured to the yard, following Chobi who was well accustomed to the place. 

"Hehe, you're a married lady now," Granny Saichi patted Himari's back, her old eyes were looking at both Himari and Kazuya, "I can stop nagging you to marry ah, Himari."

"Granny Saichi, maybe you can nag at someone else next," Himari laughed while staring at her mother meaningfully.

Akemi's cheeks pinkened. She didn't expect to be attacked by her own daughter like that. Ignoring Yoshiro's gentle gaze, she deliberately changed the topic.

"Mom has prepared the rooms for you two and the children. Bring Kazuya to your room, Himari. He looks so tired now ah."

Granny Saichi and Granny Hori laughed looking at Akemi's reaction. Even though the relationship between her and Yoshiro was already out in the open, Akemi would still occasionally act shy like a high school girl. 

In the end, Himari still brought Kazuya to her room that had been changed its decoration by her mother. The children were still reluctant to take a nap thus, they happily entertained the two old ladies who gave them sweets. 

"Honey, you should take a shower," said Himari. She began unpacking the luggage then bringing out her husband's change of clothes, "It's uncomfortable if you take a nap after sweating."

"Okay, I'll listen to my wife."

Kazuya accepted the casual clothes from Himari. He had indeed felt his back sticky because of sweat.

Although there were air conditioning systems inside the car and in the living room, the summer heat still got to him.

After taking a clean towel, Kazuya went to the bathroom near the kitchen. This house didn't have any ensuite washroom. He had to walk past the living room, seeing the people that continued sitting there with the children.

Inside the bedroom, Himari was hanging her and Kazuya's clothes. Her eyes fell on the new queen-sized bed that replaced her old single bed. 

"Aye, Mom really went all out just because she finally has a son-in-law," Himari made a comment, lips smiling. 

Once she finished the task, Himari sat on the edge of the bed, throwing her gaze out of the open windows.

The leaves of the plants danced with shadows and lights intermittent in between.

Himari still remembered coming home during spring break a few months ago. At that time, she was shocked by the unexpected appearance of Jun.

Then, the next time she was here was after she first be together with Kazuya, the one time he drove her all the way here because her mother was hospitalized.

And, now, she came home with him as husband and wife.

Her life changes so much in just a few months yet, it was beautifully colored by the presence of her dear husband.

"Thinking about me?"

The familiar husky voice echoed from the back, followed by a pair of arms hugging her. The lingering coolness of Kazuya's skin seeped into her.

Himari laughed softly, "You smell nice, honey."

Kazuya broke into a grin when Himari kissed his face.

"Have your nap now," Himari pushed Kazuya to lie on the bed. She took the wet towel from her husband who had changed into casual clothes, "Izumi and Chiharu wanna go to the river. We can go there at five."

Kazuya insisted to drive for hours even after Himari suggested swapping places. Even though all of them slept early last night, a long journey would still tire them out. 

"Won't you take a nap with me?" Kazuya raised his brows, "My arms feel empty without you, sweetheart."

Himari giggled because Kazuya kept speaking cringingly. She leaned down and lightly kissed her husband's lips, "So clingy ah~ I'll have my nap later."

The children were still chatting in the living room with Akemi and the others. Even so, Himari knew they were just as tired as their uncle.

Kazuya just nodded. His lips curved up as he sleepily stared at the disappearing figure of his wife.

The sound of leaves rustling outside the opened windows lured him into sleep.

Soon, Granny Saichi, Granny Hori and Uncle Yoshiro left, saying they would come and visit again before Himari returned to the city. After the guests left, Himari urged Chiharu and Izumi to take a nap.

The siblings shared a room together, just right next to Akemi's. The dumpling was the first one to fall asleep the moment her head hit on the pillow.

"Meow~"

Chobi followed his grandmother who headed to the kitchen. Akemi helplessly shook her head seeing Himari busy wiping the wet sink area.

"Go and take a rest ah! Don't fuss over the kitchen. You should accompany your husband now," nagged Akemi in a playful voice.

Himari laughed. She placed the wet towel over a railing. Looking at her mother, she asked curiously, "Enough about me, Mom. I've talked with Kazuya last night. I wonder if I'd officially get a stepdad soon?"

Akemi made a face. It seemed like her silly daughter won't drop this subject anytime soon.

It was easy for Akemi to evade these questions whenever she was on the phone with Himari or through any video calls. But, since her daughter had come home, it was hard to avoid them.

Himari walked to the small table in the kitchen. She pulled out a chair then sat down, "Mom, why don't we have a talk since the house is quiet?"

Kazuya and the siblings were napping. This was the perfect time for the mother and daughter to have a personal talk.

Akemi gave up from running away. She picked Chobi up from the floor and hugged him. The tabby rolled his neck, feeling comfortable in his grandmother's arms.

Himari poured a glass of cold barley tea to her mother before she did the same to her own glass. She let her mother take a sip first.

"So, about my question earlier, do you and Uncle Yoshiro plan to settle down together soon?"

Himari had seen how tender the middle-aged man's eyes were whenever he looked at her mother. It was the same gaze she often saw on Kazuya. 

The uncle was clearly infatuated with her mother. Considering his age, Himari doubted Uncle Yoshiro would wait any longer before proposing to her mother.

"Before that..." Akemi put down the glass, her eyes staring at the daughter who she cherished, "Mom couldn't help but wonder if you'd ever asked about your birth father before your old mom here marries another man."

Taken aback, Himari blinked in confusion.

"...why do you think about my father, Mom?"

Akemi rarely spoke about the man who fathered her daughter. Himari also never took the initiative to ask about him.

Shrugging her shoulders, Akemi sighed, "It's nothing. It's just one of my random thoughts."

As she got older, Akemi had to admit she became more sentimental. She often retraced the memories from when she was young, the one time when she was an ignorant young lady. 

Himari pursed her lips. A question crossed her mind, picking up her curiosity. The same question that she had only kept inside her heart instead of verbally saying it to her mother.

In a low voice, Himari carefully asked, "Mom, have you ever loved my father?"

Even until now, Himari didn't know what made her mother go into hiding in this small village, far away from big cities. Her mother would only answer her vaguely if Himari asked about her origin.

Akemi blinked a few times. Her lips curled up yet the look in her eyes was in sorrow.

"You were born because of our love, Himari, not because of fleeting desire. There was a time when I was madly in love with your father. He also loved me but, we're not meant to be together."

To Akemi, her precious daughter didn't have to know the reason that led to them staying here.

If Akemi ever brought it up, she was certain Himari would only be hurt by the truth.

More than two decades ago, the young Akemi fall in love with a man who was as bright as the sun, charming her heart.

They met when she had just graduated from high school, right after she moved out of the orphanage where she lived. He was older than her.

Akemi could tell that the man sincerely loved her.

But, she couldn't forgive his deception. 

She could never forgive him for hiding the fact that he was already bound to another woman.

"I've never loved my wife! Please, Akemi... Don't leave me... I couldn't live without you! I really... really love you..."

He tearfully begged her when she wanted to break up with him.

Yet, Akemi's heart was already cold despite the lingering longing for him. 

"How could you say that you love me? You do turn me into 'the other woman' in your marriage."

Since then, Akemi left without looking back.