As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Akemi had never thought to find the man back, not even after Himari was born. The man didn't even know that she was pregnant with his child. She was already content with the simple life that she had with her daughter.

Sometimes, the fragments of memories she shared with him crossed her mind yet, they remained as memories. 

"Mom."

Her only daughter's voice lured Akemi back to reality. Lips curling up, she smiled at the daughter who would always be precious to her. 

Himari spoke in a gentle voice yet she sounded firm. 

"Before, you were the one who told me to cherish Kazuya because both of us love each other. You didn't even mind that I've only known him for a short time. So, I want you to do the same for yourself."

Himari just wanted her mother to be happy.

"Your Uncle Yoshiro would be happy to hear his future daughter saying that," Akemi laughed softly listening to her daughter's earnest words, "That silly man has been worrying about your acceptance."

Even though Akemi and Yoshiro had spoken about their relationship with Himari, Yoshiro was still nervous because to him, getting married meant another thing. 

Being Akemi's boyfriend was not the same as being her husband. Yoshiro understood he had to take Himari's view under consideration. 

"Then, speak again with him, Mom," Himari smiled, "Granny Hori has really taken a liking to you. Mom, I don't even mind even if you wanna give me a little sibling later~"

Akemi deliberately glared at her daughter. 

"Hey! Do you really want your old mom to give birth? It's better if you give me grandchildren, huh!"

The two ladies burst into laughter. The sound faintly drifted inside the bedroom where a man was napping.

Soon, the little house fell into silence as all of its occupants went to take a nap. Even the tabby cat sprawled on his favorite couch before closing his eyes.

Kazuya was sleeping deeply on the new bed when Himari quietly entered the room.

Before changing the clothes, Himari switched on the air conditioner and closed the windows. Then, she dived into bed. 

As if he really sensed her presence, Kazuya grunted in his sleep, turned over to one side then reached out for his wife.

"Hey, it'd be too hot if you hug me," said Himari quietly, her voice was laced with laughter. She playfully slapped her husband's chest.

The air conditioner inside her childhood bedroom wasn't as efficient as the one in their bedroom in the villa.

"It's okay..." answered Kazuya sleepily, "You can push me away... once it's hot enough..."

Ignoring his wife's protest, he hugged her before once again falling deeply into his nap.

Himari smiled in helplessness. She gave Kazuya's head a few strokes before she closed her eyes.

A quarter past five o'clock, a family of four played in the river not far from Himari's house.

Chiharu's swimsuit was wet all over. Her little chubby feet dangled under the water as she swam using the cute float. Her toys were scattered on the river, floating alongside her. 

"So cold~ So fresh ah~"

The dumpling laughed in joy. She shrieked when Kazuya suddenly splashed water at her.

On the other side of the river, Izumi befriended a group of village children who came playing at the river too. The children greeted Himari whom they knew then asked if Izumi would like to join them. 

After playing for a bit, Himari and Kazuya sat on a boulder near where Chiharu was pushing her feet against the water. Both of them lowered their feet into the water, letting the coolness of the stream seep into their skin. 

The man placed a clean towel over his wife's wet head. He gently wiped the remnants of water left on Himari's face.

"Sweetheart, the children call your mother 'Granny', en?"

Surprised by the sudden question, Himari nodded.

"Do you think it's inappropriate?" asked her back.

Kazuya shook his head, "It's not that. It just makes me think if they still regard the siblings as their grandchildren. They have never taken the initiative to contact me or the children. If I didn't inform them about the children's development, they would really know nothing."

Himari was confused for a moment before she understood who Kazuya was talking about.

"Your sister-in-law's parents... are they still grieving badly? Until they leave the siblings in your care without ever asking about them?"

Up until now, Himari only knew so little regarding the children's maternal grandparents. 

Like Kazuya's parents, the couple also seemed like they didn't mind about the siblings. Everything was left to Kazuya. 

Although Himari didn't know the situation that forced the maternal grandparents away from the children, how deep their grief was, she still couldn't help but feel a bit resentful. 

"At first, I understood that they were feeling so lost. After all, my late sister-in-law was their only daughter. They said, seeing the children made them so sad."

The old couple found it hard to be around the siblings, the children that were born from their own daughter. Kazuya still remembered how hysterical the old lady was during the funeral. She passed out a few times, leading to her being hospitalized. 

"Then, over time, I keep thinking... what if they're actually reluctant to come to terms with the death of their daughter? What if... they never wanted to make the effort? It has been three years. They couldn't continue living like that."

Kazuya frowned as he continued speaking. He pressed his lips into a straight line, uneasiness exuding from his eyes.

"Do you intend to speak to them?" asked Himari, her eyes lingered on Chiharu who was intently staring at a white pebble that she picked up from the riverbed. 

"I have the intention but... I don't know how to start," admitted Kazuya.

The matter regarding death was always a difficult one.

Himari sighed softly, understanding her husband's concern. She held Kazuya's right hand with both of her hands then said, "We can think more about it later. I'll help you."

Kazuya's lips curled up.

"Thanks for listening, sweetheart," He lightly pressed his lips on Himari's face, "It's already good that you lent your ears to me."

Kazuya brought up the subject just because he wanted to confide in his wife. He had never spoken about this particular worrying matter to anyone but, the words smoothly flowed out of his mouth earlier.

"It's not free, you know? You have to pay me," replied Himari cheekily. She let go of Kazuya's arms then spread out her palms as if wanting something. 

"Oh, what do you want?" Kazuya just followed along with his wife's playfulness.

"En, should I get you buying the autumn dress I saw the other day? I saw it with Nanako. The dress is so pretty~ But, it cost half of my monthly salary ah."

Kazuya raised up one of his brows, "You haven't used the card I gave you, sweetheart? Even though it's not a black card, the limit is still high."

Himari was dumbfounded, "Ah? When did you give me?"

Kazuya smirked, "On the morning before you went out with your friend, I put the card inside your purse."

He deliberately didn't tell her to keep it as a surprise. 

"What?"

Kazuya just laughed seeing Himari's totally confused look. He noted that he didn't get any notifications telling him that she used the card but, he didn't expect that it was because she didn't notice it. 

"Sweetheart, do you actually despise your husband's card? So, that's why you haven't used it?" Kazuya pinched Himari's nose, eyes twinkling with laughter.

Himari quickly slapped the naughty hand away. 

"Ugh... Once we get back, I'd ask Nanako to go out with me again. I won't come home before I swipe your card for big purchases!" 

Kazuya's laughter grew louder. 

"Yes, yes, my wife can buy anything she wants," He patted her head like he was appeasing a little child.

Himari harrumphed. 

"I don't want to talk to you anymore."

Himari stood up from the boulder. She wanted to go to the other side of the river. Ignoring her husband, she lifted up her right foot, wanting to move away from the place.

"Ah!"

SPLASH!

Himari was thoroughly dumbfounded.

She had just moved for a second before her body was yanked back from behind. In a blink of an eye, a big splash of water wet her face and shirt.

What had just happened?

Chiharu screamed from the river.

"Ah! Aunt! Chiharu wanna splash Uncle! Uncle grabbed Aunt ah!"

She used her water gun to spray at Himari. 

Himari blinked. She stiffly turned her head to the back, looking at Kazuya who was laughing while hiding his body behind her.

"Hahaha! Thanks to you, I didn't get wet, sweetheart."

Kazuya noticed that Chiharu had a bad intention when she was eyeing him with a pout. He quickly yanked Himari from walking away, using her as a shield. 

Himari's lips twitched.

"Honey~ What have you done?" asked her through gritted teeth.

Kazuya grin.

Then, he ran away.

Himari was once again speechless.

"Kazuya! Don't run! 

Himari began chasing after the shameless man.

"Hahaha! I didn't mean it ah!"

"You! Don't run! You have to sleep outside tonight!"

Kazuya continued laughing, half-regretting what he had done. 

Well, he was safe from the water splash but he won't be safe from his wife's wrath.