As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

At half-past five, Kazuya had begun tidying up his desk and closed the laptop.

Until now, Kazuya actually still couldn't believe that he contacted his mother on his own.

His disbelief doubled when he heard her agreeing to his invitation for dinner tonight.

A faint smile crept on his face. Despite feeling nervous, he anticipated his mother's arrival. 

Kazuya wore his jacket over the navy blue shirt, picked up his belongings then walked out of the office.

Most of the employees were also getting ready to leave. They talked among themselves. Some even planned to go out and have dinner together.

"Kazuya, Taichi wanna ask you out tonight. Why don't we go to the bar near your house? Us three have lots to catch up with."

Shuichi patted on Kazuya's back then began speaking.

Although not often, the twins and Kazuya used to frequent a bar located in a business district not far from the villa since they hit adulthood.

They would have drinks and side dishes while playing board games. Sometimes, the twins dragged Kazuya to sing karaoke.

But, Kazuya had rarely joined them ever since he began taking care of the siblings three years ago. Shuichi silently thought that with Himari around, Kazuya should be able to go out at night to have fun with them. 

"Not tonight. I'll think about it first," answered Kazuya while shaking his head.

"Eh, why? It's not like we would return past midnight. Would Himari be mad if you go out at night?"

Kazuya let out a helpless sigh, "It's not that. My mother is coming tonight. We'd have dinner together."

His answer shocked Shuichi.

"Ah, then... some other time."

It seemed like his friend was seriously considering reconciling with his own mother.

Kazuya quickly stepped to where his car was parked. In a short time, he was already driving on the road.

His mind drifted back to what Shuichi blurted out, about going out to have fun with his friends at night.

Both Kazuya and Himari had discussed this matter.

If either of them wanted to go out with their friends, they could but, they had to at least notify the places they would go and how long they would be away. Especially if the gathering happened during the night. 

Considering they were spouses to each other, Kazuya and Himari agreed that they should return home before midnight. Even though the siblings weren't living with them, this was what they should do as a married couple. 

Kazuya's car entered the driveway of the villa at a little past six. He could hear merriment coming from the kitchen. The lively sound incited a smile on his lips.

"I'm home," He shouted from the entryway. Kazuya headed to the kitchen. 

Soon, a head poked out from the kitchen.

"Welcome home, honey~"

Himari put down the knife then ran to her husband. Kazuya quickly caught her waist then dropped a kiss on her forehead.

It had become a routine for them ever since they got married to welcome each other's back in this way. This routine might or might not change in the future but, for now, both of them enjoyed it. 

"Go and have a shower first," said Himari. She playfully pinched her husband's face.

"Okay," answered Kazuya with a smile, "I'll come down to help later."

Kazuya greeted Izumi and Chiharu who went out of the kitchen before he walked upstairs. He didn't shower for too long, just enough to refresh himself. 

After that, Kazuya joined the siblings helping Himari prepare the hot pot.

"I can do it. You should go and have a rest," said Himari, thinking of the fact that Kazuya had just returned from work unlike her who came back hours earlier. 

She and the siblings even had a cup of pudding each before continuing to prepare for the hot pot. 

"I can rest after dinner," Kazuya smiled. His hands were busy slicing the beef into very thin slices, "Sweetheart, are these alright? Or, should I cut them thinner?"

"This is thin enough. Then, I will..."

The husband and wife and two children finished setting up the table at a quarter to seven. Various kinds of ingredients for the hot pot were served on the table except for the broth that Himari still kept on the stove.

They were currently waiting for their guest in the living room. 

Himari noticed that Kazuya was faintly tensed. He kept darting his eyes toward the door.

Seeing how uncomfortable he was, she reached out a hand and gently held his.

A soft and warm touch fell on his hand. Kazuya glanced at his wife who was smiling tenderly at him.

She didn't say anything but half of his tensed nerves loosened. 

Soon, the sound of a car engine reverberated faintly from the outside.

Chiharu jumped on her feet, "Grandma's here ah!"

The family of four left the living room. All of them walked to the entryway, including Chobi who was curious. Soon, a figure in black entered the main door.

"Grandma~ Welcome home!" 

Chiharu enthusiastically greeted her grandmother. She ran to the middle-aged woman then clung to Madam Tokioka's right leg.

"Welcome, Grandmother," said Izumi.

"Thank you," answered Madam Tokioka with a faint smile, "I brought gifts for you."

Madam Tokioka's driver was behind her. The man had paper bags in both hands. The children's eyes lit up at the sight of the gifts.

"Please come inside, Mother," Himari placed a pair of home slippers on the floor, "Have you been well?"

"I'm doing good," Madam Tokioka smiled at Himari then shifted her eyes to Kazuya who stood still beside his wife, "Kazuya, thank you for inviting me tonight."

"Yes, Mother," Kazuya felt his lips stiffen as he tried to smile at his own mother.

Himari curled up her lips. She couldn't help but feel satisfied.

Even though it was still a long way to go, the fact that Kazuya himself initiated inviting his mother for dinner together was already a good move.

The dinner was a lively one despite Madam Tokioka and Kazuya still appearing awkward with each other.

From time to time, Kazuya picked up some ingredients and filled his mother's bowl with them. Madam Tokioka also made the effort to finish everything her son gave her.

"The children are sleepy. I'll put them in bed," said Himari to Kazuya when they spent some time in the lounge after dinner.

Right now, Chiharu had already dozed off while Izumi kept rubbing his eyes. They were so sleepy even though the time had just struck nine o'clock. 

Himari looked at Madam Tokioka, "Mother, you should come often. We're happy to have you."

Madam Tokioka stared at her daughter-in-law. She nodded, the arc of her lips curved upward, "I'll do that. Thank you for the dinner tonight."

Himari grinned. She cast a meaningful look at her husband.

"Mother, I'll send you off to the door," Kazuya spoke to his mother.

Madam Tokioka didn't reject her son's offer. She stood up from the couch then followed Kazuya's steps toward the door.

Himari silently stared at the mother and son. She lowered her eyes and spoke to Izumi, "Izumi, let's go upstairs. You should go to sleep now."

"Okay, Aunt..." answered Izumi while yawning.

Himari carefully carried the sleepy Chiharu in her arms. Izumi walked behind her. They no longer saw the mother and son who were now standing outside the villa.

Madam Tokioka's driver had already returned to pick her up. She opened the backseat door herself then stretched out one leg to get inside the car. The window was wounded down, revealing face.

Kazuya lowered his gaze while Madam Tokioka raised up her chin. Their eyes met.

The early autumn night breeze howled in the air, spreading its chilliness to them.

After a long stretch of silence, Kazuya moved his lips, letting words flow out of his mouth, "Mother, next time... you can come over whenever you want."

Don't treat yourself as a stranger.

Stunned, Madam Tokioka's eyes flickered in astonishment. Yet, she quickly concealed her surprise.

"Then, you also should come to my house anytime you want."

Hearing that, Kazuya smiled. This time, it didn't appear stiff as before.

"Alright."

The mother and son didn't exchange any affectionate words but, the air between them began to have a subtle change. 

Kazuya only returned inside once the black car vanished from his sight. The downstairs was quiet as his wife, nephew and niece all went to their rooms.

His wife was sitting on the bed while patting the pillows. 

"Has Mother gone back?" asked Himari although she had peeked at her husband and mother-in-law through the window.

Kazuya nodded. He got on the bed then moved closer to his wife. Their arms and shoulders touched as Kazuya bent down. 

"Mother told us to go to her house too."

Smiling, Himari gave her husband a hug. Her eyes twinkled like the stars in the night sky. 

"You did so well, honey. I'm proud of you~"

Kazuya grinned like a boy. He enveloped his wife in his arms.

"I couldn't do it without you, sweetheart."

Himari laughed, "Then, you should reward me ah! I don't want to work for nothing!"

Kazuya was infected by her laughter. He loosened his arms then started pecking on her laughing lips.

"Haha... wait, wait ah... I wanna show you something."

Himari pushed Kazuya away, ran to the vanity table, picked up the envelope then she returned to her husband.

"Yuina gave me a holiday voucher. Look."

Kazuya took the voucher from Himari with one hand while the other rested on her waist. He glanced at her after reading the content of the voucher.

"Why don't we go there during Silver Week Holidays? Just the two of us?"

Since he still couldn't give her a proper honeymoon, he should at least bring her to enjoy this.

"How about the children?"

Although Himari was giddy with excitement, she was still concerned about the siblings.

Kazuya kissed her forehead, "Don't worry. I'll sort it out. Let's enjoy this holidays ourselves, en?"

Himari smiled, as sweet as candy, "Okay~"

She couldn't wait for this vacation!

But, little did she know that she won't be able to go there with him.