As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

To both Himari and Kazuya, it was a fine first day of holiday but to someone, it was not.

Jun ended up going back to the city after his failure to persuade Himari.

To him, what both Himari and her mother said were just words because of their disappointment. He would still try hard to let them see how serious he was to gain what he had lost.

Jun arrived at the city at sundown. Instead of returned to his family home, he went to the newly bought condominium. He purchased the unit before coming back to the country.

The unit at Sakuya Residence became his choice.

His family was well-off. Even without buying this condominium, Jun would still have a few real estate units that his parents listed down under his name but, he refused to use them again.

He wanted to be in a house that he bought with his own savings.

And, he hoped she would come home with him and be its queen.

Jun listlessly walked into the lobby, heading to the elevator. He hadn't had a good sleep ever since he went to Himari's childhood home late last night.

Once he got inside the elevator, he rested his back against the panel. His eyes were dazedly looking at the reflection on the glass panel.

For now, Jun wanted to have a good rest before thinking back on what should he do next.

She had fallen in love with him once.

Why couldn't she fell in love with him again?

The continuous denials shoved all Himari's rejections and Akemi's advice from his mind.

The only thing Jun knew was he would get back with her, no matter how hard the obstacles were.

Ding!

Once the doors slid open, Jun dragged his tired body out of the elevator. Without looking anywhere, he headed to where his unit was located at.

The entire hallway was quiet save for the faint sound coming from the units on the same floor. On this floor, there were only four units. Each unit was spacious, enough for a big family to reside together.

"Jun!"

A soft voice urgently called for him.

Jun stopped in his tracks and turned his head in the direction of the voice.

His brows merged together in an instant.

A slender figure in a dark blue dress appeared in front of him.

"What are you doing here?"

Kikyo was alarmed by how cold his voice was but she didn't back down. She pushed herself from the marble wall to him. Anxiousness was written on her entire face.

"Your mother said you left home so, I came to check. But, you weren't here since last night. Where did you go? You're still in last night's clothes! Are you okay?"

Kikyo's eyes went from the top of his head to the tip of his shoes. Obviously, Jun had stayed out all night by how haggard he looked but, where did he go?

She tried calling his number but all of her calls went into the mailbox. Even after she pestered their classmates who were closed to Jun to do the same, they said their calls didn't go through as well.

"Who told you this is my place?" Jun shot her a question instead of answering hers.

He had never advertised where did his place was. The only ones who knew were a few of his close friends and...

Kikyo was taken aback. Although she didn't want to ask, she still mumbled, "Aunt was the one who told me. Don't be mad at her. She's just worried."

She lowered her head. A part of her long hair fell over, obscuring her pretty face.

Jun let out an exasperated sigh. He lifted up a hand and roughly ran his fingers through his already messy hair.

Yes.

His mother was really the one who told Kikyo about his place.

Although Jun didn't want to tell his parents where did he buy his own condominium unit, his mother's continuous pressure made him surrendered. After all, it was too unlikely for a child to hide from his or her parents about the place where they would live from now on.

"Go back. I'll call my mother myself."

Jun took a step forward to his unit. He keyed in the password and scanned his thumb before the door was opened with a click sound.

Kikyo rushed to get to him, "Jun, I've been here for long. Could I come inside and get a glass of water?"

It was hard for her to be alone with him. Since she had come here, shouldn't she try getting closer to him?

After all, they would be engaged in just a matter of time.

It was her long-time dream and, it would be fulfilled soon.

Jun pursed his lips hard. Without looking at the young woman beside him, he answered, "I don't welcome any strangers inside. Go home before the sun sets."

"But, but... I'm not a stranger. Jun, we're childhood friends and soon..."

"I'd personally meet your parents and inform them that I do not agree with our engagement."

"What? But..."

Bang!

Kikyo was left alone with the door slammed heavily in front of her. Her face paled in an instant.

The door appeared too cold to her as if it was mocking her for being here even when its owner clearly didn't welcome her presence.

Bit by bit, a clear layer of liquid brimmed in her eyes.

Kikyo clenched her purse hard while her teeth gritted together.

No...

How could it end up like this?

Did he still have that country girl in his heart?

What did she lack?

She was far superior to that fatherless girl!

Kikyo wanted to push the bell to force Jun to open the door for her but her conscience held her back. She understood that if she really did that, he would be utterly disgusted with her.

Jun was not one to be trifled with even though he was well-known as a calm and collected guy.

The only ones that managed to get away after continuously pushing him to his limits were his parents.

In the end, Kikyo left with indignant spread within her whole body.

She won't give up!

Inside the apartment, Jun went straight to the kitchen to wash his face. The cool water helped to sober his mind. Taking a clean face towel, he carelessly wiped his face as he walked to the living room.

The vast living room was bare. There was only a set of couches and a coffee table there with monotonous throw pillows laid on the couches. The screen of the television was dark as if reflecting his current mood. 

His tired mind was reminded of what he had to face earlier.

Kikyo.

Harada Kikyo.

She was the only daughter of the Harada couple, the business partner of his father. From the first day she was born, she had been given treatment on par with a pampered princess. She had never been mistreated by anyone.

To Jun, Kikyo was not a bad girl. She had her own good qualities but, if his parents wanted him to marry her, he didn't have the heart to do so. 

Her appearance alone won many people's hearts. From elementary school to the university, she was always crowned as the most beautiful girl. Her admirers could easily fill a long road.

But, Jun wasn't enticed by her beauty.

Kikyo's feelings to him were crystal-clear but to him, she was just a friend. He also was being careful in how he interacted with her.

Never once he gave her any false hope.

"First, I have to sort out this problem," Jun mumbled weakly.

Before he fully embarked on the journey to claim Himari's heart again, Jun understood he had to severe the engagement deal between his family and the Harada family. If he couldn't even do that, it would bring more trouble to him later.

Yes...

He had to do that.

Didn't he want to give her a peaceful home?

Didn't he promise to not let anything trouble her again?

Jun smiled bitterly as he recalled her cold rejections.

He won't give up just because she said that.

He was certain that he could win over her heart again.

"Himari, I'm sorry..."

Sorry for disappointing you.

But, let me recompense you, en?

Jun laid motionless on the long couch. He didn't even have the energy to go to his own room and sleep on the bed.

As his exhaustion totally kicked in, his eyelids slowly drooped until they closed entirely.

In his dream, he saw her smiling and laughing again beside him.

She was here, helping to fill this bare home with things that she loved and the things that he would come to love as well.

She could have everything in pink if she wanted. He wouldn't care.

As long as she was happy.

"...Jun, don't forget to wear layers. It's too cold nowadays."

"Geez! You didn't listen to me!"

"This is cute! Thank you~"

"...Jun, I hope I could love you forever."

"You are my dear first love..."

One by one, the memories of the past resurfaced in his mind, reminding him of how beautiful those days were.

Even until now, he missed the distant past that had him and her.