As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Soon, the order was made. The only one who was excited with the meal was Chiharu who kept eyeing the door, hoping for the waiter to come quicker with their dishes.

"Kazuya, is everything good?"

Madam Tokioka broke the silence by asking a question to her second son. With one leg crossed the other, she kept her posture straight with both hands clasping together on a knee. Her eyes carried clear nonchalance despite the nature of the question.

Kazuya ignored the indifference in her voice as he answered curtly and returned a question at the same time, "Everything is good. How about you, Mother?"

This was nothing more than a formality. Despite how cold their parent and child relationship was, Kazuya wouldn't act rude to the woman who gave birth to him and his brother. Even the word 'Mother' sounded foreign and distant to him.

"Good," Madam Tokioka replied with a single word. Her attention was shifted to the two children who sat beside Kazuya, "Both of you, how are you doing? I heard there was a problem at school the other day?"

As she asked, her eyes were trained a moment longer on Izumi's face.

It was not surprising if she knew what happened to the children because Madam Tokioka had an extensive network of information. Despite majoring in the jewelry business, she made acquaintances with people from all kinds of fields.

The boy unconsciously tightened his fists, "It's just a small problem, Grandmother. All have been sorted out."

Like Kazuya, Izumi also was polite to Madam Tokioka but, it was just like treating a stranger than a family.

Madam Tokioka brushed off her grandson's lukewarm attitude to her. She looked at Chiharu next, "I've just returned from Milan. There are some gifts for you and your brother. Use them well."

Even when talking to Chiharu who brimming with cuteness, her facial expression didn't change.

This was how she had always been.

The little dumpling's eyes brightened at the mention of the anticipated gifts, "Thank you, Grandma!~ Chiharu would keep them well!"

Hehe~ She would have more gifts tonight~

After the brief conversation, the private room was back to its stifling silence. Kazuya didn't even bother to ask his mother anything more than that and Madam Tokioka also didn't make any more effort to bond with her son and grandchildren.

Soon, the suffocating atmosphere was saved by the waiters who came to deliver the meal. Two waiters, including the one who took their orders, came inside with a trolley full of dishes.

One by one, they served the plates on the table. Chiharu was already salivating as she eagerly looked at the scrumptious-looking food.

Hamburger!

Chicken parmigiana!

Mushroom risotto!

Delicious!

"Dear guests, please enjoy your meal," The waiters respectfully bowed to them before leaving the private room.

Once the door was closed, Madam Tokioka swept a glance across the table and to the three faces in front of her.

"Eat."

As the middle-aged woman took a sip of her drink, Kazuya began to help Chiharu with her food. A napkin was tied around her neck to avoid food spilling on her light-colored dress. Chiharu hummed happily as she intently looked at the pieces of hamburger that her uncle cut for her.

"Thank you, Uncle," Chiharu forked a piece and bit into it. Her entire face beamed in satisfaction, "So yummy~ Grandma, do you wanna try Chiharu's hamburger? It's delicious!"

"It's okay. Eat all you want," Madam Tokioka wasn't at all affected by the joyfulness displayed by her bubbly granddaughter.

"Okay~ Chiharu eats all," The little dumpling replied. Then, she focused back on her food.

Kazuya breathed out in relief because Chiharu's mood wasn't dampened by how cold her grandmother acted. The little girl could still be looking so happy in the face of the expressionless woman.

This was what had always happened thus, it was hard for Kazuya to think that his mother actually wanted to bond with the siblings. 

An unpleasant memory of his childhood suddenly surged up at this moment.

At that time, Kazuya was nine years old, the same age as Izumi currently. He had just returned from school with the report card. His achievement in the monthly examination was excellent, making him giddy with happiness.

His mother was at home, one of her rare times.

"Mom, I got my results. The teachers said I did a good job. Would you like to see it?"

With a hopeful heart, the young Kazuya opened the card and showed it to his mother.

He hadn't changed out of his school uniform. He immediately went to his mother to share his happiness.

Even though Kazuya understood his parents weren't as affectionate to him like how his friends' parents were, he still held hope in his little heart.

But, his heart shattered into pieces in the next second.

His report card was smacked away by his mother, landing on the carpeted floor.

"Worthless. You won't be able to survive if you think this measly report is already good."

With a cold glance, his mother left while talking to her subordinates on the phone. Then, she left the house and boarded a flight overseas for her current job.

It was a small incident but, what happened scarred the young him.

Kazuya inwardly shook his head. He shouldn't bother himself with what had already happened in the past.

Now, he was living well. He didn't need any validation from his parents again.

Aside from having a meal together and giving gifts to Chiharu and Izumi, there was no sign showing that the indifferent-looking Madam Tokioka wished to get closer to her grandchildren.

So, what should he think of his mother's intention by doing these kinds of things?

As usual, after the meal was finished, it was time for them to go their separate ways.

Again.

Madam Tokioka, Kazuya and the two children left the room together. They were waiting for her driver to arrive in front of the hotel.

People came and went at their own pace, walking past the small group of four people.

Soon, a black luxury car pulled up at the entrance. The driver got out of the car and greeted all of them.

"Bring out the gifts," Madam Tokioka ordered the driver.

"Right away, Madam," The driver quickly handled the task.

The man brought two big paper bags from the trunk. One of them was for Izumi while the other belonged to Chiharu. 

When Kazuya wanted to take the paper bags, the driver refused.

"Young Master, just tell me where is your car. I'll help you to bring them there," said the driver.

"There's no need. Thank you for the thought, though," Kazuya shook his head.

He stepped forward and took both paper bags. The driver could only hand them to his employer's son.

"Izumi, Chiharu, what should you guys do?" Kazuya looked at his nephew and niece. He could feel the weight in both of his hands, indicating that the gifts piled in each paper bag were almost the same.

"Grandmother, thank you," Izumi gave Madam Tokioka a nod.

"Grandma, thank you~ Chiharu would keep all of them well~" Chiharu excitedly thanked her grandmother.

"En," Madam Tokioka just replied to them with a single hum. She trained her eyes on her youngest son, "I'll stay in the country longer this time. Expect more meals together with me."

"...Are you having any collaboration here?" Kazuya quickly masked his shock with the question.

His mother usually worked overseas. It was rare for her to remain in the country for long.

Madam Tokioka left the question unanswered. She dropped another bomb on her son.

"At Milan, I saw her. She said she would come back soon. Have you been in contact with her?"

Her direct question made Kazuya frowned almost instantly.

Although he was startled, he was not clueless about who his mother suddenly mentioned.

Why should his mother talk about her? It was already a past event to him. Whatever she did have nothing else to do to him.

Kazuya shook his head.

"You don't have to bother yourself with her," He firmed his tone of voice, "We'd go now. Izumi, Chiharu."

"Goodbye, Grandmother."

"Grandma, bye-bye!"

Without another word, Kazuya turned around, followed by Izumi and Chiharu who walked by holding hands. Their figures disappeared from the bushes that decorated the lawn of the hotel. Soon, nothing else could be seen from the three of them.

Madam Tokioka watched her son and grandchildren left. The moment they were nowhere to be seen, a crack formed on her expressionless face, leaving a faint hint of vulnerability.

"Madam, are we heading home straight away?" The driver asked cautiously from the side.

"No. Go to the hospital."

In an instant, she was back to her usual cold facial expression. Madam Tokioka entered the car. She leaned her back against the seat. With her eyes fell on the night sky outside, countless thoughts overflowed in her mind.

Was it already too late?

Or, did she still has a chance?

Closing her eyes, she pushed all the thoughts to the back of her mind. 

Since she had decided, she won't give up until the end.

Her old age shouldn't be an obstacle to her.