As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Himari was in a complicated mood as she walked home with a parcel in her hands. The size of the parcel was quite big and the weight was heavy. A large red sticker indicating the thing inside was fragile got plastered on the box.

The recipient was clearly her name but the sender's address was not from any shop or Nanako. It was from some unknown place to her but...

She was too familiar with the name of the sender.

Himari quietly entered the house. Her mother was nowhere to be seen. Himari thought her mother should be resting inside her room now. The sound of the washing machine reverberated from the laundry room, signaling that the laundry hadn't been completed.

"Meow~"

Chobi sensed his mama was home so he quickly ran to Himari. His attention fell on the sealed box that Himari placed on the coffee table inside the living room.

A new plaything!

"Meow, meow~"

"Hehe, do you want this box?" Himari gently rubbed the back of her tabby son's ears. 

"Meow~"

Himari kept her emotions under control. She grabbed a cutter knife from the top of the bookshelf then, she sat down on the floor. Her eyes fell on the airway bill that was pasted on top of the parcel.

Forget it, just open it and see what's inside, she thought.

Himari carefully cut the opening of the parcel box. Chobi remained by her side, his big and round eyes were intently staring at the box. Lifting up a paw, he tapped on the box, trying to scratch it.

Something was enveloped securely by layers of bubble wrappers. Himari had to take some time to take the layers off one by one. In the end, her eyes were greeted by a dark blue box with a glossy appearance.

Her heart started to pound furiously. 

"Meow~"

Himari cast a look at her cat. She gave him a smile before she slowly lifting up the dark blue box from the inside of the parcel box. Himari opened the lid.

What was waiting for her made her entire body froze.

A set of crystal miniature blocks fell in her eyes. Altogether, they formed a complete house unit with a two-story house, flowerbeds for the yard, a car, a fountain and some other little things.

It was a beautiful crystal block set but, Himari wasn't impressed by its beauty.

Sure enough, this parcel was sent by Jun. A card was stuck with tape at one corner of the box. The familiar writing of his was neatly inscribed on the surface.

'Once, you wanted to decorate our home with this. I've prepared a home for us but, you are not there - Jun'

Himari lightly gripped her fists.

A memory of the past slowly made its way to the center of her mind. Himari saw herself in the hidden memory.

It happened before Christmas, a few months before they broke up. 

At that time, she was giddily waiting for him. The streets and shops all around her were brightly illuminated by neon lights. Festivity songs and decorations livened up the incoming Christmas celebration.

All of the people around her; friends, families and lovers were walking and chatting happily with their loved ones.

It was a joyful time for most people.

"What are you looking at?" Jun's voice came from behind.

"Ah, Jun!"

Himari turned around from the thing that caught her interest to the man beside her. She bubbled with laughter at the sight of him.

"You're here!" Her eyes brimmed with joy as she happily wrapped her arms around his long arm.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Jun smiled softly. Using his free hand, he brushed the snow that fell on her head. His eyes drifted back to where she was looking, "Are you looking at the crystal house set?"

Himari was waiting for him in front of a shop. They were going for dinner together before she had to return home for Christmas. While waiting, her interest was caught by the dazzling crystal miniature home set displayed by the shop.

"It's beautiful," Himari admitted openly as she sighed in admiration.

The price was also admirable, she thought in pity.

"Let me get you this as your Christmas gift," Jun let go of his arm that was held by Himari before he pulled her shoulders toward him. He grinned, "It seems like a perfect gift for you."

"Ah! No, no! It's too expensive!" Himari quickly shook her head.

"Come on."

Jun clasped her shoulders tight, not allowing her to struggle but Himari was determined. She kept on pulling his arm and shaking her head, showing her clear refusal.

"I don't want it, really!"

Seeing that she was so adamant to reject his intention, Jun pursed his lips. In the end, he sighed as he accepted her decision.

"Are you sure?" Jun asked again.

"Yes!" Himari nodded. Then, as she sensed his disappointment, she quickly added, "It's enough for us to have dinner together, really."

Even though Jun never lacked money, Himari had always been careful with his spending on her. Especially after at one time, Jun bought her a bracelet from a high-end brand. Not only Himari was perplexed the moment she received the gift, but the news of his huge spending also got to his mother's ears.

In the end, Himari was scolded by Mrs. Fujihara. The elegant middle-aged woman accused her of being a gold digger who was trying to suck her son dry.

It was the first time Himari was badly humiliated by Mrs. Fujihara. Jun launched a cold war with his mother for a week. He was thoroughly disappointed by how his mother acted.

Since that incident, Jun would keep in mind whenever he wanted to give his girlfriend something. He even went as far as borrowing his friend's card just so his own transaction wouldn't be traced by his parents.

"I don't know either I could go home for Christmas next year," Jun's voice slowly brought Himari out of her daze of the past incident. He gently squeezed her cheek. With a helpless smile, he continued, "I want to leave you with something to remind you of me."

After his graduation in spring, Jun would immediately go abroad for his postgraduate study. It had been decided. Although it would be hard for the two of them to be separated, both of them vowed to keep their relationship as good as before.

"I know," Himari replied in regret. She placed her gloved hand over his that was still touching her cheek. Her eyes curved as she looked at him, "How about this? You can get one for me in the future. I won't reject it at that time."

Jun laughed at her suggestion. His voice sounded so pleasant to Himari.

"Hehe, then let you decorate our marital home with the crystal home set? En, it's a good idea."

Himari blushed. She hammered on his chest while pouting, "Who's going to marry you? In your dreams ah."

"Hahaha~ I could only marry you! Do you want me to be a bachelor forever if you don't marry me?" Jun squished both of her cheeks, earning another pout from Himari.

"Hurm, I might have more handsome and splendid men chasing after me after you've gone. I could take my time to consider them one by one," She replied with a smug smile.

Jun widened his eyes, "I haven't gone yet but you already think of that?"

"Hahaha~ Of course!"

The joyful sound of their bickering and laughter weaved together with the other happy sounds around them. The couple was happily teasing and playing with each other.

No one could foresee that their relationship would be severed in near future.

The jovial laughter gradually faded away as Himari shook her head. In an instant, the old memory shattered.

Her eyes were trained again on the crystal miniature blocks. 

They were so beautiful, so dazzling yet the sparkles failed to catch her heart.

Although Himari had to admit that she was touched because Jun still remembered the brief passing moments during their relationship, she couldn't bring herself to accept it.

It seemed like Jun wouldn't give up anytime soon. Himari had to quickly think of a way to deter him off.

Before her heart started to lean toward him again.

"Meow, meow~"

"Sorry, Chobi," Himari smiled apologetically at her cat. She was busy packing the box again with the bubble wrappers, "I can't give you this box. Let me find another box for you, en?"

Chobi rubbed his head against Himari's arm, "Meow~"

Himari properly sealed the box again. This box and its content had to be returned to its owner.

Without wasting any more time, Himari got out of the house with the box and her purse and phone. Because the box was quite heavy, she put it inside a suitable bag and carried it on her back.

Himari locked the door and cycled toward the local post office of the village. 

The longer this parcel remained with her, the worse its effect would be.

"You want to return it to the sender's address?" The staff of the post office asked as she keyed in the information on the computer.

"Yes," Himari smiled faintly, "He sent the wrong item."

The staff didn't ask more about it. After paying for the bill, Himari got out of the post office the very next second.

The sky was clear with little clouds floating on it. The coming breeze gently blew past her, tousling her long hair and fluttering her knee-length skirt.

The earth continued to orbit around the sun without stopping, letting the time flowed without any obstacles.

Would her coming days be filled with turbulence instead of calming days?