As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

[Kazuya: MoonBoyOK.jpg]

Her bright eyes bent into crescents as Himari read the message. Even her lips curled up softly.

Then, it's decided. He would come to pick her up at the station then, they would go to the festival together.

Hehe, Chiharu would be so happy~

Himari didn't reply to the last message. She locked her phone then put it inside her sling bag. With a lift of her chin, she swept her gaze to the breathtaking view in front of her.

The vibrant colors of the blooming flowers went as far as her eyes could see. She was not the only one enjoying the exquisite view of the flower field. Many people came here with the same intention as her.

Some were commemorating their time here by taking photos, a few were sitting on picnic mats, other groups were learning about the flowers from the caretakers while the rest just simply feasting their eyes with the gorgeous scenery.

As to how they promised Madam Hori, Himari and Akemi went to the village right after breakfast. The journey just took forty-five minutes from their village.

This time, Himari didn't bring Chobi with her. Although her fat cat was mostly well-behaved, she was still worried to bring him to a place like this flower field. It was different from the parks in the city where she could freely let him roam.

Once they arrived, Madam Hori and her son, Mr. Hori Yoshiro welcomed them warmly. They brought the mother and daughter pair to sightseeing around the flower field.

Right now, her mother was resting on a wooden plank with Madam Hori.

Himari walked down the path of the flower fields. Every time the wind sent its breeze to the surroundings, the petals and leaves danced together around her. From time to time, they shyly brushed against her feet.

This peaceful feeling of being close to nature was something that hard to come by during her time in the city. Although there were parks everywhere, they still couldn't rival nature in the countryside.

"Himari! Come and have this tea!" Akemi's voice was clear as she called her daughter.

Himari grinned, "Coming, Mom!" 

Akemi brewed the special tea leaves that Madam Hori prepared for them. The old lady's son, Mr. Hori was talking to his friends that he met there.

Mr. Hori was among the caretakers here. Madam Hori's late husband was also involved in this flower plantation project. Sadly, he couldn't live long enough to see this place prospered.

The economy of this village reached another level after the opening of this flower field. Although most of their new income could only be generated during spring, it was already enough for the villagers to gain more savings.

"The people here always come to this field to relax. This field would be full of people gathering even when it's not the blooming season."

Himari heard Madam Hori was explaining the villagers' routine to her mother. Her mother was seriously listening to the old lady.

Like how Himari saw it, besides the visitors who came from other places, the people of the village were also enjoying their time at the field.

The planks were placed randomly but most of them were under the shady trees. At one part of the field, a row of traditional-looking shops stood, waiting for the customers to come.

"Don't forget to bring back these tea leaves with you," Madam Hori showed Himari a can of tea leaves, "Have a cup every day. It helps to ease your mood."

"Thank you, Granny Hori," Himari accepted the can with a smile.

As the three ladies chatted and enjoyed the tea, Mr. Hori came with a box of tea cakes. The tea cakes were handmade. They were sold by one of the dessert shops here.

"Ms. Kato and Himari, please take these with you. They are delicious," Mr. Hori gave the box to Akemi. His tanned face looked exhausted yet peaceful under the wide-brimmed hat that he wore.

"Oh my, thank you," Akemi gladly received the tea cakes from the man. She gave him a smile, "These tea cakes must be made with a secret recipe. They would really be delicious!"

Mr. Hori just smiled at her before he left to meet with his friends again.

Mr. Hori was the only son of Madam Hori. His appearance was clean and tidy despite always working in the field. When Himari first saw him, she thought this skinny middle-aged man gave her the feeling of someone honest and kind.

Himari was amused as she watched her mother happily chatted with Madam Hori. They talked about various kinds of things like how they took care of their yards, the recipe they tried this spring and even to which brand of detergent they used at home.

Even though it kind of bewildered her, Himari just let her mother be. Although her mother was warmly treated by the people in their village, Himari was glad to see her mother met a new friend despite the large age gap between them.

LINE~

The notification sound caught Himari's attention in an instant. She quickly fished out the phone from her bag.

It was Nanako.

Himari didn't realize she held an expectation to see a different name there.

She tapped on the unread message. Her eyes widened once she read the surprising string of messages.

[Nanako: I'M GONNA GET MARRIED!]

[Nanako: MY STINKY MAN FINALLY PROPOSED TO ME!!!!]

[Nanako: AAAAAA I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! DID I DREAM IT?]

[Nanako: Ops! Sorry!]

[Nanako: ProposalRing.jpg]

[Nanako: HIMARIIII I WANT TO CALL YOUUU!]

This was so unexpected.

Well, these texts had surely shocked Himari. Nanako's capitalization of all her words didn't help to ease her surprise.

Himari tapped on the photo, enlarging it. She smiled and laughed at the same time.

In the photo, a couple was smiling brightly at the camera. The background revealed the green leaves and the myriad of colors of blossoming flowers. A few passers-by were also captured by the photos, their expressions wore happiness as they clapped their hands.

And, did she see it right? That a band was playing music at the scene too?

Did Ryota propose to her friend in public?

Nanako was eagerly showing a jewel ring and a bouquet of red roses in her arms. She wore disbelief and a happy look on her face. Ryota was standing next to her with a proud smile.

Just from one look, people would only think that both of them were a perfect match.

Himari exited the chat then she immediately called Nanako. Her friend picked it up in the next second.

"HIMARI! I'M GETTING MARRIED!"

In a jolt, Himari moved the phone away from her ears. Nanako's outburst had almost pierced her eardrums. 

Before leaving the plank, Himari gave a gesture to her mother, saying that she would step away for a while. Akemi just nodded slightly at her.

"Hey! You just leave me alone in singlehood? Not fair ah! Hahaha! Congratulations~"

Himari slowly left the plank, once again walking down the path of the flower field.

"What a way to wish me best wishes! Huh! I didn't expect it too! Ryota suddenly kneeled down when we walked at the park! He's really bold to propose to me in public! What if I rejected him?"

"Baby~ if you rejected me, where else would you find a fine specimen like this?" Ryota's voice suddenly came from the other line of the line.

"Shut up! I'm talking to Himari. Shoo~"

"Tsk. This is how you treat me after getting the ring?"

Himari laughed freely. The unpleasant feeling that shrouded her since the past few days lightened in the wake of her best friend's coming wedding.

It seemed like she would have another good news to be anticipated once she was back in the city.

"So, when is the wedding?" Himari asked again.

"Ah! Another thing! Ryota met with my parents secretly and now we're getting married this autumn! I did not even know about that!"

"What?"

So quick ah?

"Yes! My parents have even agreed! Do they want to sell me quickly to him? Aish! I have to go home and talk with my parents. How could they easily agree to let me get married? Don't they love me?"

"Hey! If I didn't know you, I would really think you do not want to marry Ryota!"

Himari didn't even know to laugh or cry once she heard Nanako's words.

Her feet diverted from the path of the flower field, slowly walking to one of the trees.

The leaves and tree branches rattled above her head, providing her with shade.

"Hehe~ Of course, I want to marry him! Ah! Himari, you have to be my bridesmaid! You have to!"

"Then, I have to trouble the bride-to-be to design a bridesmaid dress for me," answered Himari with another laugh.

It had been Nanako's dream to design her own wedding dress. Even though the wedding would only happen in another seven to eight months, Himari could already picture the joyful event that united her friend and the man she loved.

"I would make you the prettiest bridesmaid! After I get married, it's your turn next! Who knows, you could snag the attention from the wealthy young masters during my wedding!"

"What? I don't want that," Another burst of laughter floated from Himari.

With her eyes looking at the clear and bright sky, the joyful laughter from her surroundings drifted to where she stood. 

Himari couldn't help but think that today was indeed a good day.

Somehow, she couldn't wait to get back to the city.