As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The air surrounding the three adults turned stagnant while the children were confused by it. Suddenly, the cheery conversation of Himari and Kazuya stopped short at the surprise appearance of Jun.

It was not just them. Jun was also shocked when he once again saw the man. Especially with the way Himari was now, totally drenched from head to toe.??

Her long black hair was plastered to her face and back. Her eyes were still bright but the color of her face and lips was pale. Under the blanket that covered her, he saw a man's black jacket that obviously did not belong to her.

Was it that man's jacket?

Jun felt his veins almost burst as he had to endure the unpleasant feeling continued to build up in him. His scorching gaze fell on the little girl and the little boy that stood between Himari and that man. Both of them were staring at him confusedly.

Were they this man's children?

Was he really a widower with children? Or even a divorcee?

The thought that Himari was more willing to be with such a man than him made Jun terribly frustrated. What did she see in that man aside from his face?

"Teacher Kato, who is this uncle? Your friend?"

The soft voice of the little girl broke Jun's thoughts. His gaze drifted to the little girl who was now holding Himari's hand with both of her little ones, showing how close both of them were. The little girl blinked at him.

"An old classmate of mine," Himari smiled faintly at Chiharu. She looked at both Chiharu and Izumi then to Kazuya, "Would you go home now? Or go to have lunch? The children must be starving."

They were supposed to have lunch at the canalside but, with the incident that happened earlier, they didn't even manage to get a bite. Both Chiharu and Izumi would be hungry by now.

Kazuya put away his stern gaze at Jun as he looked back at Himari. His eyes softened. With a low voice, he asked, "Would you be okay?"

He understood the meaning behind her words. She wanted to be alone to deal with this man, her ex-boyfriend.??

Himari nodded, giving Kazuya a smile, "Go now. Don't let Chiharu nag at you because she's hungry."

Kazuya could only nod even though he was reluctant to leave her here without anyone. He answered, "Alright. I'll call you later. Don't forget to take a warm bath. You might catch a cold."

"Okay."

The familiarity between Himari and that man and the soft whispers that they shared boiled Jun's blood but he did nothing more than gripping his hands into fists and stared daggers at that man. He would be so foolish if he started acting like a lunatic by throwing his anger toward that man.

"Teacher Kato, bye-bye," Chiharu waved at Himari after Kazuya picked her up, "Let's meet tomorrow, okay? Chiharu wants to see Teacher Kato~"

As if she understood they had to leave suddenly, the little dumpling didn't object when her uncle carried her. She just asked to see Himari again at school tomorrow.

"Okay, Chiharu. Bye-bye," Himari waved back at the girl. The uneasy feeling of having Jun here softened because of the little girl, "I'll bring you the cookies tomorrow."

"Hehe, okay~"

"Teacher Kato, see you tomorrow," Izumi gave Himari a respectful nod.

"Okay, Izumi," Himari looked at the boy next, "Enjoy your last day of holidays. You guys would be busy once the school reopens."

Izumi broke in a cold sweat. He suddenly was reminded of the friendly basketball tournament. Teacher Goda gave the team chances to enjoy the Golden Week holiday in exchange for increasing the hours of their practice. Before the tournament, he would have to face the examination week first.

It would be dreadful once the school reopened.

Thus, the children got inside the car.??

Before Kazuya entered the car, he cast one last look at Jun. His didn't mask his displeasure toward the man.??

For him to constantly appear in front of the lady who rejected him, couldn't he accept that Himari no longer loved him?

"Himari, I'll go now," With a lift of his chin, Kazuya bore his gaze on the female teacher. He once again repeated his words from the canal, "Make it short. You'd catch a cold if you continued standing outside like that."

Himari smiled faintly, "Got it."

Finally, the dark gray car drove away from the apartment building, leaving Himari and Jun behind. The sound of the car engine gradually disappeared as the car vanished from one intersection.

"Himari."

Jun could finally get the lady's full attention. He took a step forward but Himari quickly took a step backward, obviously not wanting to have him close to her.

Her action made him froze.

She could stand so close to that man, almost brushing their arms together but...

She despised his touch.

Wasn't it so?

Himari saw how darkened Jun's eyes were but she could care less about it. The gust of wind came from time to time, lifting up the koi streamers at each pole in the neighborhood. The occasional breeze made Himari shivered because she was still in her drenched clothes.

"Jun, I have nothing else to say to you. How many times do you want me to make myself clear?"

Himari was frustrated by how things had become.

In these three years, she worked hard to forget the heartbreaking separation between them. When she had succeeded, he stubbornly reappeared in front of her, trying to mend their broken relationship.

Couldn't he just accept how things had become???

It was really impossible for both of them to be together again.

"No, Himari," Jun pursed his lips, thinking hard before he opened his mouth again, "That is your decision. As for me, I have decided to win your heart again. As long as you haven't married someone, I will keep working on it."

The other day, Jun met Mr. Harada as he had planned. Even though the old man was dissatisfied because Jun eagerly wanted to break off his engagement with his precious daughter, in the end, Mr. Harada relented with the young man's wish.

At first, Mr. Harada said love could be cultivated once Jun and Kikyo got married but, Jun's reasonings mellowed the heart of a father.

"Kikyo is your dearest daughter. If you are fine to let her marry a man who couldn't love her, who might wrong her, then go ahead with this engagement. I have done my part by telling you this. I'm sorry, Uncle Harada. It's hard for me to see Kikyo as someone I have to love and cherish in a marriage. If you think tying us together would make me love her, I'm sorry. It's only wishful thinking of yours."

Jun understood he was being a coward by subtly threatening the middle-aged man but, that was the only thing he could do.

He had been in high society since he was born.

It was not rare for two people to be forced into a marriage by the elders because of convenience aspects; either due to financial standings or influences.

But, how many of them succeeded in bearing fruits of love after the forceful unions? The most famous one was from the Kashino household.

Even after the tragedy struck, the Kashino couple stayed together with supports coming from their close ones.

As for the ones who didn't love their partners even after marriage, most resulted in extramarital affairs. Illegitimate children were plenty in their circle.

Jun wouldn't stoop so low.??

If in the end, he still had to marry Kikyo, he wouldn't make Himari or any other woman a mistress but, he couldn't help to alienate his childhood friend. He also didn't want to have children raised in that kind of loveless union.

How could he love her when there was another name in his heart?

If he still had to marry another woman...

At least, it should be at a time when no one occupied his heart.

But, now, he still loved Himari.

Dearly.

"Hehe."

Himari's cynical sneer brought Jun out of the memory of that day. His gaze focused back on the young lady.

Her cold gaze met his hopeful one.

Jun's face sank.

Himari continued despite the downhearted look on his face.

"Not only you didn't listen to me and my mom but, you have already make a decision on your own. Then, do as you like. Do it if you want our good memories to turn unfavorable to me. I won't play in this game of yours."

Himari spun on her heels, walking inside the apartment compound without waiting for Jun to say anything.??

She felt so freezing cold right now. She was in dire need to have a warm bath instead of standing in the wind listening to his stubborn remarks.

"Himari! Wait!"

Jun wanted to run after her but Himari quickly ran upstairs. Although he could just follow her, Jun didn't do it. He just watched her disappearing behind the door of an apartment unit.

Time passed by but, he kept standing outside while staring at her apartment.

No matter what, he won't give up easily.

Jun knew how pathetic he looked right now but, he could only persevere.

Since he had decided, he would go as far as he could.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

They could be together again for the rest of their lives.