As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Jun returned to Sakuya Residence after another disappointment.

Even after waiting outside her apartment for an hour, there was no movement that showing she sneaked a look at him from the window.

Not even once.

Defeated by today's failure, his whole being was looking so listless.

Throughout the five years that they were together, she never showed him such a cold and indifferent side. Not even when his family created troubles for her.

On the days she had to face them, she forced herself to smile, to hold back her tears just so he didn't know. 

This would be a long and arduous journey for him to reclaim her heart. 

"...Jun."

The sound of the voice instantly made him frowned even before he saw who was it. Jun slowly raised up his gaze, staring at the woman who was standing in front of his door.

Once again, it was Kikyo.

"Didn't I tell you to not come to find me again?" Jun spat out the words coldly.

After he officially broke the potential engagement off the other day, his parents burst into fury especially his mother. Kikyo also couldn't accept it. Both of them pestered him day and night, forcing him to retract his decision.

Like yesterday, she showed up at his door.

"Jun," Kikyo cautiously called his name. She pursed her lips, brows drooping making her appearance looked pitiful, "You went to find her again, right? And, from the way you look, she just ignored you again."

Jun disregarded Kikyo's questions even though they painfully stabbed his heart. He walked past her, wanting to go inside his unit but Kikyo quickly stood between him and the door.

"Kikyo, don't force me to act rude with you," Jun spat the words out through his gritted teeth.

Kikyo adamantly shook her head. She stared directly into Jun's eyes.

"Why must you push me away? I only look at you since our childhood days. I don't want to be only friends with you," Kikyo pushed herself to not waver under his heated gaze. Her tone grew firmer, "Why can't you look at me and accept me? She doesn't want you anymore!"

"Kikyo, I'm warning you..." Jun felt a headache looming in his head. He resisted the urge to pinch his temple. Instead, he kept staring at the woman in front of him, "There would be nothing between us. Even though... even though there's the possibility of me marrying someone else instead of Himari, that person won't ever be you."

It was agonizing for him to let the words out of his mouth yet he still did so. 

He wanted Kikyo to put an end to all of her wishful thinking.

She shouldn't tie her feelings to someone who did not appreciate her.

It was time to stop.

Kikyo bit her lower lip. She stubbornly asked, "Do you really think so?"

"Yes," Jun answered without missing a beat.

His short and firm reply made Kikyo laughed self-mockingly. She drew a sneer.

While he was frowning because of the sudden laugh, Kikyo replied.

"Aren't we the same? You chase after her even though she no longer put you into her eyes. I chase after you even though you do the same thing to me as to how she does to you. So, why should I stop when you yourself do not know when to?"

A cold light flashed in his eyes. The veins in his eyes reddened, showing his suppressed fury.

"Your situation and my situation are different."

"How?" Kikyo shouted back, "How different are they? We're chasing the person who does not want us!"

This time, it was Jun's turn to sneer.

Without putting any more pretense, he answered in a frosty cold voice.

"Even though she doesn't want me now, at least I and Himari used to be in love. While you," Jun pointed a finger at her. His voice turned another degree colder, "I have never loved you. How is our situation the same?"

Kikyo was stunned by the hurtful words. She froze in her place, unable to find anything to retort Jun. Her entire face paled in an instant.

"I'm trying to be together with a woman who I love while you're trying to be together with a man who doesn't even love you."

His words turned crueler and crueler, making Kikyo's face turned another shade of pale.

Jun heaved a suffocating sigh. He said in a low voice, "Go. Don't make me see you again."

Once he finished his words, Jun grabbed Kikyo's shoulders and pushed her aside. She still didn't give him any reaction until he successfully entered the door.

Bang!

The slamming sound of the door jolted Kikyo awake from her stupor. Tears quickly brimmed in her eyes. She gnashed her teeth, unwilling to accept the truth in Jun's words. 

But...

There was no way for her to refute it.

Jun and Himari used to be in love.

While she...

Jun had never even liked her before.

In the end, once again Kikyo had to leave with disappoinment in her heart.

Inside the condominium unit, Jun dragged his tired body to the living room. He slumped down on the couch. His eyes were listless as he stared at the sparkling crystal home blocks on the coffee table.

From the day he received the crystal set back from Himari, he just let the dazzling crystals on the table. Every time light fell on them, the sparkles gave him hope and heartache at the same time.

His mind drifted back to her meeting with Himari a few hours ago.

Jun still didn't know who was that man. He was still asking one of his friends to check on the mysterious man. Jun had to do it in secret in order to not alerting his parents.

He also did the same when he tried to find Himari's current address.

"Haha, I've turned into a stalker, aren't I?"

A self-mocking smile hooked on his lips at the realization.

He did so much to know about her life right now.

What should he do?

He couldn't stop now.

Not after he had started it.

After a week of holidays, the school reopened in full swing. The school principal gathered all teachers for a meeting before they could go for the homeroom session. After finishing the important points, the principal suddenly smiled and looked at where Himari sat.

"I've almost forgotten. I've heard news that could make us proud from this community, telling that our Teacher Kato has saved a boy from drowning yesterday at the Children's Day celebration."

His words stunned Himari who was busy tidying up her things. Sounds of gasps echoed in the meeting room as all eyes fell on her.

"...Yes?" Himari was confused. 

Who spread the news?

But...

"Haha! Good job, Teacher Kato! I heard you ran to jump into the canal without thinking! You've done a really good job! Setting up an example to people outside ah! Good job! Good job!"

The school principal broke into applause. Soon, all the teachers did the same while looking in wonder and saying good things to her.

"Err... Haha, thank you," Himari could only smile and nod awkwardly.

Well, when she thought back, it wasn't hard for the principal to know. This private school was so near to the neighborhood. Maybe the news found its own way to spread.

Speaking about yesterday's incident...

Once Himari got home, she immediately took a warm bath and then dressed in layers. But, her head started to ache once night arrived. Even after taking pills, she still felt the headache as well as sluggishness until this morning.

Would she get a fever just because she delayed in warming herself?

With Jun's sudden appearance, she had to stand in the cool wind for a longer time.

Even though she felt awful, Himari still dragged her body to the class. She didn't want to take a leave after a week-long holiday just ended. There were many things waiting for her to be done as soon as possible.

The homeroom session started on time and ended soon. Himari couldn't concentrate much after the aching turned terrible.

"Please wait... cough... until your teacher come," Himari covered her mouth when her throat suddenly felt itchy.

"Teacher Kato! Do you get sick?" A boy asked, sounding worried.

"Yes, Teacher. You look pale ah," A girl chimed in, "How could you teach in this state?"

"Hehe, your teacher is okay," Himari gave them a faint smile, "I just need to drink more water. Alright, everyone. See you in class later."

"Take care, Teacher!"

"Don't push yourself!"

Himari waved at them before stepping out of the classroom. Fortunately, she had no class until after lunch hour. She actually wanted to use this free time to do her work but, it seemed like she had to rest well first.

"Teacher! Wait!"

Himari stopped in her tracks. Izumi appeared right behind her.

"Izumi, what's wrong? Do you need anything?" She asked softly.

Yesterday, Kazuya called her after she took the bath. The man was worried about her condition after he heard her nasal-sounded voice but Himari just brushed him off, saying she just needed a good sleep. 

"Here. Uncle asked me to give you this."

Izumi showed a black thermos bottle in his hands, handing it to Himari. 

Under Himari's surprise gaze, Izumi added, "Teacher, drink it. It's good for you."

"Ah, thank you..."

After taking the thermos, Izumi smiled and bowed at her, "Please take a rest, Teacher. We would be worried if you got sick."

Then, the boy ran inside the class before Himari could say anything.

Himari just laughed looking at his antics. Then, her eyes fell on the thermos.

A sticky note was pasted on one side of the cylindrical thermos. 

A cursive yet neat handwriting was displayed in her eyes.

[Take care. Call me if you need anything]

Those words softened her smile.. The tips of her fingers gently traced the handwriting on the note.