As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

It was hard for Himari to drag her lethargic body all the way from the teacher's room to the school parking area but, Yuina's was quick to support her when she almost stumbled. She was really grateful for the Mathematics teacher's help right now.

"Teacher Kato, are you alone at your home? You do not have anyone to look after you?" Yuina asked quietly while they descended the short staircase leading to the parking spot.

Yuina knew that Himari was not a local. She came from another province.

"I live alone," Himari answered. She coughed a few times, trying to ease her itchy throat before she resumed, "My mother is at our hometown."

At times like this, she really missed the presence of her mother.

"Then, how could you have your meal in your current state? En, let me buy some porridge for you. There's a good shop in this area."

"...It would help me a lot. Thank you, Teacher Masuda," Himari smiled at the older lady.

Even though Himari was reluctant to ask for more help, she really needed one in her condition right now. Cooking would be a hassle if her body couldn't keep up with what she wanted to do. It was better to just buy the meal instead of cooking for it herself.

Soon, Yuina drove out of the schoolyard. She made a stop at a bustling street nearby. People were busy with their own matters. Some entered the restaurants because it's already near lunch hour while some were just simply passing by the street.

"Please wait a moment. I'll be real quick," Yuina said as she unbuckled the seatbelt, "Is chicken porridge good for you?"

"Cough... Thanks a lot," Himari fought the urge to close her heavy eyelids as she looked at Yuina.

Yuina laughed, "You have been thanking me nonstop now. Relax. I do what I should."

After getting out of the car, Yuina immediately went to the restaurant that she often frequented. There were still not many patrons inside so she could quickly place an order.

"Please give me one bowl of chicken rice porridge and one of minced beef, both are takeaways," ordered Yuina at the cashier.

"One chicken rice porridge and one minced beef rice porridge, get it. The price is..."

After paying for the two porridges, Yuina walked outside of the shop. Her destination was to a pharmacy next two doors from the restaurant. 

Yuina's swift action when buying the fever relief medicine, a pack of cooling adhesive gel sheets and cough drops helped to save time. Once she returned to the restaurant with a bag of medicine, the porridges hadn't been packed for her. She still had to wait for five minutes.

While waiting at the designated area, her gaze wandered to where she parked the car. She could vaguely see Himari who was leaning her head against the seat.

When Teacher Ayase and Teacher Maekawa were talking about Himari's condition earlier, Yuina had just returned from her class. Like Teacher Ayase, she noticed that the English teacher had been sleeping for hours. 

Yuina was shocked to hear that Teacher Kato was sick but, when she recalled the news of the latter jumping into the cool canal water to save the unfortunate boy, it was likely that Teacher Kato might get a fever from yesterday's event.

It was really unexpected to hear that kind of news. It was said she rushed to the canal while people were panicking. It might be a decision made on prompt.

In Yuina's short time of working with the English teacher, Teacher Kato was mostly quiet although she was enthusiastic in everything regarding her students. 

And, although she didn't witness it herself, she had heard about how Teacher Kato defended her students as well as coming to their rescue in the previous bullying incidents at school.

Yuina blinked.

She didn't realize she had been focusing more on Teacher Kato than she should have.

Maybe...

Yuina looked again at the car.

Maybe, it was because Teacher Kato incidentally knew about her and Ryuu? Yet, even with the explosive revelation, the young female teacher didn't make any attempt to publicize it.

In a small part of Yuina's heart, she thought that it would be good if she could befriend Teacher Kato, as to how she had a dear friend like Kanna who was now away for her work.

All of a sudden, she missed Kanna. If not for her friend's busy schedule as an exchange doctor in another hospital, Yuina could just visit her at work.

"Ms. Masuda, your meal is ready!"

The call from the counter startled Yuina. She quickly got up from her seat and went to get the paper bag with two bowls of porridges inside. After thanking the staff, she walked out of the restaurant.

"Are you feeling bearable? Do you really not want to see a doctor?" Yuina asked Himari once she got into the car.

Before she left the school, Yuina made a suggestion to have Himari checked up at the sick bay but the latter refused, saying she just needed to have a proper rest. Even though she had said so, Yuina was still worried.

"It's okay," Once again, Himari shook her head. She smiled feebly, "I just want to lie down on the bed."

"Okay."

Yuina drove to the neighborhood under Himari's instructions. In ten minutes, her car finally stopped in front of an apartment building. 

"Where do you live? Downstairs or the upstairs?"

"Up... Cough!"

Yuina grabbed the medicine, porridge and Himari's bag before she helped Himari out of the car. The latter's body was so hot. She could feel Himari shivering as she held her shoulders.

"Let me help you until you reach your unit," Yuina stressed on the point when Himari wanted to take the bags from her, "Come, lead me the way."

"...Okay."

Himari and Yuina entered the apartment building. After what seemed like a long time to Himari, they finally reached her door. She opened the door, revealing the short hallway of her apartment to Yuina.

"Meow~"

Chobi came running from the living room. He looked at the unfamiliar woman who stood beside his mama before he ran closer and rounded Himari's legs.

"Chobi... You're at home? Cough!"

"Meow~"

Yuina smiled at the orange tabby cat. 

"Your cat is cute," She commented with a soft laugh.

"The little prankster of my house," Himari answered while shaking her head. A helpless smile was curved on her lips yet her eyes gleamed with tenderness.

"Meow, meow!"

Both of them walked past the hallway. Yuina helped Himari to sit on the strawberry couch before she placed the bags on the low table in front of them.

"I bought one chicken porridge and one beef for you. Do you want to eat now? You should even for a bit. After you eat, take the medicine then go to sleep. You shouldn't stay up any longer."

Yuina took out the medicine and put all of them on the table beside the porridge paper bag. Himari suddenly laughed seeing them.

Under Yuina's confused look, Himari said softly, "It seems like you're good at taking care of people, Teacher Masuda."

"Oh, hehe, maybe it's my habit," Yuina answered. She hesitated for a moment, then continued in a quiet voice, "Before, my husband often getting injured so, I gradually learn how to take care of him."

Himari was startled at the mention of Yuina's husband; the renowned Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu. 

Never did she expect to hear Teacher Masuda bringing him up in her words.

Yuina just smiled at the sight of Himari's dazed look. She playfully put a finger over her lips, "Well, it's a secret, okay?"

Himari quickly nodded her head like a chicken pecking on grains.

Yuina laughed freely. She thought that Teacher Kato was cute sometimes, like a little sister.

Then, Yuina urged Himari to go and change out of her work clothes. Himari could only listen to her as she entered her bedroom. At the same time, Yuina brought the porridge to the kitchen, brought out the chicken one from the paper bag and served it inside a bowl. 

The delicious scent of the porridge wafted in the air.

"Meow~"

Yuina looked down at her feet, seeing Chobi who was staring at her from the floor with his big and round eyes.

"Hehe, your mother is sick. You have to take better care of her, okay?"

"Meow~"

Once again, Yuina bubbled with laughter. When Chobi flicked his fluffy tail and ran back to the living room, she just let him be.

This place was small, really small if compared to her spacious duplex but, Yuina was at peace whenever she listened to the sounds coming from the outside.

The footsteps of people walking, laughter coming from next door, the sound of engines as vehicles passed along the road.

They entangled together, showing how alive this place was compared to the dull and secluded luxurious condominium.

Yuina smiled faintly.

It was good for Teacher Kato to have a companion even though it's not a human. At least, she wouldn't feel so lonely during her vulnerable time.

Yuina didn't want the English teacher to experience what she had.

While she was being truthful when she told Himari about learning to take care of a sick person because of Ryuu, that was not the only reason.

Whenever she got sick, there would be nobody around her because Ryuu would often be away at that time. She wouldn't tell Ryuu, not even Hiro because she didn't want them to worry.

In the end, she handled everything herself.

The loneliness when being sick was heartwrenching.