As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

On Sunday, despite it's raining as yesterday, Himari went to visit Yuina while bringing another thermos flask of soup for the latter. She arrived at the hospital at nine o'clock.

Himari hailed a cab, going to the hospital alone. When Kazuya suggested they going together again, she refused his kind intention. She just told him to spend the day with the siblings since she had occupied most of his time yesterday.

In the private ward, Himari and Yuina happily chatted about random things. From the way Yuina looked, it was clear that she was feeling better despite still not having her loved ones with her.

"The doctor said you can be discharged tomorrow?"

While pouring a cup of warm water for Yuina, Himari asked for clarification once she heard the Mathematics teacher talking about her discharged date.

"Because I was in the early stages, my body didn't suffer a lot. The doctor just advised me to keep resting at home and avoid doing any heavy works. Well, the school also has allowed me to take a week of leave."

Yuina murmured her thanks before she took a sip of the water. With one hand, she swept her long hair to her back, avoiding any stray strand to fall into the cup.

Yuina contacted the school yesterday after Himari left the hospital. The administration staff was shocked to hear the reason Yuina applying for a sick leave but, he granted it without prying into details.

"But, I think staying in the hospital is safer," Himari made a remark after thinking. Her brows furrowed in concern, "At least, there are people here."

Yuina lifted up the corners of her lips. She understood what Himari meant.

If she ever needed help, the nurses and other ground staff here could easily lend her a helping hand. 

"It's alright. Besides, I'm not really comfortable here. If I wanted to recuperate, I'd prefer to do it in my own home."

Because there were people coming and going, Yuina had to be mindful of her behaviors. She had even changed the password of her phone even though she rarely interacted with the other patients outside. She didn't want to have any chance of exposing what should stay hidden.

It was also hard to keep making excuses to Ryuu.

Her husband had been whining, asking why couldn't they talk on the phone or even do a video call. Yuina had run out of excuses. If this kept going on, Ryuu would feel suspicious.

"At what time would you be discharged?"

Seeing that the reasons were plausible, Himari didn't press on the matter anymore.

"As soon as the doctor allows it, I could go home anytime I want," replied Yuina. She put down the empty cup on the table. Her eyes were calm.

Yuina didn't know if she could keep her calm once she reached the always empty home but, for now, she just wanted to be at ease. Crying with no end won't bring her anywhere. It would just take a toll on her already weak body.

She had lost her child, it was a fact that couldn't be reversed.

Even though she hadn't been able to hold him, she would forever remember the child that had once occupied her womb, heart and soul.

Nothing could change that.

Hearing that, Himari swiftly made a suggestion, "Then, why don't I send you home tomorrow? You didn't have many things here but, it's still not a reason to be discharged alone."

Because Yuina was admitted to the hospital without any preparation, she just went through the day by ordering the things she needed through a shopping app. All of the items were delivered to her within the same day, be it clothes, undergarments or even toiletries.

Yuina's car was still parked in the parking lot, unmoving from the day she was brought here by Himari.

"You don't have to do that. I could go home by myself," Yuina quickly refused, she waved her hands at Himari.

"Are you sure? What if something happens? At least, let me send you home safely, en?" Himari insisted.

She had seen for herself how lonely Teacher Masuda was. 

Teacher Masuda had been in the hospital for almost three days already but, no one, even from her extended family came to visit her. Himari didn't pry into the reasons, either Teacher Masuda concealed her condition from them or because of other things but, she felt sorry to her.

Three years ago, Himari was also like this.

After her miscarriage, she stayed in the hospital for two days before pleading with the doctor to let her be discharged early. After that, she took another two-days leave from school, citing the problem of her health.

Himari was fortunate because her previous school didn't make a fuss over the reason she applied for leave when she had just started teaching there. She directly talked to the principal because if possible, she hoped the principal could hide her reason without the news being spread all over the school.

The middle-aged female principal was being so understanding by agreeing to help Himari to conceal her miscarriage. The former was also afraid if it would be turned into vicious gossip by irresponsible people.

"Teacher Kato, you're already an adult so I won't butt into your private life. Please take this time to rest. I hope to see you healthy again at school."

Because of the principal's generosity, the two-days leave turned into a full week. Himari was eternally grateful to the principal. 

Yet, in the seven days of recuperating at her tiny apartment, she was all alone, only with Chobi.

She didn't even tell a single soul.

If she ever told Nanako and her mother, it might turn into a bigger issue. She also had to disclose everything that happened, especially the event that caused her to miscarry.

She couldn't afford to be embroiled in such a chaotic mess.

In the seven days, she only relied on herself and Chobi's presence to ease her heart.

The loneliness was suffocating.

Himari didn't want Yuina to feel like her. 

"But, Teacher Kato, I don't want to trouble you further..."

Yuina pursed her lips together, looking at Himari with reluctance.

Although Yuina enjoyed the English teacher's company, she also didn't want to pull Himari into her problems. The latter had done so much to her.

Maybe because she was too used to be alone, Yuina thought she would just hinder Himari to no end.

Himari smiled faintly. She spoke in a gentle tone, "Sorry, it's not that I want to force you. Well, just think about it first. If you wanted, I could send you back after school hours tomorrow."

"Then... I'll think about it first," answered Yuina softly. She smiled in relief.

"Hehe, if there's anything else, just tell me. Didn't you say you wanna me to support you?" Himari chuckled, remembering what Yuina had asked her yesterday.

Her question made Yuina laughed.

Her eyes curved, "Yes. I think I need your support soon."

Once she made her decision, she hoped she would be strong enough to not take a step back.

That was why Yuina desired such unconditional support. 

Himari only got out of the ward when the clock hit noon, waving goodbye to Yuina. It was still raining outside yet, her feelings weren't as gloomy as the weather.

Exiting the elevator, Himari walked to the lobby. She had already booked a cab but, it was inevitable for the driver to arrive late because of such weather. Without a doubt, the main roads in the city would be packed with countless vehicles as they moved a bit slower on the slippery roads.

"...?"

Turning abruptly, Himari thought her eyes were playing tricks with her. 

Was she really mistaken?

Himari kept standing on the same spot, her eyes fell to one corner of the lobby yet, the one she saw had already disappeared. 

The black formal suit, straight back, tightly-coiled hairdo and a brisk walking pace.

She thought she saw her benefactor here.

"Nah, I won't be so lucky to meet her here twice," Laughing at herself, Himari shook her head.

Although Himari really wanted to meet Madam Tokioka again, moreover with the latter's vague words about them being able to meet again soon, Himari just kept the wish to herself.

The woman was so mysterious, always carrying a cold vibe with her but Himari wasn't repulsed to that. She faintly felt that it was just the way she was.

Shaking away the thoughts, Himari rushed to the automated doors of the lobby entrance. With her eyes slowly meandered on the sky, a soft smile tugged on her lips.

Since it was raining, the department stores shouldn't be too occupied by people, wasn't it?

Himari felt like going grocery shopping, getting her favorite snacks then returned home. She could prepare a late lunch for herself.

En, let's just do it, Himari mused.

From the beginning of this week until the weekend arrived, she had been so busy with the sports festival. Moreover, her mental state wasn't good because of what happened to Yuina that led to her exposing a part of her secret to Kazuya yesterday.

She really needed some time for herself, to pick up what she hadn't seen or thought.