As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"You're lovelier than I imagined."

Kazuya's sweet words fell to Himari's ears right after he wrapped her in a hug.

The moment their eyes met earlier, Kazuya ran to her, meeting Himari halfway. His eyes were soft as he looked at her appearance. Then, she was engulfed in his embrace.

"You look more dashing," Himari giggled.

Kazuya wore a white linen shirt paired with white long chinos. Although his outfit was simpler than her dress, it was a perfect fit as tonight was a special date night for both of them.

"It's my pleasure to hear that," Kazuya brushed his lips on her forehead, taking in the sweet scent that lingered on her skin.

She was really lovely tonight.

"Wow, we're going to have dinner with the backdrop of the sunset," exclaimed Himari as Kazuya led her to the wooden hut.

A red tablecloth was draped over the table. A large glass bowl filled with water was placed at the center. Small scented candles floated on the surface, flickering from time to time.

"Please forgive me if there are flaws," Kazuya pulled out a chair, gesturing to Himari to sit down, "I only have a few days to plan this."

"Haha, it's expected ah. You literally asked me to come here a few days ago," Himari stood next to the chair, her eyes looked at her man's face, "Still, this is memorable and beautiful enough for me."

Kazuya felt his heart was really dripping with honey right now; sweet and delicate.

The couple sat while watching the sunset. As the sky gradually darkened, the lights around them glowed brighter, illuminating all over the area. 

The waves continued rolling gently, sending their murmur to the air before they blended with the soft music that was played by the speakers.

"Can I say that I've never thought a sunset could be this beautiful?" Himari gave the man a wink, her lips curled up into a smile.

Kazuya laughed in helplessness. He reached out a hand then tucked her side bang behind her ear, "We've watched sunrise and sunset together, don't you remember?"

"Ah, yes. The hiking trip that made my legs so sore," Himari deliberately made a face. Her nose was pinched by Kazuya as the outcome.

Soon, Kazuya gave a signal. Three waiters came bringing dinner. The three men immediately left, giving privacy to the couple.

"I've vaguely guessed that you'd surprise me with a dinner date but, this is still superior to what I've imagined," said Himari honestly.

Her words brought a smile to Kazuya's face, "I have to do the best for my lady."

A shy smile responded to his sweet words.

After finishing dinner, Kazuya got up and offered a hand to Himari. She swiftly placed her soft palm over his rough one, feeling safe whenever he held her.

"Come this way," Kazuya tugged her hand, raising his brows smugly.

Himari laughed, her giggles permeated in the air, dancing with the music.

The rose lights trailed to another path. Both of them walked slowly as the lights illuminated the dark sandy beach.

They didn't talk much but the silence between them was so comforting. It was already enough to hear the faint cries of the waves hitting the shore.

After leaving the lights trail, the couple ventured to the seaside. Along the way, they met a few couples who were indulged in themselves. 

Kazuya led Himari farther. They round a few boulders then entered another part of the beach that was quite secluded, away from other people.

The night had just begun yet, it already felt so peaceful as the moon gradually rose to the sky, blessing the vast sea with its soft glow.

Kazuya appeared calm on the outside but, only he knew what a mess he was actually inside.

Although this trip was planned abruptly, Kazuya still placed importance on it. He hoped what he was doing right now, to her, would make her happier to be with him.

Ever since the day she opened up her scarred past, he silently vowed to continue treasuring her, treating her tenderly as if he was holding a delicate rose on his palms. 

"Ah! What's that?"

Himari's sudden exclaim pulled Kazuya out of his thoughts. At the same time, his large palm felt empty when Himari let it go as she crouched on the dry sand.

"What did you find?" asked Kazuya as he bent down to squat next to her.

Seeing that the tips of her hair almost touching the sand, Kazuya quietly gathered them on his palms. Like a soft rolling sea wave, the flowy long skirt of her dress fluttered out on one side.

"I didn't expect to find a conch shell here. Look!"

Himari excitedly showed something on her hands. She proudly showed the white conch that she randomly found lying on the beach.

Kazuya chuckled, "Do you wanna hear the sea calling for you? Bringing it back home?"

"Nah," Himari shook her head. She put the conch back on the sand, "It's better to just leave it here, this is its home."

Under the moonlight, it appeared as if the conch was exuding a faint glow.

Himari's lips curled up as she silently looking at the conch shell.

Beside her, Kazuya's eyes were only on her face.

'Sometimes, you appreciated something by not having it with you.'

Kazuya smiled softly as the thought crossed his mind.

But, right now, he wanted to be selfish and have his precious treasure with him.

"Himari."

At the sound of the tender voice calling her, Himari looked up and stared back at him. 

"En?"

She saw the man's smile was so soft, so tender, like the gently rolling tides in front of her.

Kazuya leaned over. He slowly raised one hand and placed his palm over her face. He scooted closer, still crouching next to her.

Himari unknowingly tilted her head toward his palm, closing in the distance between their skins. Over time, she learned to enjoy his touch.

In her eyes right now, for some reason, she could sense a faint anxiousness coming from her man as if something was troubling him.

What's wrong?

Parting her lips, Himari wanted to ask. Yet, her voice was held down in her throat because of the words that came out of Kazuya's mouth.

"I love you."

He breathed out the words. 

The sea breeze carried them to her before they dispersed to the air.

Perplexed, Himari's eyes widened. Her mouth was agape. 

"...what?" She asked back in a hush.

What did he say?

He said...

Kazuya let out a chuckle at the sight of her surprised expression. He put more pressure on her face, running his thumb under her eye.

"Ms. Kato Himari, I am in love with you."

Word by word, he enunciated them just so she could hear him clearly, to have his voice conveyed his feelings for her.

The anxiety that had eaten his mind the entire day diffused out, leaving only peace behind.

"...you love me?"

What came as her reaction was still a question to him. It seemed like she was so shocked by the confession even though he was already being careful when he professed to her.

Laughing pleasantly, Kazuya poked fun at Himari, "Hey, are you going to keep asking me that? Is that really an unbelievable thing?" 

"No, not that... but..."

Himari averted her eyes from Kazuya's teasing gaze, avoiding his palm in the process. 

Fiddling with her fingers, her eyes kept darting from left and right before once again she looked at Kazuya.

"You said that..."

"I love you."

Himari was once again stunned.

Their relationship was stable even though the beginning was quite unnatural. Yet, Himari still didn't expect to hear him saying those words to her this soon.

The three precious words that had never been said between them.

"Kazuya..." 

"I love you, Himari." 

His intonation became firmer yet his eyes were so soft.

"Forgive me for taking this long but, I still wanna tell you that I am in love with you."

Kazuya didn't know when did the exact moment he began to love his lovable lady yet, even thought it was late, he still wanted to say those words to her.

While to Himari, this moment felt so magical.

It was so comforting, so secured.

That was how she had always felt whenever he was with her.

This man was like a huge tree that could withstand any storm.

She would really like to take shelter from such a sturdy tree.

This man was also like a shore.

She would really like to land on his shore after being suspended on the sea for long.

The answer to his confession was what she had kept silently inside her heart.

"Kazuya, I love you too." 

This time, it was his turn to be stunned.

Himari's giggles blended with the sound of waves hitting the shore. In her gaze, the dazed look in the man's eyes gradually changed into a twinkling smile.

"I love you too, Kazuya." 

Himari repeated the words softly.

Her heart would brim with warmth at every thought of him. The feelings that once only lingered on the surface of her heart burst forth since the day she saw his acceptance of her past.

This man was so good.

How could she not love him?

In fact, she might have already loved him from the beginning, only to have her feelings clouded by her fear.

Thud.

From crouching, Himari fell on the sand when Kazuya gently pushed her. 

The man's kiss landed on her lips.

With one hand supporting her back, Kazuya propped one arm on the sand before he slowly lowered Himari to the ground, his lips were still molding onto hers.

Her sweet scent almost got him intoxicated.

As Kazuya felt Himari encirled her arms around his neck, he implored more, deepening the kiss.

The soft glow of the moonlight shone on them as the moon and sea be the witnesses of the moment their hearts truly linked together.