As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Although Himari was still haunted by her past, she still wanted to take a step forward as her heart inclined more and more toward Kazuya. 

The fear wanted to drag her down but, she still wanted to take a step forward.

"Did you plan this trip because you wanna confess to me?" asked Himari with a giggle.

Kazuya chuckled, laughing along with her, "Yes, you could think it that way." 

After confirming their hearts together, the couple just sat quietly on the sand while looking at the sea. From time to time, a motorsailer would pass, pouring lights on the dark sea.

It was so quiet, so tranquil.

"Err... Do you think that I was too late? In telling you my feelings?" Kazuya was anxious all of a sudden.

His questions made Himari bubbled into laughter.

"You're not late," said Himari as she rested her head on his shoulder. Lips curling up, she tilted up and stared at him, "Still, I'm happy and grateful." 

Kazuya smiled. He softly pecked on her lips.

As the wind picked up, turning the air chillier, Kazuya gently pulled Himari to stand up.

"It's getting late. We should go back now. Time to sleep," One of his hands brushed her bangs aside, revealing the face of the lady that he loved.

Yet, Kazuya saw a look of uncertainty suddenly flashed in his lady's eyes.

"Himari?" 

Himari smiled awkwardly. She unconsciously tugged on his sleeve.

Her voice was so low, so timid the moment she opened her mouth, "That, tonight, are we..." 

Something dawned on Kazuya.

He pulled her to him, his hands lightly pressed on her waist.

"Himari, if you're not ready, I won't force you."

Flustered, Himari wanted to speak yet, all of she could think of would just sound like excuses. In the end, she bit her lower lip.

Kazuya looked down, seeing her anxious expression.

Running a thumb on her cheek, he chuckled, trying to ease the tension, "Hey, I might just book a room for us but, it doesn't mean that we have to do it. I'm perfectly capable to restrain myself."

Himari guiltily stared back at him, "Would you think that my love is less if..."

She loved him.

Her heart was true to him but...

At certain times, her fear added weight to her feet.

Would he think she didn't truly love him if she couldn't accept him fully yet?

"Silly," Kazuya's laughter died down as he kissed her forehead, "I could even wait until our wedding night, do you know?"

Himari blushed. She weakly slapped the man's chest, feeling it vibrated as he continued laughing.

"Take your time, my sweetheart," Kazuya whispered softly to her ears, "We have all the time in this world, together."

His lady was still full of scars inside. He had to treat her preciously. 

The cracks might be impossible to be mended as if the breaking never happened but, he hope to fill the gaps between them just so she would shine with confidence again.

No matter what she was being fearful of, he would be there to accompany her to go through it.

"Thank you." 

Like a whisper of the wind, she breathed out the words.

Kazuya's eyes were soft, "Anything for my sweetheart." 

Although Kazuya felt sorry to see Himari suddenly being in doubt with herself, a part of him still felt funny inside.

He was a gentleman, okay?

That night, it was a peaceful night.

The sound of the waves and howling wind transversed in the air, blanketing the night with the nature lullabies.

The couple was already on the bed, sharing the same quilt. 

Although both of them were tired after playing all day long, they still wanted to spend more time together.

"...you didn't actually plan to learn design?" Himari was quite stunned to hear Kazuya telling her about his university days, "But, your art skills are good!" 

"Well, as you've known, I was quite rebellious when I was younger."

Kazuya reached out for one of Himari's hands, playing with her fingers while his other arm supported her head.

"To be honest, I didn't think much about my future. I just sorted going through the days, never thinking of anything particular that I'd like to do."

Tilting up her chin, Himari stared at Kazuya dubiously, "Then, what made you enrolled in that major? You can both draw and paint well. Taichi also said you did well when you learned designs."

Ever since they got on the bed, they only talked about themselves.

At first, Himari was still nervous the moment she walked out of the washroom, already changing her dress to a nightgown. 

Sharing a bed at night was quite different from when they napped together during the day, even though they were simply lying together.

Then, as they talked more and more, Himari let go of her worries. She was grateful because she understood it was one of Kazuya's ways to ease her nerves.

"En, you can say that it's because of my brother. At that time, he had just started the company. He kind of slammed me on the head then spouted nonsense about getting my act together. I almost got my head bandaged after that."

Himari blinked, feeling confused for a moment then she burst out laughing. 

"What... You laugh at me?" 

Dumbfounded, Kazuya looked at Himari in disbelief.

"Hahaha, hehe, I really wanna see how your brother smacked your head, hahaha~"

Himari covered her mouth with both hands, eyes crinkling in joy. Her shoulders shook as she couldn't stop herself.

It was kind of funny to imagine that.

To Himari, her man came across as someone sensible and mature despite being childish sometimes.

From Kazuya's story, it was evident that his personality right now greatly differed from when he was in his youth.

"Aye, haha, I really wanna see that," Almost breathless because of her nonstop laughing, Himari panted yet her lips were still curling up, "It's good that you've changed ah. If not, Izumi and Chiharu might only learn bad things from you."

Kazuya rolled his eyes.

His lady was being so cheeky right now, teasing him to her heart's content.

Who was the one who got so nervous earlier?

A thought struck his mind, making Kazuya smiling in mischief.

"Ah! En...!" 

Himari was surprised as her body was suddenly rolled over. Her words were swallowed by his lips before she could say anything. Kazuya pressed her on the bed, not allowing her to move as she pleased.

Although the kiss was good, Himari was annoyed.

She was already breathless because of laughing earlier! Couldn't he let her catch her breath properly first?

"You... Don't be so vengeful ah," Himari pouted. She pushed Kazuya's chest and slapped it.

"Heh, I thought you already know that I'm a vengeful person," replied Kazuya with a smirk.

Himari could only glare at him. 

"I'm sleepy. Time to sleep!" 

Turning over to one side that back-facing the sneaky man, Himari pulled the blanket to cover herself. 

She was actually afraid to accidentally ignite what she shouldn't have from him.

Kazuya suppressed his laughter at the funny back view of his lady. While he was laughing inwardly, he was reminded of something. 

Yeah, he did forget about that thing.

Ah, never mind. He could do it after waking up tomorrow.

Kazuya dived under the blanket, pulling Himari until her back met his chest.

"Go away," Himari's voice still sounded dissatisfied.

"No. I should at least hug my girlfriend while sleeping," answered Kazuya decisively.

Himari sighed. 

"Okay, okay, I won't be stingy with you." 

Once again Himari turned around. While she nuzzled her head on Kazuya's chest, his faint laughter echoed from above her head.

"Good night, my sweetheart." 

Brushing his lips on her forehead, Kazuya gave Himari a soft kiss.

A smile broke on Himari's face. Looking up, she returned a kiss on his chin, "Good night, my man." 

My man.

Kazuya thought it was impossible to have his heart continued softening more yet, with her, nothing was impossible.

He was so, so happy right now.

His heart was so full of love for her, swelling until it might overflow but, he greatly cherished the feeling.

Although it took three years before they met again since that fateful night, Kazuya was still grateful.

In the end, he was led back to her.

That night, he fell into a deep sleep with his beloved in his arms.

Kazuya silently anticipated the days that would come.

Time continued turning until morning arrived, signaling a brand new day.

On the bed, Himari tossed and turned as she felt so reluctant to wake up. Her eyelids felt so heavy even though she had slept for hours.

"...so sleepy." 

Himari rolled over on the bed and rubbed her eyes a few times before opening them.

"..." 

The white ceiling above looked a bit unfamiliar.

Himari dazedly staring at the ceiling. Her senses gradually returned when her ears faintly heard the sound of tides hitting the shore.

"Ah!" 

Himari abruptly sat up. She looked around her and found that she was inside a resort room.

"You're an idiot, Himari. How could you forget that you came here yesterday?"

Himari patted her cheeks a few times and shook her head hard, trying to chase the remnants of her sleepiness away. 

Kazuya wasn't here. She couldn't even hear the sound of his footsteps walking around.

Where was he? It was only 7:30 AM.

Himari pushed the blanket away. She wanted to wash up. The check-out time was at noon, five hours from now but, it was better if she got herself ready ahead of time.

"...en?" 

Himari felt something on her neck. Looking down, she was surprised to find a delicate chain with a locket were hanging from her neck.

The rose gold chain was short, letting the locket lie just right on the space between her clavicles. The rose quartz gemstone was cradled within a swirl of rose gold-colored wire.

This...

Did he put it on her when she was sleeping?