As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The morning was beautiful, that was what Kazuya thought when he woke up at dawn. 

The sky at sunrise was dazzling. The idea of having a stroll with Himari at this hour was tempting but Kazuya dropped the idea. He didn't have the heart to wake her up, not when she was still sleeping sweetly next to him.

It was a day that he thought would still be far away before he could achieve it.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw her.

Kazuya smiled faintly. He lifted up the hand that was draping over her waist then gently stroked her face, brushing his fingertips over her skin.

This was the one he loved.

"Ah, right..." 

Kazuya quietly got up. He bent down, reaching out for the drawer of the bedside table. From there, he took out a jewelry box.

"How could I forget last night?" 

Kazuya inwardly berated himself at his forgetfulness. He had actually planned to give this gift to Himari after confessing to her but, in his anxiousness, he forgot to take it with him before going to wait at the wooden hut.

But, still, this gift had to be given to its owner.

Kazuya opened the lid of the box. A necklace was revealed in the line of his sight.

Kazuya specially chose this rose quartz necklace for Himari. Somehow, the gemstone reminded him of the rose quartz crystal lamp that he had given to her months ago.

Although the gift-giving was due to Chiharu, Kazuya secretly thought this gemstone suited Himari well.

"Hey, until when would you sleep?" 

Kazuya lightly pinched her cheek, teasing her in a low voice. He stifled a laugh when he saw Himari began to frown.

His Sleeping Beauty won't wake up anytime soon. Although a kiss could do the magic, let just have her sleeping more.

Kazuya quietly put the necklace around Himari's neck. A smile of satisfaction was reflected in his eyes once he was done.

Like how he had imagined, this necklace really suited her.

"Sleep more, sweetheart," Kazuya whispered softly before dropping a kiss on her temple, "I'm going out for a bit." 

Then, Kazuya walked inside the washroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. He changed into a pair of sportswear, wore his running shoes then grabbed his phone along the way.

While Himari was still enjoying sleep, Kazuya ventured out to the beach, having a morning run. 

This morning, his steps felt more energetic than ever.

"Have she woken up?" 

At eight, Kazuya finally returned from his morning run. Sweat dripped from his forehead. His face was a bit red due to his running.

Creak...

"Ah, you're back?" 

The voice of his lady greeted Kazuya the moment he opened the door.

Himari was sitting on the bed. She was applying sunscreen on her calves. A bottle of sunscreen lied on the bed next to her.

This morning, Himari chose a sleeveless sky blue chiffon floral jumpsuit as her attire. The pants flared out, reaching just above her ankles.

"When did you wake up?" Kazuya suppressed the urge to go and claim a morning kiss from her. He didn't want to be near her when he was this sweaty.

"At 7:30 AM," As Himari saw Kazuya stood stiffly at the door, she was confused, "Come here ah. What are you standing there for?"

"En, I think I should take a shower first," Kazuya shook his head. He wiped the remaining sweat using his arm.

He wasn't only sweating. Because he did a round of 100 push-ups earlier, his sportswear got dirty.

Himari purposefully frowned. Raising both of her arms up, she beckoned at him to come closer.

"Come here, or else..." 

In an instant, Kazuya ran to her.

His silly action made her giggled. Himari sprang on her feet, threw herself on Kazuya and snaked her arms around his neck. He instinctively caught her waist to avoid her from falling.

Kazuya bent down, slowly lowering Himari's feet to the floor yet she didn't retract her arms from his neck. 

Her eyes twinkling, she asked in suppressed joy, "Why did you sneakily put the necklace when I was sleeping?" 

Kazuya's eyes drifted to the rose quartz necklace that was dangling from her neck before he stared back at Himari. He asked cautiously, "En, do you like it?" 

"I love it!" Himari exclaimed.

"It's good that...!"

Surprised by what she did, Kazuya was rendered speechless.

Himari cupped his sweaty face then left a kiss on his lips. Her scent swirled to the tip of his nose.

"Thank you, I really love it," Himari smiled shyly even though she was the one who initiated the kiss.

A soft light flickered in his eyes. Kazuya was both happy and proud of himself.

"Well, since my sweetheart loves it, I am so glad."

And, since his lady didn't mind him being in this sweaty and slightly dirty state, Kazuya claimed another kiss from her. 

At half-past eight, the couple went to the restaurant. It was within the hotel building instead of around the detached resort rooms. They walked for 10 minutes before they reached the place.

The breakfast was served buffet-style. Kazuya and Himari picked the food that they wanted first before sitting down to enjoy their breakfast.

"How are the siblings? I didn't hear you calling them," asked Himari after sipping her hot tea.

Kazuya drew a smirk on his face, "I just exchanged texts with Aunt Mayu. She said everything is fine at home."

"Wow, Chiharu would feel betrayed if she knew you're this happy leaving them behind," Himari laughed as she imagined the probability.

The mad little dumpling would resemble an angry squirrel. Himari missed the little girl because they couldn't see each other much in the past week.

"Their uncle should have a healthy love life too," answered Kazuya righteously, "If not, how could I manage to have a sweet lady as my girlfriend?"

Himari threw him a questioning look, "Did you go for a morning run or did you go to coat your tongue with honey?"

Kazuya chuckled, "My lips are always sweet for my sweetheart... En!"

"Eat, stop talking."

Himari shoved a buttery scone into Kazuya's mouth, trying to silence him. Pinkish hue tinged her cheeks, up to the tips of her ears.

Kazuya really shut up but he didn't stop give Himari a sneaky smile.

After breakfast, the couple strolled on the beach. Because it was still early, there were not many people around.

Kazuya led Himari to a horse stable. He rented a horse then rode it with her.

"...you're going to Hiraya Falls next Saturday?"

"Yeah. Have you forgotten about the camping trip?"

Himari stared down at the horse. The reddish-brown coat of the horse shone as the sunlight fell on it. 

Clip, clop.

The horse calmly brought the two of them around the beach. As she sat in front of Kazuya, the man secured a hand around her waist while the other was holding the reins.

Himari didn't know that Kazuya could even ride a horse. 

Really, what else did she not know about him?

"Ah, I forgot that you need to inspect the place first. But, is there really such a need for it?"

"Hehe, I'm just doing what the principal asked me to."

Before Yuina took another week of leave, she had told Himari that she would come back before the inspection. As one of the teachers that supervised the camping trip, Yuina still understood her responsibiliy.

Thus, it was likely for Himari to see Yuina back at school next week.

"Teacher Kato, aren't you excited at the idea of a secret rendezvous between us?"

"Ha?"

Himari tilted her head up, looking at Kazuya who sat at the back with a confusion.

"What do you mean?" 

Did this guy even speak human's words?

Kazuya smiled meaningfully, "The guardian of your students is your esteemed boyfriend, Teacher Kato. I'm very much looking forward to have a tryst with you. En, a moonlight tryst."

Himari almost choked.

What did this guy was even thinking of doing?

At mid-afternoon, the couple checked out of the resort. The dark gray car speedily left the area of the hotel, heading to the expressway.

At that time, the sun was already blazing, spreading its scorching heat all over the place.

"Haa, I couldn't wait for our island trip during Nanako's banquet later," Himari was pleased to think of her best friend's upcoming engagement with Ryota.

"I didn't expect them to extend the invitation to me and the siblings. It's all thanks to you," Kazuya made a remark.

If not for Himari, Kazuya understood he would never stand a chance to attend a private banquet that was held by the prominent Kashino family. The level of his brother's company was far inferior to the long-standing conglomerate.

"Don't worry about the siblings. Nanako said Ryota's nephew and niece would be there too. All of them could play together."

"Ah, yes, the son of President Kashino." 

Although Kazuya had only met the boy once during the spring picnic a few months ago, he still remembered the young boy that was brought by Ryota there.

While Himari was happily chatting with Kazuya on their trip back to the city, she didn't know that an explosive news regarding Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu was dominating the headlines.

By the time she came across the news, it was already too late.