As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The students and their parents were allowed to do their own activities after lunch. They could play, roam around the campground or even rest in their respective tents.

But, the popular choice was to go to the riverside and enjoy the scenery of nature.

"Don't go near the waterfall!" Himari reminded the students who were eager to play, "Make sure to stay at a safe distance!"

"Okay, Teacher~"

Since most students and some of the parents wanted to relax at the riverside, Himari, Yuina, Teacher Ayase and a few other teachers went to escort them there.

The parents simply let their children play as long as they didn't do anything dangerous. They helped to keep an eye on the students as it was safer than just only relying on the few teachers who joined this trip.

"Teacher Kato, don't be too worried," One of the mothers called to Himari, beckoning at her to come closer, "Come! Why don't you sit with us?"

"Yes, ah. Let's enjoy the breeze," Another one chimed in as the young mother breathed in the fresh air..

Both of them sat on a mat with sunglasses donned on their faces. A few cans of cold drink were put inside a portable cooler. They really looked as if they were on a leisurely picnic.

"Thank you for the offer but I better look after them," Himari politely declined.

Like the two mothers, the others laid out their own mat and gathered in smaller groups. Some of them sat on the boulders at the riverside while soaking their feet in the water.

Himari was amused as it seemed like the parents and guardians of the students only came here to relax instead of just accompanying their children.

"Teacher Kato, some of the students wanna catch the fish already. I've given them the pails," reported Teacher Maekawa who came looking for her.

"Ah, sounds good. Let them have fun," Himari smiled, "We can cook the fish for dinner."

The riverside was cool as the wind gradually picked up. The calming sound of the flowing stream intertwined with the birds chirping and leaves brushing together. 

Himari took off her socks and shoes then she put them under a tree. After folding up the tracksuit until below her knees, Himari stepped on the boulders before she entered the river.

The water was so cold and clear until Himari could clearly see her feet. A few pebbles were lying next to them.

The sensation reminded her of the stream that she often frequented in her hometown. 

"Yeah! Caught one!"

"Hey! Hey! I got it too!"

"Hahaha! Grilled fish for dinner ah!"

At the sound of the students cheering happily, Himari lifted up her gaze and looked in the direction. Brows rose in amusement, she stared at the boys who managed to catch a fish. Izumi was among them.

Oh ya, where's his uncle?

After finishing her lunch, Himari left Kazuya and Chiharu to attend to her next duty. She had yet to see him after coming to the riverside.

Where was he?

Ah, there he was!

Himari didn't take a long time to spot her man.

Kazuya was at one side of the river with Chiharu in his arms. The two of them were looking into the crystal-clear stream with Kazuya crouching on a huge boulder.

Their location was quite far from where the students were busily catching fish.

"Oh, it seems like they've really made up."

Himari laughed as she recalled them bickering earlier.

After that, Himari carefully crossed the river. She stepped on the rocks to avoid getting her entire body wet. While she approached them from behind, Himari faintly heard Kazuya talking about fish to Chiharu.

"Hey, why aren't you catching fish?"

Both Kazuya and Chiharu looked up the moment Himari crouched down next to them. The uncle and niece's expressions brightened up in an instant.

"The fishie wanna say hi to Chiharu," The dumpling beat her uncle by eagerly talking to Himari first, "Chiharu smile at the fishie. The fishie didn't run away~"

Himari's heart was soft. 

"Yes, the fishie like Chiharu for smiling at them."

The dumpling giggled as Himari tenderly stroked her head.

After a few hours playing and lounging at the riverside, it was time for them to prepare for dinner. Himari and Yuina had already list down what should all of them do. 

The students caught plenty of fish. They were enough for everyone. 

To make the camping as interesting as it could be, a cooking battle would be held for dinner. The students and parents could form a group of up to six people; three children and three parents or guardians.

"The ingredients here are all the same. We have divided them so each parent and child can take one portion of it before you group with others."

Yuina made the announcement as she gestured to the large wooden table where the cooking ingredients had been packed individually.

"But, you also can use the fish that have been caught and if you wanna go and search for wild vegetables, you can. All in all, you're free to do what you want."

Then, the students queued up to get the cooking ingredients. Their little faces were beaming with excitement.

"Mom, there are carrots and potatoes! Should we have curry for dinner?"

"Yummy yum~ Grilled fish and grilled chicken. Sounds good, right, Big Sister?"

"Dad, Ayu wanna eat stew. Can you make it? Should we call Mom first?"

As the chatters were going on, Yuina carefully inspected the queue. Her mood was good throughout the day. She also anticipated what would the students and parents cook for tonight's dinner.

Someday, could she and Ryuu experience this? Going camping with their child?

And... 

Doing so many things together?

During the trip Ryuu brought Yuina away from the city the past two weeks, there were times when he would forlornly stare at her belly. 

There were guilt, regret and self-resentment in his eyes.

"...I won't fail you and our child again."

Those were his words as he firmly promised to her and himself.

Yuina understood that Ryuu also blamed himself for the loss of their child. He thought that if he was there with her, caring for her when she was in her fragile state, they wouldn't lose the child.

What Ryuu felt was exactly how she experienced before but, Yuina chose to accept things as how they were.

If not, she was afraid if she would begin to resent him again.

"You'd be a loving father," Yuina gently coaxed him as he carefully his palm over her lower abdomen, "Together, we will give our future child a warm home."

Ryuu didn't speak about having a child in the nearest future like how he had always had done before. In his guilt, he wanted Yuina to heal herself first. 

"Yuina, Yuina!"

The familiar voice pulled Yuina out of her thoughts. She saw Himari standing in front of her.

"Ah, sorry, Himari. Do you need something?"

The English teacher smiled then shook her head. She gestured in a direction, "Won't you join us going in the forest? The students are eager to go picking wild vegetables."

Aside from Himari, Teacher Maekawa and Teacher Ayase would follow along together with one staff of the campground. Teacher Goda stayed at the campground if there was anyone needing a teacher's assistance. 

"It's okay. I'll stay here," Yuina politely refused, "Have fun and be careful. I think of resting for a bit."

"Okay~ Have a good rest."

Yuina just smiled as she stared at Himari's back. The latter ran to where the group of students who wanted to enter the forest gathered. Some parents were there as well.

Turning around, Yuina chose to see what the remaining students and parents would be doing. The cooking time would begin at six. There was still plenty of time before that.

As to how the camp supervisor mentioned to Yuina and Himari before, a firework show was scheduled tonight.

The place where the show was held was in the nearby neighborhood but, if they went up to the hilltop, they could still clearly see the beautiful and dazzling show of fireworks.

"Won't it be good if he's here," murmured Yuina under her breath. She felt slightly regrettable that Ryuu wasn't with her.

After checking and chatting with the students and their parents, she went ahead to her own tent.

Yuina felt slightly sluggish due to the hot weather. Since the other teachers agreed to take over the duty of overseeing the students, Yuina could finally rest peacefully She had yet to have one since this morning.

The tent was occupied by Yuina and Himari. It was huge enough to accommodate up to four people but. The rest of the teachers shared the other tents in a group of two and three.

Only peace and quiet enveloped the nearby area as Yuina gotten closer to her tent.

Creak.

"...who's there?"

Startled by the shadow that rushed to her from behind, Yuina quickly turned around. 

A tall figure in a camouflage-styled outfit stood behind her. His face was obscured by a pair of sunglasses and a dark green hat.

Perplexed, a name flowed out from Yuina's mouth.

"...Ryuu?"

A grin was cast upon the man's face. He lowered the sunglasses, revealing a pair of familiar eyes.

"My love, are you happy to see me?"

Dumbfounded, Yuina froze on the spot.

She had just thought of him. 

How could he materialize right in front of her?!