As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Ryuu was having a sweet time nestling together with his wife when he was awakened by a force on his shoulders.

"Ryuu, wake up! Wake up!"

"...why?"

Ryuu groggily slid open his eyes in a fraction. His gaze was a blur, yet he could still see his wife's anxious face.

"The others have returned. Why don't you go first?"

Although the sound was faint, Yuina was certain the group that went inside the forest was slowly returning. As she looked at the time, it was already nearing six o'clock. Himari also had notified her by sending a message..

"Okay..."

Either he wanted it or not, Ryuu knew he had to leave now. He slowly got up, one hand rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Yuina stifled the urge to laugh. The exhaustion that she felt earlier had long gone.

"Will you go back to the city straightaway?" Yuina asked while squeezing both of Ryuu's shoulders.

"I have to," answered Ryuu sadly, "Yousuke actually didn't allow me to come here."

"It's okay," Yuina sat on her knees then she cupped her husband's face to drop a kiss on his lips, "I'll go home tomorrow. Now, just be a good househusband, en?"

Ryuu laughed faintly. He dipped his head in to deepen the kiss.

After that, the man stealthily left, leaving no traces of him. Yuina could only hope Ryuu would arrive home safely.

"Teacher Masuda, you got a nice nap?"

Once Yuina entered the place where the others would be cooking, she was greeted by Teacher Ayase. The older female teacher was helping a mother-and-daughter pair to light up a campfire.

"En, yes," replied Yuina easily, "I really have a nice nap. It feels refreshing to wake up now."

She contributed her fulfilling nap due to a certain someone's sudden appearance.

Not long after, a delicious scent began to swirl within the campground. Every group was hardworking as they focused on making delicious dinner. 

The sound of fire crackling intertwined with the chatters between the children and their parents. From time to time, a nagging could be heard yet it was accepted with a laugh.

On one side, Himari had just done inspected a group of three children-parents pairs. Everything seemed fairly good because even though one person wasn't adept in cooking especially on the campfire, the other would come to offer support.

"Teacher Kato~ Teacher Kato~"

A happy little dumpling waved happily once she saw Himari walking in her direction.

Kazuya also noticed her. His eyes softened.

"Chiharu," Himari gave the dumpling a head pat. Lifting up her gaze, she stared at the pot that was hanging above the campfire, "Smells nice. You're making curry?"

Kazuya tilted his head and smiled, "En. I hope Teacher Kato would honor me by trying my special camp-version of chicken curry."

Himari laughed, "If only Mr. Hayashi's curry is delicious."

As she saw him was meticulously handling the campfire while cooking made a certain thought arose in her mind.

Her man was so skillful~

Should she ask him if they could go camping together later?

Himari suppressed her smile. She planned to ask Kazuya about it later.

As the sun gradually setting, the area around the campground darkened. Soon, orange lights began to illuminate the entire area, pouring them overhead.

"Time to eat~"

"Wow! Smells so delicious!"

"Teacher, Teacher, come and try my mom's cooking!"

The cooking battle ended without any incidents as each group presented their dishes to the teachers. Everyone was in high spirits especially the children who advertised the cooking ability of their parents.

The winners were given special tokens by the teachers.

"All of them are delicious ah! To reward you guys, we'll go and watch the fireworks show later!"

Yuina exclaimed while clapping her hands together. Her announcement was well-received by the students.

"Yeah~"

"Fireworks! Fireworks!"

"Dad, let's see it?"

The students, parents and teachers sat down together for dinner. They exchanged dishes among others even though in some groups, they cooked the same thing.

"Ah, eating under the moon feels so good and romantic," One of the mothers muttered as she held a plate of rice, "I hope my husband won't be jealous if he heard this."

"Mom, I've told Dad ah," answered her child swiftly, "Dad said we have to go camping in summer break. If not, it's unfair."

Laughter burst out from the crowd, the mother smiled while helplessly shaking her head.

Like this afternoon, Himari went to eat dinner with her man. Kazuya smiled once he saw her approaching.

"A plate of curry rice?" He gestured at the pot.

"I want lots of carrots," She giggled.

The couple sat together on a mat.

Izumi was chatting with Daichi and Seiji about what they did in the forest. They also were anticipating the fireworks show tonight.

On one side, next to Kazuya, Chiharu was greedily devouring the curry rice.

"It's shower time after dinner," Himari stared at the dumpling before she looked at her man again, "Chiharu can go with me."

"Go shower with Teacher Kato? Want!"

Chiharu was quick to answer before Kazuya could do so.

"Then, I'll have to trouble you with this girl," Kazuya agreed. 

The campground provided a decent shower and toilet area, separated by gender. 

Chiharu could just go showering with her uncle and brother but because the others were present as well, she might feel uncomfortable. 

Even though the dumpling was still so small, Himari knew that Chiharu was adept at washing up by herself.

After dinner, some began to flock in the shower area while the others stayed behind, waiting for their turns. A big campfire was set up in the middle of the campground. The area around it became a favorite place for them to relax.

"There's a staircase that leads to the open ground of the hilltop. We don't have to use the hiking trail lest something happens because it's dark."

Yuina, Himari and Teacher Ayase gathered together with the other teachers. Once again, they talked about the plan to bring the students and parents to watch the fireworks.

"Even though it's a hilltop, it's not quite high. It's just like the hill behind the school where we can overlook the neighborhood," said Himari next.

Certainly, its height was half lesser than the hill where she went hiking with Kazuya a few months ago.

And, certainly, her calves and thighs won't be as sore as before.

Ugh...

At 8:30 PM, they began making their way to the hilltop. The students were totally giddy with anticipation because to most of them, this was the first time they would watch fireworks show while camping away from the city.

"I can see more stars than at home ah~ So beautiful!"

"Yes ah. We can only see neon lights in the city."

"Big Brother, we have to ask Mom and Dad to bring us camping this summer break."

As they descended higher and higher, the view of the dazzling night sky spread out before their eyes. Occasionally, the breeze blew past them, brushing their skins gently.

Himari walked at the end of the queue. She smiled seeing Kazuya who accompanied her.

Earlier, Teacher Maekawa offered to team up with her as Himari wanted to oversee the children and parents from the last place. But, both Yuina and Teacher Ayase pulled the male teacher away, saying he was needed in the front.

Himari felt both amused and funny because she knew the two female teachers were up to something.

Then, Kazuya came to her.

Since the beginning of the staircase, the man walked by her side. Chiharu was carried by him. The dumpling dozed off because she was already so tired by now.

"Why are you laughing?"

Kazuya asked as Himari suddenly let out a chuckle. Eyes smiling, he lifted up a hand and pinched her cheek.

"Hehe, it's nothing~

Because they were the last ones to arrive at the hilltop, the viewing platform was already filled with the students and their parents. More exciting chatters floated in the air. They couldn't wait for the fireworks to start.

The big and small heads scattered all over the place. Most of them laid down a mat like how they did at the riverside. Some had even started singing songs in summery vibes. 

"Oh! I can see it now! The summer festival's over there!"

A boy pointed in a direction.

Far away from them, a flock of orange lights glimmered at a temple ground. The faint sound of the festival music echoed, showing how lively it was. They could vaguely see stalls that were set up for the summer festival.

"It's starting in five minutes!" Teacher Ayase announced, "Hurry, guys! Get ready!"

Himari and Kazuya were lucky as they found a vacant spot under a tree. Chiharu stirred in her sleep as she was gradually awakened by the loud noises. 

Blinking her grape-like eyes, the dumpling asked in a nasal voice, "Uncle, fireworks?"

Kazuya stifled his laughter. He stroked the little one's head, "It's starting soon. Wake up."

Chiharu forced herself to open her eyes wide. Her action made both Kazuya and Himari laughed at her.

"Here, let me wipe your face a bit."

Himari gently dabbed a wet tissue on Chiharu's face. The dumpling felt a bit refreshed after doing so. Both of her eyes were eagerly staring up to the night sky.

"Uncle, Teacher Kato, here, here~ Sit together."

Chiharu reached out a hand and pulled Himari to sit closer. Kazuya had to tighten his arms around the dumpling because of her sudden movement.

"Chiharu, don't twist like that," He smiled in helplessness.

Chiharu grinned.

In the end, Himari and Kazuya sat so closely until their shoulders touched each other.

Shhhheeeeeee!

Boom!

Boom! Boom!

A myriad of dazzling colors exploded to the sky, the lights poured over, lightening up the area.

"It's there!"

"Wow! It's so pretty!"

"Dad, look! So pretty!"

The happy voices were drowned by the loud noise of the fireworks booming.

"How big and pretty! The lights twinkle! Look, Uncle, Teacher Kato, look at the sky~"

At where the three of them sat, Chiharu kept clapping and jumping in joy. The dazzling lights were reflected into her small eyes.

Kazuya turned toward Himari. 

His lady was mesmerized by the grand display of the fireworks. Like beads of lights, they shone on her smiling face.

To Kazuya, this was a memorable moment he shared with her.