As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The four adults and four children played until they were thoroughly exhausted at sundown. Because Nanako and Ryota had to wake up early tomorrow, Himari and the others didn't have dinner with them.

"We decided to just have dinner at the hotel," said Himari before she climbed onto the UTV. Kazuya and the siblings had already sat in their respective seats, "Have your beauty sleep, okay? My friend has to be the most beautiful lady tomorrow."

Aye, finally Nanako would be engaged formally to Ryota. Himari felt both happy and sad at the same time.

"You should doll up tomorrow too," Nanako's mood was bright as she was reminded of the banquet, "Ryota has arranged for you four to sit near our table.. Don't worry about the rich people ah. Just pretend to be one of the mysterious wealthy families."

"Oho, should I claim myself as the heiress to a prominent family who resides overseas?"

The two friends burst into laughter. Their men who listened to them talking could only exchange a helpless smile.

Right after they got back to the hotel, Kazuya ushered Chiharu to take a bath first out of habit. When the two of them bickered in the living room, Himari stepped out from the room that she shared with Chiharu.

"Chiharu, why don't we bathe together?" With a clean towel draped on her arm, Himari asked the little girl.

"Okay~"

The dumpling perked up in an instant. She stuck out her tongue then fleed before her uncle could stop her.

Yayyy~! Bathe together with Teacher Kato ah!

As the dumpling was busy getting her towel and bath toys, Kazuya threw Himari a meaningful glance. One of his hands settled on his hip.

"...what?"

Flustered, Himari's blushed under the man's intense gaze.

Kazuya stepped even closer. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear.

"How could that girl get the opportunity to bathe with you first instead of me?"

Another shade of red smeared on Himari's face. She glared at the sneaky man who was now raising both brows.

"What nonsense you're talking about?"

When Himari turned around to get back into her room, her gaze accidentally fell on Izumi who was watching them.

The boy sat on a couch. He was munching on potato chips, face expressionless.

Himari was speechless.

...why did she feel as if being watched by a spectator?

And that spectator was none other than her own student?!

Himari ran back inside the room, ignoring both men. She slammed the door shut, afraid of Kazuya becoming more shameless even though the children were with them.

In the living room, the two men, big and small, looked at each other.

"Uncle, I could sleep alone tonight."

Kazuya almost choked. He eyed his nephew suspiciously.

Since when did Izumi know what he planned to do tonight?

"Good. Don't disturb me," answered Kazuya in a low voice.

Izumi finished the potato chips. 

Hurm, somehow he felt sorry for his little sister. Her victory of getting Teacher Kato to be with her would be short-lived.

Inside the bathroom, the two ladies, big and small soaked together in the bathtub. Because Chiharu was still small and short, she sat on the seat that was attached to the inside of the bathtub. 

Earlier, both of them showered first before Himari helped Chiharu to enter the tub.

The sweet fruity scent of raspberry and vanilla bath bomb lingered in the bathroom as the bubbles covered the tub.

"...nag, nag and nag at Chiharu! Chiharu knows what to do ah! Uncle no believe Chiharu!"

Himari laughed as she listened to Chiharu venting out her grievances. Most of them were related to her young uncle. 

"It's not that your uncle didn't believe you," Himari cupped some water on her palms then she gently poured it on the dumpling's head, "Since you wanted to cut the cake by yourself, you might get hurt if there's no one supervised you."

Chiharu was telling Himari about the one time she got scolded by Kazuya. It happened a few days ago.

Apparently, the dumpling wanted to eat a cake. Because Aunt Mayu was not at the villa and Izumi was busy in his room, Chiharu planned to just cut it herself. 

Chiharu climbed on the kitchen stool that she often used. She wanted to get the knives that were stored up high then, Kazuya accidentally caught what she was doing.

As the result, Chiharu got a scolding from Kazuya. It wasn't the usual bickering they used to have.

"But... but... Uncle got so mad. Chiharu's sad..."

Although it happened a few days ago and the dumpling knew her mistake, she was still sad whenever she recalled it.

Himari smiled. Her heart softened at the sight of the aggrieved-looking dumpling. 

"Teacher always got scolded when I was younger too. One time, I got injured because I didn't listen to my mom."

Himari tried to divert the sad dumpling's attention by bringing up her own story. Chiharu blinked her eyes.

"...what Teacher did?" She asked cautiously.

Himari chuckled lightly. She scooted closer to the dumpling.

"My mom forbade me from climbing up the tree behind our house yet, I did. At one time, I fell down and almost broke my leg."

Chiharu gasped, "Teacher, so painful? Your leg in so much pain?"

The dumpling raised up both of her short arms. She softly placed her palms on Himari's knees.

Himari laughed, her eyes bent in joy, "Hehe, yes, it's painful. Luckily my leg only got sprained."

The incident happened so many years ago until Himari couldn't exactly recall when did it occur. Either when she was a kindergartener or an elementary school student, she didn't remember. 

The only thing that Himari truly remembered was how anxious her mother was throughout the time she was injured. Her mother would always be with her yet the nagging didn't recede.

"Chiharu."

Himari gently rubbed the dumpling's soft and chubby cheeks. The little girl's eyes were so clear, something that she liked to see.

At certain times, Himari couldn't help but wonder how her life would be colored if she didn't lose her child that year.

"Not all adults make the right decisions and not all children make the bad ones," Himari played with Chiharu's wet hair. The inky black strand was a contrast on her fair skin, "If you make a mistake and the adult scolds you harshly, it's not something you should endure."

Chiharu blinked quietly, ears listening to Himari's words. Her grip on Himari's knees was gentle.

"Well, when your uncle scolded you that time, what else did he say? And, did he shout angrily at you? Hit at you?"

As far as Himari knew Kazuya, he wasn't the type to do that. Yet, she still asked the dumpling to let Chiharu speak more.

"Uncle didn't shout," Shaking her head, Chiharu answered, "Uncle didn't hit Chiharu too."

Himari's lips curled up, "And then?"

Chiharu blinked, "Uncle got mad but Uncle didn't shout and hit Chiharu. Uncle said don't touch the sharp knives. Uncle also said don't climb the stool when no one with Chiharu."

The dumpling repeated the same words yet Himari just smiled hearing them.

"Hehe, you're a smart girl, Chiharu," Himari pinched on her cheeks, inciting giggles from the dumpling, "So, why didn't you call your uncle from the start? The stool and cabinet are high. Weren't you afraid of falling down?"

Chiharu's giggles receded. She made a face, "Uncle said no more cakes that day so Chiharu wanna cut the cake without Uncle knowing."

Her answer made Himari burst out laughing. The bathroom was filled with the sound of her laughter.

After dinner, the four of them stayed together in the living room for a while before the children were ushered to bed.

Chiharu displayed her victory by grabbing the hem of Himari's nightgown and announcing, "Chiharu sleeps with Teacher Kato!"

Thus, an unhappy Kazuya felt the urge to tickle the cheeky dumpling. The urge intensified when his lady just threw him a playful wink.

As usual, Izumi deliberately pretended that he didn't see or hear anything as he quietly lay on the king-sized bed inside the other room.

Just let them fight ah. 

Don't involve him, please.

The sound of tides hitting the shore permeated the night air. Colorful lights illuminated the area of the hotel yet most rooms had their lights switched off already.

As the clock hit twelve, the suite was embroiled in silence.

Tap, tap.

Yet, a faint sound of someone's slippers echoed in the living room as a figure walked in the dark. 

Creak...

The tall figure quietly opened the door of one of the bedrooms. He stealthily made his way inside before he got closer and closer to the spacious bed.

Himari and Chiharu huddled together under the same blanket. The dumpling curled up like a baby as she slept in Himari's arms. 

Kazuya felt so dissatisfied.

"You sneaky little one. You dare to covet my girlfriend?"

Kazuya poked on Chiharu's chubby cheeks. The dumpling mumbled in her sleep before she turned around, showing the view of her butt.

As Kazuya thoroughly knew that his niece was a hopeless case once she slept, he didn't have any qualm when he picked her up and put her at the farthest end of the bed. He put pillows to avoid the little chubby one fell from the bed.

Unknown to both Himari and Chiharu, Kazuya crawled onto the bed then lied in between them. He put his lady's arms around him.

Himari hugged a sturdy block instead of a soft and squishy dumpling.