As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

In the hallway of an engagement banquet that was held tens to hundred miles away from the city, Himari met someone unpleasant.

She returned the stare with an unbothered look in her eyes.

"...you don't seem surprised to see me here," said that person.

Himari shrugged, "It's just meeting you here, Kikyo. Why should I be surprised?"

Her answer bittered Kikyo's smile. 

"Okay.... I won't hold you back," said the lady who dressed in a cream-colored dress, "See you in the hall."

Himari just gave Kikyo an indifferent nod before she quickly turned around and resumed her steps. Without her knowing, Kikyo continued staring at her back with a complicated gaze.

"...did she also know that Jun's here?"

Although a few months had passed since Jun stopped bothering Himari again, Kikyo still felt uncomfortable.

Her desire to be with that man wasn't as fiery as before but, the crackling embers had yet to extinguish properly.

Kikyo came to the engagement banquet between Nanako and Second Young Master Kashino was due to her father's connection to the prominent family. It wasn't because she knew the bride.

"...has Jun seen her?"

The invitation was also extended to Fujihara's family.

Kikyo knew that Jun agreed to come here with her wasn't because he yielded to his mother. Instead, he just wanted to prevent his mother from seeing Himari here.

Although Nanako didn't invite any of their high school friends to her engagement that was held on a small scale, Himari was an exception because they were best friends.

Kikyo shook her head. She refused to think any further.

As for Himari, she already threw the matter of seeing Kikyo to the back of her mind.

It wasn't like she just acting to look indifferent. She was really not surprised to see Kikyo here.

To be honest, Himari had Nanako to be grateful for.

The other day, Nanako contacted her, saying that there were Kikyo and Jun's names on the guest list. Because Nanako didn't have many people to invite from her side, she left the guest list to Ryota's mother.

Apparently, Kikyo and Jun's families had close ties with the conglomerate for several projects. Although most of them were during Ryota's grandfather's reigning era, the old master thought it was doable to invite the two families.

"Would you be okay, Himari?" 

That was Nanako's question after conveying the news.

"If those two didn't deliberately make troubles for me, I'd be okay," answered Himari after thinking for quite some time.

Nevertheless, it was better to see them than Mrs. Fujihara. Himari reckoned Jun's mother won't easily let her off even after she had severed ties with Jun.

That was the kind of woman she was; vicious and stubborn.

Inside the meticulously decorated hall, Himari finally found the table where Kazuya and the siblings were seated.

An attendant ushered her to them after Ryota gave the instruction. He was greeting the guests while waiting for Nanako to enter the hall.

"Miss Kato, here is your table."

The attendant politely gestured at the round table.

"Thank you."

The table was the second last one in the front row, signifying that the four of them were important guests to either the bride or groom. 

"Teacher Kato~"

An adorable dumpling waved at her.

"Have you been waiting for long?" Himari stroked the dumpling's head while she threw a question to Kazuya.

"Not at all," Kazuya gestured to the chair next to Chiharu, "Sit down."

Himari smiled. Chiharu sat between her and Kazuya while Izumi's position was next to her uncle.

Aside from Himari and the Hayashi family, a few other guests shared the same table with them. They were Nanako's younger aunt's family who Himari had met a few times before.

Nanako's parents would sit together with Old Master Kashino and Ryota's parents and younger sister. Their table was at the center of the first row.

"Himari, it's good to see you here. Well, who's the handsome guy next to you?" Nanako's younger aunt greeted her.

Himari smiled blushingly, "Aunt Manami, this is my boyfriend, Hayashi Kazuya. Kazuya, this is Nanako's younger aunt from her father's side."

Kazuya exchanged greetings with the middle-aged woman, her husband and two teenagers. Chiharu and Izumi did the same.

"Hehe, I've heard my sister-in-law telling me about your boyfriend. She'd be upset because I got to be introduced to your boyfriend first instead of her," Aunt Manami deliberately teased Himari.

"You're honored, ah. It's true that Auntie hasn't seen Kazuya," answered Himari cheerfully.

Kazuya just all smiled as he listened to Himari boasting. He was glad to see her meeting people that she was acquainted with.

Earlier, when Himari went to see Nanako, Ryota brought Kazuya to see a few people including his elder cousin that held the highest position in the conglomerate, President Kashino Kyoya.

The man who was older a few years than he talked to Kazuya. President Kashino didn't treat him lightly as they exchanged words about Kazuya's brother's company.

It wasn't unheard of how President Kashino often helped startups to prosper if he saw abilities in them.

Kazuya knew that Ryota was helping him to form connections by showing him around even for a while. It was an opportunity that Kazuya didn't let go of.

They were all businessmen so their thinkings were almost the same. An engagement banquet that was attended by high-profile people was like a gold pot of networking to Kazuya.

"Ah, it's starting~"

Himari's voice pulled Kazuya out of his thoughts. He glanced at her twinkling eyes, smiled then looked in the direction of the hall entrance.

Hanging fairy lights gleamed softly from the walls. Dazzling sunlight poured in from the glass arch-ceiling above, basking everything under its glow.

The high wooden doors were opened by two attendants, revealing a heavenly pair of a man and a woman. 

Himari was so entranced by such a scene.

Nanako looked so elegant and beautiful as she walked in with the handsome and suave Ryota. One of her arms hooked around Ryota's while the other held a bouquet of flowers. The smile that was curling up on Nanako's face only showed serenity and joy.

That was her best friend. The one who was always being with her whenever she needed a companion.

"...?"

Slightly startled by a warm thumb rubbing under her eye, Himari looked at her side.

Kazuya was smiling helplessly.

"If you cry now, would you just cry harder during their wedding day?" He asked in a low whisper.

Himari touched her face, feeling tears under her fingertips, "...do my eyes get red?"

Kazuya grinned, "Just watch your friend's moment. I'll lend you my shoulder afterward."

Himari chuckled softly. She just let her man dry her tears before she focused back on Nanako and Ryota.

The two of them looked so good together. Himari sincerely wished for their lifelong happiness.

Currently, Old Master Kashino was giving a short yet funny speech about his youngest grandson.

The audience had a good laugh while Ryota's face was red. Nanako whispered some words to the man before earning a meaningful glance from him.

After that, it was the time for the bride and groom's speeches. They kept them short and simple to avoid making the guests wait for too long.

The couple walked down the stage and began to go and greet the important guests.

Himari exchanged a smile with Nanako from afar. She just saw the couple walking from one table to the next.

"Aunt, would you join the cruise tonight?"

Himari asked Aunt Manami. The waiters started serving appetizers.

"I want to but I'm afraid I'd just feel so tired," answered the middle-aged lady, "You young people should go and have fun. Don't mind us these advanced bones."

Himari laughed, "Who says you're old? Come along, Aunt. We won't always have this kind of opportunity."

The luxurious cruise ship would sail on the sea until midnight. The participated guests were able to experience spending hours and hours enjoying the facilities on the cruise.

The buffet-style dinner tonight allowed the guests to roam freely on the cruise. Nanako told Himari that they could even have a swim in the swimming pool underneath the moon.

Aye, simply so luxurious ah.

"...ugh."

Chiharu placed the orange juice glass back on the table, looking troubled.

"Chiharu, why?"

Himari looked down at the dumpling next to her as she noticed something was weird. Her expression was a bit off.

The little girl looked up and said shyly, "Chiharu... wanna go to the toilet."

She wanna pee!

"Let's go," Kazuya answered swiftly. He put down the cutleries, "The nearest one is just down the hallway."

"It's okay. Let me go," Himari pushed back the chair then she slowly stood up. Eyes looking at Kazuya, she smiled, "How could you let a cutely dressed girl enter gents? Chiharu, come, let's go to the ladies."

Chiharu hopped down from the chair. She held Himari's outstretched hand.

Although this venue had a place for changing diapers, there were no toilets for children. They could just use either the ladies or gents.

Hand-in-hand, Himari walked with Chiharu to the side doors.

"Want me to carry you, Chiharu?" Himari asked the dumpling.

Chiharu cleverly shook her head, "Chiharu can walk."

The hallway was quiet since most people gathered inside the hall.

Himari brought Chiharu to the ladies, let her go inside a cubicle and waited outside since Chiharu was capable to take care of herself.

After some time, the dumpling came out of the cubicle. The sound of water flushing echoed faintly in the spacious ladies.

"Thank goodness Teacher Kato's with Chiharu ah," said the dumpling as Himari carried her up to let her wash her hands.

"Why do you say so?" Amused, Himari asked.

"If Chiharu's with Uncle, Chiharu has to use men's toilet oh. It's uncomfortable!" The dumpling complained.

Himari smiled yet she felt sorry for the little one.

Although girls as old as Chiharu could just use the women's toilet while Kazuya waited outside, maybe that man was still worried to let his niece do so.

If Chiharu suddenly needed anything or something unexpected happened, Kazuya couldn't just dash inside the ladies unless he wanted to be chased out by the frightened women.

Aye, life as a single father was so hard.