As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The celebration on the cruise ship went as scheduled. Adults and children roamed freely on the cruise after the opening speech by Ryota ended.

Although most of them were here to have fun, there were also groups that gathered with the intention of discussing businesses. 

The food was served buffet-style, meticulously prepared by a group of renowned chefs. Calm and heartfelt melodious music echoed in the banquet hall from where a quartet performed.

Jun picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. He went out of the hall, heading out to the deck. While doing so, his eyes quietly darted to left and right with a subtle expression on his face.

The deck was only half-filled with people.

The card room, the billiard room, the swimming pool at the other side of the deck, the children's playroom; the guests were everywhere.. Yet, most of them flocked around the celebrated young master and his fiancee.

Earlier, Jun saw Himari standing at one side of the hall with that man and the two children. After that, he couldn't see her everywhere.

Jun tightened his grip on the glass. He swallowed another bout of bitterness from spreading in his mouth, down to his heart.

Initially, Jun agreed to the invitation because he wanted to avoid his mother meeting Himari here. Without a doubt, his mother would stir troubles.

Himari was just a low-class commoner. How could she join this banquet that was attended by prominent figures just because she was the best friend of the bride?

That might be the nonsense that his mother would spout.

Jun thought he would be fine by just seeing Himari from afar but, the moment his eyes landed on her smiling face while talking to that man, his composure cracked.

After all, a few days ago, he got to know of an important discovery.

Jun found out Himari was actually pregnant after he went abroad.

But...

Where was the child?

Did she...

"She's at the observatory."

Startled, Jun turned around only to see Kikyo standing behind him.

The young lady's slender figure was wrapped in a burgundy long dress. The cutting enhanced her small waist and long legs. 

"...are you watching her?" Jun asked cautiously.

Kikyo smiled faintly, eyes staring into her own glass of champagne, "Aren't you doing that too? I see her boyfriend brought her to the observatory. Just the two of them."

There was an elevated platform from the topmost deck that served as an observatory. The space was quite large. People can view all over the sea and sky by being there.

Of course, couples tended to go there to have a romantic viewing of the sea. 

Jun pursed his lips. He didn't reply to Kikyo. 

No wonder that he couldn't find her.

Kikyo swirled the glass gently then made a toast to the man, "If you still wish to get back with her, I could only say good luck."

Without seeing Jun's reaction, Kikyo turned around to get back inside the hall. The night breeze brushed past her shoulders, tousling the locks of her long hair.

Kikyo didn't know that Jun was staring at her with a conflicted gaze.

While walking, Kikyo greeted the people that she knew. Her elegance and poise shone as she carried herself impeccably.

As Jun remained on the same spot near the railings, a thought crossed his mind.

He didn't know when but, he had a feeling that Kikyo's temperament had changed.

Earlier, she often pestered him especially after he canceled their families' engagement plan.

Kikyo would show up anywhere and at any time just to persuade him otherwise but...

The frequency of her doing so had decreased lately. She was also a lot calmer than before.

If she really was slowly changing for the better, it was a very welcomed change. They had known each other since they were little.

Although Jun couldn't view her as a potential love interest, he still wished for her happiness as a friend. 

Shaking his head, Jun threw his gaze to the dark sea.

His mind went back to the one that was still in his heart.

At this time, although they were in the same place, he could no longer reach her.

Like even when the moon hanging so close over the sea yet the sea could only long for her.

But...

He still had to know about the child.

Where was their child?

At the observatory.

"It is okay to just leave them at the playroom?" Himari asked as she held Kazuya's hand when they climbed the stairs.

Kazuya chuckled, looking a bit helpless, "I wanna have some alone time with you yet you're still thinking of the children?"

After eating their share of dinner, Kazuya shooed Izumi and Chiharu to the children's playroom. The room was guarded by a small group of reliable staff.

"I'm just worried because they are not familiar with this place," answered Himari with a laugh.

"Don't think too much," Kazuya hoisted Himari up by the waist, earning a surprised gasp from her. Eyes glinted playfully, he whispered, "Ryota said this place is perfect for a date."

"Hehe, seems like you've gained a powerful friend ah," Himari laughed again at the thought of her man and Nanako's man befriending each other.

A meaningful smile curled up on Kazuya's face, "Yes. A really helpful one."

A few couples were also on the observatory. They were engulfed in their own pink bubbles. Kazuya led Himari to one side. Both of them stayed close together.

"The sky and sea look so beautiful ah, like in a fairytale," whispered Himari with a contented sigh.

"En," Kazuya secured an arm around her waist, voice tinged with joy, "We can't always see this kind of night scenery."

Bright neon lights outlined the cruise ship, the lights twinkled on the wavy sea surface. From where they currently were, the shore resembled a long and straight line from afar.

It was a cloudless night sky. As the wind picked up, the salty yet refreshing sea breeze glided past them.

Like the other couples with them, Himari and Kazuya enjoyed the scenery while sharing a chat.

From time to time, the tips of their noses almost brushed against another as they laughed while chatting, the distance between them shrinking.

"Let's pick a date later for camping," said Kazuya suddenly.

"Oh? Going camping?" Himari was intrigued by the idea.

Her man smiled, "Just the two of us."

They didn't need the two lightbulbs to always follow them.

Himari covered her mouth, eyes curved in unconcealed joy as she understood the meaning behind his words.

"Hehe, okay~"

Half an hour later, the couple walked down from the observatory.

Although Kazuya wanted to spend more alone time with Himari, he couldn't do so when his lady urged him to go and get the siblings.

"We shouldn't leave them by themselves for too long."

That was Himari's answer when Kazuya tried to divert her attention.

Hurm, can't help it. 

Izumi and Chiharu's aunt-to-be was too concerned about them.

Once the couple arrived at the playroom, they saw Nanako sitting together with Chiharu and Hinako. The little Hinako was keener to play with Big Sister Chiharu than following her mother or father around. 

Izumi and Yuuya were playing table soccer at one side of the room. A few other boys were cheering for them.

"Nanako, why are you here? Aren't you meeting the guests?"

Himari didn't stick around Nanako because she knew her friend would follow Ryota as they greeted the guests.

Although most of the guests that embarked on the cruise ship were young unlike the bigshots from today's banquet, all of them were still important figures or heirs.

"I just wanna rest a bit," Nanako pinched the space between her brows, "Some of the women tried brownnosing me. I couldn't handle all the praises for my beauty so I escaped from them. Ryota is still with his friends."

Himari didn't know either to laugh or feel sorry for Nanako. 

It seemed like the rich misses had started to gain favor from Nanako.

"Hehe," Himari tilted her head and crossed her arms together, "Don't you always like the attention, Miss Hagihara Nanako?"

"My mother and aunt like them," answered Nanako while flipping her hair, "Because Ryota's mother and Sister Shouko always stay with them, the rich madams flock around them like moths."

Aye, there was no doubt that the staff of the playroom might think Nanako boasting her new status.

"I'll go and get us drinks," Kazuya said to Himari, "Do you need anything else?"

"The mini egg tarts are delicious. Bring more for me," Himari made a request while smiling cheekily at her man.

"Okay," Kazuya just smiled.

He swiftly left the playroom, allowing Himari to talk with Nanako. 

Once Kazuya's shadow vanished, Nanako grabbed Himari's right arm and asked in a conspiratorial tone, "Hey, earlier, Jun asked me about you."

Himari frowned, "He bothered you?"

"He just asked where did you go. Seemed like he wanna talk to you," Nanako waved her hand, looking disinterested, "I just tell him to stop troubling you. Well, how about you? Has he tried talking to you today? Have you two met?"

"No, we haven't."

Himari had caught the sight of Jun when they were in the banquet hall this afternoon as well as in the cruise's hall. But, aside from that, there was nothing else happened.

Even from afar, Himari could sense that Jun was trying to talk to her but, she quickly left before he had the chance. 

Maybe because she always stuck with Kazuya, he didn't dare to do so.

This was already good.

Himari was grateful if the only thing that happened was them making eye contact.

She didn't want to be embroiled in troubles.