As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"...is this really okay?"

Himari was a bit anxious as she looked up to Kazuya who stood next to her.

Right now, the captain of the yacht drove it away and away from the shore, heading to the open sea. The other one that brought Nanako, Ryota and the four children also had departed from the jetty.

Kazuya brought Himari straightaway to the flybridge where they could relax in leisure while feasting their eyes on the endless blue sea.

"Why are you asking me that?" Kazuya forced a smile as he asked her a question back.

Himari frowned in worry, "Err.... You rent this yacht. Won't it be a bit expensive?"

Himari thought saying a bit expensive was an understatement. She had browsed through the rental fees of a yacht before but, the prices almost made her choke in disbelief.

Kazuya suppressed a sigh. 

He disliked that he felt irritated just because of her concern.

"Relax. I'm still able to let you experience this."

"But..."

"Himari."

Himari was flustered.

She didn't know why but it seemed Kazuya looked a bit upset despite the smile on his face.

Was it because she kept questioning him?

All of a sudden, the air around them wasn't as harmonious as before.

"...let's just enjoy this trip, en?" Kazuya stroked her face as he whispered. His eyes were unreadable even though he was still smiling, "I just wanna make you happy."

Unlike his usual cheery or confident tone, he sounded a bit tense.

"...okay."

Himari suppressed herself from popping out more questions. 

Since last night, Kazuya appeared as if he was troubled by something. But, she didn't know should she ask him now or just wait for the right moment.

Himari had a feeling that this trip would be a sour one if she did the former.

Seeing that she looked cautious, Kazuya felt bitter inside.

"Sweetheart," Kazuya pulled Himari to a couch, "Let's sit down and enjoy the view."

Himari smiled. She nodded.

Besides the comfy couch, there was a bar and a small pool on the flybridge. An option of going for snorkeling when the captain stopped at a sought-after spot was also given to the ones sailing.

Kazuya poured Himari a glass of orange juice since she didn't want any alcohol. Both of them sat on the couch, feeling the sea breeze as the yacht kept drifting away from the shore.

Although they didn't point it out, a thin wall was abruptly built up between them, hindering them from truly enjoying the romantic sailing.

Yet, both of them pretended that they didn't feel it as they chatted about random things, smiles were drawn on their faces.

"You said you can snorkel, right?"

Kazuya hoisted Himari up once the yacht stopped in the middle of the sea. 

"Are there any beautiful corals here?" Himari looked around at the majestic blue water.

The waves gently rocked the yacht. Her long hair was tousled by the wind, so did the hem of her pareo skirt.

Kazuya smiled. He put one palm on her waist when a slightly bigger wave rushed to the yacht.

"Let's go and find out."

A crew was waiting for them at the main deck. He helped the couple by preparing them with the necessary equipment. Instead of using the full-face snorkel mask, they opted for the traditional ones.

"I'll go first," Kazuya moved to the end of the platform.

Splash!

In a swift motion, Kazuya jumped down to the sea, huge splashes followed afterward.

Himari adjusted the snorkel. She took a deep breath, ran to the edge of the platform then jumped.

Splash!

Before the splashing ended, two big palms already held her under the water, steadying her body.

"Ready?" Kazuya took out the snorkel from his mouth. The eyes behind the mask bent in a faint joy.

Himari nodded.

The couple went through the body of water with Himari followed Kazuya's lead. As she looked into the sea, a mesmerizing sight enraptured Himari.

Colorful sea anemones danced along with the current. A few shoals of fishes glided past the corals and sea anemones, playing hide and seek under the bright light that penetrated the seawater.

Kazuya slowed down at a spot that was not too far from the yacht. He stretched out both hands to pull Himari closer then stay floated together.

Himari removed the mouthpiece of the snorkel, "Is this the place?"

"Isn't the view beautiful?" Kazuya asked her back.

Himari smiled.

To Kazuya, her smile was more dazzling than the sunlight hanging above in the sky.

The couple swam back and forth, faces submerged in the water. Occasionally they stopped when needed. Kazuya captured some photos using a disposable waterproof camera.

The uneasiness that was clawing his heart gradually dispersed the more photographs he took.

And, the reason was...

Instead of entertaining the cause of his uneasiness last night, it was better if he just focused on seeing her smiling happily.

When they got more tired, Kazuya and Himari returned to the yacht. He took a towel from the crew and wrapped it around Himari. 

Both of them were completely wet from head to toe. Droplets of water fell from their swimsuits. 

"You might catch a cold," Kazuya brushed a lock of her wet hair to the back.

"You too," said Himari. She draped a towel on Kazuya's head, feeling the coldness of his skin, "Dry yourself."

He smiled.

The couple went back to the flybridge instead of going to the lower deck to wash. The scorching heat brought by the summer sun got cooled down by the incoming sea breeze.

Himari and Kazuya sat on a mat under the retractable roof.

While Himari was looking up at the sea, she felt her left hand being grasped by Kazuya.

He did the same thing as last night, intently staring at her fingers.

"...did you remember what I said last night?"

His tone sounded a bit anxious.

"About the necklace and the ring?" Himari answered quietly as she made a guess.

Her neck was bare from the necklace given by him. She didn't want to accidentally lose it when swimming. 

Kazuya let out a sigh.

With a slight tug, Kazuya pulled Himari until both of them fell flat on the mat.

With almost no distance left between them, Himari could hear how loud and fast Kazuya's heartbeats were.

"...sorry. I acted a bit... off," whispered Kazuya.

Himari blinked.

She didn't expect to hear him admitting to her silent suspicion.

Himari wiggled free from Kazuya. She propped up her upper body, elbows on the mat, staring at him who was now underneath her.

Their eyes locked together.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" She asked softly.

Kazuya pursed his lips. After a long pause of silence, in difficulty, he nodded.

"En."

The sunken light in his eyes made Himari ill at ease.

She placed a palm on one side of his face, feeling the roughness of his skin under her fingertips.

"Honey, it's okay if you don't want to talk now," Himari traced a small circle on his cheek, "I'll listen to you once you're ready."

She was intrigued, so intrigued but, she didn't want to make Kazuya feel uncomfortable.

At times, people just wanted to conceal whatever they felt. She herself had experienced that.

Kazuya took the hand that was gently stroking his face. One by one, he dropped a kiss on her knuckles.

"No... It's better if I talk now."

Kazuya had a feeling that if he just kept quiet, it would bring discomfort to his lady.

It was fine if she didn't realize it but, since she did, it was more all the reason for him to speak out. If not, she might think she was the cause of his uneasiness.

Kazuya didn't want that.

Himari smiled as she heard his answer.

The smile was so soft, resembling the previous spring breeze.

"Then, I'll give my honey an early reward for his bravery."

Himari dipped her head in, her shadow outstretched then concealed the man's relieved expression. She enclosed the little bit of distance between them by capturing his lips.

The man's smile was embedded into her eyes before she closed them, only feeling the sensation that brought warmth to her.

Kazuya snaked both arms around her small frame, bringing her closer to him. He greedily devoured her lips and sweet scent to alleviate the remnants of discomfort within him.

"Sweetheart..." Slightly breathless, Kazuya smiled at his lady, "I like it whenever you take the initiative."

Himari's face was red, "...then, I'll try to do it more often."

The man's laugh answered her bold promise.

Himari ignored how hot Kazuya's palms were as he placed them on her bare skin. Instead, she focused her eyes on his handsome laughing face.

The sea was quiet and peaceful.

From where they currently were, the shore of the main island appeared so white yet so distant. The yacht of Nanako and the others also looked so small. 

"...I think that I lack so many things to be deserving of you."

"...what?"

Eyes blinked in surprise, Himari stared at Kazuya in absolute confusion.

Kazuya smiled bitterly, "I've never felt this way before. I thought I'd never question how much my worth is to my partner but..."

He didn't end the rest of the sentence. 

Himari frowned.

She sat up, looking at Kazuya who was still lying on the mat.

"You... Why did you feel that? Wait, do you still feel it? But, why?"

Himari didn't understand.

Why did her man that was so confident with himself be embroiled in such feelings?

Why did he feel he wasn't worthy to be with her?

Instead of answering her, once again Kazuya pulled Himari then locked her in his arms. He nuzzled his face on her shoulders, taking in her scent.

The unpleasant memory of last night resurfaced in his mind.