As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Kazuya walked down the hallway of the cruise, heading to the banquet hall.

Not many guests were in there because most of them gathered in other rooms. A few groups had even changed into swimsuits to swim. Funky and lively music blasted from the pool area.

"Please bring the drinks to the playroom, thank you."

Kazuya asked a waiter for help. The waiter immediately agreed to the guest's request to send a few drinks to the specified location. Aside from Himari's drink, he also chose a few for the children and Nanako.

"Egg tarts, heh."

Kazuya stood in front of the dessert table, eyes staring at the huge tray of egg tarts..

Their surfaces were glossy with a right hint of brown spots. The golden brown and crisp shells were small, enough to be finished in a bite.

"...you're here to chase after your ex? But, she came with another man! On top of that, a man with children."

A burst of unpleasant laughter came from one side of the banquet hall.

Kazuya frowned.

The voice sounded again.

"Does her taste hit rock bottom? Instead of a man like you, she chooses a divorcee instead? Or, he could even be a widower!"

Kazuya's grip on the plate tightened.

He didn't want to think too deeply about it but...

With a glance, Kazuya looked in the direction of the man's voice.

Not far from where he stood, a group of young men dressed in expensive suits gathered in a circle. Each of them held a glass of champagne. 

Just from one look, Kazuya recognized a few of them as heirs of some tycoons in the city.

Among them, Himari's previous lover was there, Fujihara Jun.

"It's not like that. Don't talk nonsense."

Jun's voice sounded upset as he countered the young man.

"Haha! Don't you think it's good that you guys broke up? You deserve a better girl ah! She really has the audacity to dump you first!"

The man continued laughing at his own words.

Kazuya's frown deepened. His face turned gloomy.

How could he talk like that about someone that was unrelated to him?

As Kazuya's gaze pierced through the hall, landing on where the men stood, Jun turned around and found him staring at them.

Kazuya didn't get flustered. He calmly looked back at the younger man.

"Enough. Don't talk about this anymore," Jun sternly warned his friend, "Go and wait for me at the billiard room."

"Tsk, I'm just talking the truth. You don't have to be mad," The man grumbled.

"Enough, enough. Let's go now," One of the men tried to lessen the tension as he pushed the first man.

From the moment the group walked out of the hall until their figures disappeared, Kazuya still locked his gaze on Jun's face. The latter also didn't move his eyes away from him.

In the end, Jun was the one who walked to Kazuya.

"Egg tarts?" With his eyes looking at the plate, Jun murmured, "She asked for those, didn't she?"

"None of your business," answered Kazuya icily.

Although he was usually calm when facing this younger man, this time, Kazuya felt horrible within.

A sense of inexplicable fear abruptly crept inside his heart.

Jun gave Kazuya a shallow smile. He put down the empty glass on a tray brought by a passing waiter.

"She always has a fondness for sweets," Jun kept talking. He placed both of his hands inside the pockets of his pants, "I once brought her for desserts buffet at the revolving tower. A top patissier came that time. It's hard to get a place."

Kazuya clenched his jaw, trying his best to stay calm.

Eyes frosty, he smiled, "I'd be the one who brings her there in the future."

"You?" Jun smirked, "Just focus on building your company first. Besides, it's not a place for a startup like you."

"Is that so?" Kazuya laughed, "It's okay. At least, she's with me."

Without wasting any time, Kazuya turned around on his heels to step out of this hall.

Although Kazuya understood that Jun wanted to snide him, he still couldn't help himself from being affected.

"I'd get her back."

Kazuya stiffened.

Jun spoke again, "No matter what, she would be in my future."

"Not even in your dreams," replied Kazuya, voice shaky in both anger and frustration.

He resumed his steps.

Tap, tap, tap.

Kazuya's steps were steady yet chaos erupted in his mind.

One by one, the little things that he concealed from the world and her began to resurface.

Only he himself knew how deep he had been hiding them away because he didn't want her to see any of his flaws.

In front of her, he always appeared calm and collected but...

He was still a human who had limits.

Kazuya returned to the playroom. He forced the glum that swirled on top of his head to the back of his mind.

"Kazuya, you got me the tarts? Thank you!"

Himari's happy voice greeted me once he got closer to her.

"They are lots," He put the plate on the table, lips smiling gently, "I can bring more to you if you want more."

"Hehe, okay honey~"

She was smiling ever so dazzlingly.

He returned the smile, looking so impeccable.

Kazuya was just quiet as Himari continued chatting with Nanako. The two best friends were talking about the latter's plan for the wedding.

Although Kazuya didn't show that he was listening intently to them, he paid attention to their words, especially what Himari responded to her friend.

A wedding.

Kazuya thought back of the engagement banquet this morning. 

The banquet was a small one but it still carried the luxurious and sophisticated air around.

Himari cried because she was too happy to see her friend getting engaged to one of the promising bachelors in the city.

But...

Would she be that happy once that day came for them?

Kazuya tried to suppress the uneasiness that began to surge up again.

That man, Fujihara Jun, was one of the heirs to a big name. Compared to him, Kazuya knew he was far behind that younger man.

Kazuya wasn't one to be easily troubled by inferiority complex but, right now, he was fearful at the thought of Himari getting back with that man.

If he had to see her turning her back to him, leaving him...

Kazuya closed his eyes.

He felt both ashamed and guilty for thinking that way. 

By thinking such thoughts, he dishonored Himari's feelings for him.

But...

Could he give the best of everything to her?

Could he keep her happy by his side?

Those were what kept haunting his mind since last night.

Back to the present.

Himari was quiet as she listened to Kazuya's worries. 

Both of them were still sitting on the mat. The blowing sea breeze carried the salty air passing them.

"...sorry that... I know that I shouldn't think like that. You've moved on from him but... at times, I'm afraid that... you might leave one day. After all, compare to him, I'm nothing."

Kazuya lowered his head halfway through his confession. He didn't dare to look into her eyes, frightened at the thought of seeing disgust in them.

Fingers fiddling together, Kazuya pursed his lips as he had run out of words to say.

No amount of sorry could justify what he was feeling.

Himari bit her lower lip. Her eyes felt hot all of a sudden. 

Besides, her heart also felt uncomfortable as if a part of it was clenched by an invisible hand.

"You silly."

Surprised, Kazuya abruptly lifted up his head when Himari suddenly pulled his neck to her. 

"Why must you apologize? Although I'm sad that you're worried about such things, you don't have to apologize."

Himari gently stroked Kazuya's damp hair. She let him rest his forehead at the crook of her neck. His warm breath brushed on her skin.

Sighing inwardly, Himari was glad because Kazuya didn't continue burying his worries just because he wanted to keep a strong front to her.

"...it seems like I didn't trust you by feeling that way," answered Kazuya in a hoarse voice, "And... I even think of marrying you right now just so... you can't leave me easily."

To him, the fear put a veil on what should he actually think and feel; of loving her more and treasuring her more.

"Sweetheart, you're too precious to me and... to that man too. He saw your brilliance before I did."

Kazuya knew too well that Jun still had feelings for Himari. Even after years of separation, that man was still longing for her.

Another bout of shame swept past Kazuya. He forced himself to not say anything anymore.

It was already shameful enough for him to appear weak like this in front of the one he loved.

If possible, he just wanted to show how strong he was.

But...

"...en?"

Kazuya looked up after he felt a kiss was dropped on his head. Because he suddenly tilted up his chin, the next kiss fell on his temple.

"...sweetheart?"

A soft chuckle escaped Himari's lips. 

Another kiss met Kazuya's face.

"I'm giving my honey kisses just so he knows that he's the special one to me."

Kazuya was speechless as Himari kept kissing his face; from his forehead, down to the tip of his nose then to his cheeks before her lips landed on his.

The bright glitters of the sun twinkled on the surface of the sea as the wind blew on the waves.

Himari cupped Kazuya's face after her lips leaving his. Fingers stroking his skin, she silently took in the caution and fear in his eyes.

There were times when this man of hers shedded off his confidence mask.

"Honey, don't invalidate what you feel, either it's joy or sadness. Don't ever let me or anyone else disregard your feelings."

Kazuya only felt that way because of the depth of his love to her.

This man loved her too much.

Happiness came along with fear.

The more you treasured someone, the more you were afraid of losing that person.