As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The family of four arrived at the sunflower field around eleven o'clock. The field was situated at a hill, allowing the visitors to take in a breathtaking spot and enjoy the cool breeze.

"It's truly like a palette!" exclaimed Himari in awe. She couldn't stop looking out from the windows.

"This place is not called the Hill of Palette1 for nothing," answered Kazuya with a chuckle.

The green gentle slopes of the hill blended in harmoniously with the azure sky and bright yellow sunflower field that stretched out beyond one's eyes. 

"We should rest a bit before going to the field," Kazuya slowed down the car once they reached the inn they would be staying in, "Remember to wear your hats. The temperature is cooler than in the city but, the sun is still blazing."

"Okay~"

Three voices collectively made the sound before they burst into giggles.

Kazuya could only smile helplessly.

The traditional inn wasn't brimming with visitors yet. Kazuya went to the counter while Himari stayed with the children in the lobby. 

"Can we lie on the sunflower field?" Chiharu's eyes were twinkling.

"If you want, choose the open ground," Himari laughed at the sight of the joyful dumpling, "Don't pick the flowers, en? We can't do that."

"The sunflowers go ouchie? Get hurts?" Chiharu asked again.

"Yes. They would get hurt," Himari just nodded.

Today, Himari and Chiharu wore a dress each, the hem fluttered above their knees.

Little sunflowers were embroidered on Himari's halter strap white dress. She tied a ribbon at the front side of her waist, letting the dress outline her upper body while the skirt swayed gently following her movements. 

Chiharu's denim blue sleeveless shirt was plain except for sunflower buttons that lined vertically below the round neckline. The shirt was paired with a sunflower printed white skirt. Two bright yellow ribbons tied her hair into twin ponytails. 

They simply resembled a pair of mother and daughter.

"Let's go. Our room is on the second floor," Kazuya returned not long after together with an inn staff wearing a yukata.

"Okay~"

The room was spacious enough for the four of them. Since it was a traditional inn, they would sleep on a futon instead of a bed. 

"The staff said there's quite a selection of restaurants at the field. Should we have lunch there first?" Kazuya spoke to Himari right after he closed the sliding door of the room.

"It's already 11:30 AM," Himari glanced at her wristwatch, "Sounds good. The children didn't eat much on the train."

They had a simple breakfast before rushing to the train station. In the two hours ride of the bullet train, Himari and Kazuya just drank water while Chiharu and Izumi had some light food.

Kazuya narrowed his eyes, "I think you just referred to Izumi instead of both of them."

As he recalled the amount of food that Chiharu ate, he got skeptical. 

"Chiharu's hungry ah! Have to eat lunch!" The dumpling bit her uncle's leg in dissatisfaction.

"Oh, I'm scared~ Chiharu bites Uncle's leg," Kazuya smirked.

Chiharu harrumphed. She ran to her aunt, seeking comfort.

It was better than dealing with her uncle ah!

The sunflower field was just ten minutes walk from the inn thus Kazuya suggested they just walk instead of riding the car. Himari and Chiharu wore straw hats with sunflowers.

"You two really take this trip seriously," Kazuya teased them.

"You have to take lots of photos of us, okay?" Himari asked cheekily.

On this Monday, Kazuya would go on a business trip abroad. The trip might take a week. It was the reason he suggested they come to this sunflower field. 

Kazuya wanted to spend more valuable and memorable time with Himari and the siblings before he went overseas. 

Halfway there, Kazuya carried Chiharu. They looked at the directory board before heading to the lane where restaurants and cafes were set up.

Families and friends flocked around the entire field. Thousands of sunflowers greeted the visitors, their yellow petals and green leaves waving at them as the breeze blew past the flowers. 

"It's not bad here. I mean, it's good that it's not overly crowded," Himari made a comment.

They were waiting for their orders to come. The restaurant that they chose had a proper air-conditioning system. A gust of cold wind welcomed the new patrons that opened the door of the restaurant.

"We can enter the lanes of the flower field. Just make sure to not pluck the flowers. Do you understand, Chiharu?"

Kazuya purposely looked at the dumpling whose legs didn't stop swaying under the table. If not because she was hungry, Kazuya doubted Chiharu would sit still without trying to drag them to the field immediately.

"Chiharu knows, Aunt has told Chiharu."

The dumpling was annoyed. 

Uncle always found opportunities to make fun of her.

So bad oh!

After lunch, all four of them left the restaurant without wasting any more time. 

Among the sunflowers, they found swing benches, hearts made of sunflowers for photography sessions, mini windmills that were the height of a human, places to play blowing soap bubbles and many other attractions.

Chiharu and Izumi were having fun, especially the little dumpling. She laughed and posed next to a sunflower that was taller than her. After a few photos, Chiharu dragged Izumi to blow bubbles with her next.

Himari was attracted to the bright yellow sunflowers. They really represented summer. Just looking at them uplifted her mood.

"Sweetheart."

"En?" Himari turned around.

Kacha.

Kazuya was smiling behind the camera. The lens was focused on Himari who stood in front of him.

"Ah! I wasn't prepared," Himari ran closer to Kazuya.

"Hehe, you're already pretty," Kazuya dropped a light kiss on her forehead.

Himari blushed.

This man had always been random. He was so true to his words when he said he loved kissing her anytime he wanted, no matter which part of her face.

The photo captured Himari looking sideways, Her gaze was unfocused, her long hair was tousled by the wind. 

"We should take photos of ourselves. We can print them out later," Kazuya sounded satisfied as he stared at the photo, "Wait here. I'll ask for someone's help."

Kazuya strode to a nearby couple without waiting for Himari's reply. He returned shortly after with a young man.

The couple stood in front of the sunflowers, hands around each other's waist. After that, the man helped them to take photos of Himari, Kazuya and the two children.

"Thank you so much," Kazuya retrieved the camera from the young man.

"Your family looks so adorable," The man laughed pleasantly, "My wife is pregnant now. We hope to bring the baby with us next year."

The young lady beside the man smiled. Her bump wasn't too apparent under her loose dress except if one took a closer look. Sunlight was reflected on her wedding ring.

"Well, it'd definitely be a good memory," Himari returned the woman's smile, "I wish you have a safe delivery."

"Thank you," The woman rubbed her belly, "Hehe, it'd take four more months."

The couple left soon after. Himari's gaze was still on the young lady. Her thoughts were indiscernible. 

"Sweetheart."

The whisper brought Himari out of her trance.

"Ah, it's nothing. It's not because of the baby," said Himari the moment she saw concern in her man's eyes. Lips smiling, she looked up at him, "I just thought that... what if one day, we're like them?"

Coming here as husband and wife then, coming here with their own child.

It might be too early for her to think of that but Himari was unable to resist what her heart desired.

At first, her feelings for him grew without her realizing it. Once she noticed the extent of her love for him, she didn't hesitate to picture their future days together.

His constant reassurance helped to dispel her fear, bit by bit.

Kazuya softened his smile. He held her hand firmly, pressing the center of her palm.

"The day will come."

Himari smiled.

Kazuya's heart skipped a beat. Flustered, he pressed his lips shut.

Her smile was more radiant than all the sunflowers combined. 

A thought crossed his mind at the moment, a yearning to make her happier.

"Uncle, Uncle, what's that?"

Chiharu came pouncing on Kazuya's legs thus instantly shattering his thoughts.

"En, where?"

Chiharu's attention got picked up by the scarecrows that had sunflower heads. Several children gathered around the scarecrows. All of them might get interested in the scarecrows like Chiharu.

"They are scarecrows. They help to..."

The four of them toured the lanes of the field. Kazuya bought them cold drinks after they got out from the field. They sat on a long bench, a tree shielding them from the sun.

"When I'm away, you can call Shuichi or Taichi if you need help. If you don't want to use my car, you can use the smaller one. Aunt Mayu can stay the nights if you want it."

While the siblings were still focused on looking at the field, Kazuya was tipping advice to Himari. 

"There's no need for Aunt Mayu to stay. I can handle everything, please don't worry," Himari was touched because she understood her man was just concerned about her.

Kazuya heaved a sigh, lips smiling softly.

"I'll try to return earlier."

No matter what, it wasn't easy for him to shake off his worries.

"Don't rush anything. Take your time. It should be a hard task if you need to be abroad for a week," Himari shook her head.

The other day, she shared a conversation with Shuichi when the man came to the villa. Shuichi let out a few pieces of information about Kazuya's upcoming business trip.

Her man should be able to work with peace of mind. She and the children would wait for him to come home safely.