As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

From the moment Madam Tokioka entered the villa until she was led to the lounge, Himari felt as if her heart was caving in inside her body, leaving her with shock, fear and discomfort. 

She didn't know how did she manage to fake a calm facade.

"Madam, please enjoy the tea."

Himari brewed a pot of tea for the unexpected guest.  Her hands shook when she wanted to put down a teacup on the coffee table. Its content almost spilled.

"I'm sorry for coming here unannounced," said Madam Tokioka with no obvious emotions in her eyes.

She was sitting on the couch with Chiharu clinging to her. Izumi sat on the opposite couch. His hands were stroking Chobi who sat on his lap. 

"It's nothing, madam. Chiharu has been missing you," answered Himari while forcing a smile. She clenched both of her hands, trying to stop the tremor. 

"Yes, ah~ Grandma no come to see Chiharu and Big Brother for a long, long time," whined the dumpling.

Although Chiharu was happy to finally be able to see her grandmother, she was still aggrieved.

"Grandmother is at fault. I was too busy," Madam Tokioka focused on the pouting little dumpling, "I'll come to see you often after this."

"Promise?" Chiharu's ears perked up.

Madam Tokioka nodded, "Yes, I promise."

Himari sat alone on the other couch. No matter how surprised she was due to this revelation, she still quietly watched how Madam Tokioka interacted with the siblings.

The middle-aged lady didn't talk much but, she would still reply to Chiharu. It was evident that while Chiharu had a good relationship with the madam, Izumi was in the opposite.

"Miss Kato."

"Ye... yes?"

Flustered, Himari straightened her back.

Madam Tokioka looked at Himari for a second before her eyes fell on both of her grandchildren, "I need to talk to your aunt. Izumi, bring Chiharu upstairs. It's a matter between adults."

"...understood, Grandmother."

Izumi was hesitant but he still followed his grandmother's words. He held Chiharu's hand before they walked to the staircase.

To hear their rigid grandmother calling Teacher Kato as their aunt made Izumi thought nothing bad would happen.

After the sound of the children's feet faded completely, the silence in the lounge was suffocating to Himari. She felt as if a pair of hands were strangling her until it was hard to breathe.

"Miss Kato, you don't have to look so wary of me," Madam Tokioka lowered her eyes to the teacup. A faint hint of a smile graced her face, "I think we have lots to talk about. Why don't you show me the backyard? The summer flowers are blooming."

"...yes, Madam Tokioka," Himari nodded, her face was still tensed, "Please, follow me."

Himari brought Madam Tokioka to the backyard as requested by the latter.

The wind picked up, sending away the heat of the sun. The flower petals and the tips of the grass fluttered as the breeze brushed past them.

While they were walking in silence, countless questions entangled in Himari's head. She didn't stop clenching her hands together.

"There's a tent and a hammock here."

Madam Tokioka stopped not far from the tree where the tent and the hammock were set up.

"Kazuya put them up before summer started," replied Himari quietly.

The middle-aged lady glanced behind her shoulders, staring at the young lady's pale face.

"Shall we sit down?"

Himari only nodded.

Both of them sat in the pavilion not far from the tree.

"It's not my intention to shock you like this, Miss Kato," Madam Tokioka opened her mouth, her gaze was calm, "To be honest, I've already known that you have been with my son for a few months already."

Once again, Himari got flustered.

"Since when did you know? That time... when we met at the hospital..."

Her words trailed off as Himari was pressured by her own fear.

This madam had known about it for months yet, she only showed up now?

To Himari's unfinished words, Madam Tokioka nodded, "Yes."

"So, that's why you said..." Himari's pupils trembled.

"I said that we should be able to meet again soon."

Himari pursed her lips. She didn't notice how ghastly pale her face was. 

So many questions, so many what-ifs were blaring inside her mind. 

Lips trembling, Himari forced herself to speak.

"Then... do you come today to... to ask me to... leave him?"

The more Himari spoke, the quieter and anxious her voice was. It was even so difficult to finish her question. 

"Why do you think so?" Madam Tokioka asked her back.

Baffled by how calm the lady was, Himari blinked her eyes a few times.

She didn't know what else should she say in this kind of situation. No matter how many questions surged up within her, she was unable to verbally let them out.

Himari ashamedly admit that she was horrified by whatever this middle-aged lady wanted to say to her.

Madam Tokioka was her savior.

It was an undeniable fact and Himari was forever grateful to the lady. She even thought to do everything she could if one day, her benefactor wanted something from her.

But...

If Madam Tokioka demanded her to leave Kazuya, could she bear to do so?

This time, it was different from when she left Jun.

Himari chose to break up with him after countless considerations and disappointment. 

With Kazuya...

Hot tears brimmed around her eyes, waiting to fall down.

It dawned on Himari that she was inexplicably frightened at the thought of living her future days without him anymore.

Himari abruptly lowered her head to bow, both hands clenched together.

"Madam Tokioka, please... I beg you. Please don't ask me to leave Kazuya. I'm indebted to you but... I can't leave him... please..."

There were so many words Himari wanted to voice out to Madam Tokioka, to show how earnest her feelings for Kazuya were yet, her mind almost blanked out.

Himari didn't know what was wrong with her life nowadays.

Not only Jun was exposed to the fact that she almost got violated but, now she had to accept that her savior was Kazuya's estranged mother.

Was there a mother who could accept such a dirty woman as her daughter-in-law?

"Child, dry your tears."

"...huh?"

Perplexed by the sudden sensation under her right eye, Himari lifted up her chin only to see Madam Tokioka was already standing beside her.

"Do you think so because I thought you're not worthy for my son?"

Even though Madam Tokioka's question sounded unpleasant, Himari dumbly nodded her head.

Madam Tokioka heaved a soft sigh. She sat down next to Himari.

"Who am I to dictate about my son's companion? He is free to choose whoever he treasures because he himself knows the best for his life."

A hint of melancholy tinged the middle-aged lady's voice, bringing together with it her regret.

Himari sniffled, "...Madam, you already knew that... that year... I almost..."

"Even if those scums managed to get their way with you, it's not a reason for me or anyone else to separate you from Kazuya," said Madam Tokioka firmly, "What happened that night is never your fault. Instead, you're the one who's suffering until now."

Himari's lips parted slightly yet nothing came out as a reply.

Madam Tokioka threw her gaze to the bright blue sky, eyes squinting due to the harsh sunlight.

"Miss Kato, it was true that I was surprised to know that you're connected to my son. But, it's nothing more than feeling shocked. I suppose you already know that my relationship with Kazuya is bad, right?"

Himari just answered with a faint hum. She quietly dried the remnants of her tears.

"I am not a good mother, so does my husband who is never a good father to Kazuya and Hiroki. Yet, I am happy to see that finally, my youngest son has someone he can lean on and be happy with."

The howling of the wind rustled the leaves. The backyard of the villa was enshrouded in peace.

"It might be already too late for me to act as a mother to him but, I don't plan to give up. So, you..."

Madam Tokioka placed her gaze on Himari.

This time, her lips curled up gracefully, showing a beautiful smile on a face that had always appeared frosty.

"Don't give up on your happiness as well. Do what you think is right."

"Madam Tokioka..."

"Miss Kato, I understood that even though you're already in a relationship with my son, you're still traumatized by what happened that night. Either you be truthful with him or want to keep the secrets forever, do what would lighten the burden in your heart."

Madam Tokioka was speaking from her heart. Never did she intend to ruin her son's blissful life because the other person tried to taint the one he held dear in his heart.

"...thank you, madam."

Choking up, Himari cried again, her shoulders shook.

The pent-up stress that weighed her down since Jun appeared a few days ago broke out into furious tears. 

When Himari was troubled and frightened by what would happen after the exposure, her savior once again pulled her up from the abyss.

"Just cry if you want, child," Madam Tokioka softened her voice, "Next, you should smile to the world."

Himari nodded and cried at the same time. She was comforted by the warm hand that was stroking her back. 

Yes...

She should not let her tormentors be happy.

Himari's eyes were swollen when she sent Madam Tokioka off a few hours later. Chiharu and Izumi worriedly looked at her.

"Aunt got some dust into my eyes," Himari made an excuse.

Madam Tokioka didn't expose her lie. She glanced at the two children, feeling a weight was lifted off from her heart.

"Himari."

Himari smiled at the change of address, "Yes, Madam Tokioka?"

The same smile was arched on the middle-aged lady's face.

"I entrust my son and grandchildren to you and I hope when we meet again next time, you would either call me 'Aunt' or 'Mother'."

A blush spread on Himari's face. The children got surprised.

With that, Madam Tokioka smiled again and entered the car, leaving the three of them speechless.

Inside the car, she directed the chauffeur, "Go to the hospital."

It was time to see her eldest son.