As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Two days passed peacefully, as peaceful as Himari's mood.

Kazuya was supposed to arrive around sunset so Himari was all-out busy cleaning the villa. She didn't stop even when Aunt Mayu and Izumi told her to not overexert herself. 

The housekeeper returned from her short vacation yesterday. Aunt Mayu was all smiles because she was able to spend some time with her elderly mother.

"Teacher Kato, you'd only get so tired when Mr. Hayashi returns," said Aunt Mayu who was helplessly looking at Himari.

The young teacher was dusting the bookshelf of her employer's bedroom.

"It's not like I do this every day," Himari grinned.

Because Himari forbade Aunt Mayu from helping her, there was nothing the housekeeper can do. The future lady of the house only let Aunt Mayu do her usual chores that didn't involve many hard works.

Yesterday, Himari aired out the rooms of the villa and even changed the beddings and blankets to new ones. Izumi and Chiharu insisted to help so she gave them lighter tasks.

The siblings were also happy to welcome their uncle home.

As for Chobi?

The orange tabby acted as the little yet lazy supervisor. 

"Finally, everything has been settled~"

After dusting, vacuuming, mopping and rearranging the items in Kazuya's bedroom to appear more presentable, Himari could finally sigh in bliss. She also tidied the yard, the study and the hallways.

Now, her whole body was aching.

Himari headed to the kitchen. She planned to take a shower afterward.

"Mr. Hayashi would be really pleased with how meticulously you prepare to welcome him home," Aunt Mayu smiled gently. She handed a glass of cold barley tea to Himari, "Teacher Kato, you should take a break first."

The time right now was at half-past two o'clock. When Himari contacted Kazuya last night, he said his flight should touch down around six.

"Hehe~ I should give him another good impression of me, right? Once he gets more ensnared by me, I could be lazy then," answered Himari with a laugh.

Aunt Mayu chuckled, "Yes, yes. We women shouldn't let men think that we would do everything for them. Once in a while is fine ah. If not, they would get so cocky."

The two ladies laughed together.

Himari didn't eat much for lunch. She didn't have the appetite to do so because of how exhausted she was.

"Please wake me up at five. Aunt wanna prepare the ingredients for tonight's dinner," Himari reminded Izumi and Chiharu who were playing with a board game, "Since your uncle comes back today, let's have a feast for dinner, okay?"

"Okay, Aunt," Izumi nodded, "Hehe, Uncle would be happy."

"So many delicious foods tonight! Yum!" Chiharu giggled.

"Meow~" Chobi chimed in, agreeing with Chiharu.

Himari laughed seeing their adorable reactions. 

Once she got inside Kazuya's room, Himari rushed to take a shower. After changing into a clean cotton home dress, she immediately lay down on the bed, one hand reaching out for Kazuya's pillow before she hugged it.

"Come back soon ah," Himari yawned, "I miss my cuddling bolster."

It never occurred to Himari that she would really miss a certain someone's presence so much especially when nighttime arrived.

He wasn't here to give her a comforting hug when sleeping.

On a peaceful summer afternoon, Himari slept deeply. Any noise was blocked out by the tightly shut door. Only the sound of her steady breathing echoed in the bedroom.

"...Big Brother! The gate opens!"

Downstairs, Chiharu exclaimed while looking out of the windows. She was intently staring at the front yard.

"What? Who opens it?" Izumi was confused.

The main gate could either be opened if they pressed a switch from the home intercom or if someone used a controller from the outside.

"Wait! Is that Uncle?" Izumi gasped.

"It is! It is!" Chiharu laughed happily.

The commotion attracted Aunt Mayu's attention. She walked out of the kitchen, "Did you say your uncle has returned?"

"Yes! Granny Mayu, open the door quick!" 

Chiharu ran to the entryway. She was giddy with excitement.

Aunt Mayu glanced at the wall clock, "Eh... But it's only 3:45."

How did Mr. Hayashi come back a few hours earlier than scheduled? His flight wasn't supposed to land already.

Soon, an exhausted yet happy Kazuya entered the villa. He was greeted with a dumpling pouncing on him.

"Hey! You'll fall ah!" Kazuya quickly caught the soft dumpling. He carried her in his arms.

"Hehehe~ Uncle, welcome home! Mua~" Chiharu planted a kiss on Kazuya's cheek.

"Welcome home, Uncle," Izumi smiled.

"Welcome home, Mr. Hayashi," Aunt Mayu came closer to the entryway, "We didn't expect that you'd arrive at this time."

"It was a surprise," replied Kazuya.

His eyes darted around but he didn't see the one he was dearly missing.

"Teacher Kato is sleeping. She has been working since yesterday to make sure everything in the villa is neat before you returned."

Understanding the meaning of Kazuya's gaze, Aunt Mayu quickly reported.

"What?" Kazuya blinked.

"Uncle, Aunt did so many house chores ah! She even cleaned the yard. Aunt also said to cook so many delicious foods for Uncle tonight!"

The talkative dumpling joined Aunt Mayu.

Kazuya stared back at Aunt Mayu. The housekeeper smiled and began to recount what Himari had been doing since yesterday. 

"Aunt also said to wake her up at five. She wanna start cooking for the dinner feast," Izumi told Kazuya after Aunt Mayu finished talking.

A helpless yet doting look appeared on Kazuya's face after he heard everything.

"Be quiet," Kazuya put Chiharu down from his arms, "Let your aunt sleep, okay? We don't have to wake her up."

All three of them nodded.

Kazuya went upstairs. He was so eager to see his lady.

The duration of nine days felt so long for him. It felt as if he didn't meet her for tens of years.

Once Kazuya reached his room, he quietly opened the door. His eyes softened at the sight of Himari sleeping on the bed.

She was lying on her side, curling up like a baby with his pillow in her arms. Her long hair was scattered on the bedsheet, creating a contrast against the white bedding.

Kazuya carefully sat on the edge of the bed. He leaned over, his eyes were fondly staring at his lady's sleeping face.

"Sweetheart, I'm home. I missed you so much yet you're sleeping?"

Kazuya laughed faintly as he whispered. A kiss was dropped on Himari's head.

Kazuya didn't stay long in the room. He immediately took a shower, changed into a set of clean clothes and headed downstairs. He let Himari continue sleeping after properly tucking her under the blanket.

"Aunt Mayu, do you know what Himari wanna cook tonight?"

Kazuya asked the housekeeper right after he entered the kitchen.

"Well, Teacher Kato has written a list. Let's see..."

Aunt Mayu took a small piece of paper that was posted on the wooden board above the kitchen cabinet. 

"Miso-glazed eggplant, seaweed soup, cucumber and carrot salad, croquette, honey-soy sauce chicken, beef teriyaki, ginger beef and fish cutlet. Ah, aside from these, Teacher Kato made salted caramel panna cotta this morning. She said it's for dessert."

Kazuya smiled in helplessness.

Tonight's dinner was indeed a feast.

"Can you help me, Aunt Mayu?" Kazuya wore an apron. He tied a knot behind his back, "I've made some of those dishes before."

His lady had worked so hard during the time he was not here. Kazuya wanted to surprise Himari with warm home-cooked meals after she had a good and well-deserved nap.

Hehe, she was the one who wanted to surprise him with a feast. Let him do that instead ah.

Listening to that, Aunt Mayu smiled, "Gladly, sir."

Thus, Kazuya and Aunt Mayu worked together in the kitchen. They prepared the ingredients and condiments first. Because they were a lot, both of them took quite a long time before they were able to start cooking.

Later, the kitchen was surrounded by delicious scents of various types of foods. The sound of chopping, stirring and oil sizzling filled the area.

At the same time, the two siblings also offered to help.

Izumi and Chiharu set up the plates and cutleries on the dining table. What was heavy to the dumpling was handled by her reliable big brother.

"Then, I'll go home first, Mr. Hayashi," said Aunt Mayu after she took off her apron.

"Aunt Mayu, please, stay for dinner," Kazuya put the ladle back inside the soup pot, "We have cooked lots. You should at least have dinner with us."

"Spend tonight with your family, Mr. Hayashi," Aunt Mayu politely declined, eyes and lips smiling softly, "Honestly, I'm happy to see the changes in your life now."

Aunt Mayu was speaking from the heart.

Although she was just employed by Kazuya to take care of the house, Aunt Mayu had grown closer with the young man and the children.

Kazuya let out a chuckle. He looked happier.

"En, I'm grateful for the changes."

Life was more enjoyable and meaningful to him right now.

Before Aunt Mayu left, Kazuya asked her for a favor. The kindhearted housekeeper agreed to his request without saying much. 

"Thank you, Aunt Mayu. I'll rely on your help then," said Kazuya when he saw Aunt Mayu off to the door.

"Hehe, it's nothing, Mr. Hayashi. I'd be more than glad to help. Well, I'll go home first. See you tomorrow."

"En, be careful on your way back."

All of the foods were already served on the table. Chiharu was practically drooling as she kept her eyes on the delicious scented and appealing dishes. 

Glancing at the clock, Kazuya's smile deepened.

"Time to wake up the Sleeping Beauty."

With springs in his steps, Kazuya went upstairs.