As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"Sweetheart!"

"...ah!"

Plop!

Kazuya suddenly appeared, hugged Himari from behind then pulled her down to lay on the bed. His joyful laughter sounded as if his heart was being tickled.

"When did you enter? I didn't hear you," asked Himari in bafflement. Her hands grasped Kazuya's right shoulder and left hand in a reflex.

Kazuya looked at his lady who lay beneath him, the depths of his eyes were twinkling, "You were the one who didn't notice me, sweetheart, hehe."

A smooch fell on Himari's cheek.

She could smell the scent of raspberry and mint coming from this man, the same scent as her shower gel. His lips were slightly cold, perhaps due to him taking a shower earlier.

Himari quietly returned her man's stare. She took in his happy appearance as if he was blessed by the happiness of the world.

"Honey..." Himari lifted up her head slightly, leaving a shallow kiss on Kazuya's lips, "I have something to tell you."

Kazuya kissed her back, "What is it?"

After giving her a deep kiss, Kazuya parted his lips from hers. He put one hand on her waist and the other on her shoulder, pulling Himari up to sit on the bed.

The moon in the sky was no longer concealed by the clouds. Its soft glow poured into the opening of the tent. What the couple saw was a breathtaking yet peaceful sight of a night at a hill.

The crackling of the fire camp blended in harmoniously with the sound of leaves brushing together and the whisper of the howling wind. The fairy lights that hang outside were giving off their twinkles, further brightening the surrounding. 

This place was so quiet and peaceful as if they were the only ones here.

Himari and Kazuya sat next to each other with a little distance between them, her small feet slightly touching his. 

Her man was still smiling as he waited for her to speak.

Himari unconsciously clenched her hands then forced her first words out of her mouth.

"Kazuya, the other day, your mother came to visit the villa, en?"

His happy expression cracked.

"Did she actually do something to you?"

A suppressed anger suddenly tinged his voice.

Kazuya remembered Izumi saying that Himari cried when she sat alone with his mother but, his nephew also informed him that Himari's mood brightened afterward.

"No, no, she didn't do anything bad at me," Himari quickly shook her head. She took both of Kazuya's hands and firmly stated, "Really, she didn't."

Kazuya pursed his lips, frowning.

"She really did not?" He asked again.

Himari gave him a resolute nod, "Yes, she did not. In fact, when she came, she was really good to me."

Dumbfounded, Kazuya's gaze turned blank.

That woman... treated Himari well?

Himari pursed her lips, thinking about how it was hard for Kazuya to not put any suspicions over his own mother.

How deep were the scars embedded into his heart due to Madam Tokioka's years of indifference?

No wonder Madam Tokioka said it would really be hard for her to win both of her sons' hearts back.

"...that's good, then."

Kazuya's voice sounded dumb when he finally opened his mouth.

Himari inwardly heaved a sigh. She let go of one of Kazuya's hands and put her palm on his face. He tilted his head, feeling the warmth that she offered.

"Honey, I'm saying this not because I want you to forget what your mother has done to you..." Himari cupped Kazuya's face, bringing them closer until the tips of their noses almost touched, "...but, I also can't deny that she's my savior."

"...what?"

She saw his eyes widen before more questions flashed in them.

"There's a story that I want to tell you, to let you know. Would you be willing to listen to it?" asked Himari softly.

Kazuya blinked, "...sweetheart?"

Somehow, an ominous feeling shrouded his heart from the way Himari was looking at him.

She appeared calm but, it was an eerie type of calm.

As if a storm would come soon.

Himari lowered her palm from Kazuya's face. She clasped her hands together.

Despite how loud her heart was beating as if a mallet was pounding within her, Himari's gaze remained clear.

"It's about three years ago. About how I lost my child and how your mother ended up being the one who saved me."

Once again Kazuya was taken aback.

His mother... got involved with Himari?

Kazuya's lips parted before he nodded dumbly.

"You may tell me. If you cry, I'll wipe your tears and hug you."

Kazuya didn't know why Himari mentioned his mother and whatever secret she kept from the world.

He had witnessed how broken she was when Himari first opened up to him. Kazuya understood this was not a decision that she made easily.

Lots of courage were mustered up before Himari brought this topic up.

And...

If she wanted him to listen, he would.

"Then, I'll rely on you, honey," Himari smiled. Her heart was touched by his words that were laced with his genuine concern toward her.

This was it. This was the time for him to know.

Himari's mind began to shred the layers that concealed the memory away from her. Little by little, the hideousness of the memory was fully displayed to her.

Three years ago, two months after Jun's departure.

No words could describe how bewildered Himari was the moment she received news that she was pregnant. The doctor who checked her condition congratulated her with a wide smile.

"You're gonna be blessed with a child!"

Himari spent the days after confirming the news in a state of doubt. She didn't know what should she do next.

Jun and she were no longer had a future together. Himari was extremely reluctant to beg Jun to come back to her after she was the one who initiated the breakup. 

Her heart was still longing for him but, she also knew their story had ended.

When Himari had started to accept the child in her womb and be prepared to share the news with her mother and Nanako, she was forced to meet someone unpleasant; Mrs. Fujihara, Jun's mother.

"I know the secret you're hiding. You'll regret it if you don't come to see me."

Mrs. Fujihara was as arrogant as ever when she rudely ended the call without waiting for Himari's response.

Having no other choice, Himari went to see the woman at a restaurant. It was obvious that the news of her pregnancy had reached the woman's ears somehow.

Himari had to admit that she was being foolish by not informing anyone of the meetup because later, danger befell her.

After the hours of school's extracurricular activities ended at six, Himari took a train to go to the city center. At that time, she had just been teaching at a public elementary school.

Himari hailed a cab once she walked out of the train station. The meeting place was just fifteen minutes walk from there, a distance that she usually could easily conquer.

Although Himari hadn't experienced terrible morning sicknesses, it was undeniable that her body would get tired easily these days.

"Baby, Mommy won't let anything happen to you."

Himari whispered the words while looking at the ultrasound photo in her hand. She had been carrying the small photo with her from the day her pregnancy was confirmed.

The tiny dot inside the black-and-white photo was her child.

Himari had built her resolve to raise the child even though the status of a single mother was still frowned upon by society.

Mrs. Fujihara ordered Himari to go to a private restaurant. The sun was slowly setting, scattering shades of ruby, purple and amber over the horizon.

Soon, the night would fall.

Himari introduced her name to the receptionist. A young man led her to the room that Mrs. Fujihara booked.

"...!"

"So... sorry!"

Himari bumped into someone at a hallway intersection of the restaurant.

"Madam, I'm sorry," Himari bowed her head, flustered, "I didn't see you coming, I'm really sorry."

"It's alright."

The woman's voice sounded indifferent. A black dress suit enveloped her slender body with her hair neatly coiled behind her head. She appeared to be around Mrs. Fujihara's age.

Himari smiled sheepishly at the woman, "I'm sorry again."

The male attendant also offered words of apology to the woman although he wasn't the one who collided with her. 

After bowing one last time to the woman in black, Himari continued following the male attendant. 

"Miss Kato, this is the room," The young man led Himari to the only dining table inside the room. He pulled out the chair and gestured at Himari to sit, "Mrs. Fujihara might be a bit late. Please make yourself comfortable inside."

"Thank you."

After the attendant left, Himari looked around the room. The faint sound of people walking outside slipped in through the tiny gap of the door.

Himari took a deep breath. She was preparing herself mentally to face the woman who had slapped her once before.

Trying to calm her tensed nerves, Himari reached a hand inside the bag, wanting to look at the photo once again.

Yet, she couldn't find it anywhere.

"...! Where is it?"

Himari's eyes widened. She rummaged inside her bag but, she couldn't find the ultrasound photo anywhere.

"I've just held it... Wait! Did it get lost when..."

Himari was unable to think further when the door was opened from the outside.

"Heh, aren't you an obedient wench? You came earlier than me."

Mrs. Fujihara's mocking gaze and words greeted Himari the moment the former entered the room.

Himari narrowed her eyes.. She unconsciously placed a palm over her lower abdomen.