As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Kazuya was generally quiet from the beginning Himari opened the shackle of her hidden past. The myriad of emotions that he felt was just displayed through his eyes and facial expression.

The more words flowed out of her mouth, the more uneasy and painful it was for him to hear her.

Only by listening to Himari's story twisted his gut. Kazuya didn't dare to think the depth of the hell that tormented her all this time.

Tremors racked his entire body. Hot tears streamed down his face. The frantic racing of his heart hurt him so much as if it would jump out of his chest.

Despite all he felt, Kazuya still held on Himari's hands gently.

There were times he wanted to beg her to stop, to stop opening up her old scars but the words only got stuck in his throat.

He had to respect her wishes.

How much courage did she have to summon up to do this?

In his shaking embrace, she continued. Both of her arms also wrapped around his waist, listening to the frenzied beating of his heart.

"...I know my worth but, I was truly afraid to be with anyone again. I always thought of myself as dirty... someone who shouldn't be with any man. I thought that way until... you came, Kazuya."

She was speaking the truth.

Himari tilted up her chin, her watery eyes staring at the man whose eyes were also red.

"I have to admit that... I was still afraid but, over time... you give me courage."

Lips smiling, Himari confessed her heart.

"Kazuya, I feel like I've been with you for the longest of time despite... we're just been together for a few months. My heart keeps telling me... over and over again that... no matter what I would tell you, no matter how dirty my past is, you would never resent me."

His eyes were always soft and gleamed with the love his heart held for her.

His touch was always reassuring, helping to keep her uncertainties and nightmares at bay.

His words were always soothing, comforting her wounded soul.

"How could I resent you when... other people who wrong you?" Kazuya choked. In the next second, his eyes glowered ferociously, "What about the bastards? Did they get bailed out after that?"

His tone was so dangerously low as he was reminded of the scums who harmed her.

"...I didn't press any charges, I was scared..." admitted Himari shamefully, "But, their records at that time were enough to put them behind bars. And... I don't know why they didn't say anything about that woman's involvement with them..."

"Heh, she must play some tricks," Kazuya sneered, eyes glinting viciously, "If she's that evil, the scums won't have an easy time in prison. It's better if they didn't run their mouths off."

Himari shuddered to hear that. 

It was a possibility.

"Kazuya..." More tears trickled down her face, glistening under the orange lights of the tent, "I am in love with you, I hope for the entirety."

Future was a mystery to her. Their love might fade over time but, at this moment, she was being truthful with herself.

Himari saw Kazuya's jaw kept twitching, so did his lips. 

This was the first time she had ever seen him like this.

"Himari, my sweetheart..." Kazuya finally opened his mouth, voice cracking, "...you're forever my sweetheart..."

Kazuya pressed Himari's head against his chest. His cheek brushed against her hair. Both of his arms kept a tight hold around her body.

His lady was so small, so delicate in his eyes.

Yet, she bore a heart as strong as steel, as beautiful as a diamond.

"Thank you... thank you for trusting me... and, sorry for... unable to be with you from... the beginning of your misery..."

Kazuya dropped light kisses on Himari's head before his lips traced on her face. 

He kissed her wet eyelashes, trying everything he could think to comfort her.

"Sweetheart... from now on, you can rely on me... for everything..."

He would be her shield against the nastiness of the world.

Another wave of emotions swept Himari's heart. She pushed her silly crying man, both of them fell on the bed.

Climbing on top of him, Himari cupped Kazuya's face and gave him a tender kiss. The man's wide palm secured the back of her head, imploring deeper inside her little mouth.

Himari was almost breathless by the time Kazuya reluctantly parted their lips. She was now lying on her back, being pressed on the soft mattress by him.

Kazuya kept kissing her wet cheeks, his sturdy body towering over Himari. The last thread of his patience and sanity almost snapped when her soft palms roamed under his shirt.

No, this was not the right time.

He had to make the moment memorable and special to them.

Kazuya pulled his lips away from Himari's face, lying on top of her. His forehead was pressed in the crook of her neck. His ears caught the rapid beating of her heart.

"Sweetheart, do you want to bury everything away?"

His voice was a whisper echoing inside the spacious tent.

Cheeks flushed red, Himari hummed softly. Her fingers played with the silky strands of her man's hair, they were so soft to the touch.

"If possible... I don't want Mom or Nanako to know..."

"Then, let's do that."

Whatever she wished for, he would grant it.

After making sure Himari's emotions had calmed down, Kazuya gently pulled her up. He wiped her swollen eyes and flushed face with a damp towel before she did the same to him.

"Sweetheart, do you remember that I said I have something for you?" asked Kazuya. He put away the towel.

"Ah, yes..." Himari nodded, eyes hazy.

He indeed said that before he went to shower earlier.

Kazuya gave her a mysterious smile. He got off the bed and walked to where his bag was placed. Kazuya opened the secret compartment of the backpack then brought something out.

Himari watched him in confusion and intrigued. She had forgotten how messy her mind was a moment before.

Kazuya returned to his lady, eyes looking at Himari who sat on the edge of the bed. 

His smile deepened at the sight of Himari's eyes widened in surprise because of his next action, her pretty little lips parted.

Kazuya kneeled in front of Himari, palms offering up the little velvet box with a sparkly ring sitting in the center.

"Kato Himari, are you willing to forever be my sweetheart? To share a home with me? To let me be with you in joy and sorrow?"

The ring was just a simple one, but its stone's gleaming was enough to ensnare Himari's heart.

"...Kazuya, you... are you serious?"

Himari's eyes kept widening, both hands covered her gasping mouth.

Kazuya's smile turned stiff for a second before he quickly regained his composure.

"Himari, I know that this might not be the best proposal but... after everything, I just want to be with you," answered Kazuya softly, the pounding of his heart intensified. 

At first, Kazuya planned to drop the hints to Himari to further see her reaction.

He wanted to lie on the bed with her in his arms, verbally mapping out their future together before he brought out the ring.

Yet, after she opened up everything to him, Kazuya could no longer act calm.

There was a new fear sprouted within him. 

He was afraid that he would lose her if he didn't come clean with his intention.

"I don't need... a grand proposal..."

Himari hiccuped. Her face that had just been cleaned was now damp with fresh tears.

"So, what is your answer, sweetheart?" asked Kazuya smilingly.

Once again, Kazuya's eyes reddened as he watched Himari's tears of happiness.

Gosh, he was really a crybaby tonight even when he was the one who proposed to her.

"I do! I do, I do!"

Himari pounced on Kazuya, arms encircling his neck. He quickly caught her waist.

Both of them fell on the carpeted floor, the ring box got tossed to the ground.

"I do, honey... I really do..."

She wanted to marry him.

She wanted to build her own little family with him.

The man's chuckle echoed above her head. Himari could feel the vibration of his chest as Kazuya kept laughing.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Kazuya brushed his lips against her temple, "Aye, I really feel like bringing you to register our marriage tomorrow. Fortunately, I have gotten your mom's blessings. She doesn't mind if we got married straight away."

"Ah, what did you say?"

Himari tilted up her head, blinking her eyes with questions popping on her head.

Why did he mention her mom?

"Hahaha, I didn't have any problem with my business trip," admitted Kazuya while laughing happily, "I returned as scheduled but, I went to meet your mom first, to ask for her blessings before I proposed to you."

"What?!"

Mouth gaped open, Himari stared at the laughing Kazuya incredulously.

Did he really go to see her mom without her knowledge?

Since when did this man plan that?

Seriously?!