As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The fire camp was no longer burning, leaving only embers and ashes on the ground. It was a peaceful witching hour, a stark contrast to the turmoil of emotions that overcame both Kazuya and Himari earlier.

Inside the dimly lit tent, Kazuya carefully tucked Himari in the blanket before he slowly got up from the bed. His eyes gleamed satisfactorily at the sight of the ring on her finger.

She had accepted his proposal.

Although it came abruptly, she still accepted it.

Now, they continued moving forward.

Kazuya walked out of the tent. He went to sit at the wooden chair, eyes looking at the carpet of stars above his head.

The faint sound of crickets singing at night blanketed the camping area in peace. Lowly burned fire camp remained at some of the tents away from them.

Kazuya couldn't sleep thinking of what Himari had disclosed to him.

He didn't feel disgusted with her. Rather, he was angry at himself and at Fate.

If they met earlier...

But, it was no use to think of that.

Kazuya lightly shook his head, a sense of helplessness shrouded his heart and mind.

"...still, I can't believe that Mother helped her."

To Kazuya, the image of his mother was always a cold and unbothered woman. He won't ever associate a helping person with his mother. 

But, his mother went as far as to go saving Himari and accompanying her in the early days of her hospitalization. His estranged mother also compiled pieces of evidence to further help Himari.

Kazuya lowered his head, eyes blankly staring at his clasping hands.

He hadn't met his mother ever since the time he lashed out at her at the studio. Kazuya heard that his mother went abroad for work purposes. He remembered sneering when he thought that her words to be closer to the children as something hypocritical.

"I have to go and see her..."

That was what Kazuya had decided.

No matter how much he didn't want to face his own mother, Kazuya still wanted to relay his gratitude regarding his mother's continuous help to his lady.

His mother had even encouraged Himari to stop looking down at herself and try to find her own happiness.

Maybe... she really wanted to change.

And, maybe... this was the time he held out a hand toward her.

The next day, Himari and Kazuya left the camping ground at half-past ten in the morning. They couldn't stop smiling and laughing as they discussed further their next step.

Since it had come to this, the couple decided to go and register their marriage tomorrow. Kazuya was still on his days off. 

"Hahaha, don't you think that we've always been impulsive?" Himari laughed after listening to Kazuya saying they should have a grand wedding next.

"Nothing is impulsive when it's about you, sweetheart," Kazuya kissed the ring on her finger, "You don't know that whenever we're apart, I'm miserable."

"Oh~ So sweetly talking ah~"

Himari smiled softly, pink blush tinged her cheeks.

Her heart was really touched after Kazuya told her about him going to meet her mother.

Her mother had just gotten back from her vacation with Uncle Yoshiro. Kazuya straightaway went to see her once he landed in the country. 

He genuinely asked for her mother's blessings before proposing to her.

Himari secretly thought that she should call her mother and interrogate her once she returned to the city. 

The couple arrived at the villa at a quarter to one. With Aunt Mayu, the children and a feline witnessing it, Kazuya and Himari announced that both of them would get married tomorrow.

"Yayy! Aunt gets married to Uncle ah!" Chiharu jumped in joy.

"Aunt, Uncle, congrats," Izumi smiled happily.

"Mr. Hayashi and Teacher Kato, congratulations! This is such happy news!" Aunt Mayu clapped her hands.

"Meow, meow~" Chobi joined in the fun.

No one thought this was too sudden.

Himari and Kazuya went upstairs with their backpacks. While the former changed out of her clothes, the latter gathered a few things and got ready to go out again.

"You're going out already? Won't you rest first?" asked Himari while brushing her hair.

A smirk was drawn on Kazuya's lips. Instead of answering her, he claimed her lips first. The brush fell from Himari's hand.

"I have to go and prepare for tomorrow," said Kazuya while nibbling with Himari's lower lip, "I'm a husband-to-be ah, can't wrong my wife with a simple marriage occasion."

"Okay, okay... you go," Himari pushed on his chest.

Kazuya chuckled. He kissed her once again before he was barely satisfied.

Eyes glinting in mischief, Kazuya whispered, "We'll have dinner with the siblings, the twins and Aunt Mayu tomorrow night at a hotel. Then, we'll spend our wedding night there. Doesn't it mean my wait is almost over?"

"...yeah, yeah, go now."

Himari blushed furiously because she understood really well what this sneaky man was saying.

She still remembered him saying that he could refrain himself until their wedding night when they confessed each other's hearts at the beach before. 

Kazuya's laughter grew more mischievous. 

"Ah, but..." Himari trailed off, unsure if she should say it or not.

Kazuya raised his brows, smiling. His hands were still on her waist, "Does my wife-to-be has another suggestion?"

Himari smiled sheepishly.

"En, rather than the hotel... Why don't we go to your condominium?"

Somehow, she found it more personal if they spent their first night as a married couple there.

Kazuya's smile softened as if water dripping from his lips, "As you wish, my lady."

After the silly man left, Himari quickly searched for her phone. She immediately called her mother. The call was connected after two rings.

"Hey, my daughter~ What's up?"

Akemi sounded as cheerful and carefree as ever.

Himari smiled helplessly. She went straight to the point, "Mom, Kazuya said that he went to see you the other day?"

"Oh? He has proposed to you? That quick? Hahaha, that boy really couldn't wait to marry you!"

While Akemi was laughing happily, Himari walked to the balcony of the bedroom. She opened the door wide, letting the breeze brush inside.

The petals at the flower bed fluttered once the wind picked up. The tips of the green grass also swayed, sending its earthy scent to the tip of her nose.

As if the sun resonated with her heart, Himari secretly thought the giant ball of light looked even brighter than yesterday.

"Mom, we're going to register our marriage tomorrow but... don't you think it's too sudden and inappropriate?" Himari confessed her worries.

In a usual setting, the future married couple should set up a meeting with both families involved before they discussed when to tie the knot. 

But, Himari and Kazuya forwent the tradition and decided everything on their own, even though technically Himari had gotten Madam Tokioka's blessing and Kazuya also got it from Akemi.

"Well, your mom is your only elder so don't worry too much. Your Granny Saichi was there with me when Kazuya came the other day. She also said it's alright if you guys didn't follow the traditions. Just make sure to come back with him before the summer break ends."

Himari didn't know what to say about her mom's carefree attitude even in the matter of her daughter getting married.

"Mom, won't you come to the city tomorrow?"

Himari was hoping that her mother would be with her on the day she tied the knot with Kazuya.

"Haha, my soon-to-be son-in-law has arranged everything ah! I'd come to the city tomorrow!"

"Really?" Surprised, Himari asked again.

When did Kazuya arrange that?

"Haha, really," Akemi laughed before her tone changed into a low and soothing voice, "Himari, focus on your happiness."

Stunned, Himari blinked quietly.

"Don't overthink. It's enough if you feel that you want to spend the rest of your life with Kazuya. I believe that my daughter could see clearly who is worthy for her."

As usual, Akemi didn't put much pressure on her only daughter, it was the same when Himari was dating Jun years ago.

Despite Akemi's dislike toward Jun's parents, she still let Himari be together with the young man until her daughter had had enough.

Himari blinked her eyes that began welling with tears.

Geez, she had cried so much last night. Now, her mom's words made her tear up again.

"Mom, I'll be happy," said Himari firmly.

"Hehe, of course~" Akemi laughed in glee, "I've told Kazuya to quickly give me a grandchild. Chobi needs his younger brother or sister too! So, you have to work hard on that!"

"..."

Himari squinted her eyes. Heat spread from her cheeks down to her neck.

While Himari kept talking with Akemi on the phone, Kazuya had just reached the hospital. He didn't immediately get out of the car. Instead, he made a phone call to the housekeeper that was responsible to take care of his rarely-lived condominium.

He gave the middle-aged woman a few instructions before he was finally satisfied. 

Then, Kazuya immediately headed to his brother's room.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of his footsteps echoed faintly in the quiet corridor hallway. Kazuya felt both happy and anxious right now.

He was happy because he wanted to share the good news with his brother.

He was anxious because he would face his mother right after this.

"I have something to talk to you about. Where are you?"

"I'll go to your brother's hospital."

Kazuya just exchanged a simple sentence before his mother swiftly agreed to his request.

What would be the outcome of their meeting?