As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Himari resisted the urge to rub her temple in the face of this unexpected situation.

Never did she anticipate being disturbed by this kind of event the moment she returned home.

Akemi worriedly looked at her daughter. She knew it was her fault for being soft-hearted when seeing the young man looking so restless outside her yard this morning. Now, her daughter had to confront the man that she used to love.

But, since it had come to this, she could only support her daughter while Himari made her stance clear once again.

Himari took a long breath to stabilize her feelings.

Before, it didn't feel weird for her to see Jun in her childhood home. Ever since Himari brought him to be introduced to her mother after graduated from high school, Jun would always make time to come here to visit whenever he could.

But, now, his appearance here only made her uncomfortable.

Himari blinked. Then, with a calm voice, she directly spoke to Jun.

"Jun, I'm not playing hard to get with you. I really, really don't want to return to you."

It was clear to Himari that Jun wanted them to return to how they were before but, she did not want that.

Her continuous rejection would only hurt his feelings but, it was better than she gave him false hopes or vague answers.

"You are still mad with me, Himari," Jun replied stubbornly with his eyes never leaving her face, "I have just returned. It's understandable that you are still carried away by your disappointment toward me and my mother before."

Himari suppressed the impulse to sigh.

How could he not understand her?

Or, rather, how could he choose to not take her words seriously?

"Jun, it's better you go now."

Akemi's clear voice spilled in the hallway, drifting into both Himari and Jun's ears.

Himari turned to look at her mother while Jun shifted his attention to the middle-aged woman.

Akemi pursed her lips, opened them and spoke once again, "Aunt knows you are a good man but, my daughter doesn't want to be involved with you again. Even though you promise to not let her suffer once more, Aunt couldn't allow that."

Eight years ago, when Akemi first heard about her daughter's first love, she didn't object to it as long as Himari could take care of herself.

Even when she caught the signs of Himari being mistreated by Jun's parents, Akemi didn't force her to leave him because she respected her daughter's decision to not give up easily.

But, now, because Himari herself was clear in forgetting her first love, as a mother, she would stand by her daughter's side.

Jun was exasperated to hear Akemi's words but he could only softly persuade her, "Aunt, back then, I was immature. I couldn't even support myself. Now, I'm back with a stronger resolve. I want to make amends for Himari while showing that I am more serious this time."

Her mother was Himari's only close relative and both of them had a good familial relationship. If he managed to show to Himari's mother how determine he was, he might win her favor thus smoothening his journey to get to Himari again.

But, Jun's dreams shattered in the next instant.

Akemi was still firm in her belief as she replied to him.

"Jun, Aunt understood you were stuck in between your parents and Himari because you were too young before but, even though now you have a good career and are financially independent, you are still related to them and have to pay respects to them."

Akemi's words struck a chord in his heart. Jun opened his mouth in desperation, wanting to counter her words, "Aunt, I..."

"I haven't finished talking, so listen," Akemi quickly cut him off, making Jun speechless.

"Even if you two get married, Aunt believes that your mother won't allow Himari to enter your family. At that time, she would have to deal with your mother's contempt and insults again. I'd rather my daughter to have indifferent parents-in-law than having the ones who would openly find her faults all the time."

Akemi wasn't too ignorant of the world. She understood no one could have a perfect relationship in this world.

If the married couple was in a good relationship, they might not have a good one with the in-laws.

If the couple was good to each other and also was good with the parents-in-law, maybe the siblings disliked them instead.

No one was perfect but, as a mother, she wanted the best for her only child.

The parents-in-law that were indifferent to their child's spouses were better than the ones who blatantly showed their disdain. At least, they could still treat each other with respect on the surface.

Only the lucky ones managed to get a good spouse and parents-in-law.

Himari was quiet as her mother continued confronting Jun. A small smile spread on her face as she was touched by her mother's words.

Until now, her mother was her strongest support.

As for Jun, Akemi's words could almost sentence him to death. His face turned pale instantly.

He came here all the way from the city by booking a cab. Jun hoped even if Himari refused to see him, her mother would still be favorable to him especially if he showed he was willing to go miles in order to obtain Himari's heart back.

It seemed like, his efforts were futile.

Seeing that the young man's face changed, Akemi softened her voice.

"Jun, Aunt is grateful because you gave my daughter the experience of being loved by someone else than me, her mother. But, please respect my daughter's decision. She has clearly given you her opinion on this matter. Don't force her again."

Once Akemi finished her words, Himari took the opportunity to remind Jun.

"Don't come here again. You are not welcomed anymore."

Being thrown continuous blows by the woman he loved and the woman he respected as his own mother, Jun couldn't handle the heavy impact.

How could this happen?

Why couldn't she remember how happy they were in the five years they were together?

Why didn't she want to try again?

In the end, Jun had to admit defeat when once again Akemi asked him to leave.

When the middle-aged woman sent him to the door, Himari had already left the entryway, heading to her bedroom without even sparing him a glance. Jun mournfully looked at her retreating back that treated him as a stranger.

Jun left while bearing thousands of disappointments weighing in his heart.

Akemi closed the door. Although she felt sorry for the young man, her feelings for her daughter were stronger.

Back to the present hour.

At the dining table.

Clap! Clap!

Himari was surprised. Lifting up her head, she stared blankly at her mother who was clapping her hands.

"Enough. Don't think about that man. Your mother, I, didn't spend hours cooking your favorite dishes just to have you moping at the table," Akemi playfully tried to coax her distressed daughter.

Her words made Himari laughed.

To see her daughter smiled and laughed again made a part of her heavy heart lightened.

"Okay, I won't think about him in front of your delicious home-cooked meal~" Himari answered in a sing-song voice, making her mother scoffed at her.

"Meow, meow~" Chobi meowed from the floor.

"After lunch, go and have your rest. We could take a walk at the stream in the evening. I think Chobi would love to see the flowers at the riverbed," Akemi made a suggestion while clipping a dish and put it on her daughter's rice bowl.

"Geez, even until now you're thinking of your furry grandson," Himari complained, her lips pouting.

"Don't be jealous of him," Akemi chided her own daughter, "I could see that he's losing weight! Just how did you take care of him in the city? Did you deliberately cut down his food?"

"Meow, meow~"

Chobi meowed as if he agreed with his grandmother's sentiment.

Himari was speechless.

Chobi was so fat! How could her mother say that he had slimmed down?!

This was blatant favoritism!

After lunch, Himari washed the dishes after urging her mother to go and rest as well. She made sure everything in the kitchen was orderly before she made her way to the bedroom.

She was indeed sleepy but, because she was so full after eating, Himari could only force her eyelids to remain open before she was ready to take a nap.

The matter of Jun's sudden appearance was thrown to the back of her mind. If possible, she never wanted to think about it.

Inside the bedroom, Himari opened the windows wide, letting the cool spring breeze rushing inside. She took a deep breath, calming herself as the sweet scents of the blooming flowers drifted inside together with the wind.

The yard outside her bedroom was covered by her mother's plants. It was hard for any peering eyes to sneak a peek even through the small holes of the fence around their tiny house. All of them were blocked by the lush greenery.

Chobi could be seen sprawling on one of the flowerbeds, enjoying the afternoon sun.

Himari plopped down on the beanbag. The chair was placed right in front of the open windows, perfect for her to lounge whenever she could.

The next text came from Kazuya right after she said her mother called for her. Himari only had the time to read it now.

The moment she read his message, she was baffled obefore laughter burst out of her mouth.

[Kazuya: The bunny kissed a tiger's cheek]

[Kazuya: I mean, Chiharu kissed a boy in a tiger onesie's cheek!]

[Kazuya: What am I rambling about ergh...]

[Kazuya: Is this what a father feels like whenever he has to send his daughter off to a man?]

[Kazuya: Sorry, I'm speaking nonsense...]

[Kazuya: But it's true!]