Chiharu Really, Really Loves Them! This Big!

"What do you want to eat? Teacher Kato, please order anything that you like."

Kazuya brought Chiharu and Himari to a restaurant far from the school. It was one of Chiharu's favorite restaurants, serving Western food. After ordering Chiharu's food and a cup of coffee for himself, he turned to look at Himari who sat opposite him.

Thinking that it would be too pretentious if she rejected him, Himari made an order.

"Then, I'd like a cup of black tea, please," Himari told the waiter.

"No food?" Kazuya asked again.

Himari smiled mildly, "I've eaten at school."

"That's all," Kazuya signaled for the waiter. The waiter quickly left to key in the orders.

"Teacher, the food here is delicious," Chiharu excitedly praising the restaurant, "Uncle always brings Chiharu and Big Brother here~"

"Hehe, then, does Chiharu has your favorite food here?" Himari was amused as she entertained the little dumpling.

Chiharu tilted up her head. Her small lips forming a pout.

Kazuya knocked her head lightly, "Stop thinking. Your favorite food is everything you can eat here."

"Uncle, don't knock Chiharu's head!" Chiharu glared at her uncle. Her small hands were busy rubbing on the spot where it got knocked, "Chiharu won't grow tall!"

Kazuya chuckled lightly. He tidied up the dumpling buns on Chiharu's head, "Yeah, yeah, it's Uncle's fault."

Himari was quiet as she stared at the uncle and niece interacting with each other. Even though she was currently sitting here with them, Himari was still baffled by how suddenly things developed in this way.

How could the man she met at the store was Chiharu's uncle?

Then, the niece that he mentioned before was Chiharu?

"Teacher Kato?"

A man's voice echoed nearby.

Himari blinked, shattering her thoughts away. She got a bit flustered.

"Yes...?"

Kazuya drew a smile, "I know that it has happened for a week but, I want to thank you for taking care of Chiharu at that time."

His words were simple but they were earnest.

Himari reciprocated the man's smile, "Mr. Hayashi, as you know Chiharu only ended up at my place because of my cat. I'd be awkward if you keep thanking me."

"Heh, it's true," Kazuya raised up his brows, "Okay. I'll drop the subject. It's a relief that you accepted the gift."

Himari thought back of the paper bag that was left in the car. She had repeatedly rejected it but under Chiharu's persistence, she could only agree.

"Let me guess, is the gift inside the bag the lamp that I wanted to buy?" Himari made an assumption.

She hadn't opened the gift boxes but the size of one of the boxes was quite big. By recalling the moment that the man said his niece was the one who wanted to buy it, Himari guessed Chiharu wanted to give the lamp to her.

Did she get the idea from the moment she was in her house thus that was the reason Chiharu asked for the catalog?

"Yes," Kazuya answered with a smile, "So, in the end, you're really fated with the crystal lamp."

Himari finally laughed. It was too amusing to hear that.

"Chiharu, did you see the circles that I made around the photo?" Himari shifted her attention to the little dumpling.

"Hehe~ Isn't Chiharu smart? Chiharu knows Teacher Kato wants the lamp for herself~ Hmph! Uncle said what if Teacher wanted to buy it for someone else?"

"She has been pestering me for days," Kazuya laughed helplessly, "I don't know what else she would be nagging me if I failed to buy it."

Chiharu's eyes twinkled. She ignored her uncle. Her sole attention was on Himari.

"Teacher, the roll cake you made is so delicious! Could Chiharu has some more?"

Her sudden request made both the man and woman caught off guard.

"You little... Aren't you ashamed?" Kazuya glanced at Chiharu.

Himari chuckled. Her eyes bent into crescents, "Do you like them so much?"

"Chiharu really, really love them!" The dumpling opened up her arms, "This big!"

"Then, I would give something to you later," Himari winked, "As thanks for giving me the lamp as a gift."

Chiharu's eyes widened in delight.

Her mission was a success!

"That, you don't have to cater to her whim," Kazuya lifted up a hand and squeezed Chiharu's chubby cheek, "No amount of food could satisfy this dumpling."

"It's alright," Himari shook her head with a smile.

It was just a small favor since Chiharu helped to realize her dream.

Yay! The crystal lamp was finally hers!

They didn't talk much once the food arrived. Himari was quiet as she sipped her tea. Occasionally, she lifted up her eyes from the cup to Chiharu who was enjoying her meal.

This little dumpling surely loved food. She didn't stop eating. Her lips were smeared by the sauce of the spaghetti.

His uncle was good at entertaining her. Himari could tell both of them were affectionate to each other.

Then...

Her mind drifted back to what she thought about Izumi's current situation.

His relationship with Izumi should be good too, right?

"...Kato? Teacher Kato?"

"...!"

Himari blinked, her jumbled mind quickly regained its sense.

"Teacher, are you alright?" Chiharu asked with a worried look.

The whole plate of spaghetti was only left with traces of its red sauce.

"Ah, I'm okay," Himari smiled, "Have you finished your meal?"

"Un, un," Chiharu decisively shook her head twice. She grinned, "Chiharu still wants to eat the pudding~"

Himari smiled with a drop of sweat formed on her forehead.

She surely could eat well...

Kazuya walked the ladies, big and small, out of the restaurant after paying the bill. Once they got to the car, he looked at the young teacher.

"Teacher Kato, let me send you home," He opened the door of the shotgun seat.

"Thank you, I have to trouble you sending me back," Himari gave him a light smile.

This was her first time being in this area. Instead of wasting time trying to hail a taxi, let's just accept his good deed.

Kazuya smiled amicably. With a slight lift of his chin, he silently gestured for her to enter the car.

As Himari passed her to get inside the car, he caught a faint scent coming from her.

The scent smelled like strawberry with a faint hint of vanilla.

He smiled instinctively.

Chiharu napped as soon as she sat in the child's car seat. The little dumpling looked so contented as she dazedly patted her bulging tummy.

The car swiftly left the area, heading to the neighborhood where Himari lived. Kazuya followed the navigation that was set according to her instructions.

The car was quiet, save for the sound of Chiharu's breathing steadily while napping.

Both Himari and Kazuya were in silence as well.

Himari herself was a quiet person, especially if she was with someone she had just met. Her personality was different from Nanako who could easily befriend anyone.

She fiddled with the strap that was latched to the sling bag. Her eyes darted to the view outside of the windows. Her lips curled up at the sight of the flowers blooming on the pedestrian walk.

Maybe, she would invite Nanako for flower-viewing soon once the sakura trees were in full bloom.

"Teacher Kato?"

"...Yes?" Himari's shoulders jolted up. She immediately turned to look at the man sitting in the driver's seat.

Kazuya let out a soft chuckle. He looked at her through the rear-view mirror, "Please, don't be too tense. I just want to ask for your help."

"Ask for my help?" Himari asked back.

Kazuya nodded, "Please take care of Izumi and Chiharu, even though you're only Izumi's homeroom teacher. It seems like Chiharu likes you as well, so I put forth such a request."

"You don't have to make a special request, Mr. Hayashi," Himari shrugged, "Izumi is a good student while Chiharu is an adorable little girl. It's nothing surprising if people adore them."

"Does it mean you adore the siblings?" Kazuya tilted his head, looking at her for a second.

Himari just answered with a smile.

The two of them went back to silence until the car reached the apartment building. Himari unlatched the seat belt, got out of the car and turned around to the man who left his seat as well.

"You shouldn't forget this," Kazuya held the paper bag and handed it to Himari.

Himari laughed while lowering her eyes to the paper bag, "I really didn't expect for this lamp to really be mine. Thank you so much."

When Himari lifted up her gaze, she was met with the man's deep and profound eyes, as if he was thinking of something. The beauty mark under his right eye appeared so clear in her gaze.

"...Mr. Hayashi?"

Kazuya pondered for a moment longer, thought better of it and opened his mouth, "I'm sorry if this question sounds weird but, have we met before?"

Himari blinked, "...Before?"

Kazuya smiled and nodded, "Way before right now."

Himari answered with a shake of her head, "I don't think we've met."

"I'm sorry. I might have mistaken you for someone else" Kazuya dropped the subject, "I'll go now. I have to pick up Izumi next. See you again, Teacher Kato."

"Thank you too for sending me back, Mr. Hayashi, and for the tea."

Kazuya tilted his head and smiled silently.

Himari waved at him before she turned around and made her way to her apartment. On her way inside the gate, Chobi came running from one side. She was startled.

"Chobi! Where else did you go?"

"Meow~~"

"Huh! Don't think I'd give you your wet food today," Himari nagged.

"Meow~ Meow~" Chobi came closer then rubbed his furry head against her moving feet.

"En, I won't change my mind~ You'd only get kibbles today."

"Meow!"

While the two were bickering in different languages, Kazuya stood next to the car with his eyes trained on the disappearing figure of the young woman.

This was only the second time they met but, the meeting brought out a faint sense of familiarity to Kazuya.

As if a memory was sealed by a layer of mist, only to get clearer as the mist drifted away by the passing wind.