She's as Dazzling as Always

Fujihara Main House.

Jun appeared so tired as he emerged out of the cab bringing him home. Because he had drunk a couple of wine glasses during the reunion, he didn't dare to drive home by himself.

The scene of Himari leaving with the mysterious man kept replaying in his mind, throwing his emotions off balance.

His mind also recalled the moments when he saw her talking and laughing with that man. They were so close as they walked, their arms almost brushed each other.

Did Himari really in a special relationship with that man?

That was why she didn't even spare him a glance when they were in the private room?

Jun scratched his head with a sense of loss and frustration. A part of his neatly styled hair got messy due to his actions. He ignored the guards who welcomed him home.

Click!

The front door opened after he pressed his fingerprint over the home button. The dimmed entryway was brightened in an instant as the sensors detected his presence.

Jun walked inside, kicked off his shoes then wore his home slippers.

"Jun, you're home."

Jun turned his head toward the voice. He saw his mother in a burgundy sleeping robe walking to the entryway while yawning.

"Mom, why are you still awake at this time?"

With a glance at his wristwatch, he saw that it was eleven o'clock. It had already gone past his mother's usual bedtime.

Even though she was already in her early 60s, his mother was prone to taking care of her beauty. Her appearance didn't change much from how she looked in her 40s. Extensive trips to the beauty spa as well as a few ranges of high-end skincare products helped to maintain her beauty.

Mrs. Fujihara gave her son a look, "I'm just worried if you came home drunk. The hangover soup has been prepared. Finish a bowl before going to bed."

Jun sneered in his heart.

Worried that he would come home drunk?

No.

His mother was just worried if he would reconnect with Himari during the reunion dinner. She was furious once she got to know that he was searching for Himari's contact information ever since before he returned to the country.

"Alright, I'm going to bed. Go to sleep quickly after sobering up."

Mrs. Fujihara turned around, getting ready to go back to her bedroom after seeing that her son didn't look too abnormal. Except for being a bit drunk, she didn't think there was something else bothering her son.

The moment Jun saw his mother getting ready to leave the entryway with obvious satisfaction in her eyes, cold fury erupted within him.

"Mom, I saw her."

His voice echoed loudly in the quiet entryway. The words managed to stiffen Mrs. Fujihara's steps.

"She's as dazzling as always. I fell in love all over again with her."

Mrs. Fujihara turned around with her face twisted. Obvious displeasure marred her entire face.

"Jun, we have talked about this. Don't mention her again," said Mrs. Fujihara through gritted teeth.

Jun laughed self-mockingly, "I tried to forget her for three years but, until now I couldn't. Mom, I still love her."

His words held the truth.

After the painful and sudden breakup three years ago, Jun left the country with a broken heart. He dedicated all of his time to his studies in order to forget about the girl whose heart was scarred by his indecisive nature.

Yet, time and again, the thoughts of her often slipped in his mind in the most unexpected times.

"Love isn't enough to sustain your life. Jun, you've come back as a more successful person. Don't taint your reputation by entangling with that kind of lowly born vixen."

As usual, Mrs. Fujihara's tongue was vicious whenever she talked about Himari.

"Enough, go to bed," She quickly added before her son could rebut her. With a stern glance, Mrs. Fujihara warned his son, "Your father and I have finalized your engagement with Mr. and Mrs. Harada's daughter. The banquet is within two weeks."

Jun's face changed instantly. His eyes that carried a hint of insobriety quickly turned alert.

"I won't be engaged to her," He said firmly.

Mrs. Fujihara's narrowed her eyes, "Don't humiliate your parents with your insensitive attitude! The Harada girl is a thousand times better than that illegitimate child. Do you think we would allow her to enter our family? That girl is not...! Urgh! Just listen to me!"

Before what happened three years ago slipped out of her mouth, Mrs. Fujihara held herself back.

If her son knew...

It was possible for him to sever their ties!

Jun tilted his head. He clenched his fists hard but the words he threw at his mother bore his resolve.

"For almost 26 years, I have lived my life according to what you and Father want me to be. Now, I'm going to live as how I want to. I won't let either you and Father dictate how I live my life anymore."

He had never ignored the wishes of his parents. The only exception was the first time he courted Himari.

Couldn't the choice for him to love a precious someone be left for him to decide?

Rather than having another person pointed that way?

Once he finished, Jun turned around, wore his shoes again and strode out of the mansion.

His action caused his mother to freeze before she ran out to chase after him.

"Jun! Wait! Where are you going at this hour!"

Jun ignored his mother's words. His tall figure quickly left through the gate, wandering outside.

Soon, his mother's loud voice died down by the coming night wind.

Jun walked and walked down the wide road with pine trees planted at both roadsides. The bright lamp poles helped to lit up the road as the pine trees obscured the moonlight.

The community where he lived was filled with wealthy people thus, each of the houses was far from one another. To arrived at the front gate required him to walk for almost thirty minutes.

The cool wind helped him to sober up.

Jun stopped in between two pine trees. Lifting up his chin, his eyes stared at the distant dark night sky.

He wanted to stop loving her but, all of his attempts were futile.

He knew she was still scarred by his indecisiveness as well as the insults his mother threw at her yet, he still wanted her back.

Couldn't he try to be together with her again?

They had good memories for five years. Why couldn't they become a lifetime journey with her?

Jun's eyes flickered with resolve.

No matter what, he would win her back!

Morning came. It was time to go home.

Himari had breakfast, gave Chobi his kibbles then got ready to catch her train. All of the belongings that she needed had been packed inside a beige-colored suitcase. To avoid being late, Himari booked a cab to bring her to the train station.

"All set. Let's go now, Chobi!"

Chobi flicked his tail, ran to his Mama and obediently got inside the carrier backpack.

"Meow~" We're going home to Grandma!

After making sure all the sockets were empty from any electronic appliance wires and some other things, Himari could finally leave without worry. She wheeled the suitcase outside, wore the carrier on her back and slung a small bag across her body.

Himari wore a loose spring dress made by Nanako. She still had a few left that she hadn't had the chance to wear until now.

"Himari, you're going now?"

A middle-aged woman appeared in the corridor. She was looking at Himari with a kind smile. A white and fluffy cat was carried in her arms.

"Aunt Mio, good morning. Yes, I'm waiting for my cab to arrive," Himari respectfully greeted the middle-aged woman. Then, her eyes fell on the white cat, "Yuki, good morning too!"

"Meow~"

The beautiful white cat meowed at Himari. Her round and jewel-like eyes looked so pretty in the furry white face.

"Meow~ Meow~"

Himari glanced behind her shoulders, looking at Chobi who began tapping his paws on the carrier.

Heh, so you wanted to greet your girlfriend, huh?

Aunt Mio was one of the neighbors that Himari had a close relationship. She lived here with her husband and teenage son. Himari often chatted with her whenever she had time.

"So, you'll be back on Children's Day? The neighborhood would organize a koi-flying event for the children here. If you arrived on time, you could join the festivities. It's open to outsiders too."

May 5 was the national holiday for Children's Day. Koi or carp streamers would be hung on tall poles and be let to billow in the wind. The colorful carp streamers have never failed to attract both children's and adults' attention.

"I booked the morning bullet train to return here. I think I might be able to join it," Himari answered with a smile.

It was not bad to be involved with the neighborhood's activities. Because most of her time was spent in school, Himari had never really joined the activities organized by the neighborhood committee.

"Hehe, okay~ Off you go now, lest you'll be late. I'll look over your house in the meantime," said Aunt Mio once she saw a cab arrived downstairs.

"Thank you, Aunt Mio," Himari gave the middle-aged woman a bow, "I'll go now. Bye-bye and happy holiday."

"Bye-bye. Be careful!"

"Thanks!"

Himari turned around, bringing with her the suitcase. As she walked to the staircase, Chobi at her back was profoundly looking at his beautiful lover in Aunt Mio's arms.

"Meow, meow~"

My love, don't you forget me~

Yuki stared at the pitiful-looking orange cat entrapped inside a carrier bag. She licked her paws and ignored him.

Himari didn't know that her orange furry son was having a painful separation from his lover.