As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"...what? What is this?"??

Stupefied, Himari didn't react for a few seconds, her eyes trembled in panic. Her gaze was unmoving from the screen of her phone.

The headlines were so bold and rampant, inciting fear within Himari as they were concerning the person that she knew.

[Years of Deception: The Renowned Film Emperor's Secret Marriage!]

[Two-faced Film Emperor, Deceiving the Fans]

[Got Married While Striving in the Industry, A Fatal Move]

[Is the Secret Wife a Peerless Beauty?]

The articles were emphasizing the same thing. All of them talked about Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's marriage that had been concealed for years..

"How could this happen?"??

Himari helplessly slapped her forehead. She slumped on the couch, feeling so dejected all of a sudden.

Himari arrived at her apartment around three o'clock. Kazuya went home straightaway after dropping her off. He just told her to rest since tomorrow was already Monday.

At first, Himari didn't notice anything because she rarely paid attention to any news that related to the entertainment industry. But, Nanako's messages put her on alert.

Her friend sent them when Himari was showering.

[Nanako: HIMARIIIIIIII]

[Nanako: Have you read these???]

[Nanako: Link.]

[Nanako: Link.]

[Nanako: Is it true that my Ryuu-Ryuu has been married for long?]

[Nanako: I'm so worried ahhhh!]

[Nanako: This is a breach of privacy stupid paparazzi!]

Himari ignored Nanako's messages. She quickly tapped on the links that were sent by Nanako. An ominous feeling crept inside her heart.

The articles were supported by a few photos of a couple in disguise as well as the lone shots of a woman. The woman's face was covered with mosaic but, at one glance Himari recognized it was Yuina!

"Who leaked this? No, no, I should call Yuina first."

This was different from the gossips that used to surround the film emperor. This time, it seemed like whoever first spreading the news had really gotten the actual evidence about his hidden marriage.

Yet, no matter how worried Himari was, all of the calls made to Yuina didn't go through.??

"Yuina... I really hope she's okay."??

While Himari was fretting over Yuina's condition, the latter was in a hurry to return back to the city.

"Ryuu, what should we do?"??

Ever since the news broke out without stopping, all that Yuina felt was anxiety and fear. She didn't know how did something like this suddenly happened.

Those photos that were posted together with the articles were really of them. Some of them had her photos alone. Although her face was concealed, it did nothing to lessen Yuina's concern.

"Yuina, nothing would go wrong," Ryuu released a hand from the steering wheel. He grasped his wife's hands and gently squeezed them, "Nothing bad would happen. Trust me, en?"??

"Okay."

In the face of Ryuu's calm expression, Yuina mustered up some courage.??

Because of the explosive news, Ryuu was summoned back to the city by Yousuke. Either he liked it or not, Ryuu understood this matter couldn't be resolved easily.

But, no matter how much he was in a rush, Ryuu still wanted to make sure Yuina was safe first. He contacted Hiro, asking him to meet them somewhere. From there, Yuina would go back to the residential complex with Hiro.

Although the reporters might swarm Sakuya Residence, they would be stopped at the gate by the premise bodyguards. It was not easy for anyone to slip past the complex's tight security.

At half-past five, Ryuu and Yuina finally arrived at the location where they promised to meet Hiro. The young man was there as expected.

"Hiro, take care of your sister," Ryuu gave his young brother-in-law a reminder once Yuina got inside the car.

"Don't worry. Be careful, Brother Ryuu."??

There were questions in Hiro's eyes yet he suppressed all of them. Time was crucial. He had to immediately drive his sister back to Sakuya Residence before something more shocking happened.

"Stay safe."??

Those were Ryuu's words to Yuina before he closed the door of her side. She just gave him a nod, showing her trust in him in dealing with the situation.

After that, Ryuu dashed to the meeting place where Yousuke had secured before. It was one of the buildings owned by Ryuu. It was safer there than going directly to the company where the reporters kept flocking around.

"Ryuu!"??

"Brother Ryuu!"??

Yousuke and Riku looked to relief to see the man of the hour appearing in front of them. They had been fidgeting ever since they came here.

All of them sat on the couches, facing each other.

Once he got inside the room, Ryuu threw his disguise away. He grabbed a bottle of water, uncapped it and downed half of it into his mouth. Ryuu roughly wiped the water that trickled down to his chin.

"What's the situation?"??

Ryuu really didn't understand why did such a matter happen.

Where did the leak begin?

Yousuke scrolled the tablet in his hands. His expression was grim, "The thing is, whoever behind this reveal only used the third-rated tabloids rather than the giant ones. He knew that if he contacted the big tabloids, the matter might be suppressed by us early on."

The management company that Ryuu was currently contracted with was among the top-tiered ones in the country. They had a certain degree of control over the big tabloids companies.??

If such a piece of explosive news was sent to them, the managers tended to contact the management of the artists first. It was crucial to not let the relationship between the companies soured.??

"They are just like hunting hounds," Ryuu replied sullenly, referring to the lesser tabloids.

"What should we do now? That person sent Sister Yuina's mosaic-covered photos to the small companies. What if he exposed the real photos next? Sister Yuina would..." Riku trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

"Our PR team is trying to suppress the news but, with people keep forwarding the links and even create their own articles, it's basically a useless thing to do," said Yousuke after analyzing the situation.

No matter how many articles were deleted, the damage had been done. This wasn't a matter that could be concealed by just deleting articles.

"What's our boss' reaction?" Ryuu focused on another topic.

"Heh, the old man is currently furious," Yousuke shrugged.

It was inevitable to not be wrathful in this kind of situation.

Ryuu pressed his lips, annoyance and anger glinted in his dark eyes.

It would be dangerous, really dangerous if he treated this matter lightly.

After all, the perpetrator might already know Yuina's identity. He won't be so bold to stir this matter up without at least prying deep into the marriage that the film emperor had hidden meticulously.

"Well, the boss is mad, mad and he orders you to deny the allegations," Yousuke carried the words of their president to Ryuu. He coughed once, "But, doing so would backfire more later."

Ryuu didn't care if the public wanted to unleash their anger on him over such deception but, he had to make sure Yuina won't suffer from this. He thoroughly understood how malicious a public opinion could be.

"Is the team tracking that mastermind down?"

The perpetrator should be caught no matter what. If not, more troubles would follow.

"Yes! But, so far, there's no result yet," answered Riku with low spirits.

From what they had gathered, the small tabloids received a series of e-mail from a dummy account. The perpetrator compiled the mosaic-covered photos and a few details of the hidden marriage.

Ryuu clasped his hands together and rested his chin over it. Yousuke and Riku didn't dare to interrupt him when he was thinking deeply over the matter.

Both of them might be having disagreements with Ryuu before, especially after he suddenly took a short break but, they were not so foolish to argue with the film emperor at this time.

After a long stretch of suffocating silence, Ryuu finally opened his mouth.

"You guys know of what I've planned to do about my marriage later, right?"

Ryuu was calm as he directed the question to Yousuke and Riku.

Squinting his eyes, Yousuke asked back, "...the one plan that you said you'd reveal your marriage and have a wedding later?"

Ryuu nodded.

Yousuke slapped his forehead while Riku looked more anxious.

The plan had been mapped out earlier and both of them knew it already but...

"If you reveal your marriage before this incident happens, the backlash won't be as bad but, in this case..."

"Prepare to do a press conference immediately," Ryuu interjected before Yousuke could finish his words.

In the end, Yousuke and Riku nodded.

"I'll contact the major tabloids and set the date. Tonight at 8 PM inside the company's conference hall." Riku began to do her work.

"I'll conduct damage control, especially regarding your ongoing contracts with the big brands. At the very least, we have to minimize the damage," Yousuke shook the tablet in his hand.

Ryuu nodded. He was still looking calm, "Thank you."??

It was impossible to avoid any harm. Rather than prolonging this issue and allowing the mastermind to strike them again, they should counter his attack.

Ryuu was left alone inside the room as Yousuke and Riku ran out. He began to think again.

Since when did the perpetrator begin following the two of them around?

From what Ryuu remembered, there were photos of Yuina when he wasn't in the country.

Did it mean...

Whoever it was stalking his wife?

A fear ghosted down his spine when the assumption echoed in his mind.

All this while... her safety was compromised.

Ryuu buried his face in his palms.??

Yuina didn't only suffer from unhappiness due to his ignorant. She also might be a target of harassment.

And, this all happened because of him.