As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

"How in the hell did this happen?" 

Yuina was quiet when Hiro was spouting curses while circling the living room. She sat on the couch, both hands clasped and unclasped slowly in an attempt to loosen her tensed nerves.

Earlier, as Ryuu had predicted, the gate of Sakuya Residence was brimming with reporters. The vehicles that wanted to go past them had some difficulty before the bodyguards exerted more force.

As far as Yuina knew, the reporters didn't only swarm her and the management company. They did the same at the other villas and residential complexes where Ryuu owned, trying to snoop about the film emperor's hidden wife.

"Relax. Ryuu has told us that he would handle it," said Yuina. She sounded so exhausted.

Her phones kept ringing, signaling the incoming messages and calls.. They came from Kanna and Himari who were obviously worried about her. Yet, Yuina didn't have the energy to entertain them at this moment.

Hiro grumbled, "But... I still wanna know who did this? How could he know about you and Brother Ryuu?"

"This is bound to happen anyway," replied Yuina with a faint smile.

Ever since they registered their marriage seven years ago, Yuina had already anticipated this day to come. It was impossible to keep this matter stayed in hiding after all.

But, after years of having no issues, Yuina let her guard down, thinking that they might not be caught anymore.

Who knew, in a span of a few hours, the news of Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's secret marriage began leaking everywhere.

She was taken aback the first time she read the articles.

"Seems like the paparazzi who leaked the news has been following me for long," murmured Yuina after a moment of thinking. 

"Huh? How could you be so certain, Sister Yuina?"

Hiro finally stopped moving aimlessly. He sat next to his sister, waiting to hear more.

"There's a photo of me during the previous winter. I recognized the coat I was wearing because your brother gifted it to me before he went abroad."

In one of the photos, Yuina saw a photo of herself standing inside a florist. The photo wasn't put in any mosaic because she was standing with her back facing the camera lens of whoever trailing her. 

Yuina remembered that she had once visited the florist to get some fresh flowers to cheer the duplex up. The winter felt so dreary, moreover, Ryuu had to be away at that time. He was busy with the end-of-year activities.

"And, there's also a photo of me during this spring. I was at a park, alone."

In another photo, it showed her strolling a park with flowers blooming around her. The spring dress that she wore was also the one given by Ryuu. 

The photo was taken when Ryuu was busy with his global tour a few months ago.

"How could this be? This means that the damn paparazzi might know more than what he exposed right now!"

Another string of curses flew out of Hiro's mouth. Yuina did nothing to stop him as she was too busy thinking. 

What else the paparazzi knew about them?

He must have known of what she did every day, right?

Did it mean, once he let on more, she had to abandon her normal life, quit her job?

If she didn't do it, the students and the school would be troubled.

And...

Yuina anxiously bit her lower lip.

She just hoped the paparazzi didn't dig too deep into her background until he found what happened to her more than a decade ago.

If he did expose it...

It would just put more strain on Ryuu's reputation. 

After all, his fans won't stay still if they knew he married such a woman.

Such a dirty woman won't suit their beloved film emperor.

Yuina felt so suffocated inside. Her blood ran cold at the thought of it happening.

No, no. She shouldn't let it be her weakness. 

Since the beginning of this week, Yuina was so happy because after she vented out her frustration to Ryuu, he didn't simply brush them off as nothing. He took efforts to fill in the loneliness that she felt all this time.

Although she had endured everything for years, Yuina was grateful to see the steps took by Ryuu to mend the cracks in their relationship. Because of that, she didn't hold on to her grudge for long.

Yet, this happened so abruptly.

"It's already 7:30," murmured Hiro who had kept sitting next to his sister, "I wonder... How would the reporters react during the press conference."

Yuina didn't answer him. She was wondering the same too.

Ryuu had informed her, saying that instead of denying the allegations, he would confess everything to the press. Although it was not a very favorable move, it was better than having them being struck again.

If the mastermind exposed more about their marriage after Ryuu denying the matter, a very unsightly backlash would be unleashed by the public. It would be worsened if the perpetrator published Yuina's raw photos in the process.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

Soon, the time was nearly approaching eight o'clock.

Inside the conference hall of the entertainment company, a few groups of reporters from major tabloids gathered together. All of them came in a rush after getting the invitation from Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's gold manager, Yousuke.

The press conference incited more uproar because the scandal had just broken out a few hours before yet the party concerned swiftly reacted by doing a live conference.

"Would he straightaway deny it?"

"The evidence seems so concrete. I was surprised, to be honest."

"He has never had any big scandal before. Those used to exist were all media play. Why must he ruin his own reputation?"

"Didn't you read what the articles mentioned? The film emperor has been married for seven years! It means he got married during the early years he entered the industry!"

Voices of that brimmed with confusion, anticipation and frustration echoed inside the hall. No one had expected to come across such a huge scoop today.

"He's here!"

"Film Emperor Ishizaki's here!"

At eight on the dot, the huge doors of the hall were opened by the bodyguards. All eyes focused on the doors, waiting for the appearance of the man of the hour in bated breaths. The cameramen began taking photos, bright lights kept flashing as the film rolled.

Soon, the familiar tall and slender figure of the renowned film emperor strode on the red carpet. His pace was brisk yet steady. 

Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's expression was solemn yet his whole appearance was neat in a customized black three-piece suit. His jet black hair was styled slick-back, revealing a pair of deep-set eyes.

The man didn't greet the media as usual. His attention was on the stage where he would sit before facing any questions thrown at him.

A table and a chair were placed at the center of the stage. The decoration was simple, matching the dreary air inside the hall.

"Greetings, to our media friends."

Yousuke stood on the podium. His eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the eyes that were greedily attentive to the explosives news. His voice was low yet it was magnified by the speakers, reverberating inside the hall.

"We're sorry for the sudden invitation but, we are here to clarify the allegations of our esteemed Film Emperor Ishizaki's hidden marriage. Please refrain from asking until Mr. Ishizaki saying his piece."

The pressing of the camera shutters intensified so did the moving of the hands writing notes and notes.

Yousuke stepped back from the podium. He gave Ryuu a glance. Once their eyes met, the former nodded, giving Ryuu the chance to speak.

Aye, once this conference was over, the company might cut his year-end bonus ah.

The boss wanted them to deny the news but Ryuu wanted to take a different approach. Without a doubt, he had to face the boss' wrath.

What to do?

Although he often argued with Ryuu, his sense of camaraderie was still strong ah. 

From the center of the stage, Ryuu stood up from the chair. He quietly swept his gaze around the hall, looking at the faces that were so eager in piercing their claws into him.

Once they got their hold onto him, they would ferociously try to tear him apart.

"Good evening to all, I'm Ishizaki Ryuu, the man who is involved in the current news that influencing your headlines."

The voice that flowed out of his mouth sounded languid and stern at the same time yet, his eyes were complicated as if they were a swirl of regret and sadness in them.

Ryuu stared directly at the main camera.

All of his expressions and words were displayed on countless channels, playing on the screens of the televisions and even huge billboards of the city skyscrapers.

"Today, a piece of news broke out, saying that I've deceived my fans for being in a hidden marriage for seven years. For that, I apologize to all of you."

With his words, the reporters, viewers and the company turner crazier. 

What did he mean?

Did he apologize because someone made a scandal out of him?

Or, did he mean the allegation was true?

Ryuu stood unmoving despite being thrown heavy pressure at him. His shoulders were squared, showing that what was transpiring now won't easily knock him down.

"The news that was broke out by someone anonymous, I do not have the intention to deny that. I am indeed has been married for seven years to the woman I've dearly loved for more than a decade."

The words were spoken firmly, unswerving despite a new and huge wave of turmoil raging inside the hall and among the viewers.

Ryuu was unperturbed. His expression softened slightly as he spoke the latter half of his sentence.

She had been watching him in hiding for too long while giving him unyielding support.

This time, it was his turn to do the same by giving her the honor that should have become hers for years.