As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The videos of Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's press conference kept circulating on the online news platforms all night. The views of the fans, anti-fans and netizens were all divided.

The type of fans who only wanted their favorite idols to be theirs felt so betrayed by the news of his hidden marriage. They swore to never like or support such a liar anymore.

[#IshizakiRyuuGetOutOfIndustry]

[All of that money and years are wasted! I regret supporting you!]

[He should know that once he entered this industry, he has to cut off his ties with any witch that clings to him, so disappointed]

[He just treats us as money-making tools. This type of scum should be burned like trash!]

Even though the vicious ones were so angry, the ones who appreciated Ishizaki Ryuu's dazzling performance until now didn't feel that way. They were more mature, saying if they were in the film emperor's shoes, they would do the same to protect the ones that they loved.

[Tsk, tsk, that's why we shouldn't have immature fans.. He's an ordinary human like us too. What? You can date and marry but he can't?]

[Although I understood that he lied, it can't be helped. His status keeps getting higher. If the fake fans know about his wife, they would go and attack her]

[He's an actor. The important thing is how he delivers his performance. So far, all of them are top-notch]

{Aaaaa! I hope Director Aoyama won't drop Ryuu-Ryuu from the film! Hiding a marriage is not a sin!]

[#IshizakiRyuuStaysInTheIndustry]

Meanwhile, the anti-fans kept fanning the dissatisfaction and hatred that the first group of fans felt. They had been waiting for the downfall of Ishizaki Ryuu as they wanted to elevate the actors they worshipped.

[I've always felt bad whenever I see that scum's face. Heh, how could he lie to his fans for years just because of a woman?]

[His status should be stripped from him! My Karl is more suited! #godie]

[Hahaha! All of you throw money to support him all this time yet he uses them to raise a woman? Hahahaha serve you right!]

Inside the quiet teachers' office, Himari's brows kept pressing together as she read the nasty comments. The thing that comforted her a bit was the ones that saw the news in a positive light.

"I really hope Yuina won't be too affected," mumbled Himari in concern.

The message that Himari sent to Yuina yesterday evening was replied to by the latter late at night. The contents were quite short.

[Yuina: Thank you for worrying about me. I'm good so far]

Himari sent another one but, she had yet to receive a new reply. 

"Should I call her? But... No, I shouldn't. Let's wait for a bit."

Shaking her head, Himari put down the phone. She rose up to her feet, pushing back the chair. Because she came to school earlier than usual, Himari had yet to have breakfast.

It was still so early. The clock had just struck a quarter to eight in the morning. She had plenty of time before the Monday morning assembly started.

Creak...

Himari paused her steps, stunned once she saw who appeared right at the door of the office.

"Yuina? You're here?"

The woman that Himari was worried about was standing in front of her. Although her face looked a bit sunken, it was indeed Yuina.

"Why shouldn't I come? My leave has ended yesterday," answered Yuina with a chuckle.

"Yes, but, that... are you okay?"

Himari's voice turned lower at the end of her sentence. She remained unmoving from the same spot, still staring at Yuina with bewildered eyes.

Yuina closed the door behind her, walking to Himari.

"Let's talk a bit. I'll put down my bag first."

"Ah, okay..."

Yuina followed Himari to the cafeteria. After getting their food, both of them chose to sit inside a private lounge that overlooked the garden outside. They sat at the farthermost seat from the door, next to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"What happened? How did suddenly..."

Himari trailed off, unsure how to word out her question. She sounded a bit anxious.

Yuina quietly picked on the grilled mackerel. Parting her lips, she answered Himari in a low voice, "There's still no clue on the one who first spread the news."

"And, you still came to school?" Himari tried to suppress her concern yet it was still apparent from her intonations, "What if..."

Yuina let out a chuckle. Her eyes curved as she smiled, "Thank you for worrying. Well, he's worried about my decision to return today too but, I don't want to just hide at home because of this."

At first, Ryuu objected when Yuina said she would return to work as scheduled. He was worried if the perpetrator unveiled any new information about her. Such news would undoubtedly put Yuina at disadvantage.

"That scum hides his traces well. We still don't know his motive for stalking you when I was abroad. What if something happened when you're away from home? In public?"

After Hiro left, the couple talked more about the matter. Ryuu purposely shut off his phone, disconnecting himself from the outside world. He also turned off the television that was discussing the hot topic.

"I know you're thinking about my well-being but, I can't possibly hide like this. Whoever it is, he already knows who I am. Please, let me go through my life as usual for as long as I could, okay, Ryuu?"

A hint of pleading tinged the end of Yuina's sentence rendered Ryuu speechless.

Yuina had prepared herself for the possibility. Although uncertainties brimmed within her, she coerced herself to not show that she was afraid, to be confident with herself.

If that man had dug deep into her past, he might have found the stain that was impossible to erase in this lifetime.

Not only it had tainted her heart and mind, but her dignity also almost got ruined because of it.

Looking into his eyes, Yuina spoke firmly, "Ryuu, if you're afraid of the incident of that year to come out, please don't be. Even though people would degrade me for still being with you, I don't regret it."

Ryuu's expression sank. His face turned a shade of white, becoming paler as each second passed.

Her determination won over his worries.

In the end, he relented.

Yuina blinked her eyes, pushing the memory of last night away. She smiled, focusing back on Himari who sat opposite her.

"I'll just wait and see what would happen next. In the meantime, don't let our focus on the camping trip be distracted. I'm excited to go for the inspection this weekend."

"...alright."

The change of topic made Himari put aside her worries. 

Right now, Yuina looked far better than how she was in previous weeks.

It seemed like she had rebuilt her relationship with her husband. The one-week vacation with him might help to restrengthen their bond that got weaken due to their personal problems.

It was good to see her regaining her spirits thus Himari didn't want to focus on the matter that Yuina didn't put her eye on.

Later, as expected, the news of Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu's hidden marriage became the hot topic among the teachers that adored him, especially the female ones. 

Like how netizens debated online, a group of the teachers voiced out their understanding over the matter that made the renowned actor concealed his marital status while the other group was dissatisfied over such a deception.

Himari didn't join them gossiping while Yuina also kept her silence.

Himari couldn't help but wonder what was Yuina currently feeling right now?

To hear by her own ears of people arguing about her private life, some had even used the extreme words, surely it was so unpleasant.

"Teacher Kato, Teacher Kato?"

A knock on the desk pulled Himari from her thoughts. Her gaze was blank as she stared at Teacher Ayase who stood next to her chair.

"You're not going home yet? It's already 3:45. Or, do you have another job later?"

Himari blinked. She turned her head, glancing at her wristwatch.

School hours had passed. Himari didn't notice it as she was daydreaming at her desk. Most teachers had gone home including Yuina who left in a hurry.

"Ah! I forgot. Hehe, sorry~"

Teacher Ayase helplessly shook her head, "Okay, I'm going home first. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Himari began to pack her items. Her mind still wandered to Yuina's current situation.

Why did she go home in such a hurry? 

Himari hoped it wasn't because the situation turned direr. 

Some students still remained at school. Most of them were the ones involved with clubs. As Himari walked under the eaves of the building, she swept her gaze across the pavilions standing near the gate.

Two siblings whom she was too familiar with were sitting there.

"Chiharu, Izumi."

Once Himari got closer, she called out to them.

A dumpling abruptly lifted up her head, eyes twinkling under the summer sun.

"Teacher Kato~"

Chiharu ran to Himari and pounced on her. Himari quickly caught the little girl before she fell.

"Did you miss me, Chiharu?" 

A kiss fell on the dumpling's chubby face.

"Hehe, missed Teacher Kato so much~ Mua!"

Chiharu puckered her lips and pressed them on Himari's right cheek, inciting laughter from the former.

Izumi just smiled seeing their interaction. 

Kazuya was busy today. Because Himari didn't have anything to do, she asked him if it was alright to bring the children out with her.

The man agreed as he saw how excited Himari was when she suggested it. The children were also delighted, especially Chiharu.

Thus, one adult and two children got in a cab, heading to a mall.