As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Throughout the entire week, the scandal regarding the film emperor's hidden marriage headlining most media platforms. Past scandals that were set up by the tabloids were brought up as the netizens tried to find any clue about Ishizaki Ryuu's secret wife.

At the same time, the netizens tried digging into the film emperor's concealed past as he himself said he met his wife during the time they were still young.

They knew that Ishizaki Ryuu was born into poverty before he soared up like a phoenix after his talents got recognized in the entertainment industry but, there was only so little that he actually let out.

[Didn't Ryuu-Ryuu mention that he used to work as labor just to get money to buy bread? I can't imagine how much did he suffer before Q^Q]

[Yes ah. Our Ryuu is so skillful oh! He is a handyman, a really skilled one! I remember the time seeing him did carpentry on a variety show]

[And to have his wife being with him through thick and thin during that time, I know their love is so pure!]

[No wonder Ryuu married her even though they were so young at that time]

[I really wanna see her :3 If one wanna proclaim themselves as Ryuu-Ryuu's No. 1 fan, it has to be her!]

They wanted clues even the smallest ones to know who was the one holding Mrs.. Ishizaki's title.

Yet, there were also voices that called out to the fans that were eager to know the identity of the hidden wife.

[Ryuu-Ryuu said he doesn't want any bad press to fall on his wife. We should do him a favor and let them be in peace]

[Mrs. Ishizaki isn't one of the industry fellas. She'd be uncomfortable if the public knew her face. I bet she has her own career]

[Yeah, yeah. Let's protect their privacy oh]

[Ryuu-Ryuu did hide it for years but, he didn't hesitate to own up after his status was exposed. Let's have good hearts and just enjoy his top-notch performance and face, will ya?]

[Yeah. He didn't mean to lie ah. He did it to protect the love of his life] 

The positive comments drowned the negative ones. Ryuu's PR team used this opportunity to boost his excellent acting skills and good deeds he had always done before. 

While the public views turned positive, there was no other news than that. It was as if the perpetrator lied low after he managed to embroil the industry with the big scandal.

That fact made Ryuu felt something was off.

"Are you sure you're okay going there with just your colleague?"

That Saturday morning, as early as dawn broke, Yuina got ready to go out and meet Himari. The appointed time was eight o'clock. Instead of using public transportation as to how they initially planned, both of them agreed to just drive to Hiraya Falls instead.

It was a safer choice for two women traveling away from the city.

"I'd return tomorrow. Don't worry, hubby. Nothing would happen."

Yuina didn't dismiss Ryuu's concern. She understood that he was still on high alert because of the exposure of their marriage.

Ryuu rarely went out in this particular week.

Since his schedule was canceled, for the time being, he had more free time. If he had to go out, it was only due to meeting the personals at the entertainment company. The calls for interviews had also been turned down so far. 

Ryuu didn't want to give the media any chance of hounding him further. 

"Okay, but, you really have to be careful," Ryuu insisted, giving the same reminder to Yuina, "If you feel something is off or you feel someone is following you, quickly get out of there and find a safe place."

If possible, Ryuu wanted to just follow Yuina there but, she didn't agree with his suggestion.

Right now, people were still paying attention to the scandal. If by a slight chance that someone recognized him under his disguise, chaos might ensue.

Without Yuina knowing, Ryuu actually placed a trusted bodyguard to follow her. He didn't tell his wife because when he suggested it, she objected to it.

Yuina was being too cautious. She was afraid of the possibility of being sold out by the said bodyguard. 

Yet, Ryuu had to do this to ensure her safety.

"I'll go first. I'll text you once I've arrived."

"Be careful."

Yuina smiled. She left a peck on his lips before grabbing her bag and walked out of the door.

Ryuu had to see his wife off with a sullen face. He couldn't get the worries out of his mind. The only thing he could do right now was hoping that nothing would happen when his wife was in the public place.

"Please, be safe," Once again, he told her to be careful.

"Hehe, okay~ See you tomorrow."

Yuina closed the door, one hand was waving at him. Her figure gradually disappeared behind the door.

Ryuu stood frozen as a thought struck his mind.

His eyes were stuck on the door.

Every time he walked out of their home with a suitcase, going far away for a long time, what did she feel?

All this time, Yuina only showed him her smile while wishing for his safe return.

Behind the smile...

She was actually crying inside.

Ryuu dipped his head in, staring blankly at the floor. 

A remorseful feeling shrouded his heart, weighing down his guilt.

This duplex felt so lonely without her.

Five minutes before eight o'clock, Yuina pulled up in front of the apartment building. Himari told her to just wait inside the car. 

After sending a text to Himari saying that she was already here, Yuina quietly waited while listening to the songs aired by the radio.

Soon, the English teacher appeared with a backpack and a sling bag, looking so casual in a V-neck light yellow short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of cream-colored capri pants. Sunglasses were hung at the collar of her T-shirt.

"You look as if we're going for a relaxing trip," Yuina laughed.

"It's true that we're going for a trip, although it's for work purposes," answered Himari cheerfully. 

"Okay~ Here we go!" announced Yuina in glee. Himari laughed along.

The expressway was not packed with vehicles, allowing the car to run at a steady speed. Yuina drove the car in leisure. Occasionally, both ladies sang along to the songs played by the radio deejay. 

Halfway there, Yuina stopped at a rest area. They really enjoyed the journey to Hiraya Falls as if summer break had started.

For the rest of their journey, Himari sat behind the wheels, replacing Yuina as the driver. As the car moved on the tarmac, she threw a few glances at Yuina who had just ended a phone call with Ryuu.

"Your husband is really worried about you," remarked Himari.

Yuina laughed, sounding a bit helpless, "I couldn't count how many times he reminded me of paying attention to safety since last night."

Because it was Himari who was with her, Yuina didn't hide when Ryuu called her. They talked for a moment.

"It's a given for him to worry," Himari curled up her lips slightly, "Although almost a week has passed, the talks about your marriage haven't really gone down."

Well, the female teachers at school were still discussing it so did the netizens.

"Ryuu's anxious," Yuina sighed softly. She threw her gaze out of the car window, looking at the greenery of the suburbs.

Yuina didn't hide anything from Himari as they talked more about the topic. She treated the English teacher as to how she did to Kanna. 

"You said whoever that person is used to stalk you around by looking at the photos he released. Simply put, he knows your face as he also might know your day-to-day activity. Is he waiting for the right moment to expose your identity?"

Himari was frightened by her own conjecture. 

"Until now, the motive isn't clear," Yuina answered in regret, "The bank account that he used to receive the payment is owned by a blind person, an old grandfather. We still don't know either he would stop here or there would be more surprise later."

A chill crept within Himari.

Horrified, she asked again, "Yuina, what would you do if the public knows your identity?"

A heavy silence fell inside the car after Himari ended her question.

A frown marred Yuina's forehead as she thought of the possibilities that kept looming within her mind. Leaning her back against the car seat, Yuina crossed her arms together.

Ryuu, Kanna and Hiro all asked the same question.

"If that happened..."

Yuina's smile turned cynical. 

"At the very least, I hope to smack something on that person's head for putting me into trouble."

Yuina knew that she couldn't forever hide her status as the wife of the renowned film emperor. But, she also hoped this was not the way to reveal who she was.

The fear of having the public judged her especially if that mastermind revealed her tainted past was real but, since this was the path that she took, Yuina had no choice but to face it.

She had had enough of living in the shadows of her demons.

It was time for the heavily clouded sky to open up, letting the rays of sunlight destroyed the remnants of her fear.