As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

The husband and wife had breakfast in the backyard. A tall fence enclosed the area thus making it hard for people to peer inside. They enjoyed the morning breeze before the sun grew hotter.

"We should go to the beach before we join the crew," said Ryuu as they sat in the lounge. Eyes looking down at his wife, he continued, "We haven't visited the villa much. Why don't we stay there for a couple of days?"

Yuina was currently lying her head on her husband's lap. While playing with his fingers, she nodded without thinking much.

"Okay."

A few years ago, Ryuu purchased a seafront villa. The villa was among the ones developed by a tycoon on his private island. While a part of the island was opened for economic purposes, it was hard to trespass to the side where the villas were built..

Each villa was separated by a long distance between one another. It was a perfect place for both Ryuu and Yuina if they ever wanted to enjoy the beach in the summer since they couldn't go out like most people.

Yuina and Ryuu didn't do much in her family home. They just watched the films together, sharing comments here and there then took an afternoon nap when they got sleepy.

The neighborhood was mostly quiet saved for the occasional laughter of children playing nearby. Since they were on summer break, they were eager to play to their hearts' content.

Yuina and Ryuu lied on the queen-sized bed inside her small room.

Even after Ryuu got this house back for her, Yuina still let her parents' room as to how she remembered. Whenever she came here either alone or with Ryuu, she would just use her childhood room even though her parents' was more spacious.

"I think I saw a newly opened supermarket on our way here," mumbled Yuina while they were lying on the bed.

"Ah, the one before we entered the last intersection?" Ryuu tried to recall his memory.

Yuina nodded.

As time continued turning without any stop, changes were inevitable. 

"That place... If I remember correctly, a grandma used to run a cigarette store at that place. I didn't expect to see a new building built there."

Every time Yuina passed by the small store to get to school, she often stopped by to greet the grandma's black cat. The cat was docile with her.

Sometimes, the grandma gave Yuina a packet of candy, telling her to secretly eat it if she ever felt sleepy during classes.

"That grandma passed away... two years ago, I think."

One autumn, Yuina returned alone to this neighborhood because Ryuu was filming a new film abroad. She heard the news when the aunties invited her for a chat.

"I believe she lived a fulfilling life," said Ryuu in a soothing voice as he stroked her face.

Yuina just let out a low hum.

Like the eatery uncle, the grandma continued running the cigarette store even after her children were successful in their lives. She always had a soft and kind smile on her face.

Yes, changes were inevitable.

Both of them fell asleep. The blazing sunlight was blocked by the curtains, allowing them to sleep peacefully.

Yet, the peace was disrupted by the continuos ringing of a phone.

Ring ring ring~

Ring~~ Ring ring~

"Ryuu... who?"

Yuina opened her eyes slightly, staring blurrily at Ryuu who woke up first. 

"It's your phone," He reached out for the phone that was lying on the bedside table. A name flowed out of his mouth, "It's Hiro."

Yuina groggily sat up. She took the phone from Ryuu.

The ringing didn't stop.

An ominous feeling loomed over Yuina's head.

"Hiro, hello..."

"Sister, can you come here?"

Startled by how weird Hiro sounded, Yuina asked cautiously, "Hiro, what happened? Did..."

Hiro cut her off. He choked on a sob before he continued in difficulty, "Mom got beaten... Sister, can you come? I don't know who should I call so..."

"Where are you? I'll go there!"

After hearing the answer from Hiro, Yuina anxiously looked at Ryuu who was frowning.

"My aunt got beaten by that man's friends. Hiro sent her to the hospital. He's alone right now."

"Let's go to him!"

Ryuu didn't ask for more explanation as he understood this was a dire situation. Hiro won't easily contact them if the matters were related to his family but, it seemed like he had no one to rely on this time.

As they were in a hurry, Yuina didn't realize that a few of her neighbors got surprised to see a car leaving the usually empty house. The housewives had just returned from the market. They didn't get to see when Yuina was locking the gate.

"Was that Yuina? When did she come back?" One of the aunties asked in confusion.

"I thought the house was empty as usual. Did she come this morning? I don't think I saw any lights on last night," Another one chimed in.

"But, wait, didn't you guys see that there's a man inside the car? The one driving? Is that man her husband?"

"Yes, ah. That girl is so secretive about her husband."

The housewives chatted among themselves when a figure silently approached them from behind.

"Excuse me, madams?"

Turning their heads around, they saw an unfamiliar man smiling at them.

"Yes, may we help you, young man?" One of the aunties asked.

The man glanced at the two-story house. Parting his lips, he asked, "I'm actually looking for a house to buy here. I've come here for a few days and noticed that the house is usually vacant so I thought of inquiring about it. But, it seems like the house has owners?"

"Haha, you fancy that house? Well..."

As the aunties becoming friendlier to the unfamiliar man, more and more answers came out of their mouths. The man's polite attitude made the women lowered their guard.

They forgot that one could easily mask his true intentions.

Hiro said that his mother was admitted to the city hospital. As a precaution, Ryuu insisted the younger man to transfer that woman to a private ward away from other patients.

It was't done out of a generous heart. Instead, Ryuu was just being careful because that woman tended to pick fights with Yuina whenever they met.

Although so far, Hiro's mother was being submissive due to the warnings Ryuu gave her, it wasn't impossible for a desperate dog to bite back.

Especially when she had been cornered for so long.

"Ryuu, you can just wait inside the car. I can go alone."

Right after Ryuu parked the car in a secluded spot, Yuina worriedly said those words.

"Relax. My disguise is perfect," Ryuu calmly assured his wife, "Hiro's waiting for us."

Yuina wanted to say more but decided to drop them as she saw how determined her husband was.

Ryuu reached out for a box at the backseat. He took out a brunette long-haired wig and a black-rimmed glasses.

This morning, Ryuu had purposely chose a set of baggy and cheap-looking outfit. He also had put on makeup.

Yuina watched her husband wore the wig. Ryuu tied it into a low ponytail before he wore the glasses next.

In an instant, his image changed.

"Still, don't forget to wear your mask," said Yuina.

Ryuu smiled, "You too."

Both of them wore a facial mask each, concealing their lower faces. Although not as much as in spring because of pollen allergy, there were still people wearing masks now especially in the hospital.

Without delaying anymore, Yuina and Ryuu directly went to the VIP floor. Hiro was waiting for them outside the VIP floor entrance. 

When they met face to face, it was evident that the young man looked thoroughly exhausted.

"Sister... Brother..."

A wave of relief washed over Hiro's face at the sight of his trusted people.

"Let's go to the ward first," Yuina tugged on Hiro's sleeve, words spoken softly.

Hiro nodded. He led them down the hallway, each of his step was slow.

As the couple walked behind the young man, Yuina and Ryuu exchanged a worried glance.

What had actually happened?

Aunt Shigeko was placed inside the furthermost private ward. Although the ward wasn't the most luxurious one, it was already good enough to keep her in check.

Like Ryuu, Yuina also understood that she had to be wary of her aunt.

"Why did she get beaten?" Ryuu asked the question after Hiro closed the door. He pulled down the mask, letting it hanging under his chin.

Yuina walked closer to the hospital bed. Her aunt was sleeping with her face contorted, looking so uncomfortable. A few bruises were apparent on her face.

Yuina only felt slight pity seeing her own aunt like that. She was more worried about Hiro who had to experience this. No matter what, this woman was his mother.

"...that old man's friends came to get money, saying that Mom borrowed from them."

Hiro's voice was so quiet as he narrated the event.

At the end of his story, the young man appeared to be at his lowest. Hiro sat on a couch, his face was so sullen.

"Without you knowing, she signed an agreement stating the money has to be returned with a high interest? But, did she really need that money? Or, is that for the so-called investment?"

Yuina was brimming with anger. She still remembered the fuss that her aunt created a few months ago, asking for money.

"...it's not for that. I don't even know why did Mom need that money."

His mother had been a bit quiet after the event when she was brought to the police station. Although they did quarrel a few times, they wasn't that bad.

Hiro himself didn't understand why did his mother plan behind his back.

He just hoped it wasn't something irreversible.