As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Yuina officially joined the production crew of 'Howling' today. Alongside the others, she was on her way to enter the forest. It was something that she had anticipated for a long time ever since Ryuu decided to bring her together.

"Sister Yuina, I've arranged for you to be in the same tent as me," Riku whispered as they sat next to each other inside a four-wheel drive, "Brother Ryuu's tent would be next to us."

As to how Ryuu had planned, if anyone ever questioned it, Yuina was to be said that she entered the group as a new assistant, introduced by Riku.

Because Riku was Ryuu's main assistant, it was not impossible for her to stay nearby to where the actor was.

"Thank you, Riku but, I'm good with anyhing," Yuina gave the young woman a smile, "I know that it's hard to be filming in such a place so, you can do your job first. Please don't think much about me."

Yuina was grateful yet, at the same time, she didn't wish to hinder any of Riku's work. 

"Hehe, I'm glad to help," Riku scratched her head, laughing sillily, "Because it's your first time to come together with us, it should be a memorable experience ah."

The four-wheel-drive that brought them finally made a stop. It was a bumpy ride since the roads leading into the forest were on uneven terrains. Yuina felt she was lucky that she didn't feel any urge to vomit.

The time reached four o'clock in the late afternoon. 

Ryuu wasn't with them because suddenly Director Aoyama called him to go one day earlier. When Ryuu wanted to change the plan, Yuina disagreed. She would just follow the initial one.

Even though her husband had to leave before her, Yuina didn't feel any bitterness this time around. 

"...why the lights aren't on?"

"Hey! Props! Someone bring me..."

"Lower the camera to..."

Countless voices resounded in the area right after Yuina got out of the four-wheel drive. All of the people there were extremely busy. She quietly scanned her new surroundings.

A heavy dense of tall trees and bushes fenced an open ground. Because they were in the middle of the forest, the summer heat generally cooled down.

Birds were chirping above, followed by the melody of leaves rustling. A clear sound of a stream flowing echoed nearby.

To Yuina, it was a whole new experience. 

"Sister Yuina, come. Ah! You don't have to carry the bags. I'll..."

Riku wanted to stop Yuina from taking the bags inside the four-wheel-drive yet Yuina refused.

"I'm here as an assistant," Yuina patted Riku's shoulders, "It's better if we act as naturally as we should, right?"

"...okay," Riku agreed as she thought it made sense.

Then, as the leader, Riku gave instructions to the other assistants as well. Yuina followed along as she picked up a few bags and moved together with them. 

If everything followed the schedule, she would be in the forest for four weeks.

Actually, Yuina wanted to stay here until the end of the summer break. But, after discussing further with Ryuu, Yuina decided to return to the city one week before school resumed. 

"This is your first time staying in a place like that for a long time. It might take a toll on your body, my love. You should have a proper rest before you start working again. En... Would you think I'm annoying for saying that?"

Ryuu appeared so pitiful. He was being so cautious with whatever he told his wife.

Yuina didn't find Ryuu's concern as something annoying. She herself thought it was probable if the long stay in the forest might put a strain on her body.

All this time, she lived in comfort where everything was easily accessible; delicious and warm food, nonstop clean running water, electricity and many more. A deep forest where the crew was filming was a far cry from the bustling city. 

"Sister Yuina, you can take this bed," said Riku once they got inside a tent.

Although it was called a tent, it was wide enough for them to put two foldable camp bed together with one bedside table. 

"Does everyone use this kind of tent? With beds?" Yuina put down her bag on the tent floor. She used a hiking bag to store all of her belongings.

"Yes. Some tents are shared between three and four people but, all of them get a bed for each person," Riku began explaining.

She untied her hair bun, letting her hair loose before she tied it again, "Director Aoyama pays extra attention in this aspect. Because they have to stay here for weeks, they need to preserve their stamina."

Yuina hummed in understanding. 

She didn't know much about film productions but, it was good if the hardworking crew got to have a proper rest. Since they needed to work in this kind of place, they should at least have a decent sleeping place.

After that, Riku brought Yuina and the other assistants to familiarize themselves with the place. They were being careful to not get in the way of the filming crew. Sometime later, Riku and the others went to a dilapidated-looking shack.

"Brother Ryuu would film the next scene here," Riku gestured her chin to the shack, "It would be a heartrending scene that shows the father and son fight."

"Sister Riku, where's Teacher Ishizaki?" One of the new assistants asked with a blushing face. "Is he resting?"

"Yes, we haven't seen Teacher Ishizaki, hehe~ Can we see him?" Another one chimed in.

Because the two of them were new assistants, they still didn't dare to call the film emperor 'Brother Ryuu' like how Riku did.

"Brother Ryuu is having a discussion with Director Aoyama and Scriptwriter Okada. I'll bring you guys to meet him later," Riku sneaked a glance at Yuina who was quietly looking around the place, "His next scene is scheduled at eight o'clock."

"Seriously? Yayy!"

"Hehe~ I don't care ah even if Teacher Ishizaki already has a wife. I'd still be his fan!"

"You're right. We should cheer on his new role."

Riku just smiled as she watched the girls beaming in excitement, thinking that they were cute. They didn't differ much from the first days she began working as Brother Ryuu's permanent assistant. 

It's just that...

After working alongside the film emperor for some time, Riku felt more stressed than happy. Especially when Brother Ryuu started doing his annoying antics.

Sigh.

An idol should only be admired from afar if one didn't want to ruin the fantasy.

"Okay, okay! For now, you guys are still free. We'll start working tonight!"

Riku announced while clapping her hands.

"Okay, Sister Riku!"

"Understood!"

Soon, the sun began setting. Purplish hues scattered on the horizon with a tinge of amber and ruby. 

Because they were surrounded by trees and bushes, the area turned dark faster than the other places. Although the lamps that were hanging from the tree branches and poles were lit up, they were still not enough.

"Come and get your food!"

"Hurry! There are still so many to do!"

"Just shove 'em food into your throat ah!"

Riku, Yuina and the other new assistants queued up to get dinner. They got a box of food each, freshly cooked by the cooking team. 

Until now, Yuina had yet to see Ryuu.

From what Riku had mentioned, Ryuu holed up inside the director's main tent since this afternoon. Heated arguments could be heard by the people passing nearby yet it was not something to be worried about. 

"The situation is better than I thought," whispered Yuina to Riku as they walked alongside each other, "The crew here still gets warm food. There's also portable toilets and showers here."

"As long as it's not raining or anything like that, we don't worry much about any inconveniences," admitted Riku honestly.

Filming in places that were away from decent civilization had always not been easy but, with cooperation from all of the people involved, everything would work out somehow.

The important thing that might hinder them was related to nature, either big or small. Even a seemingly light rain might turn into a thunderstorm next.

All of them found a place nearby a tree. Riku borrowed a mat from a crew then laid it on the ground. 

"Hey, can I sit with you guys?"

A masculine yet gentle voice sounded when they had just begun eating dinner.

"Teac... Teacher Ishizaki?"

"You... you wanna eat with us?"

The two girls gasped in surprise. They didn't expect to have their film emperor coming to them first.

"It's you guys' first day here, isn't it?" Ryuu drifted his eyes from the girls to his wife who was smiling faintly at him, "We should at least have dinner together. I have to count on you in the coming days."

"Of course! We will work hard!"

"Teacher Ishizaki, please, have a sit."

The two young women moved to give a space for Ryuu to sit on the mat. Their eyes were twinkling in excitement.

"Then, I'll take your offer."

Ryuu gave a meaningful glance at Riku who sat next to Yuina. His eyes darted from the girl to the vacant space left by the new assistants.

"Ah, ah, I feel like sitting here ah!" Riku sighed inwardly while putting on a performance, "Brother Ryuu, sit here. I think you can see the stars better from here."

"You're so considerate. Thanks, Riku," Ryuu smiled in satisfaction. 

Yuina stifled her laughter as she saw the confusion on the new assistants' faces. It was evident that they were confused by Riku's words.

Aye, her husband could still play a trick like this.

Hidden by the shadows, Ryuu brushed his hand on Yuina's before he calmly acted as if nothing happened.

Both of them shared the same smile.