As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Almost four weeks after the incident in the filming set, Ryuu's injuries had been completely healed. The results of hospital check-ups were also good. 

The doctor finally gave the green light for the film emperor to return filming but, Ryuu still had to take good care of himself. He should avoid putting huge pressure on his own body. 

"Honey, you said that you'd rejoin the crew in two weeks?"

Yuina asked Ryuu the question after they had dinner one night. 

"Director Aoyama has agreed to extend my break. Besides, I have important things to do before going back to the forest," answered Ryuu with a lazy smile.

Yuina quietly assessed her husband's expression.

As of late, Yuina found that Ryuu's behavior got stranger. She didn't know when exactly it started but, her hunch was telling her that something odd was happening and the matter involved her husband.

It seemed like Ryuu was hiding something from her.

"Oh ya, my love, do you have anything planned for Silver Week?"

Ryuu's sudden question intrigued Yuina.

Silver Week Holidays would begin next Monday until Wednesday. Because the holidays fell right after the weekend, the break would be longer than in the past years. 

"I don't have anything except for visiting my parents' graves on the Autumnal Equinox Day. Do you want to visit Grandaunt's grave as well?"

Yuina grabbed a throw pillow then nestled next to her husband. She quietly looked into his calm expression. 

Although both of them rarely brought up Ryuu's grandaunt who took care of him ever since he was a child, Yuina understood how important the old lady was to her husband. She even had opportunities to meet Ryuu's grandaunt before her death.

"Yes," Ryuu nodded, "But, before that, we have something to do."

Yuina blinked, confusion flashed in her eyes, "What is it?"

Ryuu smiled yet something sinister lurked in his eyes.

"You'll know soon."

Ryuu had yet to open up to Yuina about what he had found so far with Hiro. The younger man had determined that his mother indeed played a role in the news leaking about the film emperor's hidden marriage.

When the news first dominated the headlines a few months ago, what came to Ryuu's mind was some paparazzi managed to snoop about the marriage he had kept a secret for years. 

Since the mastermind found concrete evidence of Ryuu's marriage to Yuina, he exposed the news in order to gain money. He also began digging deep into Yuina's background. 

Yet, a few confusing matters arose. The conversation that Hiro managed to screenshot from his mother's phone also cemented Ryuu's assumptions.

One of the conversations went on in this way.

[Aunt Shigeko: How long do you wanna wait???]

[Aunt Shigeko: Destroy that wretched girl!]

[Mr. X: I'm still planning for the best revenge]

[Mr. X: That bitch should know what I've gone through]

Whether Ryuu wanted to admit it or not, it seemed like the mastermind actually had a grudge against Yuina.

But, on what?

Even though Ryuu knew little about Yuina before she got transferred to his high school, he at least knew his wife wasn't someone who went around inviting people's wrath.

"Ah, Ryuu, I won't come home soon tomorrow. Himari asked me to go shopping with her."

Yuina suddenly remembered what the English teacher mentioned to her today. 

Himari said she and her husband would use the holiday voucher this coming Silver Week. Thus, the English teacher wanted to shop for new autumn outfits before setting off for the vacation.

Yuina was glad to fulfill her friend's wish. 

"Alright, but, don't come back too late," Ryuu gave a reminder, "Although the bodyguards are with you, you still have to be careful."

Because Yuina insisted on only having the bodyguards watching her from afar, Ryuu couldn't be at ease. 

"Okay~" Yuina smiled. She leaned over then kissed her husband's cheeks, "I'll buy something for you tomorrow. Wait for it, en?"

Ryuu laughed in helplessness. His eyes flickered with indulgence toward his wife.

The next day, Himari, Yuina and the two siblings went shopping after school hours. All of them sat inside Yuina's car as the Mathematics teacher proposed to Himari leave her car at school.

Himari agreed because both the villa and Yuina's residential building were southwest of the school. Even if they drove their own cars to the mall, they still needed to pass the school on their way back later.

Because it was on a weekday, the mall wasn't too crowded. 

The two ladies and two children entered countless boutiques. In the fourth shop, Yuina took a newly released autumn outfit from the rack then showed it to Himari.

"This one looks good with you! You could wear it during your vacation," Yuina made a remark, her lips smiling, "It's still not too chilly nowadays. If you feel cold, you can match it with a cardigan."

Himari looked at the outfit in Yuina's hands.

It was a square-neck puff-sleeved dress in an earthy tone with little flower prints on the fabric. Three buttons were sewn as decoration in the middle of the chest, followed by long ribbons. The long skirt flared out below the waist. 

"Does this suit me?" Himari tilted her head, "Won't it be pretty if I'm taller?"

Nanako had sent a few autumn dresses to Himari as usual but, considering this vacation would be a special one with her husband, Himari still wanted to find another outfit by herself. 

Yuina burst out laughing, "No! You should try it ah! Don't belittle yourself!"

"Aunt, this dress is pretty~" Chiharu chimed in happily, her eyes twinkling in delight, "Like a princess!"

Izumi shared the same sentiment with his sister, "Aunt, just try the dress first. But, I think it would really suit you."

Under the joint forces of the three of them, Himari had no choice but to go inside the fitting room. After a few minutes, she came out and let the three people be the judges.

"So beautiful~ Uncle would love it!"

"Hehe, yes. Aunt, don't worry ah. Uncle won't mind anything."

"Hahaha~ Did you hear that? This dress suits you. Come here. Let's pair it with this cardigan next."

Himari finally bought the dress. Her heart was overflowing with excitement at the idea of going for the vacation with Kazuya. Both of them would depart tomorrow morning. 

Chiharu and Izumi got gifts from their aunt for being good helpers. After that, they returned to school because both Himari and Yuina didn't feel like having dinner outside.

At this time, the only ones left were the patrol guards. The area around the school was eerie, especially the roads outside. The shadows of the trees' long branches and wigs appeared sinister. 

"Thank you for accompanying me," Himari thanked Yuina after she and the two siblings got out of the car, "I'll treat you to a meal after the holidays. Are you going somewhere?"

"There's nothing particular except for visiting my parents' graves. We'll go to visit my husband's guardian's grave too," replied Yuina who was sitting inside the car.

"Alright. I'll go home now. See you again, bye-bye."

"Bye-bye."

Yuina reversed the car then slowly left the schoolyard.

Himari ushered the siblings inside the car. They should return home before Kazuya came back. Himari also wanted to quickly wash the dress before going on vacation tomorrow. 

Yuina leisurely drove past the school gates. She nodded at the patrol guards who greeted her back. Soon, her car moved steadily on the vast yet quiet road.

"I hope he'd like my gift," whispered Yuina with a smile.

When Himari was paying for the dress, Yuina's eyes were attracted to a pair of cufflinks. Although Ryuu would only wear them during formal occasions, especially from high-end brand sponsors, she still bought them. 

Yuina didn't notice that a black van marching toward her car like a phantom.

BOOM!

"Argh!"

Yuina's body jolted when the van collided against her car. Her head was ringing with a buzzing sound inside her ears.

"What.... what happened... Argh!"

"Bitch! Come out! Come out!"

Before Yuina could register her shock, she heard the sound of glass shattered, followed by curses of a man dressed in black. The masked man forcefully opened the door then pulled her out of the car.

"Ah!"

Yuina fell knees first on the tarmac. Her body was stung with a painful sensation. The man dragged her body toward the van.

"Let me go! Get off! Who are you?"

Yuina tried kicking the man's legs and struggled from his grip but her actions were quickly blocked by the man.

Through the corner of her eyes, she saw her bodyguards rushing toward her. One was driving a car while the other ran to her spot. 

She also saw Himari's car coming close.

"No... no, don't! Don't stop here!"

Yuina's scream dispersed in the air. Her eyes widened in fear as she looked at Himari running out of the car, disregarding her own safety. 

"Let go of her!"

Himari was frightened the moment she saw the scene of Yuina being abducted by a strange masked man. Before a rational thought stopped her, her body had already run out of the car with nasty images playing in her mind.

She saw the images of the lewd men from three years ago overlapping with the man in black.

"Bitch! Go away!"

"Ah!"

The man kicked Himari. His heavy boots fell accurately on her stomach.

SCREECH!

BAM!

The black van reversed toward the running bodyguard and the car. Another collision occurred, sending a loud sound to the surroundings. 

In a split second, the black van rushed forward and stopped beside the man. The man smacked Yuina's head then threw her inside.

Horrified, Himari ran to the man. 

"No... let her go!"

Himari tried grasping for the man's black jacket but once again she was hit by the man. Her head bumped against the tarmac.

"Don't take her... away..."

Her entire body felt numb and her vision grew blurry. 

The last thing Himari saw before she lost her consciousness was the image of her hand reaching out in the direction of the van. 

Before the black van drove away, blowing exhaust smoke to her face, her hand dropped to the ground.