As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

In the morning, the doctor and a team of nurses came to check on Ryuu. The questions thrown out by the doctor were answered well by Ryuu as the former inquired about what he currently felt.

Yuina and Riku stood far from the bed, only examining what the doctor did silently. 

After the doctor finished with the inspection, he began recounting the new findings. He was a middle-aged man with soft facial features but, when he spoke, he appeared stern.

"To be on the safe side, we would conduct further examinations for Mr. Ishizaki's head injury. As for the injury on his arm and back, it's strongly suggested for him to rest for at least half a month. If not, the strain due to his filming might lead to heavy consequences."

The doctor emphasized on the latter half of his reminders, his sharp eyes looking straight at Ryuu who raised up a hand to ask if he could return to the filming set soon.

Shrinking his neck, Ryuu felt as if he was being peered into by his high school discipline teacher that often caught him playing truant.

Riku threw a glare at Ryuu before she thanked the doctor, acting as the representative.

"We will pay attention to this matter, doctor. We understand that it's important for Mr. Ishizaki's body to fully heal because his current work needs him to be active and might put him in dangerous situations."

There were cases when actors who suffered from grave injuries immediately return to the set. Although the actions were done because of their high dedication to the filming, what they did really led them to bear the aftermaths.

No matter how greedy the upper management of the company was, they could only reluctantly allow Ryuu to take some time off from filming. This was done because they didn't want to lose another dazzling star.

It was one of the biggest black stains of the company. 

After the doctor left, Yuina voiced out her doubts. Her gaze fell on her husband's pale face before it settled on Riku. 

"Riku, would the company really allow Ryuu to take a long break?"

Forgive her for being skeptical but, Yuina had often heard complaints from Ryuu and Riku before about how the company was just an inch away from being a slave driver.

She didn't know whether it was true or not but, she was aware of the fact that it wasn't easy to take a break from ongoing filming.

"I think the upper management would," answered Riku without giving her boss time to say anything, "Sister Yuina, you might not know this but, more than a decade ago something happened to an actor who was forced to resume filming after contracted heavy injuries."

Frowning, Yuina asked again, "What happened?"

Riku opened up the story. 

"Well, there was an actor who was set to be the next film emperor. Brother Ryuu hasn't debuted at that time. The actor fell from the high stage. His injuries were serious but, the company pushed him to return to the set. After some time, his injuries worsened until he had to undergo continuous surgeries."

Riku heard the story from her seniors who had worked for almost two decades.

The actor suffered from depression then announced his early retirement.

Even though she was still a really young student at that time, Riku remembered the chaos that originated from the actor's massive fan base. The fans demanded apologies and better compensation due to the company's mistreatment.

A dazzling star was lost due to humans' greed.

"The last I heard about him, people said the actor opened up a filming school abroad and married his longtime girlfriend. Well, at least it's good that he found something else to do after losing his dreams."

Yuina bit her lip. She understood why did Riku sound confidant when the latter said the company won't mess with Ryuu's current conditions.

Ryuu managed to snatch the throne of the film emperor that was actually occupied by the company's rival. If the same thing occurred, the company would lose its face and sky-high piles of money that would come because of Ryuu.

"Relax, wife, I'll really rest properly before continuing filming."

Ryuu smiled, trying to alleviate Yuina's worries. 

Riku had told him about how shaken Yuina was since yesterday until he woke up. Ryuu had to admit that he felt so guilty hearing that, more so when this was the first time Yuina had to witness such a scene.

All this time, Ryuu was able to hide his injuries well even though most of them were light because they were apart for a long time. He managed to heal completely before he returned home.

But, now...

Yuina heaved a sigh. Waving a hand, she shook her head.

"Okay, Riku. Let's say that the company agrees to let Ryuu take a break until his injuries heal. We should focus on another thing. Could you rest properly here?"

Halfway through speaking to Riku, Yuina suddenly directed a question to Ryuu.

The injuries weren't so severe but, if Ryuu remained in this hospital, Yuina was afraid if it was easy to leak about his hospitalization.

She knew that a few journalists were snooping around this small town because they were unable to get inside the forest where the filming was. Thus, it was actually easy for them to sniff this news then rush to the hospital.

"Yousuke is currently arranging for Brother Ryuu's transfer to the city. But, it might take two more days," replied Riku.

Ryuu's head injury would undergo more scanning today and tomorrow. This was done to ensure nothing harmful suddenly arose.

Seeing that Yuina's brows were still furrowing, Riku added with a smile, "Sister Yuina, I know that you're concerned about Brother Ryuu's safety. Please rest assured, the company sent more bodyguards here, disguising as civilians."

The young assistant was fully aware of the anxiousness lied in Yuina's eyes. 

"Okay... Sorry, I'm just worried," admitted Yuina in a hushed shame, thinking that she sounded so nosy, "You and Yousuke have many experiences already... I shouldn't ask much."

Riku gave her an understanding smile. After completing a few tasks, she left the ward, giving privacy to her boss and his wife.

Once the door was closed, the air inside the private ward felt stifling to Yuina. She worriedly stared at Ryuu who was still on the bed.

Ryuu raised up his lips, smiling at his wife. He lifted up his uninjured hand.

"My love, come here."

Yuina hesitated for a moment before she rushed to her husband's side. She sat on the edge of the bed, facing Ryuu. Her eyes were silently tracing the evidence of injuries left on him.

"Are you uncomfortable with me worrying about every single thing?" asked Yuina quietly, eyes lowered to look at their hands that got entwined together.

"You'd be a heartless spouse if you aren't worrying about your injured significant other," replied Ryuu with a lopsided grin, "But, I also don't want you to feel so stressed out, my love."

Yuina let out a weak laugh. 

Ryuu's smile softened. He began playing with his wife's fingers, brushing her palm with his thumb.

A chuckle escaped Ryuu's lips when a thought crossed her mind.

"Yuina, do you remember the one time I got a high fever yet I didn't go to the doctor?"

Yuina blinked, trying to recall the memory.

"Yes, I still remember it..." answered Yuina vaguely, "It happened when you worked nonstop at the construction site for a week straight, wasn't it?"

Ryuu nodded.

To get extra money for survival, Ryuu often skipped schools and worked as labor. He could easily be found in any of the construction sites within the small town or warehouses that needed extra help.

Ryuu only toned down in playing truants after he got together with Yuina. She insisted that education was important. Thus, Ryuu only went to work after school hours. 

"You insisted on working overtime and came to school early the next day. No wonder that you collapsed," Yuina sighed, "If I didn't go to your house at that time, I wouldn't know that you actually have a high fever."

Ryuu didn't come to school that day. Because Yuina couldn't reach him either through calls or texts, she decided to go looking for him.

In the end, she found him lying on the floor with only a thin blanket covering him.

"Hehe, I just wanted to buy you a good coat before winter came," Ryuu let go of Yuina's hand. He laughed while brushing his nose, the memory of his youth amused him.

While Ryuu was smiling and laughing, Yuina was in discomfort.

Aunt Shigeko sold most of the valuable things that were previously owned by Yuina's parents. She even took the good and warm coat that Yuina got as a gift and sold it at the flea market. 

It was already too late by the time Yuina realized that.

"Ryuu."

His wife's call made Ryuu straighten his back. Suddenly, he got an ominous feeling by listening to how subdued she sounded.

"Yuina, what..."

Yuina tilted her head, smiling sadly, "All this while, you have always done things that would bring me benefits but... do I really deserve all that?"

Ryuu blinked. His lips hung open. 

-------------------

Author's Note:

Happy New Year!

I'm sorry that I went radio silent for the entirety of December. I thought I'd just be resting but, so many things, depressing things happened.

Two deaths of my close ones, big floods that occured within the country and even problems with my personal life. I really had no mood to do anything. Even now, I'm just forcing myself to keep going on.

There might be updates tomorrow, there might be not. I'm sorry that I couldn't promise anything.

I really hope 2022 would be a better year for us.