As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Yuina immediately returned home after the meeting ended. She was lucky because she wasn't caught in any traffic jam. Right after she entered her home, she found her husband lying listlessly on the couch.

"Honey~ I'm home!"

Ryuu's ears perked up. His sleepiness vanished in an instant.

"Welcome home, my love."

Ryuu rushed to Yuina who was putting her heels inside the shoe cabinet. He disregarded his wife's complaints about his injured leg. Ryuu was quick to bring Yuina in his arms.

"How was your day? Was everything alright?"

Although the bodyguards sent hourly reports to Ryuu, saying that no harm fell on Yuina, he still couldn't let go of his worries. He needed to check it with his wife. 

"Nothing happened, really," Yuina smiled. She kept talking as both of them walked to the couch, "Well, I did hear people talking about you but, it seems like no one has recognized me yet."

The teachers talked about the film emperor's decision to reveal his wife to the world. Yuina was calm even though it was her that was being gossiped about. 

"It's good that nothing happened," Ryuu let out a sigh, sounding so relieved.

Both Yousuke and Riku kept updating Ryuu on the news that kept on circulating.

At first, the higher-ups were frustrated because the film emperor didn't consult with them before letting out such highly sought-after revelation but, seeing that most of the reactions were positive, they kept their mouths shut.

The shock wasn't as high as before. Because people had already known that Ryuu was married to his long-time girlfriend, this revelation might come sooner or later.

"Yousuke said some fans asked why did I seem to be at home. He answered that those photos were taken before I went filming."

Ryuu shared what Yousuke and Riku discussed with him today to Yuina While doing so, his long hand reached out for a jug before he poured a glass of water. He passed the glass to his wife.

Yuina hummed, the rim of the glass hovered on her lips. She took a few sips and place the glass on the table. 

Ryuu's fan club knew that currently, their beloved actor was supposed to be away from the city. Although they didn't know when would Ryuu return from the wilderness, they had a rough estimation in their hands.

"Hubby, you sit here first. I wanna change my clothes then see what should I cook for dinner tonight."

The time would reach six o'clock soon. Yuina didn't remember which ingredients were left inside the fridge. She had to hurry to the supermarket downstairs if she needed to.

"Don't worry about that," Ryuu sighed. 

Yuina had just stood up when Ryuu quickly grabbed her waist, pulling her to continue sitting. She stared at him in confusion. 

"You must be tired today. I've ordered food from your favorite Italian restaurant. The delivery guy would arrive at seven. Just go and have a relaxing bath, en?"

As if having her heart doused in sweet honey, Yuina smiled.

"Okay~ Thank you, hubby!"

Ryuu smiled foolishly as he received a kiss from his wife.

The two of them had a scrumptious dinner. Ryuu knew Yuina's taste so well. He only ordered her favorite dishes from the restaurant. He also didn't forget dessert.

After dinner, Yuina cut some fruits and placed the plate on the coffee table. Ryuu happily let his wife lean on him as both of them sat on the couch.

"Yousuke and I found something today," said Ryuu suddenly.

Yuina blinked. Tilting up her chin, she stared at her husband who was playing with her long hair.

Ryuu continued speaking under her silent question. 

"Yousuke's contacts informed him that some low-tier media companies received anonymous e-mails this morning. The sender offered to sell news about your identity."

Flustered, Yuina asked, "What did he tell them?"

The e-mail sender would inevitably give some hints to the media if he wanted them to accept the offer. Yuina was anxious to think of what did the mastermind unveil in those e-mails.

Ryuu was uncomfortable to see his wife look fearful but he didn't stop. He answered in a quiet voice, "He mentioned about you... harming a man in high school."

Yuina froze. 

Sure enough... Whoever this person was, he seemed to know her bleak past.

Not realizing that her body began to tremble, Yuina asked dumbly, "Then... what's next? Has the news been released but... I haven't seen them yet?"

Ryuu pulled Yuina even closer to him. He softened his voice as he tried to calm her nerves. His broad palm caressed her head, down to the small of her back. 

"Don't worry, my love. The reporters are eager for news yet they didn't dare to do anything now. Yousuke has been keeping them in check. My PR team is also on standby. They are trying to track down the e-mail sender."

Yuina quietly nodded her head. She believed in Ryuu's arrangements.

Having her past been presented to the world made Yuina feel as if she was standing naked under countless judging eyes, their stares pierced into her soul. Even though she was the victim, she won't be spared from nasty backlash.

"Ryuu, have you ever thought that whoever this person is, he might be in cahoots with people who know me?"

Yuina's question was answered with heavy breathing from Ryuu.

Even without her husband verbally replying to her, Yuina understood the answer.

There might be someone cooperating with the mastermind.

But, who was it?

At the same time, in the Hayashi family's villa.

"The duck goes quack-quack~ Swimming in the water~ The cow goes moo-moo~ Eating the grass~ The cat goes meow-meow~ Jumping on the fence~"

"Meow~~"

When a certain dumpling happily sang her new favorite song while walking upstairs, an orange tabby followed her from behind. The dumpling dressed in pink ran inside a bedroom.

"Aunt~ Aunt~ Sleep with Chiharu tonight~"

Chiharu jumped on the huge bed then rolled until her soft and long hair got messed up. Chobi headed to a lone couch sitting beside the window. It was his new favorite spot to sleep.

Himari lifted up her eyes, looking at Chiharu. The dumpling cutely smiled at Himari who was writing down something on a planner.

"Aiya, because your uncle isn't here, you wanna me to sleep with you?"

Himari teased the dumpling. She pinched the little one's chubby cheeks, inciting bubbly laughter from the girl.

"Aunt, please read Chiharu a storybook?"

The little girl made a request. She crawled closer to her aunt then lie down her head on Himari's lap.

Chiharu had really grown accustomed to Himari's presence especially ever since the young teacher began living here. Her little heart was actually yearning for a mother's love yet, she didn't really understand it herself.

"Okay~ Let's go and brush your teeth first. You have to sleep early, sweetie." Himari put down the planner on the bedside table.

"Hehe, okay~" Chiharu agreed happily.

As the aunt and niece headed to the dumpling's princess room, both of them stopped by to check on Izumi first. The boy was reading a book on the bed. It seemed like he was already getting ready to sleep before school tomorrow.

"Haven't sleep yet, Izumi?" asked Himari with a smile.

"Aunt, Chiharu," Izumi closed the book. As if he remembered something, he looked at Himari and asked, "Aunt, can't Grade Three students join the exchange?" 

Izumi already knew that his aunt would be in charge of the exchange program together with Teacher Maekawa and Teacher Sagami. Like the other students, he was interested in joining the exchange but so far, the school only gave the opportunity to Grade Four and Five students. 

Understanding the meaning behind the boy's question, Himari smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Izumi. The school would still go with the usual arrangement."

"Oh... okay," answered the boy dejectedly.

Although Izumi knew the selected students would go to the schools with poorer conditions, he didn't mind about it. He got excited at the thought of getting new experiences and gaining new friends.

"It's okay, Aunt. I might be able to join the exchange next year," said Izumi optimistically after having a second of disappointment.

Himari's heart went soft. She patted the boy's head, "Yes, you might get the chance next year."

Izumi grinned. He said good night to Himari and Chiharu before the two ladies walked out of his room.

The soft dumpling fell asleep before Himari finished reading the storybook. Himari tucked the little girl under the blanket, smoothened her messy hair then got out of the bed.

The night was still early. The clock had yet to hit ten. 

Himari glanced at her phone. Kazuya had texted her earlier, saying he wanted to call her after he got back to the hotel. He was supposed to attend a dinner with his partners tonight.

Looking up to the dark sky with the bright moon hanging above, Himari had to admit that she actually felt lonely right now. Usually, she would watch the TV or read books with Kazuya at this time or even accompany him in the study.

Every inch of her heart was missing him; his smiles, gazes and warm touches.

Ring ring~

Himari quickly answered the call. It was a video call request from Kazuya.

In a second, his exhausted yet smiling face appeared on the screen. It seemed like he was resting on a couch without changing out of his formal attire. 

"Sweetheart, I miss you. Do you miss me right now?"

Himari's lips bloomed into a smile.

How could he ask that as if he knew what she was thinking?

"Honey, I miss you."