He Had Owed Her So Much

Even though the news about the fight spread all over the elementary section, it didn't hinder the lesson periods. Izumi got back to class with a refreshed look. He wore a set of PE sportswear in exchange for his dirty uniform. His classmates who were concerned about him surrounded him to ask about the bullying issue.

"It has been settled. There's nothing to worry about now. Thank you for asking."

His answers would only be curt but, no one minded because all of them understood that Izumi didn't really like talking.

Even though his relationship with the other students was good but he would still mostly be by himself. If not for his good looks and willingness to help them when required, he might be an outcast as early as he entered the class.

The lesson continued and ended as usual.

As for the matter regarding Yuuto who ran out of the waiting room before, Izumi didn't care about it. He would be fine as long as Yuuto didn't plan to exact revenge on him because of this petty matter.

Soon, the school session ended.

While Himari was anticipating the free dinner tonight, someone else was also giddy for a date night.

"Teacher Masuda, you're going home early?" One of the teachers asked when they saw Yuina quickly gathered her items and got ready to leave.

"Yes," Yuina answered briefly but it was hard to conceal the joy in her eyes, "I have something to do at home. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

"Be careful on your way back!"

Yuina hummed a soft melody as she walked out of the administrative building. Her heart was jumping with joy.

Tonight, Ryuu invited her for a date at Kaiyo River! They would go to the restaurant first for dinner before strolling around the park.

Hehehe, her heart was blossoming like the cherry blossom petals~

"Honey, I'm home!"

Yuina shouted as soon as she entered the house. Soon, a tall figure rushed to her. In an instant, her entire body was lifted up to the air.

"My wife, you're back~"

"Hey! Put me down!"

"Hahaha!"

Ryuu's loud laugh echoed in the hallway. His eyes bent into crescents as he was teasing his wife. After he pressed a few smooches on her cheeks, he lowered her to the floor.

"Seriously!" Yuina lightly hammered on his chest.

Ryuu laughed again.

"Have you eaten lunch? It's already late," Yuina glanced at her wristwatch. It was half-past three in the evening.

"I reheated the dishes you made," Ryuu slung an arm and draped it over his wife's shoulders, "I was reading the new manuscript before you came back."

Yousuke, Ryuu's gold manager had come to deliver the script for the survival film. Although Yuina wanted him to rest, he spent his off days reading and reciting the script. He wanted to be prepared even though the filming won't start any time soon.

Even though the news had yet to be confirmed, some of the industry insiders knew that Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu would join Director Aoyama in the survival film - Howling of the Deep Forest, or in short, 'Howling'.

"Geez, even during your short break you still insist to read the script," Yuina couldn't help but nag.

Ryuu lightly pinched her cheek with the hand that laid on her shoulders, "I'm bored if I didn't do that. I don't know what else to do. I've cleaned the house before that. You're working, my wife. If you're here, I don't have to read the scripts~"

Yuina shot him glare at his attempt to be coquettish.

"Ah, I don't want to be bothered by you," She turned around and hooked both of her arms around his neck. Yuina chuckled as she asked, "I want to take a nap before going out tonight. So, do you want to join me?"

"Does the offer come with a special exercise before your nap?" Ryuu moved his hand from her shoulders, trailing down her spine until he gently squeezed her waist.

Sensing the man's bad intention, Yuina gave him a scoff, "Haha, in your dreams. I'm still tired from being bullied by you last night."

"Oh..." Ryuu showed a dejected face yet his hand was still roaming around her back.

Yuina slapped his hand away, "Shoo~ Don't disturb me. If you could obediently sleep next to me, you could join me."

Then, without waiting for his answer, Yuina dashed upstairs.

"Wife! You no longer love me," Ryuu's voice followed as he ran upstairs as well.

"Humph! I love my bed more than you~ Ah! Ryuu!"

"Hahaha!"

Yuina was surprised when Ryuu suddenly carried her. He laughed out loud despite her struggle. Ryuu threw her onto the bed. Both of them wrestled playfully until Yuina overtook her husband and ran inside the washroom to change her clothes.

The duplex condominium that was usually quiet was filled with laughter.

The husband and wife set out at six in the evening.

While Yuina could dress as usual, in the spring dress that was gifted by her husband the other day, paired with a denim jacket, Ryuu had to disguise himself.

"Is this alright?" Ryuu adjusted his black baseball cap on his head.

Yuina laughed helplessly, "You ask me as if this is your first time disguising yourself."

For their date tonight, Ryuu wore a pair of black pants, a white shirt and a denim jacket to match with his wife. Aside from the baseball cap, he also wore thick black-rimmed glasses and a face mask.

His complexion became a shade darker as he applied a darker color foundation to help in his disguise. He also thickened his eyebrows using the makeup technique that he acquired after years of being in the entertainment industry.

Ryuu didn't forget to put concealer on the beauty marks he had on his hands.

His fingers were slender and they were among what his fans loved about his top-notch good looks. Ryuu had two small beauty marks on the ring finger of his left hand. The marks were evident because they were right on top of his middle phalanx.

No matter how small they appeared in a long-distance photo, the eagled-eyes fans could still easily spot them. Ryuu didn't want to risk his fans from knowing about him being with Yuina.

If he wasn't careful, his wife's safety and reputation could be jeopardized.

Even so, he still wanted to be selfish by going out for a date with his wife.

He had owed her so much.

Yuina wore a mask over her face as well. although she didn't really need one. They used her car, the one that no paparazzi could associate with the young film emperor to go out. Soon, the car left the condominium complex, heading to Kaiyo River.

"Hehe, do you know? I found there would be a surprise for you during the early stages of the filming of 'Howling'?"

Ryuu suddenly brought up the topic while he drove the inconspicuous car.

"A surprise for me?" Yuina tilted her head, "Why does it have to do with me?'

Yuina couldn't find any correlation between her and the film that would be going to shoot soon.

"Hehehe, you'll know soon," Ryuu's mood was jovial. He lightly tapped his knuckles on the steering wheel, "I can't tell you now or it'd ruin the moment!"

"Heh," Yuina gave her husband a side-eyed, "Alright. Let me see if the surprise is worth it or not."

The smile on Ryuu's face deepened, "Just wait for it!"

While Ryuu's attention was back on driving, Yuina silently looked at her husband.

In these few short days she was with him, all the loneliness she felt during his absence was replaced by a blissful feeling.

She didn't have to wake up alone in the morning. Instead, she could feel his warm arms embracing her in her sleep.

But, it would end soon.

"Ryuu, for this global tour, when would you be back again?"

Her voice sounded so soft yet her words managed to stiffen the man.

"...I'll be gone for a month and a half," Ryuu answered dryly.

"Then, when would you start the survival film's shooting?" Yuina asked again as if she didn't notice the change of the man's tone.

Ryuu silently recalled the date. He made an estimation, "In two weeks after I come back from the tour."

Once his words fell, the entire car was shrouded in silence.

The orange lights from the lamp poles illuminated the interior of the car, showing two people who wore forlorn expressions.

Yuina lightly bit her lower lip. She blamed herself for making the atmosphere around them turned sour on such an anticipated date night.

Ryuu also wasn't much better. He faulted himself for being together less and separated more from his wife. He still acknowledged how lonely she would be on the days he was away even though it was for his career.

"Ryuu?"

The man jolted up. He glanced at her.

Ryuu's eyes widened once he saw her bright smile.

"Before you go, let's make up for the time we're away, en?"

A lump formed in his throat. He almost choked as he nodded.

"En," He removed one hand from the steering wheel and placed his palm over her hands, "We shouldn't waste our time. Let's use it well, okay?"

"Okay."

Yuina smiled.

This was alright.

This was enough.

After all, wasn't he still belonged to her?

She kept chanting the same words inside her heart.

If not, she might lose the courage to continue loving him.