The Smile was So Familiar

A few hours later, in a part of the city.

Inside a high-rise condominium, Sakuya Residence.

A woman in a loose cotton dress was holding her phone while facing the floor-and-ceiling windows. The exquisite view of the waterfront did nothing to ease the frown on her face. She bit her lower lip as she waited for her call to be connected.

Ring... Ring...

"Yuina?"

The woman's brows relaxed, "Ryuu, are you in the studio?"

"Ah, yes," The man answered. Behind him, there were loud noises as if the scene was currently busy, "Sorry, my love, do you need something? I have to prepare for tonight's award."

Her eyes drifted to the cake on the dining table.

"Nothing. I just want to wish you good luck and happy birthday."

Even though her voice was light, the sadness in her eyes was hard to be concealed.

"Hehe, thank you, my wife. Okay! I'll bring the trophy back to you, okay? Don't forget to think what else you would give me as a birthday present."

The man spoke in an ambiguous tone, earning a blush on the woman's cheeks.

"Ryuu..."

"Ah! Sorry, sorry. I have to go now. Yousuke has been nagging me. See you at home tonight."

"...Okay, be careful."

Yuina lowered the phone. Her eyes stared at the screen. It was barely less than five minutes yet he hung up again. As usual, they couldn't talk much.

She still had so many things to say to him.

Yuina rubbed her arms repeatedly. Her eyes landed on the birthday cake on the table.

It was a strawberry shortcake that she made herself for his birthday. It seemed like she had to keep it inside the fridge first and took it out later tonight.

Did he remember that he requested this cake from her?

Because of his busy schedule, it was hard for them to have a meal together. They also couldn't celebrate the special days together. It would always end up with her receiving luxurious gifts from him.

Yuina suppressed the bitter disappointment in her heart.

Did he forget?

That, aside from his birthday and the film award, today was their fourth wedding anniversary?

Yuina brought the cake back to the kitchen. She took an apple and bit on it. Her steps were slow as she was walking toward the living room. The TV was advertising the upcoming Sakura Academy Prize tonight.

The posters and lists of the films that managed to be nominated came one by one. All of them were in high competition among others. She had watched all of them especially the film entitled 'Dummy.'

Then, a man's face was smiling toward the lens. Without even displaying his name, people would know who he was. His smile was projected on the screen.

Yuina paused her step in front of the TV.

The smile was so familiar.

She had always seen the same smile. Either when she had just woken up in the morning or while she was having video calls with him. She had even heard him laughing freely in front of her.

The one who was smiling was actually her husband.

She wondered, would he imagine she watching his moment of glory tonight in their love nest?

Yuina shook her head. She finished the apple then she went to the study. The study was filled with her things instead of her husband's belongings. There was a stack of papers that was waiting to be marked by her.

Her eyes lingered on the childish handwriting on the mock test papers.

"My love, let's have a baby? Don't you think it's time for us to have one?"

Those were his words when he made a call from abroad the other day.

Time and again, he brought up the suggestion but she would always find an excuse to reject him. As always, he didn't force her but she understood, he really wanted to have a child.

Yuina closed his eyes.

She should learn to control her feelings well. From the moment she agreed to marry him, she should have expected these days to come.

Her husband was an excellent actor. Although he struggled during the early years of his debut, he managed to be crowned as the new film emperor during the award ceremony last year. He was still in his late 20s yet various people praised that he would bring the film industry to another level.

Even so...

She really hoped she could have him all for herself, even for just one day.

Meanwhile, in a studio apartment in the city, two young ladies were currently watching the TV. The glory of a red carpet event was displayed on the screen.

"Aragaki Mika is as beautiful as always," Nanako's eyes lit up at the appearance of her favorite actress, "I wonder if she could snatch the grand prize."

"Inoue Makino has a high chance to win as well," Himari put down a plate of croquettes on the table. Various types of finger foods were served on the coffee table opposite the TV, "Her performance in 'Dummy' surpasses her previous works."

"Of course it surpassed! She's acting with my Ryuu-Ryuu!"

Himari helplessly shook her head. Nanako's fan filter toward the film emperor was something she couldn't understand.

Nanako was her best friend from high school and also her first friend here. She was also the first one who knew about Jun confessing to her.

To allow Himari to receive the best education, her mother sent her to the city to attend one of the well-known public schools in the area. She hailed from the countryside. The first time she came here, she knew nothing of the way of the city folks.

Himari's good grades gave her a chance to receive an amount of scholarship. It helped to cover the cost of accommodation and her meal card. To avoid worrying her mother, Himari lived frugally.

After high school, Himari attended an educational college while Nanako entered a major of design in one of the universities in the city. Their ambitions differed yet they remained to stay as best friends up until now.

"Ah! He's here! He's here!"

"Ouch! Don't hit me!"

The camera was focusing on an approaching black limousin. After the car pulled up in front of the red carpet, the door was opened. A long and slim leg was stretched out from the inside of the limousine before a tall man emerged out of the car.

It was Ishizaki Ryuu.

Aside from his acting prowess, his looks alone could easily make a woman swoon. His fans ranged from the middle schoolers to the grandmothers of the neighborhoods. All of them chose him as the best actor if one was looking for a son-in-law.

Last year was the first time he was crowned as the new Film Emperor. It was the sixth year after his debut. Although his acting prowess was known to his fans from the early days of his career, he had a hard time building up his name because of the bad management of his company.

Only after he separated from his old company did Ishizaki Ryuu strive forward.

Ishizaki Ryuu waved at the media before turning around to extend a hand toward the car. A graceful-looking hand accepted the film emperor's wide palm.

A woman came out. An exquisite gown perfectly befitted her slender body. The woman stood side by side with Ishizaki Ryuu. Both of them greeted the media.

"Ah! She's so beautiful! She looks too perfect with Filem Emperor Ishizaki!"

The actress was Inoue Makino, Ishizaki Ryuu's co-star for the film 'Dummy'.

Himari took a fries and munched on it. Nanako's attention was solely on the couple. She didn't want to miss the interview by the hosts before the couple entered the hall.

Soon, Ishizaki Ryuu and Inoue Makino arrived at the signboard. Both of them signed their signatures and stood next to the hosts.

"Mr. Ishizaki, coincidentally today is your birthday. Do you expect to bring back the trophy as your birthday present?" The female host began asking.

Ishizaki Ryuu drew a calm smile, "It'd be the best birthday gift for my fans if I managed to get it."

The hosts laughed together with him.

He didn't say it was a certainty. His words were far from being arrogant. Everyone in the industry knew the new film emperor was someone who was easy to get along with.

The male host directed his attention to the young actress beside the film emperor.

"Ms. Inoue, the critics praised you for your excellent performance in the movie. Did our Film Emperor Ishizaki help you in your acting?"

Inoue Makino flashed a bright smile, "Teacher Ishizaki is really good at acting. He helped to monitor our performance. It's easy to get into the role when we're acting with him."

While the hosts continued interviewing the stars, Himari glanced at Nanako.

"Say, your film emperor has never had a scandal, right?"

"En? Why do you ask that?" Nanako's eyes never shift from the TV.

"I just thought it's rare if we compared it to other actors," Himari shrugged her shoulders.

She didn't follow any specific actors or singers. Most of the news of the entertainment world came from Nanako. Even then, she briefly thought that never once did her best friend complained about her favorite actor drowning in scandals.

"It's not like he never has one, but, every time that kind of news comes up, it would be suppressed by his PR team. So far, we never know if he has a girlfriend or not."

Nanako wasn't one of the fanatic fans. If her favorite idols were dating, she would support them if their companions would make them happy.

Her excuse was easy.

It wasn't like she would be the one marrying them.

Himari hummed softly. She focused back on the TV. The award show would begin soon.