After dinner, Ren and Tsubaki went back to the hospital. Satsuki had woke up. Even though he was still weak but Dr. Morishita convinced them that his progress was going okay.
Both Ren and Tsubaki entered the ward. Satsuki smiled seeing both of his important people. Ren gestured for Tsubaki to sit while he stood beside the bed.
"How are you feeling?" She held her brother's hand.
"Not bad." Satsuki glanced at Ren. "It feels nice seeing you two together. I hope I don't imagining things."
"You're not." Ren replied with a faint smile. He patted the young man's shoulder. "Just focus on your recovery. You have lots of things waiting for you outside the hospital."
"I can't wait to be discharged. I want to run rampant in the games arcade."
Tsubaki chuckled, happy to see a cheery Satsuki. "Go to sleep. You still need to rest. I'll wait for you tonight."
"No, you won't." Satsuki objected before he turned to seek help from his brother in-law. "Brother, bring my sister home."
"Can't I just accompany you?" She was still worried about her younger brother. After all, he just had a major surgery.
"No." Satsuki firmly refused despite his sister giving him puppy eyes. "It's not comfortable for you to sleep here. I'd rather you go back home and come visit me tomorrow."
"But..."
"I'll bring her home." Ren cut in. "Don't worry."
In the end, Tsubaki could only agree. She didn't expect these two would team up against her. After a short visit, both of them left the hospital.
"About Kouichi."
"Yes?" Tsubaki glanced at the man driving beside her, quite startled with the sudden remark. "What about him?"
"We should go visit him some time later." He just remembered the note the little kid left for Tsubaki.
"Won't it disturb you? You're busy." She was happy with his consideration for the child they had just met but she didn't have the intention to have him squeezed the visit in between his super tight schedule.
"He did say to bring this handsome uncle along, right?" He winked.
Tsubaki shut her mouth. She didn't have the energy to keep up with his teasing. He had turned cheekier than before. Ren laughed, couldn't contain his glee.
He dropped her off in front of the apartment building. The street was quiet, there was no one in sight.
"I'll pick you up to visit Satsuki tomorrow morning."
"I could go by myself." Tsubaki politely rejected his offer. "You're busy, Mr. Fuse. I don't want to further hinder your work. Plus, you've accompanied me enough for today."
"Ren."
"Err... what?" Tsubaki unbuckled the seat belt. She looked confusedly at the man.
Ren flashed off his sweet smile. His eyes glinted mysteriously. "Call my name. Is that the way to call your husband?"
"You say you won't force me." She refuted, cheeks blushing.
"I won't force you to act fully as my wife. But I do want you to change the way you address me. If not, it might be awkward for us."
Tsubaki pondered for a moment. What he said was right. Their relationship was no longer between a baker and a customer, they were husband and wife. And he had done a lot for her and Satsuki, why couldn't she agree to his simple request? Squaring her shoulder, she opened her mouth.
"Ren."
Ren looked satisfied. It sounded a little awkward but he was happy because she complied to his request without much objection.
"I'll walk you to your door. It's already late."
"I could go alone from here, you don't have to get off the car."
Ren could only sigh. His little wife didn't want to be further spoiled by him so what could he do?
"Okay. Go home now. I'll wait until you safely enter your house."
Tsubaki nodded, compromising with him. She opened the car door and said, "Thank you for today. Please drive safely."
Ren laughed. He gestured for her to quickly go upstairs. "Go now before I change my mind and bring you back to my home. I could use a hugging pillow in the form of my wife."
Tsubaki flinched for a moment before she turned around and ran for the stairs. Ren laughed seeing her petite figure dashing from the street. He leaned against the steering wheel, his dark eyes filled with warmth. He left after he saw her silhouette near the windows of her little home.
After kicking off her shoes, Tsubaki threw herself on the comfy bed. She groaned, feeling tired. The clock had struck eleven. Today was a long day. She slowly rose from the bed, forcing herself to not sleep without washing up.
Tsubaki took off her cardigan and she threw it into a laundry basket. She wanted to take a quick shower and go straight to sleep afterwards. She took a towel and placed it on her shoulder.
Knock! Knock!
Tsubaki had only took a single step inside the bathroom when she heard the sound of someone knocking on her door. She frowned, slightly being alert as the night was already late. With a cautious step she went near the door.
Knock! Knock!
"Are you in there? I have something for you."
Tsubaki relaxed at the sound of the familiar voice. It was Aunt Fumiko's, the old lady living downstairs. The old lady often came to her home to give her homemade meal. She unlocked the door, didn't want to make the old lady waiting long.
"Why..."
Before she could finish her sentence, a figure clad in black grabbed her hand and pressed her mouth aggressively. Her eyes widened in shock.