The day for Satsuki to be discharged had been set. In the midst of his busy schedule, Ren had brought Tsubaki over to the apartment. She was satisfied seeing the environment surrounding the apartment complex. Both of them had already picked the necessary items for Satsuki.
"Grandma's birthday is getting nearer but I still don't know which gift I should buy for her," Tsubaki muttered while wiping the dining table.
Their days had came back to normal. Ren was busy with the company while Tsubaki had returned to her bakery. Both of them left the old house a few days ago and continued living in Spring Garden. They had just eaten dinner together. Ren was washing the dishes. Tsubaki walked to his side and started wiping the fine china with a clean cloth.
"I've already got her a calligraphy from her favourite Master. We could just present it together," Ren stole a glance at his wife. He smiled seeing her lips pouted.
"But, I wasn't included in the process of choosing. I still need to give her another present," Tsubaki disagreed with Ren's idea.
It might sounded superficial but since it was the first time she celebrating Grandma Fuse's birthday, she felt like she needed to do something about it. Accepting her husband's offer was fine, but it didn't feel right to her.
"You'd bake Grandma's sweets for the celebration later so I think it's enough already." Ren wiped his hands clean and continued helping Tsubaki by arranging the clean dishes on the rack. He had spent much time working so he greatly cherish every single moment with her.
"Do you think so?" Tsubaki raised her head, looking to Ren's smiling face. Her brows furrowed.
Ren chuckled. He leaned in and lightly pecking her lips. "You think too much. Why don't you take Kaede tomorrow with you and go to Spring City? See what you'd like to buy for Grandma. Put the items on my tab."
Spring City was one of the top three department stores in the country owned by Fuse Corporation. Besides offering varieties of impressive collection of jewelries, apparels, beauty products and more, people would often flock over to the beautiful garden built on the ground floor of the store.
"I'll think about that."
Tsubaki placed the last dish on the rack. Seeing that her job was done, Ren quickly led her outside the kitchen. Both of them took a seat at the couch. They were going to watch a movie tonight as per Ren's request. After Grandma Fuse' birthday celebration, he would be busy with the matters involving Wada Tatsuya. He might be needed to travel outside the country, hence he wanted to spend his free time with her wife before it started.
"Do you want to watch this?" Tsubaki clicked on a title using the remote controller. The poster and synopsis appeared on the TV screen. It was a romantic comedy movie starred by the celebrities who won Best Couple Awards last year.
"I don't mind," Ren agreed. When he just started being cozy on the couch, his phone rang. He took a quick glance over it. It was Akashi. He frowned. Standing up from the couch, he looked apologetically to his wife.
"I need to answer this, you can start watching it first."
"Okay."
Ren picked up the call and spoke in a low voice. Tsubaki glanced at her husband's disappearing figure. He went upstairs, probably to his study. She didn't miss the brief tension that flashed on his face when he saw the caller's name. She felt uneasy but it was his privacy. Maybe it was related to his job.
I hope it's nothing serious.
Inside the study. Ren sat on the chair. His phone pressed on his ear.
"Yes?"
"I'm heading to City Q tonight." Akashi's voice couldn't be heard over the noise surrounding him. It seemed like he was in a game arcade.
"New clues?" Ren asked, his expression turned serious.
"I can't share the details yet but it'd definitely help you."
"Okay. Call me if you need anything."
The conversation was short yet it made Ren thought a lot. For once Akashi didn't act goofy while giving information to him. It meant his business going to City Q was a serious one and might be dangerous. Ren leaned his back against the chair. He closed his eyes, feeling headache coming.
Akashi was working secretly yet there were only little clues left behind. He wondered what made his friend going to another city. It was a faraway city from their capital. From what Ren knew, the development for City Q was still far behind theirs.
Would he find the key of the mystery?
Knock! Knock!
Ren was startled, he opened his eyes in an instant. He turned his head. Tsubaki was standing outside the study, peering inside with concerned eyes.
"Oh, sorry love. Did you wait long?" Ren quickly stood up and walked to the door. Tsubaki was eyeing him carefully, as if wanting to tear his mask away.
"The movie has been going for 30 minutes yet you didn't come back." Tsubaki reached out a hand and linked their hands together. "Are you okay? Want to go to bed earlier?"
She had been watching him for 5 minutes before deciding to knock on the door. He was sitting quietly inside the study. The complex expression on his face made her wondered if something had happened.
At times, she could feel the distance between them. There was something that he had been hiding from her. If her guess was right, it could be about the incident that happened 5 years ago. He did say he was investigating the matter.
"30 minutes?" Ren was totally shocked. He didn't realise that he had been in the study for long. It seemed like his thoughts had wandered far.
"You look tired. We should call it a night."
Tsubaki decided without giving Ren a chance to argue. She pulled him towards her before closing the door of the study. Leading him by hand, she walked to their bedroom.
Moonlight cast shadows over the furniture inside the room. The scenery outside the wall to ceiling windows was stunning yet it felt lifeless. Ren watched the back of his wife's head. He caught minute details of his wife's expression earlier, something was off.
"Love, are you okay?"
Tsubaki turned around, facing her husband. She held her gaze over his curious one, trying to seek what he held back inside his mind. She smiled yet it didn't look as radiant as usual.
"Dear, do you want to continue bearing the burden by yourself?"