Ren keyed in the password once he reached the door. He entered their home with a haggard appearance. Kicking off his shoes, he grabbed a pair of slippers from the cabinet. He looked at the living room, the lights and TV were on. Tsubaki's favourite ballad singer was singing on TV.
"You're back? Welcome home!"
Tsubaki appeared from the kitchen. She was holding a tray with a bowl of hot soup sat on it. Ren quickly put his briefcase down before going to help her.
"I'm home."
They exchanged smiles. Having left the soup to her husband, Tsubaki got inside the kitchen to get another items. Delicious aroma wafted in the air. She certainly had put quite an effort for tonight's dinner.
"How long have you been home?" Ren brought the tray to the dining table. He carefully placed it on the table, afraid of spilling the hot soup. "Kaede didn't report anything to me. I didn't check my phone either."
After being distressed with Akashi's finding and his conflicted feelings, Ren drowned himself in his works. His never ending works and meetings helped him from keep thinking of what he should do next. He knocked off work a quarter to 8. Many of his employees were already on their way home.
"Almost two hours ago? It's so much fun going to Spring City! I never realised I could find many interesting items there!" She exclaimed in excitement.
Tsubaki returned with two sets of bowl and chopsticks. She had prepared hand-pulled soba noddles for dinner. As they already had rice for dinner for almost a week already, she decided to change their dinner menu.
"Did you get anything for Grandma?" Ren pulled her chair, insisting for her to sit. He then rounded the table to get to his seat opposite Tsubaki's.
Tsubaki hands him a wet towel to wipe his hands clean. "At first, I think of buying something for Grandma but... I got another idea."
"Em?" Ren looked interested. "Do you want to prepare something else? Aside from the cakes?"
"Yes!" Tsubaki beamed. She looked at Ren with her eyes gleamed beautifully. "I remember what Grandma told us about her garden. I think I could do something about it. But... could you help me too? I don't have much information about Grandma's garden."
Ren laughed in amusement. He nodded, willing to give her his full cooperation. "Okay. Just ask me anything that you need to know."
"Thank you, hubby."
Tsubaki smiled sweetly. As her appetite improved, she began eating. The soup tasted especially delicious today. Ren watched her eating, feeling content. He too began eating.
After Ren took a bath, he saw Tsubaki was casually lounging on the coach in the living room. She was reading a book. He quietly went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of flower tea for both of them. Tsubaki looked up from her book as she noticed the faint fragrant of the flower tea. She scoot over a little as Ren took a seat beside her.
"Thank you." Tsubaki gratefully accepted the tea cup from her husband.
"What are you reading?" Ren crossed his leg on another and leaned against the cushion. He sipped the hot tea slowly, enjoying its taste.
"This book?" Tsubaki put down the cup on its saucer. She held the book to show him the cover. There was a couple of lovers standing side by side, holding hands while looking solemn. "I bought it from the bookstore in Spring City. It's on bestseller's romance titles so I think I should give it a try."
"Oh?" Ren's interest was piqued. Tsubaki rarely indulged herself in romance books. He placed the cup on the coffee table. Resting his side head on his right hand, he shifted closer to his wife. "It should be a good book if it's on bestsellers. What's the book about?"
"I think the story is kind of cliche, yet there's something refreshing about it. The male lead cancels his engagement with an heiress arranged by his family and returns to the female lead's side. He leaves his riches behind and started a small business with her. There are obstacles obviously, but what catches my interest is how both of them persevere."
Ren raised his eyebrows. "He left his money behind? All of them?"
Tsubaki nodded. "Yes. He leaves his family home without any monetary things. He wants to prove to his family that he could live without their fortune."
"Does the male lead is the head of the company in the beginning of the book?"
"Yes. He's the President. Why?" Tsubaki was confused with his question. She didn't expect him to ask questions regarding the book.
"Then, he's an idiot." Ren scoffed.
"What?" Baffled, Tsubaki stared at her husband. That remark came unexpectedly. "Why did you say the male lead is an idiot?"
"If he's the President, he works hard for the company. So his fortune isn't necessarily comes from his background even though the foundation is laid by his family's fortune in the beginning. He could just take what he rightfully owns before goes to the female lead."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes." Ren had already lost interest on the book. He took the remote controller and switched on the TV.
Tsubaki stared at her husband's side profile. She saw his points. But, if the male lead took such action, how should the writer wrote her book? It would end quickly! The readers wanted to feel the couple's heart-wrenching moments before they finally found their happiness! A question crossed her mind.
"If it's you, what would you do?"
Tsubaki put the book on her lap. She wanted to know his answer. Years ago, he left his family background behind because he didn't want to be a puppet for the old foxes as he had claimed. But, now his views on the book was different with his actions. There must be something that made him changed his opinion.
"Me?"
Ren turned his head, focusing on his wife once again. He looked at her, trying to perceive what she was trying to say. It didn't take him long to understand her. He tossed the remote controller aside. Adjusting his position, he leaned sideways on the couch, giving her his full attention.
Tsubaki nodded. "Yes, since five years ago you..."
Before she could finish her words, he sealed her lips with his. The book fell from her lap.