Tsubaki's face flushed red. She felt hot all of a sudden. Her hands trembling, she lightly pushed her husband away.
Ren let her go after a moment. He smiled seeing her red face. Raising his right hand, he stroked her cheek. His eyes didn't leave her face, capturing every tiny detail of hers.
He loved watching how her expressions changed because of him. Whether it was due to his teasing or him being romantic. Love and adoration were clearly manifested on his face. He lightly pecked her eyes and lips.
"If I were the male lead..."
Ren held her close, the tips of their noses almost touching. Tsubaki could only silently look at her husband. Her heart was beating fast. The same as his. Her eyelashes fluttered when he placed one hand on her waist.
"I won't make the choice of leaving what rightfully belongs to me. I did the stupid thing five years ago, but it was before I met you. I was determined to leave my background behind but, my thoughts changed after we met. You've changed how I viewed things."
"How?" Tsubaki asked meekly. Being held this close by her husband really made her brain stopped working properly.
"I saw how hard you work to survive. I always thought, if I didn't foolishly leave my fortune behind I could help you and our lives before might be easier for both of us and Satsuki. But at the same time, if I didn't make the same choice as back then, I might not meet you. I was really conflicted."
Tsubaki didn't say anything. She just kept on listening to him. It was a rare moment for him to share their memories together before. She carefully looked at his eyes, full of pain. Her heart ached seeing him like this.
"I'm not the same old me..." Ren smiled bitterly. "I have finally found you again. I won't sacrifice my rights just to be with you. Instead, I would use them to protect you and place you behind me. To shield you from any danger that could befall on you."
Her eyes started glistening with tears. She slowly shook her head. Holding her gaze on him, she opened her mouth.
"I don't want to be behind you. My place is beside you. As you want to protect me, allow me to protect you too. I have said it before. Don't burden yourself. Share it with me if you could. I don't want to always be on the receiving end. I am your wife."
Ren was rendered speechless. It was not the first time she voiced out her opinions. Each time she spoke, it was filled with determination. Even though his heart was still wavering after his conversation with Akashi earlier, this time he could finally come to a decision.
It was all thanks to her.
"I've made up my mind." Ren started, his eyes brightened. "I will stop my searching for the truth of five years ago. Instead, I'd focus on our time together. As you've said, if only something happened again that could be linked to the accident I would start my searching again. If not, we would forget it."
Tsubaki's eyes widened. They just talked about the matter last night. She didn't expect that he would come to his decision this sooner. Overjoyed, she threw herself on him, hands wrapping his neck. Ren laid flat on the couch due to her weight came crashing over him suddenly. His hands tightened around her waist.
"Thank you! Thank you..."
Tsubaki buried her face in the crook of his neck. Ren couldn't see her face but he could feel her body trembling. His pajamas collar felt wet. He frowned. Was she crying? He raised his hand, intending to stroke her head. He wanted to comfort her. He didn't expect she would be this emotional over his decision.
"Tsubaki..."
"I love you."
His hand froze in the air. He opened his eyes wide. Tsubaki slowly rose her head from his neck. She looked deep into his dark eyes. Her rosy cheeks were damp with tears. She was smiling. A smile that made his heart skipped a beat before it started beating faster.
"I love you, Ren."
Ren didn't realize what he did after her confession. He put his hand on the base of her neck, leading her to lock her lips with his. Titling her head, he savored her taste. He didn't feel anything except for his overwhelming love for her. Her hands fisted on his pajamas, wrinkling it.
Realising Tsubaki had almost being suffocated with his kiss, he reluctantly pulled his lips away from hers. Watching her dazed eyes and rosebud lips, he smiled. He caressed her cheek. His eyes couldn't stop emitting joy.
"Do you really mean it?" Ren asked. "Do you?"
It was the first time she had truly confessed her feelings for him. From the start, she had always been careful with him before slowly accepting him as her husband. They had shared a few hugs and kisses and sweet words yet deep inside his heart, he felt insecure if she actually wasn't willing to be with him. To hear her saying that, he was afraid if it was just another delusion of his.
It took Tsubaki quite sometime before she could finally steady her breath. Ren had never kissed her like that. He was always being gentle. Her confession earlier had really set him on fire. Chasing away her silly thoughts, she focused on her husband's joyful face.
"I love you."
Tsubaki smiled while repeating what he wanted to hear. She placed her palms on his cheeks, his skin felt warm on her touch. Their eyes were locked together.
"I know you have always wanted me to say this but... I'm sorry because it took me a long time."
Tsubaki gently stroked her husband's cheeks. Her smile turned sweet than ever. She really wanted to profess her feelings, for her love to reach him. He had waited for a long time. She shouldn't make him wait any longer.
"I love you for always thinking of me. I love you for always being with me. I love you for always being selfless towards me. I love you for always being a good husband for me. And..."
Tsubaki teared up again. She laughed before lowering her head to his. Their lips had almost brushed together when she continued.
"I love you for your own self."