"The Internal War of Z-Tech Group Has Finally Ended! Wada Tatsuya Returns Victorious!"
"Fuse Corporation X Z-Tech Group Collaboration: The End of Their Rivalry?"
"Summer City Hotel Project Would be On Halt?"
When the first two news meant nothing to Tsubaki, it wasn't the same case when she read the title of the third news. She was scrolling her phone to read the latest news when she caught sight of the news related to Summer City Hotel. She knew that it was one of the big projects for Fuse Corporation.
Ren should be okay, right?
Tsubaki threw her gaze outside the windows. She was currently sitting in a car sent by Grandma Fuse to pick her up at her bakery. Ren had asked Grandma to send a chauffeur from the old house to get her. After leaving the bustling streets of the city center, only rows and rows of maple trees could be seen around her. The sun was already setting, casting its golden lights against the leaves.
Kaede was sitting beside the driver. She had been quiet since the start of their journey. Realizing that her Madam's solemn expression through the rear view mirror, she asked.
"Are you okay, Madam? You've been fiddling with your phone and you look distress."
Tsubaki shook her head weakly. She tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm just tired. Don't worry, Kaede."
Kaede just nodded in understanding. She took one last peek before focusing on the road ahead. It wasn't like she didn't know what had been bothering her young madam, but she felt like it wasn't her place to butt in.
Tsubaki sighed silently. After Ren's last call a few hours earlier, she didn't receive any text or call from him. Even Hibiki hadn't reported anything to her. When both of them went radio silence, she couldn't help but worried when a news like this surfaced.
As she had expected, the situation at the old house was a bit gloomy because of the news.
"Little Tsubaki," Grandma Fuse walked towards her once Tsubaki exited the car. The frail old lady hugged her tightly.
"Grandma, Ren will be okay." Tsubaki put up a strong face. She didn't want to increase the old lady's worry if she herself being fragile in such a situation. "Ren is a talented man. I'm sure he knows what to do to solve this situation."
Grandma Fuse nodded weakly. "The PR department has suppressed the news yet who knows how the reporters got a hold of the information. Such news would bring damage to the company. More over the media has been spouting nonsense about the company purposely buying raw materials in low quality."
Tsubaki patted Grandma Fuse's back gently. She hugged the old lady while leading her to the living room. Old Yuuzo just followed them silently from behind. Once they sat in the living room, Tsubaki's focus turned to the TV which was broadcasting the latest news.
"Old Madam, Madam." Butler Yuuzo who stood beside their couch spoke. "I think it'd be wise if we stop watching such news. I believe Master doesn't want to worry you both. Let's just wait for him to return."
"Old Yuuzo is right, Grandma." Tsubaki squeezed the old lady's hands. "Why don't we have an early dinner and I'd accompany you to do whatever you want after this? I even brought some samples for your birthday celebration. You could taste test them and see if you like them."
Grandma Fuse looked at her butler's encouraging face before she turned to her granddaughter in-law. Even with a smile on her little face, it was clear that Tsubaki was hiding her uneasiness.
Such a sensible child, she hoped this granddaughter in-law of hers would always be happy with her grandson.
"Alright, Grandma would listen to you. The investigation is still ongoing yet because of the media, the news has been exaggerated. I shouldn't have been bothered with them."
Tsubaki chuckled. She nodded in agreement. The media was clearly taking this opportunity to sensationalize the news since Fuse Corporation was one of the top corporate in the country. "Ren would come home soon so let's pray for him, okay?"
Old Madam Fuse smiled.
As Tsubaki had suggested, both of them had dinner earlier than usual. Grandma Fuse agreed when Tsubaki said she would be cooking for them so the old lady instructed the kitchen team to leave tonight's dinner preparation for her granddaughter in-law. The chef and his team retreated earlier than usual. Grandma even gave them a red packet so they could enjoy dinner outside the estate. Feeling overjoyed, the chef invited his subordinates to go to his friend's bar. All of them left in a luxurious black van drove by the chauffeur of the old house. The chauffeur and the chef were a long time friend.
For dinner, Tsubaki prepared soba noodles with miso-glazed eggplant. Grandma requested soba noodle so Tsubaki thought of cooking this simple recipe she tried the other day. Her slender fingers skillfully slicing the Japanese eggplants before she sprinkled some salt on them. While letting them on the grill together with the other vegetables for 15 minutes, she whisked the rest of the ingredients in a big bowl. Grandma just sat obediently at the kitchen island, watching her cooking.
After 45 minutes, Tsubaki served the soba noodles in two bowls. She tops the soba with onions and sesame. Since it was just the two of them, Grandma insisted to eat in the kitchen. Tsubaki brewed some tea for drinks. She sat opposite Grandma Fuse.
"Itadakimasu."
Grandma just took a bite of the noodle before her eyes brightened up. She munched the eggplants and spinach as Tsubaki was stifling her giggle.
"This is good, Tsubaki! It's just a simple dish yet it's so delicious!" Grandma exclaimed after she took a sip of the tea.
"Thank you, Grandma." Tsubaki said while smiling. She put down her chopstick as she reached for the warm tea. "I'll try cooking for you more often."
Both of them ate their dinner in peaceful environment. Their bowls were completely empty by the time their dinner ended. Tsubaki had just started washing the dishes when Old Yuuzo entered the kitchen with a solemn expression.
"What's wrong, Old Yuuzo?" Tsubaki asked as the old man looked pale and a bit hesitant to speak. Grandma Fuse just silently watching him with knitted brows.
"Old Madam, Madam..." Old Yuuzo took a deep breath before continued to speak. "It's about Master. Something has happened to him."
Tsubaki's hands that were holding the bowl froze under the running water. Her mind went blank.