After their walk in the forest, Tsubaki and Ren lounging casually in the living room. They decided to go to the market at 3 PM. Since they weren't really hungry after their brunch earlier, Tsubaki suggested to just cook for an early dinner. As usual, Ren followed his wife's wish.
"What do you want to eat?" Tsubaki tilted her head, looking at her husband. She was resting her head on Ren's lap. A recipe book was opened in her hands.
"Since we're at a mountain village, why don't we try their specialty?" Ren gave an idea.
"Okay." Tsubaki readily agreed. "How about sansai gohan and chicken tempura? I could make some nagaimo salad too."
"Rice with mountain vegetables?" Ren hummed, the idea intrigued him. "Okay. We'll buy the ingredients then. I think those vegetables are a lot fresher than the ones we could find in the market."
Tsubaki laughed in glee. Even though she lived in a village before, her village was a regular one. She could still see mountains from her hometown but they were still so far away. So she wanted to take this opportunity to try the local dishes. Plus, it was a rare chance for her to come to this place.
At 3 PM, they went to the market. People were still bustling in the area, buying things or joining the local events organized by the village council. Ren changed his luxurious four-wheeled-drive to a much simpler car in order to not attract some unnecessary attention from the crowd. His bodyguards provided the car when they met at the base of the mountain.
"Wow! They have so many fresh vegetables!" Tsubaki exclaimed as she tugged on Ren's sleeve in excitement. Her eyes focused on the vegetables laid before her eyes.
The middle-aged woman who sold the vegetables heard her and turned her head towards the couple. She smiled and started advertising her vegetables. "My husband picked these and they taste delicious! Come, young lady. Have your pick!"
Tsubaki squatted in front of the vegetables and took her sweet time picking the mountain vegetables. Ren didn't just sit idly by. He too squatted down and helped her choosing. They changed opinions and decided on their menu.
"Aiya, both of you look so good together. Are you two newlyweds? You two aren't locals, right?" The old lady couldn't resist from asking.
The young man looked so handsome while the young lady beside him was a beauty. It was rare for her to see such a couple in a rural area like this. Besides, they dressed in outfits she could only see in her daughter's fashion magazines or the TV shows.
"No, madam. We have been married for five years already," Ren smiled as he heard the old woman's questions.
Even though they had just met again, it was true that they had been married for years. And he knew their honeymoon phase would never end.
"For five years already? You two must have been married young, right?"
"Yes, madam." Tsubaki nodded shyly. Rosy colors bloomed on her cheeks. She glanced at her husband before quickly lowered her head.
"May your marriage be blessed for your entire life! These days, young couples tend to divorce over small matters. Don't let emotions get the better of you. Try to face everything and be true to each other. It's such a waste for a couple to break up over petty matters. Unless they are being unfaithful or such, we couldn't treat our marriage lightly."
The old lady continued speaking while giving them advice. Tsubaki and Ren accepted them wholeheartedly. The old lady didn't mean them any harm. They could see her sincerity from her face.
After chatting for a while longer and finalized their buying, both of them bid the kind old woman goodbye. They ventured to another part of the market. The liveliness of the place affected both of them.
"Do you want ice-cream?" Ren asked when they took a seat at a bench. He placed their shopping bags beside the bench.
"It's cold here. I feel like I want to have some warm snacks." Tsubaki glanced around the market. She squealed when her gaze landed on a dessert stall. "How about some taiyaki?"
"Okay." Ren stood up from his seat. "Do you want the red bean filling or the custard one?"
"How about both?" Tsubaki smiled cheekily, earning a laugh from her husband.
"Okay, sweetheart. Wait here for me. I'll buy us drinks too."
"Okay!"
Ren crossed the small road and went to the dessert stall. The queue wasn't long. He managed to get their order within a few minutes. He also bought warm barley tea from the vendor. When he finally got back to her side, she could see steam rising from the paper bags in his hands.
Ren passed her a cup of tea before he took the paper bags containing taiyaki from his lap. "Do you want the head part or the tail one?"
"I don't mind." Tsubaki's eyes had fixated on the hot buns. The smell was so tempting!
Ren spilt the taiyaki into half. He gave the head part of the red bean filling and the tail part of the custard filling to his wife. Tsubaki gratefully accepted them.
"Careful, it's still hot." Ren softly warned her.
Tsubaki nodded. She blew air to the taiyaki, trying to cool it down. After a few seconds, she bit the one with the red bean filling. Her eyes lit up as she took the bite.
"It's delicious!" She looked at Ren with her big brown eyes. "Try it!"
Ren chuckled, found her antics funny. He leaned down and took a bite of the taiyaki in her hands. He raised his head and innocently looked at her while munching the bread. "Yes. It is delicious."
"Ren! You took mine!"
Tsubaki stared at him angrily. No one should steal her food! Not even her own husband! Unless she was the one who offered it.
"Do you want it back?" Ren raised his brows. "I'll give it to you."
Before Tsubaki could respond, he lowered his head and swiftly landed his lips on hers. Tsubaki widened her eyes. This was a public place! How could he become so bold?
Tsubaki knitted her brows and puffed her cheeks. Ren laughed out loud, feeling satisfied that he could tease his wife.
Teasing her like this in a market reminded him of their days years ago.
"Sweetheart?"
Tsubaki glanced at him as she sipped the warm tea. Ren was looking at her with affection, as always.
"Do you want to know how we met?"
Tsubaki's lips parted slightly. She stared at him.