"I'm quite surprised when I heard the news of you getting married," said Mr. Souma, he unhurriedly forming his word as he watched the couple standing close before him. "I think it has been five years since you took the position of the head of Fuse Corporation, right? Countless families tried getting you to marry their daughters yet you never entertained any of them. I thought you wanted to remain a bachelor."
Ren laughed mildly, his dark eyes didn't reveal the slightest hint of his real emotions. He accepted the man's words with a smile.
"If I've found the one, it would be a waste to not pursue it. Marriage is like a business in a sense, there would be risks that we wouldn't know coming in the future but if we are reluctant to face them, we might lose something bigger later," Ren replied. He lowered his hand from Tsubaki's shoulders to her waist. "But while we need to face them, it doesn't mean we should just settle for something we don't see a value for us."
Mr. Souma laughed heartily once he heard how the young man responded to him. The wine in his glass swirled as his body shook due to his laughter.
"That's a dangerous statement coming from you, Mr. Fuse," said Mr. Souma while rubbing the corner of his eyes. "You're implying even the best of the best noble ladies doesn't have any importance in your eyes."
"If you take it that way, please do so," said Ren coolly. "I'm just stating the fact. We might be presented with the best things but only we know whether we view them as the same as other people would or not. Some things in life couldn't be valued with just power and monetary benefits we could gain."
Mr. Souma smiled, forming a crook. He eyed the couple carefully. It was clear from the young man's words that while most people in high society would see values in one's background and financial status, he deemed the act as something unimportant.
What an interesting fellow, he thought.
Fuse Family was well-known not only because of their influence and fortune but because most of the marriages in the family weren't happen due to business. Even the first master of Fuse Family from more than one hundred years ago was actually a commoner who got his fortune due to his business strategy and good luck. The family continued to evolve and now stood as one of the top families in the country.
"So, Mrs. Fuse, how have you been adjusting to your new life?" Mr. Souma changed his focus to Tsubaki. "After all, marriage is a new chapter in one's life."
Tsubaki smiled hearing his question. She laughed lightly and glanced at her husband beside her. Her eyes gleamed once she saw her husband's smile. "Some things indeed change but I'm glad my husband is with me. He helps me whenever I'm lost over something."
"It's good to hear that. An old bachelor like me couldn't relate with you married couple," Mr. Souma sighed as he placed one hand over his heart. He playfully made a sad expression of being alone.
"You're not married, Mr. Souma?" asked Tsubaki slightly shocked. This man talked as if he was married.
"Sadly no, Mrs. Fuse," replied Mr. Souma. He smiled. "I was too busy during my younger days and so far I don't think I'd ever settle down."
"It's not because of an unforgettable lover?" Ren asked all of a sudden.
Mr. Souma chuckled. He lightly tapped the wine glass in his hand while staring at Ren's face.
"I don't have any tragic love story if you think so. Okay, enough with the talk about your personal life, I don't think you'd enjoy it after being bombarded with the same questions by us. And a love life of an old man like me isn't interesting," said Mr. Souma after a moment of silence. "So, when do you think you'd cooperate with our Souma Group? I've been waiting for the chance but it seems like it's so far in the future."
"I've just established collaboration with Z-Tech so I can't say for sure, Mr. Souma," replied Ren smoothly. "And I'm not sure if we could have any cooperation or not considering President Souma's intention to going all out in overseas. I heard he would transfer the headquarters to the US?"
"Ah, my brother is just stubborn. He's quite sick at the moment yet he plans something extravagant. I'm a bit worried since he works overtime which is now resulting in him being confined to bed."
"So, that's why I don't see President Souma anywhere?" Ren cast an indifferent glance around the entire hall. He chuckled lowly. "Maybe it's time for President Souma to hand over his position to you if he didn't want his health to continue deteriorating."
Mr. Souma narrowed his eyes, catching the hidden meaning behind Ren's words. In the end, he laughed.
"I wouldn't dare since I don't have the ability. I could only help him from the side, watching him grow the company."
Tsubaki watched as the men's interaction turned to another topic. Although they appeared friendly on the surface, it was only an act. She could feel the hostility suppressed by her husband. Slowly, she tugged his sleeve.
"Yes, sweetheart?" Ren was quick to notice her change of mood.
"I want to go to the washroom. Could you excuse me for a moment?" Tsubaki whispered beside his ear.
Ren smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll be here."
Tsubaki replied with a smile of her own. She turned to look at Mr. Souma and said, "Please enjoy this celebration, Mr. Souma. I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you any longer."
"It's okay, Mrs. Fuse," Mr. Souma bowed like a gentleman to the young lady. "It's a good opportunity to meet you here. I believe we could meet again."
Tsubaki only replied with a smile. She squeezed Ren's arm before finally left for the washroom. Ren watched her walk away with a smile, he didn't avert his gaze from her disappearing figure.
"Ah, you're so much in love with your wife. She has just stepped away from you yet you looked at her as if she would vanish," Mr. Souma teased as Ren's action didn't escape his notice.
Ren turned his head to focus back to the older man. A laugh escaped from his lips. As a helper passed by him, he took a glass of wine from the tray and clinked it to Mr. Souma's glass. He downed two mouthfuls of wine before he opened his mouth to reply.
"We have separated once years ago so I don't want her to disappear again from me. I'd do everything in my power to hold onto her. No one could take her away from me."
"Oh, so you have known her since a long time ago," Mr. Souma pursed his lips to think before he continued, "Hold onto her well. I'm afraid you could no longer meet a person you'd love dearly like your wife."
"Of course," Ren said lowly. "She's the only one. That's why if someone would harm her, I would grant him his death wish."
"That's brutal of you, but I like how you'd play." Mr. Souma laughed.
Ren smiled. He took another sip of his wine.