"Are they dating? I haven't heard anything from them!" Tsubaki said while holding back her excitement. Her eyes were gleaming, still focusing on the couple who stopped at a stationery shop opposite the cafe.
"Hibiki hasn't dated anyone before," replied Ren. He too was looking at the couple.
Growing up with Hibiki, Ren knew his love life was almost non-existent, saved for the confession he always received. Since Hibiki was supposed to be his private assistant, they went to school together. The number of love letters and confessions both of them received throughout their school years could easily rival one another. Even though Hibiki wasn't from an elite background, it didn't stop the girls at their school to stop admiring him.
"I'm sure they are dating!" Tsubaki came to her conclusion.
Yoshie took the day off so Tsubaki didn't find it weird spotting her at a shopping complex. But, to see her linking arms with Hibiki? It was quite a shock! Since when did they start dating?
Did it begin when Yoshie came to find her the morning after Kitaoji Masaru almost assaulted her? She did mention she met Hibiki at that time.
"You sure love seeing them, right?" Ren laughed, amusement flickered in his eyes. Even though he himself was shocked seeing Hibiki dating someone, it wasn't in his interest to continue paying attention to his subordinate.
"I'm just intrigued!" Tsubaki defended herself. "Hubby, you didn't even hear about them dating before? Hibiki didn't mention it to you?"
Ren answered by shaking his head. "What is the benefit of letting your boss knows about your love life? I don't see any of it."
Tsubaki eyed her husband in skepticism. Shouldn't he be happy with his special assistant finally having a love life of his own?
Noticing Tsubaki's stare, Ren chuckled softly. Crossing his arms together, he leaned against the comfy chair. "Don't tell me you want to stalk them? No way. I won't allow you."
"But..."
"No. Way." Ren adamantly refused her puppy eyes. "I don't want to go around and stalk them. Why do we need to follow them when we could have this entire day for our own date? I'd much rather spend it with you than following them."
"Hubby..." Tsubaki smiled sweetly as she rested her chin on her hands. She even fluttered her eyelashes as she spoke, "You even know to say sweet things during a time like this. Should I praise you or not?"
Ren smiled. Raising his brows animatedly, he said smugly, "Praise me all you want. I'm the only man you could praise on Earth."
Tsubaki could no longer hold in her laughter. She laughed heartily, feeling blessed with this peace surrounding them.
Even though she was tempted to continue staring at Hibiki and Yoshie who had vanished inside a restaurant, she knew Ren wouldn't allow her to purposely bump into the couple. Seeing Hibiki at a place like this meant he was going to have his lunch here. And maybe to have a short date with Yoshie.
"It's okay, I'd ask Hibiki and Yoshie later," said Tsubaki, unwilling to admit defeat.
Ren could only shake his head helplessly when he saw the determination in her eyes.
Their food arrived shortly. Tsubaki's iced tea and her slice of strawberry cheesecake being served on the table following by Ren's iced Americano and beef enchilada. He even ordered a plate of chicken parmigiana served with salad and fries to be enjoyed with his wife.
"I'm thinking of visiting Kou tomorrow, is that okay with you?" Tsubaki slowly drank her iced tea. She swept her long hair to her right shoulder, letting them fell in one place.
"I have no problem with that," replied Ren while he was cutting the chicken into tiny pieces. He forked one piece and brought it to Tsubaki's mouth. "It's been quite some time since we last saw him. Do you want to make anything for him?"
Tsubaki answered by nodding her head. Her mouth was full of the chicken and cheese fed by Ren. It took her some time before she could properly swallow down the food.
"I want to make sugar cookies for him and a sweet potato cake for his grandmother," Tsubaki said after taking a few sips of the iced tea.
"Let's buy him some clothes and toys too," Ren suggested. This time he fed his wife with the enchilada, he was being so careful to avoid staining the corners of her lips. "When we went to his house last time, I noticed he only has broken toys. What do you say?"
"Okay!" Tsubaki immediately agreed. Warmth seeped into her heart due to her husband's thoughtfulness towards the little boy. "Let's shop for Kou's things after this. I want to buy some clothes for Aunt Ume too."
"Alright, sweetheart," Ren chuckled. "Whatever you say, goes. But first, you need to finish your lunch."
Tsubaki grinned, knew Ren wouldn't let her off if she didn't finish her food. She obediently ate the dishes. Occasionally she would feed him her cheesecake. Both of them truly enjoyed the lunch to their hearts' content.
While Tsubaki being frugal when Ren wanted to shop for her earlier, she went all out when it came to Kouichi's things. She even took extra efforts to make sure the material of the clothes was smooth and the toys wouldn't have sharp edges, afraid of injuring the little boy. Besides clothes and toys, they even picked some books for him.
Ren's car trunk was filled with Kouichi's things at the end of the day. He could only smile helplessly when he saw how his wife was being so excited shopping for the little boy. She was so fond of him.
And he knew if they would have a child in the future, she would do the same thing to their little one.
"Thank you, dear," Tsubaki pressed a gentle kiss on Ren's right cheek once they returned home.
"For what?" Ren smiled as he taking off his shoes. He brought Tsubaki's slippers from the shoe cabinet, placing them in front of her.
"For being a wonderful husband," answered Tsubaki cheekily. Before she became a victim of his incessant kisses, she immediately fled upstairs.
Ren laughed when he saw her fleeing as if she was a rabbit being afraid of getting caught by a wolf. He stood in the living room, his eyes looking at their bedroom. This house only had both of them. Where did she think she could hide?
Walking over to the stairs, Ren was thinking of their visit to Kouichi's home tomorrow. He was reminded of Akashi. Taking out his phone from the pocket, he dialed Akashi's number and headed into the study.
He closed the door tightly.