The nurse had just examined Tsubaki when Grandma Fuse suddenly appeared in front of her door. She came in while started nagging to her grandson. Tsubaki laughed when she saw how hard Ren was trying to comfort the frantic Grandma.
"Grandma, Tsubaki is fine," Ren repeated his words for the nth time. He dejectedly looked at the old lady who was making a fuss to see the doctor. "Toshiro has examined her and everything is fine."
"If she is fine then why did she suddenly faint?" asked Grandma loudly. She put her hands on her waist, judging her grandson openly for not being careful.
She was so shocked when she heard Tsubaki was hospitalized yesterday.
"Grandma, the result came out fine. She's just tired," Ren said again, resisting from rubbing his aching head in front of the old lady.
"Did you bully her till she's exhausted?" Grandma glared angrily to her grandson. She was still mad because Ren didn't allow her to come last night. And now he wanted to give excuses?
Tsubaki laughed heartily as she found the entire conversation funny. She reached out a hand, gently holding Grandma's arms. She needed to come to her husband's rescue.
"Nothing is wrong, Grandma. I'm fine. I just need some rest," she said softly, trying to ease Grandma's worry.
Of course, they didn't tell her about the actual cause of her fainting.
"Are you sure, Tsubaki? You're not trying to defend this brat, right?" Grandma was still skeptical towards her own grandson.
Ren sighed exasperatedly. "Right now I'm confused whether I'm your biological grandson or not for you to question me like this."
"Of course I have to question you, you brat! You've caused us worry countless of times already! Do you want to deny it?"
"No..."
Well, taken into what happened regarding Mr. Sagara a few weeks ago, he was indeed guilty.
Tsubaki laughed again. She felt so sorry when she saw her husband's frustrated face but Grandma's reaction was so funny. But, she felt so much love from the old lady. If Grandma didn't sincerely love her as a granddaughter-in-law, she wouldn't fuss like this.
"Grandma, thank you," Tsubaki smiled as she hugged the old lady's petite figure. "You're so good to me."
"Aiya, of course I need to be good to you. You're my dearest granddaughter-in-law." Grandma Fuse patted Tsubaki's back. She knew how hard Tsubaki's life was before meeting Ren. She was practically the head of her small family.
"If only you treated me like that too," Ren mumbled in dissatisfaction.
"I've showered you with my affection for years! Can't you fend for yourself from now on?" Grandma narrowed her eyes, eyeing her grandson in contempt.
Ren laughed out loud. He walked over to the two ladies and enveloped them in a tight hug. "Okay, okay! I love you two! Don't pick a fight with me anymore okay, Grandma?"
"Haish!" Grandma slapped Ren's back, earning another laughter from him.
While the three of them chatting happily, a knock resounded on the door. Ren opened the door, seeing one of his bodyguards outside.
"Madam Nagao has arrived with her grandson," one of the bodyguard reported. "They are brought over by Mr. Hibiki."
"Okay."
Ren turned around, facing the two women who were looking at him.
"Aunt Ume and Kouichi have arrived," said Ren. "They are at the lobby. I'm going to fetch them"
"Okay," Tsubaki smiled.
Ren waved at her before stepping out of the ward. He took the elevator to the lobby. The hospital was filled with patients and visitors roaming around the place. He immediately spotted the three of them near the hospital entrance.
"Uncle Ren!" Kouichi yelled happily. He ran to Ren with his face smiling widely.
"Good morning, Kou."
Ren ruffled the young boy's hair. He noticed that he was wearing a new set of clothes he and Tsubaki chose for him. The long sleeved shirt and the denim suspenders suited his small body well.
"Good morning, Aunt," Ren greeted Aunt Ume respectfully.
"Is Tsubaki okay? You said she has woken up," Aunt Ume immediately asked for Tsubaki's health. She was still worried since she saw for herself how the young lady fainted in front of her.
"Tsubaki is okay, thanks for asking, Aunt," Ren answered while they were walking to the elevator. Hibiki had already left to the company. "My Grandma is here. We didn't tell her about what happened."
"Alright, I'll not mention about it," Aunt Ume understood that Ren wanted to keep it a secret. After all, nothing had been confirmed.
After Tsubaki was examined by the doctor yesterday, Ren asked to have a talk with her. When she thought the young man would be angry with her, it was not the case. He apologized for causing worry to her before asking her why did Tsubaki faint. She told him everything Tsubaki knew.
Then, it was his turn to tell her the terrifying accident that befell on Tsubaki five years ago.
"I'm still investigating the matter so I still couldn't tell you anything." The young man said to her at the end of their conversation before he added helplessly, "I hope what I'm being suspicious about is incorrect."
Once Tsubaki saw them appeared at the door, she immediately got off the bed to welcome them. Kouichi clung to her almost as soon as he saw her.
"Kou-chan, you're heavy now. Don't cling to Sister Tsubaki like that." Aunt Ume wanted to take him back from Tsubaki's embrace but Kouichi shook his head, refusing her.
"It's okay, Aunt Ume," Tsubaki hugged the boy. She then reminded of Grandma who was looking at them. "Oh, this is my grandmother. Grandma, meets Aunt Ume. She's this cute Kouichi's grandmother."
"Pleasure to meet you," Grandma greeted them with a smile. "I heard about you from Tsubaki."
"Likewise, Madam."
Grandma took her leave shortly after. She didn't want to disturb the two guests as they weren't familiar with her yet. She bid farewell and asked them to come and meet her later. Since Tsubaki and Ren were fond of them, she thought it was nice to befriend the two of them.
Ren went to send Grandma off to the lobby. Aunt Ume sat beside the bed, looking at Tsubaki with worry deeply etched on her face.
"Aunt Ume, please don't look like that," said Tsubaki, almost pleading. She knew this old woman felt guilty over what happened but it was not her fault.
Aunt Ume sighed heavily. "I don't know if me telling you about Hinata was a good thing or not."
"Don't say that." Tsubaki squeezed her wrinkly hands. Seeing her reminded her of her late mother. "I'm so glad because you told me about it. It might be Fate that led us to meet so that I could know about Hinata. I don't want to be rash but I really wonder if she was truly related to me."
Tsubaki wasn't going to play dumb. So much coincidences happened and she thought she and Hinata weren't simply resembled each other. And like her, Hinata underwent misfortunes 5 years ago.
Aunt Ume put one of her hands on Tsubaki's, her eyes meeting hers. "I sincerely hope no tragedy would fall on you again. I don't want to see you suffer."
Tsubaki smiled, trying to reassure her. She added confidently, "I won't."
Because she won't let herself and Ren be separated again.