The next day, light rain falling on Earth. Dark clouds lingered on the sky, covering the sun from lighting the surrounding. The usually sunny days turned darker today.
"Kanako wants to meet me today," Tsubaki casually telling Ren her plans for today.
"Kanako?" Ren asked, his mind didn't register the name. "Who's that?"
Tsubaki eyed her husband in a look of suspicion. He didn't remember who she was? Really?
"Esumi Kanako! The daughter of President Esumi," said Tsubaki, trying to make him recall the woman.
"Oh," Ren replied indifferently. A blur image of a woman fleetingly appeared in his mind. "I forget that you two have met. Have you become friends already?"
"Yes! She's fun!" Tsubaki couldn't help herself from giggling when she remembered the funny lady.
Ren smiled slightly. It was good for her to meet a new friend in life.
"Okay, sweetheart. Turn around so I could tie the ribbon," Ren instructed after he was done helping Tsubaki into her new cardigan.
"Okay~"
They were still in their wardrobe. After having breakfast, Ren brought out the cardigan from the wardrobe, insisting her to wear it since the temperature had dropped. Once Tsubaki wore her dress for today, he helped her wearing the cardigan. The light blue cardigan had ribbons around the waist.
"Okay, I'm done." Ren admired his handiwork. The ribbon was tied into a secure knot.
"Thank you, hubby~" said Tsubaki in a sing-song voice. "Now, let me pick your tie."
"Please do, my lady," replied Ren with a smile.
Tsubaki looked through his collection of neck ties. He was wearing a navy blue plain shirt with a pair of black suit. She chose a light blue neck tie, a rare color in his usual black-and-white outfits. Slightly tip-toeing before him, she skillfully tying the neck tie around his collar. Ren didn't resist from wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Done," Tsubaki adjusted the collars and lapels. Her gaze softened as she looked at him. "You are handsome as always, hubby."
Ren chuckled, the cold in his face was no longer there. He said lowly beside her right ear, "And my sweetheart is as beautiful as ever."
Tsubaki's smile stiffened as she heard the compliment. Sometimes she didn't know how to deal with her husband's attack. And it was so early in the morning! She couldn't afford being in the losing end!
Seeing her funny expression, Ren laughed out loud. He knew there were times when his dainty wife couldn't handle the compliments he showered her with.
"Okay, okay! I won't mess with you!" Ren pulled her towards him, one of his hands adjusting her bangs. "Let's go, shall we?"
Tsubaki nodded silently. She wiggled free from his embrace and quickly retrieved her handbag before she ran out of the room.
Ren laughed again. Why did his wife look so cute today?
Today, Hibiki came to pick them up instead of Ren driving his car himself. The black car stopped in front of the bakery, separated only by the passers-by walkway between them. Ren unfolded an umbrella before he let Tsubaki out of the car.
"The rain isn't too heavy," said Tsubaki as he walked her to the bakery.
"I couldn't let my wife being rained upon. What if you'd get sick?" Ren replied warmly. One of his hands wrapped securely around her shoulders.
Tsubaki lowered her head as she was muttering under her breath. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what he was doing but there were people who were watching them! More so since they got off from the expensive car!
"Sister Tsubaki! You're here already!"
Chiyo's voice echoed from the right side of the bakery once the couple stepped inside. There was no customer at this time. Probably hindered due to the rain.
"Yes, good morning!" Tsubaki smiled. Kohana and Yoshie were there too.
"Boss Fuse is here too. Sending our boss here?" Chiyo teased when she saw how protectively the man was towards his wife.
"En." Ren nodded. He slowly retrieved his hand from her shoulders, "Please take care of her."
"Aiya! Of course we would do that!" Kohana chimed in.
"Shut it, you two," Tsubaki gritted her teeth slightly, warning them to cease the teasing. Her face was already red!
Both Chiyo and Kohana laughed. It was good that they could tease their boss again. It had been a few days since the last time they saw her after she was hospitalized.
"I'll get going first," said Ren as he lowered his head, looking at her flushed face. "I'm anticipating my lunch box for today."
"Who's going to make lunch for you," Tsubaki muttered. She intentionally averted her eyes from his.
Ren curled up a crooked smile. He swiftly bent down and captured her lips with his. Before she could react, he had already turned around to leave. The door closed before her as the man's silhouette fading away in the rain.
"Aiya~ I'm so jealous with you two," Yoshie laughed as she was done arranging the cinnamon twists inside the display rack. "President Fuse is so loving!"
Tsubaki sharply turned her head toward Yoshie. "Oh? Didn't your boyfriend treat you well too?"
Yoshie froze. She stared at her boss in disbelief. "What... What are you saying?"
It was Tsubaki's turn to laugh at her. She smiled smugly at Yoshie who was looking at her with wide eyes. "Well, I saw a certain someone going on a date with a man whom I'm familiar with."
"What? You have a boyfriend, Yoshie?" Chiyo turned her attention to Yoshie. She was so intrigued by what her boss had said.
"Nonsense! Sister Tsubaki is just talking nonsense!" Yoshie immediately dismissed Chiyo from started gossiping.
Since Yoshie didn't cooperate with her, Chiyo could only look for Tsubaki. She jumped happily toward Tsubaki who was heading to the break room. "Sister! It is true? You saw Yoshie with her boyfriend?"
"Ask her for yourself," Tsubaki wasn't willing to help her. She just smiled mysteriously as she added, "But I think both of them suit each other."
"Aiya! Just tell us, Sister Tsubaki!" Chiyo wanted to continue pestering her boss but Tsubaki had already closed the door right infm front of her nose.
Tsubaki stifled a laugh when she heard Chiyo went to interrogate Yoshie. She took off her cardigan, carefully hung it using a hanger. Her eyes landed on the tied ribbon behind the cardigan. A sweet smile curled up on her lips.
As Tsubaki was tying her long hair into a high ponytail, her phone rang once indicating a new message had arrived. She opened the messaging app and found a new text from Kanako.
Sweet Scent of the Dew: I'll drop by in the afternoon!
Camellia of the Spring: Sure! Don't eat too much during lunch. Set aside some space for dessert!
Sweet Scent of the Dew: Don't worry. My stomach has another room for dessert. See you soon!
Tsubaki giggled as she read Kanako' s replies. She would definitely serve her the best of the best desserts her bakery could offer.
Now, it's time to start her day.