The rain was still falling even when noon almost approaching. Most customers came with umbrellas and raincoats. The mother-and-child pairs who had just came back from the kindergartens entered the bakery with squeals of delight coming from the children.
Tsubaki had just finished cooking Ren's lunch. Since today was rainy, she planned to prepare shirataki curry soup for him. Eating hot dish with spice might help to keep him warm in this cold weather. She had even put three cups of creme brulee in the bag, for him to be shared with Matsuzaki and Hibiki too.
Ding!
"Welcome!" Voices of greeting echoed in the bakery once the door was opened.
An elegant looking older lady appeared from the outside. She was wearing two pieces of lilac colored dress. A cream colored long jacket draped on her shoulders.
Tsubaki gasped as she saw the woman's face. It was someone she familiar with. She gestured for Yoshie to take care of the counter before she walked over to the woman.
"Mrs. Souma!"
Mrs. Souma looked at the direction of the voice calling out her name. She smiled when she saw Tsubaki approaching her.
"I loved the desserts you made for Matriarch Fuse the other day. So when I asked her, she immediately gave me your bakery address," said Mrs. Souma, her eyes looking around the bakery before they landed back on Tsubaki's face.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Tsubaki smiled warmly to the older lady. Since Mrs. Souma helped her back then, she had a good impression on her. "I'm glad that you came. Please, feel free to browse around."
"I'm sure love to," replied Mrs. Souma. She gracefully walked over to the nearest display rack.
Mrs. Souma carefully looked at each of the breads and pastries she could find in the bakery. Tsubaki followed her from behind. They chatted a little bit as Mrs. Souma chose her picks.
"I heard you were hospitalized. Are you okay right now?" Mrs. Souma asked Tsubaki. She stopped in front of the chiller where all the cakes were displayed through the glass.
"Oh? How did you know?" Tsubaki asked back in shock.
"My husband met President Fuse in the hospital," replied Mrs. Souma. She asked Chiyo to pack a slice of Opera cake and two strawberry shortcakes for her. "That's how I got to know."
Tsubaki nodded slightly, finally understood the situation. "I was just exhausted. Thank you for asking."
Mrs. Souma smiled kindly. She looked at Tsubaki for a period of time before she shifted her gaze towards the cakes displayed in front of her.
"I want to invite you for tea actually," said Tsubaki after she placed all of the pastries chose by Mrs. Souma in a white box. They were standing opposite each other at the counter. "But, Kanako is coming soon so I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable with this sudden meeting."
Mrs. Souma accepted the box. She slid her card to make the purchase. "Oh, President Esumi's daughter? It's okay. I plan to continue coming here. Maybe the next time you could ask me for tea?"
"Definitely!" Tsubaki agreed happily.
She sneaked another cake box containing a slice of fruit cake in the paper bag as a gift. At first, she insisted to treat the older lady but Mrs. Souma vehemently refused. She said it was only right for her to pay for her purchase.
Tsubaki walked her off to the car waiting for her outside. The rain had ceased falling. The rain drops gleamed on the flowers and leaves, creating a mystical feeling for Tsubaki. Mrs. Souma turned around to face her.
When she looked at Tsubaki, there was an inexplicable emotions hidden in her eyes.
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Fuse," Mrs. Souma smiled in gratitude. "I'm sure to come back and have tea with you."
"You could just call me Tsubaki," Tsubaki quickly corrected her way of calling her. "It's sounds so formal whenever you call me that. Tsubaki will do."
Mrs. Souma chuckled, she shook her head slightly. "If you insist, I'll take up on the offer. And please call me Aunt Shiori. Alright?"
"Okay!" Tsubaki readily agreed.
Mrs. Souma smiled again before she turned around to get in the car. Her personal chauffer had been waiting for her.
Tsubaki waved her goodbye. She didn't walk away until the car left the road. As she was watching the car, she recalled the traces of emotions Mrs. Souma tried to hide in her eyes.
It made her felt sorrowful, the same as the first time they met.
"Tsubaki!"
Tsubaki was startled when she heard her name being called out loud from behind. Turning on her heels, she saw Kanako walking towards her. A beige trench coat covered her slender body from the chilly air.
"Kanako!" Tsubaki excitedly waving at her. "I thought you'd come later."
"I was on my way as soon as I finished my lunch," said Kanako as she winked playfully to Tsubaki. "I can't resist my desire for desserts anymore! So, what do you want to serve me?"
Tsubaki laughed in glee. She gestured towards her bakery. Looking at the sky, she said, "Before that, we should head in first. I think it'd rain again soon."
"Okay!"
Tsubaki brought Kanako to sit at the table for two beside the windows overlooking the walkway outside. In the bakery, only a few tables were provided for the customers who wanted to dine in. Even though their choices for desserts were vast, but only limited amount of drinks were offered here.
"Do you want tea? Or coffee?" Tsubaki placed several plates of cakes and pastries on the table.
"Wow!" Kanako clapped her hands enthusiastically. Her eyes brightened in excitement as she looked at the mouthwatering desserts in front of her. "Tea, please!"
"Will rose tea do? Infused with lychee too?" Tsubaki asked again.
"Great!"
Tsubaki personally brewed the tea leaves given by Old Yuuzo the other day. It was a black tea infused with rose and lychee. Tsubaki loved it so much til she asked if Old Yuuzo could give her some of the tea leaves. In the end, he gave her a can of the tea leaves as well as in another flavors.
Tsubaki brought the teapot and two teacups towards Kanako. After pouring the hot tea into the cups, she pushed one gently in front of Kanako. A small bowl containing sugar cubes were placed beside the teapot.
"Oh ya! I thought I saw Mrs. Souma earlier. Did she come here?" Kanako put one cube of sugar inside her tea. She used the spoon to stir it, mixing it well with the black tea.
"Yes. She said Grandma gave her my bakery address. She wanted to try the other cakes," replied Tsubaki as she sipped her tea.
"Ah... I always pity her," said Kanako in a low voice, her brows knitted as she spoke.
"Oh? Why?"
Kanako sighed. She rested one of her elbows on the table, eyes looking at Tsubaki with frown on her face.
"I don't think I should speak about it but..." Kanako sighed again. She looked at the confused Tsubaki before she continued, " I pity her... because President Souma doesn't love her. It is a loveless marriage."
"What?" Tsubaki's lips parted slightly. She put down her cup on the saucer. "What do you mean? I think she's in love with her husband. Considering what she has told me about him before."
Kanako shook her head. "Mrs. Souma does love him but..." She sighed again. "President Souma doesn't. They got married because of their families' elders. I heard President Souma already had a lover at that time."
" A lover?"
Tsubaki went into silence. She stared at her teacup. The mixed emotions on Mrs. Souma's face whenever she talked about her husband popped into her mind. Even though she could see the love in her eyes, they would also carry a hint of sorrow.
A loveless marriage?