"Do you want to talk now or just wait until we arrive home?" Ren asked while he drove the car, leaving the tea house behind.
Tsubaki silently looked at her hands. She pondered for a bit before she came to a decision. She landed her eyes to his side profile. He was focusing on driving the car.
"I want to talk now."
Ren smiled lightly. He let go of one of his hands from the steering wheel, gently grasping her small hand. His thumb rubbed circles on her palm in comforting stroke. "Tell me."
Tsubaki took a deep breath. She calmed herself under his comforting touch. It was good to have him here.
"Director Ayanokouji told me that... she did hide something from Akashi."
Ren hummed, then he asked in a soft voice, "What it is?"
Tsubaki pursed her lips. She was quiet for a moment. Ren didn't press her. He let her took her pace.
The car turned at an intersection to the right. Ren drove carefully on the road. The sun was still bright despite nearing dusk soon.
"She said..." Tsubaki began to speak. "Before this, two women came to ask about Hinata."
As Tsubaki began to tell Ren what Director Ayanokouji had told her, Ren didn't interrupt his wife's talking. He listened to her attentively while paying attention to her emotions.
When he saw not much changed on her face, he took a breath of relief. It wasn't that Tsubaki didn't show anything to him. But, she looked better than what he had imagined. Despite the sadness from the way she was talking and the way her eyes would occasionally close in an attempt to fight back the tears, she remained level-headed and strong.
"So... She said she'd contact me once she gets the visiting log," Tsubaki relayed the final piece of information to her husband. "Until then, I'm not sure what should I do."
Ren brought her hand to his lips. He planted a gentle kiss on each finger. Tsubaki smiled seeing him doing so. He had never failed from making her heart fluttered.
"Let's think about that later. Please don't stress yourself," Ren glanced at his wife, a smile graced his chiseled face.
"En!"
Tsubaki threw her gaze outside the windows. She had been focusing on telling the story to Ren until she lost track of where they were heading. This was an unfamiliar road.
"Where are we going?" Tsubaki asked as she looked at the sun slowly lowering itself over the horizon.
"You'll see," answered Ren with a mysterious smile.
Tsubaki didn't ask anything any longer. She leaned her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort by being close to him. Ren sneaked a glance on her face. He smiled in relief.
The car passed several roads with rows of tall trees casting shadows from each side. It was a peaceful evening. When they finally arrived at their destination, Ren slowly parked his car under a tree. Its branches hanging low, almost touching the roof of the car.
"Where are we?" Tsubaki took a moment to take in the surrounding. There was a vast garden around her and then her eyes landed on a white building not far from them. Her eyes widened as she looked at Ren in shock. "A church?"
Ren just smiled silently. He pointed to the church standing tall with his chin, urging her to get off the car.
Tsubaki quickly unfastened her seat belt. Ren chuckled as he saw the faint enthusiasm reflected in her eyes. After taking a step on the ground, he rounded the car to go to her side.
"Hubby... This is..." Tsubaki couldn't help but felt giddy. She looked at the church. There was an indescribable feeling inside her heart.
"Come," said Ren briefly as he held her hand. They walked side by side towards the church.
It was quiet when they reached the doors. Ren pushed the doors opened, revealing the grand architecture inside. There was no one beside them here. Sunlight shone its golden rays through the stained glass windows, illuminating the area with colorful lights. The highly arched ceilings and beautiful artwork further enhancing the awe in Tsubaki when she looked up to the ceilings.
"What do you think of this church?" Ren turned his body slightly to face his wife. "I think it's quite decent to hold our wedding."
"Decent? It's marvelous!" Tsubaki exclaimed in excitement.
Ren laughed mildly. His eyes softened, taking in the wonder expressed on her delighted face.
"This is the church where my parents took their oath," Ren pulled Tsubaki alongside her, they walked on the aisle, passing rows of wooden long chairs on their sides. "I've been thinking of this place when I first thought about our wedding."
Tsubaki could hear the faint longing in his voice. She squeezed his hand, offering him some comfort. It was rare for him to mention his late parents. Ren looked down to see her face. He bent down slightly to kiss her forehead.
"I want to give you a beautiful wedding you couldn't forget your entire life," he said, his hands snaking around her waist as he rested one side of his face against her head. "We just have a small wedding back then so, for this time, I don't want to regret anything."
Tsubaki blinked a few times, trying to hold back her tears. She slowly wrapped her hands around him, wanting to be as close to him as possible. They both stood in silence, seeking peace in each other's presence.
After a few moments passed, Tsubaki looked up to meet his eyes. She smiled sadly as she opened her lips, "You don't have to push yourself. Even without a wedding, I'm already happy being with you. If you're really okay holding our wedding here, I don't mind but, darling, if this place reminded you of your parents and... if it was painful, we could choose another place."
The sorrow in his eyes and voice didn't escape Tsubaki's notice. She didn't want him to be burdened with the sad memory of his late parents. There was a reason why he rarely talked about them. He was still mourning their deaths in his heart.
Ren stifled a laugh. It was true that it was still heart-rending but for him to overcome his sadness, he wanted to go through with the plan. From the distant memory of his parents, he remembered that they were a loving couple.
Just like him and her.
"No, sweetheart. Let's hold our wedding here," Ren gently stroked one side of her face as he looked directly into the pools of her bright eyes. "I want to make another beautiful memory with you."
Tsubaki just smiled, she didn't object to his decision. She nodded before she buried her head on his chest. Ren tightened his hold around her.
"Whenever I'm free next time, let's look for our wedding reception place, alright?"
"En."
The unpleasant feeling from her meeting with Director Ayanokouji dissipated as she spent more time with him. She knew he deliberately brought her here in order to keep her mind off of the things that might make her sad and she was grateful for that.
That was why, whatever his request was, she would try her best to fulfill it.
Like what he always did to her.