Tsubaki and Satsuki sat side by side on the couch, they turned around slightly to face each other. Satsuki had stopped crying. His face was puffy. Tsubaki held her brother's hands. A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
"Do you remember that I always hold your hands like this whenever you have a nightmare?"
Satsuki nodded his head shyly.
He was always clinging to his sister. Whatever she wanted to do, he would always follow her from behind. Whenever he thought she would be annoyed with him, his sister would always smile and call him silly.
It was a beautiful memory.
"I'll return to our family home soon," Tsubaki said in a quiet voice. She looked up, seeing Satsuki's tear-stricken face. "Maybe I could find something hidden by Mom."
"You want to return there?" Satsuki was a bit in a panic. "Since the accident 5 years ago, we've never stepped inside the village again. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yes." Tsubaki's smile was filled with her determination. She glanced towards the door of the sun room. "Your brother-in-law is here. I'll be fine."
Satsuki didn't say anything. He was worried when his sister said she would return to their hometown. A lot of years had passed. After the accident, she was hospitalized at the hospital. If it was not due to her savings and insurance, both of them couldn't survive.
"Sister, whatever you would find, I believe Mom has her reasons," Satsuki tried comforting her. He squeezed her hand gently.
Tsubaki nodded in understanding. "I would never blame Mom. Because she did nothing wrong. If not for her, I might not be here."
Satsuki sighed heavily. A headache suddenly came to him.
Once the clock struck 10 PM, Satsuki left with a bag containing various side dishes cooked by Tsubaki. Since his sister was worried he wouldn't get any public transportation near the residential complex, Ren asked Hibiki to send the young man home even though Satsuki adamantly refused him for a few times.
The husband and wife went upstairs to their bedroom. Seeing the sullen look of his wife's face, Ren suddenly bent down and lifted her up in an easy move. Tsubaki yelped in shock. Her eyes widened as she looked down to her husband.
"Ren! What..."
"I just want to hold you like this," Ren answered with a coy smile. "Don't you find it romantic? I think I saw the male lead in your favorite movie held the female lead like this in one of the scenes."
Tsubaki let out a laugh. She placed both of her hands on his shoulders to avoid falling backward even though Ren's arms were tightened securely around her.
"Don't your arms feel tired?" Tsubaki asked back. The glum in her eyes faded.
"You feel lighter than usual. Have I not fed you enough?" Ren raised his eyebrows, his eyes carefully taking in his dainty wife's facial features. "This won't do. How could you carry our child if you're skinny?"
Tsubaki broke out into laughter again. She playfully slapped his shoulder. "Do you just want to find an excuse to feed me till I'm chubby and go to find another beauty?"
Ren chuckled. He shook his head. "I won't do that. We'll just be chubby together and rolled on the floor having fun. How about that?"
"Ha ha ha!"
Tsubaki really couldn't hold back her laugh from being louder and louder. She quickly bent down and pressed her face on his shoulder, trying so hard to contain her laughter. Ren seized the chance to gently turning her face to his. Tsubaki's laugh disappeared as he claimed her lips.
"You know..." Ren smiled fondly once he released her, "I love to hear you laughing. More so when it's because of me cracking a not-so-funny jokes."
"It's good that you know," Tsubaki giggled. She wrapped her arms around her neck. As she leaning down, she nuzzled her nose against his. "But, hubby, I'd always appreciate your attempt to cheer me up."
"You're welcome, sweetheart. And now..." A corner of Ren's lips curved up as he squinted his eyes mischievously toward his wife. "Why don't you return the favor?"
"What..." Tsubaki suddenly realized she had seen the face of a predator in front at her. She immediately backed away from his smiling face. "No!"
Ren laughed heartily. He quickly carried her to their bedroom.
Even though Tsubaki wanted to go back to her hometown as soon as possible, she couldn't do so since Ren was busy with the company matters. Her husband could send her back with a group of bodyguards to protect her but Tsubaki wanted him to come with her too.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," said Ren with a dejected tone through the phone. "It might take a few more days or weeks. Are you sure you're okay waiting for me?"
"I'm okay, dear," Tsubaki answered softly. "I'm the one who should be sorry since I ask you to follow me home."
"Nah, it's better if I come too. Would you wait for me to finish today's work first before going back to the old house? Or do you want Kaede to drive you first?"
"You know which one I would choose," Tsubaki giggled as she found the question funny. Of course she would wait for her husband! "I'll be only at the bakery. Call me once you're done. Enjoy your lunch, darling."
"Sure." Tsubaki swore she could see him smiling in front of her. "I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, hubby."
Tsubaki hummed sweetly as she placed her phone inside her apron pocket. She stood up from the couch. Since she got a call from him earlier, she retreated to the break room to answer it.
The bakery was crowded with office workers from the nearby establishments. There was two long queues at the counter. Tsubaki quickened her steps to go and help her employees.
"Ha...." Chiyo stretched out her hands after the last of the customers exited the bakery. "What a day. All of them came for our new crinkled snowball cookies."
"You said it like it's time to get off work already," Kohana chided from the side. She was wiping the counter after rearranging the trays on the table beside her.
Tsubaki shook her head helplessly. "We'll close earlier than usual. You guys can go home at 6. It is okay?"
"Are you serious, Sister Tsubaki?" Chiyo jumped up and down in excitement. "Yay! We could go home earlier and tomorrow is my off day too!"
"Lucky you," Kohana frowned, envy written on her face.
Tsubaki smiled seeing their interaction. She was really thankful since she never had any problems with her employees. All of them were dedicated with their work. They were practically a small family.
Ding!
"Welcome!"
A man in a set of grey suits entered the bakery. His face was slightly obscured as he lowered his head while wiping his cheeks with a handkerchief. The man slowly raised his head, meeting Tsubaki's eyes.
Tsubaki's face stiffened for a moment when she saw the face of the customer. Even though it was only for a short while, she still remembered him.
He was the man whom she saw under the tree at Mrs. Souma's tea party.
"Welcome, sir."
Tsubaki stared at the man who was looking back at her. His lips pursed into a straight line. His deep-set yes were eyeing her carefully.
Who was this man?