After a long period of staring contest, the older man finally averted his eyes from Tsubaki's face.
"Err..."
Tsubaki felt awkward after the man turned his back indifferently from her. He was scanning the rows of breads displaying inside the cabinets at the left part of the bakery.
Seeing the man was minding his own business, Tsubaki quietly rubbed the back of her neck as she didn't know what to do. It was obvious that this older man recognized her but should she greet him?
Or not?
"Sister Tsubaki!"
"Coming!"
Yoshie's call from the kitchen saved Tsubaki from making a decision. She quickly left the counter, leaving the responsibility to Kohana.
What she didn't see was the man's mysterious glance towards her when she turned her back around.
"Sister Tsubaki! Hurry!" Yoshie urged her again.
"Okay! Okay!"
Once Tsubaki was done helping Yoshie in the kitchen, the man had already gone. She looked through the windows, trying to find him outside but he was nowhere to be found.
"What are you looking at, Sister Tsubaki?" Chiyo asked as she was pulling an empty tray out from the display cabinet. "Do you see something outside?"
"Did the man from earlier buy anything?" Tsubaki asked her back.
"The older man in the grey suit?" Chiyo thought back to the gentleman looked as old as her father. "He bought an Opera cake and a strawberry shortcake. Why? Do you know him?"
Tsubaki paused to think before shaking her head. "I might mistook him for someone else."
Chiyo continued with her work. Tsubaki pulled a book from under the counter. She wanted to take a look at the booking list for the next two days. Even though she was busying herself with work, she couldn't help but think of the older man.
He looked like someone. Who was it?
The old house.
"My dear Tsubaki!"
"Good evening, Grandma!"
Grandma Fuse ran a few steps towards Tsubaki who had just gotten off the car. The old lady quickly hugged her dearest granddaughter-in-law. Tsubaki laughed happily as she returned the old lady's warm hug.
"Ehem. Do you forget about me?" Ren asked while looking at his grandmother with a crooked smile.
"You're not important right now!" Grandma Fuse swiftly ignoring her grandson. She turned her attention back to Tsubaki. "Come! Dinner is going to be served soon. Grandma has asked the chefs to prepare delicious food for you."
"Thank you, Grandma~" Tsubaki answered sweetly.
A soft chuckle escaped Ren's lips. He shook his head helplessly. Old Yuuzo just smiled from the side after seeing him being abandoned by his wife and grandmother. Ren followed the two ladies from behind.
"I've asked Old Yuuzo to place all the nourishments inside the car. Please don't forget to take them, you two," Grandma reminded the couple when they were halfway through dinner. The old lady couldn't stop herself from smiling widely.
"Nourishments? For what, Grandma?" Tsubaki asked in confusion. She brought the spoon containing the soup near her lips.
"Of course they are for your bodies! Both of you need to be healthy if you want to give me great-grandchildren soon!"
Tsubaki almost choked on her soup. She covered her mouth to cough. Ren smiled coyly when he saw her blushing face. He took a tissue and handed it to her. Tsubaki quickly accepted it.
"Grandma, don't scare her like that," Ren looked at his grandmother, an amusing smile spread on his handsome face. "And you don't need to give us the nourishments. I know what to do. Don't you trust your grandson?"
Thud!
Ren almost yelped in pain. His foot felt hurt after being kicked by someone. Tsubaki glared at him, hinting for him to keep his mouth shut. Ren just smiled sweetly to his wife.
"Nonsense! It's because I gave the same nourishments to your mother and father that you were born healthily after just one year of their marriage. Of course I need to help you," Grandma was being adamant.
Tsubaki could only smile on the surface but she vented out by repeatedly kicking his husband's leg. Ren was trying hard from laughing.
"Enough about that, Grandma," Ren calmly took a piece of chicken and placed it on top of Tsubaki's rice, as if he wasn't affected with her soft feet kicking his. "We need to think of the wedding first. Aunt Kasumi would help us plan the details. She said she would come back as soon as she finished her work now."
"Yes! She has called me yesterday," Grandma's eyes gleamed as excitement took her emotion. "So, have you thought of the place for the reception? I already know that you want to hold the wedding at the church."
Ren looked at Tsubaki, his dark eyes brightened as he saw her blushed look.
"We have yet to visit any place but I'm thinking of Garden of Sakuya within the compound of Spring City."
"Do you mean the exclusive garden that caters to private events?" Grandma had been there for the opening ceremony a few years back so she knew how beautiful the landscape of the garden was. Various kinds of flowers could be found there and the architecture for the garden was the art from the top architects in the country. "It's a good place! Bring Tsubaki to see the garden first."
"Alright."
After dinner, they spent some time chatting with Grandma in the lounge. Grandma was so happy when Ren told her that it would be an autumn wedding. She was totally fired up to help them planning the wedding.
"There's so much we have to do! Drafting the guests list, make the reservations, choose the wedding and reception dresses, finalize the list of food and drinks!" Grandma suddenly stared at Ren with narrowed eyes. "You understand that this won't work without your cooperation, right? Take some time off to plan the wedding. Don't just leave it to your Aunt Kasumi."
Ren placed the tea cup on the saucer. He didn't know how many times he had been holding back his laughter. Grandma was so funny when she was being determined like this.
"Alright. Alright. You don't have to worry about that."
Tsubaki smiled as she looked at the pair of grandmother-and-grandson. Her eyes went to the wedding ring around her finger. Warmth seeped into her heart.
On their way home, Tsubaki silently watched the streetlights alongside the roads. Ren glanced at her, finding it was odd when she was so quiet. He lowered down the volume of the radio.
"Is something troubling you?"
Tsubaki turned her head to face his. A small smile bloomed on her face. She slowly shook her head.
"No, it's just..." She sighed. "Sometimes, I think it's still surreal for me to be here with you. You and Grandma are so nice to me."
Ren smiled happily. His slender fingers gently running through her hair. "You're my wife. Of course I have to be nice to you."
Tsubaki giggled as she heard him. Her day wouldn't feel completed if she didn't hear him saying sweet words to her. He was such a sweet talker!
"I hope by going back home... At least I could uncover some of the mystery."
Ren lowered his hand from her head, tracing her arms before he grasped her small hands in his. He squeezed her hand as he spoke, "We will. Don't worry."
Tsubaki looked at his hand holding hers. She nodded silently.
She needed to resolve it. For her to let go of her past.