Tsubaki felt a bit sluggish once they returned home from the Nagaos so Ren said he would handle dinner. Their ride home was filled with silence too since both of them didn't have the mood to talk. Only the linking of their hands comforted their hearts. Ren's offer was welcomed by Tsubaki since she was tempted to taste whatever her husband had to offer.
It was so good to be pampered like this.
Tsubaki changed into a light cotton nightgown after she had a cold bath. The heat was unbearable even though the summer had just started. She was lucky because the air conditioning in their home helped her to combat the heat. Once she stepped in the kitchen, she saw her husband's slender figure was already busy in front of the kitchen island.
"What are you cooking?" Tsubaki took a peek from his side.
Ren turned his head slightly, the corners of his lips curved up as he saw her looking at the two bowls on the island. He leaned down, taking the opportunity to kiss her temple. The sweet fragrance of her shampoo wafted in the air.
"I called the old house and Grandma suggested hiyashi chuka. It's surprisingly easy to make," said Ren as he was decorating the bowls of cold ramen noddle with the toppings. There were shredded chicken, ham, cucumbers and some other veggies. The dish looked colorful and mouth-watering, made Tsubaki felt hungry all of a sudden.
"Hubby! I think you could just resign from your job now. If you polish your skills further, I believe you would become a great cook!" Tsubaki said as her eyes gleamed with excitement. Her small hands fisted as she was trying to convey her words to him.
It'd be good if he became a cook. Maybe they could open a restaurant together thus lessened the time she felt lonely wherever he had to work long hours in the company? Tsubaki giggled inwardly for having such wishful thinking.
Aiya~ This was all her husband's fault for pampering her to the point she wanted to become clingy whenever she could.
A chuckle escaped Ren's lips. He didn't expect to hear his wife to praise her like that. His little lady was truly indulging him with her sweet words.
"That won't do," Ren purposely raised his brows. "I'm your exclusive cook so how could I resign to cook for someone else? Do you want some other woman to taste my cooking?"
Tsubaki was speechless. She immediately hid behind his broad back as her hands hold his shirt. Her head lowered against his back as she muttered, "What a sneak attack. You really know to counter me."
Ren laughed when he saw her cute antics. He helplessly shook his head. Afraid of delaying any longer, he finished decorating the two bowls in a few minutes.
"Sweetheart, want to eat in front of the TV?" Ren placed the two bowls on a tray. He also took two sets of chopsticks with him.
"Yes! Yes!"
Tsubaki began preparing drinks. She made iced barley tea and brought out two cups of puddings from the fridge. After putting them on a tray, she followed her husband from behind. Ren had already served the bowls on the table. Tsubaki sat beside him on the fluffy carpet.
"Eat," Ren passed a set of chopsticks to Tsubaki. "I hope it tastes good."
"It'll taste good," replied Tsubaki with a giggle. She took a bite of the noodles. Ren was watching her with an anxious smile.
"So, how it is?"
A grin broke on Tsubaki's face. "It's delicious! Sigh~ this one is really good for summer."
Ren smiled. His wife's eyes lit up when she took another bite of the noodles. She really enjoyed it. Ren took a bite too, his brows shot up as he was satisfied with the taste.
"I really should cook often," said Ren after a while. He didn't bother to hide the self-praise in his voice, earning Tsubaki's laugh.
"That's good, then," Tsubaki took a piece of ham and brought it to her husband's lips. "I could eat more of my husband's cooking in the future."
Ren took her offer, biting down the ham. "I'll try cooking whenever I could, okay? You could guide me with the recipes."
"Okay!" Tsubaki quickly agreed.
Their dinner ended after they took their sweet time feeding each other. Tsubaki insisted to wash the dishes so she pushed Ren toward the stairs. Ren finally relented after seeing his wife's glare. He could only laugh helplessly as he took the steps to their bedroom. While Tsubaki was busy downstairs, he took the opportunity to take a bath.
After almost half an hour, Ren stepped outside the wardrobe with a pair of dark grey pajamas clad onto his tall body. His hair was still slightly wet, droplets of water dampening his neck and shoulders.
"You've done showering?" Tsubaki appeared at the door.
Ren smiled at her. His long hand reached for the hair dryer. "Does my wife want to help me dry my hair?"
"Okay~"
Ren chuckled when she immediately got behind him. Since he was so tall, he settled by sitting cross-legged on the floor while Tsubaki sat on the bed with the cordless hair dryer in her hands. She swiftly turned on the dryer and began to blow dry his hair.
Tsubaki ran her slender fingers through his hair, marveling at its softness. He really knew how to take care of himself. But, maybe she should tribute it to the expensive personal care and skincare that he had. She wondered if his hair had always been soft like this.
Ren almost dozed off under her gentle touch and the warm air coming from the dryer. His eyes landed on the wall mirror before him, looking at her reflection on it. She looked so cute when she was focusing on a task. His expression was so contented just by having her doing mundane things together.
"Sweetheart?" Ren called out to her. His voice was so soft, almost a whispered in the quiet room. Only the sound of the hair dryer accompanied them.
"En?" Tsubaki switch off the hair dryer once she was satisfied with her job. Her hand placed the dryer on the bed. She combed his slightly messy hair with her fingers.
"We're going back to your hometown soon," Ren continued. He turned his body around, facing her who was still sitting on the bed. Worry was faintly etched on his face as he added while looking up to her, "Are you sure you could return there?"
Satsuki had told him about his sister's unwillingness to return home after the accident. Even though she forgot mostly about the terrifying accident, but it didn't mean she could just treat it like something that had never happened. Since then, she avoided going back home and began to work in the city before she could open her own bakery. Their family home was taken care of by their neighbors.
"You're here with me, right?" Tsubaki smiled. The soft light coming from above illuminated her profile, making the air around her looked ethereal as if she was a fantasy. "I have been a coward for too long. It's time for me to face it."
Ren nodded silently. He laid his head on her lap, his hands encircling her waist. Tsubaki giggled when he rubbed his head on her tummy. She played with his locks while humming.
"You might uncover something nasty, so I'm worried," Ren spoke out what was bothering him.
"I have to face it sooner or later," Tsubaki wrapped a dark lock around her index finger. His hair was so soft, she almost envied him for the nth time. Tsubaki laughed inwardly at the thought. "And maybe I could remember something about you too. Who knows?"
Ren nodded. His eyes dimmed when he heard her words.
They have been talking about it but it didn't mean the fear in his heart had completely disappeared. Ren didn't know what he should expect once they returned to Tsubaki's hometown.
What would they uncover?
Would Tsubaki's memory come back after they got there?
What if something hideous coming their way?
As Ren was thinking hard, he heard the sound of yawning came from his wife. He raised his head from her lap, a chuckle escaped his lips. Tsubaki was rubbing the corners of her eyes, she really looked sleepy.
"You've just had dinner and you're already sleepy?" Ren asked while standing up from the floor.
"I don't want to sleep yet," Tsubaki mumbled softly. "Dear, do you want to continue your work? I could accompany you in the study."
"I have a better idea than that," Ren laughed. He took Tsubaki's hands and pulled her up from the bed. "Let's dance. At least, it would help with your digestion before going to bed."
"Okay..."
In her daze, Ren carried her to the living room. He took the remote controller and selected the song. In a second, a symphony filled the house. Ren smiled as he took her into his arms.