The lights were dimmed before the two people began dancing. Ren gently pulled Tsubaki to follow his steps, one of his hands was placed at the small of her back while the other one was linking to hers. Tsubaki smiled faintly when she saw his contented face.
This reminded her of when they were dancing on the grass field a while back. But, tonight only the moonlight shone through the glass walls instead of bright stars.
"Do you think a slow dance and a peaceful symphony would help me from being sleepy?" Tsubaki raised one of her delicate brows, laughter was bubbling on her lips. "It's actually a bad combination if one is sleepy. You have even dimmed the lights."
Ren let out a low chuckle. He nuzzled his nose against hers as his warm breath landed on her face. "I just want to dance with you. Can't you indulge me, sweetheart?"
Tsubaki tip toed slightly, her soft lips pecking his chin. "Of course I would, silly."
Ren brought her head to his chest as his arms wrapped around her small frame. Tsubaki let go of her hand on his shoulder, letting it fall around his waist. She breathed in his minty scent, comforting the hidden turmoil inside her heart.
"Sweetheart?"
"En?"
The soft strands of her hair fell from his fingertips as he played with her long hair. A layer of fear faintly appeared in his dimmed eyes. His deep voice was so quiet as he asked, "You've told Aunt Ume, right? About you and Hinata?"
Tsubaki silently nodded her head, answering his question. The hands around his body tightened in a second once she remembered her conversation with Aunt Ume this evening.
"Aunt Ume said it was unavoidable considering the coincidences around us," Tsubaki said after a moment of silence. "Kouichi looked happy once he heard that I'm his aunt. I think everything is well at their side."
"Yes," Ren laughed quietly. "He really looked happy when I saw him before going home."
After his talk with Nagao Yuuto, Ren left the poor man at the park since he still needed time to gather his thoughts. He returned alone to the unit of Nagao's apartment. Kouichi was clinging to Tsubaki, his round face appeared even rounder with a piece of donut stuffed inside his cheeks. They stayed for a while longer but Yuuto hadn't returned even after they bid their goodbye to Aunt Ume and Kouichi.
"How about Mr. Nagao?" Tsubaki peered at her husband's calm face. "You went to talk to him, right?"
Once Ren left to go to Yuuto, Aunt Ume apologized to her due to her son's behavior. Tsubaki waved her off since it wasn't anyone's fault. For her to suddenly appeared in front of him would certainly catch him off guard.
He was still mourning his wife's death.
"He was shocked but I saw that he's trying to brace the situation. Don't worry, sweetheart," answered Ren with a calm voice. He pulled away slightly from her as they stopped dancing. His dark eyes searching for any emotions she tried to hide from him. "You're afraid if he would feel hurt, right?"
Tsubaki reluctantly agreed. The light in her eyes lost its lusters. She still hadn't let go of her hands on the back of his waist. She needed to touch him to truly feel secure. Even though days had passed, it still wasn't easy for her to fully accept it.
"His dearest wife passed away almost 5 years ago," Tsubaki started to speak. Her voice cracked as she met his gaze. "It's clear that he still missed her dearly. My appearance is not something he could welcome easily. Moreover when things did happen to his wife too 5 years ago. I'm sure he has his own suspicions after seeing me."
Ren raised his hands from her waist to her face. His thumbs rubbed circles around her cheeks. Their eyes locked onto each other. Tsubaki swore she felt like she could be pulled into the vortex of his dark eyes.
"You might find I'm cruel for saying this," Ren's voice was heavy, conflicted emotions evident in his eyes. "But, I don't care what others would think or feel as long as you're happy. You're so kind and I fall in love with the kindness of yours but... I also know if I made the innocent ones suffer for your happiness you'd despise me. Sometimes, I feel like I'm hanging on a thin thread whenever I think you'd hate me for making such a choice."
Tsubaki felt her tears would come out any time soon. She slowly shook her head, both of her palms enveloped his hands on her face.
"I would never despise you," Tsubaki replied softly. "Because I know you'd never done something like that."
Ren let out a heavy sigh. He immediately embraced her petite frame while he pressed his face on her shoulder. His body slightly trembled as she returned his hug.
"Time would heal him, I swear," Ren tightened his hold on her. "It'd help him if we could uncover everything that is still hidden even after his wife's death. I have a feeling that he knows something about Hinata. We'd help him to gain closure that he needs. So, sweetheart," He planted a gentle kiss on her slender neck, "Don't worry and let's find our closure too, alright?"
"En."
Ren straightened his back, his eyes looking at her face. Seeing her downcast look, he couldn't help but being extra soft to her.
His wife had gone through ordeals time and again.
"Let's stop thinking about this," His lips brushed the corner of hers before he settled on her lower one. "Have you forgotten about our date? The one that you want us to wear the outfits we bought before? It's summer already so we could have our date whenever you want."
Tsubaki squinted her eyes as she looked at him. He really knew how to turn her mood to a better one. But, her mood did improve a bit when she was reminded of the date. After all, she was the one who chose the summer outfit for him. The outfits were properly hung in their wardrobe.
"Okay. I'll wait for our date then," Tsubaki agreed as she didn't want to exhaust her mind and time thinking about the matter regarding Nagao Yuuto. She would rather spend them by being with her husband.
Today was a surprise. She didn't expect to suddenly meet the husband of her late sister. The poor man's heart had broke when she died. Tsubaki knew she should plan her move properly if she wanted him to help her uncover the mystery.
"Could we have our date soon?" She quickly asked. Her face was filled with hope.
Ren nodded. A smile curled up on his thin lips.
"After we return from your hometown, I need to go to Summer City Hotel. Let's have a short vacation there, okay? We could wear the outfits while strolling along the beach."
Ren thought his suggestion was a plausible one. He had already intended to bring her to the beach the last time he went there for the emergency. The beach around Summer City Hotel was famous for its white sand and majestic blue ocean alongside the shore. The view from the hotels overlooking the sea was magnificent, especially during the golden hours when the sun was hanging closely over the horizon.
"Uhuh."
Whatever her husband said, she would just agree to it.
She didn't remember the last time she went to have fun at the beach. Ren's idea made her giddy with excitement as she couldn't wait for their date to happen. And now her eyes were no longer lulled by sleepiness as she looked brightly at him.
"Darling?"
"Yes?"
Tsubaki smiled sheepishly. "I think I'm not sleepy already. Could we have a movie night?"
Ren laughed in amusement. He was glad because she no longer dwell in her thoughts. He put one hand around her waist as he said, "Alright. Let's pick something light. Where do you want to watch it? In the living room or our bedroom?"
"Our bedroom!" Tsubaki replied immediately, earning another laugh from her husband.
"Okay!"
Ren swiftly bent down and picked her in his arms. Tsubaki yelped, her hands quickly wrapped around his neck. Hearty laugh echoed in the duplex condominium as Ren ran while carrying Tsubaki upstairs.