"W... What?" Tsubaki stuttered as she was trying to take in what Kanako had said. "You said... This handwriting is familiar to you?"
"Yup." Kanako peered carefully at the image displayed on Tsubaki's phone screen. After looking at it again, she nodded her head in confidence. "Yes. I'm positive I've seen this kind of handwriting before."
"Then!" Tsubaki had almost pounced on Kanako once the latter finished speaking. Her lips were trembling as she continued to ask, "Then... what about the name? Do you know the person? Could you bring me to her?"
"Uh..." Kanako knitted her brows, she looked conflicted over Tsubaki's anxious face. "About the handwriting, I could confidently say that I've seen this a number of times before but for the name I just have a faint recollection of it."
The light in Tsubaki's eyes dimmed. Her hands that were fisted in her anxiousness slowly flailed at her sides. Kanako noticed the change in Tsubaki's expression. It was the first time for her to see her new friend looking glum like this.
"Why? Do you have important matter with the person?"
Tsubaki bit her lower lip. She sighed inwardly as she hung her head low. Kanako who saw that didn't press Tsubaki to immediately answer. She returned to her seat in front of Tsubaki. Her hand slowly placed Tsubaki's phone on the table.
Tsubaki looked at the photo on the screen. Her hands gripped the hem of her blouse tightly as she didn't know how to describe her feelings.
Kanako unexpectedly said she recognized the name and the handwriting. What did that mean?
"Kanako," Tsubaki call out the name in a quiet voice. She raised her eyes to meet Kanako's confused ones. "If I ask you questions, could you please answer me without me having to explain why?"
Kanako paused to think as she found Tsubaki looked awful. Her eyes were no longer bright as always and there were fear and anxiety evident on her face. Kanako was wondering why did Tsubaki change so much from her cheery personality once she said she was familiar with the handwriting and the name on the screen. But, she knew Tsubaki must have her reasons if she didn't want to disclose the matter.
"Okay." Kanako nodded. "I won't ask you if it's a private matter. What do you want to ask me?"
Tsubaki let out a sigh. The remaining of her ice cream was already melting inside the cup. It took her a while to recompose herself before she opened her lips.
"Earlier, you said that you've seen this handwriting somewhere before but you didn't really remember the name so... does that mean these two are separate matters in your mind?"
Kanako took Tsubaki's phone. She once again peering at the photo. This neat handwriting and this name...
"Yes. I knew I've seen this handwriting somewhere but I couldn't recall it correctly. My memory is quite good so if you want, I could try searching for this one. If I wasn't mistaken..." Kanako squinted her eyes as she tried racking her brain. Her head tilted to one side, her brows furrowed. "I feel like I always see this handwriting on cards... oh ya! Like on an invitation card!"
Kanako snapped her fingers as she remembered it. She looked so delighted when she returned Tsubaki's gaze.
"On invitation cards?"
Did it mean... Kanako might know this person?
"Yes! Yes! I'd usually read the cards sent to my family home so I think I could find them for you since my Mom never throws these cards away. But, as for the name..." Kanako crossed her arms as her mind was gathering her memory. "I think I've heard the name of Fujioka Masami before but I couldn't remember correctly from where."
"It's okay if you don't." Tsubaki decided to not feel downhearted hearing Kanako's words. It was already better when Kanako said she would help her. "This is an important matter so I really hope you could find the cards for me. You don't have to look for them one by one. I could do it myself. I just needed all the cards first. Please, Kanako?"
"Alright, it's not a big deal," Kanako readily agreed to Tsubaki's request. "Whatever you're searching for, I hope I could be a bit of your help. Once you return back to the city, I'd contact you again. I'm sure my Mom has stored the cards somewhere inside the study."
"Thank you!"
By now, Tsubaki looked a little relieved. She was glad she had accidentally let go of her phone when Kanako was surprising her from behind earlier. If not, she could never guess this young lady could help her.
It was a quarter to 6 when they finally parted their ways. Tsubaki and Kanako exited the parlor, they promised to meet again in a few days. Both of them were waiting for their respective rides outside of the parlor. Kanako's car arrived first. Her Mr. Bodyguard opened the car door of the back seat.
"Don't worry, Tsubaki," Kanako patted the back of Tsubaki's right hand. "I'll find the cards for you and I'd definitely try to remember whose name is it. So, enjoy your short vacation in your hometown, okay?"
Tsubaki let out a small laugh. She nodded her head, agreeing with Kanako. "Okay. Thank you again, Kanako."
Kanako laughed as she bent down and hugged Tsubaki's small frame. Her tall figure was further heightened with her high heels, Tsubaki looked so small inside her embrace. After that, she left while waving happily at Tsubaki.
"Madam."
Tsubaki turned her head toward Kaede's voice. She had already arrived with the car. Tsubaki gave her a tired smile as she got inside the car. Once she fastened her seat belt, Tsubaki leaned her body against the comfy cushion. She closed her eyes, trying to escape from the threatening headache.
Kaede just silently looked at her Madam who appeared so gloomy unlike her usual bright self. She never looked like this. Before she started the car, Kaede took out her phone and sent a text to a number.
The ride to Spring Garden was only filled with the soft music played by Kaede. She would occasionally peer at Tsubaki who was still closing her eyes at the back seat. Kaede deliberately drove the car slower in order to not disturb her Madam and due to a certain someone's order too.
The journey was twice longer than usual.
"Madam, we've arrived," Kaede announced once she parked the car in the box exclusive for President Fuse's home unit.
"En?"
Tsubaki opened her eyes with difficulty, she blankly looked at her left and right before she rubbed her eyes tiredly. She didn't expect she would really fall asleep.
"Thank you, Kaede," Tsubaki muttered out her gratitude once she alighted the car. "You don't have to escort me till upstairs. Go home and rest."
"Thank you, Madam."
Kaede watched her lady's disappearing figure with a worried face. She looked sluggish. Kaede noticed that her Madam and Miss Esumi had a heavy conversation before they returned home but she knew it wasn't her place to meddle with. That was why she felt obligated to send a message to her Master.
Tsubaki didn't know how she came to standing in front of the door. She remembered gotten off the car and entered the elevator but her mind was blank until she reached their unit. Tsubaki shook her head, feeling helpless. She entered the keyword and held the door handle, wanting to push it.
She wanted to be home.
But, he wasn't here.
Ren said he would return early but she doubted it would be somewhere before 8. She had packed their clothes and necessities for tomorrow's trip. They would take the flight heading to the airport near her hometown before taking a car ride for almost one hour.
Tsubaki opened the door wide. She listlessly dragged her feet inside. Her energy had been drained by the outing and the revelations by Kanako. As she turned around to close the door properly, a tall shadow loomed over her.
"Sweetheart?"
Tsubaki's shoulders slightly jolted up when she heard the familiar voice. She quickly spun around, her gaze meeting a pair of dark eyes. Tsubaki froze for a moment as she took in the soft smile on his face. She stared blankly at the man standing before her. Her lips parted slightly.
"Welcome home," Ren added as he walked closer and gently brought her into his embrace.
Only when she was enveloped within the warmth of his body did Tsubaki return from her daze. Her hands immediately encircled his slender waist. Tsubaki looked up, his eyes were as gentle as ever as the light in his eyes softened when he met her gaze.
"I'm home," Tsubaki said, almost choked up with her emotions.
Ren smiled. He leaned his head down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"You're home."
Tsubaki nodded. She closed her eyes tightly as she sought peace from his warmth.
It felt so good to be home.
With him.