"Darling?" Tsubaki smiled as she looked at her husband.
"Yes?" Even when just muttering a word to her, there was a trace of a smile in his dark eyes.
"What did you pray for earlier?"
Ren smiled mischievously, he leaned down to met her forehead with his. "What do you think?"
Tsubaki frowned, a look of dissatisfaction flashed past her face. "Can't you just tell me?"
Ren's smile turned wider but it seemed crooked and full of mischief in Tsubaki's eyes.
"I'll tell you if you could survive without sleeping until the dawn of the New Year arrives. How about that?" Ren purposely rose his brows upward, challenging her with an impossible task.
"That's unfair!" Tsubaki pouted. She really wanted to pinch his cheeks now for playing with her. "You know I would be sleepy easily during winter."
"That's why I challenge you, sweetheart," Ren answered casually, as if he wasn't affected by her glare.
"What's so good about your wish until you want to bully your wife," Tsubaki mumbled in dissatisfaction, her heart felt heavy.
Ren laughed, a soft layer of mist shaped itself over his chiselled face. "It's my privilege to bully you, my dear wife."
Tsubaki eyed him in contempt. In the end, she harrumphed and turned her body around, her back facing him. Ren laughed again, suddenly realized that his dainty wife was too childish tonight.
Ren snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her back to meet his chest. Tsubaki wanted to wriggle free from him but his hold was so sturdy. She turned her head slightly, looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Why did you hug me?"
Ren smiled coyly. "I'm cold, sweetheart. Can't I hug you?"
Tsubaki pondered for a moment. He really looked cold. His face turned pale and his lips were slightly bluish. Her heart was still heavy but how could she resist when he showed her such a pity looking face at her?
Ahhh! Why does he have such a handsome face! It's so much trouble! Tsubaki yelled in her heart.
"Alright, alright. You can hug me," She finally relented. Tsubaki turned back to let him hug her properly.
Ren tried so hard to avoid from laughing. He knew his sweetheart wouldn't have a heart to continue sulking with him when he looked at her with puppy eyes!
As they sat while waiting for the clock to struck 12 AM, signaling the New Year, a familiar sound rang in the air. It was Ren's personal phone. He fished the phone out from the pocket, his brows knitted together as he looked at the screen.
"Who it is?" Tsubaki moved closer to take a peek at the screen. Akashi's name was displayed on it. "Just answer it. What if he has something important?"
"Okay..."
Ren reluctantly picked up. Before he could greet the caller, Akashi's booming voice sounded from the phone. Even though Ren didn't turn on the speaker, his voice was still clear to be heard by the couple.
"You brat! You must be enjoying your date with your wife! Wuuuu... why do I need to spend my New Year's Eve with a guy but not a hot girl?"
Tsubaki who heard his words was quite baffled. He sounded... drunk?
"I worked so hard for you for entire year but even with those money I couldn't have a girlfriend? Why it is so unfair!" Akashi yelled out his frustration, he continued crying loudly.
"Sorry! Sorry! Forget it, Ren!" Toshiro's voice came next, it seemed like he had snatched the phone away from Akashi. The couple could still hear Akashi's drunken ramblings from behind Toshiro.
"You're with our sister-in-law right now, right?" Toshiro was much sober than Akashi, if he too was drunk, there was no way for Ren to continue the call. "It's not 12 yet but I'll wish you guy Happy New Year now. I hope this coming year would be a great one for you both."
Tsubaki and Ren looked at each other, smiling. Ren nodded even though he knew Toshiro couldn't see him. Tsubaki cheerily said over the phone, "Happy New Year too! Don't forget to come over! I'd cook for you guys!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Toshiro sounded delighted. A loud sound came from the end of the line, startling Tsubaki. "Ah! Akashi wants to dance on the table! I have to stop him! Bye!"
The line was cut.
"Oh, dear. Poor Akashi and Toshiro," Tsubaki couldn't help but pity the two guys. "Don't forget to properly invite them to our home, okay?"
Ren smiled. He placed his phone back inside his pocket while nodding. "En."
Tsubaki looked at the clock in the shrine ground. Her eyes widened suddenly. She excitedly tugged at her husband's sleeve. Before Ren could react, he heard the sound of countdown coming from the visitors of the shrine.
"Five..."
Ren looked into her eyes.
"Four..."
She was smiling so brightly. It blinded him, but he craved for more.
"Three..."
His hand touched her right cheek.
"Two..."
He smiled softly.
"One!"
"Happy New Year!"
The wishes echoed loudly in the shrine. The visitors wished each other a Happy New Year. In the midst of them happily wishing for another year of blessing and prosperity, two pair of eyes locked into each other.
"Sweetheart, Happy New Year," He said softly over her lips. His eyes couldn't conceal the love he had for her.
"Happy New Year too, darling," Tsubaki wished in a quiet voice. She was still smiling.
"I..."
"Darling! Look! It's snowing!"
As Ren's words got cut by Tsubaki's cheerful exclamation, he raised his head and looked at the sky. In the inky black night, snow falling softly from the sky. The appearance of the white pieces of snow made the crowd cheering happily.
Ren landed his gaze on his wife's face. She was looking around the sky, awe was written clearly as she almost jumped in joy. The corners of his lips curled up.
This is nice.
I am so happy, so blessed by her presence in my life.
Since the temperature dropped further due to the snow, the husband and wife left the shrine early even though Tsubaki insisted to watch the first sunrise of the New Year in the shrine. Ren persuaded her with the promise to accompany her in the sunroom, waiting together with her. When Tsubaki thought back to their visit to the old house tomorrow, she relented to her husband's coaxing.
Once they got back home, the couple immediately changed into their home outfits and bundle together under a blanket. Two cups of hot flower tea were placed on the table as well as Tsubaki's specially made desserts for the New Year.
"Darling, what are you planning for this year? The same as the last or do you have anything new?" Tsubaki asked sleepily. She tilted her head, looking at his side profile before he turned his face to properly meet hers. She could see the smile in his eyes.
"Nothing much. I've never planned anything new whenever a new year comes," Ren answered softly. He ran his fingers through her hair.
"You just treat it as something ordinary?" Tsubaki asked again.
"You could say so," Ren smiled.
In his life, whenever the date of January 1st came, he never made any celebrations or written down his mission and vision for the new year. For him, it was just another year in his life. He spent the year like he did for the previous ones.
Until he met her.
Ren thought for a moment, contemplating on whether to tell her or not. A funny smile curled up on his lips. He shook his head softly.
"Maybe..." Ren gently gripped her chin, bringing her face closer to his. "For us to live another year with blessings and happiness?"
A small smile bloomed on Tsubaki's face. She nodded excitedly before she hugged him in a tight embrace. She thought she would be sleepy but maybe the excitement kept her awake.
Ren wrapped his arms around her petite frame. In the silent room, he could hear the beatings of his heart, as well as hers.
It was so peaceful.
"Darling, I'll tell you what I've prayed at the shrine," said Tsubaki as she pulled away slightly from him, her adoration couldn't be hidden from her eyes and voice.
Ren chuckled, feeling amused. "You don't want to continue with the challenge? I might not tell you even if you tell me yours."
"It doesn't matter," Tsubaki shrugged. Her fingers held tightly on his shirt, a layer of tenderness came from her eyes as she said gently, "I pray for your happiness. For you to always be healthy and have blessings in your life. I want you to be safe and happy even though, someday, I might no longer be by your side. That's my prayer, darling."
As Tsubaki's words came out from her mouth softly like falling rain in the summer, an indescribable feeling budding in his heart. He didn't know why but after he heard her heartfelt wish for him, his heart felt pained.
Ren lowered his head, he nestled his forehead at the crook of her neck as he stifled a sob. His hands that were hugging her trembled slightly. He pursed his lips, refusing to make a sound.
He could feel her sincerity in her words.
But, for him to hear her wish? His heart was pang with guilt and pain.
In his years of living, he was so detached from the world. He could only accept a few people in his world yet there was always a void in his heart. He tried filling it but nothing changed.
Until she graced his world with her presence.
"Sweetheart, Tsubaki," His voice slightly shook as he said against her skin, "I am in love with you."
Tsubaki hummed sweetly. She gently cradled him in her arms, one side of her head landing on his. She rubbed his back slowly. "I am in love with you too."
As the two souls remained in their embrace, the soft rays of light coming from the horizon. Tsubaki smiled widely, she patted her husband's back.
"Dear! Look! The sun is out!"
Ren slowly lifted his face, his eyes fixed on her face. A smile curled up on his lips. "Yes. It's beautiful."
"Geez! Why do you look at me? The sun is over there!" Tsubaki nagged, urging him to look over the glass walls. "Quick! Make your wish!"
Ren laughed softly. He swept his gaze over the horizon, finally landing on the sun. The dark sky was slowly consumed by the rays of light, chasing away the night of the nostalgia. He smiled softly as he looked at the sun.
His heart was no longer heavy.
The husband and wife stood up from the couch, they walked toward the glass wall.
Tsubaki sighed in content. "The first sunrise of a new year is always beautiful to see. It reminds me of hope."
"En." Ren nodded.
Ren looked down to see his wife's face. Little did she know, his wish was almost the same as hers.
But, after hearing hers, he would change his prayers.
For them to always embracing the darkness of eve and welcoming the new dawn of hope.
"Sweetheart?"
"En?"
Ren smiled. He gently tilted her head, his soft lips met hers. Tsubaki softly placed her hands on his shoulders, accepting his love.
The sunlight continued to spread its rays over the sky.