After the words faded from the sky, Ren pulled Tsubaki up from the bench. The fireworks exploded to random shapes on the sky but they were now looking at each other. It was as if the crowd were not there with them, enjoying the ongoing show.
He smiled when he saw her eyes were still gleaming with her tears. He raised his hands, lightly wiping the warm pearls away from her face. Tsubaki was just silently looking at him, her lips quivered slightly.
"Do you like my grand confession this time?" Ren asked in a low tone, it sounded so gentle to her.
"En..." Tsubaki nodded. A smile curled up her lips. "I love you."
Ren laughed, his sharp features softened as he dipped his head in and kissed her lips.
At that moment, the fireworks exploded once more. The letters formed again on the sky as the two people kissed. Tsubaki didn't realize the additional words coming after the previous ones.
I Love You, Tsubaki.
My Only Wife.
"Sweetheart," Ren gently pulled away from her, his eyes never wandered from her face. There was so much love in his voice as he called out to her. "I love you."
Tsubaki smiled sweetly. She immediately pressed herself on his chest, hugging him tightly.
This was good. Even though her past was painful, her future with him was bright. He had never let her doubt his feelings for her even for a second. Tsubaki knew, their child would be raised with love.
This was enough.
A representative of the summer festival came to see them once the crowd dispersed. He handed a thick envelope containing the photos of the fireworks display to Ren. The pictures were from when the display started until his confession. Some of them included the couple inside, the photographer had even shot the moment when they were kissing with the words spelled out in the air.
It was a breathtaking shot with raw emotions captured in detail.
Tsubaki's cheeks flushed red once she saw the photo but Ren was delighted with the photographer's works. He had already thought of framing the photo and put it on his desk in the office.
Apparently, besides commissioning the team for the additional display, Ren had donated a certain amount for the festival charity drive. The money and items the organizing body got from the charity would be allocated to the unfortunate families living around the town. Even though the beach town was a popular spot during summer, there were still people living in poverty.
The organizer said the town hall would use the money to build a center for them to learn before setting out to get a better job.
"Thank you for your donation, Mr. Fuse. We are so grateful over your help," the old man in his sixties bowed down to convey his gratitude. He looked so sincere in Tsubaki's eyes.
"I'm the one who should thank you for cater to my sudden request," Ren replied politely. "I hope the center would be up for a good cause."
"Yes. We'll send you updates about it. Thank you again."
The husband and wife returned to the hotel as the night getting late. One of Tsubaki's hands wrapped around Ren's left arm while the other holding a bag of delicacies they bought before leaving the festival. The big cat plush toy was held by Ren, earning interested glances from anyone who saw the couple entering the hotel.
A bodyguard wanted to help Ren to hold the plush toy but was declined by the latter. Ren just instructed him to push the button for their floor. In no time, they had stepped onto the soft carpet flooring.
"Sweetheart, change out of your yukata first," Ren said when he saw Tsubaki had already thrown herself on the bed. She was rolling to his side, her hands hugging the large plush toy close to her chest.
"Later~ I don't want to move," Tsubaki replied, her voice was muffled over the toy.
Ren smiled, he gently patted her head before he went inside the wardrobe. He folded the yukata and placed them inside the box. After he changed into his pajamas, Ren went to wash his face and brush his teeth. Tsubaki was already deep in sleep once he stepped out of the washroom. Her breathing was low and steady.
Ren took light steps, moving toward the bed. The soft mattress sunk in when he sat on it, leaning over his sleeping wife. Ren untied her bun and took the hairpin away from her head, letting her long hair splayed over the white bedsheet. He then loosened the obi wrapped around her waist before he carefully tugged it from under her side. Tsubaki was smiling in content once she felt comfortable sleeping without the tight sash restraining her breathing.
"You're so sleepy, I still want to talk to you," said Ren in a low voice, he propped up his elbow and rested his chin on his palm. His dark eyes trained on her sleeping face, half concealed by the plush toy in her arms. "You even hug the toy tightly. Do you no longer want me to hug you in sleep?"
Her soft breathing was the answer to his complaints.
Ren laughed softly as he thought she wasn't awake to reply to him. He reached out for the blanket, covering her body with it. Tsubaki curled up comfortably under the warm blanket. She didn't realize her husband was looking through her skincare items on the vanity table.
Ren took the micellar water she would always use to remove her makeup. He had dampen a clean towel with warm water too since it would be difficult to rinse the micellar water later. He returned to her side and began to clean her face after pulling the toy away from her grasp.
He remembered Grandma's words before, a girl must clean her face before going to bed. Since she was asleep, he should do the task. Moreover when Tsubaki herself had always taken great care of her skin.
Once he was done, Ren leaned down and brushed his lips on her forehead. "Good night, sweetheart."
Tsubaki smiled in her dreams.
Ren cast a gaze toward the abandoned plush toy at his left side. He was seriously eyeing the cute toy, his eyes squinted as his lips pursed into a thin line. After a long staring contest, he heaved a sigh. Ren took the plush toy and returned it to his wife's arms. Tsubaki unconsciously tightened her embrace once the toy went back to her.
"I'll allow you to hug my wife tonight," He cast a deep gaze toward the toy. "Just for tonight."
It had been a long time since the last night he slept without her in his arms.
Ah... I feel so lonely.
Ren turned to face her sleeping wife, he begrudgingly stared at the plush toy. The toy's big eyes stared back at him.
It looked so annoyingly innocent, Ren cursed in his heart.
In the end, he slept on his side of the bed. His arms were empty.
When Tsubaki finally woke up at the witching hour, she found that she was hugging the plush toy tightly. Ren was sleeping beside her, separated by the toy between them, his long arms lightly touching her hands. Tsubaki silently sat up and retrieved her hands from his. She smiled when she saw him sleeping so deeply. His breathing was soft and steady in the quiet night.
Tsubaki glanced at the wall clock. It showed 3:10 AM. She got off the bed after fixing the blanket covering her husband's body. After doing a couple of stretches, she went inside the washroom to freshen up. She didn't forget to get her nightgown for her to change into, her yukata had wrinkled since she slept in it.
Tsubaki stared at her reflection on the mirror. She noticed that her light makeup had been washed off. A sweet feeling bloomed in her heart once she realized her husband had taken the effort to help her remove her makeup before going to bed.
Aiya~ How could he be so sweet?
After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Tsubaki quickly returned to the bed. She took the plush toy that laid between them and placed it behind her. Tsubaki smiled sweetly as she snuggled to her husband, her hands encircled his waist. Ren fluttered his eyes open once he felt the warm touch of hers. He placed one of his palms at the back of her head in drowsiness, pulling her closer to him as his other hand hugged her.
"En... I thought you didn't want to sleep with me tonight..." In his sleepy state, he mumbled some words.
Tsubaki laughed lightly, she placed her palm over his cheek. "You're jealous, darling. Now, go to sleep. I'm here."
"En..."
Ren didn't say anything as he closed his eyes. He pressed her back toward him, his face leaned against her head.
Tsubaki curved up a smile. She raised one of her hands and gently rubbing his dark locks.
The events happening these few days made her felt surreal.
They would be blessed with a little bundle of joy soon. Even though she might waver under pressure, she would not give up.
This was her life.