When Ren came back to his consciousness, he realized he was still sitting on the backseat of the car. He raised his eyes, he was still groggy as he looked at his wife by his side.
The lights of the high-pole lamps stood tall on the street sides fell on her face through the car windows,making her looked ethereal under the soft light. His lips parted slightly as he watched her in silence.
Sensing the movement from her side, Tsubaki turned to look at her husband. Her smile bloomed on her face. "You're awake? Are you still sleepy?"
Ren shook his head, he snapped out of his trance.
"Where is this? I thought we're going to a restaurant," Ren threw his gaze outside the windows. He stared at the family restaurant standing not far from the car. Families and friends were dining together inside and their atmosphere appeared lively and harmonious. The sky had loong been dark outside. "How long have we been here?"
"Around 20 minutes. Hibiki was ordering our food, I requested for takeaways," Tsubaki softly patted his right cheek. She knew he was still muzzy from his short nap. "I asked Hibiki to take the long way here so you could sleep longer. We should just eat at home, you're still sleepy."
"Okay..." Ren didn't have the intention to argue with her. He leaned to rest his back against the soft cushion, his long hands brought her closer to him. The sweet scent of her brought calm to his heart. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't realize I'd be so tired."
Tsubaki laughed softly. She tilted her head upward, looking at him who had already closed his eyes. "You're no Superman. Sleep for a bit. I'll wake you up once we arrive home."
"En..."
With her in his arms, he fell asleep once again. Tsubaki gently patted his hands.
It was 8:40 PM when they arrived at Spring Garden. Ren was quite refreshed the moment he woke up. He took Tsubaki's hand, they walked side by side to the elevator. Hibiki passed the paper bag containing the takeaways to one of the bodyguards waiting for them before he went to park the car. The bodyguard followed the couple from behind.
"Then, I'll be taking my leave now, Master and Madam," the bodyguard said after placing the paper bag on the table.
"You may. Thank you for your help," Tsubaki smiled slightly. The bodyguard bowed once before he turned on his feet and exited the duplex condominium.
"Let's change our clothes first," Ren suggested. He felt stuffy after wearing the shirt for all day long. "We could have dinner in front of the TV."
"Okay~"
Both of them changed into comfortable home clothes. Tsubaki brewed a pot of tea while Ren was placing all of the food containers on the table. There were two sets of cold soba, a box of vegetable tempura consisted of lotus root, sweet potato and mushrooms as well as chicken dumplings. They looked appetizing.
"How's your meeting with Miss Esumi?" Ren asked as he was munching the lotus root. His dark eyes went to the side of her face.
"There's nothing special this time, she only asked me about our vacation," Tsubaki bit the chicken dumplings. Her eyes lit up as she tasted the savory and juicy chicken inside the dumpling. "I said I'd tell her a good news soon."
The corners of Ren's lips curled up, his eyes went to her lower abdomen. "We could go to the hospital tomorrow. I don't have any important matters since Takuma is here. We should go and do a check-up for you."
"Okay, let's do that," Tsubaki swiftly agreed with his suggestion. The sooner they did the check-up, the better. It would put her mind at ease. As she was eating, she suddenly thought of something. "Why did Takuma here? Is he really working for you?"
Ren nodded. He placed his chopsticks down, his eyes were staring at her calmly. Tsubaki noticed his look, she raised her brows in confusion. Ren smiled warmly, he placed a palm over her cheeks, stroking it gently.
"I've something to discuss with you. It's a matter I need to tell Grandma sooner or later but at the very least I want you to know about it first," Ren lightly touched the right corner of her lips, brushing the small speck of crumb from her face.
"What it is?" Tsubaki could see a faint glow in his dark eyes as he smiled at her.
"You'll know soon," Ren answered in a low voice.
After properly packing the takeaway boxes in the garbage bag, the husband and wife went upstairs to their bedroom. The cat toy Ren won for his wife was laying at the center of the king-sized bed. Ren immediately took it and placed it far away at one side, Tsubaki laughed when she saw the scene.
"Don't be jealous of him, I still love hugging you to sleep the most," Tsubaki's voice was full of laughter as she scooted closer to him.
Ren tilted his head, looking at his laughing wife. He leaned over and silenced her with a soft kiss. She tasted so sweet, it made him craving for more.
"I know you couldn't sleep without me," Ren said in a low voice, his fingers were gripping her chin. "I'm your cuddle bear, right?"
Tsubaki laughed again, he loved seeing how her face radiated with glow when she was laughing happily. She wrapped her arms around his neck, Tsubaki deliberately fluttered her long eyelashes as she replied, "Yes, you're my exclusive cuddle bear."
Ren laughed, once again he kissed her.
It was already 10 PM. Ren turned on the LCD TV plastered on the wall opposite their bed and chose one of Tsubaki's favorite shows. He paused at one channel broadcasting a group of ordinary people in a singing competition. Most of them sang ballads and their voices were lovely to hear to so he just let the show playing on the screen.
"Aren't you sleepy?" Tsubaki had just done with her skincare routine when she asked him the question. She patted her cheeks softly, letting her sleeping mask to absorb in her skin.
Ren was leaning against the headboard of the bed. He smiled lazily as he waved his hand, signaling her to sit beside him. Tsubaki quickened her steps, she immediately went inside his embrace. A soft purr was let out of her plump lips as she sighed in content.
"Aa~ This feels so good," Tsubaki giggled. She rubbed her face on his chest, earning his laugh.
"How about you? Are you sleepy?" Ren asked her the question back without answering her. He played with her long hair, the sweet scent of her hair wafted in the air.
"En... I'm not too sleepy right now," Tsubaki raised her head, meeting his eyes. "Why?"
Ren pecked her lips twice. His warm and wide palm rubbing her back. "I said I have something to tell you, right?"
"Uhuh." Tsubaki nodded. She still remembered what he said during dinner.
"It's a big subject so, I hope you could listen to me first," His eyes carried heaviness in them, making Tsubaki wondered what was it about. She nodded once before she gifted him with a soft smile.
Ren smiled instinctually, the doubt that was creeping inside his heart faded as she smiled warmly at him. He lowered down his head, pressing his face on her hair. He hugged her tightly, it was as if he was afraid if she would disappear if he had just let loose of her. Tsubaki sensed the turmoil warring inside his heart. She didn't say anything as she quietly patted his broad back.
After a long period of silence, Ren pulled away from her. He ran his hand over her face, their gaze intertwined with each other. Only the sound of the ballad sung by the singers filled the room.
"I want to hand over my position to Takuma that's why I call him back. It means I'm leaving the family affairs and my current title."
Once the sentence left his mouth, Ren anxiously waited to see her reaction. It was the first time he felt so nervous after years. The last time was when he proposed to her with a bouquet of red camellias.
No.
The last time was when he walked inside the bakery a few months ago, meeting her again after 5 years.
When he thought of how she would response, he couldn't help but shuddered slightly.
"Okay." Tsubaki replied with a single word.
"Huh?"
Ren was stunned, his eyes widened once he heard her.
"You... what do you say?"
Tsubaki laughed lightly, showing her pearly white teeth. "I said okay, dear hubby. Why? What do you expect me to say?"
"No... I just... I mean..." Ren was at a loss of words. His eyes were still staring at her, shock was still cearly written on his face. After taking a deep breath, he recomposed himself. "You're not surprised?"
"En..." Tsubaki paused for a moment, thinking what should she say to him. Seeing his anxious and stunned face made her wanted to laugh but she suppressed it. Her husband was so cute!
In the end, she decided to be truthful. Her gentle voice echoed melodiously in the room.
"Well, I kind of understood your decision. Even after 5 years, I think your heart isn't in what you're doing, darling. You might lead the company for years but your real passion isn't there, am I right?"
Ren was speechless. She could tell?
Tsubaki let out a laugh. She placed her palms on his cheeks, snapping him out of his daze.
"You're really... okay?" Ren asked again. His brows almost knitted together as he continued, "Our lives now would change. You're really fine with it?"
Tsubaki nodded, her voice was firm. "I'm okay."
In the dimly lit room, two pairs of eyes were intertwined together. Her hands lowered from his cheeks before she softly held his hands. The light in her eyes sparkled when she looked at him. Her lips parted as she tried to convey him her sincerity.
"I want you to live the life that you desire, darling," Tsubaki traced the roughness of his palms, he felt so warm under her touch. He was still in silence, letting her finish her words. She slowly brought her face closer to his, each word fell softly in his ears. "I know there would be many things you need to consider and sacrifice before you let go of all this but please remember, I'm always here to support you."
As her last word came out from her small mouth, she gently pressed her lips on his.