As Tsubaki had feared the most, Ren gave Takuma a good beating once he got to know the issues regarding the photos. Her husband challenged Takuma for a round of karate and without sweating much, he successfully defeated the latter. Takuma's guard was useless under Ren's roundhouse kick.
It was the first time Tsubaki knew that her husband was quite proficient in martial art. Her eyes were popping with hearts and adoration as she watched the scene. She didn't even mind the sorry state of Takuma after being defeated by her husband.
Gosh! What else he could do?
"Don't be too harsh with him," Tsubaki handed him bottled water after she uncapped it. "I like the photos he took. You are so handsome and cute in them, darling."
A smug smile spread on Ren's lips. He cast a glance at Takuma who was still lying on the floor of the dōjō.
"Well, just assume it as me taking some interests for what he has done all this while," he answered casually. Ren downed a few mouthfuls of water. He lazily rubbed his chin where the water had trickled down his lips.
Tsubaki giggled, she really found the situation funny.
Ren knew about the photos after their lunch when Grandma asked Takuma about the edited photos. He had yet to look at his phone at that time so it was much later when he got to know about Takuma's mischief.
Without saying much, Ren dragged Takuma to a dōjō located not far from the main building of the old house. He gave the man a warning glare when Takuma tried to escape. In the end, Takuma had to surrender to his fate.
"I didn't know there's a dōjō here," Tsubaki looked around the wooden building of the dōjō. It's quite spacious. A few of antique calligraphies were hung on the wall as well as the framed photos of Fuse Family members from older to younger generations donned in white uniforms.
"I often trained here since I was young," Ren wiped his sweat using a white towel. "Takuma and I learned karate from the same teacher. We learned archery and horseback riding too. Behind this dōjō, there's an area for archery and a horse stable."
Tsubaki's mouth agape as she listened to his explanation. This wasn't her first time being in the old house yet she never attempted to explore the area. She had just realized this estate was way bigger than she had imagined. No wonder she would occasionally hear the sound of horses neighing when she watched him tackling Takuma down earlier.
Ren's lips curled up as he saw the astonished look on his wife's face. He knew what she was thinking about. He swiftly bent down and pecked her lips a few times before he asked, "There's a small lake not far from the stable. Want to take a ride there?"
"Aa? There's no need!" Tsubaki quickly rejected his suggestion, her hands waved awkwardly in the air.
If she were to witness how sparse the land behind the main building was, how could she mend her commoner's heart? Even after being together so long with this wealthy young master, she had yet to fully grasp her new life. She was lucky because Ren didn't force her to change the way she lived abruptly.
Even though Spring Garden was a luxurious residential complex, the place didn't feel too awkward to live in because there were no helpers around all the time and both of them tended to their home by themselves.
"Alright, I won't force you," Ren grinned happily. "I want to change out of this uniform first. Please wait here."
"Okay," Tsubaki obediently nodded.
Ren gently patted her head before he headed in a direction.
"Aww... He really showed no mercy," Takuma started complaining as he slowly got up from the floor. One of his hands rubbed his aching back. "I never thought his skills are still good. It's not rusty at all. When did he have the time to maintain his skills?"
Tsubaki suddenly felt sorry for Takuma. She threw a capped bottle at him. The latter swiftly caught it. Without waiting anymore, he quickly quenched his thirst. Takuma finished the drink in no time.
"Since what age have you guys been trained?" Tsubaki swept her gaze in the direction of the changing room. "There's a lot to be learned. He has even mentioned archery and horseback riding too."
"I began earlier at 4 but Ren started around 7, I think," Takuma slumped his lanky body on the long bench. His face contorted with dissatisfaction as he recalled his childhood memories. "That guy was so talented! I started first but he would always defeat me! How could I take the humiliation? The same went for archery and horseback riding! I started first but he still managed to beat me!"
Takuma harrumphed when he thought back of his uncool ways of being overcame by Ren countless times. He had even resorted to cheap tricks but Ren could still defeat him.
Argh! What a nightmare!
"He didn't even give me some face when I was trying to impress my crush during high school," Takuma grumbled in a low voice. His brows knitted together as he frowned. "He didn't even know what a bro code is about."
Tsubaki couldn't held her laughter anymore. She laughed freely despite Takuma looking at her in disdain. Her shoulders shook, she pressed her tummy in an attempt to suppress her laughter.
"You know that he's always like that, how could you have the expectation that he would help you?" Tsubaki rubbed her teary eyes, she still couldn't contain her laughing.
Takuma rolled his eyes. Yes. He should have known better!
After a while, Tsubaki's laughter died down. She smiled as she looked at Takuma's sulking face. Seeing him like that reminded her of Satsuki. A giggle escaped her lips.
"Despite that, you look up to him, right?" Tsubaki asked in a soft voice.
Takuma was stunned. His ears flushed red as he nodded albeit reluctantly.
"Well, he's a hero in my eyes," Takuma lowered down his gaze to the wooden floor, he didn't dare to look into the lady's peering eyes. "He lost Aunt and Uncle at a young age but he never failed doing anything. Even when he was forced to take over the company, he did a really good job until now."
Tsubaki smiled seeing his bashful attitude. His voice was full of admiring her husband's prowess in every field he had stepped into. This younger cousin of Ren had always have a great deal of respect to him.
"Is that why you agreed to be his successor?"
Takuma pursed his lips. Once again, he nodded.
"Maybe I want him to look at me and see me as someone to be admired too."
Takuma's answer brought an understanding smile on Tsubaki's face. Her gaze softened as she stared at him. Even though he was way older than her, but at this moment she felt like she was his older sister.
"Don't worry, Takuma. I believe you'd do well," Tsubaki didn't shy away from giving him a praise. "He trusts you that's why he chose you."
Takuma turned his face to the other side. Tsubaki held in her laughter when she saw how red his ears and neck were.
Both of them sat in silence until they heard steady footsteps approaching them. Tsubaki lifted up her eyes. Once she landed her gaze on the tall man walking toward her, her eyes lit up instantly.
"What are you guys talking about?" Ren ran his fingers through his hair, casting his bangs aside thus showing his clear forehead. "Are you blabbering nonsense, en?"
"I'd be dumb if I want to suffer another roundhouse kick from you," Takuma mumbled slowly, he averted his gaze from his cousin.
Tsubaki curled up her lips, she looked meaningfully at Takuma. The latter rolled his eyes, as if he didn't understand her stare. Tsubaki stood up from the wooden bench, she looked at her husband.
"Now, shall we return? I think Grandma and Aunt Kasumi are waiting for us," Tsubaki folded the towel her husband used earlier. She let it hung on her arm.
"Alright," Ren dipped his head in and pecked her lips a few times while pulling her gently toward him. He gave a faint smirk to Takuma who was watching their display of affections wide-eyed. "We should leave this single man here. Let him meditate to heal his heart for a while."
"Alright~ Bye, Takuma. See you later." Tsubaki waved at Takuma happily before she was led away by her husband.
Takuma watched the couple left in disbelief.
The husband and wife walked on the cobbled path leading toward the main building of the old house. Green bushes and shady trees accompanied them side by side. As they walked, Tsubaki suddenly let out a laugh.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Ren asked, he was intrigued by her funny smile.
"Takuma reminds me to Satsuki," Tsubaki answered truthfully. She tilted her head as she looked at the side of his face. The warm light fell on his face, casting shadows on his sharp facial features. "I could tell he admire and respect you a lot."
"Yes," Ren nodded. "He might have inferiority complex but I could see that he wants to be a better person than me while admiring me. Maybe that's why he went to work overseas all these years."
They had grew up together. As the older one, Ren had watched how Takuma always acted around him. He still remembered the time when a short boy with snot running down his nose followed him wherever he went.
"He's a spectacular person so I don't really worry about him taking over the company," Ren lifted up his eyes, he swept his gaze over the clear sky. No one could tell what was he thinking as his clear voice drifted over the summer breeze. "Well, maybe a little bit worried? Since he's kind of unpredictable?"
Tsubaki squeezed her husband's hand that was wrapping around her waist. Her voice was a pleasant melody as she spoke, "I believe in your decision. In this matter and whatever you'd plan for the future."
Ren smiled. He nodded once, his gaze softened.
It was just a simple sentence yet no one knew how big of an impact it had on him. Especially when it came from the dearest person in his heart.
"Yes, sweetheart," Ren took a step closer toward her, further decreasing the distance between them. "Let's use this time to focus on ourselves, alright?"
"Yes!" Tsubaki smiled brightly. Her face glowed beautifully under the sun.
His promise was what she would always look forward too.