The sun had set when the couple arrived home. Ren asked Tsubaki to rest on the couch before he went to the kitchen to get a glass of water for her. He took off his jacket before he calmly folded his long sleeves layer by layer until they reached his elbows. Ren poured a glass of cold water at the automatic dispenser. While he waited for the glass to be filled up, he opened the fridge and looked inside.
Hurm... I wonder what should I cook tonight?
Ever since he learned that cooking wasn't a really tough job as long as he didn't blow the kitchen up, he had taken quite an interest in it. Especially when he saw her beautiful smile every time she indulged herself in the dishes he prepared.
Ren walked out of the kitchen with a glass in his hand. He sat beside his wife before he extended his hand to her. Tsubaki accepted the drink with a grateful smile.
"So, what does my dear lady want to eat tonight?" Ren propped up one elbow on the backrest of the couch, he rested his head on his hand. His body twisted slightly as he crossed one of his legs on the other facing her direction. "I think we have all the necessary ingredients right now."
"En..." Tsubaki placed the glass on her lap, both of her hands were holding the transparent glass. Her head tilted slightly as she was thinking. "I want..."
"No strawberry pancakes, sweetheart," Ren lifted up a corner of his lips lazily, he reached out his free hand and pinched her cheek. "You've eaten enough sweets today."
"Wha..." Tsubaki was baffled. "How could you tell?"
She really didn't expect him to shot down her request even before she voiced it out. Did he read her mind?
"I'm your husband," Ren pinched her nose, his laughter floated freely in the air as a smug smile hooked on his lips. "You think I couldn't tell that you're still craving for something sweet?"
Tsubaki quickly bit her lower lip, a hint of guilt flashed in her eyes.
Well... she really wanted to have sweets again.
"But, our baby wants to eat sweets. I just listen to his request!"
Tsubaki changed her tactic, she used their child as the sacrificial lamb. With her eyelashes fluttered and her lips pouted, she stared at her husband while placing her hands on her flat tummy.
This time it was Ren who turned speechless. How did his wife become so cheeky like this?
"Oh..." Ren decided to not heed to her easily. He averted his eyes from her face, landing them on her belly. "Does Baby really want sweets? Your Mommy says so."
"Of course Baby wants them! Baby follows Mommy's preferences, right? Daddy's taste is boring! He only knows to drink bitter coffee!" Tsubaki replied with a giggle, she rubbed her tummy as she played along with her husband. Fondness was apparent in her doe eyes when her lips curled up into a soft smile.
"Then, Daddy knows what Mommy needs right now." Ren smirked.
He lightly pinched her chin. Tsubaki was startled when the handsome face of his grew bigger and bigger in her line of sight until she felt a softness landed on her lips together with a warm breath coming from him. She wanted to back away from him but he had swiftly secured the back of her head.
She didn't know how much time had passed until he let her go.
"Darling!" Tsubaki panted, her face flushed red with his sneak attack.
"You said you wanted something sweet," Ren lazily traced her plump lips with his slender fingers. "Aren't my lips sweet? Yours truly have just helped you to taste them."
"..."
At this moment, Tsubaki knew no one could be as shameless as the man sitting next to her.
Ah! What if their child grew up to be a flirt? She really needed to set a good example for him.
Knowing that he had teased her enough, Ren made sweet and sour chicken for his dear wife. Tsubaki waited with anticipation as she smelled fragrance wafted in the air. Since they didn't have fresh pineapple, Ren just made do with the canned one he found in the fridge.
"Wow! Yayyy! Thank you, darling!" Tsubaki clapped her hands with a bright smile radiated on her happy face once Ren served her the chicken dish and a bowl of warm rice. Her small feet even tapped on the floor as she giddily moved her body on the chair.
Ren ruffled her hair with a fond smile. He really loved seeing her so happy like now.
Tsubaki took the bath first while her husband cleared the table. He insisted on doing it alone so she went straight upstairs to freshen her mind and body. She had just stepped out from the bathroom when she saw him was undressing the black shirt that he wore today.
"Rest on the bed," Ren picked up a remote controller, he switched on the TV and chose her favorite channel. Currently it was airing the evening news. Two news anchors were reporting the highlights for tonight. "You must be tired already."
"Yeah..." Tsubaki pressed her small hand over her mouth as a yawn was threatening to be let out.
Ren reached out a hand and patted her head with a soft smile. He then went inside the bathroom, his steps were calm and steady. Within a few minutes, the sound of water falling from the shower head to the marbl3 floor came from the bathroom.
Tsubaki quickly changed her white bathrobe to a sleeveless nightgown. As she was applying her skincare products, a thought popped inside her mind. She glanced back over her shoulders, her eyes went to the side where her handbags were kept in orderly manner. Her gaze landed on the bag that she used yesterday.
Once she was done, Tsubaki got up from the vanity chair. She took the handbag and started looking at the compartment inside. In a second, she saw what she was searching for.
It was the mysterious note.
Tsubaki sighed, she hadn't had the chance to tell Ren about this.
"Sweetheart?"
Tsubaki was startled. She turned around in a haste, she quickly hid her hands behind her back. There was Ren who had dressed in black pajamas standing not far from her.
"Are you done?" Her voice quivered slightly as she looked at him.
"En," Ren replied with a nod. His eyes went to the hands that were hiding behind his wife yet he didn't say anything as he calmly looked back at her. "I thought you've slept."
"No..." Tsubaki laughed awkwardly. She didn't understand why did she instantly hide her hands when she saw him. Maybe because the tiny guilt in her heart.
Ren smiled faintly. His long hands were rubbing a towel on his damp hair. Tiny droplets of water fell from his bangs, creating twinkles once they came into contact with the lights. Tsubaki could only marvel at how good-looking her husband was.
"I'll help you dry your hair," Tsubaki swiftly placed the note on the dresser behind her before she walked toward Ren. "Sit on the chair, darling."
"Alright."
Ren sat on the vanity chair as Tsubaki took out the hairdryer from a compartment of the built-in wardobe. His eyes fell on her focused face once she started drying his hair. Her slender fingers danced lightly on his head, his short strands of hair would peek out from the space between her fingers.
"Sweetheart," Ren called out to her. He stared right at the large mirror in front of them.
"Yes, darling?" Tsubaki lifted up her eyes from his hair. Their gaze met on the reflection of the mirror.
A light smile tugged on his thin lips. He raised his hand and took the hair dryer from her hand. Ren switched it off before he placed it on the vanity table. With a swift movement, he turned around and pulled her on his lap. Tsubaki instinctively wrapped her hands around his neck.
"Why?" Tsubaki eyed him with confusion. "I haven't done drying your hair."
Ren tilted his head, his dark eyes concentrated on her small face. As they were in close distance, he could see his own face reelected on her brown orbs. He loved looking at her eyes. They were so bright and full of clarity. He couldn't find any trace of deception in them even after searching for a long time.
One had said the eyes were the windows of the heart. Even though that person wanted to hide something by his actions, yet his eyes could betray him.
"Darling?" Tsubaki waved one of her hands in front of his face. He had just silently staring at her. What was he thinking? "What's wrong?"
Ren took the hand that was waving before his eyes. He brought it to his lips as he pressed light kisses on her knuckles. When Tsubaki peered deep into his eyes, she saw a mixed of emotions in them.
"Darling..."
"I said I have something to tell you, right?" Ren cut her off before she could finish her sentence.
Tsubaki nodded. He had said that when they were in the festival earlier. Although she was curious, she would just wait for him to open up instead of pestering him.
Ren smiled faintly. It was clear in his eyes that his wife was waiting for him to speak yet she refused to badger on him. He was so grateful because she always gave him time to prepare himself while silently supporting him.
"It's about your past. I'll tell you what I've known so far," Ren moved his hands, one went to her back as the other were placed under her knees. He slowly stood up while carrying her in his arms. "Let's talk on the bed."
"Okay..."
Tsubaki just let him carried her out of the wardrobe. His steps were steady as if he was carrying nothing. Once they reached the King-sized bag, Ren carefully placed his wife on the soft mattress. He adjusted the lighting before he went to her side. The TV volume was lowered down.
"Last night, I met not only Akashi and Toshiro but..." Ren paused for a moment, he gently rubbed the side of her head as he let her leaned against him. "I met your uncle too."
Tsubaki stiffened once she heard his last words. Her head jerked up, her eyes widened once she met his gaze. Her lips parted and closed a few times, no words came out from her mouth. It was only after she fully registered his words did she manage to spurt out some words.
"You... you mean... My uncle... He's here?"
Ren nodded. His heart ached when she appeared terrified all of a sudden. He tightened his arms around her, letting her remember that he was here with her. "Yes."