"What... what do you mean?"
It was hard to believe her ears but Ms. Nakamura's words were as clear as day as she repeated them again.
"That young miss was one of the people who opposed the marriage. Do you think she wouldn't be happy if Second Young Miss ran away? After all, she got to marry Young Master Souma in the end."
"That..."
Tsubaki was at a loss of words. She could only stare blankly at Ms. Nakamura who was still standing opposite her. The anger on the old lady's face hadn't subsided and her words were ringing inside her ears. Tsubaki felt her entire body turned cold despite the bright summer day outside the small house.
It is true?
Is Mrs. Souma just pretending with me? She might have recognized who I am if she knew how Mother looked like.
Did she do something to Mother?
What was her motive trying to look for Hinata years ago? To harm her?
All of these questions were whirling in her mind and Tsubaki felt them tangled into chaos, dizzying her. She clenched and unclenched her fists yet the coldness had yet to dispel. Mrs. Souma's gentle smile appeared in her mind as a sense of incredulity enveloped her heart.
Tsubaki smiled bitterly. If the older lady did deceive her, she had succeeded in doing so.
She had thought of it but it was still hard for her to accept. She had suspected both President Souma and Mrs. Souma but deep in her heart, she hoped it wasn't true.
Suddenly, warmth spread from one of her hands. Tsubaki was pulled back from her trance by it, her eyes went to the source of the warmth. She saw a wide palm enveloped her entire hand, her gaze slowly went up from the rough palm up to the arm until her eyes were in line with a pair of dark gaze.
It was Ren.
He smiled faintly at her, only tranquility belied in his dark eyes, in contrast to her dulled ones before he shifted his gaze to Ms. Nakamura. Even when he spoke, his voice was calm and unhurried. His hand was still holding onto hers.
"We're sorry if we've agitated you, Ms. Nakamura," He expressed his regret to the old woman whose face had yet to return to peace. "We're just wondering because someone used Fujioka Masami's name. We're just wanted to know if she knew anything about my parents-in-law and why did she pretend to be my mother-in-law."
"It's alright, young man," Ms. Nakamura waved one of her hands off, a trace of exhaustion line on her face as she leaned back on the couch. "It's my fault too, getting angry over this but... even though I said something like that, only the people involved knew the truth. It had been more than two decades and Miss Masami didn't say anything the night she ran away. She just left a note saying she had to leave in order to save her child."
"May I know what was the reaction of the Souma Family after my mother-in-law ran?" Ren asked Ms. Nakamura. Tsubaki's face was still pale. He didn't want her to overexert herself so he took the reins from her.
"From what I've investigated, it was said the Fujioka Family only collapsed after half a year. Did it mean they got assistance to revive their business? Almost all of their information was erased, someone had deliberately concealed their existence. The record of where the family went after their bankruptcy couldn't be found too. Do you know anything about this?"
"That..." Ms. Nakamura paused, searching her old memories. After all, the events was worth more than two decades. After a moment, she continued, "Young Master Souma was so angry he tried searching for Second Young Miss but to no avail. First Young Miss married an older man from the upper class to get the funding yet the man divorced her within 4 months of their marriage. I heard Master took Madam and First Young Miss to migrate to another country. Since the day I left the household, I've stopped hearing about them."
"Then, about my father-in-law. Did he have another family member? The result showed that he was an orphan. Was it true?"
The man with the surname Saeki was still a mystery.
"Once, I asked Miss Masami. She said Mr. Saeki's parents have passed away since he was a child, that was before he went to work at the Soumas. If I'm not mistaken, he has a brother."
Ren arched an eyebrow. Among the men investigated by Akashi, Mr. Saeki was the most suspicious one and he had already concluded that he was Tsubaki's birth father. Ms. Nakamura's story further confirmed his suspicion. But, nothing could be found regarding the man's background.
He was just wanted to know if Saitou Hajime was really related to his father-in-law.
Ren glanced at Tsubaki, she looked back at him. From Ms. Nakamura's voice, it was clear that she wanted to stop talking about this matter. Even her complexion wasn't good as time passed. With a heavy heart, Tsubaki knew she had to retreat.
"Thank you for telling us, Ms. Nakamura," Tsubaki conveyed her heartfelt gratitude. She got up from the couch and gave a deep bow to the old lady. "I would still be in a loss if not for you. Your willingness to attend to my questions has really help me. I believe I could reach the end of my journey soon."
"Young lady," Ms. Nakamura sighed. She propped her hand against the armrest as she slowly stood up. "I myself couldn't believe that the child Miss Masami tried to protect has grown up to be as beautiful and gentle as her. Miss Masami was coveted by countless young masters yet she still chose a man from a humble background due to love. I admired her courage but I couldn't help but worry about her."
"All these years, I hope she would be living her life happily with her own small family yet I didn't expect to hear that she has to leave you two to someone else. It was a big sacrifice in her part. Miss Masami didn't want you to be tied to her fate so no matter what happens in the future, I hope you'd cherish yourself and your loved ones."
Tsubaki nodded, tears had started brimming in her eyes. She stepped forward and embraced the frail old lady. Ms. Nakamura was shocked yet she quickly returned the hug.
"Thank you, thank you so much." Tsubaki choked back on her sob. She wanted to say more yet all of her words got stuck in her throat. She could only helplessly hug the old lady.
The air around them was solemn. The face of the man who was standing behind his wife was glum as he watched the petite frame of hers trembled while she was embracing the old lady. His hands tightened into fists, his veins popped as he exerted great pressure due to the heavy dark clouds weighing his mind.
The husband and wife bid the old lady goodbye after they spent their time having lunch together. Akashi went out and bought them food. In front of the porch, Ms. Nakamura gently held both of Tsubaki's hands. The feeling of her wrinkly hands made Tsubaki thought of Grandma who was waiting for them in the old house.
"Ms. Nakamura..."
"Call me Granny," Ms. Nakamura cut Tsubaki off, her smile was wide as she added, "Your mother has always called me Aunt Sumiko. Even though we've just met, I hope you wouldn't treat me as strangers."
Tsubaki held back her tears. She smiled sheepishly as she recalled how badly she cried in the old lady's arms earlier.
"Okay, Granny. I will always come and visit you," Tsubaki easily made the promise. After meeting this old lady, she had come to grow fond of her although their meeting had only lasted for a few hours. "I hope you'd still accept us as your guests."
Ren smiled hearing what his wife had said.
"Of course! Whenever you want to hear about your mother, you could call or visit me," Granny Sumiko appeared elevated with Tsubaki's promise. As an old lady who hadn't married nor have children, she longed for familial companions in her golden years.
"Of course I'd do that!"
Before they left, the old lady once again held Tsubaki's hands. With a grim expression, she suddenly said, "Beware of whatever you're trying to find out. You might want to avenge your mother once you know everything but I hope you'd remember that vengeance would just blacken our lives. The sweetest revenge is when you still live happily."
Tsubaki was stunned listening to the old lady's words. It took her a few seconds before she reacted.
"Alright, Granny. I'll remember."
Ren left Akashi behind and asked him to help Granny Sumiko with her needs. He had chatted with his friend and Akashi said the old lady had difficulty handling her lunch box store as she had reached old age. Since his wife had accepted the old lady as her family, he would do the same too.
And, as a grandson-in-law, he knew what to do.
"I heard you asked Akashi to buy groceries and find a home nurse for Granny," Tsubaki turned to look at her husband, the word Granny had smoothly come out from her mouth.
"She has arthritis and diabetes," Ren glanced at his wife for a second before he refocused his gaze to the road ahead of them. "It'd be terrible if something happened to her because she's alone in the house. Her small business has declined too."
"But... don't you think this is too sudden?" Tsubaki couldn't help but be worried. As much as she wanted to help the old lady, she thought it would bring Granny Sumiko discomfort if they suddenly giving her help like this.
Ren let out a chuckle. A smirk appeared on his handsome face. "You shouldn't underestimate Akashi's ability to persuade old folks. His big mouth is really helpful in this kind of situation."
Tsubaki was speechless. She didn't expect to hear this kind of reasoning.
They went back to the hotel to take a short rest before taking their flight at 8 PM. Ren wanted to stay for another night but Tsubaki overheard his call with Matsuzaki when his special assistant was literally pleading him to come back as soon as possible. Under Tsubaki's hard stare, he succumbed to the pressure and told Matsuzaki that he would report back to the company tomorrow.
"Sweetheart."
"En?"
Tsubaki looked up and saw his eyes. She was deep in thought while looking out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of their hotel suite. Ren had done packing their things. They were just waiting for the time they went to the airport.
"You have been thinking a lot," Ren whispered by her ears, his tone was teasing as he placed his right palm over her tummy. "Don't you feel sorry for our baby? He would think that his Mommy is a worrywart."
Tsubaki stifled a laugh. She playfully slapped his hand.
"I was just thinking of what Granny had said," said Tsubaki truthfully. "If everything she said was true, I really want to go and meet President Souma and Mrs. Souma. I want to hear their side of the story."
"You have decided it wisely," Ren agreed. "As Granny said, there could be more to the story. Even though you might be wary of Mrs. Souma right now, I want you to remember that it's unfair to judge her without verifying everything. Although, it might be different when it involves President Souma."
"Because he's the one who separated my parents?"
Ren nodded, his expression was heavy. "What he has done years ago was so ruthless. He was blinded by his love to your mother, leading him to act that way. His love has turned into obsession."
When someone loved too deep, he or she might stray from the right path, resulting in the suffering of the one they loved.
"About President Souma..." Tsubaki sighed, she didn't know how to pin point what she was feeling right now. The man seemed so nice to her but it might just be a facade. "You've always been wary whenever I interacted with him. You have suspected him since earlier, is that right? That's why you didn't disagree with me when I mentioned my suspicions on Mrs. Souma."
"Yes." Ren nodded, his gaze darkened as he remembered the events when the older man approaching his wife before. "I was surprised when you told me your assumptions because they were what I've thought too. Since Granny has clarified to us, it's time to face them."
"But..."
"Why, sweetheart?" Ren brushed his thin lips against her temple, he pulled her into his arms as her small back met his sturdy chest. He let her sweet scent and the sound of her heart beating soothed him. "What else are you thinking?"
As much as he wanted her to stop worrying, he knew he couldn't do so.
"En... I wonder if President Souma was the one who involved in my accident 5 years ago. Do you think it's him? I have a feeling that the mastermind is another person."
His eyelids twitched for a second, an indescribable emotion flashed past his eyes. He unconsciously tightened his hold on her.
Her question went unanswered.