Tsubaki was quiet throughout her stay inside the room. She sat next to the bed, silently examining the woman lying weakly on the mattress.
This woman, her birth mother, looked so fragile. As if she could be broken by the slightest of pressure.
"...Mother."
Never did Tsubaki dream of meeting her biological mother after she encountered the postcards sent by her to her adopted mother. From the contents, it was obvious that she was hiding well even though her life was filled with hardships.
Even so, in the end, she still sought Mr. Souma out first when she thought that man wanted to harm Tsubaki.
Tsubaki couldn't pinpoint what did she really feel right now.
There was a shock, also anxiousness as well as anticipation and fear. All of them created chaos inside her until she wasn't sure what step she should take next.
Tsubaki's eyes carefully took in the countenance of the feeble-looking woman.
Although her mother appeared so sick, she could still see the resemblance between them. If her mother regained her healthier look, without a doubt, they would look like one another more.
Oddly enough, Tsubaki found the aspect comforting.
Was it enough that she finally found her?
Even so...
She might lose her again.
"...Mother."
Tsubaki quietly let the word flowed out of her mouth.
She didn't know if her mother would wake up soon. She also didn't know how should she react if her mother ever saw her.
Tsubaki slowly lifted up her right hand, hesitated before she made up her mind to gently held her mother's hand.
The moment her skin touched the bony hand, both her eyes and heart were stung. Her eyes were quick to be blurred by tears.
Her mother's skin wasn't soft. Her hand felt callous and papery under her touch. Yet, it was warm, enough to seep into her heart.
This was...
The first time she touched her mother. The one woman who sacrificed everything to protect her and her sister.
"...You've worked hard... to ensure our safety," Tsubaki forced herself to smile, "Mother, I'm glad to finally meet you."
No matter how I would make it up to you.
The woman's chest heaved up and down in a steady rhythm.
Creak...
Tsubaki turned around at the sound of the door being opened. Her blurry eyes caught the appearance of her husband.
"Ah... Have you done talking to him?"
Tsubaki quickly lowered her head and wiped her eyes. Before she could finish, her hands were being grasped by him before her husband's warm fingers rubbed her wet eyes.
"It doesn't seem like Mother would wake up soon," Ren shifted his eyes to the sleeping woman, "Would you like to wait until she does?"
Tsubaki silently contemplated the suggestion. It was what she wanted to do, but, what if she would just surprise her mother with her sudden appearance here?
"...I don't know how to face her," Tsubaki confessed with a heavy heart.
Ren silently agreed with his wife. He understood her concern.
This matter came too unexpectedly. They only got to know the whereabouts of Tsubaki's birth mother less than a week ago.
To have meeting someone who you assumed had long gone, would inevitably bring uncertainty and discomfort no matter how much you yearned to see the said person.
"Do you want to come another day?"
Tsubaki rejected the suggestion with a shake of her head, "It'd only prolong the unnecessary wait. But..."
"Let's eat first," Ren gently pulled Tsubaki up from the chair. His voice was soft as he was persuading her, "You'd always be hungry at this time. Instead of just waiting here, you should take fresh air too. Come, sweetheart."
"...Okay," Tsubaki was reluctant but she still agreed with her husband.
If she continued to keep on waiting here, it would only heighten her anxiousness. Moreover, she was indeed hungry. Tsubaki lightly patted her belly. The two brats inside her tummy really made her eating more than usual.
"You won't wait for her to wake up?"
That was Mr. Souma's first question when he saw the couple exiting the room. He saw Fujioka Masami was still sleeping on her bed from the tiny gap of the door before Ren decisively closed it shut.
Tsubaki's expression hardened. She forced the words out of her mouth, "...We won't leave yet."
"We're heading to the cafeteria," Ren replied. He couldn't help but be vigilant toward the cunning-looking man, "Won't the ever busy Mr. Souma return to the company or continue staying here?"
Mr. Souma shrugged nonchalantly, "I should stay here until my esteemed guests finally leave."
Ren ignored him. He brought Tsubaki out of the room. Mr. Souma was still looking as carefree as usual as he waved at the couple's backs.
The cafeteria at the sanatorium was quite big. Its interior resembling the cozy-looking cafes in the city. The chefs working in the kitchen were all the professional ones. They were responsible for handling both the food for the patients and for the visitors who came.
"Sweetheart, have a bite," Ren meticulously cut the waffles into tiny pieces, "Have the fruits too."
Because Tsubaki didn't know what to order, Ren ordered waffles, cut fruits and tea for both of them. He wasn't hungry but, he had to feed his wife and children. He remembered clearly the set or random times she would turn hungry.
Tsubaki was listless when she silently munched on the waffles spread with butter and strawberry jam. It was hard to ease the uncomfortable feeling holding tightly to her heart.
How should she greet her mother?
Would her mother be surprised to see her?
Then, would she recognize her instantly?
What should they talk about together?
Clang!
Huh?
Tsubaki blinked her eyes. She dazedly stared at the floor where the fork she was holding fell.
Ren swiftly bent down and picked up the fork. He placed the dirty fork on a napkin. Then, he took the teacup and brought it to Tsubaki's lips.
"Drink a bit," His voice was as serene as ever. His calmness helped to ease Tsubaki's chaotic mind.
Tsubaki obediently sipped the tea. As the tea moistened her throat, her mind got cleared in a bit.
"Let's go back," She tugged on Ren's sleeve, "I want to see her again."
Although the food had just been touched for a bit, Ren still agreed with her. The two of them quickly left the cafeteria. Ren firmly held on his wife's waist when Tsubaki's steps grew frantic. If she didn't being careful, she might fall.
They arrived at Fujioka Masami's room again. The door was closed.
Ren glanced at Tsubaki. She gave him a smile.
Tsubaki was the one who turned the doorknob and slowly opening the door.
"...a pleasant dream."
"Oh, what are you dreaming?"
Both of them halted their steps. Two voices floated in the room, coming from the direction of the inner room.
One voice belonged to Mr. Souma while the other...
Tsubaki sucked in a sharp breath.
Her mother had woke up!
Tsubaki and Ren quietly entered the room. They stopped at one corner to the inner room. From where they stood, they saw the back of Mr. Souma who was now facing the bed.
"Since the moment I came this morning, you said you have a good dream," Mr. Souma's voice sounded again. There was plain mockery in his tone, "And now, you just got another good dream?"
A woman's feeble-sounded laughter followed. Her voice was hoarse as she answered the man. She didn't sound as if she was offended by the man's ridicule, "It's rare for me to have nice dreams. I'm happy."
Tsubaki unconsciously gripped her fists hard.
That was... her mother's voice?
"What did you dream?" Mr. Souma lazily entertained the woman.
"I dreamed I was standing in a field full of sunflowers and camellias, it was a really beautiful sight," Fujioka Masami eagerly spoke. Her tone was full of smiles, "Then, Takahisa was standing next to me."
"Humph!" Mr. Souma snorted, "What good for that man to appear in your dream? Did he think I've bullied his wife too much?"
"Hahaha," The woman laughed freely, "He's as handsome as always... Who's there?"
Tsubaki didn't realize she had already walked toward the inner room without stopping. The sound of her shoes fell on the floor attracted the attention of the two people inside the room.
Right now, a pair of unfamiliar yet gentle eyes were staring at her.
Tsubaki felt her throat was clogged. She opened her mouth. She wanted to say something to the woman but, nothing came out from her lips.
Mother...
Mother...
Mother...
"...Tsubaki?"
Tsubaki's eyes widened. Her eyes were locked to the woman sitting on the bed as the woman's expression changed from surprise to wonder to disbelief again.
Her name...
Was called by her...
Her mother.
"...Mother."
After much difficulty, Tsubaki managed to force the word out. At the same time, her tears began rolling down her cheeks.
She didn't know if it was because her eyes were once again blurred by tears, she thought she saw her mother's eyes were filled with tears as well.