It was a fine morning.
Tsubaki and Ren were eating breakfast. Today, her husband made her some rice porridge when she complained about her mouth ulcers. Tsubaki quietly cleaned up the porridge in her bowl.
"Do you want more?" He glanced at the porridge leftover in the pot.
Tsubaki shook her head, "No more. My ulcers hurt."
She didn't know why did two ulcers suddenly pop up in her mouth. Tsubaki thought she had eaten enough food with vitamins and minerals during her pregnancy. Did it happen because more nutrients had to be supplemented to her two babies? Or was it because of her hormonal changes as well?
Tsubaki didn't feel like talking when she thought of her ulcers. Even having one was bad enough, she was currently having two!
"Alright, leave it for later."
Ren was distressed. Because of her ulcers, she didn't eat much in these few days. He was worried because she had to feed three mouths in one go. If this continued, he was afraid her body couldn't endure it.
Not only because of that.
Tsubaki refused his kisses because of those ulcers. He could only satisfy himself with lightly pecking her lips.
How could he accept that? Huhu.
The two of them left Spring Garden together. Ren dropped Tsubaki off at the sanatorium before heading to the company. Kaede was with Tsubaki. Both of them entered the lobby of the sanatorium.
"Mrs. Fuse, please wait," Someone stopped her.
Tsubaki paused her steps. She looked in the direction of the receptionist.
Because she frequently came here to visit her mother, most of the receptionists had known about her. Tsubaki was confused when she was suddenly stopped by the girl.
"Did something happen to my mother?" Tsubaki couldn't help but ask with a frown.
The receptionist quickly shook her head, "It's not about your mother, Mrs. Fuse. Someone has come. He wanted to visit your mother but I refused his entry as per your instruction."
Tsubaki became alert all of a sudden, "Who it is?"
Even though she asked, a name had already flashed in her mind.
The receptionist flipped on the note and replied, "His name is Souma Shinjiro. He left a card for you as well."
Tsubaki shuddered in fright.
It was really him!
"For now, do not allow him to meet my mother," Tsubaki thought for a while then added, "If there's anything else, tell him to contact me."
"Understood, Mrs. Fuse."
The receptionist returned to her seat while Tsubaki turned around and headed to where her mother and Granny Sumiko were placed. Throughout her short journey to go to the room, her heart pounded vigorously.
Everything was fine up until now.
Why did that man suddenly appear again?
Tsubaki glanced at the card that was handed by the receptionist. It was just a simple card.
Her feet stopped at the intersection leading to her mother's room. Tsubaki found a place and sat down. Kaede quietly followed her act.
'For more than twenty decades, I've always felt guilty for what I've done. Could I still meet you? - Souma Shinjiro'
Tsubaki sighed heavily.
Even though she didn't want President Souma coming into contact with her mother, she didn't have any right to decide on this matter. Her mother was the one who should make the decision.
Once Tsubaki arrived at the room, Masami and Granny Sumiko were watching the morning drama on TV. Both of them threw gentle smiles at the expecting mother.
"Granny Sumiko, Mother, how do you feel today?" Tsubaki reciprocated their smile.
"Much better than yesterday," Masami chuckled gently, "How about you? Do the babies make it hard for you?"
Her voice sounded weaker than usual before her eyes appeared lively. She fondly staring at her daughter who was now sitting on a couch beside them.
Tsubaki drew a faint smile. As she remembered the card, Tsubaki plucked it out of the bag.
"Mother, someone sent a card to you..." Tsubaki bit her lower lip.
"Who?"
Masami was surprised. Not many people knew about her. When she noticed the discomfort in her daughter's eyes, a foreboding sense surged up from the bottom of her heart.
A name flashed in her mind.
"It is from him? Shinjiro?"
Granny Sumiko was startled as well, "The first master of the Souma family?"
Tsubaki nodded with a heavy heart. She asked again, "I don't know how did he find out about you but, do you want to read it?"
Masami pressed her lips tight. After pondering over the matter, she responded by extending a hand toward her daughter.
The card exchanged hands. Tsubaki was quiet as she watched her mother read the card. Granny Sumiko didn't dare to make even the smallest sound as well.
Masami closed her eyes, suppressing the bitterness from being seen. She dropped the card on her lap
"I won't see him," She sounded so resolute as she spoke, "No matter how guilty he feels toward me and your father, I won't see him. It's better if we do not have anything to do with each other."
Tsubaki nodded in understanding. She was relieved because her mother's action coincided with what she hoped for.
Her mother had suffered so much all these years. Tsubaki couldn't even have the words, to sum up, all of her mother's hardships.
It was great that President Souma felt remorse over what he had done to her mother and father but, her mother shouldn't be forced to meet him nor forgive him.
"Forget about him, Mother," Tsubaki took the card back from Masami, "The wedding is around the corner. The doctors would be on standby on that day. I hope you'd rest more on these days just so you could go out without any problem."
"Of course. There's no way I'd miss my daughter's wedding," Masami's mood improved the moment the wedding was mentioned.
Tsubaki grabbed her mother's frail hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. She threw the matter regarding President Souma to the back of her mind.
Finally, it was the day of the wedding.
The sky was as bright as it should be, signifying a good day to have a wedding.
Since the church was located quite far from Spring Garden, Tsubaki and Ren resided in a hotel nearby for the wedding procession. Right now, all of them were busy donning themselves with the wedding outfits inside the rooms prepared by the church.
"Wow~ Tsubaki! You look so beautiful!" Kanako exclaimed from one side.
"It's true, Sister Tsubaki," Chiyo let out a dreamy sigh, "Ah~ I feel like I want to get married right now~"
Tsubaki chuckled softly. She looked at the two ladies from her semi-transparent veil, "So, go and grab someone to be your groom. Right, Kanako?"
Kanako's face flushed red as she was being teased by Tsubaki.
She finally confessed her feelings to Saito Hajime. Although the man didn't verbally accept it, he showed signs that he was considering to include her presence in his life.
Really, that cousin of hers would only dig his own grave if one day Kanako was frustrated by his approach.
Hajime had met her mother. Although he was as cold as ever, he sounded calmer when they talked about her late father. Hajime had fond memories of his little uncle. He was relieved when Tsubaki first told him about her mother was still alive.
"The wedding would start soon!" Kohana shouted from the door.
"Ah! Hurry! Hurry! Give her the last touch-up!" Kanako was anxious as she urged the stylist who was rearranging the tiara on Tsubaki's head.
"Haha, easy," Tsubaki couldn't help but laugh, "The priest wouldn't go anywhere."
After a few more touch-ups, the stylist placed her makeup tools on the table, "Mrs. Fuse, it's done."
Kanako helped Tsubaki to get up. All of them were in awe as they looked at the wedding dress that perfectly fit Tsubaki's gentle temperament.
"Ah, should I get pregnant first before I hold a wedding?" Kanako sighed again.
She didn't realize a pregnant mother could look so beautiful and pure in a wedding dress.
Tsubaki threw her a helpless laugh, "But, first, you have to get pregnant."
"Maybe I should throw him to the bed tonight," Kanako's eyes were blazed with fiery determination.
Tsubaki laughed again.
While the stylist and her assistants helped to rearrange the skirt of the wedding dress, the door of the room was opened from the outside. A tall figure emerged out.
The man wore a classic black suit with a white rose pinned on the lapel of his jacket. His bangs were styled into slick-back, revealing his smooth forehead.
He was walking to the bride with a soft smile on his lips.
"Sweetheart."
Tsubaki turned around. Her eyes lit up in an instant, "Darling~"
Ren quickened his steps. He carefully took in his wife's appearance.
"So beautiful," He murmured. He bent down and lightly captured her lips.
"Hey! My lipstick!" Tsubaki blushed.
Ren ignored her resistance. He showed no shame as he deepened the kiss.
"Err... We shouldn't be here..." Kanako averted her eyes from the couple.
"Haha, yeah..." Kohana and Chiyo laughed awkwardly.
Tsubaki couldn't only suppress the annoyance when she saw her husband's satisfied smile. She blushed more as the stylist calmly helped her to touch up her lipstick.
Ah! So embarrassing!
"Hehe," Ren extended a hand to her, "Well, my bride, should we walk down the aisle together?"
Tsubaki huffed. She placed her palm on his, "Yes, yes. It's time."
Ren smiled gently. His heart was so full as he grasped her hand.
Both of them walked out of the room.