While Tsubaki was nursing the twins in her womb, Ren grew busier since the day he returned to the office. A grand meeting between shareholders would be held within a week. On that day, Ren would transfer half of his shares to Takuma as his support for the latter to lead Fuse Corporation.
Even though there was no need for him to give up the shares, since even half of it could sustain his little family's life to live without any financial burden, he chose to do it.
In simplicity, it was time for him to step down.
Even if he did so, Ren wouldn't leave the company immediately as he would assume the role of advisor next until Takuma could properly settle down in his new role.
At the same time, rumors started to spread inside the company.
"Are you sure, the president would relinquish his seat to his cousin?"
"Do you think it's true? President Fuse has just been in office for less than six years. How could he give up now when his achievements surpass his predecessors?"
"But, I think Mr. Fuse Takuma is a good candidate. Even though he's here for less than a year, I could see how excellent he is."
"If it's true, why does the president wants to step down now? Does he intend to do something else?"
"No one knows. Our lady boss is a commoner, right? Maybe they want to live a simple life?"
"Either way, we wouldn't know the answer until next week."
While the buzz continued spreading from the secretarial department to the financial department even until the cleaning department, the man who was at the center of the rumor was currently busy feeding his wife cut fruits inside his office.
Today, Tsubaki followed Ren to work as he complained he couldn't have more time to spend with her safe for the time he was at home. As he became busier, he could only knock off work even later than usual.
To appease him, Tsubaki readily agreed to follow him.
Well, she missed him too.
"I want strawberry next," Tsubaki said while munching the grape inside her mouth.
"What about the kiwi?" Ren forked the strawberry and brought it to his wife's lips.
"Too sour," Tsubaki shook her head, "I only want strawberry and grapes."
"Okay, sweetheart," Ren smiled, "Whatever you say."
Ren took leisure in feeding his wife after he was done with a set of documents. Even though there were still a few sets of files he had to analyze, he took a short break just to sit by Tsubaki's side.
Ren asked Tsubaki to rest in the lounge but his wife refused. She just sat on the long couch opposite his working desk. Occasionally, she would bring her legs up on the couch just so she could take a nap.
She had become a couch potato ever since her belly grew heavier, ah.
Ren stifled the urge to laugh. He tenderly stroked her cheeks that became chubbier. Her skin felt so soft until his touch, together with the extra plumpness it made him thinking of poking fluffy buns.
After the meeting was over, he could increase the frequency of them going to the prenatal and childbirth class. Ren wanted to be involved with Tsubaki's childbirth as much as he could.
While Ren was contemplating over what should he feed his wife next, Tsubaki's phone rang. The melodious sound lured her back from her nap.
"Who it is...?" Tsubaki rubbed her sleepy eyes as she gestured for Ren to take the call.
Ren glanced at the screen. It was the sanatorium. He quickly picked up the call.
"Hello, Fuse Tsubaki's husband's here," Ren placed the phone next to his ear. Since his wife was still groggy, it was better if he was the one who talked to the caller.
Tsubaki slowly sat up with one hand pushing her body forward while the other pressing on her belly. She was confused then frowned when she realized something was not right with her husband's expression as he listened to the caller.
"...Yes, we'll go now."
Ren hung up the phone. He looked at her.
Suddenly, Tsubaki had a bad hunch, "What... what did they say? Did something happen to Mom?"
Ren pursed his lips, he nodded. His voice was so low as he said, "Let's go now."
"What happened? What happened to Mom?" Tsubaki started feeling frantic.
"The sanatorium didn't tell me the details. They just said Mom... has seizures. They have calmed her down but... it's better if we go."
Tsubaki knew this wasn't a simple case of seizure. When she recalled the frequency of her mother got a high fever last week, her heart sank.
"Go... Go now, now..."
Tsubaki abruptly stood up. She almost stumbled due to her abdomen weight. Ren quickly supported her.
"Relax, nothing happens to Mom," Ren was anxious to see his wife's face looking pale, "Careful, walk slowly."
Tsubaki absentmindedly nodded her head. The lingering sleepiness dispersed as it was replaced by panic. Her heart started pounded heavily as various dreadful possibilities fell on her mother flashed in her mind.
Ren left a few instructions to Takuma and Matsuzaki before he personally drove the car to the sanatorium. Throughout their ride there, Tsubaki's face was so pale as she tightly one of his hands. Once again, she almost fell when she wanted to get out of the car after they arrived.
"Sweetheart, easy," Ren firmly held her waist as the other hand took her hand, "Don't rush. You'd fall."
Tsubaki bit her lower lip. Her eyelashes fluttered as she couldn't keep her anxiousness at bay. Both of them entered the sanatorium, directly heading to Masami's room. The nameplate displayed the name of Nakamura Sumire.
"Tsubaki! You're here!" Granny Sumiko exclaimed once she saw the couple. The old lady rushed to her.
"What's wrong with Mom?" Tsubaki held Granny Sumiko's hands yet her eyes kept darting inside the room.
The door of the inner room where her mother stayed was closed. As panic ensued in her heart, her mother's attending doctor and a group of nurses emerged out from the room.
"Mrs. Fuse," The doctor politely greeted her then Ren next, "I have something to talk about Madam Nakamura."
Tsubaki's heart jumped to her throat. The doctor's expression told her that whatever he wanted to relay about her mother was not a good thing. She let go of Granny Sumiko's hands and began to clasp her hands together tightly, trying to calm her nerves.
Ren stepped even closer to his wife and firmly gripped her shoulder. His body heat transferred to Tsubaki's back, helping to alleviate her anxiousness. He asked the doctor, "What happened to my mother-in-law, doctor?"
The doctor opened his mouth, he appeared sullen, "I'll be frank with you. There was abnormal activity in Madam Nakamura's brain, leading to the seizure. She is safe now but, it's highly likely to reoccur."
Tsubaki sucked in her breath. She didn't realize she almost took a step forward to the doctor.
"Is there nothing we could do to stop it? What if it happened again? Would my mother's condition deteriorate?"
Her nails sank deeply into her palms as Tsubaki attempted to stay focus. Her entire body shivered in fright.
"As you know, Madam Nakamura has persisted well for a patient in her condition. This type of seizure could happen as a patient is nearing the end of life. What I can say is, please be prepared for the worst outcome."
The doctor didn't mince his words even though he understood such words could affect the patient's family. Instead of giving empty promises, it was better if the family stayed near the patient as the latter's time came near to the ending.
He had worked in this sanatorium for decades. He had seen death happening in front of his own eyes hundreds of times.
Madam Nakamura was so weak yet her skinny body preserved until now. It was admirable yet, they shouldn't gloss over the fact that she had almost exhausted all the life force she had.
Tsubaki burst into tears once the doctor's words entered her ears. She bit her lips hard, unwilling to make much noise.
"...Is there really no way to save her?" She stubbornly asked with her eyes blurred by tears.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Fuse," The doctor answered regretfully.
Madam Nakamura's condition was terrible during the time she was admitted here. She was already under palliative care when she was still in the previous sanatorium at the outskirts of the city.
Tsubaki cried again. She nodded her head a few times, not knowing what she was agreeing to.
"Then, at least... please make her comfortable," She whispered.
"We will do it," said the doctor firmly.
The group of the doctor and nurses left. Tsubaki quietly cried as she buried her head on her husband's chest. Ren firmly embraced her, one of his hands moved up and down, from her head to the lower of her back. His own eyes reddened at this point.
Granny Sumiko cried too. She sat on the couch and pressed her wrinkly hands on her face.
Never did Tsubaki expect to hear this news. Although she knew her mother was dying, it was still hard for her to accept it.
They had just met, can't she had her mother with her for a few more years?
But, it would only prolong her mother's suffering.
What should she do?