บท 143: Because It Is Him

Ren was still sleeping by the time Tsubaki woke up the next morning. She took a glance at the wall clock, it was 5 AM. She didn't immediately get off of the bed but instead, she laid facing her husband.

A small smile bloomed on Tsubaki's face. Whenever she saw his sleeping face, he appeared younger than ever. Maybe because he didn't put up the cold front he usually used to guard against outsiders.

Tsubaki reached out a hand, playing with his straight nose. She giggled when his brows furrowed due to the teasing.

Some times, whenever she woke up beside him she would always think of it as a sweet dream. Never did once she dreamed of having a loving and considerate husband by her side.

After a few more minutes, Tsubaki gently raised Ren's hand that was wrapping around her waist and placed it on the bed. She took one last glance at him before she went inside the bathroom. She just took a quick shower and washed her face. Taking out a set of beige home clothes, she was prepared to start her day.

"Madam, you're already awake?" Old Yuuzo greeted Tsubaki once they met downstairs.

"Yes. I want to prepare for today's breakfast. It is okay?" Tsubaki swiftly tied up her hair into a bun. She didn't plan to enter the kitchen while having her hair loose. It would hinder her cooking process.

"You may, Madam. The chef has yet to prepare breakfast. The kitchen team is still preparing the ingredients," said Old Yuuzo as he walked beside Tsubaki towards the kitchen.

"Okay, Old Yuuzo. Just leave today's breakfast for me," Tsubaki smiled as she parted with Old Yuuzo at the entrance. Old Yuuzo bowed slightly to her before he headed to his original destination.

The head chef and his team welcomed Tsubaki to their main territory. As they already knew their madam's preference for cooking for the family, they let her be in charged of it. Tsubaki thanked them and immediately got into action. She asked them to just prepare the food for the helpers around the household and left the main breakfast to her. They retreated to the side kitchen, leaving the main kitchen to Tsubaki alone.

Tsubaki planned to prepare the usual menu for breakfast. Last night, most of the dishes were Western so she thought of grilling salmons as the main course. She even prepared Grandma's favorite sweet omelet and miso soup. Some side dishes accompanied the menu.

"You're up early, cousin-in-law!"

Tsubaki turned to her right, looking at Takuma who had just entered the kitchen. A set of grey home clothes donned his tall body. He tied his long hair into a ponytail, letting the loose strands falling freely from his face.

If Ren's handsome face was the masculine type of beauty, Takuma appeared effeminate.

"I don't know you're staying the night, Takuma," said Tsubaki as she poured the beaten eggs into the rectangular frying pan.

"My dear cousin wanted to have a talk with me. I was too sleepy to drive back home," answered Takuma while shrugging off his shoulders. "And I don't expect to find you in the kitchen, Tsubaki."

Tsubaki smiled. "I tend to cook whenever I'm at the old house. I hope you don't mind since I'm not a professional chef."

"Ah, I'm not the snobbish young master you could find in the drama," Takuma laughed as he heard what Tsubaki had said. "You could even serve me a cup of instant noodle and I won't even complain!"

Tsubaki couldn't stifle her laugh and joined Takuma. It was easy to befriend him. Even though they had just met last night and hadn't even had a proper conversation with each other, she didn't feel awkward talking to this man. It was like talking to an old friend.

Takuma took a glass and poured himself a drink. He pulled out a chair at the kitchen island. He silently watched Tsubaki who was still cooking.

Ren's words from last night resounded in his mind.

This lady was so special to his cousin. If not he wouldn't even think of doing what he planned to do. Ren wasn't a bad judge of character so Takuma knew Tsubaki was truly the one for his cousin.

"Cousin-in-law, may I ask you a question?" Takuma asked while playing with the rim of the glass.

"What it is?" Tsubaki skillfully rolled the omelet before adding another round of beaten eggs into the pan.

There was no other soul near them. They were the only ones remained inside the kitchen.

"Being Ren's wife means you can't live like any ordinary woman. Do you ever regret your decision of marrying him?" Takuma asked, his voice no longer carried the playfulness he always issued to the people around him.

"No," answered Tsubaki shortly, sounded confident. "Because it is him."

"Do you ever think of falling in love with another man?" Takuma asked again, intrigued by the young woman's determination. "And why could you be so confident?"

Tsubaki turned off the stoved and turned around to face Takuma. She crossed her arms. A laugh escaped from her lips. Her face radiated with the laugh she let out.

"In the five years I forget about him, I haven't had dated any other man. And even before he appeared in my life, there was no one in the picture. That's why I could be confident he is the one. You'd know when you finally meet the one."

"Even if he didn't have vast fortune with him?"

"Yes."

Takuma whistled, satisfied with the answer. If someone else said that to him, he would be skeptical. But looking at Tsubaki, he knew she was sincere. "If you could be swayed with money, I think you'd accept that scum Kitaoji Masaru's proposal."

Tsubaki raised one of her brows, silently praising Takuma's intellect.

Kitaoji Masaru was a wealthy man. Even though he couldn't be compared to Ren, like no one ever could, his family was still well-known in the country. Rejecting his advances was something Tsubaki never regretted.

"Even though I still forget our past, but I know I'd choose him all over again," said Tsubaki softly after a moment of silence. She stared at the marble floor of the kitchen, her eyes dimmed as she felt guilty of letting only her man to remember the beautiful moments of the start of their love. "We could always gain material things but in the end, immaterial things are closer to our hearts."

Takuma was baffled. He was just meaning to test this young woman. Even though she appeared delicate, but her strong will laid inside her soul. Nothing could divert her gaze over something she had held close to her.

Takuma smiled, finally understood why did his cousin be willing to throw away the privileges he had his entire life for an ordinary one. A luxurious mansion, even though it was big and would trigger everyone's envy, meant nothing to a small house warmed with love and sincerity.

"Cousin-in-law," Takuma called out to Tsubaki as he slowly stood from the seat.

Tsubaki raised her head. She had just wanted to speak when suddenly Takuma bowed his head to her.

"Takuma, what..."

"I'll leave my cousin to you, cousin-in-law. Please take care of him."

Tsubaki parted her lips, wanting to say something yet no words could be formed. After a moment of silence, she slowly nodded her head and said softly as she bent down to respond to his bow, "I'll take care of him. Thank you for your trust."

Takuma straightened his body. He returned Tsubaki's smile.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of ears had already heard the content of their conversation. Ren's eyes gleamed as one of his hand pressed against his chest where the heart was beating. A small, sad smile appeared on his face.