Spring Blooms When I'm With You

After his continuous efforts in persuading his wife to sleep, Ren followed by his usual endearments to her before ending the call. Even so, the unstable pounding of his heart sent buzzing noises to his mind. He didn't realize how ash-stricken his face was right now.

Ren slumped down on the couch. His eyes were dazedly staring at the black screen of the phone. After a long stretch of silence, he finally reacted by closing and opening his eyes a few times.

Ren jumped on his feet and dashed to the washroom. The bright lights of the suite's washroom fell on his sullen face. Once the water was gushing out of the faucet, Ren splashed cold water to his face a few times.

In between the ringing noises, her words resonated in his mind.

"Until now... I couldn't exactly think what would make me forget about you five years ago. Usually, a person conceals a memory because they have seen something terrifying. I've forgotten about you. What if... I've seen something terrifying and it's related to you. So, that's why I couldn't recall you."

Pak!

Ren slammed on the marble countertop and gripped on the edge of it. Red veins started to form on the white of his eyes as he heaved a heavy breath. Color continued draining from his face, leaving only a white paper-like face to the usually composed man.

When Tsubaki came out with the assumption, Ren really wanted her to stop. He understood his wife was once again starting to tie the loose ends of the incident where she lost a one-year worth of her memories.

What was more disheartening was the fact that he was wiped along with it in the concealed memories of hers.

He didn't want to make her worry, but, never did once he let go of the possibility that she must have experienced something so gruesome enough to forget him.

But...

What was it?

"Three cars were involved in the accident... Tsubaki was in the taxi..."

When Tsubaki mentioned her dream before, the hunch that came to him was...

She tried looking for him after he failed to appear that night.

The accident happened near the entrance of the village. The area was pitch-black due to the lack of street lamp poles. It was unavoidable for accidents to happen there now and then. But, the one that happened that night was the most horrendous.

"...I have to check again."

Ren didn't want to admit that he had a rough idea of the truth of her lost memories after piecing the incomplete pieces. Once the words flowed out of his mouth, it would become the reality he could no longer hide from.

One of the things that hindered him from saying it was, until now, he couldn't imagine what had Tsubaki gone through that night. She passed out in the middle of people running around asking and giving help. The next time she woke up, she didn't remember anything.

That was confirmed by Satsuki as well when Ren asked the young man.

What was the thing she experienced? Even though she did do what he thought of... how could it be enough to make her so afraid and thus concealing her memories of him?

What did she see?

If it was so terrifying...

He really, really didn't want her to remember it.

But, for now, the most important thing was dealing with Souma Hisato.

"It seems like, I have to accept punishment from you, sweetheart."

His murmur echoed faintly in the washroom.

Days passed by. It finally reached Sunday, the day of President Souma and Mrs. Souma's wedding anniversary banquet. As promised, Tsubaki would go with Kanako since Ren wouldn't come home until tomorrow.

Nothing much happened after that day. Mrs. Souma did inquire about Tsubaki's well-being but Tsubaki insisted that she was alright. The older lady mentioned that her brother-in-law acted as if nothing happened.

The unfavorable meeting that involved Tsubaki and Mr. Souma was something only Mrs. Souma knew. When President Souma noticed the air was stiff around his wife and brother, he asked about it but he was quickly shut down by Mr. Souma's sarcastic remark.

It was nothing new so President Souma just let them be.

"Thank for you worrying about me, but, Aunt Shiori, what if this is a calm before a storm?"

Tsubaki mentioned once during their phone call last night.

The man suddenly appeared and poured the details she wanted to know about the mysteries involving her parents, Hinata and the accident from five years ago. From the way he behaved, it appeared like he didn't do anything wrong. He didn't look like he was afraid of repercussion coming from Tsubaki after his bold confessions.

"He would be here for our celebration," Mrs. Souma said in worry, "Are you sure you could come, Tsubaki? I don't want him to make things difficult for you. Especially when your husband couldn't be with you."

Mrs. Souma's concerns were plausible. That man was unpredictable. If he suddenly played tricks even in front of the guests, Tsubaki could only play along with them to defend herself.

"I will come," replied Tsubaki firmly, "If I hid, it would just satisfy his vanity. Mr. Souma would think that I was scared to meet him face-to-face."

Giving a chance for that lunatic to mock her? Heh. Never.

Tsubaki shook her head as she let the conversation with Mrs. Souma drifted away from her mind. Lifting up her gaze, she looked at her appearance reflected on the full-length mirror.

For the occasion, Tsubaki chose a boat neck lace dress in serenity color. From the collar, lacy sleeves encased her arms until the elbows in the same soft blue color. A rose quartz ribbon adorned her waist as the tulle skirt flowed down until it reached her knees. Her protruding bump was visible under the layer of the skirt.

Sometimes, she couldn't help but think that her bump showed quickly even in her early pregnancy.

"Baby," Tsubaki cradled her bump lovingly, "Maybe, Mommy would enter a battlefield soon. Don't worry, en? Mommy is strong, because of you and Daddy."

Her lips curled up into a smile. Tsubaki grabbed her purse and walked out of the bedroom. A pair of serenity-colored low-heeled shoes cushioned her feet.

"Grandma, Aunt Kasumi," Tsubaki softly called out to the two ladies who were sitting in the lounge, "I'll go to the Souma manor now."

"Please send my well-wishes to the couple," Grandma smiled from the couch, "Ah, I can't believe they have been married for 26 years already."

Tsubaki's calm mask almost faltered. She quickly smiled and nodded, "Yes. It's so long."

"Hehe, Grandma believes you and Ren would be happily married like them too," Grandma chuckled when she misunderstood the reaction from Tsubaki.

"Aunt believes in that too," Aunt Kasumi swiftly replied.

She was still left dubious about the matter that happened a few days ago but since her aunt was here, she didn't dare to say anything. Aunt Kasumi stood up and helped to rearrange the skirt of Tsubaki's dress.

"You look more beautiful," Aunt Kasumi raised the corners of her lips into a smile, "Nothing could beat the radiance of a mother."

After Old Yuuzo came and said the car was here, Tsubaki bowed and waved her hands at Grandma and Aunt Kasumi. As usual, Hibiki and Kaede were sitting in the car, waiting for her.

"Madam," Hibiki greeted Tsubaki and told her, "Mr. Souma would be there. To avoid any bad things occurring, there are a few of our people disguising themselves as waiters for the banquet."

Tsubaki blinked. She was a bit surprised.

"Doing that... What if they got caught?"

Although Tsubaki understood why did Hibiki do the arrangement, she still felt uneasy because it was Mrs. Souma's anniversary celebration with President Souma. If it was revealed, people would think the Soumas and the Fuses were having a dispute.

As he understood what his madam was concerned about, Hibiki calmly added, "It's Master's plan. He has consulted Mrs. Souma in the process. With her backing, as well as our team's skills, there's nothing for you to worry about."

Tsubaki blinked. Never did she expect her husband sought Mrs. Souma to arrange this plan with her.

"Alright."

Since it had come to this, Tsubaki would just accept it.

Tsubaki looked out of the window by her side. She saw a long row of expensive cars lining up to send the esteemed guests to the main foyer of the mansion. The way they were dressed were the same as the night of Grandma's birthday celebrations a few months ago.

Gold and glitters adorned their outfits, especially the ladies.

"Madam, we have arrived."

Once the car pulled up at the red carpet laid on the pathway leading to the entrance of the mansion, Kaede alighted the car and respectably opened the door for Tsubaki.

Tsubaki composed a calm smile. She stretched out her right leg first, followed by the left before she gracefully came out of the car. With her back straight and both of her hands holding on to the purse below her bump, she walked toward the main door.

Let's see, what would occur on such a day.