Spring Blooms When I'm With You

Tsubaki and Ren showed up at National Genome Institute quite later than scheduled. As they passed through the hallway to where they were supposed to meet with the person-in-charge, they saw two figures already waiting outside the room.

Both Tsubaki and Ren agreed to come late to show President Souma that they were indifferent to the DNA test that was conducted. Yet, the man still acted within the range of their expectation.

He was already here as if he didn't leave this place hours before.

"Sit," Ren gestured to a bench.

Tsubaki threw a smile at Mrs. Souma before she sat on the bench that was separated from where the Souma couple was seated.

Mrs. Souma was relieved to see that Tsubaki appeared fine even though it might just on the surface. She didn't go to Tsubaki like how she did this morning. She chose to stay by her husband's side.

Maybe, this was the last time.

"You kept us waiting," President Souma voiced his dissatisfaction although his tone sounded weak.

The couple was late by thirty minutes.

"The traffic kept us from arriving on time," Ren gave an excuse.

It was not high time for people to go back home after work so everyone knew he was deliberately making up a lie. President Souma's face was twisted. More so when Tsubaki didn't even give him a single glance.

"Haven't you read the result?" Ren cast an icy cold glance at the white envelope in President Souma's hands. It had the institute logo printed on it, "Hurry up. Don't make us waste our time anymore."

President Souma unintentionally clenched the envelope. It was still sealed properly.

Thirty minutes before, the person-in-charge gave him this envelope. His heart was shrouded by dread as he blankly stared at the pristine white envelope. His hands were trembling when he held on to the paper.

"...What are you so arrogant about?" President Souma retorted feebly.

Ren's expression remained cold. He turned to look at his wife.

"Open it," She coolly threw the words out.

President Souma tried hard to keep his back straight. His right hand settled on the opening of the envelope. The tips of his fingers shivered as he slowly unsealed the piece of paper.

Mrs. Souma pursed her lips tight. She watched her husband's face sullenly.

President Souma finally tore up the opening of the envelope. Little by little, he brought out the papers that containing the result.

Tsubaki held on her breath. She grasped Ren's arm. Her husband lifted up a hand and gently squeezed her hand. Tsubaki's nerves relaxed for a bit due to his touch.

Three pairs of eyes were looking at President Souma who was now carefully reading the explanation and result printed on the paper.

"...Impossible. No! This is impossible!"

Right at the moment President Souma raised up his hand to throw the paper away, Ren grabbed it from him. He dodged when President Souma tried to take it back from him. Mrs. Souma quickly supported her husband as the older man almost stumbled on his step.

Ren's eyes fell on the paper. With just one look, he verbally read the result.

"No parent-child relationship between Party A and Party B."

"It's impossible! The result is fabricated!" President Souma roared. He frantically looked at Tsubaki. With both of his hands stretching out, he wanted to touch her, "Tsubaki... Tsubaki, you have to believe me... I'm your father!"

Tsubaki took a step back. Ren swiftly came to shield her from President Souma.

His voice was stern as he looked directly to the older man, "You have promised us to stop bothering my wife once the result's out. Keep your word."

"Do you think I'd just accept it? That piece of paper is trash! We have to redo the test!"

"Are you trying to say you undermine the integrity of a national institute?" Ren ridiculed the man's protest, "Act your age, President Souma."

President Souma swallowed his words. His face was deathly pale. His lungs felt burned, the pain sensation clogged his throat. Beads of cold sweat started dripping from his forehead.

"No... This is a mistake... Impossible... Trickery..."

President Souma muttered repeatedly. His eyes began to lose their focus as he blankly stared at the floor underneath his leather shoes.

Gradually, a hint of madness swirled in his eyes.

Tsubaki shuddered when she realized she had underestimated the obsession lied in this man's heart. His usual calm mask was nothing to be compared to how twisted his face looked right now.

Tsubaki reached out for the paper in Ren's hand. He let her be.

The result was as expected. Tsubaki calmly read the part where Ren said it out loud earlier.

"No parent-child relationship between Party A and Party B."

Tsubaki closed her eyes. This result was within her expectation.

And, she believed President Souma thought so as well. It was just, he was too stubborn to let go of the one thing he believed might be true if he didn't stop believing it.

"Ren," Tsubaki tugged her husband's arm, "I want to speak to him."

"But..." Ren was reluctant to let his wife directly facing President Souma when the older man looked he was on the brink of losing his sanity.

"You're here," She smiled softly, "Nothing could happen."

"...Alright."

"President Souma."

The moment the young lady's voice calling for him, President Souma abruptly lifted up his head. He was baffled when he saw how composed the woman was.

Unlike this morning and yesterday, he didn't see contempt in her gaze.

"You already know it in your heart, that this is what would come after the test."

Tsubaki was calm as she locked her eyes toward the older man. The heavy feeling she had whenever she faced this man before had slowly dispersed. She didn't know why. Tsubaki just didn't want to continue burdening her mind.

What Granny Sumiko once said was right. Vengeance would only blacken her life. Even though it pained her whenever she remembered how his parents suffered because of the Souma brothers, for now, she chose to focus on her own small family.

"I thought I wanted to hate you," Tsubaki resumed, "Because of your actions, I never have a proper family. I didn't know who are my parents until one by one, the truth comes out. When I thought they were tormented because of you, I wanted you to suffer from guilt as well."

President Souma was in a daze when he heard how calm and gentle the young lady spoke.

She really had the same image as her.

Until he was pushed to the point of madness.

"I want to put an end to this. I know it's not easy when you've been fixated on my mother for your whole life, but, let go. You should already know that your so-called love for my mother is just an obsession. Let go of it."

If President Souma could at least hear her, Tsubaki assumed it was already alright. The matter concerning her mother had yet to be concluded but, so far, she wanted to end it with President Souma first.

"If you're really guilty because you realized of your misdeeds, I hope you'd channel your guilt to do something better. As for me, I hope we won't see each other again."

As if she was blessed by an epiphany, Tsubaki was grateful because she managed to stay calm when she talked to President Souma. She had been so stressed as of late. To be able to keep her composure was something she really hoped for.

President Souma lowered his gaze. He found it hard to continue staring at the young lady whose face only exuded tranquility.

He clenched and unclenched his hands. After a long stretch of silence, a weak laugh escaped his lips.

"...You're right. I've already known that you... are not my daughter."

Although she had expected it, Tsubaki was still a little bit surprised because this man had finally admitted to it.

"I know I was being stubborn... I just don't want..."

President Souma choked on his sobs. His old eyes shedding tears. The sight of him looking so defeated made Tsubaki uncomfortable.

"You don't want to destroy what you have always believed with your own hands."

Tsubaki finished his incomplete sentence.

President Souma absentmindedly nodded his head. He started mumbling words of remorse under his breath.

Tsubaki glanced at her husband. She whispered, "Let's go back."

Once again, she felt tired.

Ren agreed.

Before they left, he gave the pitiful man who was crying one last sentence. His voice was devoid of any sympathy.

"Keep your word."

With that, the husband and wife left. Their shadows fell on the floor, silently following each of their steps.