Spring Blooms When I'm With You

Amamiya Sanatorium.

It was a place Tsubaki never thought she would step her feet inside of. Never did she know of its existence until the day Ren told her about it.

They arrived at the sanatorium at half-past nine o'clock in the morning. It was located in a secluded area filled with lush greenery, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Peaceful.

It was what Tsubaki thought the first moment she looked at the sanatorium.

The sanatorium was comprised of one main building and three annexes. All of the buildings were surrounded by trees. Flowerbeds and garden decorations could be found anywhere. It was easy to lift up one's spirit by just inhaling the fresh air here as well as enjoying the calm and beautiful scenery.

"That man is waiting inside," Ren took hold of one of Tsubaki's hands. He gave her a gentle squeeze, "Are you ready?"

Tsubaki s.u.c.k.e.d in a sharp breath. She pursed her lips tight, "No matter I'm ready or not, I still have to go through this."

Ren's heart ached when he understood she was forcing herself to be brave. Even so, he didn't ask her to step back.

"Let's go."

Let's go and find the last piece of the puzzle of your past.

"Welcome," Their arrival was greeted by the receptionist sitting behind the counter, "Are you here to visit someone? Have you made the appointment?"

Ren and Tsubaki had registered at the guard post. After the guard found that they were not suspicious, he let them in. Even so, they still needed to register their presence once again at the receptionist.

This sanatorium was guarded tightly. It came with a price but because most of the patients here were from families with money, it was only to be expected.

"We came here for the patient under Mr. Shimada Tadao," Ren took the lead.

Shimada Tadao was Mr. Souma's right-hand man. The latter didn't use his own name when he sent Tsubaki's birth mother here. Doing so would only raise a suspicion if he ever got caught by President Souma.

Mr. Souma himself rarely came here. Whenever he did, he would disguise himself as Mr. Shimada's relative. Ren assumed he played dirty by forging a doc.u.ment regarding his true identity.

Ren sincerely applauded the man's effort in keeping this secret. Although his act was only to give benefits for himself, it went without saying that without Mr. Souma, his mother-in-law might have long ceased to exist in this world.

"Are you Mr. and Mrs. Fuse? Mr. Shimada has told us ahead of time," The receptionist checked the visiting record and keyed in a few words in the computer, "Please take out your IDs for verification."

While they were following the carer whom the receptionist asked to escort the couple, Tsubaki's grip on Ren's arm became tighter.

"Relax," Ren whispered. He placed his palm over the back of his wife's hand, "Take a deep breath. One, two..."

Tsubaki followed his advice. She took a couple of deep breaths in an effort to slow down the frantic beating of her heart. She remained tense but the nervousness wasn't as terrible as earlier.

"This is the room" The female carer paused her steps and gestured to a room on their right side.

It was hard for Tsubaki to keep her calm when he read the nameplate.

Nakamura Sumire.

It turned out, her mother was still using her fake identity even while being treated her.

"The patient is currently sleeping," The carer didn't think much of Tsubaki's conflicted look. It was what she had usually seen on any other visitors before, "Mr. Shimada Natsuo is inside. He's waiting for you."

"You may leave now," Ren gave the carer a light nod, "Thank you."

"Shimada Natsuo..." Tsubaki murmured faintly.

Shimada Natsuo. Mr. Souma's name every time he came here. He claimed himself as his right-hand man's cousin with the same surname.

Ren glanced at Tsubaki. She forced herself to smile then nod. He understood.

He reached out for the door and knocked on it twice. A familiar voice echoed from the inside, telling them to come in.

Ren opened the door. A figure of a man dressed in a black suit appeared before their eyes.

"You're early," The man's voice carried a hint of laughter, "Thank goodness I didn't sleep in."

Ren and Tsubaki entered the room. Both of them stared at Mr. Souma who appeared so relaxed as if he was on a holiday. His bright smile was a stark contrast to how Tsubaki felt right now.

"Where's my mother?" She directly asked him.

"Hurm, she's inside," Mr. Souma gestured to the inner room while a tilt of his chin, "We shouldn't disturb a patient who's sleeping. I believe you understand that, right?"

Tsubaki frowned. She didn't hide how disgusted she felt toward this man. Mr. Souma continued smiling as if he didn't care about the hostility the young lady exuded to him.

"Do you want to see her?"

Tsubaki unconsciously clenched her hands. She nodded, "Yes."

The time was finally here.

She shouldn't back away.

Mr. Souma stretched out a hand and pointed at the inner room, "You may go now. I won't hinder you."

Tsubaki could hear how hard her heart was pounding right now. Her gaze was locked in the direction of the inner room.

She had to admit this was a really decent room for a patient. The outer room was for the visiting guests to sit. It had a complete set of a long couch and a coffee table. The toilet was placed on the left side of the outer room.

As for the inner room...

Tsubaki stared at the closed door of the inner room. Her emotions were fluctuating, sending her mind into chaos.

Her mother.

Her birth mother.

She was still alive.

"Sweetheart."

The gentle voice brought her back from her trance. Tsubaki looked up and met her husband's eyes. They were filled with genuine concern.

"...Yes," Her voice sounded a bit stiff.

Ren traced her inner wrist with his thumb, "Do you want to open the door now?"

Once you opened it, there was no going back.

Tsubaki hesitated. Her resolve cracked. The bravery she showed before was exchanged into a timid one when she realized the gravity of the situation.

"Yes. I will do it."

Her eyes flashed with a sense of newly found confidence.

This was not the time to turn her back and run away. If she did so, she was just wasting all of the time they spent on revealing her past.

Tsubaki let go of Ren's hand. She took a step toward the inner room. Step by step, she finally stood in front of the closed door.

"Wow, Mrs. Fuse is really a brave woman," Mr. Souma whistled.

He was amused when he saw how troubled the young lady was at first. She looked like she would run away at any moment. Then, she drastically changed. She strode forward without a falter in her step. Her back was straight and her shoulders were squared.

She really resembled the one person he knew dearly.

Heh, your daughter is so just like you, Takahisa.

Tsubaki held on to the doorknob. She lightly twisted it. A cl.i.c.k.i.n.g sound echoed the moment she slowly pushed the door inside.

Her movement froze.

The inner room was more spacious than the outer room. It was painted in pastel blue color, bringing out a sense of peace. Two paintings were hung on the wall as well as a wooden clock.

At the center of the room, a bed was placed there together with two bedside tables. One of the tables was decorated with a flower vase. The sweet scent of fresh roses gently drifted in the air.

Even so, Tsubaki didn't have the time to compliment how tranquil the room was. Her eyes were fixated on the bed.

Or, to be accurate, she was looking intently at the frail-looking woman lying on the bed.

"...Mother?" The word easily came out of her mouth.

The woman was the same woman in the photo. She was sleeping soundly as if nothing could disturb her slumber.

Her cheeks were hollowed. Her wrists were skinny. Even her complexion was a shade of pale that only a patient with severe disease had.

Drip... Drip, drip.

One by one, her tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes were blurred in an instant.

Tsubaki thought she would be okay.

She thought she wouldn't cry again.

Yet, the moment she saw the woman, even though it was just in a second, all of her emotions surged up from the depth of her heart, thus materializing in the form of tears.

Her heart felt too painful as if a hand brandishing its sharp claw into the flesh of her heart.

Ren immediately came forward. He opened up his arms and silently embraced Tsubaki from the back.

She could cry as much as she wanted.

He was here to hold her.