It Reminds Me of the Taste of Home

Meanwhile, at the same time at Sakuya Residence.

Yuina pressed her thumb over the screen, letting the door unlocked using her fingerprints. After a clicking sound, she pushed the door, revealing a bright and unobstructed hallway connecting to the entrance of the living room.

"...?!"

Surprise flashed across her eyes once Yuina saw a pair of leather shoes laid in front of the elevated step leading to the inside of the duplex condominium.

There were Ryuu's shoes! Had he actually come back?

Yuina quickly closed the door, kicked off her heels and ran inside the condominium.

Sure enough! There was a large suitcase in the living room!

He's back!

"Ryuu? Are you home?" Yuina cautiously called for him but no one answered her.

Yuina rushed upstairs. Her feet fell on the marble floor until they stopped in front of the bedroom.

The blackout curtains were pulled together, leaving only a faint light to slip in between the narrow gap of the cloths. There was a large bulge under the blanket, followed by the sound of someone breathing steadily.

He's really back!

Yuina didn't wake him up. After a long flight, it was inevitable for her husband to be so tired. It was better if he slept to make up for his exhaustion.

In a quiet movement, Yuina entered the built-in wardrobe. She changed out of her work clothes to comfortable ones, pulled her long hair into a bun and stepped inside the washroom next.

Since he was already home, she planned to make him a table of his favorite food.

En, she had bought fresh ingredients yesterday. She could just straightaway use them without having to go out to the nearby supermarket.

Today, her mood was as bright as the spring day outside.

Soon, the delicious smell of her cooking drifted from the kitchen thus dispersed to every inch of the first floor of the duplex. Yuina hummed while she let the chicken simmer inside the pot.

How delectable it would be to have the meat fell off the bones?

Ryuu loved to have a bowl of chicken soup whenever he came back from his hectic schedule, especially if he was abroad for long.

"It reminds me of the taste of home."

He would always answer her like that every time she asked.

But, she understood what he meant.

He was reminded of the days when she made him chicken soup in their youth, the days he had to survive by collecting trash and doing heavy construction work.

A stab of pain pricked her heart.

While Yuina was washing the vegetables under the running water, a pair of arms snaked around her waist. What followed next was a kiss on the nape of her neck.

"Ryuu?" Yuina felt so helpless. She lightly slapped his hands that were encircling her waist, "Why don't you sleep longer?"

"I missed you, my wife," Ryuu answered in a hoarse voice. He was still feeling groggy but his sleepy eyes brightened at the sight of his wife's smile.

"I missed you too," Yuina turned around to properly look at him.

After weeks of separating, she found that he had lost weight for a bit. Even though his arms still felt as sturdy as usual, Yuina couldn't help but feel distressed.

"You'd go again in three days, right?" Yuina sighed. Her hands went from his arms to both of his cheeks, "Eat more while you're at home. It doesn't matter if you gained even a little bit of weight. You'd lose it soon anyway."

Her husband's face alone could easily charm maidens to become his loyal fans. But, he didn't just have an exquisite shell. His acting skills and good manners helped him to win even the ones who doubted his ability at first.

"Okay," Ryuu replied huskily, "I'll listen to my wife."

He really loved coming home to his dearest wife. Although they were separated more and being together less, he did it for their future.

Ryuu didn't come from a family with a good background. Although he was talented academically, it was still hard to make money by relying on his brain.

That was one of the reasons why he was adamant about staying in the entertainment circle even though it would bring him away from his wife more.

His wife deserved the best. She had suffered during the early part of her life. Once he married her, he started showering her with everything that was used to be a privilege to her.

There was nothing and no one who could hold her back again.

"I'll simmer the chicken for another two hours," Yuina tip-toed and kissed his chin, "Go back to rest. Use these three days to make up for your lost sleep."

"No~" Ryuu whined like a child. He bent his head down and captured his wife's lips.

Instead of making up for his rest, it was better to use it to quench his longing for her.

Yuina hammered on his chest as she becoming breathless. Ryuu reluctantly let her go. He pressed their foreheads together. With his eyes appeared so soft, he whispered above her lips.

"Let's spend more time together? Why don't I bring you to Kaiyo River for flower viewing? Haven't you always loved the view of cherry blossoms blooming there?"

For the last few years, he couldn't accompany her during the peak of spring seasons. It was one of his little regrets.

"Really?" Yuina's eyes widened in disbelief and joy. Her tone sounded like a child getting her favorite candy.

Ryuu chuckled softly. He took the opportunity to peck on her lips.

"Yes. Although we couldn't go out during the day, the view at night is still beautiful," He sighed, "I'm sorry, my love. You have to endure so much because of me."

They could only sneak out at night whenever they wanted to go out. His status in the entertainment circle hindered him from showering indulgence to his wife like how a normal husband could.

Even when they went out, he had to disguise himself.

"It's doesn't matter," Yuina's mood soared up. She had already imagined having a date with him surrounded by the blossoming cherry blossoms under the clear night sky, "Thank you, hubby~ I love you."

Ryuu tilted his head, "You'd only thank me with words?"

Yuina blushed. She coughed awkwardly. Once she regained her mind, she stood on one foot and whispered softly next to his ear, "Then, I'll properly thank you tonight."

Mischief flickered in Ryuu's eyes. He was obviously satisfied with her answer. After one last kiss, he returned upstairs to freshen himself up.

Yuina saw his figure disappeared at the turn of the hallway. Her lips curled up as her heart was brimming with happiness,

The loneliness she felt during his absence had no longer putting a strain around her heart.

But, she didn't understand.

Once a crack was formed, it was hard to mend it back.

Yuina focused back on creating an array of scrumptious feasts for her dearest husband. While she let the chicken simmered in the pot, she started making the other dishes.

Soon, Ryuu returned to the kitchen. His hair was still slightly damp as he had just come out of the shower. He came nearer to his wife.

"What should I do to help?"

Instead of waiting around, it would be best if he helped his wife to quicken the process of her cooking.

"I could handle it myself," Yuina refused his good intention. She scowled at her husband, "Didn't I tell you to rest? I'll call you once I've done cooking."

Ryuu deliberately shifted his eyes around, "En, it seems like I have to arrange the plates and cutlery on the table."

Without waiting for his wife to continue pushing him to rest, Ryuu walked away from her, heading to the cabinet in one corner of the kitchen. He took out the plates, bowls and chopsticks. Ryuu brought all of them to the dining table.

Yuina understood it would just be futile if she kept on nagging him so she just let him be.

Yuina put down the knife on the chopping board. She quietly stared at the figure of her husband busy doing the mundane task of arranging the plate.

He was just wearing a set of simple home clothes but they looked great on him. Even though the shirt was loose, it still showed his broad shoulders and tapered waist.

If his fans looked at him right now, they would squeal and proclaim him as the best candidate in choosing a husband.

Well, he was indeed crowned as the nation's husband.

Having good looks and impeccable manners as well as wasn't reluctant to help around the house...

Well, this nation's husband was hers.

Yuina laughed quietly by herself.

"Ah, my love, I brought you back something," Ryuu shouted while he was arranging the dishes on the table, "Look at them after eating, en?"

"What else did you buy?" Yuina was exasperated, "You've bought me so many gifts before. I haven't finished using them."

"Hehe," Ryuu chuckled, "If I didn't pamper my wife, who else should I dote on?"

Yuina could only admit defeat under his corny reasoning.

"Okay~ I'll wear the spring dress that you bought before for our date later," She thought back of the white floral dress that was hung inside the wardrobe.

"It's actually a couple set. Hey hey, I'll wear mine too," Ryuu said happily.

The corners of her lips curling up without her realizing it.

In these short three days, she wanted to keep him all for herself.

She just wanted him to look at her.

She knew it was selfish of her but, she couldn't help it.

She had long had to share him with the world, couldn't this little wish of her be granted?