You've Done Well, Sweetheart. You've Done Well

Even though it happened in the short time the accident and explosion occurred before she fainted thus losing her memories next, she really didn't want to recall the heartache.

It was like her entire being shattered like broken glass.

"You've done well, sweetheart. You've done well..."

Ren carefully brought her to his arms. He let her buried her face on his chest as he ran a hand on her back.

His hoarsened voice sounded above her head as he spoke again.

"It's okay, you've done well by forgetting me at that time... If you not, I don't know what else would happen to you."

After his return to the city, his every movement was under scrutiny. Ren didn't dare to contact her for fear Mr. Sagara and his men would do something to Tsubaki just so they could control him better.

He felt remorseful because he left without any news but, he could only swallow his guilt.

After five years, only after five years, he dared to step out and look for her again. It took him thousands of days before he regained full control over the ones who wanted to harm him.

One by one, he pushed them out of his life.

"Ren... Ren... I won't forget you ever again, I swear," Tsubaki firmly clutched on his sweater as she solemnly made a vow.

Ren shook his head. He tightened his arms around her, savoring her warmth.

"Don't think about that... You did what you could, sweetheart," He whispered ever so tenderly, "I'm just grateful you don't loath me after leaving you."

"No, no, don't say that..." Tsubaki hiccuped, "I don't blame you. I have never blamed you."

Ren closed his eyes.

No matter what, he felt so guilty.

If only he was brave enough to seek her out, she didn't have to suffer to make sure she and Satsuki could safely pass another day by.

There were times he was driven by a strong urge to go to her but, his mind would quickly stop him, saying it was not the time.

Wait until you oust the cunning foxes.

Wait until everything had settled down.

Wait until you are ready to bring her back to your side.

Time and again, the same words resonated in his mind, dampening his spirit.

"If I came any later, you might... lose Satsuki next," He pushed the words out after much difficulty.

Tsubaki anxiously shook her head, "Nothing would happen... Satsuki would be fine. Don't blame yourself. Let's stop putting fault on us, okay? Okay, Ren?"

To Tsubaki, no one was at fault in this matter.

If they wanted to make someone accountable, it was the Souma brothers, Mr. Sagara, Yagi Takashi and whoever worked under the orders.

Even without any detailed explanation, she won't question him over the lateness for him to return to her side.

Her trust in him was unshakeable. She knew he did it for her own safety.

He had to regain his foothold over those who planned to go against him. He had to protect his family while going head-on with the dregs.

Another tear rolled down his cheek, falling on his wife's face.

Tsubaki tilted up her head. She was surprised once she saw he was crying quietly with his eyes were looking at her.

"...Ren, Ren, don't cry, don't cry... We're together now, aren't we?" Tsubaki herself couldn't stop her tears. She lifted up her hands and tenderly cupped his face, "You're alive, I'm alive as well. Let's focus on our future, okay? Let's forget the past... Okay? I don't want to remember it again... As long as you're with me, I'm fine. I'm fine with everything..."

Ren buried his face in the crook of her neck. He felt so shameful but it was hard to cease his crying.

She was so good to him. So very good.

What did he has ever done to have someone so beautiful inside out with him?

"Tsubaki, my love... I promise I won't let myself be in danger again and... let's live until our hairs turn gray, en?"

Tsubaki laughed in her tears, "You have to still be as handsome as now even when you have gray hairs, only then would I stay with you."

Ren chuckled softly. He rubbed his nose against her shoulder.

He really loved being so close to her.

"Sweetheart, until the end of time, my love would always be you."

Tsubaki sniffled, "Hehe, it's the same as me. I love you forever, darling."

The tears that were shed with anguish were replaced by smiles and laughter. The husband and wife cuddled on the couch as they watched the clear night sky that spread out in front of them. The twinkling of the stars sent comfort to their exhausted hearts.

Even though Tsubaki had let out what had been clogging her heart, she was still uncomfortable in sleep. The scene of the accident kept being played in her dreams, making it hard for her to sleep peacefully.

Every time she startled awake and found that he was lying next to her, the fear would lessen.

Fearing that the stress would harm his wife, Ren brought Tsubaki to the hospital for a check-up.

"Mrs. Fuse, you've just recovered your painful memory. It's inevitable for your brain to keep recalling it for the time being," The doctor gave his analysis after the check-up, "Use this time to focus on the activity that would make you happy. You have to be careful as the stress would be detrimental on you, especially when you're pregnant."

Tsubaki had to admit she was being hard on herself.

She didn't know why, she would always recall the fear that she felt on that night.

She couldn't help but think, what if something like that would happen again in the future?

Would she lose him? Or would she lose their children and him as well? What if they were the ones who lost her?

Ren extended their stay at the villa. He didn't let her be immersed in the dreadful thoughts.

He brought her for a stroll, visiting the strawberry farm, shopping in the market, enjoying the ranch and having picnics in the villa's yard every other day.

Little by little, Tsubaki gradually forgot about her fear as she was engulfed by her husband's utmost care.

"Darling, where are we going?"

Tsubaki asked as Ren led her on a trail inside the forest.

Really, how could her husband bring her to a forest like this? Did he plan something?

Ren glanced at her. With a chuckle, he replied, "There's a beautiful open field after this trail. I think you'd love it, sweetheart."

With a hand around her waist, while the other holding a picnic basket, Ren slowly led Tsubaki to follow the trail.

Tsubaki's eyes darted to the left and right, up and down. She was truly enjoying the view that surrounding her.

The leaves fluttered in the air, glided down and scattered on the ground. Sunlight poured down on them through the gaps between the leaves and the tree branches.. The howling of the gentle autumn breeze caressed her cheeks as if it was greeting her.

"Here we are!"

Ren proudly announced as if he was the only one who discovered the open field.

Tsubaki laughed in glee. She looked at the field in front of her.

The lush field stretched out as far as the eye could see. The grass yellowed under their feet, spread out all over the field. Ren brought her to one of the trees, taking a shade under it.

"Sit down, sweetheart," Ren laid a picnic mat and urged her to step on it, "Your feet must already be aching by now. Here, let me help you."

With her tummy that was as round as a watermelon, Tsubaki indeed needed help from her husband. She couldn't help but wonder how bigger her belly was once she entered the third trimester.

"Darling, we're not here to just have a picnic, am I right?" Tsubaki shot an inquiring look to Ren who was busy arranging the dishes on the mat.

Ren hooked the corners of his lips up, "You can tell?"

"Uhuh," Tsubaki nodded.

Ren laughed, "Let's eat first."

Tsubaki ignored her own question as she was attracted by the food. Her eyes brightened at the sight of the delicious food in front of her.

There were chicken katsu sandwiches, honey garlic steak bites, cucumber salad, seaweed riceballs and pumpkin soup. These were all that she list down when Ren asked her what she wanted to have for today's picnic.

"En, yummy!"

Tsubaki's cheeks were bulging as she devoured the dishes one by one. Ren could only shake his head in helplessness at the sight of her fondness for eating.

"Ah~ I'm so full," Tsubaki smiled contentedly as she patted her tummy.

Ren gave her an amusing look, "Now, I have to worry about our children. If they loved eating like you, I've to work harder to raise money for you three."

"Hehe, work hard, Daddy!" Tsubaki encouraged him with a fist punched the air.

Ren laughed out loud. He leaned forward and sucked on one of her chubby cheeks. Tsubaki patted his arm as she pouted.

"Hehe, you're so cute, sweetheart," He winked.

Tsubaki harrumphed.

"Well, what is it that you want to tell me? Don't play anymore, ah."

Ren laughed again, "Wait for a bit."

He turned around and rummaged inside the picnic basket. Tsubaki waited with one brow raised.

He put something inside.

"Here it is," Ren turned around with something in his hands, "This is what I want to show you."

Tsubaki's eyes fell on the thing in his hands.

It was a box with simple carvings on its lid.