"Sweetheart?"

Tsubaki looked at the direction of the voice. Ren had just finished talking on the phone. They were just exiting the arrival hall when he made the phone call. From the bits she heard, Hibiki was the one at the end of the line.

"Are you okay?" Ren peered at Tsubaki's face. He placed his phone inside his trousers' pocket. "Our car has arrived. We could depart right away."

"Okay." Tsubaki rea.s.sured him with a smile. "I'm just a bit nervous. It's been so many years since the last time I returned home."

Ren nodded in understanding. He reached out for Tsubaki's hand. Even though the weather was hot but her fingertips felt icy cold. He rubbed her hand, trying to warm her. "Let's go. Our luggage has been sent to the car."

"En."

From this airport, their journey to Tsubaki's hometown would take around one hour and a half at regular speed. Hibiki had arranged for a car to be sent to the airport for the couple to use. Since this was a personal visit, Ren would drive it by himself without any attendant.

As Tsubaki swept her gaze on the surroundings outside the car, she felt a faint sense of unfamiliarity and oddness. She couldn't pinpoint exactly why she felt that way but, it made her restless.

It was the roads she always used whenever she needed to go to the town, the same buildings she pa.s.sed by but at the same time, the sense of belonging was no longer in her heart.

Was it because she didn't return here even once after the accident?

"What are you thinking?"

Ren's gentle voice broke her trance. Tsubaki landed her gaze on his side profile. He was driving with ease even without using the navigation system. He looked like a local who always driving on these roads. The car swiftly pa.s.sed the main roads before it turned at an intersection leading to the village.

"I don't know..." Tsubaki confessed her fear. Her head hung low as she gripped the handbag on her lap. Her voice wasn't its usual bright one. "It's just... It's only 5 years but why do I feel like I'm not supposed to come back? I feel like... I'm out of place here."

Ren glanced at his wife's face, she looked crestfallen. He released one of his hands from the steering wheel, enveloping her small hands in his. Tsubaki took comfort under his warm touch.

"It's okay to feel that way. I know you're still bothered by the accident so that's why you didn't return here all these years." His soothing voice helped to dissipate her uneasiness. It was a gentle melody to her ears. "You are brave enough to come here today. Whatever you feel, don't brush them off."

Tsubaki nodded her head in silence. She returned her sight to the rows of pine trees planted at both sides of the roads. The shades provided by the trees was welcomed by Tsubaki since they helped to s.h.i.+eld them from the direct sunlight.

It felt like a long journey before they finally saw the signpost of the village. It was still like what Tsubaki had remembered. Even after 5 years, the post was still slanted to its left. The village head was still stubborn about letting it be without trying to fix it.

As they pa.s.sed the signpost, Tsubaki's eyes widened suddenly and her shoulders jolted. Fear was apparent in her eyes when they subconsciously landed on a spot at her right. Grim images flashed past her mind. She quickly ducked her head, startling Ren with her sudden behavior.

"Tsubaki? What's wrong?"

Tsubaki shook her head repeatedly. She clenched her bag in a tight grip, her entire body trembling. Her breathing became shallow, she tried hard catching her breath. Her voice shook badly when she pleaded, "Please... drive faster... Please..."

Ren suddenly realized they were pa.s.sing the site of the accident. He sped up, wanting to leave the spot as soon as possible. Once they were far enough from the place, Ren pulled over at the side of the road before he checked on his wife's condition.

Tsubaki's face was beyond pale, the rosy color of her cheeks faded and her lips turned blue. It was as if her blood was drained away from her body. Ren quickly brought her into his embrace.

"It's okay... It's okay..." He tried whispering comfort to her but he himself could feel the fear enveloped Tsubaki's heart. His hand gently rubbed her back as Tsubaki clenched tight on the back of his white s.h.i.+rt. "I'm here... You're okay... You're okay. There's nothing harming you."

"En..."

Tsubaki bit her lips, trying to hold back her tears. Her eyes shut closed, she sought peace by silently reminding herself that she was alright, there was no blood and shoutings in the dead of night.

She was safe in his arms.

Nothing could happen to her.

Both of them didn't realize how much time had pa.s.sed as they remained embracing one another. Ren continued comforting her, there was no impatience in his movements instead, he was much gentler. Tsubaki took a deep breath, the sharp claws clenching her heart slowly loosening their grip.

"I'm sorry..." Tsubaki said with much difficulty, her throat felt dry. She was still clutching on her husband's s.h.i.+rt.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart," Ren ran his fingers through her ponytail. He didn't dare to let her go as he tightened his hold on her. "You're brave enough to come here."

Tsubaki bit her lower lip, she nodded her head.

"I want to go home," Tsubaki muttered under her breath. Her voice was so pitiful, it made Ren's heart ached. "I don't want to stay here any longer but... I shouldn't right?"

His lips met her temple. Tsubaki opened her eyes, searching for his gaze.

"We could return home if you want to but, sweetheart, I know you'd regret leaving like this." Ren stroked her cheek, his eyes never strayed from hers.

Tsubaki didn't say anything, she just silently locked her gaze into his deep eyes. What her husband said was true. She was afraid but if she turned back and left this place, she knew it would be impossible for her to return in the near future.

She needed to go to her family home if she wanted to uncover the truth.

In the end, Tsubaki nodded after pondering about her choices. With a quiet voice, she whispered, "Let's continue."

Ren sighed in relief. He gently gripped her chin and brought her lips to his. Tsubaki closed her eyes as she calmed herself, savoring the feeling of having him close to her.

"You'll be okay," Ren's breath was warm against her lips. "I won't let anything happen to you. Do you trust me, sweetheart?"

When she looked at him, there was no room of uneasiness in her heart. Whatever he said, whatever he promised her, she never doubted him because he didn't give her even a slight chance to. There was a faint smile on her lips.

"I trust you." Tsubaki answered with certainty.

Ren smiled. He patted her head, further rea.s.suring her that everything would be okay.

After making sure her emotions had stabilized, Ren resume their journey. He let her leaned her head on his shoulder, one of his hand stroked the side of her head, playing with her hair.

The car pa.s.sed several houses which were familiar to Ren and Tsubaki. There was no one walking on the road but, they occasionally heard the laughter of children playing nearby. Ren turned the wheels to enter a slightly narrow road. He didn't stop until he reached the end of it.

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In front of them, stood a one story house. There was a white fence stood tall around the house. The house was small but the land around the building was quite s.p.a.cious. The abandoned flower beds and rusty garden chairs were the signs that this house had been left alone for a long time.

"We're here," Ren announced quietly, he took a glance at his wife.

Tsubaki raised her head from her husband's shoulder, her eyes trained on the familiar house in front of her. Tears started to p.r.i.c.kle her eyes as conflicted feelings arose in her heart.

She had finally returned home.