Spring Blooms When I’m With You - Volume 1 Chapter 254 Wasn't This Thing Called Hugging One's Thigh To Survive?

In the office, Ren directed all of his attention to his impending workload. Takuma came to see him from time to time, discussing about the project Ren had passed for him to be in-charged of. The two of them stayed inside the President’s office until Matsuzaki came to knock on the door.

“Master, it’s about time we go to Spring City,” he reminded after greeting both of them.

Ren glanced at his wristwatch. It was already 11:30 AM. He should be at the initiation of the summer festival at 12. Matsuzaki had scheduled a meeting for him there.

“5 minutes.” Ren looked at Matsuzaki who was standing at the door. “Meet me downstairs.”

“Understood, Master.”

Matsuzaki swiftly closed the door and went to get his things. Takuma cast a glance at Ren who had already capped his fountain pen. His planner was already closed in front of him.

“You actually go to officiate the ceremony?” Takuma asked with a curious face. It was rare for his cousin to personally go to any unimportant event since he disliked showing his face to people.

“The VP is the one who’s officiating the ceremony.” Ren stood up from his chair. He went to the coat rack, his long arm was reaching for his black custom-made suit. “I have an important meeting there. Plus, I promised Tsubaki to bring her to a date at the festival.”

“Wow~” Takuma whistled in amus.e.m.e.nt. He leaned back and crossed his hands as he was looking at his cousin who had already wore the suit. “I think the date part is the more important thing than your meeting.”

Ren gave him a smirk. His deft fingers moved to button his suit, the look in his eyes was so judgemental as he returned Takuma’s gaze. “A loner like you won’t understand.”

“Y… You!”

Ren took his phone from the table and went to the door. Without looking back at Takuma who was still sitting at his working table, Ren added, “Finish your work. If anything is lost from my office, I’d hold you accountable.”

“!”

Without being able to refute back, Takuma could only glare at his cousin’s disappearing figure.

Matsuzaki and Hibiki had already been waiting for Ren downstairs. He gave a couple of instructions for Matsuzaki to be relayed to the VP who was already at the ceremony before he went inside the car. Hibiki sat behind the wheels while Matsuzaki took his seat beside him.

“Hibiki, what’s the new progress about him?”

Hibiki instantly looked at his Master through the rear-view mirror for a second before he answered. He knew who was his boss was referring to.

“Yes, Master. Master Toshiro said Mr. Yagi suddenly fainted but the test results were fine. I’ve strengthened the security around the area even though Mr. Yagi’s room is locked and supervised by three of our men. Other than him trying to escape before he fainted, there was nothing else.”

“How about Mr. Kurosawa?”

“He would come to the city soon,” Hibiki was serious as he was driving while reporting the matter. The road was quite packed with vehicles so he slowed down his speed. “He didn’t show any suspicion when our subsidiary company contacted him with the intention to help him develops the area near the waterfall. His assistant called and said they would surely come next week. I’ll bring him straight to the place once he lands.”

Ren grunted and nodded once, feeling satisfied with the progress. He fished out his phone, within a second he dialed Akashi’s number.

“Yo!” Akashi’s voice was vibrant from the end of the line.

“I forgot to ask,” Ren swept his gaze to the outside. He calmly looked at the scene of the passers-by walking on the pedestrian road. “Have you narrowed down the missing men from his side? Any news?”

“Oh! Wait for a sec!”

Ren could faintly hear the sound of papers flipping and keys clacking on the keyboard simultaneously as he waited. Akashi would let out random sound while he was locating for the info. It seemed like he was humming to the new summer song that had entered the top chart.

“Gotcha!”

Ding!

Ren didn’t need to see the notification as he already knew Akashi had sent a new e-mail to him.

“Once you read the e-mail, I’m sure you’d understand why did I narrow the candidates to two people only. But, the most suspicious one was the man who used to grow up with him. He suddenly got drafted and was sent to the border. In the end, he was killed during a mission. His story was the same as what Ms. Nakamura wrote.”

Ren unconsciously tightened his grip around his phone. His veins appeared prominent at the back of his hand as he took time to calm himself. With a low voice, he asked Akashi a question.

“Do you think he’s the one we’re looking for?”

Akashi laughed freely. His thin lips curved up into a smirk. “Do you really need to ask me to validate your answer?”

“No,” Ren let out a sigh. “It’s just that I think this matter has suddenly become a dog blood drama between two men and a woman.”

“You thought this scuffle was because of a love triangle? Seriously?”

“Check out the matter regarding the Fujioka Family. This thing might be centered around them.” Ren frowned, it was obvious he was displeased even though Akashi had found one of the important leads.

“And what about Nakamura Sumire? She’s supposed to be your wife’s biological mother.”

“I have another idea about that.”

“Okay…”

Ren hung up the phone call. He leaned the back of his head on the headrest of the car. As he sensed a faint wave of a headache assaulted his mind, he closed his eyes.

While the ceremony was being officiated by the VP, Ren was in a meeting with a number of people from a small company. They had been waiting to meet him and today was the only day they could do so. The two sides had their lunch while discussing the current economy of the country as well as the state of the art nowadays. Since Ren was a businessman reeked with money as well as having a good reputation surrounding him, many companies and organizations were looking for him hoping to get a collaboration.

This time, it was a company specialized in art and craft.

“Actually, I didn’t expect to see you personally, Mr. Fuse,” the head of the company smiled politely as he handed his signed doc.u.ment to the secretary standing behind him. “At most, I thought I’d meet your assistant.”

“Even though this is just a minor collaboration but I want to emphasize that I value our project this time, Mr. Saito.” Ren glanced at Matsuzaki who stood beside him, he gave the younger man a knowing look. “Especially since I have a special, personal request to be made.”

“Oh?” Mr. Saito’s eyes lit up in amus.e.m.e.nt. His thin lips curled up into a smile with a hint of nervousness. “How could the humble me assist you, Mr. Fuse? I don’t think I have the ability to fulfill your request.”

Ren smiled faintly. The young man before him was a talented artist. He believed this man could become a big name in the future.

“Don’t downgrade yourself, Mr. Saito. My request is…”

Tsubaki alighted the car once Hibiki pulled over near the entrance of the bas.e.m.e.nt. She didn’t wait for Kaede to open the door for her. Her entire face was full of smiles as she anticipated her date with her husband.

“Madam, Master has just left the dining room with the general manager of the art company. I shall lead you to the festival first,” Hibiki politely said to the smiling lady standing opposite him. He too was infected by her radiant smile as his lips curved upward.

“He’s not busy, isn’t he?” Tsubaki smiled sheepishly. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m afraid he’s still working.”

Even though she was so excited with the idea of their date, Tsubaki couldn’t help but think of her husband’s work. Takuma was here to help him but there was still matter beyond his authority.

“Don’t worry, Madam,” Hibiki tried to reassure her once he saw her slightly guilty smile. “Master has already finished his job. You don’t have to worry and please enjoy today’s date with him. Besides…” Hibiki looked like he wasn’t sure to keep talking or not but in the end, he continued, “We, his subordinates, really appreciate your efforts in keeping his happy mood in check.”

Ha?

Tsubaki was baffled. She didn’t expect that all this while, the people working for her husband were silently admiring her whenever her husband was happy.

Wasn’t this thing called hugging one’s thigh to survive?

Hibiki and Kaede led Tsubaki to the venue of the summer festival. Tsubaki’s eyes brightened when she looked at the vibrant and lively decorations of the venue. Countless people were enjoying their time in the festival, most of them came with their loved ones.

“I’ll just wait for him here,” Tsubaki gestured at the resting area where a few wooden benches lined up at one side. “You guys can go ahead. Nothing would happen to me here.”

Although Hibiki wanted to protest, he knew it wasn’t wise for him to do so. He nodded and glanced at Kaede beside him. Both of them retreated, staying in the shadows.

Tsubaki sat at one of the long benches. Her head tilted up as she was eyeing the festival. The smile that was plastered on her face widening the longer she looked around. This festival was quite different than the traditional ones held in temple grounds but most of the elements were the same.

“This is your second time coming to a summer festival with Daddy and Mommy, right?” Tsubaki smiled as she talked to the one growing inside her. Her soft hand patted her tummy, an indescribable warm feeling surged in her heart. “Mommy can’t wait to see you.”

While she was focusing on her little bean, a tall and big shadow fell onto her. Tsubaki instantly looked up. She was stunned once her eyes locked into a pair of dark eyes. It was like she was enchanted by the handsome and tall man standing before her.

In a second, she snapped out of her trance. Her small mouth eagerly blurted out a word. Her face radiated with pure joy.

“Darling!”

Ren laughed faintly. He leaned down slightly and placed his palms on her cheeks. “Do you miss me?”

“En!” Tsubaki nodded, her eyes gleamed with happiness.

Ren shook his head, he was too helpless in front of his dainty wife. Without paying attention to some glances from the people near them, he swiftly kissed her forehead.

“I missed you too.”

Even though he had just been away from her for a few hours, his heart was aching for her to return to his side.

She was the beat of his heart.