Spring Blooms When I'm With You 20 She's Sleeping

Tsubaki waved good bye at a mother and son pair leaving the bakery. Both of them were her regular customers, always dropping by whenever the young mother picking up her cute son from the kindergarten nearby.

"Sister Tsubaki!"

Kohana appeared beside her with a cordless telephone. It was the bakery's phone. Tsubaki raised her eyebrows, questioning the younger lady.

"Mr. Goto wants to speak with you about Mr. Kitaoji. Do you have a moment?"

Tsubaki took the phone from Kohana and gestured to her to take care of the counter. She went inside the changing room which had been made into the employees' resting place. Individual lockers, large table for eating completed with chairs and two long couches occupied the room. She sat down on the couch before speaking to Mr. Goto.

"h.e.l.lo, Mr. Goto? Sorry for making you wait."

"It's okay. Miss Hanada, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you."

"I'm not busy at the moment, so it's not a problem." Tsubaki knew it would be something important so she didn't mind. "Have you contacted Old Master Kitaoji?"

At first she was the one who should contact the respectable elder but Mr. Goto had insisted to take the role instead. Considering she was quite busy a few days ago, she accepted the older man's offer to help.

"I did, but it was fruitless." Mr. Goto sighed. "His grandson intercepted my call, it had been a few times already."

"He's too despicable." The usual gentleness in Tsubaki's voice vanished without a trace. Her eyes turned icy cold.

"Old Master Kitaoji is currently recuperating in the countryside. I've tried contacting his a.s.sistant too but he hasn't returned my call. I'm afraid I need to go and see him personally." Mr. Goto thought it was the only solution.

"No, Mr. Goto. I'm the one who should go," decided Tsubaki.

"But..."

"Mr. Kitaoji wants me to be the representative. Even if he wanted to block me from meeting his grandfather, at least I have a better chance in persuading him. If luck is in our side, I could meet Old Master Kitaoji without his interference."

Mr. Goto couldn't say anything as he too didn't know how to make Mr. Kitaoji changed his mind. The sc.u.mbag had targeted the young lady and purposefully dragged all of them in this mess. He understood that Tsubaki was feeling guilty over what had happened.

"When do you plan to go to meet him?"

"The day after tomorrow. I already have something scheduled for tomorrow. Why?" Tsubaki remembered she had to meet Mr. Fuse tomorrow. He had called her early in the morning. It had been a few days since the night he drove her home from the hospital.

"Let me go with you. You couldn't possibly go alone. What if something bad happened along the way?" Mr. Goto didn't give her any chance to dismiss his suggestion.

"I... thank you, Mr. Goto." Tsubaki knew it would do her no harm if she had someone accompanying her. "If it's decided, I'll meet you in front of your shop the day after tomorrow then. Around 8. It is okay with you?"

"That's fine with me. Contact me if you need something else."

"Alright."

Tsubaki hung up. She let out a sigh, feeling tired all of a sudden. She leaned against the long couch. Kicking off her shoes, she brought her knees curled toward her body. She closed her eyes, ma.s.saging her aching temples. She felt like she wanted to lazy around for the rest of the day.

Her exhaustion caught up in an instant. Once she closed her eyes, she felt like there was something heavy on her eyelids, preventing her from waking up. Unable to resist it, she fell in a deep sleep.

"Where's Sister Tsubaki?" Kohana left the counter to Yos.h.i.+e, asking Chiyo who had just came out from the resting room. It had been more than half an hour since her boss entered the room.

"Shhh... She's sleeping." Chiyo lowered her voice. "She seemed tired. I don't have the heart to wake her up."

"Okay."

Kohana understood. She returned to the counter and looked up to the tall man in a pristine dark suit.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fuse. But our boss is unavailable right now. Do you want to leave a message?"

Ren pondered for a bit before shaking his head. He heard the bits of her employees' conversation about Tsubaki, wondering if she was unwell. He appeared here after visiting one of the company's factories. His conversation with Akas.h.i.+ earlier made him felt uneasy. When Tsubaki wasn't around, his expression stayed stone cold. He muttered his thanks before leaving.

"Isn't he President Fuse?" Chiyo whispered once she realised the ident.i.ty of the man leaving the bakery.

"Yes. He came looking for Sister Tsubaki," answered Kohana while rearranging the wooden trays on the left side of the counter.

"Do you think he's interested in Sister Tsubaki?" Chiyo looked giddy, eager to pair up her beloved employer to a das.h.i.+ng man like President Fuse.

"Stop your daydreaming." Kohana nudged Chiyo. She needed to stop her from falling further inside her romantic fantasy.

"What's wrong with it? I could already picture the lavish and romantic wedding between them!"

Kohana could just sigh. It wasn't like she couldn't understand the way the man's stoic facial features softened when he asked her about Sister Tsubaki but she just didn't want to jump into conclusion. From his outer appearance, President Fuse was a great man but could he truly and sincerely be interested in Sister Tsubaki? Judging from the social status, it seemed impossible.

After all, Kohana wished only good things happened to Sister Tsubaki who had selflessly helped her in the past.

Leaving the bakery, Ren went inside his car which he parked across the street. His gaze focused on Camellia Sweets. Concerned flashed across his face. He glanced at his wrist.w.a.tch. He'd just wait here.