Chapter 25

It had been a little over a week since everything blew up. I couldn't reach Mamoru or Seiya; one would always hang up on me, while the other had turned off his phone since then. Still, I tried my luck with both of them daily, but it was in vain. Mina was probably right; they needed time and would reach out when they were ready for a conversation. But this waiting in uncertainty was driving me insane. Yesterday was my first day at work, and Sato had arranged for an intern to assist me until my hand fully recovered. Hotaru was diligent, well-organized, and meticulously completed small tasks. She was truly a help.

We were sitting together at my desk, and I was dictating product descriptions for the new catalog to her. "... the warm colors of purple and amber combined with classic, pure clear glass make this vase a true..."

As I spoke, the office door swung open, and my words caught in my throat. He walked towards me with unimaginable confidence, just as he had done so many times before, and once again, I was left speechless. He was back. Diamond. My heartbeat doubled within seconds. He was the first person I had seen since that dreadful day at the hospital. A slight shiver ran through me, leaving me with goosebumps. What did he want?

He leaned on my desk with his hands and scanned me from top to bottom, giving Hotaru only a fleeting glance. I swallowed hard. "Diamond. Um. Mr. Prince. What can I do for you?" My voice trembled involuntarily. Stay professional, Usagi, you're at work, and there's also an intern here.

Diamond, as always, had that impenetrable poker face on. "Come with me. Now," he whispered to me and headed towards the small conference room. He felt right at home here. He held the door open for me, and I followed him. Hotaru had already stuck close to my heels. I quickly turned to her and shook my head. "Continue writing the texts. I have to handle this alone. Mr. Prince is... somewhat particular," I whispered to her.

Diamond cleared his throat. Apparently, I had taken too long for him. My stomach was in knots. I entered the conference room, and he closed the door behind us. I could feel him standing behind me, watching me intently. "I will take care of Saphir, I promise. He won't harm you anymore, never again," he began.

Hesitantly, I turned around and met his penetrating gaze. I forced myself to give a slight nod. The threat from Saphir was still present. Diamond hadn't found him yet. "How will you accomplish that?" I whispered softly.

"Leave that to me. The main thing is that nothing happens to you anymore. Haruka is now waiting outside the building. She will keep an eye on you until all the problems are resolved." "Who is Haruka?" "Haruka is your bodyguard from now on, but don't worry, she's very discreet, and you probably wouldn't even notice she's there. I just thought you should know, so you feel safer." So, Diamond also believed that Saphir wouldn't give up and would try again. But a bodyguard right away? Was that really necessary?

Shortly after, a mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "But I'm curious now, how many men do you still have in your harem?"

I was taken aback. I wasn't prepared for such a topic change. What had he just said? Harem? Diamond playfully bulged his cheek with his tongue, and his eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "... no more," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

"So, three guys at the same time? Hats off, I never would have expected that from you."

I couldn't figure him out, and I couldn't interpret his gaze at all. It made me even more nervous.

"None of this was planned... I somehow got caught up in it." Diamond casually leaned his back against the door and looked me up and down. "So, you just got caught up in it?" His voice sounded amused somehow. "Yes..." He managed to further unsettle me. "Do the other two know about me or each other?"

When he asked me that question, I immediately had the image in my mind of turning around and seeing Mamoru staring at me with wide eyes, Seiya right in front of him. Thankfully, I had reached the point where I no longer burst into tears immediately when I thought of either of them.

"Yes, since the hospital stay... but only about each other..." My mood sank again. "So, I'm still a secret? Let me guess... They didn't react as casually as I did."

I lowered my gaze to his shoes and shook my head in dismay. Of course not, neither of them had spoken to me in over a week. The shoes moved towards me, and then I felt his hand on my face. He brushed a strand of hair back and gently lifted my head with slight pressure. "I'm going to leave now, I have a lot to do," he whispered in my ear, and his face was so close. I just had to turn my head slightly to touch his lips. Instinctively, I reached out my hand and held onto his wrist.

"Diamond, thank you for everything. Thank you for the bracelet, for keeping quiet, for visiting me in the hospital. You have no idea how much all of that meant to me," the words poured out of me. I don't know why, but I had to tell him what I felt: gratitude. I blinked and tried to hold back the tears that were welling up. In vain.

It was the first time I cried in front of him, and in an instant, he seemed utterly overwhelmed. Somewhat helplessly, he patted my shoulder. His awkwardness inwardly made me smile.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked, handing me a tissue as he took a cautious step back. I wiped away the tears and blew my nose. "No, it's okay. It's just still a lot all at once, and, oh, I don't know." Diamond patted my shoulder once again, but kept his distance. "It will be okay." He really needed to work on comforting others. I had finally composed myself. "Yeah, somehow it will go on." He quickly kissed my forehead and with two big strides, he was already at the door. "We'll see each other, Usagi."

What was that? Did he just flee from me? Where had his enormous ego suddenly gone? He left the door wide open, and as soon as he disappeared, Hotaru stuck her head in.

"Please book the purple vase, Mr. Diamond Prince," I croaked hoarsely, still caught up in that crazy moment. Diamond had been different than usual, at least from the point when I started crying.

After work, I made my way to the Crown. However, I didn't see Haruka anywhere. Either she was really good at disguising herself, or she hadn't been in front of the office at all. I hadn't spoken to Motoki in a long time, but I knew I could get information about Mamoru from him. The nervous flutter in my stomach intensified as I finally mustered the courage to enter.

Motoki seemed surprised to see me. "Oh, what a rare visit. Did you get lost?" Great, it seemed like he was also mad. "Toki, I'm sorry," I began, taking my usual seat on the stool at the counter. Motoki pursed his lips and meticulously wiped the counter. "Sorry for what exactly?"

"The situation with Seiya and Mamoru just got out of hand. Believe me, I didn't want it to happen. It all just happened..." Restlessly, I twirled my hair. "I'm also sorry for treating you so unfairly lately. Everything just became too much for me, and your constant questioning made me feel cornered."

Motoki sighed and let the cloth sink. His expression was still serious, but a hint of understanding was in his eyes. "Usagi, you know I'm always here for you. Why didn't you talk to me?" Motoki pushed a chocolate shake toward me and then sat on the empty stool next to me.

"Usa, you really messed up. You hurt the feelings of two people. What were you thinking? How would you have felt if one of the guys did the same to you?" He stopped mid-sentence.

"Motoki? What were you going to say?" He took a sip of his coffee. Apparently, he still knew something that he was keeping from me. "Out with it." "You'll find out soon enough anyway. Rei has been in Tokyo since yesterday."

I swallowed. Rei. The Rei who accompanied Mamoru during his therapy. The one he wanted by his side when he was feeling down. The one from that night when he didn't remember what happened. The Rei he kissed. Motoki didn't miss my shocked expression.

"She's temporarily staying at Mamoru's place until she finds her own apartment, but don't worry, she's sleeping on the couch."

My stomach turned. "Did he say anything about me?"

Motoki looked at me from the side. I could tell from his face that Mamoru had poured his heart out to him. But before he could answer me, a young man with sandy blond hair took a seat a few stools away at the counter. "A double espresso, please," the stranger said, looking over at us. I had seen him somewhere before, but I couldn't remember where for the life of me.

Motoki quickly prepared his order, pushed it toward him, and then leaned toward me. "Go talk to him. Sort out your differences, be honest with each other, and then see where you stand. But make sure you establish clear boundaries."

"I... I don't even know if he's home," I stammered. I knew Motoki was right, but the thought of facing him again made me uneasy. Especially now that Rei was living with him. Something inside me resisted the idea of meeting her.

"Have you tried calling him?" "Yes... he always rejects my calls. It's been over a week now." And Seiya still had his phone turned off since his message saying he would be staying with Taiki, I added in my mind.

Motoki quickly took out his phone, and I could only look at him in shock. "Hey, are you at home? ... That sounds good... yeah, maybe later..."

He put his phone aside and grinned at me. "He's home, alone. Rei is having a discussion about her transfer. It's your chance," he winked at me.

I had no choice but to nod. I guess I would have to take the initiative and talk to Mamoru. The time for pondering and overthinking was over. I slurped on my shake and watched Motoki polish the counter once again.

"Usa, you're wasting time again," he said after a few minutes.

Slightly annoyed, I snorted. Alright then, off to battle. Motoki wouldn't give up, and if I stayed any longer, he would probably summon Mamoru. No, I could do without that. We didn't need an audience for this conversation.