Chapter 60

"Diamond! No! Let me go! I have to get to him!" My voice trembled with desperation as I struggled against Haruka's iron grip. Yet, she remained unyielding, leading me towards the parking lot. My heart pounded in my chest, and I thrashed around, but my efforts seemed to have no effect on her whatsoever.

What had I done to deserve this nightmare repeating itself now? I felt panic taking complete control of my body, robbing me of my breath.

"Usa! Calm down. There are enough helpers on-site; you'd just get in the way," Mina tried to reason with me. But I couldn't anymore. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I still gasped for air.

Haruka forced me into the passenger seat of her car with a gentle yet firm pressure and held a bag in front of my face. "There, moon face, now breathe slowly. Once you've calmed down, we'll drive to your apartment and wait there," she said calmly. But my thoughts were only with Diamond, the thought of losing him consuming me.

"Can we please go to the hospital? I need to be with him," I pleaded. The fear of losing him too had a firm grip on me.

"No. There's a set plan for situations like this, and we'll stick to it," Haruka stated, turning around. "If you both want to come, get in."

In the rearview mirror, I saw Mina and Kaori taking their seats on the back bench. Haruka's words were decisive, and I knew arguing was futile.

As soon as everyone was seated, Haruka drove off the parking lot with screeching tires. Under normal circumstances, I might have feared for my life with such driving, but right now, I couldn't care less. If Diamond... I couldn't complete that thought. The idea of him and the horrifying prospect of losing him choked me. Desperation and helplessness welled up inside me as we raced through the streets at breakneck speed.

The journey to my apartment felt like an eternity. Each second seemed like an hour, and the uncertainty about Diamond's condition frayed my nerves.

Arriving at my apartment, I got out of the car with shaky legs. Mina and Kaori followed me, continuing their efforts to calm me down, while Haruka provided support.

"Usa, everything will be okay. Let's go inside and wait," Mina said gently, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. Kaori nodded in agreement, trying to give me an encouraging smile. "Diamond is stubborn and tough. You'll see, everything will be fine."

I nodded slowly and followed them into the apartment. Everything within me screamed to immediately drive to the hospital and check on Diamond. Yet, I knew Haruka would never allow that. Before I could even reach the door, she'd be there to drag me back.

"Sit down for now, Usa. I'll make us some tea; it'll help you feel better," Mina suggested, leading me to the sofa. I sank down, feeling the tremors of tension and fear in my legs.

Kaori sat beside me, taking my hand in hers, attempting to calm me. "Kunzite drove to the hospital now, Massaru is with him. Once either of them knows more, they'll let us know. Don't worry, Usa, Diamond will surely be alright. After all, there are still things for you two to sort out."

Why were they allowed to be with him while I had to sit here? I wanted to be with him, by his side. The way it was supposed to be. Why had he thrown himself in front of me, that idiot?

Mina placed the tea on the small table, and then I realized Haruka wasn't here. Suddenly, I heard soft voices coming from the office. My curiosity and desperation compelled me to approach. I signaled Kaori and Mina to wait in the living room. I tiptoed to the door and eavesdropped. Haruka was on the phone, trying to gather information about Diamond. My ears eagerly caught her words, what had happened?

"Yes, I understand it's a sensitive situation," I heard Haruka say. "… yes, I get it. Keep me updated. It must be tough for the senior to lose his son."

My heart started to race even faster. Tears welled up in my eyes, and a sob escaped my throat. I collapsed by the door, unable to bear the weight of emotions. My world crumbled again. The fear that had been with me all along had come true. In the same moment, Mina and Kaori rushed to me. Mina crouched down and pulled me into her arms.

However, Kaori forcefully swung the door to the office open. "Enough games. I want to know what's going on now." Her tone brooked no opposition.

Haruka cleared her throat briefly. "I'm sorry to have to inform you that your cousin, Saphir Prince, has passed away at the scene."

A weight lifted from my heart. Had she just said Saphir? Not Diamond, Saphir! But what about Diamond?

Everything around me blurred, and I could only think of Diamond. Suddenly, I felt Haruka's arms around me, gently lifting me up. "Usa, what's wrong? What did you hear?" she asked with concern, guiding me back to the sofa.

"What... what happened to Diamond?" I rasped.

"Diamond got grazed by a bullet. He'll be discharged from the hospital soon; he's getting stitched up right now. He's doing as well as can be expected," Haruka explained with a hint of relief, running a stressed hand through her hair.

The knot in my chest slowly loosened, and tears of relief welled up in my eyes. Diamond was alive, and that was what mattered most. Yet, the worry for him still lingered. I needed to be with him, to see him and feel for myself that he was truly okay.

"Can I go to him now?" I asked with newfound determination in my voice. My desire to be with him outweighed everything else.

Haruka eyed me critically. "If you really want to, I can drive you to his apartment. Then I can help Massaru with all the paperwork."

"Do you really think that's a good idea right now? Usa, you're completely drained," Mina said, her face reflecting deep concern.

Kaori placed her hand on Minako's shoulder. "Let her go, once she sees him, she'll feel better."

Finally gathering some strength, I struggled back onto my feet. I was allowed to be with him, and that was all that mattered to me at the moment. I grabbed Haruka and hurriedly pulled her along with me. I couldn't and wouldn't lose any more time.

The streets flew past us once again, but this time, I felt a sense of calm within me. The certainty that Diamond was still alive gave me hope.