Chapter 36
Slowly, Amy stepped out of the bedroom and looked into the expectant faces of Taiki, Yaten, Haruka, and Makoto. Seiya jumped up immediately upon seeing Amy. "How is she? Is she seriously injured?" he wanted to know.
Haruka and Yaten exchanged a brief glance, both relieved that Taiki seemed oblivious to Seiya's feelings. However, they both agreed that if he continued this way, everyone would soon notice.
"She's doing fine so far. I gave her something to help her sleep so her body can recover. She should be back on her feet tomorrow morning. Since Makoto mentioned that she wasn't feeling well, I took some blood just as a routine check, just to be sure. If there's anything off with her levels, I'll call you," Amy explained professionally, her eyes fixed on Taiki, who struggled not to look directly at her. Then he stood up. "All right. I really appreciate you coming," he said, leading Amy to the door. For a brief moment, his fingers brushed against hers. "I'll check in later," he whispered to her softly, but she could see how much this situation weighed on him.
Taiki closed the door behind Amy and gathered his focus, straightening his shoulders as he returned to the group. "This can't go on like this. Serena needs around-the-clock care from now on. Plus, we need to intensify the search for her siblings to further advance the fathers' overthrow. Seiya, contact Chiba and ask him for a meeting soon. Yaten, try to keep a closer eye on Kenji's people, especially this Rubeus," Taiki rattled off his thoughts.
Seiya was already reaching for his phone, but Yaten snatched it before he could even unlock the screen. "No need to call Chiba. He's been in America for a few days. Rei gave him a hard time before reluctantly taking over the business, and I really don't know if we want her involved... You know how she can be," Yaten explained coolly. "When were you planning to tell us that?" Taiki asked, annoyed that Yaten repeatedly kept information to himself. "No one asked about him anymore. So why stir up sleeping dogs? I've said multiple times that we don't need Chiba. Plus, Setsuna is onto him and will find out who his wife is for me. That's why I needed him in America. How else is she going to follow him?" Yaten explained the basics of his plan. "I also think we should inform Chiba, but let's wait until after the holidays. He can't stay in America forever. By then, we should be able to handle Serena's security on our own, as we've been doing. It'll be fine," Haruka suggested diplomatically.
Taiki relaxed a bit and took his seat again. "Good, then get your calendars out, and let's see how this fits. As long as she stays here in the apartment or in the tower, nothing should happen. Neither Father nor Kenji have been up here, and Yaten can surely add more security measures here, right?" he said, while Yaten nodded in agreement.
The five of them sat together for several hours, planning who would accompany Usagi to which events and when each of them should be reachable for her. Seiya looked at his calendar. Tomorrow morning was entirely reserved for him since Taiki had a conference, and Makoto had some matters to attend to regarding the homeless. Yaten remained vague, but his brother's gaze was clear. "Could anyone maybe switch with me tomorrow morning? I think I forgot about a meeting at the harbor," Seiya asked the group, trying to escape the situation. "No, Seiya, forget it. You already have the fewest shifts. We've been sitting here for hours. Reschedule your appointment, or I'll go in your place. The swapping is over now," Haruka grumbled irritably. They continued to have some drinks and talked about various things. It was well past midnight when the group dispersed, and Usagi still hadn't shown up.
Taiki stood in front of the bed in the bedroom, contemplating his sleeping wife with a thoughtful look. She looked so innocent yet had endured so much recently. A sigh escaped his lips before he unbuttoned his shirt, took off his pants, and also lay down. Initially, it was strange for him to share a bed with her, but by now, he had grown accustomed to her steady breathing. It even comforted him in a certain way.
The next morning, Usagi was the first to wake. The events of the previous day returned to her in a blur. To avoid waking Taiki, she quietly slipped out. She made herself some tea and pondered her thoughts, her fingers stroking the invitation for the women's event happening that evening. Then she noticed Taiki entering the living room. As often was the case when he had appointments, he was already dressed in a perfectly fitting suit. However, a hint of concern played in his eyes as he approached her.
"Good morning, how are you feeling today?" he asked, pulling the empty chair next to her slightly backward. "Much better already, still a bit tired, but it will pass. By the way, I've decided to attend the event tonight. I won't let my father and his lackeys intimidate me," Usagi said with a determined look. Taiki looked at her in surprise. "Are you really sure? We sat together for hours yesterday, making plans... Tonight was supposed to be Makoto's turn to keep an eye on you. It would make sense since the event is for women only," Taiki pondered aloud.
Usagi grasped his hand, and a new strength flared in her eyes. "Yes, I certainly won't hide. I've done that for far too long. Nothing will happen to me." Taiki looked at her for a moment and then nodded. "Alright, if you say so, but be careful. If Kenji is already sending Rubeus, I don't want to know what else he might be planning." Then he handed her a sheet with a neatly drawn table. "These are our plans from yesterday. Each day is divided into two shifts, and here you can see who is available for you in case something happens. I don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday," Taiki explained matter-of-factly, adjusting his tie in the meantime.
"I'm not some invalid who needs twenty-four-hour care!" Usagi protested vehemently, and her gaze scanned the table. Seiya this morning, her heart did a little leap, and that softened her a bit. "Serena, please. It's only temporary, and here in the apartment, you can move freely on your own, as well as when you go downstairs to Makoto. It's only when you leave the house that this applies," Taiki tried to explain his plans.
Usagi sighed, but she could understand Taiki's concern, and upon closer inspection, this plan even allowed her time with Seiya. "Okay, I agree, even though I'm not thrilled about your plan... But there's one more thing I have to tell you, I... I need a new stylist, and soon. Tellu moved out."
Taiki smiled knowingly at her. "Makoto already informed me about it. Unbelievable how audacious some people can be... It can't be easy for you. You liked her, didn't you?" Usagi nodded sadly and began stirring her tea thoughtfully. "I'll think of something. See you tonight. If anything happens, call. Otherwise, I wish you a lot of fun later." Taiki gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and then left the apartment.
Usagi tried to distract herself and decided to cook. While preparing the meal, she could momentarily push her thoughts aside. She chopped and stirred in the pot without even knowing exactly what she wanted to cook, but at least it smelled good and gave her ruminations a break. Standing in her kitchen, she felt the urge to create order. Her cleaning spree began in the kitchen and carried her into the living and dining room. Suddenly, she held her handbag in her hands, the one she had with her yesterday. Hesitantly, she opened the bag and peered inside. Amidst all her personal belongings, the paper bag with the pregnancy test sparkled at her. She paused for a moment, and her heart began to beat faster. A wave of uncertainty built up within her.
The possibility of being pregnant suddenly seemed daunting. Although being five days late for her was still within a normal range, she couldn't shake off this strange feeling. Doubts flooded her thoughts, and she internally wrestled with herself. With stirred emotions, she took the test out of her bag and examined it closely from the outside. Next, she opened the package and took out the instructions. It seemed indeed simple: pee on it, wait for three minutes, have clarity. But the nervous fluttering in her stomach intensified with each step towards the bathroom. The test pack tightly clutched, Usagi entered the bathroom. She knew she had to go through with this; she needed certainty.
Her gaze rested on the test lying before her on the sink. The silence of the room seemed to amplify her swirling thoughts. The question - What if...? - kept crossing her mind. What if she was really pregnant? The possibility of being pregnant seemed absurd and unreal, especially when considering the statistical probabilities. She had only slept with Taiki once – it should almost be a miracle, she tried to reassure herself. But suddenly, she froze as she realized there was another possibility – her adventure with Seiya.
With a loud sigh, she sank down against the wall, her knees pulled to her chest. Reality hit her with full force, and she couldn't help but sob loudly out of desperation. She cried without exactly knowing why, but the tears flowed freely. After calming down again, she struggled back up. With teary eyes, she fixed her gaze on the test and then the instructions. Her hands trembled as she looked at the small plastic stick again. Two lines. Certainty hit her like a shock. Panic and uncertainty triggered another wave of tears. What should she do now?
With trembling hands, Usagi took out her phone and dialed Seiya's number. According to the plan, he was responsible for her today, and upon closer thought, she didn't want anyone else around her at the moment. The sound of dialing seemed to echo in her turbulent inner self. Already at the first ring, she considered hanging up, but then he answered.
"Darling? Is everything okay with you?" Seiya asked, but Usagi was unable to reply. Instead, she sniffled into the receiver. "Darling, what's wrong? Are you crying?" But Usagi couldn't answer him. Her eyes were still fixed on the two lines that would change her life forever. The monotone beeping signaled that Seiya had hung up. A disturbing silence reached out to her, and her uncertainty intensified with each passing second. She sank again to the floor, and her phone fell onto the cool tiles.
Suddenly, she heard his voice again, this time from the living room. "Darling, this is not funny. Where are you? What happened?" Seiya's voice was full of concern. "I... I'm here," she sobbed, the words finding it difficult to escape her throat. Her heart pounded wildly; everything just felt so unreal.
Seiya followed the sound of her voice into the bathroom, where she sat on the floor with a tear-streaked face, looking at him with wide eyes. Quickly, he knelt beside her, pulling her tightly into his arms, soothingly stroking her back, trying to give her support. "Don't you want to tell me what happened?" he tried again as her sobs slowly lessened, but this triggered another flood of tears. Trembling, she handed him the small test stick. Seiya felt a lump in his own throat as he realized what he held in his hands. Seiya sensed a lump in his own throat as he tried to find the right words, but he didn't know how to react himself.
"Does... does Taiki know he's going to be a father?" Seiya asked, almost sadly. Usagi's bloodshot eyes sought his gaze as she shook her head. "It could also be yours," she said, distraught. "But Darling, it was just once..." Seiya said, still looking almost hypnotized at the test. "Not more than with him... only once on our wedding night and with you the next day," Usagi explained with a trembling voice, on the verge of tears again.
Seiya pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her forehead. His embrace was meant to comfort her, even though he, too, deep down, knew that this situation was anything but easy.
"How am I supposed to handle something like this? I mean, just look at me. I've barely arrived here, and now this? What if my father finds out? This can't happen. I don't even want to imagine what he's planning if he finds out," Usagi suddenly found herself caught in a rant, all her concerns pouring out at once.
Seiya increased the pressure of his embrace slightly. "Take it easy, Darling. Calm down first... We'll manage this, together." She pressed her head tightly against his shoulder and started to sob again. Gently, Seiya lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. In his eyes, there was an intense expression of love and determination. "Usagi, you are a wonderful and strong woman. You can handle anything, really anything. And you're not alone; you have a family now. I'm here for you, and we'll find a way together, I promise," he said earnestly.
"And what if Taiki is the father?" Usagi asked with a hesitant undertone. "Then I'll love it as an uncle just the same, after all, it's also half yours," Seiya replied, brushing a strand of hair from Usagi's face. His words sounded sincere, and his gaze revealed that he was ready to stand by her side.
Seiya gently carried Usagi into the living room and laid her on the sofa. With a loving smile, he promised to make fresh tea for both of them. While he was busy in the kitchen, Usagi could hear the clattering of pots and utensils. "I heard that clattering! You're probably snacking again, aren't you?" she teasingly called out to him, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Seiya looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Not me, how could you ever think that?" With a mischievous smile, he took another bite of the dish that Usagi had prepared.
Eventually, Seiya returned to the living room with two steaming tea cups and sat next to Usagi on the sofa. She nestled against him, and for a moment, they enjoyed the silence and comfort that this moment provided. "Seiya, I want us to keep this to ourselves for now. I need a few days to adjust before I tell Taiki," she said thoughtfully. Seiya looked at her seriously before nodding in agreement. "Okay."
He gently placed his hand on her stomach, as if trying to establish a silent connection to the little life that might have just begun there. The gentle pressure of his hand conveyed comfort and support. In that moment, they felt closer to each other than ever before.