Chapter 20
Usagi had been standing in Tellu's dressing room for several hours, diligently trying on wedding dresses. The pressure was heavy in the air as a final decision had to be made today. Tellu was a perfectionist, and the idea of a wedding without a breathtaking bridal gown was simply unthinkable for her.
Despite their efforts, they had managed to narrow down the selection to four potential dresses. However, Usagi longed for an end to this endless process. Tellu, on the other hand, saw things differently and now began to combine each dress with various accessories. The story seemed to be dragging on, and Usagi was gradually losing interest in the procedure. Makoto sat exhausted in a chair, and her motivation had visibly declined as well. The only ones still discussing details were Mimete and Tellu.
Usagi stepped out of the dressing room once again, stepped onto the small podium, and began to turn slowly. When she noticed the radiant smile on Tellu's face, she felt a glimmer of hope and returned the smile. The chosen wedding dress radiated in pure white, like freshly fallen snow. The fabric was fine and delicately shimmering. The intricately crafted top emphasized Usagi's petite figure. The dress's skirt consisted of several layers of soft tulle that laid lightly and airy over the floor. A playful gathering on the dress's side added a charming accent, and white flowers seemed to bloom artfully from the fabric. The long train of the wedding dress completed the majestic picture, extending gracefully several meters over the floor.
"I think we've got it," Mimete's euphoric voice sounded. However, a furrow formed on Tellu's forehead, a look Usagi knew well. She was not satisfied yet. "Not quite, Serena. I'd like to try the dress with a hoop skirt. I think it will fall more beautifully that way. But yes, overall, I also think it would be very fitting. What do you think, Serena? Do you like it?"
Usagi turned one last time in front of the mirror and admired herself in the dreamy white dress. "Yes, it's really beautiful," she whispered, trying to conceal her exhaustion.
"Alright, then hop hop. Put on the hoop skirt so I can pin everything. Then we can start working on your outfit for tonight," Tellu announced energetically. Internally, Usagi sighed, but she complied with her stylist's will. As soon as Usagi put on the hoop skirt, Tellu hurried after her to skillfully pin the necessary adjustments. Afterwards, Mimete helped Usagi out of the magnificent dress. "We just need a short moment here, take a little break."
Exhausted, Usagi sat down next to Makoto. "Are you also coming with us later?" she asked the brunette. "No," Makoto replied calmly, "your fiancé insisted on picking you up and bringing you back. So far, it's worked out well. Your father has agreed to it too." A small stone fell from Usagi's heart because at least this way, she would have the chance to talk to Seiya.
Their break was considerably shorter than expected, as Tellu was soon swirling around her again. A light blue dress hung over her arm. "It's just a small winter reception, nothing big, so I thought something simple would be appropriate. How do you like it?" Since Usagi's interest in another fashion show was very low, she simply nodded in agreement. Hours passed until she was finally ready. The process was exhausting, but the result made Usagi radiate in the light blue dress, and Tellu seemed satisfied too.
Taiki stood in the reception hall, engaged in lively conversation with Kenji, when suddenly the soft sound of Usagi's footsteps permeated the atmosphere. The two fell silent abruptly and turned to her. "If I'm interrupting, I can go back upstairs," she said with a hint of uncertainty. "No, no, you're not interrupting. You look, as always, enchanting. Shall we leave then?" Taiki replied, planting a little kiss on her cheek. "If that's okay with Father," Usagi answered, with an underlying tone as she pronounced the word "Father." "Of course, after all, you two will be married in a few days. Taiki will keep an eye on you," Kenji added. Usagi could hardly get away from Kenji fast enough. Since the slap he had given her, she exchanged only the necessary words with him. Mentally, she counted down the moments until she could finally leave this house.
The two entered the festively decorated hall, which already bore a subtle touch of Christmas decoration. "Relax, it's just a reception, nothing momentous," Taiki whispered in her ear, feeling how tense she was clinging to his arm. Even after a month in this world, she was still overwhelmed by this splendor.
Taiki led her to some of his business partners and introduced her, but Usagi was hardly interested in the conversations. Mimete had drilled into her the importance of appearing attentive. She kept scanning the room, but Seiya was nowhere to be found. Instead, her gaze froze as she spotted someone else at the bar – Mamoru Chiba. His eyes rested intensely on her, and it was difficult for her to withstand this icy stare. A sense of unease crept over Usagi, and the urge to simply run away, back to her world, grew stronger. Together with Chibiusa and Shingo, far away from everything related to this part of her family.
"Serena?" Taiki's voice reached her, bringing her back to her senses. "Uh... yes?" "I asked if you'd like to dance. It would be another good opportunity to practice together. After all, it will be serious for us the day after tomorrow." "Oh, yes, of course, gladly," Usagi replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, as her gaze lingered on Mamoru for a while.
The intensive training of the past ten days with Mimete paid off. Usagi might not be an outstanding dancer, but at least she now mastered the basic steps and knew how to move elegantly. Taiki was highly pleased with this clear progress. "This is already much better than last time. You're making good progress," he praised appreciatively.
They danced through several songs, and the longer they were on the dance floor, the better Usagi could follow Taiki's lead. When the last song ended, her heart almost stopped. Her gaze went to the entrance, and her eyes widened as she spotted Seiya, entering the room with a young green-haired woman. They seemed familiar with each other, she was hooked on his arm, smiling shyly. Their closeness and the way they interacted threw Usagi off balance. A brief, painful pang pierced her heart as she watched the two. An uncomfortable feeling intensified inside her as Seiya's eyes met hers.
Usagi couldn't hide the shock in her eyes, and a sudden discomfort seized her. "Oh, excuse me, Taiki," Usagi stammered, trying to maintain her composure. "I... I need some fresh air urgently... I'll be back soon."
She didn't wait for Taiki's reaction but rushed out onto the large terrace. The icy wind hit her face as she took a deep breath to calm her turbulent emotions. The sight of Seiya and the mysterious green-haired woman had suddenly triggered something in her; she couldn't stay inside. Just last night, he had brought her to his bedroom, and today he showed up with someone else. How could he?
"You don't seem very happy, if I may say so. But I'm very pleased that we finally get to know each other," she heard a rough voice, infused with the bitter taste of irony.
Even without turning around, Usagi already guessed who was standing behind her. She sorted her feelings once again and then turned around with her widest grin, just as she had practiced with Mimete. "Mr. Chiba, if I'm correctly informed. I'm delighted too. I've heard quite a bit about you."
Mamoru grinned crookedly at her. "Not just good things, I assume. I wanted to apologize to you for the performance at your engagement... But your father has always been very... let's say, success-oriented... and I guess I had no other choice."
In the moment he leaned against the pillar, Mamoru seemed different than before. The chill in his eyes had almost disappeared, and Usagi actually believed that he meant this apology. Her grin softened a bit; he even managed to draw a real laugh from her.
"Apology accepted... Oh, yes, that my father... is special, I've already figured out in this short time."
Mamoru came a bit closer and looked at her with a peculiar expression. "Surprising, I didn't believe it when the others said you look like them. But you've probably heard that quite a few times already." Of course, Usagi instantly knew he was referring to her sister. "Yes, I've heard that from many. Kenji has a picture of her in his office. We really do look alike. She seemed to be a nice person, at least from what is said about her."
Mamoru lifted his gaze to the sky and looked at the stars. "Yes, she was. The sweetest person of all in this messed up world of money and power. I guess you don't know what kind of world you've gotten yourself into... You'd be much better off if you hadn't shown up... Or... oh well, forget it." He gripped the iron railing and stared into the darkness.
A feeling of unease overwhelmed Usagi as she sensed the gravity in Mamoru's words, and a shiver ran down her spine. Not because of the cold wind, but due to the warning in his words. She had long understood that this world was much more complicated and dangerous than it appeared on the surface. She had felt it herself after her nightly excursion with Seiya.
"Well, I'll go back inside. It's pretty chilly out here. But if you ever want to talk, feel free to reach out. Don't believe everything you hear about me."
"Chiba, what are you doing here?" suddenly cut through Seiya's voice in the night. Usagi turned around, and again, her emotions were thrown into turmoil by his mere presence. Mamoru casually headed towards the door. "I was just having a nice chat with your sister-in-law. Or is that forbidden?" There was a haughty undertone in his voice, and the cold expression in his eyes had returned.
Seiya sought Usagi's gaze and gritted his teeth, while Mamoru walked past him. In the next moment, Seiya had taken off his jacket and draped it over Usagi's shoulders. "Sweetheart, I've been looking everywhere for you inside. Why are you out here? It's freezing."
Usagi felt the warmth of Seiya's jacket and a hint of concern in his tone. Her gaze shifted to Mamoru, who silently moved away. Then Usagi directed her attention to Seiya. With her big eyes, she looked up at him. "Who... Who is the woman you're with?" Seiya stroked her shoulder. "It's a complicated story... I'll tell you calmly... Regardless of the rumors that might circulate soon, don't believe any of them. My heart belongs only to you, got it? But there's something more important we need to talk about. In the right pocket, there are photos, pictures of children. Take the jacket to the bathroom and look at them calmly. If your siblings are in the pictures, put them in the left pocket and bring me back the jacket. If your siblings are in there, Yaten has a lead. We'll find them, I promised you." Completely overwhelmed, Usagi's hand slipped into the right pocket, and indeed, she felt the pictures that Seiya had just mentioned.
Numbly, she nodded, and in the next moment, she felt his hand between her shoulder blades. With gentle pressure, he guided her back inside, where a comforting warmth enveloped her. Usagi headed straight to the women's restroom, the pictures firmly clutched in her hand. In one of the stalls, she locked herself in, her hands trembling as she pulled out the photos. She was very nervous as she began to look through them. Children in various poses and settings, most of them unknown, until she paused at the penultimate picture. Her heart skipped a beat. Bubblegum pink hair, a little button nose, and a cheeky grin—she would recognize her anywhere. That was her little angel, her sister Chibiusa.
A mixture of joy and concern flowed through Usagi. Her heart pounded as she gazed at the picture for a while. Tears welled up in her eyes as she carefully placed the other pictures back into the jacket. The moment was too intense, too overwhelming. She sank onto the closed toilet seat and observed her sister in the photo. She was doing well. That was all that mattered. She was dressed decently and smiling. In the next moment, Usagi frantically pulled out the other pictures and scrutinized them. No sign of Shingo. Her eyes searched the stall, hoping that a picture had accidentally fallen and Shingo would be on it. In vain. Her little brother was not in any of the pictures.
A renewed outpour of emotions overwhelmed her. The desperation and worry for Shingo once again took center stage. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she tried to calm herself. She clung to the hope that Shingo was safe, even if the evidence in the pictures was lacking. At least Chibiusa was doing well. But why was he nowhere to be seen? Were the two suddenly separated as well? Questions raced through her mind like a carousel. After some time, she pulled herself together, fixed her makeup quickly, and placed Chibiusa's picture in the left pocket. With a deep breath, she stood up and left the restroom. Her gaze was determined as she made her way back to Seiya. If Yaten had found Chibiusa, he would undoubtedly find Shingo soon, she reassured herself.
Seiya was at the bar with the green-haired woman, and they seemed to be flirting. Everything in Usagi tightened as she approached. She wordlessly handed the jacket to Seiya. He noticed her reddened eyes, but before he could say anything, Taiki stood next to her.
"Serena, there you are. I've been looking for you. I'd like to introduce you to some people," Taiki began, already leading her in the opposite direction. She glanced over her shoulder, and Seiya was still watching her.
"Um... Taiki? Who is the woman with your brother?" she asked her fiancé, feeling unsure. "If rumors are to be believed, her name is Hana. I've forgotten her last name at the moment. She's supposedly from a very wealthy family in Osaka and is currently looking for a husband... That's all I can tell you." Usagi swallowed. "And you think Seiya wants to marry her?" Taiki chuckled briefly. "Seiya? Get married? Highly unlikely... He's probably just out for some fun... But let him be, he's old enough... Eventually, he'll find the right one and settle down... Or rather, Father will find one for him... that would be much more likely."
Usagi felt everything spinning. Taiki stopped and looked at her. "Is everything okay, Serena? You've suddenly gone so pale. Should I take you home?" "No, no, I'm fine... You don't need to worry about me." "Come to think of it, I've already introduced you to the important people. Besides, tomorrow and the day after will be very stressful for us. I actually think it would be good for both of us to say our goodbyes here." The events of the evening had emotionally drained her, and a pressing need for peace settled in. "Yes, that sounds good. Let's go," she said softly, and Taiki protectively put his arm around her shoulders.
As they left the festively decorated hall, she glanced at Seiya one more time. He was still at the bar with Hana, engaged in conversation.