Chapter 21
The next morning, there was bustling activity in the Tsukino residence. The day before the wedding was filled with hustle and excitement. The estate pulsed with activity as everyone worked to ensure that tomorrow's wedding would be perfect. House staff hurried through the halls, flower arrangements were checked, and the kitchen prepared the final culinary delights for the banquet.
Tellu was conducting a final fitting with Usagi. The opulent wedding dress they had selected the previous day seemed to fit perfectly. Tellu was satisfied with the result, but she could see the nervousness in Usagi's eyes.
"Relax, my dear. Everything will be perfect. We have everything under control," Tellu tried to reassure Usagi as she gently arranged the hem of the wedding dress. However, Usagi's gaze wandered, her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
At that moment, Makoto entered the dressing room with a letter in her hand. "Serena, here's a letter for you. It was just delivered by courier," she said, handing Usagi the envelope. Usagi examined the letter more closely. It looked like it had been opened multiple times. She wondered how many eyes had scanned its contents before hers.
As Usagi looked at the sender's name on the letter, she could hardly believe her eyes. M. Chiba. Her heart skipped a beat. Was this a joke? Or was there more to it? The invitation to lunch at a high-end Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo seemed hardly understandable to her. What did he aim to achieve with this? The wording was quite casual, but it contained the cryptic message that he needed to discuss something with her. Did he want to tell her something he didn't get a chance to say yesterday? Was it mere politeness, or was there indeed more to this invitation?
The idea of meeting with Mamoru stirred mixed feelings in Usagi. On one hand, the invitation sparked her curiosity, and she hoped to gain clarity about Mamoru's intentions. On the other hand, she couldn't shake off the skepticism that his name evoked in her.
Usagi stood undecided for a moment, her gaze fixed on the letter. Her father would probably vehemently reject the invitation, but ultimately her inner curiosity prevailed. If Mamoru really needed to discuss something with her, she wanted to know what it was about. Resolutely, she tucked the letter into her handbag and turned to Makoto. "Mamoru Chiba has invited me to lunch. He wants to discuss something with me."
Makoto's expression darkened, and a shadow of concern appeared in her eyes. "Serena, I don't think this is a good idea. Besides, we still have a lot of preparations to do before the wedding, and your father is out. So, we can't ask him for permission."
For Usagi, the situation seemed perfect. Without her father's presence, he couldn't directly forbid her plan. "Makoto, I think I should go. I need to know what he has to say. And I'll feel safer if you accompany me."
"Serena, I have to agree with Makoto. I also think it's not a good idea... I mean, Chiba is an authority figure, and you're engaged. It's not appropriate for you to meet with other men, especially so close to your wedding," Tellu chimed in.
"I don't plan on disappearing with him into a hotel room. I just want to know what he has to say. We briefly talked yesterday... at the reception. I already felt that he wanted to tell me something, but we were interrupted. So, Makoto, will you accompany me, or do I have to go alone?"
Makoto hesitated for a moment, her forehead furrowed deeply. She could see the determination in Usagi's eyes and knew that it was futile to dissuade her from this plan. "Okay, but I won't let you out of my sight." Usagi smiled in relief. "Thank you, Makoto. I wouldn't have expected anything else."
When they entered the restaurant, Usagi was led to a table. However, Makoto positioned herself at a distance in a quiet corner where she could observe everything. Mamoru was already seated at the table. When he saw Usagi, he stood up and extended his hand to her with a friendly smile. "Serena, I'm glad you came. May I call you Serena?"
Usagi politely returned the smile while Makoto observed him skeptically from a distance. "Yes, of course. But what brings about the pleasure of this invitation?" she asked as she took her seat. Mamoru also sat down and took a sip of his water.
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other a bit better before you tie the knot. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Taiki; I value him as a business partner. But I want to ensure that you'll be happy in this marriage... I owe that to your sister," Mamoru said. His gaze often shifted to Makoto, who discreetly watched from her corner. He didn't seem bothered by her presence, and Usagi sensed that he was aware she hadn't come alone.
The waitress arrived to take their orders. Mamoru opted for a fine red wine and Menu 3, while Usagi chose a refreshing iced tea and Menu 2. After the orders were placed, and the waitress left the table, Mamoru refocused his attention on Usagi.
"What do you mean by that? You owe it to my sister? I don't quite follow," she asked him directly.
A mixture of seriousness and concern reflected in Mamoru's eyes as he addressed her question. "Minako..." he began after a moment of silence. "She wanted out of this life. She didn't want to be married against her will, so she asked me for help. She wanted to start anew somewhere far from here. But her plan had so many flaws that I rejected it... Shortly after that, the accident happened," he paused again, searching for the right words. "I don't want to make the same mistake this time... Do you understand me?"
Usagi needed a moment to process Mamoru's words. The revelation about Minako's desperate situation and Mamoru's hesitant willingness to help left a deep impression on her. What she was hearing now was entirely new to her. Yes, Mimete had casually mentioned once that Minako was friends with Mamoru, but the desire to run away was something she heard for the first time. Neither the Kou family nor her father had ever hinted at anything in that direction.
Silently, she took a sip of her iced tea, which had found its way to the table a few moments ago. "Do you not believe it was an accident?" she asked, raising her gaze.
Mamoru's response carried a heavy burden of guilt. "There are so many opinions on this... If you ask your future brother-in-law, he'll tell you I drove her to her death. He'll provide jealousy or a lust for power as motives. If you ask your father, who sticks to the official version, it was an accident... My opinion, however, is that it was her only way out, to end her life on her terms, to escape everything... As you can see, there are many theories, but none can be proven."
A knot formed in Usagi's stomach as she contemplated what had been said. The idea that Minako was in such despair that death seemed the only escape struck a deep chord of pain within her. Her own worries about Chibiusa and Shingo mingled with the dark shadow of Minako's tragic fate.
She could understand how Minako must have felt, but she couldn't afford to be weak. Kenji still had Chibiusa and Shingo. Usagi forced herself to resist the rising tears and the burgeoning despair. She couldn't allow her emotions to take over.
"Serena, do you love Taiki?" Mamoru's serious voice broke the moment. "Do you genuinely want to marry him willingly?"
Usagi swallowed the lump in her throat. She forced herself to choose her words carefully as she held Mamoru's gaze. "Love is a big word, and after such a short time, I don't think we can speak of something like that... but I feel connected to him. I can't go back to my old life, and I believe Taiki will be a good partner for me. So yes, this wedding is happening willingly," she clarified her stance.
The silence that followed her words was almost palpable. Mamoru's forehead furrowed, and his lips curled. Usagi sensed that her response didn't elicit the reaction he expected. His gaze became more intense, as if he wanted to read more into her words. "Should you ever need my help nonetheless, let me know, Serena," Mamoru finally said.
Usagi nodded. The remaining time during the meal was mostly spent in silence with occasional small talk. Just before they finished, Makoto approached the table and leaned in towards Usagi's ear. "Serena, we need to go back. Your father just arrived. Tellu just sent me a message," she whispered. Usagi's eyes widened in shock, and she nodded.
"Mamoru, it was really nice. But I have to go now. I forgot about an important appointment. Thank you for your openness and the delicious meal. Maybe we can do this again sometime," she hurriedly said her goodbyes.
"Very gladly, Serena... and if anything should happen, please let me know," he said with a hint of seriousness. Usagi nodded, unsure about what exactly he meant but still grateful for the unexpected offer. The words lingered as Usagi and Makoto hastened to leave the restaurant, closing the door behind them, temporarily separating them from Mamoru Chiba.
Just before the two reached the car, something caught Usagi's attention in her peripheral vision. Those dark green, almost blackish shimmering hair were unmistakably Hana's. A brief pang shot through her chest, and her searching gaze scanned the surroundings. The faint hope of seeing Seiya by Hana's side filled her thoughts. However, to her dismay, Hana seemed to be alone. A final glance over her shoulder confirmed her initial impression as she saw Hana entering the restaurant alone, the one they had just left.
On the way home in the car, there was a tense silence between Usagi and Makoto. Mamoru's invitation, the things he had told her, and the questions he had asked lingered in their minds. The meeting had clearly gone differently than expected.
As they reached the Tsukino Villa's driveway, the tension escalated. Usagi swallowed hard as she stepped out of the car. The sight of her furious father at the entrance heightened her unease. Kenji stomped into the reception hall, arms crossed over his chest, and his gaze seemed to spew fire. "Serena, where the hell have you been all this time? We still have so much to prepare, and you think it's okay to just disappear?... I only hope for your sake that you didn't follow Chiba's invitation!"
Usagi dared not look him in the eyes. The memory of the slap still burned on her cheek. "I... I had an appointment. Makoto was kind enough to accompany me," she stammered. Kenji took a step closer, and Usagi felt her stomach tighten. She already expected another reprimand or something worse, as his jugular vein practically leaped at her and pulsated threateningly.
Suddenly, Makoto positioned herself protectively in front of Usagi. "Kenji, Serena had an appointment. It was important. And she's here now, nothing happened," Makoto explained calmly but determinedly. Kenji eyed the two skeptically, but evidently, he calmed down a bit. "And what kind of appointment was that?"
Usagi feverishly considered what to answer, but Makoto beat her to it. "A doctor's appointment, she's been suffering from migraines for a few days." Kenji scowled grumpily, but he seemed to believe Makoto. "Fine, if she's feeling better now, you can go upstairs to Tellu and Mimete. They surely have something left for you to do."
As soon as Kenji was out of sight, Usagi hugged Makoto. "Thank you, I don't know what I would have done without you. Really, thank you so much."
"That's my job. I get paid to ensure your safety, no matter where the threat comes from," she said somewhat distantly, but in her eyes, Usagi saw that she had indeed accepted her gratitude.
Meanwhile, in the Kou Tower,
Haruka and Seiya sat in front of the large flat screen, reflecting the colorful lights of a racing game. The two friends were engrossed in their digital duel, fingers nimble over the controllers. In the midst of the virtual race, Yaten joined them, casually sinking onto the comfortable couch next to his brother and observing the scene for a moment.
Suddenly, Yaten burst into laughter. "Seiya, this is never going to work. Ruka is about to lap you." "Oh, shut up! You have no idea; I can still see her. Nothing is lost yet," Seiya retorted. Then, Haruka joyfully raised his arms. "Won again. How many times is that today?" A scowling look from Seiya was directed at Haruka. "I already told you earlier that the controller is defective. With that thing, you would have lost too." "Keep dreaming. You just drive badly!" countered Haruka.
Into this dispute, Yaten, who had been casually observing the scene, intervened. "Do you two have nothing better to do than measure yourselves against each other all day and then argue about who's better? Seiya, why couldn't you play against Setsuna yesterday as Chiba? That would interest me much more than this." Yaten gestured towards the TV.
"Because he didn't take the bait at all, neither on the rumors that she's wealthy and looking for a husband, nor on my flirting with her. Even when I gave her the field and she sat right next to him, he almost completely ignored her. Probably, she's just not his type. I told you your plan has too many gaps," Seiya said annoyed.
Yaten raised an eyebrow and retorted, "We'll see about that. He's currently somewhere eating... I could trace his car. Setsuna will coincidentally show up there... maybe we'll have more success this time."
Haruka looked puzzled from Yaten to Seiya and back. She couldn't quite follow the two. Communication between Haruka and Seiya went silently. A slight head shake from Seiya was met with an almost imperceptible nod from Haruka. They understood each other blindly. Seiya would explain everything to her in Yaten's absence.
"And if you really get caught up in something? Think about how much Setsuna will demand," Seiya expressed his concerns. "Has my intuition ever deceived me? Trust me, Chiba is hiding something from us, and I will find out what it is," Yaten defended his actions.
Tension between the brothers increased, and Haruka reacted quickly. She distributed cold beers, tossed a controller to Yaten, and warned, "No fights before the wedding tomorrow. If one of you shows up with a black eye, I have no heightened interest in explaining it to your father or Taiki. Sort it out on the racetrack, at least that way you won't get hurt."
Yaten chuckled at Haruka's statement, took a sip of beer, and selected a vehicle without comment. Seiya tried his luck, "Can I at least have a new controller? This thing is garbage." "No," echoed Haruka's and Yaten's voices in unison, followed by shared laughter. Haruka added, "But we could invite Taiki, at least that way you won't be the last." "Haha... say that again when you've lost. But inviting Taiki sounds good anyway... he shouldn't be alone on his last night as a bachelor. I'll text him right away," said Seiya, pulling out his phone.