Chapter 66

With screeching tires, Yaten pulled up at the terminal, abruptly turned his steering wheel, and parked with flair right next to Haruka's car. The attention of the others was instantly guaranteed. He scratched his head nervously as he approached the waiting group.

"Are you serious? First, you're half an hour late, and then you show up with a sports car? Aren't there enough cars in the parking garage? Where are we going to sit, and where will we put the luggage? There's no room in there," Seiya greeted his brother impatiently.

Damn it, the youngest hadn't thought about this. He not only had to accommodate two people, which was already tight in this car, but also their luggage. It bordered on the impossible. His gaze shifted to the car next to him. Haruka made a much better choice with her spacious SUV, offering significantly more space. But even there, it could be tight to fit all four suitcases plus carry-ons. At least one suitcase had to be accommodated next to Yaten, he calculated in his mind.

"Uh... something came up... Just be glad I managed to pick you up at all," Yaten grumbled back and wanted to end the conversation immediately. He needed to analyze everything for himself first before informing his brothers, but they had already become suspicious.

"So, what was so important?" Taiki inquired, crossing his arms over his chest. He stared at the silver-haired man, waiting for an explanation.

Yaten knew he couldn't make any impulsive moves now, but his brothers, and even Haruka, knew him well enough to expose a lie immediately. Quickly grabbing one of the suitcases, he rolled it in the direction of his car.

"I was at the Chibas. I had to check something important there... but that's not a street topic," he nonchalantly declared, tossing the suitcase onto the narrow back seat. "So, I think Serena or Amy could find a place in the back next to the suitcase. It's definitely too cramped for you guys back there. We can discuss everything else at home. It might take a while to tell you everything that happened here while you were getting baked in the sun," he added, leaning casually on the open driver's door.

He felt the piercing gazes of Seiya and Taiki on him, and even Haruka didn't know everything yet. Only Amy and Usagi seemed uninterested in this conversation, as both were barely able to keep their eyes open while standing.

"Well, I also think we should discuss this at home... after we've had a decent night's sleep," Usagi yawned and squeezed past Yaten to take a seat next to the suitcase.

Taiki and Seiya communicated silently through their looks, and Taiki then took a seat on Yaten's passenger side, while Seiya, along with Amy, joined Haruka in her car. Yet, even in this seemingly calm moment, they felt an uneasy tension.

An conspicuous person with a camera had been following them since the baggage claim, always at a certain distance. The unknown figure was skilled enough not to immediately attract their attention, but they had noticed him a while ago. To be on the safe side, Taiki and Seiya had already paid attention in the airport hall to behave accordingly with their official partners. Because no one could rule out who was behind the camera. It was only certain that it wasn't one of their own people. With a bit of luck, it was just a harmless paparazzo excited that they crossed his lens. However, the possibility that it was someone from Kenji's people was just as real, and they didn't want to take any risks. Every movement, every look, every gesture had to convince.

Mamoru leaned against the wall in the living room, his gaze resting on his wife, who sat motionless in front of the warming fireplace, lost in thought. Despite the heavy silence between them, she effortlessly withstood his scrutinizing look when she looked up at him.

"He knows," Mamoru said, breaking the oppressive silence that lingered between them.

"Knows what exactly?" Minako asked sharply. The speculations and uncertainties were plaguing her, and she wanted certainty. Yaten hadn't come here without reason, and the knowledge that he had inquired about her intensified her uncertainty. The words had to come from Mamoru's mouth; she didn't want to speculate any longer. For a while, she even considered confronting Yaten, but it would have taken too long to put on her special disguise. She couldn't and didn't want to face the Silver Blonde as herself. Rei had finally resolved her inner conflict and went to check on the men.

Mamoru still appeared tense and internally restless. "I can't say exactly, but definitely that you're alive. I don't think he has solid evidence, or he would have thrown it in my face. But you know him. He won't leave us alone anytime soon. That's not only my feeling but also my experience," he explained.

The corners of Minako's mouth twitched slightly. "Oh, yes. He's like a predator that caught the scent. But I insist, Minako is dead and will remain so. The makeup artists in America did an excellent job. Or have you forgotten that even you didn't recognize me at the beginning? And I'm sure he won't immediately see through me either," she said with a confident tone.

Mamoru shook his head slightly. "No, but still, I believe it was the wrong decision to come back to Tokyo. You could have just stayed there and enjoyed an carefree life. It will be hectic and exhausting soon enough. Wouldn't it be much easier there than starting this game of hide and seek here now?"

Minako's gaze remained empty in the flames. "Things were different back then, and my father has finally crossed the line. We will put an end to all of this. Or have you changed your mind in the meantime? You can still back out. No one is forcing you to continue this game," she spoke softly but with a determination that was unmistakable.

"No, I will not leave you alone. But don't you think you're taking on too much?" Mamoru sighed and ran his hand through his hair, a mixture of concern and fear reflected in his features. "Mina, I really mean it. Consider your condition. If something goes wrong, it can have dire consequences," he warned her earnestly.

"I know, but nothing will go wrong. Trust me, I've had more than enough time to plan for all eventualities, and even a backup plan for each. We can't change that my sister married Taiki, but as long as she's not pregnant yet, we have all the time in the world to prepare the next steps calmly. To ensure she doesn't rush into things, Rei and I will talk to her the day after tomorrow. According to your sister's initial assessment, we shouldn't encounter much resistance from her. She seems to be quite amiable," Minako explained calmly.

Mamoru still didn't seem particularly thrilled. "Will you tell her who you are?" he asked dryly.

Minako thoughtfully pursed her lips. Of course, she had thought about it for a long time. How often had she wished for a sister with whom she could talk about everything? Yet she had to realize that, for now, it was better to avoid the subject.

"No. I need to know first how things stand, how she gets along with the Kous, whom she already trusts, and gather some background information. Imagine the unlikely scenario that she has actually befriended Yaten. Then the whole masquerade would be entirely in vain, and I would be in serious explaining trouble. I can't risk that," she said.

A sarcastic grin appeared on Mamoru's face. "Well, who knows, if it's in the genes, she might actually find the little brat likable..." Before he could finish his taunt, Minako threw a couch pillow at her husband, silencing him. "I warn you, Chiba, don't say anything wrong," she hissed at him.

Completely unfazed, he looked at the pillow on the floor, which had missed him by a long shot. Then he couldn't suppress a short laugh and bent down to pick up the pillow. "You still can't aim. So I don't need to worry in that regard. And besides, you're now a Chiba too. Don't forget that. The red suits you excellently."

Minako gracefully stood up and took a few determined steps toward him. Then she grabbed him by the tie and pulled him slightly towards her. "How could I forget, my dearest?" she said with an ironic undertone in her voice. Mamoru skillfully freed himself from her grip and gave her a slightly reproachful look. "Stop that, Minako. But speaking of your sister, do we know by now who Serena's mother is? You've been working on that for months," he tried to change the subject.

Minako rolled her eyes in annoyance. "No, absolutely nothing. It's as if she just suddenly appeared, and I honestly have no idea where my father suddenly got her from. There were never any indications that I could have a sister. Mother never mentioned anything in that direction. There were no alimony payments to anyone, and no other expenses I couldn't explain. You wouldn't believe how many times I've gone through my copies. Most of the bribes or hush money he encrypted in the ledger with a code, but I know it. I can decipher it in my sleep now. Father isn't very imaginative when it comes to that. I don't even want to start on Rubeus. At least until a few months ago, there was no Serena Tsukino. The question of her origin remains an unsolved mystery, driving me almost insane."

He gave her a skeptical look, but before he could respond, his phone suddenly rang. He took it out of his pocket and glanced at the display. Taiki Kou. He showed Minako the phone and sighed. "It seems the Kous have a keen interest in us today. You better start gathering your things. I have a feeling it won't be long until you need them," he said shortly and answered the call.

"Kou, what can I do for you?... Aha... Just the two of us?... When?... Where?... In a brothel? What does your wife say about you hanging around such establishments? Don't you have decent offices anymore?... Alright, I'll be there... see you later."

With a gesture, he pushed Minako back a bit. During the call, she had come closer to understand what Taiki wanted from him and was now almost glued to Mamoru's ear.

"Why are you meeting Taiki in a brothel of all places? Have you done something like this before? I really wouldn't have expected that from you," she inquired with interest, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Yes, of course, we all regularly go there because otherwise we have no hobbies," he replied with a touch of irony, shaking his head slightly. "No, of course not. I have no idea why he specifically wants to hold a meeting there, but he said I shouldn't question it any further."

"And when is the meeting supposed to take place?" Minako asked, sitting down again and crossing her legs.

"In three hours. He apparently arrived in Tokyo only a few hours ago, but it seems to be urgent," Mamoru replied, pondering Taiki's motives.

Taiki hung up and took a sip of his coffee. "He's coming," he informed the others, who were eagerly looking at him.

"I don't know what to make of this. I still don't trust Chiba an inch, especially after I was with him earlier. I know for a fact that he's hiding Minako from me, and he has a lot more secrets he's keeping from us. Chiba remains an arrogant jerk, a typical loner. Besides his sister, he has no one," grumbled Yaten, taking an irritated bite of his pizza.

"Even if you're right about many things, consider that this time he has Minako by his side. So he's far from alone," Seiya retorted, slightly provocatively, earning himself a reproachful look from his younger brother.

"I won't discuss this further with you, Yaten. That we need the Chibas on our side is beyond question. I'm pretty sure we have some good arguments that will convince Mamoru," Taiki added decisively.

"But I really think it would be good if I accompany you. After all, we want to build trust with him, and if I've thought this through correctly, he's my cousin, and his wife is my sister," Usagi chimed in, joining the conversation. After a short nap and a good meal, her energy reserves were replenished.

However, instead of the expected approval, she was met with a round of shocked faces.

"Sweetheart, that's out of the question. First, the doctor said you need rest. Second, as Yaten already mentioned, Chiba is capable of anything, and besides, Tai told him he's coming alone," Seiya interjected, hoping for understanding from his beloved. But she had no intention of giving in.

"Seiya, I'm not a little child anymore. Besides, Taiki would be with me, and if we meet at the Black Moon, Ruka is surely within reach. No one gets out of Chirus' shop without her noticing. Just think about how many cameras she has in the hallways," she tried once again to persuade him.

Then her pleading gaze shifted to Taiki, but the furrow on his forehead indicated that he wasn't particularly thrilled with her plan either.

"I have a compromise proposal. How about you wait with Seiya and Ruka in Chirus' apartment? I'll start the conversation with him alone, but if it seems appropriate, I'll bring you in. Of course, I need to tread cautiously and see which way the conversation is heading and how much he already knows," Taiki suggested to both of them.

Seiya's forehead remained furrowed as he skeptically regarded Usagi. His distrust towards Mamoru Chiba and the entire situation was evident, and he hesitated to accept Taiki's proposal. His instinct as a protector outweighed his rational considerations.

"Seiya, I understand your concern, but we also have to consider that Serena can defend her own standpoint... and perhaps even better than we ever could... besides, it's not yet confirmed that I will indeed bring her in," Taiki explained further.

After a deep sigh and a skeptical look at Usagi, Seiya finally relented. "Fine, but I won't leave your side."