Chapter 3

Chibiusa and Shingo could hardly believe their luck when Usagi came home last night. She brought new blankets and even warm food. This morning, they enjoyed the leftovers from the night before, and Usagi headed back to the street. There wasn't much money left from the man who had given her some, but at least she had spent it wisely. Once again, she took her place, knelt behind her cup, and waited for someone to spare something for her. But today was different from the others; she felt relieved of a heavy burden. Chibiusa had a new sweater, and the blankets were a major concern that no longer bothered her.

It was still early, and Tokyo's streets were gradually filling up with people on their way to work. Usagi remained patient, with her head lowered, as she always did, then suddenly someone stood directly in front of her. She recognized those shoes. They had etched into her memory. Usagi timidly lifted her gaze and looked into the face she had expected. She swallowed hard and didn't know what to say.

He casually pushed his sunglasses down a bit and gave her a teasing smile. "Well, sweetheart, spent it all already?" he asked playfully, and Usagi froze. She dared not answer him and just nodded silently, lowering her gaze again. She had a little bit of leftover money; it would be enough for some bread, which could feed her siblings for a few more days. But she felt embarrassed, especially now running into him again.

"Well, come on. Let's go get some coffee," he suddenly said, extending his hand to Usagi. She hesitated before taking it. He helped her up, and when she stood in front of him, their eyes met, and he grinned even wider. "By the way, I'm Seiya."

Usagi gasped. Was this really happening right now? "Usagi," she mumbled shyly. He really wanted to have coffee with her. With her? Looking the way she did?

"Usagi, a beautiful name, but I prefer calling you sweetheart. So, where do you want to go? Any preferences?"

"Um..." Usagi began, glancing down at herself. "Are you sure you really want to go somewhere with me? I mean, just look at me." She knew exactly how others looked at her. Even at the bakery, she had to place her money on the counter before placing an order.

"Okay, so you want to go shopping first. Fine by me. Let's dress you up first."

Usagi's features slipped away. "No... no... that's not what I meant," she stammered, realizing in the same moment that tears welled up in her eyes. Why was this man so kind to her? He didn't even know her.

Seeing Usagi's tears, Seiya's smile faded. He gently pulled her closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's all right," he said softly and comfortingly. "I just want to spend some time with you to get to know you better. I don't care how you look or what you're wearing."

Usagi quickly wiped away her tears and smiled shyly.

"Then come on. Let's have some coffee," he tried again, leading her to a nearby café. As they settled at a table, and the waitress approached, Seiya ordered two coffees and then turned his attention back to Usagi. "Tell me a bit about yourself, sweetheart. I want to know more about you."

Usagi hesitated for a moment. She had never talked to a complete stranger about her story. Of course, she occasionally shared bits of it with other street kids when they sat around the fire in the evenings, but most of it remained her secret. In her life, there were only Shingo and Chibiusa, but for some reason, she felt she could trust this man. So, she began cautiously sharing details about herself and her circumstances. She carefully observed Seiya's expressions, but they remained calm and understanding. He just listened attentively, and Usagi gradually poured her heart out. She told him how her father left the family, how her mother fell ill shortly afterward, how she had taken care of her until the end, and how she subsequently fled to the streets with her siblings. She spoke of their daily struggle against hunger and cold, and finally, she ended by telling him what she had already spent his money on.

Seiya listened attentively as she shared her story. His face remained calm and empathetic, and he didn't interrupt her. Initially, he couldn't fathom what she had been through, and he was shocked by the conditions she described.

"Is there any way I can help?" he asked calmly.

Usagi was touched by Seiya's kindness, but when he offered to help her again, she hesitated. She knew she couldn't ask him for more after he had already given her so much.

"No, Seiya, really, you've done more than enough for us. I can't burden you any further," she replied with a warm smile.

"I mean it. If you need anything, please tell me."

Usagi pondered for a moment, a fleeting thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. She couldn't ask him for more. He had already given her so much; she would feel despicable asking for anything else.

Their conversation was interrupted by Seiya's ringing phone.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said, taking the call. "Yes, Yaten?... I can't right now... I'm on my way... How serious is it?... Yeah, alright, I'm coming. Give me half an hour... No, can't make it any faster, but I'll take care of it... Yeah, I have everything under control. See you."

Seiya pulled out his wallet and pushed some banknotes toward Usagi. "Sweetheart, please pay for the coffee, and you can keep the rest. I'm sorry, but I need to get to work urgently. Things are falling apart right now. I promise, though, we'll reschedule our date soon. Now that I know where to find you," he said hastily, winking at her before rushing out of the shop.

A date? Usagi stared at him incredulously. Did he just promise her a date? As she paid for the coffee and tucked away the remaining money, Usagi reflected on how much her life had changed since yesterday. She still couldn't quite believe it, but she felt grateful for the unexpected help that had entered her life. The money she had left after paying would once again be enough for a warm meal today.

Usagi continued her way to the outskirts of the city and found Shingo sitting on a wall. His pensive expression caught her attention immediately, and she couldn't help but ask him about it.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so thoughtful?" she asked her brother, who then jolted his head up.

Shingo stared at the ground and sighed. "Sometimes, I wonder how everything could go so wrong. We had a family, were happy, and then suddenly, everything was gone," Shingo began. "I still don't understand why Dad doesn't want to see us anymore. How could he let us live like this?"

Usagi felt the pain in Shingo's words and understood all too well how their father had hurt her and her siblings when he relinquished custody. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

"He might really think that we're in good foster families. That we have a better life," she tried to comfort her brother. "...tell me, Shingo, would you rather be in one of those families? Without me? Without Chibiusa?" she asked him, and her mood shifted with this topic.

Shingo jumped up and shook his head. "No way, both of you would be completely lost without me. Where were you planning to go at this hour?"

The small smile crossed her lips as she thought about Seiya. "I wanted to check on Chibiusa. The man from yesterday was here again today and filled my cup."

Her brother nudged her playfully with his elbow and grinned broadly. "Don't tell me you like him."

"No, I barely know him. Besides, have you looked at me? He seems to have endless money. What could he possibly find in me?"

"And why are you blushing like a traffic light, then?" he teased.

"I'm not!" she shouted back and stuck her tongue out, and they made their way to Chibiusa together.

Just before reaching their destination, both abruptly stopped. Something was wrong. Right in front of their hideout was a black car with tinted windows. Panic seized Usagi, and she quickly shoved Shingo to the side, into the cover of a bush.

It wasn't one of the vehicles that people from the system used; it was clearly too expensive for that. The only other person Usagi knew who had money was Seiya, but he didn't know where she lived. Her thoughts raced.

"Shingo, stay here; I'll get Chibiusa. We need to go," she whispered backward. "Forget it. As if I'd let you go in there alone. Did you see those guys back there? I'm definitely staying close to you."

Of course, Usagi hadn't seen the men yet, and her head snapped around. Men in suits were everywhere, and some of them were even armed. She counted eight who were blatantly standing around here, and two were sitting in the car in front of their door. She reached for Shingo's hand. "Then we'll go together," she whispered, and her brother nodded affirmatively.

They took a step onto the road, and at that moment, all eyes were on them. The man standing in front of their house had something threatening about him as he approached them. His short black hair fell slightly into his face, and despite that, Usagi felt his almost piercing gaze.

He came to a stop right in front of her. "Astounding. If someone had told me you two have such a resemblance, I would have declared him crazy," he said more to himself than to them, stroking Usagi's cheek. She panickedly took a step back. Shingo stood in front of his sister. "What do you want from her? Where is our little sister?"

"Brave little man, I'll give you that. Now go play again and let the adults talk," he said condescendingly, pushing Shingo aside. "Usagi Sasaki?"

"What does he want to know?" she asked skeptically, studying the man closely.

"My name is irrelevant; your father sent me to fetch you. Don't worry. Your younger sister has already been taken to the estate and provided for. So, if you'd be so kind as to get in."

Usagi still stared at the stranger, perplexed. She needed some time to process his words. Shingo and Usagi exchanged an intense look. It didn't matter who this man was who wanted to see her. If Chibiusa was with him, she had to go there too.

"How do I know that my sister is really with him?" Usagi asked skeptically, to which the man rolled his eyes. He turned his phone toward her and showed her a picture, clearly depicting Chibiusa. She wore fresh clothes, her hair was done, and in front of her was a huge ice cream cup. Her little eyes sparkled with joy in the picture.

"Why does my so-called father suddenly want something from me? For the last 20 years, he hasn't cared that I exist, and now he even kidnaps my sister just to get me to come to him?" Usagi refused to call this man her father. After all, she didn't even know him. But these questions burning inside her wanted to come out.

The black car had turned around and was ready for them to get in. The man held the door open for Usagi and Shingo. "He just wants to talk to you."

Again, Usagi and Shingo exchanged thoughtful looks, but they had no choice if they wanted to be with Chibiusa. So, they got into the car.

With an uneasy feeling, the siblings took their seats next to the black-haired man. The atmosphere in the car was tense, and the man was tapping away on his phone.

But there was still a question burning in Usagi's mind. "You mentioned earlier that I resemble someone. Who were you referring to?" she asked into the silence, instantly capturing the man's full attention.

He carefully considered what he should reveal before exhaling heavily. "Your sister, Minako Tsukino. But I won't tell you more. Your father will handle that once you are presentable."