Chapter 4

The car drove through increasingly wider streets lined with tall trees. The houses became larger and more magnificent, the front yards more manicured, and the streets quieter. It was as if they were entering a completely different world. Finally, they turned into an avenue, where trees in various shades of red created an impressive display of colors. At the end of the avenue, the estate appeared, and it was indeed impressive. A long, winding gravel path led through a spacious, well-kept park with autumn flowers in full bloom.

The villa itself loomed majestically before them. It was a magnificent building made of cream-colored stone, with tall columns flanking the entrance. The windows were large and adorned with intricate ornaments, and the roof was covered with shiny slate tiles. A broad balcony extended across the front of the building, and an impressive staircase led to the massive entrance doors. Usagi and Shingo stared at the estate, completely overwhelmed by its splendor and size, while the autumn sun cast a golden glow over everything. It was hard to believe they were welcome here, considering where they came from.

As soon as someone opened the car door, they were led inside the house. The entrance area was large and spacious, with a gleaming marble floor that softly echoed their steps. Above them hung an elaborate chandelier made of sparkling crystal, breaking the light in all directions and creating a fascinating play of light and shadow on the walls. Heavy curtains made of beige velvet hung at the tall windows. A broad staircase led to the upper floors, and the railings were adorned with wrought iron embellishments. Usagi and Shingo couldn't stop marveling at their surroundings as Chibiusa suddenly ran toward them, laughing.

She was wearing a new dress from a prestigious brand. The cost of this dress could have fed Usagi's siblings for almost a month. "Usagi, Shingo! There you are!" Chibiusa exclaimed excitedly, running directly into the arms of her older sister. "You won't believe how amazing it is here! I've already been swimming, and look at the fabulous clothes I got. Plus, I had a huge ice cream, it was so delicious." Chibiusa spoke so quickly that her siblings didn't have a chance to get a word in.

But then, Usagi felt a queasy feeling spreading within her. Something was not right; she couldn't pinpoint it, but there was something odd about this situation. The warning from her mother that their father could be dangerous echoed in her thoughts, adding a sharp edge to her discomfort.

Chibiusa continued to talk excitedly about her experiences, and Usagi tried to organize her thoughts. She hugged her little sister tightly. When their eyes met, Chibiusa could see the tension in Usagi's eyes, but she didn't understand the reasons behind it. Usagi had to ensure that she and her siblings were safe in this new environment, and she was determined to find out what was going on.

As the sound of high-heeled shoes echoed on the marble floor, Usagi looked up. Before her stood a pretty young woman with shoulder-length blond hair and glasses. Her elegant dress and friendly smile conveyed an impression of wealth and confidence.

"Usagi Sasaki? I warmly welcome you; my name is Mimete, and I am one of your father's assistants," the woman began politely. "The bath in your room is already drawn, and fresh clothing has been laid out for you. Your father invites you all to a shared dinner and requests a confidential conversation afterward. Please feel at home, and if you have any questions, wishes, or concerns, let me know."

Usagi couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at play here than met the eye. Both the man who had picked them up and this assistant were too friendly. She recognized this feigned friendliness from before, when someone at school wanted something from her; classmates would be overly friendly before asking for a favor. But what could her father possibly want from her? He had everything. Usagi couldn't dwell on it any longer as Chibiusa's small fingers already intertwined with hers.

"Come on, I'll show you your room. You might be surprised. My room is right next door, and Shingo is opposite. The rooms are huge, and the beds are so soft!" Chibiusa chattered without a pause, leading her siblings up the stairs.

Usagi entered the bedroom that her sister showed her, and she could hardly believe her eyes. Chibiusa squeezed past her and threw herself with a running start onto the huge bed in the middle of the room. The walls were in a gentle cream tone, giving the room a warm and inviting atmosphere. The bed dominated the space, a large four-poster bed with an intricately carved wooden frame and a lush canopy of ivory-colored fabric. The bedding was spotlessly white, feeling soft and luxurious, with pillows and blankets carefully arranged. One corner featured a large mirror, next to it was a dressing table.

A simple light blue dress hung in the wardrobe, and another detail caught Usagi's eye: under a chair were a pair of shiny silver high heels. Then she spotted a door and opened it cautiously. Behind it was the bathroom.

The adjoining bathroom was just as impressive. It had a huge freestanding bathtub, already filled to the brim with a pleasantly scented bubble bath. On the polished granite countertop were fragrant grooming products and fluffy towels, ready for use.

"I'll go play outside a bit while you bathe. See you later," Chibiusa trilled before the door closed behind her.

Usagi didn't know how long it had been since she last bathed. She closed the door behind her and let her clothes fall to the floor. The warm water enveloping her seemed to wash away all her worries and fears, and for a brief moment, she could forget reality. It was only when the water slowly turned colder that she was reminded she couldn't linger in this dream forever.

Usagi wrapped herself in a soft towel and looked at the light blue dress laid out for her. She hesitantly ran her fingers over it, admiring the flawless craftsmanship. On the dresser, she found fresh underwear and silky stockings, all in her size.

Her trembling hands pulled the dress over her body, and as she stepped into the silver high heels, she felt as if she were slipping into an entirely new role she had yet to discover. Her reflection mirrored a woman who no longer looked like the street girl she was used to being.

Standing in front of the dressing table and seeing the various makeup products on it, a sense of insecurity overwhelmed her. The array of products seemed overwhelming, and she remembered how long it had been since she last put on makeup.

Her skin bore the marks of street life, sun-kissed and speckled with small scars and scrapes. A little makeup couldn't hurt, she thought, and sat in front of the large mirror.

Her gaze shifted to the eyeshadow palettes, and she chose a subtle, earthy shade, applying it gently to her eyelids. The result was subtle but added a mysterious glow to her eyes. Then she reached for a lip balm and applied it to moisturize her lips.

Finally, she took a brush and combed her hair, now freshly washed and fragrant. Her long, golden blonde hair shimmered in the room's light, completing the transformation.

Usagi looked at herself in the mirror and could hardly believe what she saw. The girl facing her seemed like she was from another world - far from the rough streets of Tokyo. She felt awkward and unfamiliar in this disguise, but she had nothing else to wear. She couldn't roam around this house in her street rags.

While still studying her reflection, a knock sounded on the door. "Yes?" she called hesitantly, and the door opened. Usagi had to look twice to realize that the young man who walked in, laughing, was indeed her brother. The smart trousers and light blue shirt, perfectly matching her dress, suited him surprisingly well. Even Shingo was amazed when he saw his sister in her unusual elegance.

"Uh... Usa, you look stunning," Shingo said shyly. "Thank you, you too. Have you seen Chibiusa? She's been gone for a while." "Yeah, from my window. She's romping around in the garden."

Usagi and Shingo sat together in her room, quietly discussing the strange circumstances that had led them to this magnificent estate. "Shingo, everything is so strange," Usagi whispered, nervously folding her hands in her lap. "Why would we suddenly be brought to my father? He has never cared about me... and if he's so rich, why didn't he support Mom financially? I really wonder what he wants from me."

Shingo frowned and looked thoughtfully out the window. "I don't know either, Usa. But I'm worried. Something is not right here. These people are too kind, too friendly. Do you understand what I mean?"

Usagi nodded; she knew exactly what he meant. But before she could respond, the door opened, and the blonde woman who had greeted her earlier entered.

"It's time for dinner," she smiled. "Kenji Tsukino apologizes for his absence and requests that you begin without him."

Usagi and Shingo followed her into the gorgeously set dining room. The table was adorned with fine china, sparkling glasses, and silver cutlery. There was an array of delicious-looking dishes that emitted tempting aromas.

Chibiusa was already seated at the lavishly set table, chatting away merrily as she spotted her siblings. "Usagi, Shingo, you have no idea how amazing it is here! The flowers in the garden are so beautiful, and there's even a little pond with fish! And the food, oh my God, the food! You'll love it!"

Usagi and Shingo smiled as they took their seats at the festively arranged table. During dinner, they enjoyed the delicious food and listened to Chibiusa's excited tales of adventures in the garden. After dessert, one of the servants politely approached Usagi. "Excuse me, but Mr. Tsukino requests that you join him in the salon. He would like to have a private conversation with you."

Usagi felt a mixture of nervousness and curiosity as she stood up and followed the servant. Shingo and Chibiusa remained at the table.

Usagi entered the salon. Heavy, dark curtains covered the tall windows, dark wooden floors extended beneath her feet, and the room was dominated by a large fireplace with a cozy fire crackling within. Despite the dark color scheme, the room felt cozy and inviting.

At the other end of the room, Kenji Tsukino sat in a deep chair by the fireplace. He was a middle-aged man with black-gray streaked hair falling in gentle waves on his face. Glasses rested on his nose, and his gaze was friendly as he greeted Usagi. "Welcome, Usagi, it's nice to finally meet you," he said calmly, inviting her to take a seat in a chair opposite him. "I hope you enjoyed dinner. I apologize for not being able to greet you personally there... but business knows no pause." Usagi nodded politely and replied, "The food was wonderful, thank you. But I still wonder why I am here."

Kenji Tsukino smiled and leaned back in his chair. "I understand your confusion, Usagi, and I will explain everything to you eventually. But first, I need to cut to the chase. I want to make you an offer that will benefit both of us." With these words, he gestured toward the mantelpiece. There stood a picture of a young girl who must have been about the same age as Usagi. "This was Minako, your older sister. She was a year older than you and had an accident in a car crash a few weeks ago." Kenji paused briefly before continuing. "You should know that in our business circles, arranged marriages are still quite common. Minako had agreed to one when I set everything in motion. Now that Minako is gone, and you are the sole living heir to the Tsukino empire in case something happens to me." Kenji rose and paced in front of the fireplace. "To cut to the chase, would you be willing to marry in Minako's place? You wouldn't have to worry about anything. Your future husband is intelligent and already versed in everything. The only thing expected of you is to ensure the next generation. In return, I offer you everything you see here. Also, I will take care of your siblings' boarding school; they will receive the best education in the country and, of course, be financially secure. However, it will be on the other side of the country."

Usagi stared at the picture of her deceased sister Minako. She had never met her personally, but the sight of the girl in the photo still moved her. Kenji Tsukino's words echoed in her mind, and she tried to grasp the meaning of what he had just told her. An arranged marriage to maintain the Tsukino empire? It was overwhelming on one hand and yet challenging to digest.

This morning, she was still living on the street with her siblings, and now she was supposed to be the heir of Kenji Tsukino and, moreover, get married. This sudden turn in her life was almost surreal.

When Kenji asked the question about the marriage, Usagi looked up. She had always taken care of Shingo and Chibiusa and was ready to do anything for them. But an arranged marriage? In an entirely unknown world to which she had no connection? Her thoughts whirled in her head. She had taken responsibility for her siblings, but was she really ready to take this enormous step? Also, there was still Seiya, whom she had just met and who had been so kind and courteous despite her ragged appearance.

"I know this is probably a lot for you to take in right now. Take your time to think about it, but I'll need your decision by tomorrow noon. I can imagine you have many questions. If you decide to go along, I will explain everything else to you calmly."

Usagi pondered thoughtfully. The circle of questions was slowly closing. So, he had only approached her to take Minako's place. But why couldn't Chibiusa and Shingo just stay here? There was plenty of space, and if he was going to support them financially anyway, he could do that here too.

"But why do Chibiusa and Shingo have to go to the other end of the country? There are good schools and boarding houses in Tokyo too. I only have the two of them."

Kenji rubbed his eyebrows with one hand and took off his glasses. "That's precisely the point. If you decide to accept the position as the heir of the Tsukinos, you must close the chapter on everything in your past. You will no longer be Usagi Sasaki, but Serena Usagi Tsukino."

Usagi felt her throat tighten. The idea of giving up her identity and past was unsettling. She had always felt like the protector of her siblings, the one who cared for them, and that had given her life a certain purpose, even in the toughest times on the streets. But now, she realized that this decision not only affected her but also her siblings. Chibiusa and Shingo would have to leave their hometown and everything familiar to them. This was something she couldn't decide on her own.

"As I said, take your time to think about it. We'll talk more tomorrow," Kenji said calmly, leaving her alone by the fireplace.