Chapter 33
Usagi tried to maintain an upright posture and approached her father. Since both Seiya and Makoto were present, she felt somewhat safer.
"I'm here because I wanted to talk to you, Father," she said calmly but firmly. She didn't know where she suddenly drew this confidence from but was determined to use it. Kenji scrutinized her suspiciously. "So, and what do you want to talk to me about? Do you have some good news for me already?" "I think we should discuss it in your office."
Suspiciously, Kenji made an inviting gesture, which Usagi followed. Seiya remained by her side, a few steps behind her. "I believe my daughter and I can handle this alone. Thank you for driving her, Seiya. She'll come out when we're done here," Kenji grumbled and attempted to close the door on Seiya's face. However, Seiya had no intention of leaving Usagi alone with him. He knew exactly how Kenji could be. "Sorry, but I've received instructions from my brother. I will be present during your conversation," he replied and entered the office as well.
Kenji's dark gaze shifted between his daughter and Seiya, as if expecting an attack from both sides. Usagi positioned herself in front of the crackling fireplace, and her eyes briefly lingered on the picture of her sister still on the mantle. Seiya leaned silently against the wall next to the door, observing everything. Kenji slowly paced through the room.
"So, why are you here?" he asked his daughter.
Usagi closed her eyes for a few seconds, contemplating how best to begin. "You said that after the wedding, I could see my siblings. It's been over two weeks now; I want to see them. Both of them," she presented her demands. Her words hung in the air for a moment, absolute silence filled the room.
Only when Usagi turned around slowly and stared back at her father did he respond, "I said you could see your siblings when your tasks were fulfilled. Otherwise, they would distract you from your goals. Just because you're married now doesn't change anything, or are you already pregnant?"
Usagi felt anger rising within her towards this man and his arrogance. "Oh, but it changes a lot! Taiki and I will take over the protection of both of them. We won't need you or your financial resources for that. Also, I want them to move into our Tower so that I can have them close to me."
Now Kenji started laughing. "You're making demands? Of all people, you? The girl from the gutter. You should be grateful that I accepted you as my daughter; otherwise, you'd still be sleeping out in the dirt." "You expect me to get pregnant... What if I consider it only when the two of them are back with me?" she provocatively asked. "Pay close attention to what you say now!" Kenji hissed, and Usagi saw the vein on his neck pulsating prominently again.
But she had no intention of stopping now. "Why? Did you think I wouldn't find out that you separated the two of them? That wasn't part of our agreement! It was supposed to be that they stay together. So why should I adhere to agreements when they clearly don't apply to you either?" "So, you know about that?" "Yes, I know. But why did you do that? Chibiusa is only five. How is she supposed to suddenly cope all alone? Do you have no heart?" "There's no place for sentimentality here. Haven't you understood it yet? Power is what matters... and the fact that your siblings were separated is solely your fault," Kenji interrupted himself and looked at Seiya. "Send him out, and I'll tell you the reason."
"Out of the question. I have no secrets, neither from my husband nor from his brothers. You can speak openly. What do you mean I'm to blame?" suddenly an uneasy feeling gripped her
An arrogant grin appeared on Kenji's lips. "I wasn't the one who told Kakashi about your mother. You did that all by yourself."
Usagi froze, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. She vaguely remembered her first encounter with her father-in-law. All he cared about back then was the name of her mother, and she had told him.
"You said you would handle things with Kakashi. So why did you separate them?" "You don't think Kakashi would let go of such a valuable leverage, do you? Besides, this way, each of us has something to hold against you in case you fail. After all, they are also half Chibas."
"They are still children!" Usagi shouted at him in her anger. Seiya was about to rush to her side, but something held him back. "Children who happened to have luck in the lottery of their genes, just like you. Let's hope they are more malleable and less rebellious than you. Although, I still have some hope that you will fulfill your task, Serena. Once you're pregnant, we can talk about your sister again. Until then, I see no reason for it," Kenji declared.
"And what then? What sick plans do you have for the child? For my child! I will do everything in my power to not fulfill your wish! And I will find Chibiusa and Shingo, mark my words. I will free them from your clutches, and then you won't see any of us again!" Usagi declared with a raised voice, her emotions boiling over.
Kenji loomed over his daughter in full height, his hand already raised to silence her outspokenness. But as he attempted to bring it down, he couldn't. Someone firmly held his wrist. He glared at Seiya with malice. "Let go of me. This is something between me and my daughter," Kenji hissed.
"Kenji, you're forgetting an important detail. The woman in front of you is no longer a Tsukino. Before you stands Mrs. Kou, and you will treat her with respect. If I ever witness you getting physical with her again, I will promptly sink all your shipments to the bottom of the ocean. So, think carefully if you can afford that. Also, I'm pretty sure Taiki and Yaten wouldn't take kindly to it either," Seiya said with a calm tone, but his words carried an unmistakable message.
Kenji froze in his movement. "You wouldn't dare, Seiya." "Try me. I'm not my father, and I keep my promises," Seiya replied, now looking directly past Kenji. For a moment, he weighed how to proceed but ultimately chose the more provocative option, opting for her real name. "Usagi, when you're done..."
Usagi, still overwhelmed by Seiya's unexpected intervention, could only nod silently. She and Seiya headed purposefully towards the exit, with Kenji's dark gaze following them for a while. Seiya's chosen words in the confrontation continued to resonate in her consciousness. "Mrs. Kou" - it was as if he had bestowed upon her an armor of respect and self-assurance, even though she wasn't his Mrs. Kou.
Makoto was already waiting in the entrance area. Her concerned gaze met Usagi's bewildered expression. "Everything okay?" Makoto asked softly as they joined the two, noticing the tense atmosphere. Seiya spoke again, "Kenji won't give in so easily. Be on your guard. I made it clear to him that we are not willing to play his games. This could cause more trouble." The brunette's face turned serious. "I understand. I won't leave Serena's side..."
After the tense moments at the Tsukino estate, Seiya, Usagi, and Makoto got into the car. Seiya took the wheel again, while the two women settled on the back seat. The streets of Tokyo lay quiet and dark ahead of them as Seiya started the car. A deep exhale escaped Usagi, as if she were just now realizing they had left her father's estate and were temporarily safe. While Seiya drove through the nocturnal streets, the tension in Usagi seemed to ease. A growl from her stomach broke the silence in the car, and she blushed slightly. "I know it's not the best time right now, but suddenly, I'm so hungry. Could we maybe get something to eat? After all the stress, I could really use some comfort food," she said hesitantly.
As they entered the burger joint, Usagi was engulfed by a whirlwind of smells and sounds. The appetizing scent of fried meat and crispy fries filled the air, while the bustling hum of guests and the clattering of dishes and cutlery created a harmonious background noise. Seiya went to the counter to place the order, while Makoto and Usagi settled at a cozy table.
Makoto was still processing all her impressions. Her gaze rested thoughtfully on Usagi. She was torn but finally gathered the courage to start the conversation. "Serena, I need to ask you something. Your relationship with Seiya... You two seemed very familiar with each other. Where does that come from?"
Usagi took a deep breath and bit her lip. Makoto's question plunged her into an inner conflict. After Tellu's betrayal, she didn't know whom she could trust anymore. How much should she reveal? And the most crucial question was, could she really trust Makoto? After all, she worked for Taiki. "It's complicated," Usagi began hesitantly. "Seiya and I, we've known each other for a while... even before I became Serena Tsukino... in my old life." She felt the past surfacing, and the emotions and old memories became vivid again.
Makoto forced herself to put on a cheerful smile. "So, you like each other... or not?" she cautiously probed further. Usagi nodded briefly but lowered her gaze. "Yes, but none of that matters... Everything turned out differently... and after all, I'm married to Taiki now... And our marriage contract is pretty clear... there will only be my husband for me," she added hastily, trying not to give the wrong impression.
While Makoto was preparing to respond to Usagi's answer, Seiya arrived at the table with a tray full of juicy burgers, crispy fries, and refreshing drinks. His gaze briefly shifted between the two women, but he didn't comment. Makoto decided to keep her further questions to herself for now. Instead, she reached for a burger and smiled gratefully at Seiya. The moment was tinged with a strange tension, as if invisible threads were being woven between the three, and Usagi sensed that many unspoken things lingered in the air.
Usagi ate in silence. The first bite seemed to ease the tension, and she could use the comfort food after all the stress. After the silence had been filled with the chewing and savoring of their meal for a while, a casual small talk emerged between them. They talked about the weather, upcoming events, and the approaching Christmas holidays. The mundane topics seemed like a breather, an attempt to break the heaviness of the previous events.
"By the way, Tellu won't return to the Tower. I took her key away," Makoto announced, pushing a small silver key across the table to Seiya. "And she just let that happen?" Usagi asked, finding it hard to believe. Tellu had always been very assertive. A smirk appeared on Makoto's face. "No, it wasn't easy, but she had to admit defeat."
When they finished their meal, they decided to leave. The three left the burger joint and headed towards the car. Seiya took the wheel again. On the way to the Tower, they crossed through the nocturnal Tokyo, and the city sparkled in various colors. A pensive silence filled the car. Seiya's hands were firm on the steering wheel, Makoto gazed out of the window, and Usagi stared into the night.
Upon arriving at the Tower, Seiya headed for the parking garage. However, when he got out, he noticed the empty spot where his motorcycle usually stood. A frustrated sound escaped Seiya's throat. "Damn, my motorcycle is still at the brothel. I totally forgot." Usagi stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his upper arm. "And what if you move back in here?" she asked softly.
Makoto, who had already called the elevator, realized that she might be out of place here. The conversation between Usagi and Seiya seemed to be infused with a depth not intended for her ears. During dinner, Usagi had made it clear that she wanted to remain loyal to Taiki. So, Makoto decided to give the two some privacy. There seemed to be something important between them that needed urgent clarification. So, she yawned demonstratively. "I think I'll make my way up. Serena, you'll find your way up alone, right?"
Usagi turned around and nodded to her gratefully. "Yes, of course."
As they heard the elevator door close, Usagi reached for Seiya's hand. "Stay. You can't stay at Ruka's forever." Seiya looked deep into her eyes, and the longing in them was evident. "And then? Sweetheart, you can't even imagine what I would like to do with you right now. Just being here in front of me, you already take away any clear thoughts. Do you really think...," he couldn't continue as Usagi sealed his lips with hers. The kiss was intense, filled with all the unspoken emotions between them. His arms wrapped around her body, pulling her even closer.
In this intimate moment, there was only the touch of each other for Usagi and Seiya, a symbiotic fusion of two souls. Seiya's lips gently explored Usagi's mouth, and his warm hands glided gently over her back, as if wanting to trace every single line of her soul. It was as if they were trapped in a dance of passion, where the world around them blurred. The touch of his hands conveyed a sense of familiarity and tenderness. Seiya's fingers followed the contours of her spine as he deepened the kiss. The passion between them ignited, and Usagi could feel the warmth of his love on her skin. The intoxication of this intimacy intensified, and Usagi became more aware of Seiya's growing masculinity. It was a pulsation that deepened their connection and blurred the boundaries between them. Their hearts beat wildly, and the interplay of their bodies seemed to play a melody that only they could understand. She wanted to feel him again, right now.
Only when the gate of the parking garage opened, Seiya could gather his thoughts again. He broke the kiss and looked sadly into Usagi's eyes. The expression on his face spoke more than words ever could. "That's exactly what I mean, sweetheart. These moments with you are indescribable, but they make the reality afterward even more painful." His voice was soft, filled with deep regret.