Chapter 85
Usagi was so nervous that she fell back into old patterns. She woke up far too early, just as the sun was rising, painting the sky in a vibrant orange hue. The house was cloaked in complete silence as she quietly made her way downstairs and settled at the dining table to go over her speech once more. She simply wanted everything to go perfectly today, leaving nothing to chance. After some time, Makoto stirred on the couch, and soon the house came to life.
One by one, their housemates stumbled down the stairs, still half-asleep, and Usagi realized that there was no point in further refining her speech amidst the chaos. She couldn't concentrate amidst the commotion.
Yaten was radiating his usual cheerful demeanor, teasing everyone in his path, including Minako. Makoto attempted to set the breakfast table while multitasking at the stove, and Amy gathered up the papers to clear some space. Taiki had retreated to the terrace to make some phone calls. Seiya snatched one of the freshly made pancakes as he passed by and then ushered Yaten towards the car. The two of them had plans to swing by the tower and take care of some errands at the harbor, and they promised to be back on time so the women would have enough time to get ready.
After breakfast, Minako gave Usagi some useful tips for her speech and presentation, and the tension continued to mount. Time was running out, and Usagi impatiently glanced out the window, hoping to catch sight of Seiya soon.
"He's still not answering his phone. I've called him multiple times already. Either something's happened, or he's still mad about yesterday. I can't rule out either," Minako huffed, joining Usagi by the window.
Then suddenly, Usagi's face lit up as Yaten's car screeched to a halt in the driveway, and shortly after, Petzite entered the room, closely followed by Seiya, carrying a mountain of clothes. Petzite wasted no time and immediately got to work. She swiftly applied makeup to the women one by one, skillfully styling their hair into elaborate dos, and then handed out the dresses she had prepared. For Usagi and Amy, she had once again prepared two stunning black-gold dresses, Makoto received one in a rich dark green, and then she ushered them all upstairs to change.
She paused briefly, eyeing Minako. "I know what's going on. Yaten filled me in on the way here. I hope this fits the bill. I wasn't prepared for red," she apologized, handing Minako a black, elegant maternity dress, with a delicate red satin flower temporarily attached to its strap. Minako understood that today, she had to once again assume the role of Mrs. Chiba, even if Yaten didn't like it. They had talked about it extensively yesterday, but even though he wanted her by his side, the risk was too high. They both had to accept it eventually. Gratefully, Minako accepted the dress and headed upstairs to put on the dress and mask.
Yaten was busy tying his tie, watching her every move attentively. She felt the accusations in his gaze, but there was no alternative for her. Minako struggled with the zipper of her dress, but then Yaten suddenly stepped behind her, his warm breath grazing her neck, causing her to pause. She felt his hands grasp the delicate fabric, and with a swift motion, he closed her dress.
"Tell me. What's going on? Is it still about yesterday? Or is it about this?" she asked sharply, gesturing to her mask.
His hands rested on her shoulders, his grip tightening slightly as he turned her to face him. The look he gave her was stern as he gazed at her new face. "We've just found each other, and now you're portraying yourself as Mrs. Chiba again, as his wife, damn it, Minako! Of all people, a Chiba! ... And we still haven't resolved your little stunt from yesterday," he began, his hand rising to her cheek. With gentle pressure, he traced the latex contours that gave her the new appearance. The pain in his eyes was evident.
"Yaten, I know you don't like him. But you haven't come up with any other solution so far. The ladies from the Organization have already seen me like this, and if I switch identities again, it'll be too noticeable, especially since I can't hide the pregnancy anymore. It wouldn't take long for my father to find out... and that must not happen under any circumstances. You know I've chosen you. You have no reason to be jealous... And what I found down there was clear. You messed up big time, but we'll sort that out later. But prepare yourself to take me to him," she replied, her voice tinged with defiance.
The tension between them was palpable, and it was as if sparks were flying between their eyes. Then Yaten's hand moved to the nape of her neck. In the next moment, he pulled her towards him, sealing her lips with his in a demanding kiss. Just as suddenly as he had initiated the kiss, he released her. "We'll talk later. I think we need to leave. I still have to take you somewhere," he growled, irritated as he realized where he had to take her: to Mamoru. Because he was the partner she would be showing herself with today.
Usagi swept through the large cafeteria, meticulously inspecting the decorations, checking if the distribution of blankets and clothing was well-prepared, and examining the creative area. She was genuinely proud that everything had come together just as she had dreamed. It was nearly perfect.
Taiki, Seiya, and Yaten descended from the office upstairs. Just a few more minutes, and it would begin. Seiya stole a final kiss from Usagi before Taiki took his place by her side. His fingers naturally intertwined with hers, bringing her a sense of calm amidst the lingering excitement.
Now, the official part commenced, starting with all the sponsors and partners, and in two hours, this room would be filled with those in need. People who were in situations similar to hers in the past, people reliant on warm clothing and a hot meal each day just to get by, often finding no other way and going hungry. Amy had offered to provide medical assistance in the back part of the building once a week, an idea Usagi gratefully accepted. However, it would still take several weeks for the expansion of this unit to be completed. For now, she wanted to focus on the here and now.
Yaten and Seiya slowly opened the doors. Minako was among the first to enter, accompanied by Rei, but she kept her distance deliberately, even though her gaze kept wandering towards Yaten. Usagi's eyes scanned through the crowds, gradually filling the room. Nearly 100 guests from Tokyo's upper echelons were invited, and it seemed like almost all of them had arrived.
The waiters navigated through the crowd skillfully, serving champagne and orange juice along with small appetizers. Usagi recognized many familiar faces: Taiki's business colleagues, whom she had briefly met at the wedding, numerous women from the meetings who readily supported this project, and then she spotted Mamoru, heading towards Minako and Rei, closely followed by her father-in-law and another man.
Kakashi's expressionless, stern face was directed forward, and it felt as if his gaze was piercing through her. Her grip on Taiki's finger tightened slightly, and he soothingly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Stay calm. You can do this. You've handled everything so far, and if anything happens, I'm here to take over," he whispered to her.
Taiki and Usagi then mingled among the guests, engaging in superficial conversations. They smiled, shook hands, and Taiki occasionally offered a few friendly words. Usagi felt the tension in her chest, but she tried to ignore it. However, as they approached Kakashi and Hiroshi, her unease grew stronger. She felt somewhat reassured by Taiki's presence; his calm demeanor provided her with stability as they stopped before the two men.
"Father, Hiroshi, it's good to see you made it. Hiroshi, if I recall correctly, you haven't met my wife yet. Serena, this is Hiroshi Chiba, Rei and Mamoru's father," Taiki introduced them all. With the expected politeness, Usagi greeted the two patriarchs, but she remained reserved. The men began a light conversation about business matters, and Usagi mentally rehearsed her speech.
It wasn't until Hiroshi's heavy arm draped over her shoulder, guiding her to a quiet corner, that the uneasy feeling of fear crept back into her. Her heart raced faster, and her breath grew shallower. "W-what... what can I do for you, Mr. Chiba?" she asked hesitantly, after he had led her to a secluded spot. Her gaze darted anxiously through the crowd; Taiki was engrossed in a discussion with his father, and he wouldn't be able to help her out of this situation. However, Seiya's watchful eyes were already on her, and he began to navigate through the crowd.
"Not so formal. If I understand correctly, you're my niece, right? You can call me Hiroshi. But Serena, that doesn't change the fact that I insist on having that waiver signed by you, and I need it by tomorrow. Do you understand?" he replied with a certain emphasis in his voice; his authoritative demeanor silenced Usagi, and she could only manage a tight nod.
Her uncle, the realization slowly sinking in. Hiroshi was her mother's brother, but how could he be so completely different from her? Her mother always had a kind word for everyone and was the epitome of warmth. Hiroshi, on the other hand, fit seamlessly alongside Kenji and Kakashi, distant, cool, and focused on his goals.
Then, something discreetly brushed against her pinky finger, and she recognized Seiya standing beside her. "Mr. Chiba, how wonderful to see you. How long will you be staying in Tokyo?" Seiya asked casually, diverting the old man's attention to himself. Usagi received only one last sharp glance before Hiroshi turned to Seiya.
"I'm not sure yet, but my son seems to have everything under control. Life in the countryside is much quieter, and I'm almost used to it now; I think I'll be withdrawing soon," he remarked, gesturing towards Mamoru, who was walking through the crowd with Minako in his arms. Seiya wore a professional smile. "Yes, I can imagine, but may I briefly steal away your charming companion? We need to discuss some organizational matters."
Hiroshi didn't seem too pleased that their conversation was being interrupted, but for Usagi, Seiya's rescue maneuver came at just the right moment. She waited for Hiroshi to release her, then linked her arm with Seiya's and allowed him to lead her to a secluded area in the back. She sighed in relief, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder to gather strength.
After a while, Taiki peeked in on them and whispered that it was time for her opening speech. Gradually, the guests began to take their seats, and Taiki escorted Usagi to the front. Seiya and Amy positioned themselves slightly to the side of them, with Rei beside them. Usagi scanned through the crowd, finding Kakashi and Hiroshi seated in the last row.
With trembling fingers, Usagi took hold of the microphone. She felt the weight of everyone's gaze on her and nervously swallowed. The murmurs in the room gradually subsided, and she knew that now was the right moment to begin.
"Dear guests, esteemed sponsors, friends, and supporters, I warmly welcome you to the opening ceremony of our homeless shelter. Today is a day of joy and gratitude for me and my team, as this center is the result of countless hours of hard work, but above all, it is an expression of our deep compassion for those who have been less fortunate in life. Firstly, I would like to thank my dear husband Taiki and his brothers, who have supported me every step of the way in this project. The tireless assistance of Makoto, my private assistant and friend, has also contributed to the success of this project. Another special thanks goes to Rei Chiba, who has supported us from the beginning and has secured a significant portion of the funding without which we could not have realized this project," Usagi endeavored to deliver the speech freely, only occasionally glancing at the small note in her hand.
But then, she suddenly faltered as the door opened once again, and two more people pushed into the room. Even from this distance, Usagi easily recognized those red locks – Rubeus – and right behind him entered her father. Kenji stood by the wall next to the door, his expression dark as he fixed his daughter with a stern gaze, rendering her speechless. Taiki instinctively reacted upon noticing this; his warm fingers closed around hers, and then she loosened her grip on the microphone, yielding it to Taiki. Her trembling hand, which held her notes, clenched into a fist because she knew that Kenji's presence signaled trouble. Whenever she encountered him, the next catastrophe in her life seemed to unfold. She tuned out her surroundings, and Taiki's words, now addressed to the attendees, reached her ears only faintly. Her pulse had started racing, and her heart pounded so wildly that she was sure it would soon leap out of her chest. What did Kenji want here? The question repeated over and over again in her mind.
Suddenly, Kakashi and Hiroshi rose from their seats, for the uninvited guest had not escaped their notice either. Usagi wished she could hear what the three men were talking about, but given the distance and the crowd, that was not possible. She could only see that all three were gesturing animatedly with each other, and then they rushed out, one after the other. With that, some of Usagi's tension dissipated, and in retrospect, she was glad that her father-in-law was present to handle this problem. Kakashi was one of the few people she knew who dared to openly confront Kenji.
"We once again thank each and every one of you who has contributed to making this project a reality. Thank you for your attention, and now the buffet is open," Taiki concluded his speech. He turned off the microphone and signaled to Seiya and Yaten that they should meet upstairs in the office.
As soon as the door was closed behind them, Taiki released his grip on Usagi's hand so he could embrace Amy, and Seiya pulled Usagi closer to him. Kenji's presence had not gone unnoticed by anyone, and Yaten had left Minako downstairs only reluctantly, but under these circumstances, she couldn't risk being exposed.
"I wonder why he was here," escaped the silver-haired man, his gaze shifting out the window onto the street. Kenji was getting into his car with an angry expression, and Rubeus took his place behind the wheel. His father and the elder Chiba had already disappeared from his field of vision, probably returning to the building. "Not just you would like to know that," Seiya replied impatiently. "I think I know who has the answers, but we won't get them from him directly," Yaten remarked with an annoyed roll of his eyes. "Yaten, we all know that Father knows more than he lets on... but that doesn't help us. We somehow need to get hold of the information," Seiya retorted. Only Taiki remained silent, his face thoughtful.
"Could you guys leave me alone with Yaten for a moment up here? I think I have an idea of how we could actually get Father's information without directly asking him. But for that, I need a moment of peace," he said, heading towards the small desk while simultaneously turning on the computer.
Seiya nodded and led Amy and Usagi out of the room again. He reluctantly released his hand from hers, and one after the other, they descended the stairs. Just before they reached the large cafeteria, events suddenly took a dramatic turn.
A loud bang pierced the air, and in the next moment, large pieces of masonry flew towards them, accompanied by a massive shockwave from an explosion. Seiya's instincts kicked in within split seconds as he threw himself like a shield over the two women who were with him. The world seemed to stand still for a moment as dust and ash enveloped their senses. The air was suffocating, every breath a struggle. Heat penetrated through the dense clouds, an unrelenting fire spreading rapidly and devouring the debris.