The mind can forget... but the heart never!

Chapter 11

Yaten was already sitting at a table in the restaurant, eagerly waiting for Minako. He looked slightly puzzled when he saw a tall brunette woman sitting at a table two seats away. He craned his neck to get a better look and was sure that it was Makoto. Makoto glanced over at him with a hint of skepticism but didn't make any effort to greet him, so Yaten remained quiet as well. He checked his watch; she was already ten minutes late. Doubts started creeping in, but the sight of Makoto gave him hope. Finally, the door opened again, and Minako walked in, beaming with joy. She looked around, nodded to Makoto, and then headed towards Yaten. He felt his pulse quicken and quickly stood up, pulling the chair back slightly.

"I'm glad you came. I hope you liked the flowers," he greeted her. Minako's cheeks blushed slightly, and she replied, "Yes, the flowers were beautiful. Thank you," and took a seat opposite him.

Meanwhile, Seiya and Taiki had just arrived in front of the restaurant, and through the window, they saw Minako had just sat down.

"I'll go in. Wait here," Taiki said to Seiya and hurried inside.

"What would you like to drink?" Yaten asked Minako.

In that moment, Taiki rushed to their table, out of breath. Yaten stared at his brother in bewilderment. "What happened?"

"Come with me! Now!" Taiki managed to say between breaths, looking at his brother seriously.

"Is something wrong with Seiya?" Yaten asked, concerned. Minako was confused, another stranger, and he interrupted their newly started date.

"Mina, I need to talk to my brother briefly. I'll be right back," Yaten excused himself and stood up.

Taiki pulled Yaten to the men's restroom. "What's going on? I'm on a date here!" Yaten whispered.

"Minako is not mad at you," Taiki said, trying to catch his breath. Yaten's eyes widened, and he looked at his brother in disbelief.

"What do you mean?"

"I just met Amy earlier. I don't know exactly what happened, but for the girls, it's as if we were never here. Amy has no memories of either me, you, or Seiya," Taiki began and made a short pause.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and there's something else... I suspect they might not remember anything about the Sailor Team either," Taiki continued and told Yaten about his conversation with Amy in detail. The more Taiki told him, the more Yaten's facial expressions changed. His color shifted from pale to tomato red. What would Minako think of him? He couldn't possibly go back to her table now and continue the evening as planned.

Meanwhile, Seiya was outside, looking up at the night sky. He was trying to understand what had happened, but it eluded him. If Taiki was right, and they really didn't remember anything, why did Bunny look at him through the window? Suddenly, he stopped his thoughts and glanced slightly to the left. Bunny was just a few meters away from him, standing frozen in place and looking at him. "It's him," she thought. Her emotions were in turmoil, and again, she didn't know why. Why did this mysterious man evoke such feelings in her? She had to talk to him. When she regained control of her body, she walked directly towards him.

Seiya's heart skipped a beat. It was undoubtedly his Bunny. He didn't know what to do; his thoughts were in disarray. He turned around and ran. He ran down the street, his mind not ready to face her, but his heart burning. He quickly turned the corner and leaned against a wall with his back. He had to understand what had happened before he could talk to her. Then he perked up because fast footsteps were approaching him, getting closer. He didn't need to look; his heart told him it was Bunny running after him.

As she turned the corner, he reached out and grasped her wrist, pulling her into his arms and gently pressing her back against the wall where he had just leaned. He finally could touch her again, smell her sweet scent. He perceived her with almost all his senses.

"Why did you follow me?" he asked without taking his eyes off hers.

Bunny was not yet able to answer. In fact, she should be scared; this stranger was so close and pressing her against a wall. But the opposite was true; she didn't know why, but she trusted him. She couldn't take her eyes off his, and they seemed to call out to her. Bunny's heart raced, and her stomach was filled with butterflies. The stranger moved his head closer and repeated his question, this time with more urgency in his voice.

"I... I don't know... I just followed my feelings," Bunny stammered.

"Darling," Seiya whispered softly, but as his head was almost next to her ear, Bunny heard every syllable. The word sounded so familiar, so affectionate, yet filled with pain at the same time. Bunny felt his warm breath on her neck, he was so close.

"Say it again," she whispered back to him, and she noticed her knees were growing weak.

Seiya gently lifted her chin. "Darling."

As he said it again, she saw something flicker in his eyes. Bunny couldn't comprehend what was happening. Then she felt his lips tenderly touch hers.

Bunny didn't know what was happening to her. "Darling" echoed in her mind repeatedly. She felt his hand caressing her face, and every touch sent shivers down her spine. And then she felt his lips on hers, and she instinctively kissed him back.

"Seiya? Seiya, where are you?" Yaten and Taiki's voices rang through the darkness, breaking them out of their little world.

Seiya pulled away from Bunny, and she noticed tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he murmured, and before Bunny could respond, he ran towards the voices calling him.

Bunny was left alone, still leaning against the wall, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She could still feel his touch on her skin. Why didn't she cry out for help? Where did this deep sense of trust come from? Then she felt a stab in her heart; she had kissed this stranger. How could she explain this to Mamoru? He was the man she had loved for years, with his kind nature and understanding personality. How could she do this to him? Bunny felt warm tears on her cheeks. Slowly, she let go of the wall and took step by step back the way she came. She was still lost in curiosity and heartbeats on one hand, and on the other, overwhelmed with guilt and remorse.