One for Three

Chapter 26

With mixed feelings, I stood in front of Mamoru's apartment. I had already decided to leave several times but turned back each time, forming and discarding words in my head. My inner unrest grew, and my fingers trembled as I reached for the doorbell. I paused for a moment before finding the courage to press the button.

Now it was serious. Now it would be decided whether and how things would continue between Mamoru and me.

I heard his footsteps approaching as he neared the door. I held my breath as he opened it. Mamoru grew pale when he saw me, and his eyes widened. It took a moment for him to realize that I was actually standing at his door.

"Mamo... um... can we please talk?" I said quickly before he could close the door in my face. His expression was hard, but he opened the door a little wider and gestured for me to come in. As I crossed the threshold, I felt tightness in my chest, and my stomach churned uncomfortably. I just hoped I wouldn't throw up.

On the sofa, as feared, lay freshly made bedsheets, next to a large red suitcase and two bags. I tried not to show any reaction and sat on the edge of the couch. Mamoru stood in front of me, arms crossed, and looked down at me with raised eyebrows. I felt like a miserable mess.

"Mamo, I'm sorry. I didn't want any of this, and least of all did I want to hurt you," I said with a trembling voice.

He snorted contemptuously, and that threw me off. I lifted my head and looked into his hurt eyes.

"You told that guy you loved him before kissing him in front of my eyes! I really doubt that you're sorry. You're only sorry you got caught! How long has this been going on between you?" he hissed with a sharp voice.

I swallowed hard, and the lump in my throat grew bigger.

"No, I'm really sorry. Things just developed between Seiya and me. I even told him that I had a boyfriend, but he didn't believe me."

"Usagi, stop trying to blame others! One call from me, and I would have told him to keep his hands off you," he replied, getting louder. He was jealous. Whether that was a good sign or not, I didn't know. But I still didn't know what to say in response. There was much more broken in this relationship than just the issue with Seiya.

"And why didn't you tell me anything about your illness and about Rei?" Attack was currently my only defense. He curled his lips in annoyance.

"I've already tried to explain that to you. It was just to protect you," he replied, becoming calmer. "Yeah, of course, everything I've done is absolutely unforgivable, and what you've done is half as bad because you rationalize it! That's not fair, baka. You've screwed up just as much as I have!" I shouted back and jumped up. Great, instead of calmly talking things out, we were now standing face to face, screaming at each other. Mamoru rubbed his eyebrows irritably with his thumb and forefinger.

"We won't get anywhere like this, Bunny," he said, calmer, and that took some wind out of my sails.

"What do you suggest?" I conceded a little, Motoki's words still echoing in my ear – clear the air. He pulled the chair from the dining table back a bit and gestured for me to sit. "Would you like something to drink?" I slowly sat down at the table and nodded, and he went to the kitchen. Shortly after, he returned, placed a glass in front of me, and a bottle of water. Then he sat opposite me. There was still tension between us, but it wasn't as explosively high as just a few moments ago. We silently stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. "Shall we start over again? Completely calmly?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes, very gladly. Mamoru, what has become of us? I mean, we used to be the dream team, and now look at us. What's left here?" I gripped the glass and sought his gaze. Ocean blue eyes looked at me full of sorrow. He cautiously reached out his fingers and brushed mine, causing a strange tingling sensation to surge through me.