One for Three

Chapter 46

As Haruka drove, my thoughts were constantly revolving around Diamond's strange behavior. I already knew that he often acted oddly, but his distance and rejection lately made me wonder. It was somehow peculiar between us.

Just half an hour later, Haruka stopped in front of the house. She told me to call her if anything happened, but I was grateful to finally be alone.

However, when I stood in front of my apartment, a surprise awaited me that I hadn't expected. Mamoru was leaning against the door, his head tilted back, eyes closed. What was he doing here? How did he suddenly know where I lived? I didn't really feel like having visitors. I just wanted to get back into bed and forget the terrible things in a dream world. I briefly considered turning around and leaving. Eventually, Mamoru would surely give up and disappear. But as soon as I turned around and took the first steps back towards the stairwell, his voice sounded behind me: "Bunny, stop running away."

Suddenly, I froze. "Don't you dare ask me how I'm doing now!" I snapped over my shoulder without turning around.

"Don't worry, I wanted to spare you that question. Everyone who knows you can see it. Besides, I can guess, already forgotten," he replied calmly.

I clenched my hands into fists. "What do you want here? And how do you even know where I live now?" My voice trembled slightly.

I heard his footsteps approaching. "Minako," he said softly, placing his hand on my shoulder. "It's not good to be alone in the first few days. Can I stay?"

A strange feeling ran through me just at the thought of being with Mamoru in Seiya's apartment. I hesitated for a moment before eventually nodding. Mamoru showed a certain surprise when he entered. I knew I also had to talk to Yaten and Taiki about it - after all, it was now their apartment. I would probably have to find a new place to stay, and that at the current exorbitant prices. I made myself a tea and a coffee for him. Then we sat on the couch and stared at each other, surrounded by a strange atmosphere.

"You once asked me what was between him and me - that day in the café when I punched him... I think you should know now," he began.

Curiously, I raised my head. Why was he bringing this up now? My heart started beating faster as I waited for him to continue his words.

"I was full of anger and sorrow while you were in the kitchen with Motoki. I couldn't take my eyes off him, consumed by jealousy and envy. You had him, and I had nothing left. You were gone, and I had also lost Rei. He didn't look at me, stared at the door to the kitchen, and then he said he would take care of you because you were the most important thing to him. I snorted contemptuously, but he didn't give up. He wanted to engage me in a conversation, and eventually, he said that I could hit him if it would make me feel better." Mamoru paused briefly as he sank into his memories. "That invitation was so tempting in that moment that I actually did it. When he looked up at me from the floor and said it wouldn't change anything, I knew he was right. It wouldn't change anything, but you would always remain the most important thing for me too."

A gentle smile appeared on my lips. That was so typical of Seiya, I could vividly imagine it. He must have been shocked when Mamoru actually hit him. He probably didn't expect that reaction. It was a moment that, despite the gravity of the situation, brought a small smile to my face as I kept memories of Seiya in my heart.

It felt so good to talk about Seiya as if he were still here with us. Although it was initially a strange situation, Mamoru and I were now sitting together and talking as if no time had passed. Mamoru told me in detail about Rei, what she was like, and the experiences they had shared. And I did the same with Seiya. I told Mamoru everything, from the beginning, without any further secrets. I remembered his first line, that I looked like his future wife. The huge bouquet of flowers and the invitation to dinner, how he secretly moved in with me little by little. I told him about his creative ideas, with which he so often wanted to make me happy. It felt as if these conversations lifted a burden from both of us.

As a last point, I told him about his wonderful surprise after Rei's farewell party. The many shooting stars had been simply fantastic. Suddenly, I remembered our conversation on the rooftop. He had said that he didn't want a traditional funeral but something in a European or American style. I still had to talk to Taiki and Yaten about it. I needed to take care of finding a funeral director unless they had already arranged one.

Mamoru gently stroked my upper arm. "Come on, Bunny. Go to bed. It's late." He got up and put on his jacket.

"Mamo, wait... Could you maybe stay here? In the guest room... Just in case something happens."

My words hung in the air as I looked at him, hoping he would agree. He gave me a loving smile. "Of course."

I led him to the guest room, showed him everything, and then went into the bedroom. But as I entered, a strange feeling washed over me. I put on one of Seiya's shirts and clutched his sweater tightly. It was an attempt to feel his presence a little longer, to see him again in my dreams.

But this attempt was interrupted by a terrible nightmare. I found myself back in the hospital, in the sterile basement room. Before my eyes, I saw Seiya's lifeless, frozen face. I jolted upright and reached out with my hand for him on his side of the bed, but it remained empty and would forever be empty. I pulled my legs close to my body and started to cry. These moments of loneliness were the worst.

Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my blanket and opened the door quietly. For a moment, I hesitated in front of the guest room door and listened to Mamoru's soothing snoring. Then, with my blanket, I dragged myself into the living room, grabbed a huge bar of chocolate, and took my place on the sofa. The TV was on at a low volume, just to provide my eyes with a distraction.

The chocolate melted on my tongue, but its taste couldn't fill the emptiness in my heart. The silence of the living room enveloped me, and I longed for the warmth and comfort that Seiya had always given me. But now he was gone, and I was alone. A soft laugh made me jump. Mamoru stood in the doorway, only wearing his black boxers, arms crossed in front of his chest, grinning at me. I grabbed a pillow and threw it right in his face. Bullseye!

"What's so funny, baka?" I called out to him. He picked up the pillow and came closer. "Come on, make room. Eating alone makes you fat, especially at this hour." He broke off a piece of my chocolate as he passed by and settled down next to me.

"Hey, hands off my chocolate! Besides, you just called me fat? And why are you even awake? Just a moment ago, you were peacefully snoring."

"I don't snore," he replied, pushing the piece of chocolate between his lips.

I clutched my only comfort, a brown bar full of calories, with both hands. He better not dare to touch it again.

"Yes, you do. Always have," I said, slightly annoyed, sticking my tongue out at him. He crossed his arms behind his head and watched the TV program without further engaging in our banter. Eventually, he got up, grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen, and ruffled my hair as he passed by.

"Get some rest, Bunny. The sun will be rising soon, and you haven't slept at all," he said lovingly before disappearing into the guest room.

I lay on the sofa for a while, tossing and turning, but couldn't find a comfortable position. Going back to the large, empty bed in the bedroom was also not an option after the nightmare earlier. Eventually, I wrapped myself in the blanket again and quietly got up to open the guest room door. Carefully, I tiptoed in and lay down on the right side of the bed. Mamoru was lying on the left side, quite close to the edge. I was sure he had noticed me, but he didn't react.

My feet were cold, and instinctively, they sought the warmth of Mamoru.

"Good grief, Usako. Where were your feet?! Taking a walk at the North Pole?" he scolded after I had slid my feet under his legs. A slight grin appeared on my lips. Despite his scolding, he endured the cold and warmed me up. Finally, I could find a few hours of sleep without being haunted by nightmares.