One for Three

Chapter 56

The entire rest of the evening, I desperately tried to understand what had happened. I was sure Diamond had been in that car. Haruka didn't say another word as I got out and slammed her car door shut with all my might. That would have been my chance to get answers. I was so close to them, and now I was back to square one.

> I know you were there! Stop hiding and talk to me! <, send to Diamond.

Even though I knew I couldn't expect an answer, it relieved me to send him that message. I fell exhausted into bed and played with Seiya's ring, which still rested on my left ring finger. "It would be so much easier if you were still here," I whispered into the silence.

On Wednesday, I moved into my own office at work. I had finally made it. While I was organizing the last items into the drawers, there was a hesitant knock on my door, and Hotaru cautiously peeked her head in.

"Uh... Usa... there's someone here who urgently wants to speak with you."

Curious, I looked up. I actually didn't have any appointments for today.
"Who is it?"

"Mrs. Prince," she said and waited for my reaction.

I sharply inhaled. Yes, sudden appearances at my workplace seemed to run in the family.

"Alright, send her in."

Hotaru opened the door a bit wider, and Kaori headed straight for the empty chair in front of me.

"Prince Charming saw Haruka's car yesterday evening and then smelled a rat. You were gone for less than ten minutes, and he was already sitting at the table," Kaori chattered on directly.

"I know. I saw his car. Massaru had pulled over on a dirt road right next to it, and Haruka had strict orders to keep driving," I grumbled back.

"That stubborn mule," Kaori muttered, and soon we both had to chuckle.

"Usagi, we're running out of time. The trial is on Friday, and he wants to leave early on Saturday. We need to catch him while he's still here."

"And how? Can you please tell me that? He doesn't answer his phone, doesn't reply to messages, and last night, he didn't even enter your house because he suspected I was there. Honestly, I think I'm giving up," I said, discouraged, blowing a strand of hair out of my face.

"Let me handle it. I'll figure it out, trust me. What are you doing tonight?"

"Family dinner at Seiya's brothers'."

She furrowed her brow. "Alright, then we only have tomorrow evening or Friday after the trial... I'll come up with something and let you know." Apparently, her determination was aroused, while doubt crept over me.

"Kaori, we can't force him."

"No, no, we won't force him... We'll just give him a nudge... and if necessary, a slightly bigger one." Her grin grew wider.

Mentally, I sighed. There was no getting out of this because Kaori didn't seem to accept a no. She was determined to make us have this conversation at any cost.
"As I said, I'll let you know once I figure out how we're going to do this," she chirped cheerfully and hurried out of my office.

Ugh. I collapsed onto my desk. This was going to be something.

Hotaru peeked her head in again. "Is everything alright?"

Without lifting my head much, I looked up at her. "Please do me a favor, if anyone with the last name Prince asks for me, just say I'm not here. No matter which one, and if it's really about work, refer them to Sato."

I could see her stifling a smile and nodding. It had been so quiet in recent weeks, and now?

After work, I headed straight to Yaten's apartment. Minako mostly lived with him anyway, and before we went out to eat, I urgently needed to talk to her.