One for Three

Chapter 59

As often on days of great importance, there was hardly any sleep to be had. It was 4 AM, and I lay wide awake in my bed. Today was finally the day that would change everything. Sapphire's trial was scheduled for 11 AM, and afterwards, Diamond had finally agreed to a conversation. After 153 days, I had finally managed it—or rather, Kaori had managed it, but that didn't matter to me. We would finally have a proper talk, or so I hoped, and that was the main thing.

But at the same time, there was this dull, uncomfortable feeling in my chest. I would have to face Sapphire again today. He had taken Seiya from me, irretrievably. The pain that had overwhelmed me that night was suddenly so present that it almost took my breath away. All the exercises from my therapist didn't help. The images of him lying motionless replayed in my mind. I turned my head to my nightstand, where a picture of us stood. His smile radiated back at me. He was gone and would not come back, I told myself over and over.

Would he be okay with me getting involved with Diamond now? I was sure that Seiya would have wanted me to be happy. Even though I couldn't fully explain it to myself yet, I had the feeling that Diamond would do just that. Yes, he might clearly be an emotional autist, but somehow I would manage. After all, Kaori had also managed with Kunzite, who was obviously just as difficult. But first, I had to crack this nut.

The carousel of questions kept spinning in my head. How would Yaten and Taiki react? After Yaten's explosion, I hadn't spoken to him again. Minako said he had calmed down, but somehow I believed there would be more to come. Especially when I got Diamond to that point... That would surely lead to more arguments.

Oh dear, I already had so much swirling around in my head. I needed a coffee first to really wake up. Just before 10 AM, I arrived at the Crown. The early rising still made me feel a bit groggy. Minako, Yaten, and Taiki were already sitting at one of the tables, waiting for me. I couldn't miss Yaten's sparkling gaze, but as soon as Minako noticed it, she gave him a light kick under the table.
"Ouch. Would you rather sit at the other end of the table so you're closer to your feet?" Yaten asked irritably in her direction. His tension wasn't just due to me; I knew that. I felt the same way.
"Behave," Minako hissed at him, trying to defuse the situation.
"I didn't do anything," Yaten mumbled, but his words already sounded somewhat conciliatory. I sat down next to Minako and sipped my shake, which Toki had already placed in front of me.

Time passed quickly; hardly had we finished our drinks when we had to leave. The walk to the courthouse was marked by an unusual silence. Each of us was lost in our thoughts, and no one dared to break the silence. The uncertainty hung thick in the air, and I could feel it straining my nerves.

When we reached the courthouse, we found ourselves in the midst of a crowd. Reporters, onlookers, and lawyers hurried back and forth. We entered the courtroom and immediately sensed the tense atmosphere that filled the room. The benches were already full of people who had come to witness the trial. The trial against Sapphire Prince for the murder of Seiya Kou.

My heart raced wildly in my chest as I took my seat. Haruka, who was also called as a witness, sat next to me. Yaten and Taiki took their places as plaintiffs, and Minako had to find a seat among the reporters and curious onlookers, even though I would have preferred to have her close by. I scanned the room but couldn't see Diamond anywhere. Kaori and Kunzite were also absent. However, Prince Senior was sitting a few seats away, staring rigidly in my direction. The trial was about to begin.

Just a few minutes before the judge opened the proceedings, the three of them rushed past me and took their seats, none of them showing any emotion.

Every glance, every word, and every movement were closely watched. Sapphire sat in the defendant's chair, and I could practically feel his cool and indifferent demeanor. It seemed as if the events around him didn't really affect him.