Hidden Secrets

Chapter 101

Seiya couldn't bring himself to inform Usagi about the upcoming meeting, not after learning that Makoto's funeral was scheduled for the same day. He had meticulously planned everything; it was a tight schedule, but he could manage it. First, the memorial service and burial, and immediately afterward, if he drove straight through, he could still make it to Kenji's meeting on time. Yesterday, he had repeatedly considered whether to inform his beloved, but her thoughts were entirely elsewhere. She wanted the funeral to be perfect, and he didn't want to distract her from that.

At least he could rely on Amy: yesterday around noon, she had brought him an envelope containing the necessary documents to at least put Kenji in check for the time being. The young lawyer from her firm had promptly obtained judicial approvals allowing the transfer of their businesses to Usagi. At the same time, another document was drawn up, appointing Seiya as her legal representative.

He took one last look in the mirror and adjusted the black tie, fastening it with a subtle gold tie clip.

Usagi was already waiting for him in the living room, and her appearance momentarily took his breath away. She had chosen a traditional black mourning kimono and still looked stunningly beautiful to him. He saw her far too rarely in traditional attire, although she clearly felt comfortable in it.

"Oh good, you're here. I thought I might have to look for you. We need to leave if we want to be on time... I need to...," she babbled nervously, but Seiya silenced her with a kiss. "You need to calm down a bit. Remember, all this stress isn't good for the little ones," he said gently, placing his hand on her broad obi, directly over her bump.

Usagi suppressed a sigh; she knew he was right, but today she couldn't afford to rest. She promised herself she would take it easy starting tomorrow, but not today. "I know... Minako and Shingo have already taken a lot off my plate, but I can't leave everything to them," she replied softly. Seiya nodded understandingly, put his arm around her, and led her to the elevator.

In the garage, they didn't have to wait long for the others. Mamoru was already leaning against his red car, also dressed in a black suit. Setsuna, in a black sheath dress, sat on the car's hood, looking oddly relaxed. Shingo had positioned himself next to the elevator, his dark cap pulled low over his face.

"Now we're just missing our lovebirds from the 29th floor. Amy said she couldn't come. She's worried about Kakashi's health, and she's trying to get Rei moving again. Plus, she's babysitting Kaya, though it's hard to imagine Hikari ever letting go of her granddaughter," Mamoru informed the newcomers.

Seiya rolled his eyes playfully. "Mother is just obsessed with babies, and Kaya seems to distract her from her worries. It's good that soon she'll have three grandchildren running around... She won't have time for anything else."

Usagi smiled. Her mother-in-law couldn't wait to hold her grandchildren, and when she heard about Yaten's sudden fatherhood, it was the first time she'd seen her laugh again.

Before the elevator doors opened, they could already hear Minako and Yaten's voices arguing. "I just said I don't think it's a good idea for you to go. Let Seiya and me handle it; we have a plan. Besides, Mamoru is coming with us. Nothing will happen," Yaten argued. "No way. My father, my problem. I didn't come back to live in the shadows. I'll put him in his place later," she snapped back.

"Couldn't you at least stick with plain black? This will only provoke his anger. Minako, you know how much I want what I have here and now, but...," Yaten's voice trailed off as the door opened. Everyone turned to look at Minako, speechless and partly overwhelmed.

She was wearing a stunning high-low dress in deep black, decorated with subtle gold ornaments along the hem. A curving gold belt around her waist completed the look. It was unmistakable that she was presenting herself in the Kou colors, a clear declaration of war against her father. No more masks, no more pretending. She had even dyed her hair blonde again, looking almost as she did on the day of her death. Only her hair length had changed, giving her a much more authoritative presence.