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With the Softest Whimper	By : Setokaiva Category: Sailor Moon > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 149 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is owned by Viz Media I claim no right to Sailor Moon in any way shape or form and am making no money off this work I am submitting this for entertainment purposes ONLY

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Ami stood in the quiet, dim aisle between shelves, her fingers gliding over the spines of neatly-arranged books. The soft scent of paper and a bit of dust brought her a comforting sense of familiarity. She'd always loved libraries—the peaceful isolation, the endless knowledge contained within the pages. This was her sanctuary, a place where she could clear her mind and focus.
But today, her thoughts felt strangely muddled.
Her hand paused on a book about Japanese culture, a title she'd chosen specifically for Sophia, who was currently registering for a library card.
They'd just met through Usagi, who had downright insisted on introducing them. She was a new student from outside Japan, and wanted some help with the country-specific parts of the curriculum.
Ami didn't know much about her, and she didn't expect much—a polite conversation, some small talk, a couple lessons, and then they'd all go about their day.
Except Usagi was already gone. "Please be friends," she'd said, and then quickly left—but that was par for the course in a library.
Ami bit her lip. She liked helping her friends. She was good at it. But this—this was different. Sophia was different.
A flicker of jealousy rippled through her. That was a surprise; she wasn't used to that, especially not toward one of Usagi’s new friends. She knew it wasn’t fair. Sophia was… well, poised. Elegant, even. She exuded an uncanny confidence that didn't have Makoto's warmth, or Rei's passion.
In fact, Usagi had mentioned how much Sophia reminded her of Ami herself. And when she saw it for herself, it immediately put her on edge. Sophia possessed a charm that drew people to her easily, something Ami often felt she lacked.
Usagi had been talking about Sophia with such admiration lately, too. It was impossible not to notice the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her. Sophia was someone who, at least outwardly, seemed to have everything together—someone who could effortlessly balance smarts and social grace. She wasn’t just a transfer student; she was someone Usagi clearly valued.
'Am I being replaced?'
The thought surfaced for a split second before Ami dismissed it sharply.
'No, of course not. That's ridiculous.'
She exhaled quietly, steadying herself. She didn’t need to feel threatened. Usagi and Minako still relied on her to help with their studies. Besides, she wasn’t here to compete with anyone. Usagi had brought Sophia to her because she trusted her, and because Ami was good at this—at explaining, at teaching.
Her fingers tightened around the books she held, and she forced a small smile to her lips.
'I need to focus.'
Ami could tell there was something special about Sophia, even if she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Maybe it was her unusual background, or the way she’d seamlessly fit into their group, or at least its orbit. But Ami pushed those thoughts aside. She had to be fair. Sophia had asked for her help , specifically. She wasn’t here to take anything away from her. She was here to learn. And if there was one thing Ami excelled at, it was sharing knowledge.
Ami took a steadying breath, and headed back toward the reading room. On the way, she ran a hand down her blue vest and pleated skirt, feeling every button and ensuring it was all tucked properly.
As she neared the doorway, she caught a glimpse of Sophia across the room. The dim light cast soft shadows over her features, but even in the low light, she exuded a quiet grace.
Ami stepped into the room quietly, where Sophia was waiting at the table, flipping through a brochure for the library. She looked up as Ami approached, a warm smile spreading across her face.
“I found a few books to start with,” Ami said, setting them down gently. “I thought we could start with some geography and cultural history.”
"Wonderful," Sophia replied. She leaned forward slightly. “Again, I appreciate you taking the time to teach me, Mizuno-senpai."
Ami felt a small warmth spread through her chest, but she quickly tamped it down. "It’s nothing, really,” she said modestly, pushing her glasses up her nose. "It's actually refreshing, and it'll balance my education out, too."
"Ah." Sophia nodded. "Usagi mentioned you helped her a lot with math— especially for entrance exams," she noted.
Ami nodded, smiling at the memory. 'And then she slid right back into her old habits,' she thought ruefully. 'And then… you came along.'
She took a deep breath.
"Shall we begin?" she asked, keeping her tone light and inviting.
Sophia nodded briskly. Ami sat down across from her, and opened the first book.
She avoided Sophia's eyes. Something about her just didn't feel right. She'd teach her, of course, because Usagi'd asked. But that didn't mean she had to like her.

Ami found herself liking Sophia very much over the next several minutes. She was an attentive student, and she asked thoughtful questions that spurred Ami's imagination.
Then… there was the rest.
'You're so helpful and dedicated, Ami. I can see why Usagi and the others look up to you!'
Ami'd avoided goosebumps, but just barely, mumbling a thank-you through her smile.
Goodness, it felt nice to be recognized for more than studying. Usagi was one of the few who did that. Maybe Sophia had learned that from her… or she was just that nice. Either way, she was easy enough to get along with.
Ami flipped through the book’s index, her finger landing on the page number she was looking for. She glanced up at Sophia, who sat across from her, eyes focused and expectant. They had been discussing various regions of Japan for a while, going over basic geography and cultural tidbits, but when Sophia had specifically asked about the Kanmon Straits, Ami had to admit she’d been surprised.
It wasn’t a region most people would ask about right away. Strategically important, yes, but hardly a tourist spot.
She turned to the appropriate section in the book, adjusting her glasses as she began explaining. “The Kanmon Straits,” she started, her voice taking on a more confident tone, “comprise the narrow body of water separating Honshu from Kyushu, specifically between the cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu. It's a major shipping route, so it’s very important for trade. Historically, it was a strategic point during several conflicts.”
Sophia nodded, her expression interested but inscrutable. “Conflicts?” she asked, leaning in slightly.
Ami nodded, feeling a small sense of satisfaction. 'Finally, something Sophia doesn’t know yet.'
“Yes,” she continued, “it was particularly significant during the Russo-Japanese War. The Battle of Tsushima, one of the most important naval battles, took place near the straits in 1905. Japan’s victory was a turning point in modern naval history.”
Sophia mouthed something. She blinked. "Russo… Do you mean Russians?"
When Ami nodded, Sophia cracked a wry smile. "Why can't it just be that, then? So strange," she sighed.
"Hmm." Ami tapped her chin. "I guess you're right. It'd have been the Sino-Japanese war if it were China instead, after all."
Sophia tilted her head. "Wait, why? That's nowhere close."
Ami held up two fingers. "One, because China's traditionally named after the ancient Qin dynasty, the first to unify the country," she dropped a finger, "and two, because Latin speakers from that era had no 'ch' sound, so it would sound more like 'Sinae' to approximate it."
"Wow!" Sophia drew herself up in her seat, smiling widely. "Good show for you, learning something so obscure, senpai!"
Ami smiled back, just barely avoiding a blush. "Well, it's… in my neighborhood, too."
Sophia hummed. "Speaking of, back to these Kanmon Straits. So they were vital for Japan’s defense and trade, even long ago?”
Ami nodded. “Exactly. The straits have always been a crucial point for both economic and military reasons. In ancient times, they were also important for communication between different parts of Japan.”
“You know,” Sophia began, her tone lighter than ever before, “it’s not just your knowledge that impresses me. I mean, clearly, you’re intelligent, but there’s something else, too.”
Ami blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Something else?” she repeated, unsure of what Sophia meant.
Sophia nodded, her eyes warm. “The way you talk about these things… it’s not just facts. You have a passion for learning, for understanding the world. It’s… inspiring.”
Ami felt her cheeks warm slightly. “Oh,” she said softly, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the book’s cover. “I don’t know if it’s passion, really. I just… I like to study. To know things. It’s always been a part of who I am.”
Sophia tilted her head, her gaze becoming more focused. “That’s exactly what I mean. You care about it. And not just because you’re good at it.” She paused for a moment, as if considering something. “But I’ve noticed you’re very modest about it, too.”
Ami shifted slightly in her seat. Modesty wasn’t something she thought of consciously, but she supposed it was true.
“I don’t mean to be,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “It’s just… I don’t want to make anyone feel bad. I know that sometimes, being good at schoolwork can make it hard to relate to other people.”
Sophia’s expression softened even further. “That must be difficult," she said quietly. " Do you feel like that often? That it’s hard to connect with others?”
Ami hesitated. Hard to connect. The truth of the matter was something she didn’t talk about often, even with her friends. She loved them dearly, but there were times—quiet moments, usually—when she felt a small distance between herself and the others. Not because of anything they did, but because of how she saw herself.
“I suppose… sometimes, yes,” she said cautiously, not wanting to dwell on the feeling too much. “I don’t mind, really. I have friends who understand me, and that’s more than enough.”
Sophia nodded, and her gaze turned thoughtful. “It’s interesting you say that. I’ve always admired people who have a strong sense of self, who can be comfortable in their own skin. I know that can be difficult, especially when others get jealous..”
Ami shrugged, and gave a small, awkward smile. “I… I try.”
Sophia leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes soft and encouraging. “So, Mizuno-senpai?"
She waved a hand. "Oh, you can just call me Ami," she said.
Sophia really smiled, then, like that in itself was an achievement. "Ami," she repeated, nodding. "Do you ever feel like there’s more you’d like to do? I mean, beyond studying, beyond school. Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy outside of all that?”
The question caught Ami off guard, and for a moment, she felt an odd flutter in her chest. “Well,” Ami began, thinking carefully, “I like to read, though I suppose that’s not too different from studying. I also swim—mostly at the school’s pool.”
Sophia smiled warmly. “Swimming? Oh, that’s wonderful. I can see how that would suit you.”
Then Sophia's eyes flicked down over Ami's body, though her head remained still. Ami suddenly felt sheepish, and straightened her back on reflex, like she was being appraised by her P.E. coach.
"Do you compete?" Sophia suddenly asked.
Blink. "O… Oh. No." Ami shook her head. "Nothing like that, it's just… to relax, and stay in shape. Swimming engages every muscle group in the body."
'And it helps me connect with the element of water, and… wait, why am I justifying it?'
Sophia’s gaze seemed to brighten, with a spark of something more in her eyes. “That’s important,” she said softly. “Taking time to care for yourself. I imagine it’s not easy, with everything you do.”
'She has no idea how right she is.'
“I suppose I don’t think about it too much,” Ami admitted, her voice soft. “There’s always something to be done, something to study. But swimming helps clear my mind.”
Sophia nodded again. “And your family? Do they encourage you in all this? I imagine they must be very proud of you.”
Ami smiled. “My mother’s a doctor, so she’s always been supportive of my studies. She works a lot, though, so we don’t see each other as often as we’d like. But I know she’s proud of me.”
A small pang of longing tugged at her heart, though she didn’t dwell on it. Her mother’s work was important, and Ami understood that. Even so, she sometimes wished they had more time together.
“That’s wonderful,” Sophia said softly. “It must be nice to have such a strong role model in your life.”
Ami nodded, though a part of her wondered if Sophia really understood. She sounded sincere, but there was something in her tone—a subtle distance, like she was commenting on an abstract concept.
Without pondering it too much, she instead shifted her posture, sitting a little straighter and offering Sophia a small smile.
“She really is,” Ami said, carefully keeping her tone neutral. “But I’m curious about you, too. Usagi mentioned that you’re new to the country, and it sounds like there’s a lot we don’t know about you yet.”
Sophia’s expression softened, and she seemed to relax in her seat, as if she’d expected this question to come eventually. “I suppose that’s fair,” she said, smiling back. “I did put you on the spot a bit, didn’t I?”
Ami waved a hand dismissively. “Not at all. It’s just… Well, you’ve asked me a lot of thoughtful questions, and I realize I don’t know much about you. Where are you from, originally?”
Sophia leaned back in her chair, looking thoughtful. “Originally? Well, I’ve moved around quite a bit. My parents traveled a lot when I was younger, so we never stayed in one place for too long. But most recently, I came from a city in Europe—though I suppose Japan must seem very different to you compared to what I’ve seen.”
Ami tilted her head, staring at her dryly. A city in Europe. Really?
"The culture shock would be something, for sure," she agreed. "Do you miss it?"
Sophia paused for a moment, her eyes flickering with a brief, unreadable expression. It lasted a second, and then she smiled again.
“In some ways, yes. But I like it here in Japan. There’s a certain… energy to this place that I find refreshing. Everything feels so alive, so full of potential.”
'That explains her interest in the geography,' Ami thought to herself.
"And what about your hobbies?" she asked.
"Well…" Sophia shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Is learning about other cultures a hobby?"
Ami smiled back, and nodded.
"It's like… like this table." Sophia rapped her knuckles on the wood. Tap, tap.
"In… Europe, some cultures think a squared-off table reinforces social dynamics, because there's always a 'head'. But a round table signifies that everyone sitting there is equal."
"Oh, right!" Ami exclaimed. "I've heard that, too."
"Right?" Sophia chirped. "All of these different cultures have so many ways of thinking about the same things, and I like to learn about those. But apart from that," she steepled her hands on the table, fingers tucked beneath her chin, "I like all the different music and dance forms between them. I was happy to find that Europe's classical style is popular here, too."
Ami straightened in her seat. "Oh? Do you perform?"
Sophia winced. Still, she smiled, even as she nonchalantly waved her hand. "For myself, mostly," she answered in a soft voice.
So soft, in fact, Ami had to lean forward a bit to hear her better.
Sophia's lips quirked up again. "It's not that I'm not confident enough to dance, or play the violin on stage. I just… do it for me. It helps me focus. It's not the only thing, either; I also craft!" she said proudly.
Ami blinked. "Craft what?"
"Jewelry!" Sophia answered. "I like to collect jewels, and trinkets like mirrors. Sometimes I fix gems to a frame, and sometimes I mount them on rings or a necklace. Again, not for sale or show, just… artisan work is something I do for me."
Ami nodded slowly. Dancing, music, and jewelcraft? With real gems? Was she rich, too?
'Oh, no, there's that jealousy, again.'
She forced herself to smile. "That sounds wonderful," she demurred. “Um… you mentioned your parents traveled a lot. Are they still overseas?"
Sophia's expression drooped.
"Oh, Ami, I'm sorry."
Ami blinked. "Hu—?"
Sophia slowly reached across the table. Ami blinked again, confused—and then Sophia's elegant fingers folded around her hand.
She froze.
“I know it must seem like I have everything figured out,” Sophia said softly, her gaze steady as she looked directly into Ami’s eyes. “But truthfully, I’ve never been as dedicated to anything as you are to your studies, to becoming a doctor, to making yourself better—for the people around you, for society.”
A wave of goosebumps rolled down Ami's arms. She shuddered, but couldn't bring herself to look or pull away.
"There's this saying from my… country," Sophia continued. "'As iron sharpens iron, so does man sharpen man.' I didn't have much reason for being, before, or a big enough problem to focus on. That's why I respect people like you. You have it all together, and yet you still make time to teach others."
Sophia's words sank into her like rocks leaving ripples in a pond.
'She… respects me?'
The idea was startling, flattering even, but also overwhelming. Ami had always been the one to admire others—from Usagi’s unwavering kindness, to Rei’s fierce confidence. But here was Sophia, this mysterious and graceful girl, someone who seemed so worldly and sure of herself, telling Ami that she was the one worthy of admiration?
Her heart pounded, and she became acutely aware of how fast she was breathing, how close Sophia was, how much her words mattered.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Ami stammered, her voice a breathy whisper. “I—um, I mean…”
She had never felt this unbalanced, not even in battle. Words failed her completely. No matter how hard she tried, nothing she could come up with seemed right. How could she respond to such heartfelt admiration when she wasn’t sure she deserved it?
It didn’t make sense, and yet hearing it, feeling it in the warmth of Sophia’s words and the touch of her hand, made something inside her stir—a yearning for that respect to be real, for it to be something she could earn and keep.
She swallowed, managing to regain enough composure to nod slightly. “Thank you,” she finally whispered, her voice small but sincere. “That means a lot to me… coming from you.”
Sophia’s lips curved into a soft smile, as though Ami'd said just the right thing. She let go of her hand then, the warmth of contact slipping away, but the effect lingered. Ami’s hand felt oddly cold now that the warmth was gone, and something in her chest tightened. She hadn’t realized just how much those few moments had meant to her until they were over. She wanted to hold onto them, to hold onto this.
'What will Sophia think of me if I don't measure up?'
That poured a bucket of cold water on her thoughts. Why did she even care so much?
Was this how she'd gotten through to Usagi? This… raw, magnetic charisma? Maybe so. Maybe everyone responded to something different, and Ami… she just didn't have what Sophia had.
And yet Sophia respected her. She poured out praise on her. Ami didn't want to lose that. And… maybe this way, she could understand why Usagi was so affected, too.
As if sensing her thoughts, Sophia drew in a deep breath.
"That reminds me, actually," she began in a soft voice. "What do you think about the Sailor Senshi?"
Ami's shoulders tensed.
"H… Huh?"
“Since you’re so dedicated to helping others, I was curious—what’s your opinion on the Sailor Senshi and their role in society?”
Ami blinked twice. Oh. That wasn't so uncommonly asked. They were public figures now, mysterious heroines that often sparked debate in her peer group.
“Their role in society?” Ami echoed, her voice tentative as she tried to understand the angle Sophia was coming from. “I… I’m not sure I follow. You mean, like, how they help people?”
Sophia leaned forward slightly, her hands resting in her lap as her eyes met Ami’s with a curious gleam. “Well, yes, in a way. They’re like… glorified emergency responders, don’t you think? They always show up when things go wrong—monsters attack, disasters strike—and they save the day. It’s amazing, really. But what fascinates me is the way they inspire people. They do more than just fight. They give people hope.”
"That’s… an interesting way to put it,” Ami said, her voice soft. “I suppose they are more than just fighters. People look up to them, especially kids.”
She paused, her mind flashing to Usagi, who had always taken her role as Sailor Moon so seriously despite her usual clumsiness.
“But I think that’s just part of it. They help protect people because they have the power to do it. It’s their responsibility.”
Sophia leaned back slightly, her eyes still on Ami, and there was something almost encouraging in her gaze. “Yes, but do you think that’s all they should be? Just… emergency responders?”
“I’m not sure,” Ami admitted, her voice quieter now, thoughtful. “They’ve always been there when things go wrong… but I guess, in a way, they could do more. They could… inspire change, maybe? Help people not just in emergencies, but in their everyday lives, too.”
That was putting it too domestically, though. Right as the words left her mouth, she already had in her mind what she thought Sophia was getting at—but it was just too strange, even scary. She imagined them helping guide society, making real changes, like during the Silver Millennium. But that was a pipe dream; it was because they couldn't redo the glory days that they lived out the here and now as best they could.
So why did the idea excite her so much?
Ami shook her head lightly, forcing a small smile. “But that’s probably just a fantasy,” she added, trying to ground herself. “They’re already doing more than anyone could ask.”
Sophia’s smile deepened. "I don’t think it’s as far-fetched as you might think,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “The Sailor Senshi have the power to change more than just individual lives. They’ve already shown they can. Maybe it’s only a matter of time before they realize how much more they can influence the world around them.”
Ami’s heart fluttered again, and she wasn’t sure why. The idea of the Senshi guiding society, not just protecting it, was so foreign, so ambitious… and yet, something about it resonated with her.
But it also made her uneasy. Thinking like that was dangerous, wasn't it? Wasn't that how villains got their start? Or… was she thinking too black and white?
In any case, the thought lingered, like a seed planted in her mind.
It was then she noticed Sophia staring at her, almost expectantly, or… like she was studying something on Ami's face.
But just then, Sophia brought her hands back to the table, and folded them over each other.
“I’m really glad we had this talk,” Sophia said, her voice soft but sincere. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
Ami mumbled in the affirmative, and nodded.
Their studying went for a bit longer after that, this time covering less about history and more about culture. Ami was almost glad when they came to Shinto religion, for at least they all shared that through Rei. When she arrived at the section on traditional dance forms and festival proceedings, Sophia was practically glued to the page. By the end, she'd sworn she would learn a fan dance, and find a proper chihaya to wear for it. When she offered to introduce her to Rei to learn more about the subject, though, the smile Sophia made gave her chills for some reason.
In any case, Ami was glad to have someone to listen to, and who listened to her. Still… it wasn’t until she reached the front doors that Ami realized just how much it'd stirred something inside her. The idea of the Senshi doing more than just fighting—of being something greater—still lingered in her mind. It felt so… ambitious. So grand. So impossible .
And yet, it wouldn’t leave her. She couldn’t help but imagine what it might be like if they could truly influence the world in a more meaningful way.
But then again… could they convince Usagi? She could already hear her friend’s voice in her head: “Do we really have to do more work?!”
She snickered to herself.
Still, the idea lingered, like a little flame flickering in the back of her mind. Maybe one day, it would grow into something more. For now, though, she was content. Content to have met Sophia, who wasn’t as intimidating as she’d thought—and who had somehow made her see things in a new light.
She still had to tell Usagi—
With a start, Ami remembered her phone. She'd left it off at the library.
She fished it back out, and flicked it on. A little bit later, she was staring, utterly bemused, at the string of texts.
Usagi: "How’s it going with Sophia??"
Usagi: "Ami?? Did you guys hit it off?"
Usagi: "OMG she didn’t scare you off did she??"
Usagi: "Ami please answer me, I’m dying here!!"
Usagi: "Ami!! Are you having a party without me?!?! Q_Q"
Snrrk. Ami shook her head slowly. 'Honestly, Usagi…'
Ami: "Everything went well. She’s really thoughtful. We had a good talk. I’ll tell you more later."
Almost immediately, her phone pinged with a response:
Usagi: "Phew! I was seriously worried!! ^_^ I’ll call you later!!!"
Honestly, she felt like Usagi's mom, sometimes.
So what did it mean if Usagi really was getting better? What if that 'A' wasn't a fluke? Did Usagi not need her anymore? Was Minako gonna catch the proverbial bug, next? What would that mean for their group dynamic?
Ami's jaw twitched. Her eyes shifted down.
Maybe she'd gotten too used to being the… no, wait. Ami wasn't the only reliable one. Makoto had more emotional experience by far, and Rei was just as dedicated as Ami herself. Ami just happened to fill a niche as it appeared. She shouldn't feel bad if that niche finally closed. Right? That was her own fault for not preparing for it.
Right. …Right?
Something was off. Why was she only feeling this now? Or… no. She had felt it before. But when had it ever been this strong? What'd changed?
Usagi suddenly started getting better in school. Right after Sophia transferred to Usagi's school.
Ami reached out, propping herself up on a nearby wall. Her brow furrowed.
Did it make sense for it to happen that fast? Maybe not. Maybe yes. It was scientifically proven that people could suddenly change their minds or get better at something seemingly overnight, like savants. Maybe, just maybe, Usagi'd already been primed and ready, and just needed a nudge to set her on the right path.
What was the right path, anyway? Academic success? Certainly, that was one metric, and Ami valued it immeasurably. But even with that, her Princess was so successful as a Senshi, and she had a family that loved her, flaws and all. Usagi didn't need big ambitions or career goals to have any of that.
Strange. Ami would never doubt this at all, before.
It wasn't Usagi's recent success, she reasoned—no, Ami was thrilled to see her friend making strides academically.
Could it really just be herself?
Ami placed a hand to her head, biting back a frustrated sigh.
What did she have to feel unsettled over, anyway? It'd always been her dream to follow in her mother's footsteps. Sophia'd brought up some… interesting points, but nothing Ami'd throw it all away for.
She took a steadying breath, wiping her palms against her skirt to ground herself. Maybe this all just needed careful analysis. If there was something more at play, she needed a clear head to work it out.
With a slight shake of her head, she started back towards her house.

Ami couldn't shake that skin-crawling feeling until she finally got home, and shut herself in her room.
The first thing she did was go right to her desk, and get out her notebook. Not the math, science or biology ones—the old, weathered one that was practically a diary, where she wrote her thoughts before falling asleep and after waking up.
And so she took up her pencil, and wrote. It always calmed her down. It did now, too. Everything made more sense in nice, clean bullet points.
- Being a doctor is what I’ve always wanted. It’s noble, it’s important.
- It helps people. It makes the world a better place.
- I’ve worked so hard for this path. Giving it up would be reckless.
Ami stared at the paper, her brow furrowed. It was all logical. She had a plan, a vision for her future that had been cemented in her mind for as long as she could remember. Medicine was a field that made sense. It was stable, meaningful, and practical. There was so much need in the world, and she could fill it. She'd never lack opportunities to make a difference, either.
But beneath the surface, something stirred—something new and unsettling. The conversation with Sophia had left a mark on her, planting the seed of an idea that now threatened to crack the foundation of everything she’d built.
Her pen hovered over the paper again, and this time she wrote:
- Could I be doing more?
Ami's face darkened. She stared at the question, shaking her head, silently mouthing 'you don't belong here.'
But it was there, persistent as a Youma. And the more she stared at it, the more it began to take root, challenging the certainty she’d always held.
She tapped the pen absently against the paper, her thoughts swirling.
'I’ve always wanted to be a doctor,' she reminded herself. 'This is my dream, my goal. It’s what I’m best suited for.'
She added another point:
- Sophia made me think about leadership, about guiding others.
And then:
- What if I could do more than just help people as a doctor?
The thought sent a ripple through her, a mixture of fear and excitement. Ami’s imagination began to whirl, faster and faster, filling in the gaps. She could see herself and her friends—the Sailor Senshi—not just as protectors, but as rulers, guides, leading a new society built on fairness and wisdom. She imagined them standing tall, ensuring justice and health for all, guiding the world into a better future. It was a grand vision, almost intoxicating.
But with a jolt, Ami shook her head, dispelling the image. 'That’s not me!' she told herself. 'I’m not some… ruler. I don’t want power.'
Right. That was too chaotic, too risky. It was so far from the beaten path, that shining, ever-predictable lighthouse she could fall back on.
But still, she couldn’t shake it. So she kept writing.
- This could be dangerous. I’m not a leader, I’m not meant for this.
Yet the words didn’t feel as strong as they should have. There was something about Sophia’s words that had lit a fire inside her, a fire that blocked out that wholesome lighthouse… yet at the same time, promised something new.
Just what was it, though?
Her pen fell to the desk. Ami groaned in frustration, burying her face in her hands.
'What in the world am I missing?!'
She should just stop thinking about it. It was irrelevant. She was already committed, after all. Why did she care in the first place? Yes. She should just—
Rap, rap.
Ami jumped. She spun around in her chair—and her eyes locked on those of her mother, standing in the doorway. Ami hadn't even heard it open.
“Ami, are you alright?” Saeko’s voice was calm, but tinged with the slightest hint of worry. “You looked a little distracted when you came home. I didn’t even get a hello.”
Ami’s cheeks flared red. “I’m sorry, I… I guess I got a little too wrapped up trying to… to figure this equation out,” she blurted, fumbling for an excuse.
Her mother just gave her a gentle smile. “It’s okay. Why don’t we talk for a bit in the living room?”
Ami blinked. The 'why' died on her lips. Actually, she could use a moment away from all this.
"Sure, mom," she agreed.

Mother took the old rocking chair, the one she'd kept since Ami was a baby. Ami sank into the couch across from her. Even that much helped, but everything together with her mother's presence, the ticking of the wall clock, even the lemony scent of the spray used to clean the bookshelves gave her a sense of grounding she'd missed.
She looked up. Mother was sitting with her hands clasped, a familiar, thoughtful expression on her face. It was the same look her mother always had when considering something serious yet delicate.
“Ami,” her mother began, her voice soft and thoughtful, “I’ve been thinking a lot lately… about your future. About you becoming a doctor.”
Ami froze..
Her lips wavered. She blinked several times before finding her voice again.
"Mom?" she muttered. Her hands tightened around her skirt.
Her mother sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “I’m so proud of you, Ami. You’ve always been so driven, so focused. But… I wonder if you’re rushing things. If maybe, in your desire to grow up so quickly, you’re missing something.”
Ami’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. Missing something?
The words pierced right to her core. Mother. This was her mother saying this. The one she idolized, the one who'd never questioned her before—never doubted her path.
“But I-I’ve always wanted to help people,” Ami stammered, trying to steady herself. “Being a doctor… it’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”
Her mother smiled gently, but there was a softness, a subtle doubt in her expression that made Ami’s stomach churn.
“I know you have, sweetie. But dreams can change, can’t they? You’re so young, and you’re gifted in so many ways. I just don’t want you to lock yourself into a path because you feel like you have to.”
Ami's arms trembled. She hugged them loosely around her stomach, trying to stop the shivering. She could feel her entire world quaking at its underpinnings.
This was her mother —the one person she had always looked up to, the one who had inspired her ambition to become a doctor in the first place. It was insane!
And yet, it was also somehow… freeing.
“I’m not… rushing into anything,” Ami muttered, though the words felt hollow as she spoke them.
Her mother’s hand reached across the table, gently taking Ami’s. “Ami, whatever you decide, I won’t judge you. You don’t have to be a doctor if that’s not what you really want. It’s okay to change your mind.”
Ami’s breath hitched. Change my mind? The idea felt both terrifying and exhilarating. If she let go of that one thread, that one ambition that had always defined her, where would she go? What could she become?
She wanted to protest. She wanted to declare that she was certain, that she was still committed to becoming a doctor. That was who she was—wasn’t it? Yet, despite herself, the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she felt a strange comfort in the thought of letting go, of admitting that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as sure as she thought she was.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her mother’s hand, her voice quiet. “I… I don’t know, Mom. I don’t know.”
And with that admission, Ami felt something shift inside her.
It was scary, yes—but it was also a thrill. A tantalizing sense of freedom warring with her guilt. And behind it all, she could almost hear her friends' voices, coaxing her forward, telling her it was okay to want more.
And now… now it was her own mother, saying it was okay to let go of what she had thought was her only option.
Her mother smiled again, warm and supportive. “That’s okay, Ami. You don’t have to decide everything right now. But just know, whatever path you choose, I’ll support you.”
Ami nodded, but inside, her heart was racing. This wasn’t the relief of returning to her steady plan of becoming a doctor. This was something else. Something more dangerous. More exciting. More… liberating.
And it scared her how much she liked it.
Ami sat in stunned silence, her mother’s words reverberating in her mind. The tightness that had clung to her chest loosened with every breath, and she felt a strange sense of release, like the heavy burden of her future had suddenly been lifted.
But there was a part of her that still couldn’t believe it. That couldn’t process the idea that she , of all people, was allowed to question the path she’d always walked.
“Mom…” she began, her voice soft and a little hesitant, “can you… can you say that again? I just… I want to make sure I understand.”
Her mother looked at her with kind eyes, squeezing her hand gently. “Of course, sweetie. What I’m saying is that it’s okay for you to change your mind. You don’t have to follow the same dream you’ve had for years if it doesn’t feel right anymore. I don’t want you to feel trapped by it. Least of all for my sake, because you followed in my footsteps.”
Ami’s heart fluttered, her head spinning slightly as her mother repeated those words—those terrible, freeing, hauntingly beautiful words. It was as if a door she hadn’t even realized was locked had suddenly swung open, and she was allowed to step through it.
Change her mind. It seemed so simple. Her mother was right—tastes and dreams could evolve over time, couldn’t they? People grew, changed, became something new. So why shouldn’t Ami be allowed to do the same?
But there was something strange about the thought—like a quiet voice in the back of her mind whispering that she wasn’t supposed to change. That for her , things were different. She’d always been the one who knew exactly what she wanted, who’d followed the same path without question. Wasn’t that who she was? Wasn’t that who everyone expected her to be?
She smiled nervously, trying to brush it off with a laugh, though it came out shakier than she intended.
“I… I don’t know if that rule should apply to me, though,” she said lightly.
Her mother chuckled, shaking her head as she brushed a hand gently through Ami’s hair. “Ami, that rule applies to everyone. Even you. You’re allowed to change, just like anyone else. It’s okay.”
Ami blinked, her smile faltering for a moment as a tear formed in the corner of her eye. Inside, her heart danced with a mixture of joy and heartache, soaring at the weight of expectation being lifted from her shoulders. For so long, she’d been chasing that one dream, that one goal of becoming a doctor. But now… now there was something else. Now she had permission to dream differently.
She could still be a doctor, of course. That path was still there, still waiting for her if she wanted it. But the idea that she didn’t have to walk it—that she could do something else entirely—was thrilling in a way she hadn’t expected.
“Thank you, Mom,” she whispered, her voice quiet but filled with emotion. “I… I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.”
Her mother smiled warmly, giving Ami’s hand another reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to figure it all out right away, Ami. You’ve got time. Whatever you choose, I’ll be here to support you.”
Ami nodded woodenly. She could feel her heart practically bouncing off her ribs. Freedom. Lightness.
Chaos.
She had no goal, anymore. No safe, immutable destiny. No front or back. She couldn't see the lighthouse in the dark anymore. It was just herself, adrift on a black, featureless ocean eager to swallow her up.
Her heart clenched in panic. Ami's eyes flicked to the shadows.
"I… I-I need a moment," she choked out.
Ami stood, and walked briskly past her mother, who didn't say anything else. Ami couldn't deal with it anyway. She walked straight back to her room, not looking back, not stopping until she'd shut the door behind her.
Click.
The latch echoed in the silence. She stood there for a moment, frozen.
Her mother's words still rang in her ears. But maybe the worst part was that she'd meant them as reassurance.
She pressed her back against the door. Her breath came in quick, shallow bursts.
What did she want? What could she do if not this?
Ami squeezed her eyes shut, trying to steady her breathing, but it only made her more aware of the blood pounding between her ears.
'I'm lost.'
The thought struck her with such force that she almost sank to the floor.
'I don’t have a plan. I don’t know what I’m doing.'
Her throat tightened, a knot of anxiety forming that she couldn’t seem to swallow down.
But it wasn’t just her own uncertainty gnawing at her. There was something else—a deeper fear, a more urgent worry that bubbled up in the midst of her racing thoughts.
Sophia.
The image of Sophia’s calm, graceful face flashed in Ami’s mind, and with it came the memory of their conversation in the library—the way Sophia had looked at her, the warmth in her voice when she’d said how much she admired Ami’s dedication, her resolution. How she had called Ami someone who had it all together.
The realization made her sick. That version of herself—the version Sophia respected, admired—was gone.
Ami sank down onto her bed, and pressed her trembling hands against her face. Tears welled up, blurring her vision, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn't let herself cry.
But it was too late. Her composure, her strength, her sense of self—everything Sophia had praised her for, everything her friends recognized when the world only saw her intellect—was unraveling, and she couldn’t stop it.
'It's over. They… she won’t respect me anymore. It's over.' The thought lodged itself in her mind like a thorn, impossible to ignore.
She resorted to her tried-and-true method—her notebook. She started to write a heading, “Career Decision,” and underneath it, she scribbled the word “Doctor?”
But her mind fogged over as soon as she saw the familiar word, and her pen hovered uselessly above the paper.
She bit her lip, forcing herself to continue. 'Bullet points. Break it down. Like always.'
Ami stared at the blank page in her notebook, the pen trembling in her grip. She began to scrawl half-hearted ideas:
- Helping people
- Mother’s approval
- Respect from…
Her hand froze. The rest of the sentence didn't form. She wasn't even worthy of writing that name.
Ami shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. 'No, no! Keep going. Focus!'
She started a new bullet point, her handwriting messier now:
- Future...?
That was all she could write. No ideas followed. The page stared back at her, the half-formed thoughts only increasing the weight of her anxiety. She tried again, her movements becoming more erratic as she pushed herself to organize it, to make sense of the confusion clouding her mind:
- Why do I want to be a doctor?
- Could I do something else?
- What does…?
Again, her pen stalled. Ami gritted her teeth, her pulse speeding up as frustration surged through her. She tried to force another line, anything to clarify the mess of thoughts swirling inside her, but her mind hit a wall.
Her logic failed her.
The structure she relied on, the method that had always worked for her in the past, was crumbling under the weight of her emotions. She couldn't think straight, couldn’t reason through it. The more she tried to impose order, the more everything unraveled.
Ami dropped the pen and slumped back in her chair, her chest heaving as she tried to calm the panic rising inside her.
'What am I supposed to do now?'
Just then, the doorbell rang.
She winced, startled her out of her spiral of thoughts. At first, she ignored it, assuming her mother would answer.
But the ringing persisted, again and again.
With a sigh, she pushed herself out of her chair, and headed into the house.
Mother wasn't there. The living room was empty. So was the kitchen. And she didn't hear any signs of her, either.
"I'm coming!" Ami called out, heading straight to the front. Then she opened the door.
Sophia was standing in the doorway.
Ami froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Sophia’s smile shifted into something a little sheepish. “Hello, Ami-senpai. I’m sorry if I startled you,” she said gently, her voice like silk. Then she cupped her hands before her lap, and dipped into a bow.
Ami stammered helplessly. "But… h-how did you…?"
“Oh, Usagi gave me your address!” she chirped. “I was in the area, and I thought… well, maybe you’d like to join me for supper? Just you and me. I didn’t want to interrupt anything.”
Dinner. Alone with Sophia. Ami's lips wobbled, though, words failing her. If she'd come any other time, she might've instantly said yes.
Sophia cocked her head to the side.
“Did you and your mom get in a fight?” she asked, her voice probing but kind.
Ami snapped her head up in surprise, her brow furrowing. “W… What? Why would you think that?”
“I saw a woman leaving the house in a rush, not long before I got here," she said gently.
Ami’s pulse quickened. 'Of course, she saw Mom leave… she must have just missed her.'
The oddness of the situation suddenly weighed on her, and she felt her earlier anxieties resurface. Did it really look like they'd…?
“No, we didn’t… we didn’t fight,” she said, her voice trembling. "She just left for work. And… that's it."
She faltered, unsure if that was the truth. 'It wasn’t a fight, was it? Is Mom actually disappointed in me? I didn't notice anything, but…'
Sophia hummed thoughtfully. "Well," she said in a way that made Ami flinch, "I can come back later; I don't—"
"No, no! " Ami blurted out, shaking her head. "Um, please… please stay? I-I just…"
A chill ran down the back of her neck. 'I don't want to be alone.'
Sophia blinked at her. Her soft lips hung open a moment.
"In… that case," she said slowly, "may I come in?"
Ami took as deep and slow a breath as she could. She reached up, nervously brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
'Be proper. Be polite. It's just Sophia,' she reminded herself. Little routines like these steadied her, helped her present a version of herself that wasn’t crumbling, even if only Sophia would see it.
“Yes, please, welcome ho—I-I mean, come in. Please."
Sophia’s face lit with a smile so gentle, so honest it made her heart pang.
'Show me more of that, please. Show me what honest feelings look like.'
Sophia stepped inside, pausing just after the threshold. Then she craned her neck around slowly, taking in the house.
“Thank you, Ami," she said. "And, may I just say… It’s so lovely here. Your family has a wonderful eye for decor.”
Family. Right. "Oh, it's, um… just me and mom," she murmured. "My dad hasn't been around in a while."
'Not since the divorce, and… why the heck am I even talking about this?'
As Sophia wandered further into the house, Ami’s eyes drifted toward the kitchen. That’s when she noticed the note taped to the fridge, scrawled in neat, familiar handwriting.
'Emergency call at work. I’ll be late tonight. Sorry I missed supper.'
Oh. Okay, that... that made more sense. This did happen, and Ami understood. Well, she understood it better than the idea that her own mother would be disappointed in her. Still... as a doctor, managing emotions was crucial.
'And I'm not managing anything right now,' Ami thought ruefully. 'And... maybe Mom's just that good at hiding it?'
"U-Um." Ami gulped. She clasped her hands to steady her trembling fingers. "Can I… make you some tea, Sophia? Oh, or, is there time? Where did you want to go?"
"No, thank you," Sophia answered. "Actually, this doesn't feel like the right time to take you anywhere."
Ami didn't flinch, but it was a close thing. What did she mean? She suddenly felt painfully aware of how Sophia's eyes seemed to watch Ami's every move.
"Ami?" Sophia’s soft voice broke the silence. “Are you okay?”
Ami's lips opened, but all that came out was a croak. 'Am I? I'm a mess. An absolute mess.'
Before her thoughts could spiral further, Sophia’s angelic voice cut through.
“Shh. It’s okay,” she murmured.
Ami’s breath hitched. That finally broke the dam.
“I… I don’t know what to do anymore,” she choked out, her voice shaking as her hands clenched around Sophia’s. “My mom… she said it’s okay if I don’t want to be a doctor. That I should have a choice, but—” her voice broke, “—I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I had everything figured out. I was so sure… and now…”
Thonk.
Sophia flicked her lightly in the forehead. Ami froze, staring through misted-over eyes back at her wan little smile.
"You haven't given up, Ami," she said. "It's only the way you're thinking about it that feels wrong. I don't think you could ever lose your heart, that goodness you show to others. You don't realize how much strength you have already."
Sophia's words blazed through the dark chill squeezing her heart. Ami's lips wobbled uselessly.
Her thoughts drifted to Usagi. Her friend, who'd been so hopeless with schoolwork not a week ago, only to turn it all around.
Now the answer as to how was right in front of her. Wasn't she? It was this overflowing font of charisma Sophia had. The kind of clout that could inspire even someone so… focused on other things. She'd never insult Usagi, even in private, but she just couldn't see how her Princess would ever take it seriously otherwise. Unless her values were changed.
Ami’s heart pounded as she stared at Sophia, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions rising to the surface. Everything Sophia had said up until now… it all made so much sense. Ami had always followed in someone else's footsteps, had always clung to a path others had laid out for her.
Becoming a doctor had never truly been her own dream, had it? It was her mother’s. Something she'd taken on because it was safe, it was familiar, and because she knew she was capable of it. But maybe… maybe she was capable of so much more.
Something only Sophia could give her.
Sophia’s voice was calm and patient, yet there was an undeniable urgency beneath it now. “Ami, you’ve always been so brilliant, so diligent. But you’ve never let yourself explore beyond the limits placed around you. You’ve followed paths others have carved for you, when the truth is—you’re meant for something greater. You’ve felt it, haven’t you?”
Ami’s breath hitched, her mind racing. She had felt it. She had felt that pull toward something more, something she couldn’t name. And now that Sophia had put it into words, it was like a floodgate had opened. Her chest tightened, emotions swirling inside her as she thought of all the moments she’d hesitated, all the times she’d held herself back out of fear of the unknown.
“I... I don’t know if I can...” Ami’s voice faltered, her hand trembling slightly. She didn’t know if she could make that leap. To step away from everything she had always known.
Sophia leaned in closer, her voice tender yet firm. “Ami, you don’t have to make the choice alone. You don’t have to be afraid. If you admit it, if you let yourself be honest about what you want, I will be there for you. I’ll make the choice for you.”
Ami’s eyes widened. It felt like the moment was suspended in time, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt, fear, and—most unexpectedly—relief.
Could it really be this simple? Could she let go of the weight that had pressed on her for so long, the burden of trying to make the "right" choices all on her own? Her chest tightened, and before she could stop it, a saltless tear slid down her cheek.
Sophia’s hand was gentle as she reached out and brushed the tear away. “It’s okay, Ami. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore. You just have to admit it… and I’ll help you.”
Ami’s throat constricted, her pulse racing as she looked into Sophia’s eyes. There was something so soothing, so compelling about the promise in her voice. The idea that someone else could take the reins, could guide her toward that grander future—toward the destiny that was waiting for her—was both terrifying and intoxicating.
Ami swallowed, her lips trembling as she spoke, barely above a whisper. “I… I don’t want to make the choice.”
Sophia smiled softly, her hand now resting on top of Ami’s. “Then don’t. Let me make it for you.”
Ami hesitated, but as the warmth of Sophia’s words settled over her like a blanket, the fear ebbed away. She found herself nodding, her heart heavy but lighter at the same time. “I… I want you to. I want you to show me.”

Sophia knew better than to gloat. At any point, one of the other Senshi might've stumbled upon the scene… if Usagi wasn't currently keeping them busy with a shopping trip in Akihabara, while Sophia and Ami were supposedly out having tempura bowls together.
She'd also made sure to reach the girl's mother, Mizuno Saeko, before all of this. Humans weren't nearly as complicated to work with as those with magic, since at least then you had a chance to sense what was happening. Ami was a unique threat, especially thanks to that special visor that she could summon, allowing her to scan complex magic—and without human perception involved, which left nothing for Sophia to influence.
Oh, but even without that, she was a delightful challenge. As with Usagi, though, all Sophia had to do was study her, develop her pressure points—and then, soft as a velvet glove, push.
"Let's go to your room," she cooed.
Ami balked—at first. "M-My room?"
Ah, that voice. Uncertainty, but so very, very excited underneath it. Exquisite.
Sophia took both of Ami's hands in hers. She lifted them up, and laid a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"Yes. Your room," she stated more firmly. "I choose to continue this there. Unless you'd rather…?"
"Oh! No, no," Ami blurted out, shaking her head. "M… My room. Over here."
Sophia let go of one hand, but kept the other. She let Ami lead them out of the kitchen, and towards her most private and secret space.
It was roughly what she expected. Ami kept everything orderly, fresh and clean. She saw one of those 'computers' at her desk, along with textbooks and notepads, all neatly laid out. The bed was made, too, a happy departure from how Usagi had been at first, but then, she doubted Ami ever slept in, either.
Sophia stepped in first. Ami fidgeted just a couple steps away, trembling and shifting from foot to foot.
She gave her a sidelong glance. "Close the door."
Ami shook as if hit by a stiff breeze. She mumbled something, then nudged the door closed—and wound up stumbling forward after misjudging the distance.
Click. It latched immediately, and left Ami slumped back against it, breathing heavily.
Sophia didn't bother with that. Instead, she walked, one slow step at a time, to the side of Ami's bed.
Then she turned, and sat smoothly down on the top, legs firmly set in a reverse 'L'.
"Come," she said simply.
Ami jolted into movement. Her lips twitched as though she wanted to say something, but nothing came. This was all too much for the poor thing to process, it seemed. It was so much easier to just trust her, wasn't it?
Sophia chuckled.
"No, Ami," she tutted gently, shaking her head. "Don't sit. Kneel. Put your head in my lap."
"Wh—"
Ami's jaw clacked shut. Her knees wobbled, and then slowly buckled. She lowered herself smoothly, though, one hand on the mattress for support.
Pat. Pat. Sophia invitingly stroked the top of her skirt. And, like a moth to flame, Ami shimmied forward on her knees, and brushed her cheek along Sophia's thigh. Her shaky breaths wafted down along her hip.
Soon enough, Ami nestled right in the dip of her thighs. And Sophia's hands followed right after.
She sank her fingers right into Ami's short, smooth blue hair. Oh, and it was soft. She'd been right—Ami really did take care of herself. Sophia gently pressed down, caressing her scalp, cupping her head from temple to temple.
Nnh. Ami let out a soft, quiet moan.
Sophia giggled in satisfaction, and just kept stroking, while staring right into the depths of Ami's eyes. The poor girl stared right back, utterly fixated.
There was a similar eagerness to Usagi in that gaze. A repressed desire to have it all taken from her. And Sophia was very good with repressed desires.
"Your destiny was already chosen," Sophia cooed, rubbing Ami's cheek with her thumb. "You possess a power so few others do, not even the best doctors in the world. You can do things they simply can't. To tie yourself down to something so mundane is like betraying your heart."
"But…" Nnh. Ami's voice cut out. She breathed in sharply, holding it through the next few strokes. "But what… what do I do? "
"You make the world better, " Sophia breathed out meaningfully.
"It doesn't have to end, Ami. It doesn't have to be that you go off to college, leave all your friends behind, and consign yourself to long sleepless nights working in a sterile hospital. You always knew, but you didn't want to admit how scared you were about losing this connection. Everyone told you what you should do, even though you knew in your heart all along what you really wanted. You just didn't have the heart to reach for it yourself. I'm here to make that choice for you. I can make it so you never doubt yourself again."
Ami's lips wobbled like a candle in the wind. She whimpered, unable to find the words.
"I'll take that as a yes," Sophia cooed playfully.
She lazily pulled a hand off Ami's head, drawing it down her cheek. Pat, pat. She tapped the mattress, beckoning her up.
Ami quickly got it, though she lifted her head up languorously, like waking up from a long nap.
"Lie down on your pillow," Sophia said.
Again, the girl did just as she asked. Sophia gently took hold of Ami's wrists. She lifted each in turn, planting a soft kiss on the back of her hands. Smch. …Smch.
Oh, how Ami's eyes flickered and flashed so nervously. So cute. "Don't look away," Sophia cooed. "Let me see you."
And Ami obeyed. No matter how much she blushed, she never shut her eyes or took them totally off Sophia.
Sophia plucked loose the first button with a little snp. Beneath her fingers, she felt Ami's heartbeat subtly quicken. She drew in a raspy breath.
Sophia moved on, undoing one button after another, after another. Snp. Snp.
"You can never hide anything from me again, Ami," Sophia cooed. "I'll always know. Because I know you best. I'm giving you your second birth as a person, after all."
Ami's only answer was a tiny little whimper.
Sophia cooed happily at that. "Mmm… I have to do this, you know. You need to be completely open and vulnerable. Don't just think of it as me stripping you… think of it as me taking away the walls keeping you from the truth."
With that, she peeled the vest aside, revealing Ami's clean white blouse underneath. The poor girl was shivering, especially around her stomach.
A belly lover. Ooh, perfect. Already, she was learning so much!
"Lift your arms for me, please."
Ami obeyed without question. Sophia giggled at that. Ooh, this was fun!
She pulled the hem loose from Ami's skirt, then tugged it upward, gently brushing her skin on the way. Up and over her stomach, across her chest… ah, and there they were, sitting so cute and perky on her body, protected only by a baby blue bra. Not quite the envy of others, but to Sophia, a nice 'B' cup with such firmness was just as lovely.
She went on higher, brushing the backs of her hands along Ami's face as she lifted the shirt off her arms.
'Oh, my…'
Sophia's lips hung open a moment. She stared, not quite at Ami's gorgeous neck, but just a bit around it. She'd always had a thing for well-defined collarbones, and Ami's, with her svelte swimmer's figure, was just so impeccably smooth.
"Doesn't this feel wonderful?" Sophia continued tenderly. "To know you could just… stop this. You could say no. But you trust me, don't you? You know I'd never hurt you. To know you're safe… it's beautiful, isn't it?"
She didn't really expect a response. But Ami's lips started trembling almost immediately, and she let out a soft, lost little "yes."
"One last step, Ami. Can you do this?"
Ami meekly nodded, and Sophia’s heart raced.
She went for the glory. Sophia brought her hands right to Ami's chest, and with a quick tug, she opened her bra.
The first thing she saw was Ami's chest twitching from her heartbeat. Then her firm, smooth breasts came, each capped with a lovely pink nub standing up straight.
Even as she stared, though, Sophia's hands were already moving down Ami's soft stomach, down to her panties. She hooked them with care—and then Ami lifted her hips up on her own, just so Sophia could slide them down and off.
Her lips cracked open, hanging slack.
'Oh, my…'
She remembered how Ami told her how good swimming was. How it engaged every muscle in the body. She saw that, now.
Despite the graceful smoothness of her skin, Ami's body was obviously athletic, with subtle muscle tone especially around her arms and legs. Like Usagi, too, she somehow lacked tanlines, or any visible blemish at all.
Sophia's eyes slid between her thighs, then. She'd almost treated Ami's flower like an afterthought, when it wasn't at all. I was sweet and pink as a lush fruit, practically begging for a touch.
Could there be anything more perfect? Ami, vulnerable and trusting, lying on her bed, gazing up at her with wide, uncertain eyes. It took everything Sophia had to suppress her triumphant smirk. Her voice remained soft, measured—a gentle cadence that, she knew, would soothe away the last of Ami’s resistance.
“Let go, Ami,” she murmured, her hand resting over Ami’s, giving the slightest squeeze. “Stop holding onto these worries. You don’t need to bear them alone. I can help you find peace— true peace.”
Ami’s lips parted, but no words came. Only shallow breaths. Her eyes slowly lost their focus, gaining a dreamy, glossy texture.
Sophia leaned in just slightly, her own voice dropping to a near whisper.
“Close your eyes,” she said, soft as silk. “Imagine letting it all go…like stepping into calm water…nothing but quiet, nothing pulling at you. Just peace. Let yourself drift.”
The tension in Ami’s face began to melt, her eyes fluttering shut. Sophia’s pulse quickened, her fingers barely brushing Ami’s brow as she continued.
“No more questioning, no more doubts,” she whispered. “You already know everything you need. You’re ready for this, Ami. Ready to move beyond. You just need to let it happen.”
Ami's breathing grew slower, her body relaxing further into the bed.

Ami found herself drifting in dark waters, floating in the middle of an endless ocean. Above her was the twilight sky, vivid with pink and violet colors. She felt the warmth close around her, a gentle, reassuring pressure that softened every edge.
Her usual defenses, her doubts, failed to take hold. For the first time, she didn’t resist. Instead, she welcomed it.
Thoughts of her friends flickered briefly in her mind—faces that had always anchored her, tethering her to something solid, some purpose she’d built her life around. Her mother’s voice wove its way into her thoughts, soft yet urging, always guiding her to be strong, to be steady. But even those voices, the strongest voices in her life, became muted whispers that drifted further and further away. The weight of her ambition, her worries, and all the endless questions she had carried about her future slowly sloughed off, slipping from her like a shed skin. It felt as if she were unburdening herself of every expectation, every hesitancy, and laying it all down.
She still felt an inkling of doubt, anxiety over what awaited her. But Ami had nothing left to resist. Stripped naked inside and out, she was vulnerable as a baby bird.
With one final whimper, Ami just… gave in. She let herself sink, releasing her hold on the world above.
And as soon as she did, her body sank beneath the waves, and the ocean swallowed her whole. The water thickened around her, comforting and encompassing, and she felt it fold over her like layers, cocooning her heart and settling a soothing quiet over her mind.
Ami's hands floated limp at her sides. She didn't need them. She just needed to… breathe.
Her chest rose, and her back arched. She sucked the water in, and soothing darkness rushed in and over her, gently wrapping up her weak, timid heart.
She didn't choke. She didn't drown. The unknown she'd been afraid of all this time… it was all safe. She didn't have to fear it anymore, not with…
…Sophia.
All her doubts vanished, overwhelmed by the truth. Ami wasn't strong. She was never meant to act on her own, for her own imagination paralyzed her. She wanted, needed Sophia, someone who could control her impulses. To realize the destiny she was meant for.
Ami swore she could feel her back touch something solid beneath the darkened sea. It cradled her, like the softest silk, yet grounded her, as though the entire ocean had gently guided her here, to this quiet depth.
She couldn’t call it an ocean floor. It was just a presence. A defined bottom to all this. By now, the shadows had wrapped around her so completely she could barely see the light dappling the surface. The dark ocean's pressure was so intense, though, Ami could barely move at all, and just trying to filled her muscles with a deep, lethargic ache.
But there was no need to understand. No need to question. Doubts and fears couldn't touch her, here. She… she wanted to stay.
And, as if on cue, the scene changed once again.
She felt her awareness drifting slowly upward. Yet… she also felt the ocean, still, or at least its comfortably heavy pressure, squeezing her mind. She was rising again, but leaving something behind. Something she couldn't get back.
And yet… for once, Ami didn't care.

She opened her eyes as if for the first time.
It didn't hit her at first. Reality felt… numb. Fragmented, like she wasn't all the way there.
Her senses came back in pieces. It wasn't the touch of sand on the ocean floor, but soft fabric under her bare skin. The faintest wisp of air. The sound of… breathing.
Then she blinked. A soft, angelic face came into view, haloed by the dim light of her room.
Sophia.
“Welcome back, Ami," she said, her eyes sparkling so beautifully. "How are you feeling?”
Ami opened her mouth, but words wouldn’t come. Instead, a warmth radiated through her, reaching her cheeks, and settling over her heart.
She reached up, arms encircling Sophia’s neck. Sophia’s eyes widened, startled yet delighted.
Ami pulled her down until their chests met. Then she folded her elbows around Sophia's back, and held her close.
Sophia relaxed against her. They met face to face, letting Ami see the beautiful satisfaction in her gaze.
Sophia. Sophia.
She was her rock, her anchor. Her source of blessed certainty.
Ami finally found her voice, then, and despite the love and relief and glee frolicking in her heart, she only let out a soft whisper.
"Thank you.”
Sophia's eyes fluttered just slightly, gleaming with… with brilliant violet. The same color as the clouds in that dream. Except it hadn't really been a dream, had it? She'd… Sophia had just reached into her subconscious mind, all like it was nothing.
And then Sophia said something that would define Ami for the rest of her life.
"You're welcome, my Knight."
Knight.
The word dropped into place like a key fitting in a hole, the truth washing over her in a gentle wave. Eureka. Just like that, she understood.
Sophia had surely done this before. She'd probably gotten to her mom before all this, hence her strange behavior. This also had to be the reason for Usagi's better grades—Sophia'd gotten to her, too. That meant they'd already lost before it even began; but somehow, that didn't make her feel anxious at all.
No. If anything, she was glad. She knew honest emotion when she saw it, and Sophia meant every word. She was so happy to not have to deal with her own second-guessing mind, or she might've stopped this!
Everything rearranged for her, neat and orderly like pieces on a chessboard. She wasn't truly loyal to Usagi, anymore, nor to Earth. They were both Sophia's Knights, and that was all she cared to know.
Then, Sophia's body started to slump, and her smile flickered like a leaf.
Ami's heart panged. That was distress. Her shoulders instantly tensed up.
With a little grunt, Sophia rolled off of her, and fwomped onto the bed by her side.
"Are you okay?" she asked instinctively. "That didn't hurt you, did it?"
Rustle. Sophia shook her head, making her long hair dance over Ami's skin. "No. It might've, but you made it easy."
Ami didn't even want to think about how complex it was to affect someone's mind that deeply. The implications were staggering. Or… she hoped they were.
"Is it… gone?" she asked quietly. "For real? Forever?"
Sophia's smile quirked up. She brushed the back of her hand along Ami's cheek, making her shudder, but Ami never took her gaze away.
"It is, if you want it to be," Sophia cooed. "I buried it deep, deep down where it can't reach you. My spell is self-reinforcing, so long as your will is to remain under it. If you never want to doubt me or yourself again, then you never will, for as long as you live."
Wow. That… that was the strongest magic she'd heard of! Maybe with exceptions for the Silver Millennium, but… who was she? Where was she really from? How'd she do all this?
Except that was just curiosity. The answers didn't really matter to her in the end.
"Is there anything I can do for you? To… help?" she asked instead.
"Well," Sophia breathed, caressing her fingers over Ami's scalp. "Just answer me this. Do you still want to be a doctor?"
"No."
Ami blinked. Twice.
The word was out of her mouth before she even thought about it. It should have horrified her, but… all she felt was a dull, hollow numbness, like her mind was scraping for something that didn't exist.
"No," she murmured, almost scared.
Still nothing.
Her heart lightened, and she started smiling wider. "No." Ami's voice picked up. "No! I… I don't!"
She didn't want to. That desire… it'd been buried. Smothered. Locked away, like Sophia said, where it couldn't touch her! She wouldn't even have to face her mother with guilt, or bear the withering disappointment of her look she'd been so scared of!
Ami's path, her dreams… that all belonged to her, now, didn't it?
Sophia just laid there beside her, smiling beatifically as an angel.
"Then, why don't you show your appreciation?" she crooned. "You could take this all off me. Give me a kiss. Do…" Sophia breathed across her face, "...what ever … you feel like."
Ami sat up ramrod straight. She gazed down at Sophia's body, still clad in that school uniform that fit her so well. She filled out the serafuku just like it was made for her, showing off her crisp shoulders, with just enough shade created by her long hair to tease the eyes. Her skirt was ruffled and askew, giving her a glimpse of her smooth, pale legs.
"Shall I make it an order?"
Shudder. Sophia said it without an ounce of impatience, but rather amusement. Ami nodded quickly.
"Ami, my Knight," Sophia began, taking a slow breath, "I order you… to strip me."
Something clicked.
Ami moved immediately, hands going right to Sophia's stockings. Her fingers hooked into the bands, tasting the soft silk.
Her eyes flashed onto Sophia's. Her heart thudded against her ribs. Thmp. Thmp.
Right, take it slow. That's how Sophia did hers. She brought the bands down nice and easy, slipping them down Sophia's calves with a soft sheen of fabric on skin .
Just the sound alone made her shiver. There was something deeply hypnotic about every sense associated with her, she thought. Maybe that was part of her trick! Everything was amplified when Sophia wanted to attract someone!
Ami let her tongue flick just a bit over her tongue.
"Oh?" Sophia giggled. "Are you going to eat me, Ami?"
Pfft. Maybe. She could think of a couple ways. Ami just smiled back, and kept on tugging, until Sophia's bare feet were free.
Yet she didn't stop to admire them. There was more, much more. So she went on higher, this time prying Sophia's skirt loose from her supple hips with a little snk.
It came off easily, thanks to a little cooperative shimmying from her Mistress. Sophia bore it all with silent grace, her soft eyes barely even twitching. No embarrassment, only confidence.
Maybe that was because Sophia was in control. Maybe she felt safe because she could be vulnerable like this, too, without worrying about a thing. Or maybe that was just who she was.
Ami settled her hands on Sophia's hips for a moment. She drew in a deep, tender breath.
Then she drew them down. And brought her Mistress' most sacred shield with them.
Ulp.
Nothing prepared her for how perfect it was. Even knowing she hadn't truly seen one up close, even knowing Sophia might be affecting her perception, it was still as pure and pink and beautiful as sakura blossoms in Spring.
Even so, she had to keep going. Sophia's orders. So Ami smoothed her hands up Sophia's hips, and onto her stomach, pushing her top up along with. More. More.
Ami's eyes burned with saltless, joyful tears. So much skin. So much beauty. So perfect… and all just for her. Sophia was the most generous person in the world!
Smiling until her cheeks twitched, Ami pressed on, shimmying her knees along Sophia's sides as she went. Sophia helpfully lifted her arms, allowing it to slide off as smooth as butter.
Only then did she finally look back. Then she took in the soft swell of her Mistress' breasts, standing as firm and perfect as globes. Sophia, naked as a baby bird, looked back, and… was that a shy twitch in her smile?
"I…" Ami's breath caught. "I-I. Um… Soph…"
Shh.
That single sound swept Ami's breath right back into her throat. Sophia reached up, cupping Ami's chin in her palm. She stared, transfixed, tracing a line from Sophia's wrist on down.
Sophia's lips mouthed the words: 'Kiss me.' Somehow, Ami heard it clearly in her own head.
She fell right atop Sophia, pressing their bodies together chest-to-chest. Their lips met in an instant, and she groaned out softly into her mouth.
Sophia let out a little chuckle in response. Then she wrapped her arms around Ami's back, and kissed her in turn. Her tongue danced like a rapier, flicking, stroking, brushing Ami's lips and through her teeth. Ami felt hopelessly inexperienced by comparison, but she just kept on going, determined to prove her love. Her devotion.
Their breasts rubbed together, lighting up sparks up and down Ami's spine. Everywhere they touched was bliss. She stretched out as if waking from a nap, running her legs over Sophia's until their toes touched. Sophia poked her soles with a toe occasionally, making Ami gasp. Pressure points—she knew those, too!
Ami wasn't done, though. She drove her arms right around Sophia's collarbone, plunging her hands into that long black hair. It flowed over her skin like water, but was soft as velvet.
Sophia kissed with her whole body, from her lips, to her chest, her legs, and…
Blessed friction struck between Ami's legs. She gasped, sucking in Sophia's breath.
Her thighs. Sophia'd shifted. Their folds were stroking together! Genius!
She bent her back and spread a leg out slightly, giving her leverage to maneuver. The first time she pushed back lashed her core with bliss.
"Ooh…"
Ami's heart skipped a beat. That voice. That glorious, soulful croon. Sophia's eyes flickered at her, vibrant and full of trust. Ami wanted to live in that moment, just to hear it over and over.
Ami's breaths sped up. She pulled her stomach up and twisted, then pushed her thighs until that ecstatic bolt struck again.
She quickly found the rhythm. Push. Arch back. Twist in a slow circle, then… push. Arch back. Twist.
Brush. Shlick. She could just hear Sophia's sacred folds sliding wetly against hers. But that didn't compare to Sophia's soft, delicate moans. The way she relaxed, a blush crowning her smile, hands just lightly caressing Ami's back.
Ami was seeing something no one else saw. It wasn't just about proving her love, anymore. It was about committing herself to Sophia's reality. To be worthy of a world where a voice like that existed, just for her. Where this beautiful angel felt safe baring this side to her.
And just when she thought it couldn't get any better, something delicate and indescribably soft reached up and enveloped her from shoulders to hips.
Sophia's hair.
It flowed like water around her arms, driving yet another gasp from her chest. Living, prehensile keratin? Amazing!
Bruuush. She heard as well as felt it caress along her skin, sending a shuddering wave of pleasure all the way down to her toes.
Ami felt a wave of gentle pressure rising up. She gasped, and willed her hips to slow down, not wanting to…
Wait, no. She wasn't cumming already.
The pressure turned to needles, sinking deep but painlessly into her consciousness. Then something in her stirred, moved—and spilled free.
She knew this feeling. It was the same feeling she had when she transformed… but in reverse. Something dear and precious inside her was being scooped out.
Sophia was taking her magic.
She felt it all the way down, like acupuncture needles reaching her very soul. Except… that feeling turned warm and soft and delicate as soon as it was through. Ami felt it like ribbons caressing a tender spot, making a sweet itch blossom somewhere she couldn't touch.
Her Sailor Crystal.
But Ami didn't resist even a little. Her power responded to her will. But her will was Sophia's, now. She wouldn't in the least hold anything back from her.
She could feel those 'ribbons' wrapping around the source of her power, the metaphysical core binding her to her celestial body. Yet… they didn't tug on or try to pull it loose, not even a little. They just stroked, as if running over its surface, teasing loose trickles of mana… which they then swiftly absorbed, carrying them up, out, and away from Ami's body.
But that trickle soon grew. Magic flowed out of her in great, pulsing blue waves, coruscating through Sophia's hair and lighting up the black within it like myriad stars.
Yet even as it blazed as gloriously as an aurora, Sophia bore it all with a relaxed, blissful smile. Her eyes fluttered open and shut, as if trying to stay awake. She breathed long and deep, her chest rising and falling steadily while the rest of her body laid mostly limp on the bed.
She understood. Sophia's hair was a living, eager thing, a part of her she only showed to those she trusted fully. Only by Ami leaving aside her old destiny could she truly see it. Feel it.
Losing her magic was almost like losing blood. It left a numb, hollow ache like a leg-fell-asleep sensation all over her body, squeezing her like juice from an orange.
But it didn't hurt, even when it should have. By not resisting, Ami just let the mana go, leaving only a pleasant, lethargic tiredness behind. If it were anyone else, its passing would have left a scar. But Ami wanted it out, wanted to give this to her Mistress, the one who'd saved her from the dead end she'd been locked into.
And even though it left an empty sensation in her core, that only made her heart feel lighter, and she wished she had more to lose.
Finally, it was over.
The ribbons retreated, leaving behind Ami's much-dimmed, but still whole Sailor Crystal. That transfixing needle-like sensation fled with them, and that heavy, comfortable ache flooded in like a bandage after surgery.
Ami collapsed forward. Sophia caught her, though, and gently guided her down with both hands, until her head hit the pillow with a soft fwump.
She breathed in slow and carefully, though her voice cracked several times. She expected pain, discomfort, something. There was ache, but no damage had been done.
"Are you okay, Ami?"
She nodded weakly, though it was more like nudging her head against the pillow.
Sophia hadn't taken anything irreplaceable. Her mana would recover in time. Then… then Sophia might do that to her again. And again. For the rest of her life.
She smiled a little lopsidedly. "I'm… sorry," she murmured. "I… I didn't make y… I didn't finish you."
"Don't be silly," Sophia whispered almost reverently. "I got carried away. I just had to taste you, and…" her smile spread up towards her sparkling eyes, "...oh, that felt amazing, Ami. Your power's so… rich, so full of potential."
Potential. She'd heard that word often enough, and it made her hesitate. "Is it… enough?" she croaked.
Sophia tilted her head a bit. "What do you mean?"
"I know I'm probably the weakest out of all of us… I mean, I don't know. Is there any other way I can help? You're going to use it all for something, r… ri…?"
Sophia pressed in, kissing Ami right on the forehead.
Ami's mind went blank. For a single moment, she felt only those lips. Heard only Sophia's breath. Smelled only her sweet, floral perfume.
Smch.
The feeling of her pulling away sent a tingle down Ami's spine. Sophia nuzzled in close, then reached around her back, smoothing a hand down her short blue hair.
"All you need to do now is rest, Ami," Sophia cooed tenderly. "Nothing would please me more right now than you falling asleep in my arms."
Ami felt something shift inside her. Like tumbling down a hill, her eyelids grew heavy, and a blanket of fog swept around her thoughts.
The hand rose back up. Palm, on her scalp. Fingers, caressing her temple. A single circle around… then Sophia brought it down, down… all the way past her neck.
Then, Sophia's hair, still glowing softly like a starscape, swept effortlessly around her, wrapping her in a silken cocoon. It didn't bring the pressure, this time. It just... laid there, warm as a heated blanket with all the channeled energy. Thanks to that, despite being naked on the top of her covers, Ami didn't shiver even a little.
Her eyes fluttered shut. She could almost hear the crashing of waves. Ami relaxed, letting herself float amidst the dark waters again.
And Sophia was her lighthouse. She never needed fear or doubt again, not now that her own blue glow had been taken into Sophia's growing power. Ami wanted only to nurture that light, and if need be, she'd fight for a world where her Mistress could smile.
‘If I can be part of what makes her happy… that’s all I need.’
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With the Softest Whimper