I feel utterly terrible that this had to happen, but I guess it was bound to be. Right now, I want you to promise me one thing, Michiru-san. I want you to continue protecting the princess in my place. Please see that our beloved Princess Serenity comes to no harm, and that she lives to continue Crystal Tokyo. I love Usagi-chan with my whole heart and soul, and I know I can trust you with her safety. I really don’t mean to send you to cover up my mistake, I would never do such! It’s just that what’s done is done, and the best we could do is cope up with it, make the best of the situation…

If you’ll let me, dear Michiru-san, I would like to send my deepest gratitude to you. We may not be as close as one may expect, yet you have given me one of the best gifts I have ever received; you taught me a lot about self confidence, how to compete, how to strive harder.

Remember that day by the swimming pool? It’s something I can never forget, even in death. It was a particularly depressing day, and I decided to go for a swim. The times were harsh on me that day, Michiru-san. My principal had told me not to tutor my other left-behind classmates anymore, for he felt that it might affect my academic performance. It shocked me to hear him say such unreasonable words, for the truth was, I loved to help my friends in their studies. I guess I was under the belief that I wasn’t good for anything except studying, that is why I reveled in tutoring my friends.

The water was cool, I remember, and it relieved my frazzled nerves. I was paddling idly through the water when I saw you. You fascinated me even under the water. After we finally surfaced, you looked at me with challenging eyes, and invited me to race you. When I heard the steady counting Haruka-san started making (even though I had no idea where he was), I immediately took my place and prepared to swim.

You were fast, Michiru-san! You were one of the fastest I’ve seen. I thought it might please you if I let you won, so I lagged behind, letting you touch the other end of the pool first. I had no idea then of the mistake I was committing, and the injustice I was dealing to myself.

You got out of the water silently. I was puzzled, waiting in fear for what you might say next. You coldly accused me of letting you win on purpose. I was shocked and hurt to a great degree, and the thought that I had displeased you kept haunting me. I guess that it will only be now that I will apologize to you for so rudely running out of the pool area.

After that, Usagi-chan—dear, dear Usagi-chan, proudly told me that I didn’t have to tutor them anymore. I was immensely heartbroken from what my ears told me, that I could not help anyone with anything anymore, since I was only good in studying, and now my friends declared that they needed it not from now on. For the second time that day, I walked off without other words, except, "Hai. I understand…" I was rendered sad beyond belief.

Haruka found me by the bridge, crying invisible tears and feeling very sorry for myself indeed. She offered me a helmet, so I could ride behind her in her motorcycle, but I politely refused. I reasoned that I didn’t have the habit of riding those dangerous things. With that, I walked over to the pool to meet you and your new challenge, with Haruka following close by in her motorcycle.

As we once again took our places, my heart was thumping hard. Much to my surprise, I was driven to prove myself, to prove that I was good for something after all, besides academics. It was then I swam my fastest, my heart and soul intent on my new passion. The lap was at last finished, and it was a tie!

As you helped me to get out of the pool, it was then I finally realized that I had pleased you. You wanted me to show what I was made of, instead of standing in the shadows of everyone else. I was so happy that I gave my best, and was determined to follow that coda from now on.

You should know, Michiru-san, that it was you who taught me to fight and compete. You who taught me to say, "Makenai! (I will not lose!)" which I have continued to say until the very end.

Arigato gozaimasu, Michiru-san…

Love,

Ami-san