I hope you're not sad, Minako-chan. Maybe you will be, but I'd rather have you happy. I'm sorry this had to happen, but I anticipated it, anyway. I knew it would come sooner or later, so I came prepared.

Gomenasai; what a terribly maudlin thing to say. I should be making you feel better, not regretful. I'm really sorry, dear Minako. With your many problems, the least I could do is not to add to them.

I've always wanted to tell you just how much I've admired you for being so strong. You have had so many problems, yet you managed to hide them all under a smile. Alan and Katarina, for one. Even if the rest of us knew exactly what happened, you never saw it fit to confide in any of us about what you had really felt. I could only guess how painful that was, since I've never been heartbroken.

I also remember the time when all our heart crystals were taken, all except yours. What were you feeling then, Minako-chan? I'm sorry if we were not sensitive enough to sense your problem. When you started donating a lot of blood, we got worried already, yet we all did not know what the problem was exactly. I myself feared that you might get sick because of low blood pressure.

It was after the whole incident that I understood what was troubling you. I'm sorry, dear Minako, for not sensing it earlier.

See what I mean about your inner strength? That had always been your asset. Stability and grace, under serious pressure, even if you're trying to cope with your pain and insecurities, and not to mention, your schoolwork, volleyball and being a Sailor Senshi. I wish I could be as strong as you are.

There's just one thing that's bothering me, though. In all your pain and hardship, didn't you even consider telling the rest of us how you felt? We're the best of friends, and friends tell each other, right? I have to admit that I myself had not done any confiding to you guys, too, but then, I wouldn't want you to commit the same mistake I did. Keeping your problems to yourself is very unhealthy, and it wouldn't hurt to admit that something's troubling you to someone you really trust. Tell Mako-chan; tell Usagi-chan; tell Rei-chan. Just tell anyone, it would make me very happy to see you doing that.

Just be yourself, dearest Minako. As the leader of the inner senshi, you must keep on being strong and never let the rest of them down. Promise me that you will, Minako-chan, and I will rest in peace.

I love you, Minako-chan…

Love always,

Ami-chan

PS. Don’t worry about Alan anymore, you can do so much better! Someone as beautiful, as spontaneous, as bubbly and as friendly as you are should have no problem with that!

PPS. If anyone of us wouldn't have purity of heart, it sure wouldn't be you, dearest Minako…