Ami Mizuno dashed down the hallway of Usagi and Mamoru’s apartment building. The quick movement caused her white coat to billow around her. In one hand, she clutched a folder with the test results. Her mind was racing as she reached her friends’ apartment door.

  She raised a hand to knock, but hesitated. The muffled sound of laughter seeped through the door. She could hear Usagi’s bright, giddy voice and Mamoru’s warm chuckle in response. Then there was Chibiusa’s high-pitched giggle.

  Chibiusa…

  Ami drew a deep breath and knocked.

  The door swung open. Usagi greeted her in a pink apron stained with curry.

  “Ami!”

  Usagi threw her arms around her friend. The hug radiated warmth and affection. Ami allowed herself to melt into the familiar embrace. The last 24 hours had been a whirlwind of emotions, but one thing was clear: she had missed her friend so much.

  “You’re just in time! Try my curry rice!”

  Chibiusa giggled from the kitchen table.

  “It’s actually edible. It’s a miracle!”

  Mamoru waved her over.

  “You’d better sit down before it disappears.”

  Ami laughed and allowed Usagi to guide her inside. The scene was domestic and idyllic. Mamoru and Chibiusa sat at the table, their plates almost empty. Ami accepted the plate Usagi offered and joined them at the table.

  Before she tried Usagi’s curry rice, which was a dubious honor, she raised the folder in her hand.

  “I have something we need to discuss first.”

  Usagi’s smile faded.

  “Is that…?”

  Ami took a deep breath.

  “Those are the test results, yes.”

  Usagi glanced at Chibiusa. Ami could sense something had shifted. When she had spoken about Chibiusa at Crown Karaoke earlier that day, Usagi had seemed annoyed and off-balance. Now, however…

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  You want her to be your daughter, don’t you, Usagi?

  “Based on the samples I collected, with 99% certainty, Chibiusa is… your daughter.”

  The room fell silent. Usagi dropped into a chair in shock. Mamoru leaned back in his own chair as he tried to process the information.

  Chibiusa, however, was unimpressed. She crossed her arms.

  “I’ve been telling you that. Why are you so surprised?”

  Usagi and Mamoru exchanged a glance. They excused themselves to the next room to speak in private for a moment, leaving Ami and Chibiusa alone at the table.

  Ami was worried about her friends. Usagi and Mamoru had bonded with the girl, but with Chibiusa’s identity confirmed, her story became more likely as well. This new enemy aimed to destroy the world. In the future, Mamoru may already be dead.

  Ami sat down and sampled the curry rice. She blinked in genuine surprise.

  “It is good.”

  She let the silence linger for a moment, then turned to Chibiusa. It was time to get some answers for herself as well.

  “Chibiusa, can I ask you something about the future?”

  Chibiusa stiffened; her fork paused mid-air.

  “I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about that.”

  Ami leaned forward. Her voice was gentle, but firm.

  “I understand that, but there is something that has been bothering me. Why do you call Rei and Minako your aunts and not me? If you are truly from the future, then why don’t you know me, Chibiusa?”

  Chibiusa didn’t answer. Her lips trembled as she placed her fork on the table. The color drained from her face. Ami could tell this line of questioning had upset the girl. Still, she pressed on.

  “Chibiusa, if you don’t know me…I just want to understand what that means.”

  Tears welled up in the little girl’s eyes.

  “It’s not fair!”

  Ami placed a hand on Chibiusa’s shoulder.

  “What’s not fair? Please, tell me.”

  For one agonizing moment, Chibiusa hesitated. Then her defenses broke down.

  “You’re not there…in the future. You died before I was born.”

  Chibiusa started sobbing. Her words hit Ami like a physical blow. Her breath seemed to get stuck inside of her chest.

  “What?”

  Chibiusa wiped her tears with her sleeve.

  “Mama talks about you all the time. She keeps pictures of you. She says you were her best friend, the smartest, kindest person she ever knew. But I never got to meet you.”

  Ami’s hands trembled. She didn’t know what to say, how to process this revelation.

  How do I die? When do I die? How much time do I even have left?

  Before she could ask another question, a loud crash rang through the apartment. The kitchen window exploded into a hail of glass shards. On instinct, Ami dove across the table and pulled Chibiusa into her arms to shield her with her own body.

  A high-pitched shriek filled the air as a dark, monstrous figure leapt through the jagged remains of the window frame. The tall, shadowy figure had a black crescent moon on its forehead. Its large, black eyes locked onto Chibiusa. It let out another bone-chilling screech.

  Ami’s heart pounded in her chest. Without her powers, she was defenseless. Still, she tightened her hold on Chibiusa. Her voice was firm despite the fear gripping her heart.

  “Stay behind me, Chibiusa!”

  Is this how I die?

  The creature lunged.