The daily routine for the Mizuno women started at sunrise.
Mother and daughter were early risers with busy schedules, so breakfast was the only meal they shared, with the sole exception of Sundays, provided Saeko didn't have extra shifts at the hospital. At least this is how it used to be, until Usagi and Makoto moved in Musutafu and Ami ended up spending the weekends with the girls, to come back home only on Sunday evening.
Saeko, knowing her daughter's work ethics and smartness, wasn't worried this could affect Ami's studies, but she was saddened by the idea of spending next to no time together anymore.
So, when Monday morning, while pouring tea, Ami said «I'm going to be out all day this Saturday too, if that's okay» Saeko couldn't but be a little upset.
«Oh. Of course, if you want to. Are you going to Musutafu with your friends again?» she inquired.
Ami was tempted to nod and leave it at that. That Saturday they had the Provisional License Exam and the location was to be disclosed only the previous day. It would have been easier for Ami to tell her mother she was going again at Usagi's place and only that, but she didn't feel comfortable with yet another lie if it could be avoided.
«We're going together in a different place, actually. We'll be back to Usagi-chan's home by late afternoon, anyway, earlier if we manage. After that, I'll focus more on my studies» she added as if to make amends for her continuous missing time.
Saeko smiled «Ami, you've been making your own schedules since you were eight, if you believe it won't be an hindrance, I trust your judgement» she poured herself some coffee and went on: «You know, I was surprised when you said you were going to have a trip with your friends during school days. It wasn't like you»
«It was important...»
«Knowing you, I'm certain it couldn't be any less. I don't mind if you take some time to cultivate your friendships. They do you good, actually. You look happier»
«They're very precious to me» the girl could only say. It didn't go unnoticed to her mother that her eyes softened and her whole stance relaxed at that.
There was another moment of silence, comfortable as it often was, then Saeko spoke again: «We haven't spent some time together in a while. To be honest, I feel bad about it. And yesterday, you father called too, he said he intends to visit. I think he feels guilty too»
This gave pause to the girl.
Truth to be told, Usagi wasn't the only one who found herself with her family a little different when they came back from the future. Ami had kept it for herself, not because she didn't trust her friends with it, but simply because it was of no consequence for the team, unlike Usagi's situation. Overall, her father's different occupation didn't change much in her personal history or in the current events, so she let it slide and focused on issues of more relevance.
He still was the same father who taught her to play chess and to swim. A father she loved and had his own unique way to show his love.
A father who walked away when she was small, leaving both her and her mother, for the sake of his job, showing that, maybe, his love wasn't that much after all.
Ami shook her head, not letting her small smile to be wiped by sad and harsh thoughts «I understand you're busy, mom, both of you have jobs with tight schedules. I'll call him back when I'll leave school, tell him he doesn't have to worry»
«You're so mature already, always ready to care for others...» Saeko stared at her coffee before looking back at her daughter «I should spend more time with you, but you don't seem to need me much anymore. But, for tonight, I took a permission to get out earlier, so the three of us can have dinner somewhere nice, like when you were little, how would you like that?»
It was unexpected, in a good way. This was different too, that her father would show up, for once, instead of sending cards and little more. The hand-painted cards were emotional and spoke on their own, she loved them, but in this universe painting was one of her father's hobbies, not his job, so the pictures, and the eventual other gifts he sent sometimes, weren't quite the same as having a real relationship. As good as art could be, real tangible presence was a whole other matter, this novelty showed more effort, at least.
«It'd be lovely, mom» was the girl's prompt reply.
«Do you mind coming at the hospital at the end of my shift, so we can go together?» the woman added, putting her cup in the sink.
This gave the younger pause. Ami didn't like how sad her mother became whenever he was involved, how much leftover pain was still at play. Saeko was a strong woman, with a brilliant career that filled her life, but the divorce left a scar on her, just as much as it left one on Ami, and both mother and daughter knew about it, a silent understanding running in their shared wound.
Ami nodded and started to clean up after herself too «It sounds perfect»
Saeko walked back to the table, hesitated a second, then fixed a stray hair in her daughter's bangs «See you this evening, then»
Ami's eyes scanned the main screen in the Control Center, engrossed in her work. She had been running this same simulation, with a few variables on each, quite some times now, so her focus was on the possible differences. Another side of the screen was lit with the data on the daimon attacks and all they got - admittedly little - on the Death Busters, since she was putting together what was possible to divulge to the Heroes. Her schoolwork was on a clear space on the console, long finished, the simulation was almost done too and only the document/presentation wasn't complete in a way that satisfied her.
The door of their hideout opened with a familiar swish and the patter of mary-jane shoes followed down the stairs.
«Ami-chaan» Minako's happy chirp accompanied her arrival.
The genius girl turned a bit and greeted the blonde and the cat.
Artemis jumped on the console and stared a moment at her work «How long have you been down here?»
«Just a couple hours. I have something to do in the evening and I wanted to run the simulation once again and confront the data before that, so I came here straight after school»
«Any progress?» the cat wondered.
Ami shook her head «Nothing new. At this point, I may as well draw some conclusions»
«Oh, about time, you've been secretive about this» Minako sat on the sofa that lined the wall, but before Ami could speak she brought up her hands in praying motion «Eh, uhm... without the technical jargon, please»
Ami sighed imperceptibly «I've been trying to figure out the true nature of the situation we're in»
«You mean with the Death Busters?»
«She means with the change of universe» Artemis supplied. At Minako's scowl, he added «What? I helped her set up it all, what do you think?»
«Traitor cat» the blonde muttered.
Ami coughed to get back their attention «Anyway, the Control Center is more powerful than any computer humans made so far and has more ancient data, which allowed me to run a few simulations on our specific situation: time travel forth and back»
«Oh. So...?»
«So» Ami pointed at the screen «Every simulation, no matter the variables, pointed at the same outcome: we should have come back to the same point we came from. But we found ourselves disoriented by the glaring differences we found upon our arrival, therefore we can say some change occurred, for certain. Even so, there is nothing that suggests we're misplaced, at least not space-wise. Unless we have some form of hyper-adaptation, I ran other tests for it and I know we don't, not to this extent, the fact we adapted so precisely to this world suggests, against what we know, that we, in fact, came back the the original point we departed from»
«I don't follow» Minako shook her head «You mean we did come back to the right place, but we know we didn't and you say that's right too?»
«What I mean is that our compatibility with this world is technically perfect. There is nothing, with the sole exception of our planetary powers, that is out of place in this environment, not a single atom in us that marks us as an anomaly. Our bodies...» she lightly touched the metal plaque next to her ear «Modified accordingly to the existence we found ourselves in, our knowledge, though spotty at times, aligns too. Slight modifications to our lives occurred, the most notable being Usagi's, but nothing else. The fact we're discovering new memories of Silver Millennium on top of that only adds evidence to my theory»
«You mean... we were meant to be here?»
«So it seems» was the reply «I have various ideas on that, nothing new than the first ones I formulated. The most likely option is still that, when Usagi met Neo-Queen Serenity face to face, the event caused an alteration in time-space that reverberated here, causing the modifications even retroactively. This would explain why it was her life the one altered the most»
«So...?»
«So there is no such thing as "going back home" because home is this and this only. It changed without us noticing because, while it did, we were in the time-space corridor that led us from the Doors of Time to here and our return made us align in full with the alteration to avoid the dissonance. This is what I think»
«I didn't really get the last part, but... that's good, no?» Minako smiled «It means we don't have to worry about our families getting worried or that we stole someone's places, or switched with doppelgangers or anything of the sort»
«You read too many manga, Minako» Artemis shook his head «And it's not like you worried in the first place. But yes, that's good news, overall. We don't know everything about this world, pardon, new situation, but we didn't before either, so it's okay»
Ami didn't seem convinced, still staring pensively at the screens «This whole issue has been theorized, but the studies and hypothesis made on it were widely different from what we came to live...»
«That's because truth surpasses fiction. After all, who would have thought of us being in this situation? Not even science knows everything, Ami-chan»
«Science is the instrument through with we can learn everything» she corrected, then switched off the simulation screen «I wish we could ask Pluto. She certainly knows more than we do about time-space travel»
There was a moment of somber silence, the loss of the Guardian of Time hadn't hit them as much as it did to Chibiusa, sure, but it was nevertheless traumatic and reason for regrets.
That until Minako recovered and poked at her friend's cheek «Hey, little genius, you figured out this much, it's a lot! What scientist can say to have gotten to your level? Who in the world can say "oh, actually I tried time-travel and it works like this and that"?»
This drew a smile out of the other girl «Right. I only have to study more. Science can open every door!»
«Err... I don't think it's what she meant...» Artemis tried, but Minako shushed him off, glad to see her friend back to her usual self.
«Well, now that you're free, what do you say of a round of games? You need a distraction after all that hard work!»
Ami glanced at her wristwatch «One game, then I'll have to go»
«Right, you said you have a thing! What is it? It's a date? Oooh, Ami-chan has a date...»
She rolled her eyes and shook her head «My father is coming to visit, so I'm going to have dinner with my parents, I need to leave my books home and get changed before that»
«Uh? Does your dad live away? I didn't know that»
«Minako» Artemis warned «Don't stick your nose, it could be a delicate matter»
«It's okay, I don't mind» Ami replied while picking up her books «My parents are separated, they have been for a long time, actually. My dad used to send me handpainted cards, so the fact he's visiting now is new for me. Not in the bad sense, though»
«Is this about the whole thing going on here?» Minako made a circular motion with her finger, pointing all around.
«Perhaps« Ami conceded and closed her bag »You see, my dad used to be a traditional painter before. He left us so he could move to the countryside and paint in the nature, and it's not the case anymore. He never visited and yet now he is. I'd like to think he's making an effort»
«Then what are you waiting for?» the blonde's wide smile took the other by surprise as much as being pushing up the staircase by the shoulders did «Come on, come on, you don't want to be late, no?»
A soft smile appeared on Ami's face.
«Thank you, Minako-chan»
Although Minako promised to keep an eye out so Mercury wouldn't have to show up in case of an enemy attack, Ami knew she'd still intervene to help her friends if her comm so much as gave an alert. Luckily, there was no such need and she was in front of her mother's office a good half an hour before the end of her short shift, much to her relief for Ami valued punctuality, when she could.
The doctor wasn't in, likely out to check on a patient, but she got there a few minutes later. Saeko greeted her daughter with an apologetic smile and a communication as she ushered her in the office: «I have a last-minute appointment, do you mind waiting a bit more?»
It wasn't anything unusual, not only the hospital was always busy, but her mother regularly received consultation requests for her specializations in addition to her regular work and often had to do overtime, so Ami had come prepared.
«Of course not. I brought a book, I'll keep myself occupied, mom» she assured, showing the item in her hands, a small volume that easily fit in her purse.
«Thanks, dear. It's going to be a short one, I hope, they should be here in a few minutes»
Ami nodded and sat with her book while her mother fixed some notes and cleared up the desk. It was an easy silence, comfortable as it often was between mother and daughter.
A gentle knock called their attention soon enough and Ami got up and put herself sideways, ready to leave the room.
«Please come in» the doctor greeted.
The door opened to show two people in front of it: a woman in her late fifties, hair short and straight and simple but fine clothing, and a tall boy with broad shoulders who Ami immediately recognized as Iida Tenya, Midoriya-kun's classmate.
The woman, most likely his mother, given the similar hair colour and type of glasses, bowed, followed suit by her son «Thank you for receiving us on such short notice, Mizuno-sensei»
«Don't worry, Iida-san, it's my duty and pleasure» Saeko replied with a professional smile «Please, come in»
The woman's eyes seemed to catch sight of Ami in that moment and bowed again «We wouldn't want to interrupt a previous appointment...»
«Nothing of the sort» the doctor assured, then «This is my daughter, Ami»
She took off her reading glasses and bowed «Nice to meet you»
The two bowed too, Iida-kun's greeting far louder and stiffer than his mother's, then Ami slipped out the room to give them the proper privacy.
Once in the corridor, she was left alone with her book and thoughts. It'd been a while since she had had to wait outside her mother's office at the hospital. It used to be a regular occurrence in her younger years, since her parents were always busy but didn't want her to stay alone at home for longer than necessary, which meant until she turned nine, it was normal for her to go there immediately after cram school and she was used to do her homework on the uncomfortable hospital chairs at worst, on her mother's desk at best. A lonely childhood that turned into lonely pre-teen years when she was deemed old enough to stay home on her own instead, and ultimately changed very little... until Usagi-chan entered her life.
She shook her head and put back on her reading glasses, intent on finishing her book before the day was over and avoid a sad trip down the memory's lane of her less than stellar childhood. Despite that, she couldn't but think about the dinner with her parents that would soon happen, and try to predict what they'd talk about. Most likely, both her parents would avoid talking about work more than necessary, nor about themselves, and the only other topic they could focus on would be Ami herself and, as usual, her schooling... She'd have to break the news she intended to apply for Yuuei. The perspective worried her to a certain extent, not knowing what their reaction could be, although she could try to produce a short list of her father's possible oppositions and how to counter them...
The book, although open in her hands, was momentarily forgotten. It took only a couple of minutes for her Hyper-Brain to explore the issue to her satisfaction and she was about to close the topic and go back to her previous occupation, when the door opened and Iida-kun got out, alone.
«May I sit there, Mizuno-san?» he formally asked.
«Of course, please» she took her purse out the seat next ot hers, given there were none elsewhere «Are you done already?» she asked politely.
«I am, although my family hopes to get Mizuno-sensei's expertise for my brother too»
Ami knew the procedures: since he wasn't the patient in question, nor a representative of the patient, not to mention a minor, protocol required for him to stay out for that part of the conversation. She hoped it wasn't going to be a long wait, the details of Ingenium's medical situation after Stain's attack weren't public, even so, there were voices he wouldn't be able to reprise the Hero profession. It led Ami to believe there would be a lot to work on, and knowing her mother's specialities she could guess a long treatment would be needed.
«I've heard about it, I'm sorry. My best wishes of prompt recovery to the both of you»
«Thank you, Mizuno-san» then he paused «May I ask where did you hear about my injury?»
She couldn't say that she learned of his identity from the videos online because they were blurred and eventually had been removed, so truth it was: «My friends and I came to visit Midoriya-kun when you were hospitalized in Hosu» she mentioned, hoping he wouldn't find their presence strange.
«Ah, yes, Midoriya-kun and Todoroki-kun said something about a visit» he nodded, losing the extra-stiffness of seconds earlier, clearly recalling the instance «How are you acquainted with Midoriya-kun?»
«Through Usagi-chan, I think you met her some time ago» she already knew it was the case, but she was glad for a shift of topic that didn't involve talking about his medical condition or what led to it, nor her involvement in the general events of that night.
Iida gave a solemn nod «Indeed. I suppose you are a Mugen Academy student too?»
She shook her head «Usagi-chan and I were schoolmates at Juuban Middle before she moved to Mugen Academy»
Behind squared glasses, his eyes widened a bit «I hope I don't come too forward in asking, but... do you happen to be the same Mizuno Ami who won the chess tournament last year?»
«Oh, yes, it's me» Ami could only say. The chess game against Berthier happened in this reality as well then. She wasn't too fond of remembering it, given she was kidnapped immediately after, but she was trying to learn and take compliments for what they were - under Minako's and Usagi's pressure - and a recognition of her results was surely one.
«It was a brilliant victory!» he exclaimed «The way you planned the checkmate was a remarkable strategy...» in his excitement, he started a motion with his left arm but winced, stilling immediately.
«Are you alright?» she inquired, upset at the sudden turn. She could see under his shirt's sleeve his arm was still bandaged and wondered whether she could be of help.
«Yes, worry not, Mizuno-san» Iida was quick to assure her «I suppose it's going to take a while before I'll regain the proper functionality of my arm, I've been careless»
«Will you start therapy soon?»
«I'll need to undergo a surgery, but...» he looked down at his arm, a mixture of decisiveness and melancholy in his gaze «I decided to wait for it, until I'll feel the time will be right»
She frowned a bit «You shouldn't wait too long. It could become harder to treat»
Surprisingly, he smiled «Then, I'll have to increase my efforts»
Evidently, there was something unsaid in the matter, but Ami felt it wasn't her place to pry and the discussion quietly switched again to chess.
Iida Tenya was, as Ami quickly found out, a rather excitable chess fan, evidence of which another couple of robotic motions - this time with his right arm - during a particularly emphatic recollection of another game he assisted to, one of which led him to hit her forgotten book, which tumbled to the floor.
«Ah, my apologies, Mizuno-san!» he quickly caught it with his good hand, his reflexes more trained than hers, it seemed, and handed it back before she could reach for it.
«It's fine, don't worry» she smiled and took it back, brushing his fingers with hers and...
Cold, childish hands on scraped knees.
Chess pieces made of glass, libraries immersed in blue light.
A line of ice that led to a crumbled wall of white stone.
Blood washed out by tears.
Ami wasn't properly expecting for a vision to happen, although she guessed she would have one too, sooner or later. It didn't quite help the surprise, only, she was quicker to pull herself back together and pretend nothing happened before Iida-kun could react.
On his side, the boy stilted for a moment, but at Ami's quiet reprise of the discussion, he followed her lead without a mention, and for the few minutes until his mother finished the appointment, neither went out of topic.
Saeko came out too and Ami said her farewells to the Iidas along with her as if in a daze, pondering at the back of her mind on the new development.
«Let me lock the office and we can go» she heard her mother say.
Ami nodded her assent, but her gaze followed, almost unconsciously, the family leaving, down the corridor and out the frosted glass doors until their shapes were out of sight.
When the other girls had mentioned they had new visions of Silver Millennium, aside from the Talismans dream, Ami had wondered if she was going to get one as well, to have the chance to understand their meaning first-hand.
Now, she almost wished she hadn't. The pattern was painfully clear.
There was something that tied them to some people since their previous existences, memories awakened with quick dives in the depth of lives they didn't remember enough about. Their clearest memories, even before their accidental leap to that world - for lack of a better definition, Ami was still working for an apter definition -, were those that concerned their duty as Serenity's protectors. There were a lot of gaps Ami didn't even realize she had.
It was the same feeling she got at the moment they remembered - oh it seemed like years before! - the Shitennou used to be Endymion's guard, with all the information, and feelings, it entailed. It had been a painful moment, one that shook them to the core because how could have they had forgotten that?
But they had. And now, more memories were to be discovered and it was scary to think about what they could find in that sealed book from millennia before, one that ended so abruptly...
«Ami? I'm done» Saeko's voice brought Ami out her thoughts with her worried tone and gentle frown «Are you alright?»
«Don't worry, mom» the girl assured with a smile that wasn't entirely fake, glad as she was of the distraction «Shall we go?»
The restaurant Ami's mother chose was quiet and elegant, yet nothing too fancy, a place they could be at ease in.
Somehow, Ami wondered if such a place could meet her father's expectations. As an artist, he used to have specific tastes, not overly refined but quite peculiar, and she couldn't but wonder what changed since they lived in a different setting, taking into account the job he chose for this life and so forth.
She had a theory about the way people were: half their character depended on how they lived, what were the circumstances of their upbringing and current situation and so forth, a quarter on how they chose to behave and the rest was their actual personality. There were exceptions, Usagi was the kind who was more than three-quarters personality and Ami herself was more choices than upbringing, but on average things worked like that.
However, no matter how she could remember her father being like, she was ready for a few surprises. She could always, she reasoned, rely on the fact even in the "quirk world" she had not seen him in a long while to cover for any slip up. Not that she thought he'd notice any difference in her when he had not seen his daughter for so long.
As a matter of fact, she was about to meet a half-stranger. And it wasn't because of the different setting, not only.
Mother and daughter were led to a table where the man was already sitting, waiting.
He was... taller than she remembered. The grey streaks she recalled being in his green hair were now yellow, a similar hue as his eyes.
The suit he was wearing, light-coloured and perfectly pressed, was a bit of a surprise in its severity, but somehow the polka dots tie and matching socks weren't. He had a weird sense of humour, one that didn't line up with his former wife's.
He turned, pushing his glasses up his thin nose as he got up «You're late»
Saeko didn't take the formal tone or the reprimand personally «I had a last-minute visit, Mirai. A colleague of yours, I couldn't refuse» she simply explained.
He got up to move the chair for her «I suppose it couldn't be avoided, then» then turned at his daughter to do the same, his tone barely a little softer «Hello, Ami»
«Hello, dad» she replied.
He sat back. The air was awkward and a tad tense, the polar opposite of family-like. The conversation started with trivialities and was stilled with obvious questions - how much she had grown, how was the school going, typical matters of no particular importance since Ami was almost sure he received a copy of her school card in his e-mail every trimester - along with small talk about the food they were about to order.
It felt more akin to a business meeting, even with Ami having no experience of the likes. She'd always known she took from him the unapproachable nature and difficulty to relate to people and the moment showed it more than ever.
Saeko waited until their orders arrived to change the topic from the simple commentary of the place and music to more serious matters.
«I was wondering about your application for high school, Ami» she started «We never discussed it, but lately a colleague suggested you could apply for a more important school than Juuban High, one more oriented towards the medical field. With your grades, you'd be accepted anywhere. Motoazabu, Nabu, Mugen, even with the fame of the headmaster I heard they have a good programme in all scientific disciplines...»
«Actually, I already choose» Ami interrupted, voice low but firm. She didn't take her eyes off her food for a moment, then looked up «I decided to apply for Yuuei's Hero Course»
She caught a glimpse of her father's raised brow at it, but her focus was on her mother, who was bound to feel at least a bit betrayed by the change of route.
«Hero Course? Ami, dear... this is unexpected» Saeko frowned, only a bit of delusion shown openly on her face «You always said you wanted to become a doctor»
«I still do. I'm going to be both. I made a research and I found most Hero operations that fail or have a higher mortality rate are so because help can't get there while Heroes are in action. If Hero teams, instead, had at least one medical professional among them and not only a basic knowledge of medicine, a lot more people could be saved...»
«While it is true knowledge of more than first aid basics could be of help, Heroes seldom work in proper teams» Mirai interrupted, tapping his long fingers on the table «At best, high-level pros use sidekicks, it's hardly the pattern of cooperation you envision»
Of course he'd say that. It was his field, after all. He knew its problems from the inside. Maybe that was why he couldn't see the system in any different light than how it currently was.
«Things can always change» was the serene reply from the girl, or at least she hoped she sounded so «I know it sounds unattainable...»
Saeko shook her head, putting a hand on her daughter's «It isn't. Not for you. I know you can do anything you put your mind to. What I'm worried about is your safety. You're my only child and I love you» she sent a look aside, as if to encourage the other adult to add more, which he didn't, maintaining his silence, eyes hooded by an indecipherable feeling.
«Ami, I see injured Heroes at the hospital every day, the idea something like that could happen to you...» the woman sighed «I'd be more comfortable knowing you'll work in a safer field, a hospital or a clinic, but... I understand. You've always had a good heart, the only thing you ever openly wished for was to help others. If this is the way you want to do it, I can only accept your decision and support you through it»
«Mom...» Ami smiled at last «I'm going to give my best»
«I have no doubt of that. I'm proud of you, no matter what» Saeko assured, then turned at her ex-husband, glaring as if to challenge him to say the wrong thing.
The man was quiet for a while, studying his daughter, who was certain he was going to offer some stronger oppositions.
«The Hero profession is dangerous, and your quirk isn't suited for combat» he said.
Ami steeled herself. There it was.
«Neither is yours» she retorted «Or Nedzu-sensei's High Specs. Recovery Girl's Heal. Mandalay's Telepath... there is a long list of pro Heroes who have non-combatant quirks, yet they managed to be more than proficient at their jobs. Moreover, a lot of fight-oriented quirks are inherently useless during investigations, not to mention in rescue and the likes, that when they're not harmful to those around, especially when the Heroes in question don't care about casualties»
The last bit regarded Endeavor. She and the girls were upset at the Number Two's mistake, if one could call it so, and as such her words held some bitterness.
If her father perceived something in her tone, or thought it was aimed at him, he didn't show.
«Heroes are bound to have strong personalities alongside honed abilities and yes, some aren't as good as they should be. It's not an easy field to be in and not everybody can be All Might. I daresay no one else can»
«Nevertheless, you managed to build your own agency and make the difference in your own way. Why couldn't I?»
He shook his head «Of course you can do it. As you pointed out, my quirk is not a fight-oriented one either. But you'll need to work around this disadvantage»
«I already know that»
«And...»
«Dad, I'm set on it. I already calculated your possible oppositions» Ami looked straight at his eyes «I know this is a way uphill for me, one that will require steady work and effort, but I'm not alone. I'm going to make it, along with my friends»
«You can't rely on other people» he replied «It's a competitive field and even those who seem closer to us, or with unshakable beliefs, may change their minds later on and abandon us on the way» he added and... was that sadness in him? weariness? she didn't know him enough to tell, but there was something there, hidden in his cynicism.
The girl shook her head, the thought of her friends, her sisters, gave her the assuredness she needed «Not them. I know they won't»
Before the man could reply more, Saeko intervened «Ami and her friends are very close, they're good girls and I'm certain they share her feelings»
«Provided they all are going to pass the entrance exam, which is individual, how do you think, with that mindset, you'll be able to push forward in the field as a group? Not to mention, at school, you could be easily split into different classes, and you'll be encouraged to work alone in any case»
«Admitting something of the sort may happen, that wouldn't change my goals. Heroes shouldn't work alone, no one should. I learned this in the past year, while making friends and improving with them every day more than I ever did on my own. Even if we get separated, we share the same intents and ideals, and this is how we're going to push forth»
For a few seconds, father and daughter stared at each other, each considering what to say next and how to reply, as if in a chess game like the ones they used to have.
At last, Mirai fixed his glasses again «I see you've made your decision. Very well, if you'll have the adequate level by the end of the semester, I'll write your recommendation...»
«I don't need it» she cut him off.
«Ami...» Saeko tried to intervene.
«Just believe in me. I'll earn my place at Yuuei for my own merits» she affirmed.
Mirai's stance softened ever so slightly «So be it. I'll be there if you change your mind, in any direction you may choose»
It was the closest thing to an encouragement Ami expected from him.
Ultimately, it mattered only so much, even if having both her parents' approval warmed her heart.
Her path had been traced long before. She had the freedom to make adjustments to it and lead it where she wanted up to a certain point, but she was Sailor Mercury, protector of the Solar System and Guardian of Princess Serenity and that was unchanging.
Whatever was in the future, was tied to her past.
The past she obtained a new glimpse of that very day, that gave her back the lost knowledge of past allies almost ready to be back by their side.
The dinner ended later than they anticipated, so Mirai insisted to accompany Saeko and Ami home by car. It was a quiet, short ride, uneventful until they arrived and Ami climbed down first.
«Saeko» Mirai called before his ex-wife could follow.
She and Ami turned, but the woman knew from his tone her ex-husband had to ask her something he didn't want their daughter to hear.
«Ami, dear, go on without me. I'll be up in a moment»
The girl hesitated, but agreed and bowed «Goodnight, dad. See you next time»
He only nodded back, waiting until she had crossed the entrance of the apartment complex to speak again.
«What do you know about her friends?»
Saeko was taken aback «They're nice girls. Two she met at Juuban Middle, two attend other schools. Her friends from Juuban, though, moved to Musutafu recently, she goes to visit them every weekend ever since»
«Is that all?» he rose a brow «Names, families, quirks, nothing?»
She rolled her eyes «I know their names, yes, but I don't have the habit of running background checks on every person we meet»
«You should»
«You're paranoid, Mirai. Ami is smart and knows how to deal with things, she doesn't need me micromanaging her life»
«There are things no one is prepared enough to deal with»
«You should have thought about that before leaving us to work for All Might» she retorted, barely managing to keep her voice level «We could have had a somewhat normal life, a normal family, all things considered. You are the one who left»
He fixed his glasses «I won't deny that. This doesn't negate a measure of caution is always needed»
There was a beat of silence, then Saeko asked, more softly than earlier: «Why did you want to see her now? What did you see?»
«I never used Foresight on Ami nor saw her in my predictions and I don't have any will for it to happen. Is it so unlikely I missed my daughter and wanted to see how she's doing?»
«I'd like to believe it. But it's too little and too late. She raised herself. I should have been the one to do so, and you with me, but neither of us was there for her, not for real and not together. She already knows how to live on her own, that's why she doesn't want your help. Or mine»
«It doesn't mean she has to» he tapped his fingers on the wheel «Their meetings in Musutafu, they're probably training for the entrance exam at Yuuei»
The doctor put aside all the remarks on how he had already informed himself about more than he gave off at first, and knowing he'd never give her a straight reply she rebuked: «She likes to be ready, what's wrong with that?»
«I'm trying to figure it out. This is too sudden, there must be something else behind it» he admitted, then, abruptly as he started the discussion, he cut it off «Goodnight, Saeko»
She didn't reply. She was certain he knew more than he told her, but she had stopped trying to make him open up long before.
She said back her goodbyes and left.
Notes:
Sooo, I know this chapter contains a surprise and, honestly, it was for me too because it's one of those things I didn't plan in advance but it was suggested to me (thanks again, Althea!) and I said "why not?", so here it is. After all, I have some wiggle room here since we never saw Ami's father clearly in any media (Crystal came close by showing us he wears glasses) and this works nicely, I think. I mean, "I left my family to work with the N1 Hero, which is dangerous for all parties involved" makes more sense and sounds less selfish than "I abandoned them so I could paint in peace".
The meeting between Ami and Iida was scheduled, instead, and it's the last between the Inners and the boys.
The next chapter will be out in roughly a month. Until then, stay safe!