The scent of roses and lilies filled the air. Makoto Kino savored the scents and placed a final stem into an elaborate flower arrangement. Her fingers moved with practiced grace. A small, content smile touched her lips. Her brown ponytail swayed back and forth.

  She stepped back and admired her work. Her flower shop had become her passion in recent months. It was a peaceful contrast to the battles she once fought as Sailor Jupiter. Now, the only battles she waged were against wilted petals and stubborn customers. It was a good life.

  Her flower shop, and her relationship with Motoki Furuhata, were her sanctuary.

  She thought back on how she had fought against her feelings for Motoki, convinced her past life had destined her to be alone. How she had relented and opened her heart to him. How he had caught the bouquet at Usagi and Mamoru’s wedding, leading to their engagement.

  People had seen her as tough, capable, and unapproachable her whole life. She was tall, athletic, and physically strong. When her parents died, she became emancipated and took care of herself. People soon realized she was emotionally strong, as well.

  She could never be delicate or feminine. Her passion for cooking, her love for flowers became these hidden aspects of her personality.

  Until Motoki. He embraced all aspects of her personality; she finally had somebody who could accept that she was both strong and delicate. She loved him for that.

  The bell over the shop door jingled, and she turned to see Motoki walk in. He held an empty flower delivery basket under one arm. Kamekichi, his beloved pet turtle, poked his head out of the basket.

  “Hey, beautiful. I dropped off the flowers and Kamekichi here kept me company. I think he enjoys our delivery runs. Your son’s growing up so fast.”

  Makoto chuckled and shook her head.

  “You know, if you keep calling me his mother, people are going to ask questions.”

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  He flashed her a grin.

  “Let them talk! Once we’re married, there’s no turning back.”

  Makoto rolled her eyes, but her smile never faded. She found his attachment to that little turtle endearing. The way he always made her laugh never ceased to amaze her.

  Before she could respond with a playful retort, the shop door swung open again. Two men strode in, both wearing dark hooded jackets. Makoto sensed that something was amiss.

  Her intuition proved correct when one man pulled a knife from his pocket. The large blade gleamed under the shop lights.

  “Empty the register. Now.”

  His voice was low and dangerous.

  Makoto’s heart skipped a beat. She could feel her muscles tense up; adrenaline coursed through her body.

  Motoki, gentle as always, raised both hands.

  “You don’t want to do this. Trust me. You’re making a big mistake.”

  The robbers ignored his words and stepped closer. The second man grabbed a vase from one of the nearby shelves and smashed it to pieces on the floor.

  Makoto’s eyes darkened. The years of peace had not dulled her senses. As the first robber edged closer, her instincts took over.

  In a flash, she grabbed his wrist. She could see the surprise in his eyes and allowed herself a split-second of satisfaction. Then she twisted his wrist until the knife clattered to the floor. She struck his face and cut off his yelp of pain. He crumpled to the ground.

  The second robber lunged toward her. In one smooth motion, she picked up the knife and hurled it across the room. It struck the second robber in the shoulder with precision. A guttural cry of shock and pain escaped his throat.

  Both men stared at her, wide-eyed.

  “Get out. Never come back. The police will be the least of your worries if I see you again.”

  The robbers obeyed without hesitation. They scrambled for the door and fled into the street.

  For a moment, the shop was silent. Makoto’s breaths came in quick bursts, her muscles still taut. It was over as quickly as it had begun, but the rush of the fight lingered.

  From behind her, Motoki let out a low whistle.

  “Still got it, huh?”

  The tension in her body evaporated. She laughed.

  “Looks like it.”

  He bent down to scoop up Kamekichi, who had witnessed the entire scene from the safety of the delivery basket.

  “Sailor Jupiter to the rescue!”

  Makoto smiled at his words. Still, as much as she loved this peaceful, ordinary life with Motoki, there was a part of her that ached for something more.

  She missed the fight. She missed the thunder and lightning that coursed through her veins when she transformed. Most of all, she missed them; Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Minako. The months of silence between them had felt like an eternity.

  Makoto sighed and glanced out the shop window. The sun had set. Life was good now, better than she ever could have hoped. Deep down, however, a part of her would always belong to the storm, to Sailor Jupiter.