The early morning light filtered through the curtains and cast the bedroom in a soft glow. Usagi lay in bed, sprawled out like a starfish; her long black hair spilled across the mattress. A small pool of drool had collected on her pillow. Luna, her black plush cat and constant companion, lay curled up near the foot of the bed.

  The too-cute, bunny-shaped alarm clock on the nightstand sprang to life.

  “... wrapping up her European tour right now, Minako Aino has promised to return to Japan and the studio to record her first new full-length album in three years. While we wait, here’s one of her last big releases, Something More !”

  When we first met a long time ago,

  We bumped heads for the right reason.

  But now I just want to you to know

  Things have changed; it’s a new season.

  What started out as friendship,

  Could it now be something more?

  Should I back away and quit?

  Do I dare open that door?

  Usagi sprang to life as if electrocuted and let out a shriek of surprise. She snatched the alarm clock from the nightstand and stared at it in disbelief.

  “What? How is it so late already?!”

  Luna stretched at the foot of the bed, baring her teeth with a content yawn.

  “You’ve hit the snooze button three times already, Usagi.”

  Usagi tossed the alarm clock at Luna in frustration. Luna sprung to life and dodged the projectile.

  “You could have woken me up, Luna!”

  The plush cat giggled.

  “I’ve given up on separating you from your pillow a long time ago, princess.”

  Usagi’s gaze wandered to the other side of the king-sized bed. Empty. Of course, Mamoru was already awake. She sat still for a moment and listened. She thought she could hear him in the shower.

  It’s not too late!

  She leapt from the bed. Before she could start getting dressed, her reflection in the bedroom mirror caught her attention. She took in her appearance for a moment: slim frame, bright eyes, noble features. She gave herself a smile.

  Today’s the day I get it right!

  Usagi got dressed and stood over the apartment’s small kitchen stove in record time. She shifted from one foot to the other as she watched the omelet cook.

  The scars of a great cooking battle marred her appearance. Her apron was askew. She had tied back her hair, not in her signature odango style, but in a simple ponytail. Several strands, however, had already escaped their confinement. Flour dusted her sleeves.

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  Flour? Where did the flour come from? I don’t use flour to make an omelet!

  She plated the omelet, her lips pursed in concentration. Then she brushed her hands off on her apron.

  I hope this one turns out better than the last one.

  It had been a year since she and Mamoru had gotten married. Their life together had started out filled with excitement and possibilities. Soon, it had settled into a routine. This was what she had always wanted, but…most days, it felt like she was stumbling through the motions of adulthood.

  It hadn’t helped that she had transformed one last time into Sailor Moon to deal with a crisis right before the wedding. She had realized how much she missed helping people and fighting alongside her Guardians.

  She sighed. Those times were long gone. The others had moved on and built lives of their own.

  Mamoru entered the kitchen wearing his suit pants and a button-up shirt. He had draped his tie around his neck, untied.

  Usagi took a moment to admire her husband. He was tall and kept his slender frame in good shape. He had trimmed his black hair into a new, neat style.

  Mamoru was doing well at Kusaka’s company and had just received a promotion. She was proud of him.

  “Good morning, Usagi.”

  He sat down at their small kitchen table and smiled at her. She hesitated.

  “Is that for me?” he asked.

  She sprang back to life.

  “What? This? Yes!”

  She placed the omelet in front of him and smiled sheepishly. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

  “I added a bit more seasoning this time.”

  Usagi clasped her hands behind her back and watched him. She stood on her tippy toes for a moment, then set back down on her feet. Her heart thumped in anticipation.

  Mamoru picked up a fork and took a bite, his face serious. He noticed her anticipation and winked at her. Then he winced as he bit down on something hard.

  He grimaced, reached up to his mouth, and pulled out a piece of eggshell.

  Usagi’s face fell.

  “Oh, no.”

  He was quick to reassure her.

  “Hey, it’s just a little piece. I’m sure the rest of the omelet is fine. See?”

  Mamoru scooped a generous helping onto his fork and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed once, twice, three times…and each bite sounded like he had a mouth full of potato chips. He picked up his napkin from the table and spit out the omelet.

  Usagi collapsed into the chair across from him and buried her face in her hands.

  “I can’t do anything right!”

  Mamoru reached across the table and pried her hands away from her face with great tenderness.

  “It’s no big deal. It happens to everyone.”

  She sniffed.

  “It happens to everyone sometimes. But me? I mess up every meal.”

  She looked down at the table, avoiding his gaze.

  “I’ve been trying hard to be a good housewife, but I just keep messing everything up. I don’t even know what I’m doing most of the time.”

  Her voice was both sad and frustrated.

  Mamoru was rarely the touchy-feely type. He preferred to present a stoic facade and a veneer of sarcasm. Usagi did not know what to expect when she looked up.

  He surprised her with a gentle smile.

  “It’s only been a year, and this is all new for both of us. It’s okay to have a few bumps in the road. We’ll figure it out together.”

  Usagi searched his face. She wanted to believe him, but a knot of doubt remained in her gut.

  “I just… I thought I’d be better at this by now. It feels like something is missing.”

  Her voice was soft, no louder than a whisper.

  Mamoru paused as he thought about her words.

  “Maybe something is missing. Do you think it might be time for us to have a child?”

  Usagi’s heart skipped a beat.

  A child? Now?

  A wave of fear and uncertainty washed over her. How could she be a mother when she still had to figure out how to be an adult? What if she wasn’t ready? What if she failed at that, too?

  Unlike in the past, she didn’t blurt out the first thing that crossed her mind. Instead, she smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “A child, huh? I don’t know. That’s a huge step so soon.”

  He nodded, a serious expression on his face.

  “I know, but a child may complete our family.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to head to work. We’ll talk more about this later, okay?”

  He placed a gentle kiss on the forehead.

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself, princess. You’re doing great.”

  Usagi nodded.

  “Have a good day. I’ll… I’ll try another omelet tomorrow.”

  He smirked.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  With a dramatic flair worthy of Tuxedo Mask, he grabbed his briefcase and left. The sound of the closing door echoed through the apartment. Usagi stared at the half-eaten omelet on the table.

  “What am I doing?”

  Her heart ached with the weight of her uncertainty. She loved Mamoru more than anything, but she felt adrift. The idea of a child terrified her, though she couldn’t tell Mamoru that.

  She sighed. The apartment felt too quiet, too still. For the first time in a long time, Usagi felt lost.