Flowers Drenched With Water
It was a grey and wet afternoon at the cemetery, as a service was conducted regarding the death of Makoto Kino.
Motoki, Hotaru, Setsuna and Shingo were present and formally dressed for the event, it wasn't just those who attended, the two most important people in her life were there. Ami Mizuno and Michiru Kaiou. As for the others; Minako and Mamoru had died in the distant past, Haruka had recently passed away and Usagi was banished due to that she caused problems regarding the first two deaths, she didn't get to see Haruka's passing. Rei was the priest who conducted the funeral, it was unusual that she had done this event however both Haruka and Makoto wanted Western styled burials rather than the traditional services that the shrine maiden had performed in the past.
Rei stood and prayed for Makoto, she knew her long enough. Not enough to be close friends but enough to know what she was like. She was the barrier and the defuser between herself and Usagi who always argued, she was friendly and strong. Rei didn't expect her death to be this sudden as she expected Mako to be one of the last to pass away due to her strength and caring personality. If anything, she would have expected it to be just Motoki so she was slightly surprised that more had attended than she thought.
The shrine maiden had read out the condolences that Ami had given out, she was way too scared to come out and read them. She just there in a blank space with small tears dropping down her cute face.
"Makoto was always my best friend, we knew each other for so long we were like sisters. When I first saw her, I thought that she would be trouble as she looked like a juvenile delinquent but she proved me wrong. I never felt scared with her and she protected me, she was so understanding and honest. I would have never expected to pass grades at Keio if it wasn't for her helping me with my social skills. Yet Makoto wasn't really social as she understood that we want to be alone. Some "me time" as they say but any time that we had was so precious and enjoyed every moment.
I really wanted to go one step further but I knew that it would make you uncomfortable. Your heart was fragile but the largest that I ever known. It should have been me who died and not you... Then again you would have been so discomposed, you would have cried so much. After all we attended Haruka's funeral and we were both down and depressed...
I love you Mako-chan... I love you so much..."
After reading those words, Ami sniffed to herself as she had spent nearly constantly working on those condolences. While she is intelligent, she struggled finding the right words and ones that she felt were as powerful as her former best friend. It turned out that it wasn't just Ami who gave out condolences as Rei read out the next person...
"Makoto Kino was someone who I only personally knew for four months however those four months were a lifeline to me and became a friend that I never know that I needed. When Haruka died, I was a mess. I was unable to do even a basic song on my violin and my paintings were more like smudge. It all changed when Makoto came to my apartment one day with Ami. While she was not as strong or as tidy as Haruka, she was still powerful and honestly natural looking. In terms of her opinions, she was honest and that helped considering my perfectionism. She was even quiet letting me concentrate on my creative work. The first painting that I was proud of post-Haruka was of some pink roses, sasanqua camellia as it turns out were her favourite.
It was due to Makoto that I was introduced to Ami, I would say by observing her I was unaware how special Makoto was to her. A long time ago, I thought that Makoto was going to steal my Haruka but when she favoured myself than her, I discovered how cold love triangles can be. Makoto only dated her because she thought that she was a man. This was why we were never that close however had time went on, I would have tried a relationship with Makoto. She did have the right ingredients and her food was done as tastefully as my music, Ami said that it complimented each other.
Even though today is a miserable day and lost someone important in my life, I know that I will gain something even more important in my life. You were a inspiration Mako and I will try to do a tribute to you in a way that you will love. Something strong yet sweet."
Ami turned her head sideways and saw Michiru, she was crying however the tears were larger and got out a tissue trying her best to hide them. She noticed that it was just like Haruka's funeral yet the only missing element was when Michiru dived into the unfilled grave but was grabbed by Makoto before she was buried with Haruka. It was why the next few days after the event was why they went to her apartment.
Since there were no other speeches prepared, Rei had begun to lower the casket into the grave ready to be buried. Ami felt like doing the same that Michiru had attempted but she was too depressed to do that. It wasn't what Makoto wanted, she wanted Ami to be happy no matter what. Yet it was struggling for her as the people she knew was shrinking every day, only Motoki and Rei that she knew best were there. She hasn't seen Usagi for years.
The first to leave was Setsuna, she was way too busy and only had enough time located for the service. The next were both Hotaru and Shingo, they didn't know Mako very well but they did thank Rei and called the deceased "a mother figure" before leaving. Motoki had stayed for around ten minutes griefing that he was to blame for all of this. He was too much of a jerk to her and didn't realise how one small thing turned out to be the biggest heartbreak of them all. Motoki left with Rei who had finished what was required and he took her to the shrine to keep herself to herself while he went off to open his cocktail bar. It would have been a private reception between himself, Rei and Michiru. Ami is invited but he knows that she is tea-total.
It was just Ami and Michiru left, the water based Sailor Senshi. They looked down towards the grave of Makoto and stayed there both being upset as the rain had become more intense like waves were crashing down and the people came to finish off the burial who left very shortly. They decided to look at their eyes, both full of sorrow and weeping. Ami didn't realise how beautiful Michiru was and Michiru didn't realise how cute Ami was. After nodding to each other, they placed two lots of sasanqua camellia roses onto the grave making it four in total and walked off as it was approaching 8PM.