Minako sat down on the dewy emerald grass by the calm forest lake. She was concealed from others’ sight by the green branches of a blooming apple tree. It was her favorite place – this spot by the lake. She loved to come here and think, reflect on things, or just gaze at the water. No one would search for her there, she knew. Everyone thought that would be such an unnatural thing to do for Aino Minako, the eternally happy and laughing girl. That was all they saw in her, not seeing, or even trying to see more. A girl who is always happy with everything, who has all the attention, the beauty – everything perfect and going her way. She was the one-sided, shining golden coin in the crowd of double-sided, shaded brass coins. Or at least so everyone thought. But as every coin has two sides, Minako had another side of her giggling personality, too. The sad and thoughtful side, the side that would be more likely to sit by the water and reflect on her life.

"Why does no one even try to see me like that, except for my friends?" Minako thought, as her blue eyes gazed into the blue, calm, crystal-clear water. "Why does everyone see me as the happy, giggling, immature girl, who has all the beauty and all the popularity?" She sighed. "I’m not like that. I can be a caring, thoughtful, mature person that everyone believes so impossible to exist." Her eyes began to fill with tears, sparkling in the summer sun. "For once, I just want to forget being the naturally happy Aino Minako, and be someone else… Sailor Venus, the powerful goddess of beauty and love, my other half. Even she is not fully rid of Aino Minako. For once, I just want to be myself – my caring, thoughtful self that does not exist for everyone else. Aino Minako is just a mask, a pretty mask with the eternally smiling face." A pink apple blossom floated by Minako’s face as the soft breeze slightly ruffled her long, beautiful, flowing, shining blonde hair. Her teary eyes followed the blossom’s flight, as it fluttered about until it reached the still water of the blue lake. As the blossom touched the water, a lone tear slid down Minako’s cheek and fell into the water, making small waves that made her reflection shimmer and falter. "For once, I want people to see through the smiling mask… To see the real me. I wish everyone could be like my friends… Orange Shock, Sailor Venus…" Not fininshing her thought, she got up, and, moving the branches that touched her face, she came out of her hideout and slowly walked away among the blooming apple trees.