Ami stared at the coat sitting on her bed. It should've made her happy. There should have been excitement at the opportunity and success in advancement. The new coat was cleaner than her old one, which was now dirtied, covered in watermelon juice and stains from the "chocolate" from the sewers. Why the hunter council thought it was a good idea to give everyone white coats when they went on such messy missing was beyond her.

She shrugged off the old coat, hanging her scarf on the rack near the door to the room. The coat got set onto the bed next to the new one. Ami picked up the red-trimmed coat, holding it up to her body, testing its length. Not bad, not fantastic. She would've preferred something a bit more stylish, but it was a hunter coat. The white and obnoxious gold would never look attractive on her figure. What an accomplishment, a symbol of her successes at Deus.

She felt nothing.

The Life branches that she'd originally thought might make her feel triumphant- nothing. They just looked like a symbol of her failure now.

< Ami, this is a great thing! >

It doesn't feel that way.

< You've been so mopey lately. C'mon look at all your hard work. You've sorted through like HALF of your dorm all by yourself, and you promoted! You're one step closer to be a real, full hunter. Not to mention you talked with Dakota and only punched him once! That's like a record. You should be proud of yourself. >

A smile cracked across her face. Only Junpei and few others could make her smile like this. What could she say, he was growing on her. Okay Jumpy, simmer down

< Junpei. I know you know it by now! >

I know ... I just kind of like calling you Jumpy. Is that a problem? By now Ami had wiggled into the new coat and was patting it down somewhat proudly. It was stiff- far stiffer than her old coat, but she'd work into it. It really wasn't bad. Her fingers ran over the golden trim, biting her lip. It wasn't ... terrible.

< So ... you know I have to ask. What're you going to do about Wilson? He's all you've thought about for the past like ... week. Believe me, I know. I have to listen to it. >

It felt like a bucket of cold water being was dumped over her. Wasn't that a great question. Dakota had said to just go for it ... but he never told her when to do it. It was either Em was already around or Ami never found the courage to say it. I don't know, she thought listlessly. She really didn't. Things were following apart quickly and she had no way to fix them. For now she was just holding it together.

< Well, you have to at least apologize about getting him so beat up! Dude got pelted and groped for you- you can at least make him a card or somethin'. >

Wow, that was soooo romantic. Nothing says "hey I like you" like a card. Junpei was right though. Sitting here and wallowing in her failures was getting her nowhere. Maybe it really was time to just reveal it all. Pour out her kimochis from her kokoro as Allan would say. She still hadn't watched episode three with him. Maybe she should just look it up online and rent it from a store? Ami had no concept of pirating things. That was illegal in her little bubble.

I ... wouldn't know what to do. He has Em for everything, she thought bitterly. Em was probably caring for his wounds and waiting at his bedside even now. Ami couldn't help it. She was jealous. Jealous that Wilson chose her before Ami even got a chance. Jealous that she could be by Wilson's side and not worry about it.

She couldn't hate Em though. Not at all. Em just loved a boy first, and with good reason. She was cute, kind to people, had a gentle aura. Everything Ami lacked. It was no wonder Wilson liked her.

< There's ... no shame in trying, > Junpei said, a surprisingly gentle statement compared to his normally obnoxious demeanor. < It's like your buddy-pal Dakota said. Confidence is all you need Ams. >

Ams. Just the nickname brought her back. Adam's curly hair, his scent, their apartment. She was out of the room, and back there. His disconnected tone when he said sorry, it wasn't going to work. Ami shuddered. This was a stupid idea. She couldn't confess. Not now. Especially not now.

< Ami ... he's in the past. He's gone. Thinks you dead. >

Shut up Junpei. Just ... Just shut up.

< NO. I won't sit here and watch you beat yourself up over a guy who doesn't love you anymore. >

Ami threw the fish clip across the room, smacking it against the wall, where it then fell onto Tori's bed with a light thud. Her breathing was harsh, but she relaxed. No, relaxed wasn't the word. Ami never felt relaxed anymore. Not even reading a book in a warm corner worked.

Realizing what she'd done, Ami took the few steps across the room and picked up the pin. No noise. Nothing. A tiny c***k on one of the fins, but it was nothing. No voice though.

I- I'm sorry ... Junpei? she thought gently. Please let him be okay. Still no noise. Don't leave me too Junpei A whisper.

< Ahaha you should see your face. I'm never leavin' Ams- I can't! >

Ami blinked a few times. That b*****d. That. b*****d.

< Calm down scareling, calm down, > Junpei said, his laughter still echoing in her mind.

Sighing, Ami removed her coat and threw it on the coatrack along with her scarf. It actually looked pretty nice up there.

< So ... what about bringing Wilson something to eat? Guys like food ... >

That actually wasn't a terrible idea. It was inconspicuous. A good way to apologize. ... Not a bad idea Junpei.