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It was lunchtime. Mizuki was all alone on the rooftops watching the clouds align with their fingers grasping on the holes of the wired fence. Everyone in school was talking about Tanabata Day—writing their wishes on strips of paper and hanging them on the bamboo tree…
Yeah, that sounds pleasant! For anyone that has a wish, that is. Mizuki has never thought of a ‘real wish’, but all they could think of was ‘enjoying the now’. What was there for them, the outcast that just stays in bed to miss another school day and wants to disappear for good? Mizuki’s pupils lacked light, kind of like when they first met Mafuyu in the Uninhabited Sekai.
They thought back about what they said during the mystery tour when they wanted to go to school with their circlemates the next year. It’s so hard to tell everyone straight up.
That one spring in middle school, when the cherry tree leaves were falling down, they declined a couple of their peers’ invite to hang out and watch them. All the weight they’ve been carrying makes them so miserable even now. What was the point?
Mizuki reached for their ribbon securing their high pigtail. The satin fabric felt so smooth on their velvet palm that it just tickles them without letting out a laugh. Firmly, they grasped it and pulled it off. Their pastel pink hair fell down, flowing down past their shoulders. The weather’s not right for the wind to pass by until the autumn season. This cute appearance they were shooting for was nothing but a facade.
Not like anybody cared to notice.
They held it close to their face as if it sufficed to be a handkerchief, but there were no shedded tears or sounds of wailing. They wanted to cry, but they just couldn’t.
“Eeeh… Why do I even bother?” Slowly, Mizuki slid their ribbon off their eyes while keeping the rest of their face covered like a mask. “Being the one who always sees the bright side feels like a chore… There’s no way I’ll have fun with everyone next year…”
The door to the roof opened, startling Mizuki. They turned face to see who came. It was Rui with a hint of surprise to his countenance when he approached the depressed junior. “My, you look dreadful,” he said bluntly. “I haven’t seen that look on your face since middle school…”
“Who, me?” Mizuki forced a smile and a very weak laugh. They shook their head. “Ahaha~ I was… rehearsing for 25-ji’s next MV for a song.” What a terrible lie they spat out.
“Is that so?” Rui asked. A smile is what he greets them with. “And does your MV require you to let down your hair?”
“Absolutely~! ♪ I might go out all day like this. What do you think? I can take criticism~”
“Fufu~ The Mizuki I know would rock any fashion trends without question or a need for anybody's opinion when they are aware of how stylish they are. Whether you keep your luscious pink locks down to rest on your back to define your stature or tying it up to have a cutesy streak is not my place to say.” He holds up a bento box. “May I reside here? On an empty stomach, I cannot brainstorm for my next idea for the show and I do like a tranquil environment as I dine.”
Back then, Mizuki and Rui had always gone to the rooftops to escape from being some kind of nuisance to their respective peers. It’s like they’re back to square one. However, Mizuki does find Rui’s company reassuring. Their smile was still weak, but who are they to deny an old friend? “Why not? No one’s around to bother me, anyway.”
Rui took a seat on the bench as he watched Mizuki get another look beyond the fence. All he sees is how empty they look. He does understand how they feel, but his worry grows. Had anything happened to them, Rui wouldn’t feel the same again. To break this stagnating silence, he calls out to them. “Mizuki. Please, have a seat with me. You can have the melonpan I purchased from the school store~”
Their brows went up as they gave him their attention. “Ah… Sure.” Mizuki sat next to Rui and took the melonpan he offered.
Like a satisfied cat that enjoyed its meal, Mizuki stretched their arms and legs. “Ahh, ahhhh~ That hit the spot~ ♪”
“You said before that you were disappointed that they sold out of melonpan when we last encountered, so I saved you the hassle. Pardon my observation, but that was a ruse, was it not?”
Mizuki twirled their hair around their finger. “...Yeah. I figured you’d caught up. Besides, nobody knows me like you do, so it’s…”
Rui placed the lid on top of the bento box and put it aside. “Truthfully, I’m relieved.”
“Huh?”
“You made some interesting new friends during our little hiking adventure. Hinomori Shizuku-kun, a former idol from Cheerful*Days, and Momoi Airi-kun, a former idol from QT, and that young lady from Class 2-D, Shinonome Ena-kun.”
Friends… Hearing that word put a smile on Mizuki’s face and made them giggle. “Yeah… I sure have~ ♪”
But it does make Rui wary of why they’re still so distant. His lips creased down into a frown. That feeling of loneliness they both have is like a monster eating them alive but for completely different reasons. It’s agonizing. “And yet, you’re here looking beyond the horizon. Mind telling me why?”
Had it been anyone else, Mizuki would just make an excuse to run away. Rui, on the other hand, there’s no way. After all, they both come to this place so often and share with each other their griefs.
Mizuki’s soft pink eyes glued down the ground. “I planned a mystery tour with Ena and my circlemates. Kanade was in a slump, so we went around to give her inspiration on what to compose for our new song.” They leaned forward with their elbows balancing on their legs, cupping their cheeks. “We had a great time. I got to see everybody’s reactions… We even watched some cherry tree leaves falling down. The sight was so pretty… and it was more beautiful to watch with friends.”
Rui listened to Mizuki’s story—not even batting an eye. From what he got out of this so far is that Mizuki planned something so much fun.
“But… I hesitantly suggested having fun like that again with them… Even hoped to attend the same classes as them instead of just being stuck online…” They chuckled. “I’m an idiot, aren’t I?” It hurts to say that they’re scared if their circlemates won’t stick around by their side. Hanging out in the Sekai for New Years and Ena’s birthday was nice, but Mizuki knows they can do more than that. It’s a good thing that the only person they can tell this to is Rui judging by how relieved they look. So much has been taken off their shoulders by venting to him.
Rui shook his head slowly. “Not at all. In fact, I believe it’s a good thing to wish for something as pleasant as that.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a couple of strips of paper. “Here. Today is Tanabata Day, after all. Why don’t you write what you told me down and put it on a bamboo tree? If we’re lucky, we’ll get clear weather.”
“Eh? Where’d you get these?” Mizuki asked.
“Shinonome-kun received tons of them from a café bar. He mentioned that he was going to give these to his sister due to her being, in his words, greedy. I kindly asked if I could take some off his hands. After all, I have a wish, too~”
“You asked ?”
No response. Knowing Rui, Akito probably gave him the wish strips without him even asking.
A fuzzy feeling warms Mizuki’s heart up as they accept a slip. They show a very soft smile with their eyes sparkling just a tad. Their mischievous streak returns when their smile becomes a cat-like smirk. “I totally agree. Ena really poisons your mind and gets you to do her bidding. That’s why baby brother-kun gets bossed around so much to run her errands while she’s stuck in bed all day dreaming about being a celebrity with all the clout she’s been chasing~ ♪”
Rui chuckles.
“By the way—you and that girl, Kusanagi-san from Class 1-B… What were you two doing hiking in the mountains, anyway?”
“Ah. Nene asked me a favor to help improve her physical performance for our shows. I received spectacular results from all the hard work she’s been putting in.” His brows scrunched down with widened eyes and devilish cat-like smile almost like a Cheshire Cat’s as he held onto his chin like a mad scientist. “The amount of data was overwhelming when she struggled! A true spectacle of growth!”
A comically large sweat drop fell down on the back of Mizuki’s head as they madea face that showed they’re somewhat concerned, but at the same time, it’s just Rui. I know he works at Phoenix Wonderland and Tsukasa-senpai is the ‘leader’ of their troupe, but something tells me I feel bad for him. Has he been waterboarded yet? they thought. “Ahhh… Good for her~! ♪”
“This is more than good, Mizuki. It’s extraordinary!” Rui stands up. “My dearest childhood friend who is like a little sister to me, a gamer who shuts herself in her room all day lacking strength, now pushing herself to the very limit to hone her skills in dancing with grace and balancing without falling flat on her face!” He lands on one knee as he holds his arms out to the sky, as if accepting God’s welcoming embrace. “She has become an even stronger asset to Wonderlands x Showtime!”
Mizuki didn’t lose composure when Rui started to laugh maniacally. He’s literally lost it. Although… Brushing off the horrifying thoughts of Rui’s evil schemes, Rui was clearly very happy. They look at the wish strip. If he can have fun with his coworkers just like that… then I might have fun with them, too. It might take much to get Mafuyu to smile, but I’d like to see that again. They smirk deviously. If we go on another mystery tour, I’ll find even scarier places to give Ena the spooks~ Mizuki holds it to their chest. And I might take Kanade to that carnation field again… Actually, I’ll take them all there… and we could listen to Kanade’s dad’s music box…
A soft rosy color rests well on Mizuki’s cheeks. That’s all they ever wanted—to spend time with everyone. Not as 25-ji, Night Code de., but as the four best friends. Mizuki was—no, rather, they’re still scared of being alone. However, what’s the harm in trying? Akito-kun was carrying these wish strips, right? I might give him a kiss on the cheek later~ ♥ In joy, they laugh.
Taking in this sweet moment where his dear friend from middle school shares a glimpse of happiness, Rui smiled while standing up. “Feeling better now?”
“Yeah. Thanks a lot. Hey, Rui! What are you going to wish for on your Tanabata strip?”
“Fufu~ My wish was already granted.”
“Huh? Really? What was it?”
“That is a secret I must take to my grave. Apologies, but one day, I’ll tell you when the moment is right.” The bell rings. “Oh, my. Looks like lunch period is over.” He took his bento box next to Mizuki off the bench. “Mizuki.”
They tilt their head as they stand up. “Yeah?”
“Remember—I’ll wait for you here… at the rooftop.”
Mizuki's eyes grow wide. They never been so grateful to have a friend like Rui, so this sentiment is refreshing.
They both said their farewells by exchanging waves. Mizuki took one last moment to look at the sky before returning to class. Up above, they could see a cloud that almost resembles them along with Ena, Kanade, and Mafuyu joining each other hand in hand sharing smiles and laughs. They pocketed away their wish strip and tied their hair back into their ponytail with the ribbon they pulled off, now securing it tighter than usual. “O—kay~! I’m gonna write down my biggest wish of all!” Hurriedly, they sprinted back to their classroom.
There is no future for me, but… that won’t stop me from making one. I’m gonna share my happiness with everybody! We’ll eat at places, play games at the arcade, shop at the mall, watch movies—everything! And together… we’ll all be happy!