Work Text:
“Monochrome”
10:37 AM
Saturday
“Nothing to do today, huh?” Mizuki said out loud to one in particular as they lied on their bed, blankly staring at the monochrome ceiling.
The sound of an electric fan buzzed in the room, the only thing disrupting the stillness of silence.
Everyone already approved the video I made for the upcoming song so that’s done, and I also did all my homework… I also finished the latest Gundam so there’s basically nothing to watch…
They glanced to the side and looked at their phone, lying inert below their extended arm. For some reason, the lights in the room were a little dimmer than usual.
I should go hang out with someone! I’ve kinda been wanting some new clothes and I have some money to spend.
Plus, I kind of really wanna see Ena right now.
A tiny smile formed on their face.
Ena always has the best fashion advice, doesn’t she? Probably cause she’s so self conscious!
“Hehe…” a snort, followed by a short-lived laugh came out of their mouth.
Okay, no more lazing around, let’s get up!
“Haaaah….” Mizuki took in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. They pushed their arms forward and slowly sat up, stretching their limbs and back.
“There we go… time to call Ena!” Once more to no one in particular they exclaimed as they picked their phone up and unlocked it, opening up their Messenger app.
They took a moment to stare at the list of contacts, their small smile from earlier fading into a blank stare. They took a moment to think of each person whose name came up, one by one.
Airi. Shizuku. An. Nene. Rui. Kanade. Mafuyu.
Ena.
It only took one flick of their finger to reach the end of their contact list. Mizuki put away their phone, pressing the screen against the bed still held in their hand.
They once more looked up at the monochrome ceiling.
Well, I could invite someone else along with us! Hmm… Airi and Shizuku have a stream right now, don’t they? Good luck to them!
They looked down, mindlessly locking onto a section of the bed between their parted legs.
An usually has practice at this time with her partners. Last they checked, Rui was working on one of his shows, which probably means Nene is too. Not that either would wanna go shopping with them anyway.
They brought their gaze up and stared at their covered windows. They wondered how bright the sun was outside.
I don’t want to bother K cause she’s probably finishing the song right now or asleep. Mafuyu definitely wouldn’t wanna go out, and she’s probably busy with studying or something.
…
I guess it really is just Ena huh? Knowing her, since the art for the song is done, she’s either already out or planning to go out. Better call her quick.
Mizuki brought the phone screen back into their view and tapped on Ena’s name. They pressed the call button without hesitation, and held the phone up to their ear.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
After six rings, she finally picked up.
“Uh, hello, Mizuki? Sorry, I’m kinda out right now with some friends from school! What’s up?”
A moment of hesitation.
“A-ah, is that so? I see…”
Mizuki’s fingers drummed against the bedsheet like the pitter-patter of falling rain.
“Mizuki?”
“O-oh, hey, sorry I just zoned out for a sec! N-nevermind, it’s nothing, I just wanted to check on you.”
“H-huh? Oh, alright...”
More than a few moments of awkward silence.
“Anyway, uh, you can get back to your hangout! That’s all I wanted to say, bye!” In a split second, Mizuki pressed the End Call button with their thumb.
Slowly, their arm draped down, their phone dropping out of their hand with a soft thump.
Why… did I end the call? Why was I so nervous? Why was I so… worried?
…
…
The electric fan’s buzzing grew louder. The lights seemed to dim even more.
Normally, I would’ve just asked if I could join. I… would love to meet new people! From Ena’s school, too! She doesn’t talk about that a lot!
…
Normally, I…
…
Mizuki leaned back into their pillow. Their body relaxed.
Mizuki found themselves blankly staring at the monochrome ceiling. Once they did, they brought their legs inward close to their chest, hugging them tightly with their arms. They sunk their head down, forming a fetal position.
…
…
…
“Why am I like this?” They spoke, in a low voice.
They hugged their legs a little tighter.
“Why am I like this?” This time, it was almost a whisper.
They sunk their head down a little further.
…
Mizuki looked up, and stared at the mannequin in the corner of their room.
Indeed, this is just how it is, isn’t it?
They then shifted their gaze to the mirror beside it.
Indeed, this is just how it’s always going to be isn’t it?
They looked at their open closet. It was a little dark, so they could barely see the clothes inside.
Is it… my fault?
…
They felt a warmth roll down across their cheeks. A slight whimper broke the silence of the dim room.
…
I… wish I… I…
A drop of liquid landed on their leg. Followed by another.
I… I’m sorry…
The ceiling lights no longer existed. The buzzing scraped against their ears.
…
In the darkness, a sound.
A low, singular note, followed by a small glow.
Mizuki looked towards the source of the noise, unconsciously wiping the tears from their face. They reached out and grabbed their phone, the sudden light almost blinding them once they brought it on their face.
Enanan <3 Now
“Mizuki are you okay?”
They slid the notification to their right and unlocked their phone. They stared at the text for a while.
Okay? Am I okay? I don’t think so.
They began to type, their long, painted fingernails tapping away at the screen.
“Yeah why? Worried about me Ena lolololol”
A crooked smile took over their face.
What the heck am I doing?
They let out a singular sob. Their eyes were still sore.
...
A reply.
“I am going to call you right now.”
“Eh?”
Ring.
Mizuki immediately answered the call, holding it up to their ear lightning fast.
“E-ena, what’s up with this all of a sudden? I said I’m okay right?”
“Mizuki, you seriously cannot think I’m this stupid. We’re friends, aren’t we?! I know by now what you sound like when you’re just freaking pretending! I mean, wait no, I- ugh...”
Ena took a deep breath. The static didn’t hurt Mizuki’s ears at all.
“I... didn’t mean to put it like that. I’m sorry Mizuki.”
“I-it’s okay, Ena! I know what you meant. Thank you.”
...
“Wait, what about your friends? Aren’t you busy right now?”
“I left them.”
“Eh?!”
Mizuki’s unoccupied left hand gripped their bedsheets.
“I left them because I want to hang out with you.”
Gulp.
“E-eh? Enanan, do you like me so much you abandoned your friends for me? Hahahaha!”
“Yes.”
“E-EH?!”
“Mizuki, listen to me. I am your friend, and I care about you. Please, I know that you have stuff you want to hide from me and I respect that, but don’t just hang up on me like that!”
“You... you really didn’t sound like you’re doing okay. And you still don’t.”
...
Mizuki looked down and clenched the phone in their hand.
Ena, I... I’m sorry. There’s so much I want to say, so much... But I...
“Mizuki. Do you want to hang out?”
“Eh?”
“Exactly what I said. Do you want to hang out? Answer me clearly this time.”
Mizuki looked up, and stared at their mirror once more.
“Please...”
Like gravity, Ena’s voice tore their gaze away. It left their eyes scrambling around the room, finally settling on the door. It tore more than just that away.
“Y-yeah. I do. I... I’ve been wanting a new dress for a while.”
The wooden frame of the door shifted hues.
“Uh-huh.”
“And... and there’s this new pancake place I saw on Insta I wanna try, and it’s close too!”
It was a brighter hue of brown. Brighter than before.
“Mmhm.”
“A-and, you always give the best fashion advice, so I want you to go with me to help me pick!”
Mizuki’s eyes subconsciously shifted towards their closet. It looks like they have far too many pink and white dresses, and they’d like some more variety.
“Alright. That is correct, I do give the best fashion advice.”
A snort. Mizuki could sense white light shooting through the pink and white blinds of their window.
“Yeah right, you learned everything from the master right here!”
Mizuki stood up from the bed, landing on her red carpet.
“Sure, sure, whatever you say. Anyway, meet me at the usual place in like fifteen minutes. If you’re late I’ll be mad!”
“Haha, look who’s talking Miss Always Late!”
“Hey I’m not always-“
Mizuki hung up. They sprinted towards their blue closet and grabbed their favorite white and blue top and began to change.
...
...
It took them 6 minutes to get ready. A record time, Mizuki believes. They grabbed their pink handbag and slung it around their shoulder, then walked towards the chestnut brown door.
Just before reaching for the grey handle, they stopped and turned their head around. Their gaze first traveled from the cream white ceiling then onto the almost fully closed pink window blinds, the golden rays of the sun peeking through one side.
They walked forwards and slowly opened them all the way.
As they saw the mostly white and brown houses outside and the people walking along the street with all kinds of colors of clothes, their mouth widened and curved.
She’s gonna be late, I bet. Even though she had quite the head start.
What will I ever do with you, Enanan?
11:03 AM
The air was rather cool today, a refreshing chill drifting by Mizuki’s face as they waited in front of the grey lamp post at their usual meeting place.
They looked left, then right, then left again. Afterwards, they pulled out their pink phone and opened it, observing the time.
Just one more minute to go, Ena! Good luck!
A slight giggle disappeared into the cool breeze as Mizuki awaited their friend with a smug smile.
“Haah... haah...”
Mizuki looked left once more, and as they looked down the large street, they saw a tiny pink and brown blob gradually getting closer and closer.
“No wayyy...”
They looked down at their pink phone once more and then back at the blob. As it got closer, Ena’s short brown hair and pink top became much clearer.
Finally, Ena had made it to the meeting spot, hands on her knees and panting from exhaustion.
“You... how did... you... get here so fast?!”
Ena looked up at Mizuki with an angry expression.
Mizuki only returned her angered face with a radiant, toothed smile.
“Enaaaaa~”
They proudly raised their phone screen in front of Ena’s face, and pointed at the time with their free hand.
“11:04 AM.”
“Now that’s my Miss Always Late!”
“Grr, you! It’s only cause you’re way too damn fast!”
Ena balled her hands into fists and stomped the ground in irritation.
“Hehe.” Mizuki giggled.
Ena sighed. “Ugh, whatever, let’s get going. So, what are we doing first?”
Mizuki looked around the surrounding area then back at Ena.
“Well, we could go pick out a dress first, it won’t take too long since I already have a store in mind. Then we can go check out the new crepe place, then maybe go check out some makeup that I heard is on sale.”
“Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”
Ena, still frowning, began to walk forwards, passing Mizuki by.
Staring at Ena’s pink back, Mizuki felt their expression soften.
Ena looked back at Mizuki, but instead of the frown they were expecting, Mizuki found something way more...
“What, not coming? Hurry up or by the time we’re done it’ll be way past lunch!”
Pretty.
“Hmm? Mizuki, you okay? Still worried about something? In fact, you’re looking a little red there, do you have a fever?”
“N-no, it’s nothing!” Mizuki waved their hands in refusal.
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Don’t rush me, Miss Always Late~”
“Okay can you just drop it already!”
As the two walked further into the city, sounds of laughter and exasperation could be heard radiating from the pair.
The world we see around us is like a painting, and the colors are reflections of the stimuli we experience.
Some days, it’s bright and pastel, while on others the world seems dark and monochrome.
Today, Mizuki felt the world was a bit pinker and browner than usual.