Chapter Text
Art was my only comfort, it’s always been that way. When my parents divorced, I grasped my art even more. I pushed everything aside, my mom, my brother, school, friends, all of it, just so I could win praise from my father. It didn’t work, I never improved, I only…felt hollow…
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Smile, smile, smile, just keep smiling. Cause then, everyone will smile too… No matter what people say cast a smile on your face. It’s simple, smile and people will smile back. But why is no one smiling…am I doing it wrong? Am I the reason no one’s smiling?...
“If I were to- no that isn’t right.” A brunette muttered as she put her paintbrush down. Taking a step back, she stared at the canvas and sighed. It’s missing something, it’s missing something…like everything else is…it’s missing something!
She decided staring at it was going to solve nothing and sat back down. Currently, she is at a job interview to be a set decorator at Phoenix Wonderland. If she got the job she was going to be painting the backgrounds for the shows that were put on there. But that was only if she got the job. At the moment she was stumped by their prompt. Sure, she’s painted many things about all kinds of prompts given to her so she had a product that was turn-in-able, but it was missing something.
It was missing some sort of spark that made it come together. All of her art was, which is why she picked this job. She wanted her art to be seen of course, but she also wanted to find that missing spark. Taking one last look at her piece, she knew it was done, or as done as it was going to get.
She signed it, brought it towards the pile of finished pieces and left. She didn’t want to go home and it was the weekend so she didn’t have any classes. Instead, she decided to buy a ticket and hang around for a bit. She’s been here with her family, mainly her mom and brother since her father was either too busy or her parents were divorced by then, many times. She’s seen everything in the daytime but never in the evening.
It was a much more magical place. With all the park’s lights turning on and a golden sky, it was a perfect picture for her to paint. But she didn’t. That wasn’t what she was here for. She was here to cool off and clear her head before she went home.
So, she wandered. She never got on any rides, she just walked. It was nice to take in the atmosphere and sights as time slowly crept forward. She watched as each ride began to glow and illuminate a golden hue saying that it was here and should be ridden. It was strange but welcoming to be at the park later than she’d ever been. It became quieter too as time went on and all the younger kids went home.
She was so caught up in admiring everything she almost missed the buzzing of her phone. Fishing her phone out of her pocket, she checked the caller ID and answered.
“What?”
“Do you not know the word hello?~”
“Just get to teh point Akito.”
“Fine. Mom’s wondering where you are since it’s late.”
“It is?!”
“Yeah, it’s funny you haven’t realized, dinner’s ready.”
“Shit!”
“Uh huh, so when are you going to be home?”
“I’m on my way.”
Without saying anything more she hung up. Hurrying out of the park with her phone in hand, she was too focused on getting home at a reasonable time to notice her phone glowing and then dimming as she made her way home.
She acted strange after the interview. Staying at Phoenix Wonderland past her interview time and coming straight home to work on art, was what she planned to do. Staying there was on impulse. Impulse was also what made her stay and admire the park as well.
It was magnificent, she'd give it that. It made her want to paint a picture of it, encapture all those feelings. The feelings of happiness, joy, hope, pride, and excitement. She wanted to paint a picture with all those feelings and watch it come to life.
Akito gave her a strange look when she showed up out of breath because she ran home. She never runs, she never does anything to do with sports and exercising, she only does things that have to do with art. So yes, she acted strange yesterday all because of that sight.
Signing she opened the door to the room she was in yesterday. She was there with a few other people she recognised from yesterday. Some of them were nervous and others were stoned-faced. In total there were 10 of them, yesterday there were 20 or so of them.
When the staff noticed she entered they started talking. Saying that everyone’s art was impressive, but it wasn’t what they were looking for and to try again somewhere else. She was rejected yet again. It hurt yes, but she was used to it.
She left when they were finished and bought a ticket again. It was midday, the opposite of what it was yesterday, and much more busier. It also didn’t have the same feeling. There was too much going on for that picture to come to life, so she wandered off somewhere quieter.
She found and ventured down, a dirt path that was hidden behind some trees. It was strange, what was such a path doing in the park? If it was a maintenance path it would have been labeled as so. So what was it?
As she reached the end she found a stage with a girl doing some kind of performance on it and mascots cheering her on. The stage was…on the older side. It was rusted and outdated, every part of her artistic self told her to fix it and make it presentable. But that wasn’t what she was there for, she was there to find somewhere quiet to find out why she was acting strange. But, her body wouldn’t move, it made her stay and watch the odd performance on the old tattered stage.
And so, she watched. She watched the odd performance by the pink-haired girl and the abundance of mascots, on the old tattered stage that looked like it was going to fall apart at any second. The odd but intriguing performance of a fish and its furry friends, on a stage that looked like it couldn’t hold their weight for much longer. It consumed her and her thoughts, it made her wonder what would happen if the stage was fixed up and more people performed, making all kinds of shows.
She chuckled at the thought. Why would she care, she just wanted to create art, why would she care about the life of an old stage and an odd girl?
“Wonderhoy ☆ !” The girl appeared before her. “How did you like the wondertastic show?!”
Again, strange, weird, but welcoming. Since where did she think these sorts of things and why? Wasn’t art her main focus? Why were all these odd things making her pause?
“Wo-Wonderhoy?” She stutter back startled.
“Wonderhoy ☆ !” The girl responded waving her arms, doing some kind of pose. “The show!! What’d you think about the wondertastic show?!”
“Terrible.” She blurted out. Great, her inner critique was showing. “It lacked plot and reason.” She rolled with it. “But-” She paused judging the expression of the girl in front of her. She was smiling, a fake smile, she could tell, her mom and brother do them all the time. She even held hidden sadness, but it was obvious to her since she’d held that exact expression before. “You held my attention the whole time. It was probably because the performance was something I’ve never seen before and the stage looked like it was going to give out…” She trailed off. Shaking her head she continued. “Besides that, it was a terrible show. It wasn’t interesting but odd. It lacked many factors that show and art in general are supposed to have. There that’s my opinion on your show.”
The girl ran up to her and embraced her. She expected tears, rage, yelling, not…a hug. It was strange, this odd pink girl was hugging her. She was hugging her because she gave her harsh criticism on her show.
“Okay! That’s enough!” She pushed the girl away, who beamed back at her. Strange but welcoming. Again…what was this feeling?!
“I’m Otori Emu, Emu meaning smile cause I want to bring smiles to everyone’s faces! What’s your’s?” She continued… beaming.
“...Shinonome Ena. You’re the daughter of the current owner of Phoenix Wonderland, what are you doing all the way out here?”
Ignoring her, the girl continued. “Oh Shinononome! I saw your art! It was so wonderhoy ☆ !!”
“You saw…my art?” Ena blinked. “How? I thought only the interviewers were able to.” Emu beamed at her. “...Right you’re an Otori.”
Emu continued to pay her no mind. “Would you like to help the wonder stage!?!” Emu grabbed her hand, looking up at her. “We’ll have such a wondertastic time!!” She was ecstatic, more energetic than anyone she’s ever met. If this was a normal encounter she would’ve declined saying she doesn’t do that kind of art, but this girl was a beaming ray of sunshine who looked to appreciate her art.
“Um…what did you think of the painting?” She asked the beaming girl.
“It made my heart go whoosh-whoosh and my eyes go kira-kira.”
Whoosh-whoosh? Kira-kira?...Excitement? Admiration? Huh interesting choice. “...Anything else?” She tried to prompt Emu.
“Mmmmm” She closed her eyes and concentrated. “Doki-doki!! and run-run!!”
Hmm, definitely excitement and cheerfulness.
“Oh, but also doki-doki…” She added on, moving her hands, mimicking raindrops.
Sadness? Why though?
“Hmm, I see, thank you Otori-san.”
“You’re welcome Shinononome!! Will you join the wonder stage now?!!”
“Um-” She really, really didn’t want to but…Otori-san was very persistent and she answered all her questions. “S-” Before she could answer, a bright light engulfed the two of them, transporting them elsewhere.
Rubbing her eyes and opening them, Ena was greeted by a bright Themepark resembling Pheonix Wonderland but it also wasn’t. It was bright and colourful but also sombre like something was overshadowing the park. It held the atmosphere as Pheonix Wonderland did, but it was also empty like no one comes to the park here.
Getting up from off the soft ground? Floor? She couldn’t tell. She brushed off the imaginary dirt and started wandering around. Many of the rides were similar but had some kind of twist that made them different. So she knew she wasn’t in Phoenix Wonderland, let alone the Wonder Stage anymore.
Speaking of the Wonder Stage, where’s Otori-san? The odd pink-haired girl that was slowly growing on her despite their short, minutes-long, interaction, wasn’t there. She was with me when we got transported here though. Since she, well, latched onto me… Shaking her head, she took one last look at her surroundings before heading to the theatre-like building in the distance.
Walking in, she knew Otori-san was here, why? Her bright personality and smile were hard to miss. That and she was very loud.
“It was like whoosh-whoosh and doki-doki!!” She exclaimed, doing hand motions to match. “And! And! Zuwamp!!”
“Those are some very celebrant storytelling skills Emu.” Luka? Praised Otori-san. Why is Luka here? And how is she, not a hologram?!
“Ah! Gotchu!!” For the second time today, she was being hugged by a strange energetic person.
“Eee! You found Shinononome, Miku!!” Emu ran up to her and hugged her as well.
…Why am I surrounded by children… Attempting, keyword attempting, to pull away from the physical touch wasn’t happening. With both of them, it was nearly impossible.
“Fufu, you two should let go, she looks uncomfortable,” Luka said, breaking the silence.
“Please, it’s not very wonderhoy of you Otori-san and Miku.” She strained to get out since they held on tighter. However, Emu was the first to pull away pouting with Miku following after, also pouting.
“Where are we?” Ena asked, taking a step away from Emu and Miku.
“It’s your Sekai!” Miku interjected waving her hands.
“Sekai?”
“Mhm!!” Emu nodded excitedly, “Miku and Luka said it’s based on our feelings!! Mine and yours!!”
“That doesn’t explain how we got here.” Ena crossed her arms. Giving Emu a pointed look.
“The Untitled Song on your phone! Shinononome!!” Emu shouts, showing her said song on her own phone. It prompted her to check her phone. Lo and behold, it was there too.
“The song is based on your true feelings, all four of yours,” Luka interjected.
“Four? / Four??” Both girls said at the same time. “There’s more of us? / More people are helping the Wonder Stage??”
“Correct. Now we have to send you back since we’re running out of time.” Luka continued.
“I hope you find the other two by the time we meet again!!!” Miku states excitedly waving her hands. “Byeeee!!!”
What Miku said was the last thing both girls heard before they were transported back to the Wonder Stage.
“What- What was that?” Ena says, pushing the pink girl off of herself.
They were back at the Wonder Stage, this time on it, but they were in one piece and together this time. The sun was setting too. Were we gone for that long?! Mom must be worried!
“It was wondertastic!!” Emu shouted. “Miku and Luka were so much fun-”
“As much I would love to continue talking about that with you Otori-san, I have to go home, my mom must be worried.”
“Awww, no more wondertastic adventures today??”
“Tomorrow. Tomorrow we can look for the other two Miku and Luka mentioned.” Ena sighed.
Emu’s eyes lit up. “Yay!! We’re going to have so much fun Shinononome!!” Emu exclaimed, giving her one last hug before running off somewhere.
I must go to. I hope I keep seeing this view though. I want to paint it, I want to capture all its memories. I want…people to smile when they see Pheonix Wonderland in the evening and at night.