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Stepping into the kitchen, Mizuki cannot help the sigh of satisfaction as she pulls open the curtains to reveal the first rays of morning sunlight. Although it is already the end of summer, the high temperatures had yet to cease, leading to one blistering hot day after another. Thankfully, the early morning kept the heat at bay as the sun slowly stirred from its sleep. Not wanting to waste such an opportunity, the pink haired girl is quick to slide open the window and let in some of the cool morning air before it disappears. Although Mizuki and Ena’s shared apartment is furnished with air conditioning, the sterile relief is never quite the same as that of a rare, cool summer breeze.
Moving away from the window, Mizuki begins grabbing everything needed for breakfast. It was normal for the younger girl to be the one who cooked, with the exception of at least one night a week where they make dinner together. Since Ena had maintained her more erratic schedule even into university, such a routine simply worked better.
Not that Mizuki was fantastic in terms of keeping up with sleep either, as many a night had she been up working on college projects herself. There was of course Nightcord as well; however, that had become more manageable as the group agreed to reduce their daily meetings to weekly ones when everyone entered into undergraduate.
Humming along to a nameless tune, Mizuki’s focus is broken by a soft mew just as she begins pulling down two cups for Ena and herself. Lips curving into a smile, the pink haired girl sets the mugs down softly and turns over to the culprit.
“Good morning, Beau.”
The cat is a fluffy, pure white ragdoll with the spirit of a spoiled prince, and a name inspired by a trip both girls had taken to visit Yuuki in France. When they’d first brought him back from the shelter, Ena insisted she despised the feline, declaring it “old and grumpy”. Despite such bold claims, the year and a half together had proved too much for the brunette’s resistance, and on more than one occasion Mizuki had caught the two snuggled together, fast asleep around various spots of the house.
It appeared the sound of the window opening had drawn out the cat from wherever he had been sleeping. Stepping into the warm glow of the light now peering in, Beau began letting out a pleased purr. Mizuki chuckled, bending down to give the cat a fond scratch.
“Give me just a moment and I’ll get your breakfast too.”
Breaking away from where she’d been petting Beau to shuffle into the other side of their small kitchen, Mizuki started pulling together everything needed to feed the cat also. As the components came together to form a balanced, high quality meal, the pink haired girl couldn’t help but wonder if all of Ena’s nagging about her spoiling the feline had some merit. This cat was almost eating a better breakfast than them . Certainly a more expensive one.
Having taken care of Beau first, Mizuki was able to return her focus back to her and Ena’s own food. Cooking, as with most days, seemed to pass in a cozy, mindless blur. The video editor supposed that, at this point, she was simply accustomed to their schedule. It was hard to be super conscious about something you did everyday , without fail.
Everyday.
Thinking about it made Mizuki feel warm, and, simultaneously, a little sick. It wasn’t the word itself, but the intention behind it. The thought of waking together in the morning, eating meals with one another, sharing her life with Ena – well, it evoked such a visceral sense of longing within Mizuki that it almost felt like if she considered it for too long, the idea alone would choke her from the inside out.
Forever was still something Mizuki couldn’t bring herself to believe in, and yet, weren’t forever and everyday the same? Why did they always seem to creep back in and haunt the farthest corners of her heart, the ones she had so carefully locked away?
The hilarity of it all caused a chuckle to escape the video editor’s lips. Somehow, even after everything, the smallest bit of hope deep inside of her, the one she’d tried to kill time and time again, remained. Really, she supposed she had Ena to blame for that. The brunette was constantly exceeding her expectations, blowing her away with surprise after surprise. Then again, that was what made Ena so amazing in the first place.
Mizuki’s mind wandered to that day, roughly three or four years ago now. She could still vividly recall the way her hands had trembled, how the bile had risen up her throat as her lips formed the words she swore never to speak to Ena. The ones Mizuki had always assumed she could never bring herself to admit. Especially not after how the opportunity to do so first had originally been ripped away from her.
She let the soft clang of the dishware she placed on the table pull her away from her thoughts. There was no use lingering on the past, she was here now and that was already much farther than she had ever expected to get.
As if sensing Mizuki’s inner turmoil, Ena chose that exact moment to stumble into the kitchen, looking far more messy and less graceful than normal, even for someone who was definitely not a morning person.
“Good morning sleepyhead!” Mizuki announced, “I’m surprised I didn’t have to drag you out of bed. What’s got you so shaken up and awake this early?”
Ena eyes settled onto the pink haired girl, and then briefly, onto the arrangement on the table. She sighed, but the dramatic display wasn’t enough to hide the grin turning up her lips.
“I can get up this early if I want to,” she lied through her teeth, before continuing, “But nevermind that– I can’t stay for breakfast today, I have to get to the school as soon as possible.”
She pondered her words for a moment, snatching a piece of toast Mizuki left on Ena’s designated plate.
“Sorry, I know you put everything together already.” The brunette added sheepishly, albeit genuinely apologetic.
Mizuki leaned against the counter and eyed her roommate, who had begun half haphazardly packing her food into a bento to take with her.
“To the university? I thought you didn’t have anything until the afternoon today.”
Ena hummed in agreement, still focused on the task in front of her and occupied with a bite she’d taken of the toast following her last comment. After arranging everything to her satisfaction, she spun back to Mizuki, an excited glint in her eyes.
“Well I don’t but um,” the brunette took a deep breath, “You remember that internship I told you about? The one I applied to at the start of this year?”
Mizuki straightened up. How could she possibly forget? Ena had almost driven herself mad putting together the perfect application. The brunette was normally a stubborn hard worker, but the month leading up to that deadline had revealed to the video editor a side of her roommate she’d scarcely seen before. The internship was competitive, but by god Ena had been determined to get it.
Mizuki remembers the night she sent in the application too, huddled together on top of Ena’s bed, laptop sat in front of them. Ena had been more nervous than Mizuki could ever remember her being. Gently, she had taken the brunette’s hand into her own– trying not to get distracted by the soft feel of Ena’s skin against her palm, or the way she could smell Ena’s perfume so strongly, almost dizzyingly, as the brunette inched closer and closer. What mattered in that moment had been being there for her roommate, her friend .
Later that same night though, under the covers of her own bed, the guilt had almost eaten Mizuki alive. In spite of everything, the sensation and scent of Ena next to her lingered, burned into Mizuki’s psyche. The greedy, wicked part of her refused to forget, and wanted to be that near to Ena again.
They hadn’t spoken much of the internship since. At least, not until now.
“I remember.” Mizuki confirms, hoping her expression didn’t disclose the discomfort stirring to life in her stomach.
Ena’s smile seemed to widen, if at all possible.
“Well, I got an email this morning– I’ve been accepted as the chosen candidate for the internship!”
For a moment, everything froze. All that was around her, even the nausea which had been tugging on Mizuki through the entire conversation, seemed to disappear entirely. In that quiet moment between, it was almost as if the video editor forgot even how to breath.
Then, as if it had never happened, the world slammed back into place.
“Ena that’s– that’s incredible!”
She meant it, she did. Her heart was so full of pride that felt she was about to burst. Whatever else bubbled alongside it was irrelevant.
“Thank you.” Ena responded, cheeks heated with a small flush of red even as the brunette seemed to teem with pride.
Turning back to the counter, the brunette hastily shoves the packed bento into her larger schoolbag. Looking over at her now, Mizuki can see that although she’s disheveled, the other girl is dressed and prepared to walk out the door already.
She watches closely as Ena flutters around the room, grabbing and moving things across the space. The two girls remain in a comfortable silence for maybe two or three minutes max, before, swallowing one last bite of toast, the artist gathers her things and moves past her roommate and out of the kitchen.
“I’ll still be back tonight in time to help with dinner, so don’t start without me, ‘kay?” Ena hums, gently slipping on her shoes as Mizuki follows her out into the hallway and towards the front door. Beau, who has finished his own breakfast, crawls up behind them, peering at the brunette curiously.
“Ahaha don’t worry Enanan, there is no way I’m missing the one night of the week where you actually help do part of the work.”
The artist scoffs, rolling her eyes in response to Mizuki’s teasing, albeit understanding that it held no actual malicious undertone. Her eyes then narrowed, settling on the cat who’d taken to happily rubbing himself against Mizuki’s calves.
“And you,” she starts accusingly, “Don’t get into anything while I’m gone.”
Satisfied with her chastising, the brunette stands and grasps the door handle.
“Well then, I’m off!” She starts, before Mizuki is overwhelmed with the sudden awareness that she’d just about let her roommate leave without passing on her praise.
“Ah, Ena!” She starts, drawing the brunette’s questioning gaze to herself, “Congratulations.”
The artist’s lips stretch into a breathtaking smile, head tilting towards Mizuki and sending loose strands of hair in front of her face.
“Thanks!”
The pink haired girl then watches her go, not even moving an inch until the door has completely shut. For a blurred period after, she remains that way– heavy stare fixed on the door. In the end, it is Beau who once again breaks her out of her own stupor, meowing dubiously as if he could read and inquire about Mizuki’s mood. She gives a breathy laugh, leaning down to scratch the feline right under the chin.
Sluggishly, she starts to walk back to the kitchen, Beau happily strutting just behind her. Entering, she notices that her own plate is still sitting on the table, food untouched, tea left full. It’s gone cold, she realizes.
She frowns at it for a moment, and then moves to start cleaning up.
Somehow, she’d lost her appetite anyway.
—
The rest of the day seems to pass by in a blur. Since Mizuki isn’t scheduled to work her part-time job, she splits much of her time finishing different tasks and running errands.
In the morning, after cleaning up from breakfast, she spends a good few hours lost in an embroidery project for one of her current classes.
Once she’s satisfied enough with her progress on that end, she gets dressed for the day. It is just after noon that she finds herself taking the subway into town, heading to the bakery that sells Ena’s favorite cheesecake to buy a celebratory treat for tonight’s dinner. Since she’s out anyway, she makes sure to stop by the grocery store, picking up a small list of ingredients they’d been missing for the actual main course of the afternoon.
By the time she’s home, there are still a few hours to spare before Ena returns. Mizuki finds herself bundled up on the couch, hunched over a laptop mindlessly working on her share of Nightcord’s most recent project. A magical girl anime plays noisily on the TV in front of her, some run of the mill series from last spring that the video editor had been using lately to fill the time when she’d run out of more interesting shows to watch. Next to her, Beau has curled into a little ball and fallen asleep.
It’s like this how Ena finds her, coming in through the door after spending the whole day at university.
“I’m home!” The brunette’s voice calls out, breaking through Mizuki’s focus. The pink haired girl looks up, meeting her roommate’s gaze as the artist hangs her bag, kicks off her shoes and stumbles down the hall and into their quaint little living room.
“Welcome back.” Mizuki greets cheerfully, still cocooned in a mountain of blankets. Ena glances around at the scene in front of her, face scrunching with displeasure when a particularly loud line blares from the anime on TV.
“I don’t know what you like so much about these shows.” She grumbles, stepping over to the couch and picking up Beau from where he'd been laying. The cat hisses, but Ena shows no reaction as she diligently steals the feline’s spot, dropping him unceremoniously on the ground instead.
Mizuki snorts, shutting her laptop and shoving it away.
“That was harsh, Ena.” She teases.
The brunette ignores her, instead choosing to start pulling apart Mizuki’s wrap of blankets. The video editor considers momentarily taunting Ena by continuing to hog them, but decides against it as she helps shrug off and rearrange the layers until both girls are equally covered.
“How was your day?” The video editor asks softly.
Ena sighs, but it’s more a satisfied noise than a frustrated one. She scooches over and lays her head on Mizuki’s shoulder in a rare gesture of affection that has the pink haired girl’s heartbeat spiking almost instantaneously.
“It was good.” She murmurs.
Mizuki hums in acknowledgment, encouraging Ena to continue.
“I mean it was busy, but not in a bad type of way. It was nice to be congratulated by so many people.”
The video editor lets her expression soften, but doesn’t dare look down to where her roommate’s head is still settled against her. She can feel the brush of Ena’s hair tickling the bare skin peeking out of her t-shirt.
“You deserve to feel good about it, it’s a big accomplishment Ena. You did well.”
Against her collarbone, the artist’s lips turn into a fond smile. For what seems like an eternity but is in actuality only a few minutes, the girls remain the way, huddled close together in comfortable companionship. In the midst of spoken silence, the TV continues to play, and a few feet away Beau has begrudgingly resettled at the top of his own cat tree.
“I got you cheesecake.” Mizuki finally says, breaking the quiet.
Ena shoots up from her position, and for a moment Mizuki almost mourns the loss of her warm presence.
“Really?!” The brunette exclaims, unable to contain her excitement.
Mizuki chuckles, stretching her limbs with a content huff.
“Yep,” she responds, popping the ‘p’, “Got the stuff to make that seafood recipe you like too.”
Face pulling into a pleased expression, Ena scrambles off of the couch.
“You should have said something sooner, dummy.” She huffs without any real animosity.
Mizuki chuckles, moving to stand up from where she’d been rooted on the couch.
“My bad, I was comfortable.” She answers thoughtlessly, just barely missing the way Ena goes bright red as the video editor turns away from the brunette and towards the kitchen.
It is only as she begins pulling out the needed pots and pans for their meal that Mizuki realizes Ena has not yet followed her into the other room.
“What are you waiting for?” She calls, “I thought you wanted to start dinner.”
A small bang sounds, followed by heavy footsteps as Ena hastily makes her way to join the pink haired girl.
“I’m here, I’m here.” She murmurs, receiving a raised eyebrow from Mizuki, but no further outright questioning.
The night from there on out goes smoothly. Cooking dinner together comes as naturally as making breakfast alone each morning. Banter bouncing back and forth as though it were any other day; and, for the most part, it is.
The two finish the knight with a slice of cheesecake each, and if Mizuki sneaks a bit from her own plate to Ena’s– well, neither girl has anything to say about it.
“You can head to bed Mizuki, I’ll take the dishes tonight. Y’know, since I skipped out on breakfast this morning.”
The pink haired girl nods, handing her plate over to the artist without argument.
“Don’t forget, we’re meeting Kanade and Mafuyu for a picnic this weekend!” Mizuki reminds her roommate as she skips through the door and back in the direction of her own room.
“Yeah, yeah, I know! You don’t need to tell me like I’m some little kid.” Ena’s frustrated voice calls back.
Mizuki snickers, but chooses not to tease any further as she steps into the space of her bedroom for the first time since she’d awoken this morning. Door closed behind her, she finally lets her face fall.
The sick feeling which has been clawing at the edges of her stomach all day begins to relapse as the video editor begins to get ready for bed.
She’d known Ena would be graduating soon, but the reality of the situation hadn’t hit until the news about the internship this morning. The brunette was so amazing, and had so much ahead of her after finishing university; but, Mizuki couldn’t help but wonder, what did that mean for the two of them, for their current everyday ? Would there be a place for the video editor in Ena’s future, could things really remain the same?
Naturally, she pushes the notion down. It’s a selfish type of emotion, and on top of that Mizuki understands keenly having lived with Ena a while now that she can no longer get away with letting such anxiety openly consume her. The moment it grows enough for the brunette to notice it is the moment it will begin to hurt the both of them, and she’s not sure she could forgive herself for burdening Ena more than she already has.
And so, she pops a melatonin and lays down in bed, letting the numbness of exhaustion envelope her thoughts instead.
It’s fine, the feeling will fade eventually.
After all, it’s not like it’s anything Mizuki isn’t used to.
—
“Are you sure you closed the doors to both our rooms, that you fed the cat enough?”
Sighing exasperatedly, Mizuki turns back to meet her roommate’s anxious gaze and offers a small smile.
“Ena, Beau will be fine. We’re only leaving him alone for a few hours.”
Looking scandalized, the brunette wastes no time in jumping to defend herself.
“I don’t care about that stupid cat! I just want to make sure he doesn’t get into any of my art supplies, and stuff..”
Catching the way Ena’s cheeks become tinged with pink, the pink-haired girl has to suppress the urge to continue teasing her roommate, after all, they’re already just barely running on time.
“Yes, yes, I know. Now hurry, before we’re late– Again , that is.”
The station they meet Kanade and Mafuyu at is the usual, and thankfully not too far from their place. Although it had been proposed as a temporary solution, Mafuyu’s living with Kanade had long since extended into a permanent situation. Thankfully, it only made it all the easier to pick a spot between the two girls’ apartments.
“Kanade, Mafuyu!”
Waving her hands excitedly, the two girls bound in the direction of their group mates, who were already waiting out in front of the station.
Kanade was the first to greet them, smiling softly albeit with an undertone of discomfort more likely attributed to the weather then to her loud friend.
“Mizuki.. Ena.” Mafuyu nodded, peeking out from around the other side of the composer.
Ena, finally catching up with her roommate, gave Kanade a sympathetic once-over.
“Don’t worry Kanade, the weather should be a bit cooler when we make it up to the river.”
Kanade sighed, cringing under her sunhat as she let Mafuyu gently help her up.
“I hope so..”
Giving the shorter girl a comforting pat on the shoulder, Mizuki began herding the girls into the building.
“At the very least, the train ride should provide a bit of a break from the sun on the way there.”
Mafuyu, who'd taken to subtly guiding her roommate in the right direction, tilted her head in agreement.
Mizuki grinned, glancing ahead at her fellow musicians. Since the group had scheduled their trip for Saturday, they in turn found themselves navigating an already crowded building. Making their way through the station in such a rush might have been normally stressful, but Mizuki is quick to dissipate any tension with the distraction of eager conversation.
It is like that in which the next few minutes pass in a blur, and, only some minor troubles, that the girls are able to locate their platform.
“And then, after a whole hour of agonizing between the two options, she ended up picking neither of them!” Mizuki explains dramatically as the four settle down onto a set of benches.
“Remind me again why you’re telling them this? And don’t act like you didn’t take forever to pick a swimsuit too!” Ena counters, a hand resting on her hip.
Kanade, who’d recovered significantly under the cool breeze of the building’s air conditioning, is quick to deescalate the situation.
“I’m glad you were both able to choose something you liked.” She remarks with a kind smile.
“Aha, thank you Kanade.” The brunette responds gratuitously, giving Mizuki a side eye after which seems to say See? Why can’t you be a little more like her?
“Although,” the white haired songstress continues, “I’m not exactly sure how such a thing could take an hour… Before this week, I’d still had the same swimsuit since middle school. Perhaps I just don’t understand fashion.”
“Since middle school?!” Ena exclaims, horrified, and even Mizuki can’t quite stop the little grimace that escapes her.
“Yes, well, when Mafuyu found out, she ended up taking me shopping for a new one.” Kanade explains. The purple haired lyricist, sitting silently to the right, has no outward reaction or commentary to the story.
“You should have invited us! I would have loved to go shopping with you guys, and I’m sure Ena would have enjoyed dressing you up in different swimsuits, Kanade~.” Mizuki remarks, shooting a teasing smirk in her roommate’s direction after the last bit of the sentence.
“ You –!” Ena starts with slightly pink cheeks before cutting herself off, seeming to think better of outright denying the statement.
Releasing an easy laugh in response, Mizuki decides to quit her teasing while she’s ahead, letting the group fall into chatter about their plans for the rest of the day as she discreetly slips into quiet contemplation. It amazes her how simple it is to fall into a comfortable routine with their old friends, even as they’ve increasingly gone their own directions the last few years.
Fondly watching the other girls chat, Mizuki imagines a future where this moment in time stretches into infinity, the present remaining in a contradiction of its own nature.
She knows it isn’t possible, so much has changed already; but, as she thinks about how lovely it would be to hold onto the feeling fluttering in her chest, to not worry about the uncertainties of change, Mizuki cannot rid herself of the selfish desire. Like always, it eats away at her psyche, a constant companion to her own anxious instincts of self-preservation.
“Mizuki?”
Blinking twice, the pink haired girl shakes away her daydream in favor of the real figure of Ena in front of her.
“Our train is here, are you coming? Kanade and Mafuyu have already gone ahead.”
Briefly, the video editor wonders how she’d let herself get so out of it that she hadn’t even noticed her friends leaving. Not wanting Ena to pick up on her moment of vulnerability, however, she is quick to snap back into her regular persona.
“Sorry Enanan, I was just thinking it’s a shame we didn’t pack any snacks for the ride.” She complains theatrically.
Sighing exasperatedly, Ena lets her eyes narrow.
“Seriously, that’s what’s got you so worked up? If you were gonna be hungry, you should have eaten extra at breakfast.” She scolds.
“But I needed to save my appetite for the picnic!” Mizuki counters childishly.
“Yeah yeah, now let’s get going before we miss our train and don’t get to have a picnic at all.” The brunette reprimands, intertwining her fingers with the video editor’s to guide them in the direction of their transport.
So focused is she on catching up to their group mates, that Ena just misses the small gasp which escapes Mizuki at the sudden psychical contact.
Hiding behind her own blush colored hair and silently submitting herself to being dragged, Mizuki just hopes that Ena likewise can’t feel the way her pulse skyrockets against their connected palms.
—
“Yahoo!” Mizuki exclaims, grinning wildly as the chilled water surges up around her. A few feet ahead, Mafuyu relaxes against the flow of the current, a safe distance from the splash zone. The same, however, cannot be said for Ena, whose entire left side had not been spared from a minor drenching. Shrieking in frustration, the brunette whips her head around to glare menacingly at her roommate. The video editor has just enough conscientiousness to guiltily hide her face, but not before stifling a small laugh.
“Ugh, Mizuki! That was cold– and now I’m all wet!” She huffs.
“You know, that wouldn’t be an issue if you joined us in here for a swim.” Mizuki points out. Nonetheless, she takes a few steps backwards, deeper into the river. Best to leave a little space until Ena’s wrath has quieted, just in case.
“Not all of us have the same level of freakish energy and athleticism, seriously, where do you two even get it from…” She snaps back, the last bit trailing off into a series of bitter grumbles as she crosses her arms.
Mizuki wonders if she should point out that there was little reason for Ena to even bother wearing a swimsuit if she hadn’t planned on getting into the water, but she decides she’s done enough aggravating and instead settles for an apologetic smile.
Mafuyu, meanwhile, has meandared up to Mizuki’s side, scarcely paying attention to the other girls’ bickering in favor of gazing at Kanade in the distance.
The composer, who everyone agreed was probably better off watching from the shore, had taken to setting up their lunch while chatting away with Miku and Len. The two vocaloids ooo’d and aww’d at the scenery around them, and were similarly impressed with the food the four had brought with them.
Kanade had been kind enough to choose for them a nice spot in the shade, however Mizuki suspected such a decision might have been equally as attributed to the girl’s own weakness to the sun.
Pulling out the last container of food to set on the picnic table, the composer turns to meet their stares.
“Lunch is ready now!” She calls out, albeit slightly weakly.
Mizuki lets out an excited noise and swiftly drags herself out of the water, careful this time to avoid anymore splashing. Mafuyu is likewise quick to exit, and after grabbing a couple of towels, the three girls waste no time in meeting their group leader at the table.
Kanade, already seated, greets them warmly at their arrival. Though having chosen not to enter the river, she still dons the swimsuit Mafuyu had picked out for her. An amused smile graces the video editor’s face as she remembers the way Ena had practically tripped over herself when Kanade had first shown them the new two piece.
Oblivious to her roommate’s invigorated cheerfulness, the brunette begins piling food onto her plate as Mafuyu settles into the seat across from.
“Thank you for keeping me company you two, I promise we’ll save some of the food to bring to sekai later.” Kanade tells Miku and Len from the lyricist's side.
“And tell you all about swimming when we do!” Mizuki interjects.
Seemingly satisfied with these pledges, the two offer their goodbyes before disappearing back into the composer’s phone.
For a few moments after, a comfortable silence settles over the girls as they begin to dig into their lunch. It doesn't last long, however, as a pleased squeal escapes Ena’s lips after biting into the short rib.
“Mmm, this is delicious!”
Mizuki nods in agreement at the same time Kanade sighs with relief.
“Oh thank goodness.. I really wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out.” She admits.
Heads snapping up rapidly, the artist and video editor gape at with expressions akin to disbelief.
“Kanade… You mean, you cooked this?!” Mizuki asks, unable to mask her incredulity.
“She did.” Mafuyu confirms, not even bothering to look up from her own plate of food.
The composer chuckles, unoffended by the blatant skepticism from her old friends.
“Once, it would have been impossible for me to make such a thing; however, recently, Ms. Mochizuki and Mafuyu have been kind enough to take the time and teach me how to cook for myself.”
Mizuki hums in acknowledgment, quick to get over her state of shock.
“So that’s how it is, that’s great Kanade! But, what made you want to learn to cook?” The video editor inquires.
“Well actually…” Kanade begins, tone twinged with hesitance, as though she's not sure how to broach the subject. Thankfully, Mafuyu has no qualms about doing it for her.
“We’re going to be moving out soon.” She announces, and just like that, Mizuki and Ena are once again overwhelmed with bewilderment.
“Wait– you aren’t going to live together anymore?!” The artist exclaims, alarmed. Next to her, Mizuki has gone still.
The composer shakes her head in denial, setting down her chopsticks as she quickly attempts to remedy the miscommunication.
“We will still be living together. What Mafuyu meant is that we are looking for another apartment. The truth is, we’ve simply outgrown the one we’re staying in now. With it being a fresh start, I wanted to enter our next home more prepared to help out, especially since it’s no longer viable for Ms. Mochizuki to be over taking care of us so often.”
Ena makes a noise of understanding as she listens to the other girl’s explanation. Uncharacteristically quiet, Mizuki picks at her edamame with little interest.
“A new apartment, huh?” The brunette remarks quietly, almost more to herself than their other friends. In turn, Kanade offers a reassuring smile.
“You two will be the first to know when we’ve moved, I swear.”
Mizuki, seemingly recovered from her stupor, perks up excitedly.
“You better! Because we definitely need to throw you a housewarming party once you do.” The video editor vows.
Kanade only offers a nervous chuckle in response, meanwhile Mafuyu shoots them a blank stare that they both know well enough translates to something like exasperation. Ena, however, nods in agreement.
“Well then, tell us, what do you want as a housewarming gift?”
—
The rest of lunch passes by smoothly, and as the girls pack up and begin heading down the mountain, the blazing rays of the peak afternoon sun settle in unforgivingly. Amidst the heat, conversation peeters into silence as the exhaustion of the day begins to hit.
It is about halfway through their journey back to the station that Ena suddenly stops, almost causing Mizuki to walk right into her.
“Look!” she cries, suddenly full of energy, “A pancake shop!”
Up ahead, a quaint looking cafe had indeed come into sight. The front bore a sign clearly advertising an assortment of sweet foods, including several different pancake options. Glancing back at their friends, Mizuki gives the girls a thoughtful once over.
“Well, we don’t have time to eat in if we want to catch our train home; but, I don’t see any reason why you can’t get some to go. It’s probably a good idea for Kanade to take a short break anyway.” The video editor suggests, earning a grateful look from their unathletic companion.
Ena gives them a smile, already eagerly striding ahead at the promise of a sweet treat.
“We’ll wait for you out here in the shade.” Kanade affirms, letting Mafuyu guide her down onto one of the many empty outdoor seats; and, after a brief noise of acknowledgment, the pink haired girl follows her own roommate inside.
As expected, the time to receive takeout is far quicker than sitting in. It likewise helps that the late time and increased heat had clearly driven away any of the usual crowds. It takes only a few minutes before the two girls are exiting the cafe, goods in hand.
Ena, exceptionally pleased, wastes no time in opening up the container with the intention of digging in.
“Really, you’re going to eat it right now?” Mizuki questions, her voice more fondly disbelieving than teasing.
The brunette huffs, giving Mizuki an unashamed look.
“The hike back is difficult! It’s only fair that I get a little something for motivation.” She justifies.
Her roommate merely shakes her head in response, moving to turn back in the direction of their friends. She is about to suggest they continue, but before the pink haired girl can even begin speaking, her focus is interrupted by a swift flash of colors in the corner of her vision.
“HEY!” Ena’s voice screams, “MY PANCAKES!”
Spinning around towards the artist once more, Mizuki is absolutely floored by the sight in front of her; because there, on the ground between them, is the very blur of orange, brown and white that had flown by Mizuki’s head, happily munching away on Ena’s takeout.
Unable to restrain herself, the video editor erupts into laughter.
The calico cat, unperturbed by the commotion she’s just caused, continues devouring the artist’s afternoon snack without even bothering to look up. Behind them, both Kanade and Mafuyu cannot quite suppress their own amusement.
Torn between yelling at the cat for its theft and at Mizuki for outright lack of sympathy, Ena instead lets out a growl of dissatisfaction, eyes shooting daggers at them both.
“That was… unexpected.” Kanade’s soft voice rings out, and Mizuki watches as some of the temper visibly drains from Ena’s eyes.
“She must have been pretty hungry, huh?” The pink haired girl comments after recovering from her fit of amusement.
Settling her eyes onto the cat, Ena squats down to get a closer view. Her intrusion is received with only a lazy glance and soft mew, the small feline entirely unafraid of the dissatisfaction resulting from her crime.
“Look at this little delinquent, she doesn’t even care!” The artist snaps.
Leaning down over Ena to get a nearer look herself, Mizuki lets out a thoughtful hum. At this distance, it’s pretty clear that the cat is probably a stray. She’s on the smaller side, likely a runt; and, furthermore, is notably filthy.
“Poor little thing looks pretty rough, she probably needed it more than you did.”
Ena sighs, acquiescing, as she stands up and crosses her arms, turning her gaze from their newest companion back to her roommate. Behind them, Kanade and Mafuyu have stood up to walk over and inspect the cat themselves.
“Yeah, well, she wasn’t the one to pay for those pancakes… She does look a little unwell though.” Ena admits.
“Should we check with the store owner and see if she belongs to anyone?” Kanade questions.
Mizuki shakes her head in response, but it is Mafuyu who speaks up, eyes looking down at the feline.
“Strays are common in this area.. If she was owned by someone, they probably would have attached a collar.”
The group falls into quiet, silently deliberating between themselves. After a moment, Mizuki lets out a defeated sigh.
“It really doesn’t feel right to just leave her here, especially if she was hungry enough to resort to such drastic measures for a meal.” The pink haired girl states.
Kanade shoots the feline a sympathetic look, but the hesitance in her eyes conveys what they’re all thinking.
“I’ve never cared for a cat.” Mafuyu voices apathetically, receiving a nod of agreement from the composer.
“Neither have I; and, frankly, I’m not sure if our new apartment would allow us to even bring her in…” The white haired girl voice teeters off, and all three gazes turn expectantly to Ena. Arms still crossed, her eyes widen at the implications of their stares. Her surprise, however, is quickly replaced with furrowed brows and a scowl.
“No– no! Absolutely not!”
—
They bring the cat home.
Ena is not particularly happy about it, but Mizuki knows that she is ultimately weak to the rare sight of the soft, pleading expression that had overcome Kanade upon the conversation about what to do with the feline. Begging aside, the video editor is also perfectly aware that no matter how much she gripes about it, her roommate has actually grown especially fond of their existing cat, and wasn’t as opposed to the idea of a pet in the house as she likes to pretend to be.
The stray, who they’d creatively dubbed ‘Pancake’ seemed relatively unbothered by her change of scenery. In fact, she had remained calm for the entire trip back to Tokyo; and, once they had gently set her on the floor of their apartment for the first time, she’d merely glanced around, sniffed and then unceremoniously settled a pile of stray fabric Mizuki had left laying about.
Less enthusiastic about the arrangement was Beau, who had cautiously avoided Pancake since their return and spent the first few hours hissing whenever the smaller feline got close. Pancake seemed likewise indifferent to the cold behavior of her new companion, merely watching the other through a lazy, uninterested gaze.
“I think they’ll be good friends!” Mizuki had affirmed after observing them for a few minutes, chuckling gleefully. This was met by an unconvinced look from Ena, who hadn’t quite abandoned her grumbling about having to bring home the cat to begin with.
“Seriously?” She montones, “Beau clearly hates her already.”
Humming in acknowledgment, Mizuki decides not to grace the brunette with a proper response. Instead, she turns to begin gathering up her coat, purse and other necessities, moving promptly towards the door. The annoyance drains from Ena quickly, and she follows her roommate to the door with a curious expression.
“Are you leaving? Where are you going so late?”
Carefully slipping on her shoes, the pink haired girl doesn’t look back.
“We only have supplies for one cat right now, I was thinking I should probably get some more food and some new toys.” The video editor explains. Ena frowns, brows furrowing.
“Surely that can wait till at least tomorrow?” She asks.
Finally, Mizuki peeks up through the brim of her bangs, grinning brightly.
“But I’m too excited to wait!”
Ena, whose cheeks have tinged pink, takes a sudden step backward. Mizuki’s smile drops, and she opens her mouth to check if the brunette is alright, but is quickly cut off.
“W-Whatever. Don’t expect me to come with you though..” She says, turning head away so that her expression is shaded by her hair.
Standing up, Mizuki offers her roommate one last inquisitive glance before moving towards the exit of their apartment.
“Yeah yeah, I’ll be back soon, ok?” She assures.
Deciding not to wait for a response, she takes her leave, closing the door behind her without quite hearing whatever Ena had to say next.
—
As Mizuki rounds the last set of steps up to their apartment, she can’t help but feel particularly pleased with herself. She had amassed a hoard of goodies for their newest roommate and Beau alike, and had even managed to get a discount on her overall combined purchase.
The pink haired girl could already see it now, the way Ena would scold her for wasting so much money, how the brunette would tell her neither cat needed that many toys. She could also predict, however, how it wouldn’t be long before she caught Ena using the very toys she bought to play with the cats. Though it had only been a few hours, Mizuki had a feeling Pancake was already growing on her roommate rapidly, even if the artist didn’t want to admit it.
Humming a happy tune to herself, Mizuki sets down the bags from her shopping to pull out her key and open the door.
“I’m home!” She calls out, stepping over the doorway and into the apartment, careful to set the shopping aside so she could slip off her shoes in favor of house slippers.
A few seconds of silence pass, and the video editor frowns in confusion.
“Ena?” Mizuki tries again, slightly quieter than before as her soft pattering feet make their way down the hall.
Anxiety swirling subtly in her chest, the pink haired girl reaches the end of the hall, and peeks around the corner.
To her relief, the brunette is sat with her back to Mizuki, comfortably squashed against the side of their couch. Wrapped in a bundle of blankets, she’s situated her laptop right on the cusp of her knee into her thighs.
Mizuki, sensing the perfect opportunity to tease her roommate, is about to ask what has the brunette so distracted– that is, until she catches sight of what exactly had Ena so occupied with her computer.
Apartment listings.
Panic explodes all at once, and Mizuki can sense her heart beating so rapidly she wouldn’t have been surprised if Ena had been able to hear it from feet away.
Why was Ena browsing apartment listings?
A million different explanations begin to swirl around in Mizuki’s head, her thought process whirring into a storm built on the vicious cycle of self loathing, doubt, and most vulnerably– hurt.
Gently as one can with trembling hands and shaking legs, the video editor takes small, retreating steps, quiet as can be, until she eventually crosses through the threshold into her room.
The bags drop next to her, impact with the floor blessedly muffled by the barrier of her now shut door.
Mizuki’s heart is still beating sporadically, and an unpleasant bile had clawed its way up her throat, barely contained. This type of uncontrollable grief is something she is familiar with, but hadn’t felt in a long time. The empty feeling slowly carving a hole in her chest reminds her of a period she thought she’d long since left in the past, one she’d never wanted to experience again.
Mizuki knows that hope isn’t something meant for someone like her. She’d accepted this fact a while ago, and hesitantly made peace with it. Even as others assured her of the future ahead, she’d never quite shaken that haunting undertone of being chained to a timer, of an inevitable end; and yet, once again, she had allowed herself to get caught in the very same trap that had proved to her over and over why it was so important to maintain a proper emotional distance. Just because Ena accepted her, because Ena had granted her these years, didn’t mean that they would remain this close forever. The artist, least of all, owed Mizuki absolutely nothing.
Ah, isn’t this because I’m so selfish?
The video editor clasps her hands together in a bruising grip, maybe if she holds on tight enough, they’ll stop shaking.
Mizuki tries to settle her thought process, after all, there is nothing she can do. Lethargically moving across the room, she fumbles onto her bed and into a position laying on the side. She trains her eyes to a blank corner of the wall and grips the blanket tightly around her.
Everything will be fine, she just had to accept it.
As the time passes by, Mizuki loses track of how long she lays there, lost in the muddled haze of her own psyche. Both present and infinitely far away; and, well, she probably could have stayed that way the rest of the night.
An echoed creak from the door breaks through the fog. Mizuki’s breath hitches, she is awake, but she cannot bring herself to look back. The empty feeling is replaced by an unpleasant swirl deep in her stomach.
Soft footsteps make their way across the room, and the pink haired girl feels a dip in the bed as Ena sits down perpendicular to her still figure.
“So you did make it home,” The brunette murmurs so softly it almost brings Mizuki to tears, “I didn’t even hear you come in. Why didn’t you say anything? I was worried, you dummy.”
The video editor’s eyebrows furrow. She knows better, but she’d still caused Ena concern.
“I was just tired.” She finally answers without glancing up. Her throat feels raw as she forces her voice out. Strange, she couldn’t remember crying.
A soothing hand begins gently combing through her hair. Mizuki doesn’t dare move even an inch. For a bit, they sit that way, silence reverberating through the intangible gap between them.
Mizuki has days like this sometimes, bad afternoons that render her useless to the rest of the world. Ena knows this, and in her infinite grace she seems to always understand what Mizuki needs, is willing to let the pink haired girl process her emotions without excessive questioning, remaining resolutely at her dear friend’s side.
Mizuki knows that if she just asked, Ena would sit with her like this as long as she needed– forever, if the video editor wanted her too.
It only makes Mizuki hate herself more.
Even after years, Ena doesn’t seem to grasp the extent of Mizuki’s selfishness, her cowardice. She offers herself fully to the other girl, willing to provide whatever Mizuki might take; and, how could Mizuki ever resist stopping? If the brunette would give her the future she so desperately wanted, how could the pink haired girl ever be expected to selflessly say no?
“Next time, come and see me first. Even if you’re sleepy.” Ena voices, and Mizuki feels tears begin to well up in her eyes.
“If that’s what Enanan wants.” She dutifully replies.
A soft chuckle lights up the room, and Mizuki feels some of the darkness that had seemed so infinite before retreat.
She expects Ena to get up now, to leave and give her roommate some space. She is instead surprised to feel the indentation in the bed increase, as the brunette leans directly above her and places a gentle kiss in the corner of Mizuki’s forehead.
Everything stops for a moment, and the video editor scarcely notices as Ena continues to shuffle next to her, cozying herself up right beside Mizuki.
“I don’t know what happened, but I’ll stay with you.” Ena promises, tone now tinted with an edge of exhaustion that hadn’t been there before.
Mizuki cannot bring herself to respond. Thankfully, Ena doesn’t seem to mind.
Time blurs again and the only indication of its passing presents itself in the form of the peaceful evening of Ena’s breaths over time as she submits to slumber.
Mizuki doesn’t get much sleep, even comforted by the amiable presence of her roommate.
Her forehead burns.
—
Mizuki is not avoiding Ena.
She isn’t, after all, it would be silly to try and avoid the very person you lived with.
It’s just that both she and Ena had been increasingly busy in the days that had passed since they shared Mizuki’s bed. While the brunette had been working diligently to prepare for both her upcoming internship and graduation, Mizuki had been caught up in a mess of midterms and personal commissions alike.
Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable that they had both been spending more time outside of the house.
It was also entirely expected that Mizuki used her own work studio down at the university to complete projects, disregarding the fact that she generally made an effort to work from home, and had been previously scolded for ‘barely using’ the space.
Well, perhaps she was avoiding Ena a bit.
It had started smaller, interactions kept to short conversations and passing remarks during the day, and a brief dinner during the evening.
After two more days, Mizuki sent Ena a text that she would be busier in the afternoons, and may not be able to make it for their nightly meal.
By the fourth day Mizuki had begun to leave the house earlier than the brunette, only checking in curtly upon arriving at home as to not break the promise she made to her roommate.
By a week, Mizuki suspected that Ena definitely knew something was up. The video editor didn’t want her friend to worry about her, but every time she faced the girl the image of the apartment search flashed through her head.
If they were rapidly approaching the finish line, wasn’t it easier this way? To let Ena run ahead of her, to slow their relationship and ease the pain of being left behind?
Mizuki wished she could believe it was the right decision. The self loathing and the mini Ena inside of her clashed. She just wanted it to finally be over.
At the very least, there was no other path forward for Mizuki. She would never be able to confront Ena about what she’d seen that night. Even if she could, she had no right to do so.
Beau watches them both keenly as the week goes by, as though he could sense the internal conflict culminating within his home. Pancake follows him around on his escapades, the two seeming to have come to some sort of mutual understanding about their future together.
Mizuki wonders what will happen to them when Ena moves out. She’d never wanted the cats, would she take one with her, take them both? Or maybe she would leave them in Mizuki’s care, a living memory of the time they’d shared not only friendship but their lives together.
She ponders these realities of the worst as she makes her way up towards their shared apartment. It’s the afternoon, and she hadn’t intended to come back home until at least the evening, however she’d unfortunately forgotten a roll of fabric for an important piece she was currently working on, one she couldn’t push off.
Thankfully, Ena herself shouldn’t be home, having mentioned something earlier in the week about plans for a late lunch with her mother; and, Mizuki, who was only popping in for just a moment, would be long gone before she ever got back.
At least, that was how it was meant to go. The smell of delicious curry that assaults her nose as she pushes open the door pretty quickly indicates to Mizuki that Ena, who should have been across the city, was very much already home.
Frowning, she slowly makes her way up the hall and towards the kitchen.
As the scent of her favorite food drifts closer, Mizuki wonders if she should call out, after all, Ena has probably heard her steps by now. The hesitation remains, however, and the video editor can’t really decipher fully why. Thankfully, her roommate solves the problem for both of them.
“Mizuki…!” Ena yelps breathlessly, almost tripping as she hastily rounds the corner.
A brief pause extends between the two of them, before Mizuki finally clears her throat, looking away from the artist as guilt begins to fester within her.
“Ena… I thought you had lunch with your mom this afternoon, what are you doing back already?”
She hears a small huff, and Mizuki is infinitely grateful that she can’t quite see Ena.
“Something came up with my mom, so I ended up coming back early.” She explains, and then tentatively stops to think for a moment. “...Anyway, because I was already home, I thought maybe I would try making dinner. It’s just about done, if you want to come join me?”
There’s a hint of insecurity underlying her question, and Mizuki feels the guilt expand into self-loathing instantaneously.
The thought of sitting down and eating with Ena together, again, fills the video editor with simultaneous joy and dread. She wants to, who knows how many dinners they have like this left?
She knows Ena will want to ask about this week, though. She also knows Ena may finally even tell Mizuki about her plans for moving, whatever they might be. The pink haired girl knows she can’t face that, not right now– not like this.
“Ahaha, who would guess Ena has such a sweet side like this,” She teases, awkwardly, knowing that it doesn’t quite land for either of them; so, she clears her throat to continue, “Sorry… but well, I was just dropping by to grab some fabric I forgot. I still need to spend some time working in my studio on this, so I should probably leave right away…”
It’s a flimsy excuse and they both know it. Jittery with nerves, Mizuki steals a glance up at Ena’s face finally.
Oh. Oh.
Mizuki has known her roommate for years, most of which have been spent working closely together. Over time, she has come to understand the tell-tale signs of Ena’s different moods, particularly her rage. Generally, this has been a useful thing, providing the ability to press the brunette’s buttons without concern, or to intervene before her MV partner gets too heated about something.
Ena is genuinely angry.
It makes Mizuki’s heart stutter, and she’s sure that this uneven, slowed beating is far worse than the fast pitter patter Ena usually sparks. Ena gets frustrated with her plenty, even lashes out sometimes– it’s a natural part of the cycle within their relationship. Scarcely, however, has Mizuki ever seen this type of genuine, unfiltered upset directed her way. It has always been mixed with concern, exasperation or fondness.
Mizuki feels like she’s back in high school again.
“Enough!” Ena finally bursts, “You’ve never had to work on a project in your studio before, so don’t even try that. You’ve been avoiding me all week! Since that day in your room I…”
She cuts herself off, words seemingly jumbled by an overwhelming mix of emotions as the flame of anger from before makes room for a cocktail of other feelings Mizuki can’t fully identify.
Even without understanding them, she hates that she’s made Ena feel this way.
“Ena…” Mizuki starts, unsure of what to say but wanting to make it better, even if it hurts her more in the end. How can she even begin to explain to Ena what she’s been thinking this past week? She wonders if the brunette will finally understand just how selfish Mizuki truly is.
Ena continues before Mizuki has the chance to work up her courage enough to speak again.
“I just…” She begins, voice thick with emotion in a way that makes Mizuki’s stomach drop, “I don’t want to be shut out of your life like this Mizuki, never again… Please, even if it’s hard to say it, just lean on me. You know I may not be able to directly help, but I’ll always listen to you with an open heart.”
Mizuki stares at Ena. There is a flush to her face still, but the anger has definitively faded, leaving behind only a desperate, poignant undertone to her plea that the video editor can’t bring herself to think about too much. In this moment, she knows Ena must be remembering that haunting, shadowed period from their past, when neither girl was sure what the future held for their relationship.
Mizuki can’t leave things like this, even if they’re going to end anyway.
“...Scared..” She finally murmurs. It receives a small ‘Eh?’ from Ena, and Mizuki steels herself for the conversation ahead. She owes the brunette her honesty, at the very least– even if the most insecure parts of her shred her throat as she forces the words up them.
Ena’s hand finds Mizuki’s as the pink haired girl takes a deep breath. This time, rather than wanting to pull away, a deep seated urge to grab on tighter and not let go eats away at her insides.
“I saw…” Mizuki starts, and then looks away from Ena again, because she’s not sure she can say this and face her at the same time, “I saw you looking at apartment listings… I know with graduation coming up, it makes sense! You must be ready to move out.”
Mizuki ignores how her voice becomes wet, how her whole body begins to shake. She grips Ena’s hand tighter, surely the brunette can forgive her this one time for trying to hang on just a little bit longer.
“I know it’s only natural, you have so many good things ahead of you, and I’m so happy for you Ena!” She says through the tears, voice growing louder, “But, I can’t help it… Despite everything, despite knowing it’s only right to let go and support you– I don’t want to stop living together, I want to stay with you Ena…!”
Mizuki doesn’t dare look back as she finishes her declaration. The moment is followed by a still silence, and the pink haired girl’s heart begins to shatter.
Now she’s really done it.
Mizuki should have kept her feelings to herself. There is no doubt anymore, Ena definitely knows this time just how self-serving her roommate actually is. Mizuki can’t help but wonder if Ena feels disgusted with her; though, she knows, even if the brunette was, she would never let it show. As her spiral deepens, she realizes she should probably pull herself away from the artist.
Ena holds her hand tighter.
Spurred by the sudden increase in contact, Mizuki is unable to stop herself from looking back at Ena.
Her roommate’s face is painted with a mix of emotions ranging between remorse, nervousness and determination. There is no annoyance, no anger or disgust. Mizuki isn’t sure what to make of it.
Ena lets out a shaky sigh, and the video editor has to physically restrain herself from flinching.
“Mizuki… What you saw then, with the apartments, that wasn’t…” She begins, then seems to think better of it. The grip Ena has on her hand doesn’t waver.
“I’m not planning to stop living together, even when I was looking at those apartments, that was never my plan.” She finally admits, after gathering herself a bit. “This– This really wasn’t how I wanted to do this, but leave it to you, Mizuki, to turn my intentions upside down.”
Confusion washes over Mizuki as she tries to process Ena’s words. Meanwhile, the hand which wasn’t already holding hers rose to gently cup the pink haired girl’s cheek. Only the determination from earlier remains on Ena’s face now.
The brunette leans in, and Mizuki’s heartbeat roars. The artist’s cheeks are tinged pink, and Mizuki knows her own are likely a similar shade.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about the future, and what I want it to be. Looking at my life now, how far I’ve come… It’s something my past self could have never imagined achieving, at least, not in the way I have. And, I thought to myself, I want to move forward without letting go of these things I love, but I want to make space to grow too.” Ena’s finger brushes below Mizuki’s eye, as though she’s trying to wipe away the tears from earlier that had already dried up.
“Mizuki, you are a part of that future.”
The video editor’s eyes widen. In all her worries this past week, she’d never once considered that Ena might just want the same thing she did.
“I’d been sitting for a while on the idea of moving into a bigger place. A lot is changing in our lives, after all. I was sort of hoping to bring it up to you later but, ah, I got a bit over excited after hearing about Kanade and Mafuyu’s plans.”
A vulnerable look crosses Ena’s face, and she moves so close that Mizuki can feel her breaths against her lips.
“The reason I had wanted to wait was because there was something important I needed to tell you first,” Ena’s eyes bore into Mizuki, and she pauses for a second that feels like a lifetime. Her gaze seems to search Mizuki’s for something, but what it is, the pink haired girl doesn’t know.
“You don’t have to worry about things like being apart– I want to stay together too. Mizuki, I’m in love with you.”
Everything stops.
Chaos unfolds in her head as Mizuki wraps her brain around what Ena had just said. For the first time since this whole mess began, she finally feels the nagging, self-loathing voices in her brain grow quiet.
Ena is in love with her.
Mizuki realizes that she’s let the silence go on too long when nervousness begins to make itself visible on Ena's face.
Without even thinking, she leans in and gently presses her lips against Ena’s.
Ena quickly melts against her. The kiss is sweet, and far better than anything Mizuki could have imagined in her head. The brunette tastes like peach lip gloss, and the scent of her perfume surrounds Mizuki on all sides.
They probably could have stayed that way for a long time, but after a moment that felt almost endless, Mizuki draws back first. She stays close though, keeping her forehead set against Ena’s.
“I love you.” She whispers, voice small.
Ena’s lips tilt into a fond smile, and the hand that had been cradling her face comes down to lock around Mizuki’s waist.
“I love you too.” She says, and though Mizuki had already heard it less than a few minutes ago, she thinks that she’ll never get tired of Ena saying it.
She lets out a breathless laugh, and shuffles to bury her head into Ena’s neck.
“Although, Ena…” The video editor starts.
“Hmm?” The artist responds, tracing tender patterns into Mizuki's back as they stand there, cuddled together in the middle of the hallway.
“I think the curry burned…” It’s part teasing, part serious. Without seeing her, she can sense Ena’s amused smile.
“It probably did. Well then, I suppose we’ll just have to order takeout.”
The brunette moves back, but the hand that has been holding hers from the start doesn’t break away. Instead, it pulls, benevolently guiding her back towards the kitchen.
“Cmon, let’s get things cleaned up. Afterwards, we can eat the takeout in the living room and watch one of those silly anime you like so much.”
Mizuki nods, a tender feeling welling up within her at the thought of a night spent in with Ena.
For the first time, rather than thinking somberly about how much time she had left with the artist, Mizuki considers, full of awe and excitement, about how much time she had to be together, far into the future.
Her heart flutters, and in every woven corner, Ena is intertwined.