Chapter Text
Mizuki sat on their cushioned work chair they had brought from home, its worn fabric a comforting reminder of the many nights she spent working on video editing. Their pencil tapped rhythmically against their sketchbook, the sound mingling with the faint hum of their computer. The soft glow of its screen illuminates her workplace, a clutter of scattered designs featuring sleek dresses, blouses decorated with ribbons and laces, Papers, fabric swatches, and a half empty-cup of coffee. A testament to Mizuki's commitment and exhaustion.
Even after three years of majoring in Fashion Design, the work hadn't become any easier. It was up to Mizuki what they wanted to do back in high school, reforming their clothes. Now, they had to understand what the professor wanted Mizuki to do, and had so many different theories to consider. No wonder Yuuki would text them at ungodly hours from across the world when she was studying abroad in France. Unfortunately for Mizuki, they didn't have the luxury of a cute younger sibling to heal their tired soul with.
Although, Mizuki had something as, if not more, precious.
The buzz of their speakers breaks through the quiet. "Amia, I checked out the MV you made for our new song." K's voice comes through the speakers. Her tone was calm from sleep deprivation as always.
Mizuki leaned back in their chair, a small smile forming. “Oh, nice! What did you think? Anything you’d want us to tweak?” they asked, spinning the pencil between their fingers as Mizuki waited for the verdict.
Kanade’s pause stretched for just a second longer than expected, as though she were thoughtfully replaying the MV in her mind. “Not really,” she said at last, her voice soft but certain. “I feel like it’s perfect as it is. Yuki watched it with me before she went to bed. She said it was really good."
Considering Mafuyu doesn't give out praise lightly, it seems that it was genuinely that good.
“So glad you two liked it! We tried out some new things for this MV.” Mizuki’s smile widened as they thought back to the endless nights they and Ena had spent perfecting every detail. They’d brainstormed how the visuals should flow, debated transitions, and even agonized over the opacity of the subtitles. It was exhausting, but moments like these made it all worth it.
“Ena deserves most of the credit, though,” Mizuki added, their voice full of admiration. “Even with her graduation exhibit piece taking up so much of her time, she went all in when I suggested we step up the quality. We’re so lucky to have her, you know?” Mizuki’s admiration for Ena ran deep, stemming from even before they’d even met face to face. Ena’s passion had always shone through, and Mizuki never missed a chance to acknowledge it, even when Ena herself downplays her efforts.
“Yeah, you both did an amazing job,” Kanade replied with a hint of warmth. “Especially since you’re both busy this time of year.” It took Mizuki a lot of willpower to not point out that Kanade's the most busy one in N25, with her juggling between the N25 anniversary project, a Cup-Noodle advertisement commisioned to her, and a game song she was working on.
"Well, the song's planned to be released for our seventh anniversary. Of course we went all out." Mizuki says with a grin. "Enanan is returning home soon, she'd be thrilled to hear that you loved it."
"I hope so too." There was a yawn-induced pause, and Kanade added, "I'll upload it soon then."
“Perfect,” Mizuki said, stretching their arms above their head. “Oh, by the way, K, Ena’s been super swamped with her graduation project lately, and she’s been coming home really tired.” Their voice softened as Mizuki reminisced Ena’s exhausted figure collapsing onto their shared bed, dark circles under her eyes. “So if she doesn’t show up for any work sessions, don’t worry. She’s just catching up on sleep.”
"Got it," Kanade replied. "Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad she has you to take care of her."
Mizuki could feel their face flush. "W-Well, y-you should also listen to your wife when she tells you to go to bed, K." They stammer in mock defiance, resorting to teasing as a counterattack. The fact that Kanade wasn't even teasing them didn't help the childishness of this whole endeavour.
"Hehe," Kanade chuckles softly, this time with a tone of mischief. "she's gotten used to it."
"Ugh, whatever, I'm going to bed!" The defeated can only flee from the victorious. The call ends with a quiet click, leaving the room in stillness.
Mizuki sighed, their face still warm, and reached for the pencil that had rolled to the edge of her desk during the call. As her fingers wrapped around it, a spark of inspiration ignited within them, spreading through like a jolt of energy. Mizuki turned their attention back to the sketchbook, the faint scratch of graphite on paper filling the room. With each line and curve, their design took shape.
Their assignments always followed this pattern. The initial struggle, the restless pacing, the bouts of self-doubt, all of it faded once Mizuki found their footing. Once they locked in on a concept, everything fell into place as if by magic. Before long, the design would be complete.
Maybe it was because Fashion had always been more than just an academic pursuit for them. It was a medium through which they could express who they truly were, a canvas for their identity. The art of crafting something beautiful from scratch reminded Mizuki of the joy they felt in their earliest days of experimenting with fabric and patterns.
Maybe it was because of Yuuki, her older sister, who had been their first teacher and biggest inspiration. Yuuki’s departure to study abroad in France had left a void, but it had also left Mizuki with invaluable lessons and treasured memories. And she was amazing in explaining theory too, Mizuki learned more from her than their professor, to be honest.
Or maybe it was because Mizuki knew they weren’t alone in her creative pursuits. She thought of Kanade, tirelessly composing music late into the night to save others; Mafuyu, battling her own internal struggles as she worked on writing lyrics; and Ena, pouring her heart into ]art even as those around her doubted her. They all had their hurdles, but they also had each other. Mizuki knew they'd always be there to cheer them on, just as they would be there to support them.
As the final details of the sketch came together, Mizuki leaned back with a satisfied grin, twirling her pencil in their fingers. Mizuki let out a breath they hadn’t realized they’d been holding. Their gaze lingered on the sketchbook, mind already racing with plans to acquire fabrics to make their sketch into reality.
A soft buzz broke her focus. Mizuki glanced at their phone, which lay nestled among fabric swatches and sewing scissors. The screen lit up with a notification from Ena. Mizuki swiped it open, their smile widening as they read the message.
Enanan <3
Work's over for today! We're getting wrapped up more or less. 10:10PM
I found something you'd like on the way home. 10:38PM
I have to get in line to get it though, can you wait a bit :( ? 10:39PM
10:41PM Ighto! Stay safe <3
I bought it!!!! Coming home soon, I missed you so much! 11:20PM
And Mizuki missed Ena so much as well. More than words could say, in fact. One of the things Mizuki looked forward to the most after graduation was to spend entire days together at home, free from deadlines and assignments. They hoped it could become true.
The familiar beep-beep-beep of the digital lock echoed through the apartment, followed by the soft click of the door unlocking. The sound was like a melody Mizuki never tired of hearing. The highlight of their day, signaling that Ena was back home.
"I'm home!" The Artist announces with more cheer than usual. It must've gone rather well today.
"Welcome back!" Mizuki called, stepping into the foyer just in time for Ena to rush forward and throw her arms around Mizuki in an embrace so warm and full of love it felt like sinking into a cloud of pure bliss.
"Ena..." Mizuki murmured, their voice soft as they returned the hug, pulling her close. No matter how many times they embraced like this, it never lost its magic. It was like falling in love all over again every single day.
"Mizuki, how was your day?" Ena asked, her voice muffled slightly as she nuzzled into Mizuki’s shoulder.
Mizuki chuckled and shifted slightly, wrapping one arm tightly around Ena while reaching out with the other to take the bag of art supplies dangling from her arm. "It was amazing. Let me take this for you."
Reluctantly, Ena loosened her grip, though her fingers lingered on Mizuki’s arm before letting go. Mizuki carried the bag to the side and placed it down carefully.
"Thanks. Oh, did Kanade and Mafuyu check the MV you sent the other day?" Ena asked, stepping out of her shoes and into the warmth of their apartment.
"Yep, they said they loved it," Mizuki replied, turning back to face Ena with a grin. "I made sure to sing your praises too."
"Aww, thanks!" Ena’s eyes lit up with delight, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "I’m so glad it turned out well. It felt worth all the effort."
"Agreed. Those late-night snack breaks weren’t in vain either, though you’ll probably have to burn off all that extra energy," Mizuki teased, poking Ena lightly in the side.
"H-Hey! I never asked for those snacks! You’re the one who made them!" Ena pouted, her cheeks puffing slightly.
"Oh?" Mizuki raised an eyebrow, leaning in with a playful smirk. "But I only made them for myself. You just happened to want a bite, and I was kind enough to share."
Ena narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. "Made it for yourself? Don’t lie to me. You always made enough for two, and the menu was suspiciously full of my favourite foods. No wonder I wanted a bite!"
Mizuki laughed, raising their hands in mock surrender. "Tee-hee. Busted. Anyway..." Mizuki quickly shifted the subject, wary of the infamous Enanan Death Glare™. Their gaze fell on the bag Ena was carrying. "What’s in that bag? It smells really good."
Ena’s face brightened, the tension from their playful argument melting away. "Oh, this?" She lifted the bag triumphantly. "I was on my way home when I saw a shop selling curry fries. I thought you’d love it, so I went ahead and bought some!"
Mizuki’s eyes widened. "Curry fries?!" They practically vibrated with excitement, they loved curry and fries, after all.
It was now Mizuki's turn to lunge at Ena for a hug. "Yay! Ena's the best! I love you so much!!!"
Ena grinned as she returned the hug. "I knew you'd be thrilled. Let's eat it together after I take a bath."
"Okay! I'll prepare the food then."
Mizuki practically skipped to the kitchen, their heart brimming with joy. The curry fries were a treat, but Ena being home was the real gift. Just hearing her voice, seeing her bright smile, it was enough to bring a spring in Mizuki's step.
As Ena soaked in the bath, the faint sound of running water mixed with the sizzle of the frying pan as Mizuki worked on their dinner. Hamburg steak, it'd be perfect for the fries. The rich aroma of seared meat and caramelized onions wafted through the apartment, wrapping it in warmth and comfort.
While stirring the demi-glace sauce, Mizuki’s thoughts wandered to the past. It had been five years since they started dating, five years since Ena confessed, catching Mizuki completely off guard.
For the record, Mizuki had wanted to confess first. They wanted to tell Ena just how much they loved her, how much Ena’s presence had meant when she pulled Mizuki out of that dark, suffocating place. But every time Mizuki tried to speak, the words caught in their throat, tangled with the fear of being a burden. Mizuki convinced themselves that they already leaned too much on Ena, that asking for more was selfish.
In hindsight, as they looked back on her younger self, Mizuki couldn’t help but laugh. It had been so darn obvious that Ena loved them too. Ena wore her feelings plainly, in every word of encouragement, in every touch of her hand, in every moment she stood by Mizuki’s side. It was Mizuki who was too stubborn, or perhaps scared, to see it.
And yet, Ena never gave up. She made clear what Mizuki meant to her, each word destroying every wall Mizuki had put around themselves. Just like back in that alleyway, when Ena told Mizuki that they'd be a precious friend to her no matter what, Ena's honest words, the conviction in the way she said it. It removed any chance of denial and escape.
Mizuki smiled faintly as they remembered how much they cried that day, their tears spilling over as Ena pulled them into an embrace. They probably broke their personal record for crying, even more than back during the school festival. Not that they liked to think about it. All those years Mizuki had spent searching desperately for someone to understand them, only to retreat in fear the moment someone came close, it all seemed so far away now. Ena had shown them what it truly meant to be loved, to be seen and cherished for who they were.
Mizuki could properly love now. Not the fearful, hesitant love that worried about being too much, but the kind of love that embraced fully, without reservations. The kind of love that Mizuki now was able to give freely, because Ena had given it to her first.
The timer beeped, snapping Mizuki back to the present. They plated the Hamburg steak with care, adding a dollop of sauce and a sprinkle of parsley for flair. The sound of water shutting off signaled that Ena was done with her bath, and Mizuki’s heart fluttered in anticipation.
“Food's ready!” Mizuki called, their voice carrying the warmth of a thousand unspoken thank-yous.
And as Ena stepped into the kitchen, her hair damp and her smile radiant, she reminded Mizuki for the billionth time. This was what love felt like. To be able to care about the same things as the other. How long could this last... Forever, if Mizuki had any say in the matter.
“Mmm, this Hamburg steak pairs perfectly with the curry fries!” Ena exclaimed, her voice tinged with delight. Since Mizuki couldn’t eat hot food right away, Ena always took the first bite. Mizuki didn’t mind at all. It was their little routine. Ena’s glowing reviews made the effort of cooking worth it. With a soft smile, Mizuki took a fry and had a bite.
"I'm glad you think so," Mizuki said, indulging in the golden sticks of goodness. "Man, these fries are amazing!"
A smile creeps onto Ena's lips as she cut a piece of her steak, blowing on it to cool it down.
Ena raised a brow, smirking slightly. “Mizuki, you say that every single time we get fries. You need some new material.”
“Hey! FYI, I am a fry connoisseur,” Mizuki protested, wagging a fry for emphasis. “It’s just that I don't spend enough time hanging out with Idols to pick up their food review skills.”
Ena chuckled, shaking her head. “I bring you along whenever I hang out with Airi and Shizuku, you know. You should’ve learned something by now.” She says as she holds out her forked steak and fries to Mizuki. “Whatever. Say ah~.”
Mizuki leaned in, letting Ena feed them a perfectly balanced bite of steak and fries. “Ish yummy!” Mizuki declared enthusiastically, their voice muffled as they chewed. “I didn’t think it’d go together this well!”
“Right? I told you it’d be good,” Ena said with a triumphant smile.
As Ena watched Mizuki chew, their cheeks puffed out slightly, she couldn’t help but think how utterly adorable they looked. She bit back a laugh, but the soft warmth in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.
“A-Anyway,” Mizuki stammered, catching Ena’s fond gaze and feeling the heat rise to their cheeks. “What should we do later? Got any assignments left?”
“Nope, I’m all caught up,” Ena replied, resting her chin on her hand. “Hmm, how about I take a look at your design sketches?”
“That’d be great. Thanks, Ena.” Mizuki’s face brightened, their earlier embarrassment melting into gratitude.
“No problem.” Ena smiled warmly. “By the way, tomorrow’s a holiday, right?”
“Yep! You should catch up on some sleep. You’ve been working so hard lately. I was thinking of heading out so that I don't accidentally wake you up or anything.”
“No way,” Ena said, shaking her head with a soft chuckle. She reached across the table, resting her hand over Mizuki’s. “I want to catch up on spending time with you.”
Mizuki froze for a moment, their face growing warm again, but they managed a shy smile in return. “Well... I can’t say no to that.”