Archive of Our Own

Mizuki has never particularly enjoyed the playground. The other kids were never nice to him and the metal slide always burned on the way down. Still, Yuuki had wanted to play with her friends today, which meant the whole family had to go, as his mother couldn't be in two places at once. It wasn't all bad though, this particular playground was directly next to a beautiful meadow with a sprawling field of flowers and also a forest, assuming he was brave enough to venture that far.

"Don't go too far," his mother warns once she sees him wandering off. "Stay where I can see you."

He nods which is to her satisfaction before wandering into the flower field. The flowers are in full bloom. Yuuki says that's the mark of spring. Mizuki thinks spring may be his favorite season purely for the fluffy white flowers that blossom everywhere. Yuuki says they're called dandelions and if you make a wish while blowing all of it's fluff into the wind, it'll be granted. Of course, he's never made a wish before, but if his sister says so, it must be true.

The other kids say that dandelions are weeds and therefore he shouldn't like them. Sometimes they say that he shouldn't like flowers at all because he's a boy and flowers are girly things. They tell him that he likes far too many girly things to be a boy and therefore he must secretly be a girl. Mizuki doesn't actually mind the idea as much as they say he should. The other kids say that makes him weird.

But the other kids aren't here right now. It's just Mizuki and this assortment of flowers. He pokes one, a dandelion all fluffed out like a startled cat. It bounces back to meet his finger again, some of its fluff coming off and scattering in the slight breeze. He giggles at the sight, poking it again. He continues this until Yuuki rushes past.

"Are you going to make a wish?" she asks him.

Mizuki shakes his head. "Aren't you playing with your friends."

His big sister nods. "I am, but I saw my adorable little brother over here by himself and I had to come over!"

At those words she squeezes him into a hug.

"Yuuki, you're crushing me!" he cries.

She relents, squeezing his cheeks instead, then she asks, "Do you want to play with us?"

Mizuki considers for a bit. The other ten-year-olds Yuuki played with weren't too fond of him. They tolerated him of course, and they liked him a lot more than his peers did because he didn't mind them dressing him up in frilly dresses and painting his nails. In fact, his nails were still soft purple from the last sleepover they'd had. Still, he could tell they weren't too fond of him. They always asked questions like 'do you have to take your little brother everywhere?'

Even now, Mizuki could hear them impatiently calling for Yuuki's return.

"No thanks," he says, "I'm okay."

"Well if you insist," Yuuki replies.

Mizuki nods.

His sister gives him a last ruffle of short pink hair before rejoining her friends. In her excitement, she tramples one of the fluffy dandelions. Mizuki picks it, examining it. Half of its fluff is missing. He's never wished on one before, but maybe it'd make for a good sendoff. He glances back at his sister who is frolicking happily with her friends and wishes someone would play with him like that. He blows the remaining fluff into the wind, watching as it scatters. His mother says new dandelions will sprout wherever the fluff lands. He tries to track where its going in the air but they're so small and the sky's so big he can't quite keep track.

Just as they disappear into the sky, Mizuki hears the sound of angered footsteps approaching.

He turns and sees a girl, older than him, but younger then Yuuki, angrily stomping toward the flower field he sits in.

"Stupid Akito," she grumbles, "He doesn't know anything! And he stinks!"

Mizuki notices with alarm that she's going to trample the flowers.

"Wait," he calls, "Stop!"

She stops, fixing her hazelnut glare onto him.

"Why should I?!" she huffs, "I'm pretty sure I'm older than you, so you don't get to tell me what to do!"

"Sorry," he says timidly. "It's just… I didn't want you to hurt the flowers."

She looks down at the field, noticing the spring blossoms she was about to crush. "Oh. Sorry for yelling at you."

"It's okay," Mizuki replies, poking at another fluffy dandelion.

"Can I sit with you?" she asks. "None of the kids here are my age."

He glances around, noticing for the first time the other kids are either older kids like Yuuki or kids his age and younger. He does notice a group of boys his age playing soccer.

"Oh. How old are you?"

That earns him a hit on the head.

"Ow!" he exclaims, "What was that for?"

"You never ask a woman her age," says the older girl, hands on her hips. "Mama says that all the time! Akito doesn't get it so I have to hit him on the head a lot, and you don't get it either! Maybe it's just a boys thing."

"Oh. I didn't know I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she huffs. "I'm almost seven by the way. How old are you?"

"I thought you weren't supposed to ask that."

"Yeah but that's only for girls. You can ask a boy his age all you want."

Mizuki doesn't see how that matters but apparently that was just how it worked.

"Okay. I'm five."

"My little brother is five too. He's so annoying!"

She sits, despite Mizuki never saying she could. He doesn't mind much though.

"I'm Ena," she says.

"Mizuki," he answers.

She nods. "Y'know, I could make you a crown out of these. Then you'd be king of the meadow."

He likes the idea of ruling over the field.

"You'd do that?"

"Of course!" she says, "My papa's a famous artist so I'm good at stuff like this. One day I'm gonna be just like him except even better."

"That's so cool!" Mizuki exclaims.

Ena nods. "I can show you how to make these if you want. Then you can be king of the meow whenever you want. We're reading a book about it in class. It says that if you have a crown you're king or queen and then you can boss around whoever you want."

"You know a whole lot!" Mizuki says, "Like Yuuki does!"

"It comes with being a big kid, you'll understand when you're older."

"Mommy says I'm plenty big already," he counters.

"Yeah but she's your mama," Ena says, "It's her job to tell you how big you are. Akito's still smaller than all the other boys in his grade, but mama and papa tell him he's so big all the time!"

She examines him a bit. "And you look even smaller than he is, so you're not really that big."

"Oh," he deflates a little, "Then am I too small to be king?"

Ena hums. "No. If you have a crown then you're king and it doesn't matter if you're small."

"Can you be king with me?" Mizuki asks. "You know a whole lot about this stuff, so I want you to be king with me."

"Well I'd be a queen and then we'd rule together," says Ena, "But that'd mean we'd have to get married."

"Okay," he says, "Then we'll get married and then we'll be king and queen of the meadow."

"Are you sure you wanna marry me?" Ena asks.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well mama says marriage is super important! When you get married you have to stay in love forever and ever and ever. And you also have to kiss and all that gross stuff."

Mizuki tilts his head. "That's not so bad. Mommy kisses us all the time."

"But it's different when you're married." Ena says, "Haven't you seen your mama and papa kiss each other."

He shakes his head. "I don't have a papa."

"Oh." Ena says. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Papa says every family should have a mama and a papa."

"Oh. How come?"

"Because that's just how it is," she huffs. "Anyway when you're married you have to…" she leans in and whispers, "kiss on the mouth."

Ena makes a gagging gesture.

Mizuki tilts his head. "Is it really so bad."

"Yeah," she says, "I'd show you but we can't kiss until we're married."

"Then let's get married."

"Okay! We're gonna need rings though."

"Can you make them?"

"No but my papa can! He's really good! I'll show you."

Ena takes his hand and pulls him out of the field careful not to trample the flowers. Then, she runs, dragging him back toward the playground.

"Where are you going?" His mother calls as they pass her.

"We're getting married!" he calls back.

"Have fun!"

Ena grins. "I got your mama's blessing so that makes it even more official!"

She finally stops in front of a man with brown hair like hers and a mustache.

"Papa," she says, "Can you make rings for Mizuki and me?"

"Sure," he says, "Why?"

"Because we're gonna get married!" she exclaims.

Behind them a ginger boy trips over the soccer ball.

"Walk it off, Akito," Ena's papa calls. "Ena you two can't get married."

"Why not?" she asks.

"Because only grown-ups can get married." he says. "In fifteen years, if you ask me, I'll make the rings for you on the spot."

Ena makes a loud grumbling sound.

"How long is fifteen years?" Mizuki asks.

"Fifteen years is a very long time," Ena whines.

"Oh." he turns to the older man. "Is kissing gross?"

He laughs. "Not really, your mama and papa kiss all the time don't they? It's an expression of love."

"Mizuki doesn't have a papa," Ena whispers.

"Ah," he says, "No wonder."

Mizuki really doesn't get what the big deal is.

"Well then, in fifteen years, Mizuki, we're gonna get married!" Ena declares.

That was fifteen years ago. A lot has changed since then.

Mizuki is a girl, for one. It's a fact she realized when she was ten. Oddly enough, after she'd began to proudly proclaim as such, the same boys who'd said she must be a girl had changed their tune. Now, they say she must be a boy instead. Funny how that worked.

Ena is no longer as proud of having a famous artist for a father, and Mizuki doesn't look up to him as she once did. She remembers that day, when Ena was fifteen and searching for a high school with a good art program. Though she was disappointed that Ena wasn't going to be around as much anymore, Mizuki had supported her, helping her do research. As he was a professional artist, it was only natural for Ena to ask his opinion on the matter. Mizuki had been certain he'd give good advice.

It was quite the shock when Ena had appeared on her doorstep, crying her eyes out and begging to stay over later that night.

In the dark, beneath Mizuki's sheets, she told her about what her father had said. She told her he'd said she was a talentless hack who was better off quitting while she was behind. Mizuki remembered the anger she'd shared with her, as they came to the mutual consensus that she'd become the best artist in the world, with or without his approval. Neither of them had been able to look at him the same way again after that.

It hurt to watch Ena approach art as a conquest instead of a hobby she enjoyed. It hurt to see her angrily tear canvases apart and proclaim that she hated art more than anything, something they both knew to be false. It hurt to know that the demon Ena was fighting was internal and Mizuki could do nothing but offer support in the form of spontaneous shopping trips and cheesecake deliveries. Nothing she did seemed to be all that helpful despite Ena's insistence otherwise. She was just saying that because she had to, Mizuki is sure. She's just saying that because she is her best friend.

Of course, Mizuki had her own problems. Lesser problems that didn't matter quite as much, but problems nonetheless. Ena seems more bothered by them than she is in all honesty. It's odd. The mean kids at school aren't anything comparable to the bully Ena called a father. The crushing loneliness, the fear that everything would fall apart one day, it was nothing compared to the hobby that made up Ena's being, the very thing she was named for being corrupted into a source of pain.

Fifteen years ago today, Mizuki and Ena had met in a flower field they'd called a meadow and swore to be wed. Now, the two of them were in their twenties, sharing an apartment as they tried to make it though college. Now, Mizuki lie awake, sleeping Ena beside her, unable to get that childish promise out of her head.

She rolls over, her arm landing heavily on Mizuki's stomach, groaning groggily.

"Stop it," she groans, "You're thinking too loud."

She huffs out a quiet laugh. "Sorry princess."

Ena sits up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing really. Just reminiscing."

She makes a displeased noise that tells Mizuki she doesn't really buy it.

"We're talking about this later," she yawns, eliminating any threat her statement may have carried. "But for now, I have class."

Mizuki hums. Ena knows her better than anyone, she should have known her troubles would not remain hidden from her for long. Even still, she doesn't want to tell her. That nagging ever-present fear is saying she shouldn't tell her.

Ena glances over, examining her with those beautiful mahogany eyes of hers still groggy from sleep. Mizuki's own thistle eyes stare back at her, locked in a silent stalemate.

"You're too quiet," Ena finally decides on.

"It's early."

"Not for you it isn't." she sighs. "Come on, Mizuki I know you. You've probably been up for a while."

Mizuki can't really contest with that. She has been up for a while.

"If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to," Ena continues, "But I wish you'd stop pretending nothing's wrong."

"Right. I'm sorry." She glances over at the clock. "Doesn't your class start soon?"

Ena grumbles something about changing the subject before standing and announcing she's going to take a shower. Mizuki shoots up from where she's lying to capture her roommate in an embrace before she goes. She's been smelling more and more like turpentine lately; more and more like the hobby she loves. Mizuki just can't get enough of it. It reminds her of simpler times, when her art wasn't something that hurt, when she didn't wrestle with canvases and cry frustrated tears about her work not being good enough, about feeling like she wasn't good enough.

It meant a lot to Mizuki, to be allowed to nuzzle into Ena's shoulder, breathe in, and be greeted by the scent of turpentine. Her best friend was likely privy to this as she never questioned any of Mizuki's spontaneous hugs, only reaching a hand behind her head to gently massage her scalp.

"I'll miss you," she says, not for the first time. I'll miss you when this all falls apart someday.

"It'll just be a couple of hours," Ena says, "I'll be back by three, and then we're going out for dinner, okay?"

Mizuki nods. This simple little tradition they'd started long ago, when Ena had told her that it was only proper to celebrate the anniversaries of things that were special to you. Every year on this day, they would go out and do something, not unlike their usual hangouts, only with the added weight of an anniversary attached.

Today was the fifteenth anniversary of their friendship. It had been fifteen years since she and Ena had met in that flower field, fifteen years since Ena had sworn them betrothed. Mizuki could hardly believe this friendship had lasted this long. Surely it had outlived its shelf life. Why wasn't Ena sick of her?

"Fifteen years," she breathes into the brunette's shoulder, the words carrying more weight than she'd like to admit.

"Fifteen years," Ena affirms, "And many more to come. Now let go you big baby, I'm gonna be late."

"Should've thought about that before you decided to be so squeezable," she punctuates her statement with a squeeze, breathing in her scent one more time.

"Mizuki."

She laughs, releasing her, "Okay, okay. Good luck out there, Enanan."

Rather predictably, Ena grumbles at the stupid nickname, but then her expression softens into a smile, a faraway look in her eyes as she stares at her.

Mizuki snaps her fingers. "Hello~? Earth to Enanan? You're gonna be late, you know. Such a bad student~"

Ena blinks, seemingly registering what she's just said. Then she shoves her back down onto the bed. "Shut up! Like you're one to talk! You probably skipped again!"

"Actually, class was cancelled today," she counters, grin growing ever wider.

Ena snarls, applying slightly more pressure. Mizuki can't help but laugh.

"Quit that," she says, "You're distracting me!"

Her only response is to laugh harder as Ena relents.

Fifteen years ago, a far younger Ena had promised Mizuki they'd be married. And now that the time had come, anxiety bubbled in her gut. It's not that she doesn't want to marry Ena. She wants that more than anything actually, but she's not sure if the feeling is mutual. Ena had made that promise to a little boy after all, and while yes, she is a lesbian, and Mizuki had watched as she turned down many boys and girls alike in high school, that's no guarantee that she was attracted to her.

Mizuki had started HRT a mere handful of months ago, not quite long enough for her to feel much different, though Ena had claimed she'd grown softer. She still looked and felt far too boyish for her liking, and maybe for Ena's too.

They just weren't the same people anymore— which is fine, she reminds herself. People grow and change all the time. However, she can't help but wonder if Ena likes the person she's grown into; if she even liked the person, Mizuki was. Despite everything, she doesn't feel like she's changed at all. She's still that clingy little kid wishing for a playmate. She's still that lonely middle schooler, cynical about the world around her. She's still that teenager who held everyone at arms length, afraid of anyone getting too close to her soft heart.

Ena has grown up. She's watched her change over the years, from that bossy young girl, to that hurt teenager who only wanted to be seen for who she was, to the woman she is now, rebuilding despite all of the hurt and learning to love art again. It's like she's left Mizuki behind.

She groans, sitting up. She shouldn't be getting this worked up over a childish promise, made only for the purpose of being stubborn.

It shouldn't matter to her whether Ena wanted to marry her or not. Having her around at all should be all Mizuki needs.

She's so selfish for wanting anything more.

By 2:45, Mizuki is dressed and anxiously awaiting Ena's arrival. Her best friend has a track record for being late, but today was a special day. There's a chance Ena comes home on time. Even so, she mentally gives her a thirty minute grace period before she begins to worry.

Sure enough, Ena walks through the door at 2:58, panting like she's run a marathon and covered in paint.

"Gimmie—" she pauses, catching her breath, "Gimmie thirty minutes okay?"

"What's the rush?" Mizuki asks, "You can take your time, you know."

"Today is special," Ena says simply. "It's our anniversary."

Then she rushes off toward the bathroom leaving Mizuki wondering what she has planned. Very rarely does Ena come home early. She almost never rushes anywhere. "If we're late, then we're late" is what she's said countless times over countless outings. Normally Mizuki is the one worried about punctuality. So then why is Ena so frazzled today. Their anniversary is special, sure, but it's no more special than the last fourteen. Briefly, she remembers that fifteen years is the amount of time Ena had said would pass before they were married. She shakes her head. She'd told herself to stop thinking about it.

Despite allotting herself thirty minutes, Ena is ready after forty-five. Mizuki doesn't actually mind, but Ena seems almost mortified. Maybe she has a reservation in place for them.

"You have a plan, don't you?" she asks when they finally get out the door.

Ena seems shocked that she noticed which is almost laughable. Just this morning she'd told Mizuki she knew her well. Did it not occur to her the same could be true the other way around?

"You're too sharp for your own good."

She really does laugh this time. "Don't worry, I won't pry any further."

Ena pouts.

There isn't anything too out of the ordinary about their anniversary outing. Mizuki laces their fingers together and allows Ena to drag her wherever her heart desired. They went to the diner where the staff knew them by name and ordered their usual. When it was time for dessert, Mizuki ordered the most sugary monstrosity on the menu while Ena asked for a simple cheesecake.

"I'm not eating that thing." Ena says, pointing a finger at the ice cream sundae piled so high with toppings the Neapolitan ice cream itself was obscured.

"Come on," Mizuki pleads, "Just one bite. It's not like I'm asking you to eat the whole thing!"

"No."

"It's only fair," she reasons, "You've already given me a bite of your cheesecake. It would be rude of me if you didn't have a bite."

"I don't want a bite of that thing," she says, "So no, it wouldn't be rude of you."

Mizuki breaks out her greatest weapon. She pouts, giving Ena the most pathetic look she can muster, crocodile tears and all.

"Pretty please?" she begs. "I'd feel so bad if I had a piece of your cheesecake and you didn't get anything in return."

Ena sighs. "Give it here."

She gleefully hands over the spoon of half-melted ice cream. Her best friend takes a bite, her face shriveling in disgust before she hands the spoon back over.

"I don't know how you can stomach this stuff," she says, "Happy now?"

"Very!" She nods.

"You knew I wouldn't like it. You just wanted to see my reaction, didn't you?"

Mizuki's grin grows ever wider. "Guilty as charged."

Ena only lets out an exasperated sigh, her chocolate colored hair swaying slightly as she fondly shakes her head. "What am I gonna do with you?"

Ordinarily, they would take turns dragging each other around town, but Mizuki can tell Ena already has plans, so she's glad to let her lead the way. For a while, it's just business as usual, though Mizuki would be remiss to fail to notice the way she's always checking her purse as if to make sure she hasn't forgotten anything.

"What is it?" she finally asks while they're in the mall.

Ena's head snaps up. "It's nothing! None of your business!"

She chooses not to pry any further, but Ena really can't hide anything from her.

The briefly stop by their apartment after shopping. Ena insists it's only because Mizuki bought so many items. She fails to mention the similar amount of bags she carries, none of which belong to Mizuki.

To her surprise, the next place Ena leads her to is the train station.

"Ena?" she asks.

"Don't worry about it," she answers, "It's a surprise."

She's strangely quiet, one hand feeling around in her purse again. Mizuki doesn't press.

She remains oddly silent throughout the train ride and she stays that way until they reach their destination.

She's leads Mizuki to a meadow, completely devoid of other people. It's both familiar and foreign at the same time, oh so similar to the image of the small flower patch Mizuki had wanted to rule over. The view is almost breathtaking. Wildflowers sprawl for as far as the eye can see.

Looking over, Ena has that faraway look in her eyes again. This simply cannot stand. She taps her on the shoulder.

"You're it!" she says before taking off in a random direction.

"Wha— Mizuki!" she exclaims, mirth returning to her eyes, "That's so not fair!"

Mizuki's only response is to stick her tongue out at her, running fast enough so that Ena can't catch up, but slow enough not to lose her. She does eventually slow down, allowing Ena to catch up.

"What the hell was that for?!" Ena asks, though Mizuki can tell her anger is completely fabricated.

Remembering her words from earlier she smiles and says. "You were thinking too loud."

Ena only sighs through her nose, gaze dropping to the ground.

"Hey," Mizuki's voice grows serious now. "You can tell me anything you know."

"I know. You— you've always been like that."

She tilts her head. "Like what?"

"Sweet." she says. "You're always paying attention, even to the little things. It means a lot to me you know."

"It's really nothing," she says. "I'm just supporting a friend."

Ena is so much more than just a friend to her, but Mizuki plans to take that information to the grave if she can help it.

"Yeah. You know what day it is, don't you?"

"Our anniversary?" Their fifteenth to be exact. The one on which Ena had said they'd be married all those years ago.

"Yeah, our anniversary." She takes a deep breath. "Hey, can you close your eyes for me?"

She does so before she even thinks to ask, "How come?"

"Just— just trust me, okay?"

She does trust her. Mizuki trusts her with everything in her. The question 'is there something going on?' rests at the tip of her tongue but she doesn't ask.

There's a distinct rustling sound, and then Ena says, "Okay, you can open them now."

She sounds so adorably bashful that Mizuki can't help but smile as she does as she's told. She has to look farther down than usual to meet her gaze because she's dropped to one knee. In her hands lies a jewelry box and in that box—

Is that a—

Oh.

All cognitive function stops as Mizuki's mouth flops uselessly like a fish. The only thing going through her head is the dial-up tone for all of five seconds as she desperately tries to process what's happening.

"Well?" Ena coaxes.

Surely she isn't asking that, right? This is probably just an ordinary gift, it's not like it would be the first time they've given each other jewelry as a gift.

She forces out a laugh. It comes out painfully shaky. "E-ena how forward of you! If you wanted to give me jewelry there was no need to present it like a proposal, you know~"

"You're being dense on purpose." Ena says, "Do you really want me to spell it out for you?"

She doesn't answer. A part of her is convinced she never woke up this morning and this is all one strange dream, another part wants to run far away and never return.

"Mizuki," she sounds bashful again, but hazelnut eyes meet rose quartz ones and stay there. "Fifteen years ago today I promised you marriage, so… will you marry me?"

She nearly chokes, half convinced she's going to fall to her knees right then and there. Miraculously she remains upright.

"Ena— you— really?"

"This doesn't happen unless you want it to, you know."

Mizuki wants it. She wants it more than anything. She just can't believe that Ena wants it too."

"You want— with me?"

"Yes, you idiot," Ena says, sighing fondly. "I want to spend forever with you."

This time her legs really do give out and she falls gracelessly on her butt. Her head is spinning as she grapples with the fact that this is real. This is really happening.

"Do you need a second?"

She frantically nods, trying very hard to catch her breath.

"Sorry," she says once she finally does. "It's just— you want this? You want… me?"

Ena nods. "More than anything, Mizuki. I want you more than anything."

"How— Since when?" she'd like to think she would have known if Ena was in love with her.

"I'm not sure myself." She admits, "But every time someone asked me out, I couldn't help but think about how I wanted it to be you."

Hang on! That would mean she was holding on to this since middle school at the very least.

"Mizuki, you're the cutest girl in the world," she says, "And you're funny, and oh so kind. You've always been there for me, you know. And I want to do the same for you. I always have. I don't think I could imagine marrying anyone but you." she raises the ring box again. "So will you?"

"I will!" she chokes out, "I never thought you'd— I mean I've always wanted to… to marry you."

"Yeah?" Ena grins, taking Mizuki's hand in hers and slipping the ring on her finger. The sun glints off the rose gold band and it's intricate swirling patterns. The emerald refracts the dusk light beautifully.

"I've been planning this since our last anniversary." She admits. "You'd be surprised at how much Kanade knows about this sorta thing."

Mizuki doesn't answer, staring at the ring and then back up at Ena. She leans in, going for a kiss, like real couples do. She chickens out at the last second though, planting one on her cheek instead.

"I love it," she says, "Thank you." For everything.

Ena cups her cheeks. "You know, if you're going to kiss me, at least do it properly."

Then she closes the gap between them.

They get married under falling orange leaves the September after Mizuki turns twenty-two. Saki does her makeup. Yuuki makes her dress from scratch. When she bursts into tears thirty minutes before the ceremony, An and Mafuyu wipe her tears without a word. Rui actually walks her down the aisle, something they'd joked about back in middle school. She's certain she spots Akito crying his eyes out at some point during the ceremony.

Ena smiles at her as they stand at the alter, and Mizuki is the most in love she's ever been. She nearly starts sobbing again midway through reciting her vows— custom ones, they both wanted them to be special— but somehow manages to keep it together, tears silently making their way down her cheeks. That's alright with her. This is far from Ena's first time seeing her cry and she broke down in front of the bridal party earlier anyway. Besides, it's not nearly as embarrassing if they're both crying, and she knows she spots tears trailing down Ena's cheeks.

Ena's vows are the true nail in the coffin. She talks about how Mizuki is the best thing to ever happen to her and the dam bursts immediately. Her vows are full of things like that, talking about how wonderful of a person she is and Mizuki hardly believes a word of it. She isn't who Ena thinks she is, she just can't be.

"If you don't believe me now, I'll have forever to show you." She says and Mizuki cannot tell what kind of expression she's making through all the tears she's crying.

As she does her best to stem her tears, she feels Ena place something on her head. By now she can see enough to make out the fond expression on her face as she wears a flower crown on her head, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"I now pronounce you queen of the meadow, my heart, and whatever else you want us to rule over together." She proclaims before everyone.

The officiate proclaims them lawfully married and grants them permission to kiss. Ena cups her cheeks and pulls her into a kiss that tastes like whipped cream and salty tears with the applause of family and friends in the background.

"Is kissing still gross?" Mizuki asks once they finally separate, now lawfully wedded instead of just engaged.

Ena hums. "As long as it's you, it's not so bad."

She giggles. "You taste like you've been taste-testing the desserts."

"And so what if I have?"

"Without me?" she whines, "Enanan how could you? On our wedding day?"

Ena kisses her again to get her to quiet.

"Dork."

"But you love me anyway~ What was it you said? I'm the best thing to ever happen to you?"

"And don't you forget it."

There's a flash signifying Kohane has taken their picture. She smiles and waves when they look over.

"Did you want to take official photos now, or after everyone's eaten?"

"Wanna take them now?" Ena asks her. "At the rate you're going you'll be crying again before the first dance."

She's probably right, but Mizuki sticks her tongue out at her anyway.

"Now's all good Kohane!" She says.