Chapter Text
Drifting.
Endless.
Void.
All she could see.
Darkness.
But she could hear.
She could hear everything.
Footsteps. Breathing. A heartbeat—
Was it hers? Someone else's?
She could hear her name.
Someone crying…
Who?
Who would cry over her?
Wasn’t the answer obvious?
She couldn’t move.
She wanted to. She really did.
She was a spectator trapped in the void within her own mind.
Weightless. Motionless. Powerless.
Pain. Regrets. Sorrows.
They hovered like ghosts at the edge of her thoughts, whispering failures she couldn’t forget.
Why did she do it?
Why couldn’t she tell them?
Why did it always hurt so much? Every minute. Every second. Day by day.
Pain.
Nothing but pain.
Pain. Pain. Pain.
She expressed it in her lyrics. In the way she sang songs.
But the pain never really left.
Why?
Why did it cling to her like a second skin? Why couldn’t the music save her?
And that girl…
The one who had devoted herself to saving her…
What was she doing now?
Was she okay?
Was she still singing?
Waiting?
Did she make a mistake? And hurt that girl?
No…
She wasn’t just a girl.
She was more than that. So much more.
She was Yoisaki Kanade.
Kanade, her beloved.
Kanade, who had fought for her—took her in. Loved her.
Kanade, who dedicated herself to saving her and the others around her.
She wanted to reach out. To let them know she could hear them.
To let Kanade know she was still here.
But she couldn’t.
It made her want to scream. But no sound left her.
Why was it so hard to just open her eyes?
Why did it feel like they were sealed shut by years of silence?
She was drifting endlessly in the confines of her own consciousness.
There wasn’t even the comfort of dreams.
Just endless darkness.
Wake up…
Wake up…
Wake up.
//
New Year's Eve.
A day normally filled with excitement, hope, and the chance to start anew.
New Year’s resolutions floated in the back of everyone’s minds.
But this New Year’s Eve felt heavier. Gloomier.
At least, that was the case for Ena Shinonome and Mizuki Akiyama.
Ena could read Mizuki like a book. She was hiding her pain—hiding how much the loss of Mafuyu was hurting her.
She felt as though if she hid it, she could stay strong for Ena.
What an idiot.
She didn’t have to pretend anymore.
Not with her.
After all… weren’t they lovers now?
That was Ena’s first thought as she stirred awake, eyes fluttering open to a dim, grey morning light filtering through Mizuki’s window.
Last night had been… a lot.
She had learned more about Mizuki’s past. About what she'd been through. About the scars she tried to hide.
She had learned more about her sister too.
And somehow, that made her even more excited to meet her.
A yawn escaped her lips, slow and lazy. She glanced down.
Mizuki was still asleep—curled up on top of her, small and soft, like a big sleepy cat.
“Cute kitty…” Ena murmured under her breath, a smile tugging at her lips as she tucked a strand of pink hair behind Mizuki’s ear.
It had been nearly a week since Ena started living with her—with the Akiyamas.
Her eyes wandered across the room, landing on a collection of at least one hundred plushies carefully piled in the corner.
Mizuki had arranged it herself after taking them from Ena’s home.
Only she could get away with something like breaking and entering...
Ena had moved in after an altercation with her father. He had trashed her room... and insulted her and Mizuki.
It had been the last straw. Not only did she hate him, she wanted nothing to do with him. And that meant moving somewhere she truly felt safe.
She had drunkenly cried to Mizuki, explaining everything. Mizuki invited her to live with her. No questions. Just love and kindness.
That was Mizuki in a nutshell. Thoughtful, perceptive, kind.
She gave Mizuki’s parents only the vaguest explanation. But they were more than happy to let her stay.
And to think… it had almost been a month together now.
Before that—eight long, aching weeks apart.
The worst eight weeks of Ena’s life.
She didn’t think it was possible to miss someone that much.
To feel like a piece of you had been ripped away and hidden somewhere far, far out of reach.
But losing Mizuki…
It had been more than pain.
It was like suffocating.
And if it had gone on any longer... if she had lost Mizuki...
But Ena had never blamed her. Not even for a second.
If anything, Mizuki had suffered more than anyone.
Those fucking bullies...
But at least they were gone.
…Right?
Ena frowned, a flicker of doubt rising in her chest. She pushed it down.
She made sure they’d never come near Mizuki again—thanks to Akito, her brother, and his friends.
They had her back. Mizuki’s back.
They weren’t alone anymore.
Ena’s lips curled faintly.
'Possessive much, Ena…?'
Her fingers idly combed through Mizuki’s soft hair.
She was so pretty. So gentle. So strong.
Why did people like her have to go through hell just to be allowed to breathe?
Carefully, Ena shifted, guiding Mizuki further up until her head rested in the crook of Ena’s neck. She held her tighter, arms wrapping protectively around her waist.
She hated how clingy she could be. Hated needing someone so badly.
But Mizuki…
She was her lifeline.
Nightcord was, too—the songs, the calls, her friends. They grounded her when nothing else could.
But when Mizuki disappeared… Ena had come so close to breaking.
She had stared too long into the dark.
Never again.
Ena pressed a soft kiss to Mizuki’s hair, breathing her in, the subtle scent of lemon filling her senses.
Her phone on the nightstand vibrated, pulling her from her thoughts.
She grabbed her phone, blinking at the lit screen, reading her notifications.
A message from Kanade.
<K:> Anyone awake?
Kanade...? That was early for her. Ena started typing.
<Enanan:> I'm awake.
<Enanan:> What are you doing up so early?
A pause. Then:
<K:> Couldn't sleep.
<K:> I wish Mafuyu was here...
Ena’s breath caught.
Mafuyu.
Of course.
She was still in the hospital. Still in a coma...
It had been a week since her attempt. A week since they almost lost their friend.
Ena winced. The thought stung.
'Why would she do that? What about us...?'
…No. That wasn’t fair.
Her pain wasn’t her fault. It never had been.
Ena started typing again, shaking away the pain.
<Enanan:> Me too. I miss her.
Then, after a moment:
<Enanan:> Why don't we all go see her today?
<Enanan:> I wouldn't wanna go into next year without her.
Mafuyu could be cold, sarcastic, and infuriating, sure. But she was still one of Ena’s closest friends.
She was like… family. Like another sibling.
So much like Akito, it scared her sometimes.
<K:> I'd like that... let's meet later.
Ena exhaled, relief flooding her chest. At least Kanade seemed okay.
Hopefully, she was eating. Resting. Taking care of herself.
It’s what Mafuyu would want.
She swallowed hard.
<Enanan:> Sounds good. But take care of yourself.
<Enanan:> Got it?
<K:> Got it.
Ena smiled faintly and set her phone back down.
A soft groan caught her attention.
She looked down—Mizuki was waking up, her eyes fluttering open sleepily.
Pink. Big. Beautiful.
“Good morning, kitty…” Ena murmured, grinning.
Mizuki blinked at her, then blushed lightly before stretching—with so little grace that she nearly rolled off the bed if not for Ena’s leg in the way.
Ena chuckled to herself.
'Someone likes that nickname...'
Mizuki crawled closer, face inches away from Ena’s, her bobbed hair falling like a curtain.
The ends of her hair tickled Ena's cheeks.
She looked into Mizuki’s pink eyes. She saw something mischievous in them.
'Stop it stop it stop it—'
Her heart pounded.
'I want her to kiss me.'
She swallowed.
They’d kissed so many times by now…
But every time still felt like the first.
Mizuki paused. Smiled. Then, instead of kissing her, she flopped forward, nuzzling into the crook of Ena’s neck.
Ena groaned with disappointment.
“Ugh, you’re the worst, you know that?” Ena huffed, pouting.
Mizuki tilted her head, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Enanan… did you want a kiss~?” she teased.
Ena’s face flushed. She didn’t answer—just a tiny shake of her head.
Mizuki grabbed her phone and peeked at the time.
7:15 AM.
Still early. Early especially for Ena.
She tossed it back onto the bed and made herself comfortable again—this time straddling Ena.
Ena’s breath hitched.
'What is she playing at??'
“E~na~nan~,” Mizuki cooed, enunciating her name, leaning in.
Ena bit her lip hard, trying not to let the heat in her cheeks spread any further.
“It’s mean to ignore people, y’know~?” Mizuki purred.
That was it.
'She’s gonna kill me.'
But instinct took over Ena.
With a sudden motion, she grabbed Mizuki’s hips and flipped them, pinning her underneath.
Mizuki’s teasing grin faded in an instant. Her cheeks went bright pink as she giggled, arms quickly wrapping around herself as Ena eyed her with a hungry glint in her eyes.
It wasn’t fear—just flustered instinct.
“You can’t top to save your life,” Ena muttered under her breath, and leaned down.
Their lips met.
Mizuki stilled for a second, startled.
Then melted into the kiss.
A soft exhale left her nose as she relaxed, her arms moving from around herself to around Ena’s waist.
Ena smiled against her lips.
'Good kitty…'
After a few more lingering seconds, Ena finally pulled away from Mizuki's lips, gently exhaling. Kissing Mizuki always took her breath away.
Mizuki just smiled up at her, now much more awake.
Then, she did something that nearly made Ena die on the spot.
Mizuki slowly blinked. Exactly like a cat.
Loving. Affectionate. Cute.
Ena’s cheeks reddened again. Now it was her turn to get shy.
'Holy shit... she really is a cat,' Ena thought, hiding part of her heated face behind her hand.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
How did a slow blink of all things make her fluster so easily?
A buzz from Mizuki’s phone pulled Ena away from her thoughts, and their moment of quiet intimacy came to an end.
Mizuki popped herself up, grabbing her phone, carefully checking her notifications. Her eyes widened.
Ena nearly fell back as Mizuki squealed with glee, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Ahh!! She's coming!!" she beamed, bouncing up and down on the spot.
Only one person could really excite Mizuki in this way.
Only one person gave her that childish glimmer in her eyes.
The excitement of a little sister about to see her older sister after a long time apart.
Ena smiled softly.
Today was going to be eventful.
"It's been so long! I can't wait to catch up with her!" Mizuki continued, her voice light and filled with joy.
"And you get to meet her too! Hehe~ I'm so looking forward to that!"
Ena nodded, just smiling fondly at Mizuki as she continued her excited babbling.
Yuuki was meant to arrive in Japan before Christmas, but a storm in France had delayed flights for days.
Mizuki tried not to show her disappointment, but it had clearly been getting to her—which only added to her fragile state these past few days.
She had been clinging desperately onto any shred of hope that Yuuki would make it.
A small, selfish part of Ena was jealous. She wanted Mizuki to light up like that for her, too…
But wasn’t she already?
A small part of her was also nervous—very nervous. Why wouldn’t she be?
She would soon be meeting Mizuki’s older sister. Her closest confidant. The only person Mizuki truly confided in, no matter what.
Would Yuuki approve of her? What would she think of her? What was she like in person?
Mafuyu and Kanade had met her—they said she was really kind. Warm. Clever. Protective.
But Ena was a special case. She wasn’t just Mizuki’s friend. She was her girlfriend.
"Enanan..." Mizuki called softly, grabbing her hands and shuffling closer.
Her voice pulled Ena away from her spiraling thoughts, and her gaze settled on Mizuki’s soft face—those sweet, caring eyes that never judged her.
"There's nothing to worry about, okay...? I think Big Sis will find you to be super awesome!" Mizuki said gently, tilting her head with a smile.
Ena nodded. Mizuki was right. There really was nothing to worry about. But still, anxiety never needed a reason. It lingered like a ghost behind the curtains.
Mizuki leaned forward and pressed a quick peck to her lips, before standing up and stretching on the spot.
"Any ideas for today? Big Sis said she’ll be at the festival before coming here."
That’s right—the New Year’s festival was today.
Ena glanced at her phone, remembering her earlier conversation with Kanade.
"Let’s go see Kanade, and then go see Mafuyu," Ena suggested, standing up herself and grabbing some clothes.
Mizuki's eyes widened in surprise.
"Eh?! Could it be… you read my mind?!"
She sounded genuinely amazed.
'Was she just about to suggest that?'
"Well... I don’t wanna go into next year without Mafuyu... y’know?" Ena answered, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly.
Mizuki’s smile softened. Even now, Ena could be so awkward when expressing how much she cared.
"Same here..." Mizuki echoed, her voice quieter now. Thoughtful. Almost solemn.
She turned and picked up a plushie that had been sitting beside the desk for days—a cute Hatsune Miku plushie holding a tiny leek in one hand.
"I still don’t even know if she likes plushies..." Ena mumbled, eyeing the Miku.
"But I think Mafuyu will love it just because it’s from you," she added with a faint smile.
Mizuki nodded and carefully stuffed the plushie into her bag, which hung behind the door.
"Right," Ena started with a breath, "I’m gonna go bathe. I’ll be out soon."
Mizuki gave her a small thumbs up, and Ena disappeared into the en-suite bathroom.
//
Kanade sat alone in the empty kitchen. Dull grey morning light trickled through the window that sat above the sink, casting the room in a depressing monotone.
Kanade exhaled a shaky breath, eyes fixed on her phone screen.
Just thirty minutes ago, she’d gotten a message.
A message from the devil herself.
Mafuyu’s mother.
<Yuki's Mother:> Good morning, Yoisaki-san. I hope you're doing well.
I'd like to schedule a personal meeting with you—like we have done before.
I hope you agree to this, as it involves my daughter.
You needn’t respond, I know what you're like.
Let’s meet at the hotel once again. Does January 2nd sound good to you?
The message was too long. It felt rehearsed. Fake.
Each word left Kanade more nauseous than the last.
Mrs. Asahina wasn’t a monster—not exactly.
She did care about Mafuyu. But her idea of love came wrapped in barbed wire.
Iron-fisted parenting. Obsessive control. Conditional affection.
She had slowly broken Mafuyu down piece by piece, stripping away her identity until there was nothing left but an obedient, smiling shell.
And somewhere in that silence, a SEKAI was born.
The want to disappear was absolute.
Kanade had once made a promise—a vow whispered into quiet nights:
To create a song that wouldn’t just save someone, but one that could save her. Mafuyu.
Months had passed. Slowly, bit by bit, Mafuyu began growing again with the help of her friends.
Tiny scraps of their identity emerged—real smiles, more outward emotions.
The portrait of a real person started to be pieced together.
But as Mafuyu grew, her mother’s grip only tightened.
First, her synthesizer was thrown away.
Then, her computer was 'sent for repairs'—and never returned.
Every rebellion—every act made with her own will met with erasure. Every step forward met with chains.
And then came the haircut.
Mafuyu had asked Mizuki to cut it—her long, flowing hair. Into something shorter, easier to manage.
It was the first choice she made for herself.
Her mother hated it.
That lack of control. That independence...
It culminated in a confrontation. And when that fell through, it resulted in Mafuyu running away.
To her. Kanade.
She didn’t hesitate. She took her in without question.
And Mafuyu…
Mafuyu was shattered. The pain on her face, the hollowness in her eyes, the tear-streaked cheeks—
It broke Kanade’s heart in ways she couldn’t describe.
She wasn’t just worried for Mafuyu.
She loved her.
Living with her… waking up to the scent of her apple and peach cedarwood perfume every morning…
Mafuyu’s presence made everything less grey.
She wasn’t lonely anymore.
She had her partner—her lover. Her reason to keep creating.
Life had become good. Even peaceful. Mafuyu was getting better.
So why…?
Kanade gripped her chest, the ache blooming like thorns behind her ribs.
Why had she not seen the signs?
How had she missed it?
Was she clinging too tightly? Holding onto Mafuyu in a way that suffocated her?
Maybe that’s why she couldn’t say no to the meeting.
Because maybe… just maybe… Mafuyu needed to face her mother.
To confront her pain—before it was too late.
But Kanade was terrified.
Because no matter how much she wanted Mafuyu to find herself…
She didn’t want her to suffer all over again.
And she didn’t want to lose her.
Not again.
The sound of a door opening and closing pulled Kanade from her spiral. She blinked, the light of her phone still glowing faintly before she switched it off and slipped it into her pocket.
"Yoisaki-san, you're up early today..." came a gentle voice.
Honami Mochizuki stepped inside, her presence as soft and steady as ever. She offered Kanade a small smile. "Have you already eaten breakfast?"
Kanade shook her head silently.
Honami was more than just the housekeeper assigned to the Yoisaki family. She was Kanade’s quiet caretaker, always making sure she ate, slept, and kept her surroundings tidy. In her own way, Honami had taken on a maternal role that Kanade had long lacked.
But above all, she was a friend—someone Kanade genuinely cared for.
Honami made her way to the fridge, scanning the contents. "Hmm..."
It was mostly empty, save for a few sealed containers with prepped dinners. Not much to work with.
"You'll need to restock soon," she said, pulling out one of the containers. "Want me to make a shopping list?"
Kanade nodded. “Yes, please… I’ll go shopping when I can.”
"Alright." Honami turned with the container and warmed it up quietly.
Kanade didn’t look terrible. A little pale, a little more distant than usual. But she had been eating—trying, at least. She was still pushing forward, however fragile her steps.
Honami placed the warmed container in front of her with a soft smile. "There isn’t much left, so you’ll have to have one of the prepped dinners today.”
The smell of tofu rose from the container. Kanade’s stomach rumbled.
"Thank you, Mochizuki-san."
Her voice was small, but the gratitude was sincere.
//
Mizuki stumbled along the pavement, supporting a drowsy Ena, who clung to her arm like a koala, head resting on her shoulder and eyes still shut.
Despite Ena’s weight leaning into her, Mizuki smiled faintly. It was comforting—proof of trust, of closeness. Ena didn’t let her guard down with just anyone.
But the smile faded the moment the hospital came into view. The building stood tall and alone.
Standing by the entrance was Kanade. Her tracksuit jacket fluttered in the wind, one hand in her pocket, the other gripping her phone loosely.
Mizuki waved, careful not to jostle the sleepy girl beside her.
"Yah-ho~!" she called out cheerfully.
Kanade looked up. For a brief moment, something unreadable passed over her face.
Mizuki understood.
She and Ena were walking together, holding hands, Ena clinging to her with shut eyes. Kanade didn’t have that—not with Mafuyu lying unconscious just beyond those doors. She couldn’t hold her hand, couldn’t kiss her cheek. Couldn’t even say for sure if Mafuyu could hear her.
Mizuki gently but reluctantly nudged Ena’s shoulder.
"Mmnh..." Ena groaned in protest, lifting her head sluggishly. She rubbed her eyes as they reached Kanade.
"Meanie..." she mumbled, walking slower than usual.
Mizuki smiled again. She really isn’t a morning person…
Kanade stepped forward to greet them.
"Morning, you two..." she said softly. Her voice was warm, but strained.
"Morning…" Ena yawned, covering her mouth.
Mizuki grinned. "Ena had so much energy earlier, and now she’s like a sleepy sloth."
Ena shot her a glare. "I like my sleep, thank you."
"Yeah, yeah. Enanan needs her beauty sleep after drawing all night~" Mizuki teased, nudging her playfully.
Ena folded her arms. "Maybe I’d sleep better if someone didn’t leave the light on every night."
Mizuki laughed awkwardly, but the teasing spark remained in her eyes. “Coming from the one who never gets up until midday regardless of how long she sleeps..."
Ena rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. Instead, she muttered under her breath.
"Bad kitty..."
That shut Mizuki up. Her cheeks tinted pink.
Kanade watched them quietly, a small smile spreading across her lips. It was soft, genuine—tinged with a hint of longing, but warm nonetheless. These girls, despite everything, still had each other.
"Shall we go inside?" she asked, turning toward the hospital doors.
"Yeah..." Mizuki nodded. "Let’s go see Mafuyu."
The hallway was quiet save for the soft hum of overhead lights. A nurse led them to Mafuyu’s room, the door already cracked open slightly.
A single doctor stood at the end of the corridor and stepped aside to let them in.
The moment they entered, the steady rhythm of machines met their ears. Heart monitors, breathing support—the artificial symphony that surrounded Mafuyu’s sleeping form.
Kanade walked in first, quickly crossing the room and taking her usual seat by the bed. Her fingers reached for Mafuyu’s hand, still cool and soft to the touch.
"Morning, Mafuyu," she whispered, her voice barely louder than a breath. “It’s us.”
Mafuyu didn’t stir. She hadn’t stirred for a week.
Mizuki lingered near the end of the bed, while Ena slowly made her way to the chair on the opposite side, the sleep now gone from her eyes. Instead, they shimmered with quiet sadness.
"Mafuyu, if you can hear us... wake up soon, okay?" Mizuki said softly, leaning on the footboard. "It won’t do any of us any good if you stay asleep forever. And besides... we’ve got so much to tell you!"
There was silence.
No change in Mafuyu’s breathing. No flicker of movement.
Their expressions saddened somewhat.
Ena glanced down at her. "Mizuki keeps buying you presents..." she murmured, her tone dry, but the fondness in her expression betrayed her. "At this rate, she’s gonna need a wheelbarrow just to deliver all of them."
Kanade smiled faintly, then closed her eyes for a moment and gently squeezed Mafuyu’s hand.
They didn’t know if she could hear. But she needed to know they were still here.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Loving her.
And Kanade would wait—for as long as it took.
She leaned down, pressing the softest kiss to Mafuyu’s forehead.
"I love you, Mafuyu," she whispered. “If you can hear me… I love you.”
Mizuki and Ena watched in respectful silence. They exchanged a glance—tender, heavy with unspoken feeling.
"Oh! Right—I almost forgot," Mizuki said after a moment. She took off her bag and rummaged through it, pulling out the Hatsune Miku plush.
Mizuki placed it on the pillow beside Mafuyu’s head.
"A late Christmas present for Mafuyu..." Mizuki said with a tiny smile.
The room fell into silence again, the three of them sitting in reflection—memories drifting in and out like gentle tides.
After nearly an hour, Mizuki finally stood.
“We’re gonna head back. My sister’s coming to visit soon,” she said.
Kanade nodded wordlessly.
Without hesitation, Mizuki stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a warm, grounding hug.
Kanade sighed, her body relaxing slightly in the embrace.
“Thank you, Mizuki…” she said softly.
The words weren’t just for the hug.
They were for everything.
//
The festival was bustling. Laughter echoed between the stalls, and the scent of takoyaki, grilled squid, and something sweet lingered in the air like a warm memory.
Mizuki and Ena strolled through the crowd, eyes darting between the games and vibrant displays.
Apple bobbing. Duck catching. Ball throwing.
Mizuki wanted to try everything.
The excitement was infectious, and for once, she didn’t feel like she had to hide.
Here, she could blend into the chaos. She wasn’t “weird” or “too much” or “hard to place.” She was just a girl with her girlfriend, caught in the middle of the New Year's festival.
And with Ena by her side—
That was perfect.
One of Mizuki’s deepest fears had always been being pitied. Being treated as fragile. Especially by the one person she loved most.
But Ena didn’t pity her. She never had.
She didn’t look at her with worry. She looked at her.
She tugged her along to different stalls, her energy genuine, her laughter real.
It made Mizuki feel like she belonged. Not because Ena saw her as special—but because Ena saw her as normal. Hers.
By late afternoon, the two wandered toward the scent of food.
Mizuki giggled when Ena's stomach gave a dramatic growl, even above the hum of chatter and festival music.
"Shush, you. I'm hungry!" Ena huffed, bouncing her hip against Mizuki’s, making her stumble somewhat.
"It's cute! You're just so cute, Enanan!" Mizuki grinned, wrapping her arms around Ena’s waist as they walked.
She buried her face into the crook of Ena’s neck. A familiar scent enveloped her—almond and vanilla, soft and warm.
Peaceful. Sweet. Like the tastiest treat. So very Ena.
It was why Mizuki had grown fond of vanilla or almond scented things. Ena had ruined it for her in the best way.
She was like a delectable dessert...
And speaking of dessert—
‘I wonder if they have cheesecake here. They have to, right? Ena would be so happy…’
"Babe. We're here—stop hiding in my neck, it’s embarrassing!" Ena said, voice half-scolding.
But the blush on her cheeks told another story.
"You just smell so good, Enaemon!" Mizuki whined, finally pulling away with a teasing pout.
Ena rolled her eyes. "What have I told you about that nickname?"
Still, her lips twitched into a smile.
She glanced down at Mizuki, and a thought stirred.
‘She seems calm when she’s like this… Like she’s not overthinking for once.’
Then she smiled.
'Do I smell that good to her? She's never commented on it before...'
They turned their attention to the stall. The scent of yakitori filled the air—chargrilled skewers of chicken brushed in sauce. Next to them, trays of glossy yakisoba shimmered with bits of pork, peppers, and spring onions.
It looked—and smelled—amazing.
Mizuki’s stomach made her decision for her: both.
She ordered the noodles and two skewers, the container already warming her hands. Ena, after only a moment’s pause, ordered the same—plus two bottles of water.
They slipped away from the noise and found a quiet bench beneath a tree. Wind rustled through their hair, street lights buzzing beside them as the sky started to darken.
Ena scooted a little closer. The food smelled great, but Mizuki's presence was warmer.
Mizuki smiled, resting her head on Ena’s shoulder. She opened her container and took a bite—comfort food, messy and rich and so very satisfying.
Not the healthiest, but it didn’t need to be. It was enough.
They ate quietly for a while, their silence full of comfort.
Then Ena turned.
"Hey, Mizu…"
Mizuki looked up, lips still full of noodles.
Ena hesitated, then asked, "What do you see yourself doing in five years?"
It was a good question. One Mizuki hadn’t thought about at all.
Part of her didn't expect her to live even this long.
So what did she want?
She liked video editing, loved filming. Maybe she could go into media or the film industry?
But fashion always pulled at her heartstrings too. She adored her sister’s boldness—moving overseas, chasing dreams. Could Mizuki do something like that?
And what about Ena?
She couldn’t imagine a future without her. She didn’t want to.
Because they promised. They’d stay together. Always.
“Truthfully...” Mizuki said finally, “I don’t really know.”
Ena blinked, her smile faltering ever so slightly.
“But I know one thing,” Mizuki added, more certain now. “I want to be with you. That’s what matters most to me. I want to be in Nightcord forever, with all of you... with you.”
She looked up with a warm smile, one so earnest that Ena felt it deep in her chest.
Something about it—its quiet weight, the truth behind it—made her breath catch.
“I just want to be with you.”
Ena’s heart fluttered, and she glanced down to hide the redness in her cheeks.
“What about you?” Mizuki asked.
Ena didn’t even need to think.
“I want to study art. Hopefully get into a good university,” she said. “Even if it hurts sometimes… I want to do it. I want to be a good artist.”
Her voice was steady. Grounded.
Despite all the doubt, all the pain that came with creating, Ena had never once let go of that goal. And Mizuki loved that about her.
She had gone through so much pain... sometimes it nearly killed her, but she resisted—she fought back. She got back up.
Mizuki had always admired Ena’s strength. How she took pain and turned it into something beautiful.
It was what saved Mizuki. Not just Ena’s love—but her art. Her very presence.
And that’s why Mizuki would always be her biggest supporter.
Still, she couldn't resist grinning.
“Don’t forget me when you’re famous!”
Ena rolled her eyes. “I’ll be taking your name, dumbass. I can’t forget you that way.”
Mizuki snorted, then burst into laughter.
Ena giggled too, and soon they were a mess of laughter and soft jabs, leaning into one another.
But Mizuki’s heart swelled. She was happy.
Then she froze.
“Wait—my name?? As in... Akiyama??”
Ena smirked.
Mizuki’s eyes went wide.
“And here I was thinking I could screw with Akito by becoming Mizuki Shinonome...”