Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bustling walkways. Students filling the streets beneath. A dimmed atmosphere after a long school day. Indiscernible murmurs, whispers amongst friends. All usual scenery for Mizuki.

This habit of hers has never been hindered, despite the contrastingly heated memory that's been recently engraved into the grounds of the Kamiyama rooftop and the back of her mind. A day she'd never wish to recount to anyone incognizant of how much her life had changed then. There's no room to blame them, either. In anyone else's head, it's left a mark solely for how a colorful and lively environment enveloped around the school then, the fun activities presented by the different classes, leisure shared between friends. A wholly unassuming, pleasant day.

Mizuki wouldn't want to dwell on it much now, though. It's all in the past, she deserved to think so. Well, she hoped she deserved it. Ah, but.. there's that thinking that someone wouldn't like.

It would be slightly amusing if it weren't so all-encompassing, that memory of Ena.. weeks after the previously mentioned accident, puffing to catch her breath after chasing Mizuki, crying out her honest thoughts, willing her to stay.

It flashed in Mizuki's mind many times over, but really, why wouldn't it? To see that sort of effort all dedicated to keeping you by someone's side, to realize that you truly mean something so, so dear to them. It's a bit overwhelming, albeit not unpleasant. Much opposite, actually. It's something Mizuki's definitely not used to, but having it now, she's entirely grateful to Ena for what the latter has offered her.

Now with such thoughts, Mizuki's eyes unfocused from the scene. Warmth mingled in her chest and spread up to her face even as a cool breeze trickled through her hair.

Ena.. is an enigma.

Mizuki knew that if she told her this directly, the girl would surely fuss up and demand an explanation. Mizuki would then tease, because you're stubborn as a mule, and that would be the end of that.

Mizuki could never bring herself to spill everything from how much she admires Ena's passion, her unwillingness to let up even in the most difficult situations, to how her company is perhaps the one thing that breaks Mizuki's walls down most in this world and reaches right to her heart, unstoppable. Nothing breaks through her stride. Mizuki first viewed it as a challenge. Now it's.. what, saved her life? It It all feels almost like a dream. Almost.

Mizuki's musings are forced to a halt as she picks up on footsteps from the staircase nearby. Loud footsteps. Very quick, too, much like someone's in a real hurry to get up here. Which in itself is odd, all the day students would have already left by now, and who in the world from the night students would run up here at such an inconvenient time before classes?

Unless-

Mizuki!

Ena bolts through the door and scrambles to a stop as her gaze finds Mizuki. Her uniform is quite disheveled, some hair strands wildly sticking out. She holds onto her knees, effort going into catching her breath. Mizuki's frozen solid.

I.. I knew I'd find you here..

So this place was your first choice this time. Even being far and few between, these occasions have become all too familiar — the two of them on this rooftop, sharing sacred moments that change their lives forever.

Enanan? You were looking for me again, eh~? Mizuki curiously tilted her head, though she already knew the answer as hinted at by her rather amused intonation.

A huff. Yes.. I wanted to find you, before class starts. Ena raises her hands from her knees, having eventually recovered from her run.

Mizuki turns back to the scenery once again. Voice a warm lull. -well, here I am.

The silence returns then. It's nicer now with the constant source of warmth that Ena is beside her. Ena walks up to the chain-link fence too, imitating Mizuki. Their quiet sighs start to fill the space as they both watch the town below.

..Well, that's not entirely true. Those eyes have definitely been directed right at Mizuki. Though, this is different from the many other stares she's handled from people — there's no judgement, disdain, confusion or pity. It's clear Ena has something on her mind and she's putting the words together in her brain, that's all. Yet Mizuki still shivers slightly under her prying gaze until Ena finally speaks up.

You know, I find it difficult not to worry about you as often as I do. You're just so- A pause followed by a sigh. Mizuki glances over. .. I just want to know what's going on in that head of yours half the time. I want to figure you out, Mizuki. You make it so difficult, yet I also understand why and.. urgh. Her words dwindle away in the wind.

Mizuki chuckles nervously. I'm just that troublesome, aren't I? She regrets her wording almost immediately, knowing how Ena takes to her self-deprecating comments like this. Another habit that Ena would definitely try to get out of her.

.. No, not at all.

...What?- Mizuki turns her head, bewilderment coloring her expression. Eh?

You heard me. You're not troublesome, alright? You're just.. like a puzzle, I guess. Not that it's a bad thing, of course. I just want to be able to put the pieces together and see the full picture, but you're not an easy puzzle to solve... That doesn't mean I'll give up, though. Like I've said, you're not getting rid of me that easily, and those words will hold up forever. You got that?

Mizuki might as well pass out from the way she's held in her breath. Ena really is an enigma. Always saying things that reach right to the most inner corners of Mizuki's being, no matter what obstacles stand in her way.

.. I never knew you were such a romantic, Ena. The targeted girl sputters, blush coating her cheeks and ears. Cute. Unbearably cute.

Huh?!- No, that's not what- Mizuki!

A halfhearted punch on Mizuki's shoulder causes her to double over with chuckles.

W-what? Don't you see how this is all framed? You're- saying all of these things while we're up here in the sunset like it's some kind of love confession. And you're really not seeing my point? More giggling. She wipes tears from the corners of her eyes.

Whatever.. Ena pointedly averts her gaze. -It's a nice moment to share with you, though. It'd be nice to be together like this more in the future, for as long as possible.

The soft confession lingers in the air. Mizuki's aware her words would be a mess if she tried to speak up now. She's never been a fan of how speechless Ena can leave her sometimes, with those profound wishes being voiced when Mizuki shares those exact same thoughts. It's another thing that inevitably intertwines them — this longing to stay together, through whatever they might have to face. It'll be the two of them, after all. Supporting each other and finding the way forward.

You really are so, so kind, Ena...

Their shoulders now lightly brush against one another, providing a steady sense of comfort. It really all comes down to this. Connecting. That's what the two have always strived to do. And now, with the utmost gnawing fears between them left behind, they're free to do it at whatever pace they wish. This is their present and future.

Mizuki will cherish this moment for many days ahead, too.