Chapter Text
Ena stepped back into the shop the next morning, her hair done and her outfit specifically picked out to make her look cuter…which was kinda stupid since she had an apron for painting that she would end up wearing for the majority of the day.
She confidently walked in expecting Mizuki to be there but is instead greeted by Yuuki.
“Hello, Ms. Shinonome. Everything should be ready for you to start. Thank you, really, for helping us—“
“Where’s…”
Ena took in the polite greeting before forcing professionalism into her voice.
“Er—Thank you for having me. Your sister, Mizuki—are they here?”
Yuuki’s polite smile faltered slightly.
“Oh, they were handling some paperwork but stepped out. Should I go call them?”
Ena’s’s grip around her purse tightened.
“No. No need. It’s fine.”
She moved toward the blank wall outside where her mural would be and started planning out what she was going to paint, the base strokes sharp and full of energy bubbling out of her. When she stepped back to observe what she had so far, the paintbrush in her hand trembled. Not necessarily from nerves, but from the storm of emotions she can barely contain.
Her mural won’t be art.
It’ll be a message.
And she’ll make sure Mizuki sees it.
———
After a while, she stepped into the shop’s back room to take a break and eat at a snack bar. She looked around in the room. It was a storage room, office, and a hangout spot all shoved into one somewhat cramped space.
“Jesus it’s crammed in here…”
“I see you’re still complaining about everything.”
Ena froze. She knew that voice. That stupid fucking voice that she promised Akito not to talk to more than she has to.
She turned to see Mizuki’s stance, their arms crossed and face unreadable.
“I see you’re the artist my sister hired. That’s fine, I know she meant no harm.”
Ena was stunned by their sudden appearance. She just stood there, snack bar in hand, crumbs dropping on the ground.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be here long. Just dropping some paperwork off for my sister.”
They did as they said and turned to walk out.
“Wait—“
Ena grabbed Mizuki’s wrist, causing the fabric of their sleeve to rise up a bit, but they got distracted by Ena accidentally dropping a container of pens. They reached down to pick it up and Ena managed to spot some faint marks on their arm. They scrambled to fix their sleeve but Ena tried reaching again for their wrist.
Her fingers brushed against raised soft skin. Scars.
She froze up.
Mizuki ripped their arm away, their face twisted into something that was a mix of fury and shame.
“Don’t.”
They whirled back around and stormed out before Ena could even breathe. She stared at the door where Mizuki vanished.
She had to fix this.
But she didn’t even know where to start.
Over the following days, she walked into the shop, hoping that Mizuki would be there and that they could talk everything out…
But her hopes are crushed day after day as Mizuki ignored her.
~~~~~
Over the next few days it seemed as if Mizuki were avoiding her like the plague. They only showed up when Ena wasn't there.
Ena couldn’t focus on anything. She would barely eat, barely sleep, barely even paint. All she can think of is planning and waiting. It’s a miracle really that Akito didn’t seem to notice.
One day, Ena walked in to see Mizuki. Yuuki sent her an email the day before on Ena’s day off that she was horribly horribly sick, so she was expecting this already.
“En—Shinonome. It’s been days and there’s barely any progress on the mural. I understand that my sister is a lot more lenient with how much time you have but don’t forget we are still on a time limit.”
Ena is forced out of her thoughts and looks at Mizuki. She looked as bad as she felt—Her hair was unkempt, her eyes red and slightly puffy, paint stains on her hands and arms, and eye bags going down to her chin.
She stared at Mizuki for a few moments, taking in their features, trying to find any hint of the person she used to know.
She forced a smile and hoped it was convincing enough.
“Right… The mural…”
“You have been working on it, right? If not then we’d have to find someone else who would. I’m sure there’s plenty of artists who would take the job.”
The thought of someone else stepping in and finishing her work—taking this project away from her—this opportunity—made her sick.
“No, I’ve been working on it… It’s just…”
She trailed off, struggling to find the words. Mizuki was still staring at her, expression blank.
Ena swallowed hard, trying to control her emotions.
“I’ve been getting distracted. That’s all… I’ll get it done on time, I promise.”
“Promises… aren’t worth anything. Get it done as soon as possible. We have deadlines.”
They paused.
“That’s all.”
They turned around and walked into the back room.
Ena’s fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. Mizuki’s words- their tone—cut deeper than she thought it would.
She stared at the back room door, jaw tight.
“Fine,” she muttered under her breath.
She walked back outside to her mural.
She will finish it.
She won’t let Mizuki see her fail again.
But more than that—She won’t let them walk away this time.
Ena worked day and night on it, a sudden burst of motivation getting her through her work.
The mural started to take shape. A figure stood on a rooftop gazing upon the busy city, their stance confident and bold.
Ena stares at it. She can do this.
She has to do this.
~~~~~
Three days before the deadline.
Ena worked nonstop on that mural. She was there day after day just trying to work as quickly and efficiently as possible.
She stumbled into the shop a while after closing for some water, paint smeared across her cheek, eyes red and tired. The mural has been finished. In the center, a girl with flowing pink hair and an intricate laced dress stands at the corner of a building, looking into the busy streets of Tokyo, away from the viewer. Mizuki walked out to see it as Ena followed behind.
“Is that… me…?”
Their breath hitched as they said the word “me.”
Ena didn’t answer immediately. She just stared at Mizuki, her expression exhausted but determined. Then, slowly, she nodded.
“Yeah.”
Her voice was a bit hoarse from lack of sleep.
Mizuki looked as if they were trying so hard to keep themself together and tried to say something before they gave up and turned to walk back inside the shop. Ena followed them inside.
“Er–Anyways, good job on the mural. It’s very well done. Yuuki is still sick so your last payment might be a bit delayed. I’ll see if I can find her checkbook in the pile of paperwork she left me and I’ll see if I can–”
“Do you ever get tired of running?”
Mizuki stopped mid-step, their shoulders tensing.
Ena clenched her fists.
“...Because I am.”
She didn’t really know where this sudden burst of courage came from, but she refused to back down now.
“I’m here for business. You know that, right? I left my life here in Japan years ago. I…left my identity behind and you know it.”
The words stung. That fact hurt more than Ena wanty to admit.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Ena stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Her heart pounded in her chest.
“I asked if you were tired of running, Mizuki.”
“I… I don’t know. I don’t want to run but I have no choice. It’s a cycle. I try to be like who I really want to be but… then everyone finds out. And they’re disgusted. They hate me.
That–that’s why I stopped trying. I just… I just became the way I was supposed to be. Normal. Just… some guy.
I’m not happy, I’m really not. But it’s a life I’ve been forced to accept”
Each word hit Ena like a blow.
Her throat tightened. Her hands shook. She wanted so dearly to reach out and grab Mizuki’s shoulders, pull them towards her and break down into their arms.
But she doesn’t.
Instead, she spoke. Her voice was quieter this time, an edge of desperation to it.
“You shouldn’t have to accept a life you’re not happy with.”
“...Yes I do. We both know I have to, I’ve no other choice. What, do I accept who I am and pursue the life I want? No. I can’t. I shouldn’t. I’m not normal Ena, you know that.”
Ena finally snapped. She grabbed Mizuki’s arm and whirled them around, forcing them to face her.
“Bullshit.”
Her grip was tight.
“Since when have you ever cared about being normal? You never did? You wore skirts and ribbons and makeup and smiled doing it and loved it–You were proud when people stared!”
“I always knew how much people hated me. And they were valid. They were more valid than I’ll ever be. I hated myself, Ena. And I still do.”
Ena felt like her heart was being shredded. She was still clutching Mizuki’s arm and gripped it even tighter, refusing to let go.
“Don’t–Don’t you dare say that. You were never wrong for being yourself.”
Her voice broke, a hint of desperation creeping in again.
“Don’t you ever call them valid. You were beautiful, damnit... You still are.”
Mizuki pushed Ena away. She stumbled a few steps, nearly losing her balance.
“Your job here is done. You may pack up and go home. I’ll contact you if anything else is needed…”
They walked back into the shop.
Ena stared at Mizuki walking away and something broke in her. The last threads of self control were coming undone.
She ran after Mizuki and shoved them hard onto the back room wall.
“Ow– what the hell–”
“No. Hell no. I’m not moving an inch until you listen to me.
You don’t get it, do you? I spent two years thinking that I lost you forever! Two years of hating myself for what I could’ve–no. Should’ve said to you… And now that you’re back…!”
Her voice cracked.
“You’re not even trying to fight for yourself. And that–that kills me more than anything!”
Mizuki stared at her, stunned into silence. Their chest was rising and falling rapidly, mouth slightly open but no words coming out.
Ena lowered her voice, it trembled with raw emotion.
“I remember who you were. You were loud and annoying and always poking fun at me… but you never let anyone talk down to Kanade or Mafuyu or… or to me.”
The sudden mention of their other groupmates made Mizuki look down in shame.
“You used to send me edits of my selfies because my lighting was always shit… You–”
Her voice broke again.
“...You were the first person who ever told me my art actually meant something. And you made me believe it.”
Tears were finally starting to spill over–hot and relentless–but Ena didn't wipe them away.
“So don’t tell me this is all there is for you.”
She leaned in closer–not threateningly but desperately–pleadingly.
“I remember Mizuki Akiyama. And they don't deserve any of… this. So… if I have one shot–once goddamn chance to fix this…”
“I’m taking it.”
Mizuki stuttered before they shoved Ena away, causing her to nearly fall back before she caught herself on some shelves, though she did scratch her arm a bit. She clutched her arm where it hurts and turned back to Mizuki.
“Ena… Just… Just go. I can’t do this again… please.”
Ena didn’t get up right away. She just stayed there staring at the floor in pain, both from the scratch and everything else going on around her.
“…I’m not leaving.”
She paused.
“I don’t care if you hate me.”
She straightened herself out.
“I don’t care if you never say my name again.”
She looked directly into Mizuki’s now dull pink eyes.
“But I’m not leaving until you tell me right now–to my face–that Mizuki Akiyama is gone.”
By this point, Mizuki was broken, sobbing, while trying their best to hide it. It’s clear this was all too much for them.
They clutched their arm under their jacket sleeve, trying to calm themself down.
Ena walked forward while taking a few shaky breaths, stopping just in front of Mizuki. She reached up with one hand and hesitated for just a second before gently–so incredibly gently… resting her hand against their cheek.
She wiped away a tear with her thumb.
“Mizuki,” she whispered, almost silently. “Look at me.”
Mizuki refused and backed away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Ena drew in a sharp breath as if something stung her… but she didn't back down. She stepped forward again and went back in with her hand.
Her other hand curled lightly around their wrist that they’re trying to hide, tight enough to hold them in place.
She whispered again.
“Look. At. Me.”
Ena’s heart pounded in her chest again. She gently tugged at Mizuki's sleeve, still holding their wrist.
“Take off your jacket.”
“...I can’t.”
“Why not?” Ena asked boldly. Again, she wasn’t too sure where this courage was coming from. Maybe from exhaustion, anger, desperation. Maybe a mix of all three.
Her fingers ran lightly up Mizuki’s sleeve, trying to get them to calm down.
“Please…”
Mizuki hesitated before slipping off their jacket so it’s just a shirt. Ena tugged their sleeve up to reveal those same raised lines from before. A mix of faded and newer ones ran up their arms.
Her breath caught.
But she didn’t flinch, didn’t look away.
Instead she just held Mizuki tightly and looked up to see their eyes.
And she did something she hasn’t done in years.
She pulled them into a hug. Tight. Desperate.
There’s no words.
Just warmth.
Her voice cracked against Mizuki’s shoulder.
“I’m so sorry… I wasn’t there…”
Mizuki was almost going to break again before they put back on that stupid stoic mask.
“It doesn’t matter.”
They pulled away, grabbed their jacket and briefcase, and walked away again. They stepped out into the busy night.