Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Huff…

Her lungs strained with each breath; warm puffs of air left her lips with each exhale. The snow was a relentless thing, and it fell without pause as Mizuki walked through the dense forest. 

So much for finding inspiration.

She couldn’t even laugh, not with the way the biting cold left her breathless. Leave it to her to get lost during a simple walk. 

Her foot sank into the snow. The sudden give to it nearly sent her flying; each step felt more sluggish than the last.

One, then the other. 

She pulled her cloak tightly around herself, trying and failing to hold it close with frostbitten fingers. It was thin, much too thin to fight off the sleet that fell on her, let alone keep her warm.

Violently shivering, the numbness grew…

Rui told her a tale once.

One of many he wrote, accentuated with the light clacking of puppet joints as he manipulated his actors on a tiny, homemade stage. Marionettes he made himself, carved by hand.

Mizuki was used to his more extravagant performances, filled with explosions, action, and flair that one could only dream of. But this production had to be one of his simplest.

It was about a young magician who was in search of the secret to happiness. He pondered if it could lie in a treasure, an elixir, or obtaining the strongest magic known to man. So he endured various trials, overcoming his foes and obstacles with creativity and wit. 

Rui smiled as he narrated the story, bittersweet. The main character had fallen to his knees, puzzled about the growing emptiness he felt.

That was, until someone reached out for him through the darkness. 

An outstretched hand.

“Happiness wasn’t a book, or a treasure he could grasp. As he took the hand of the young prince, he realized that he lacked it… Because that hole in his heart was born from loneliness.”

The magician stood up, meeting the eyes of his companions. He had unwittingly gathered friends that were by his side throughout his travels. 

“His happiness was intertwined with the joy of not being alone. Being understood. And now, amongst friends, his heart had never felt so full.”

Mizuki smiled as he finished his story. Every puppet bent at the hip, giving her a bow as she clapped. Rui tugged on a pulley to close a small curtain in front of them, before setting his actors down with a few quiet clicks of wood.

“That magician…” Her cheek rested in her palm as she glanced at him. “Is that character meant to be you?”

He shrugged, but the softness of his eyes spoke volumes to her.

“Maybe he is. But in my heart, I can’t help but hope that one day that magician could be you, too.”

Loneliness was one word for it. 

Ever since her sister left, and Rui as well… A sinking feeling grew in Mizuki’s chest. One that grew with each passing day.

She smiled and bid the both of them well, because she was happy for them. 

Yuuki, who was invited to the capital to undergo an apprenticeship. She’d learn from the best, and show off the beautiful designs she made to the world.

Rui, who was found by a traveling troupe of performers. He was a perfect fit for their group, as someone with a creative eye. A storyteller. And Mizuki knew no one who fit the bill better than her childhood friend.

But the joy of their successes didn’t last, when Mizuki realized it meant she’d be by herself. 

Yes, her parents kept her company, and her atelier continued to find moderate success… Mizuki’s ability to mend fabrics, to create and customize the dresses and coats of the townspeople was indispensable.

But each day, she found it harder to thread the needle.

To come up with a new design.

To motivate herself to flip the sign at the shop’s door to “open”.

She began to spend more time under her covers than not, and when her mother showed concern, Mizuki waved her off with a laugh. Perhaps she overworked herself. But it was merely a minor setback, and she’d return to normal, given enough time.

…

But things only became more challenging. 

She felt every second it took to walk into her workshop. Mizuki had to force herself to stay seated, to finish embroidering a design onto the petticoat she was working on.

Every day felt monotone and listless. Her mind constantly wandered, soft, rosy eyes trailing towards the window. 

Mizuki found herself watching the leaves of trees grow dull before they fell. A thin layer of snow covered each branch as winter began. It didn’t take long for that sheet of snow to become a thick, frosty blanket.

That feeling of unease kept growing, aching in her chest. Until Mizuki convinced herself that all she needed was new scenery to soothe the pain. Her footsteps lead her to the edge of the forest and she began her walk, right before the beginning of a snowstorm.

Just a small walk. 

That was all it would be.

“Oh gods…” 

Strong hands scooped her from the snow, bundling her into a warm cloak that smelled faintly of sugary sweet caramel and soft flowers. 

Mizuki couldn’t open her eyes. Not when her fingertips stung, and her body felt immeasurably heavy. Instead she sagged weakly into her rescuer’s hold, and they let out a relieved breath. 

She was alive. 

That was the only sign they needed, before they began their march through the sleet, Mizuki bundled in their arms.

When Mizuki stirred, it was to the sound of crackling firewood. 

Each of her limbs felt heavy with fatigue. The loose threads of a thick blanket tickled her chin as she lifted her head up, slowly opening her eyes.

Where was she?

Anxious, she tried to give her surroundings a proper look. 

The cracks and pops came from a fireplace; one with a pile of fresh logs burning on top. The room was warm because of it, a stark difference from the snowy forest. Mizuki sluggishly flexed the fingers of her hand, and each digit pulsed with a dull ache in response. 

Last she remembered, she was freezing to death and her joints were frozen. Pins and needles lanced through them, until she toppled over.

Her pain was proof she was saved from the cold. That much she knew. 

She tried to sit up for a better look. Mizuki couldn’t stifle the wince she let out, however.

Soft but urgent, a voice called out to her.

“Please…! Don’t move. You’re still hurt…”

Mizuki’s eyes widened, as she looked for the source of the sound. The words she heard were clear, but all that greeted her was the emptiness of the room.

“Who… Who’s there?”

“Kanade…” Another voice. This time, their cadence was more serious, flat. “Ena said not to speak, as we’d likely startle her.”

The voices hushed to a whisper, muttering amongst themselves. Mizuki couldn’t hear a single breath, or any footsteps.

“Hello?”

She winced as she braced a hand against a cushion.

“I’m worried because she’s still away and— Wait…!” 

When Mizuki straightened up against the arm of the sofa, her wide eyes met those of a girl, whose hand was reaching towards her. Distress was etched on her face.

It wasn’t likely that she’d be any help, however.

Because this stranger was inside a painting .

“Ah….”

Her hair was white, shaded delicately with cool tones. Stars formed a crown halfway around her head with messier strokes, and her faint, icy eyes continued to meet Mizuki’s with pure concern. 

“Are you…” The painted girl winced to herself, as if recognizing the weight of their situation. “I mean—”

Mizuki’s mouth went dry, and without thinking, she pulled the blanket slowly over her head. The seamstress shut her eyes for a moment, in silent disbelief, before tugging it downwards, her gaze darting to that same spot on the wall. A part of her wondered if she was merely seeing things, a companion to her injuries.

The girl was still there, her hand awkwardly squeezing at the hem of her dry-brushed dress. Small wings fluttered at her hips.

“I don’t think there’s any point in pretending, now.”

A different voice. Mizuki’s eyes flit to the painting hanging next to the first, where a girl with dark violet hair shook her head. The white-haired girl looked beyond anxious, constantly looking between Mizuki and her fellow painting.

“Mafuyu…”

The girl she presumed was “Mafuyu”, looked at Mizuki with cold eyes.

A stare that seemed as if it could give her another bout of frostbite. Her fingers instinctively dug into the blanket, but she didn’t look away. Not when it felt as if they’d disappear in a heartbeat if she blinked.

Like a strange dream.

Mafuyu sighed.

“She’d meet us eventually.”

“Uhmmm, ah…” The seamstress swallowed dryly, before speaking again. “Are you two… Talking about me?”

The paintings’ subjects glanced at each other, before looking at her and nodding.

“Yes.”

“Mhm.”

If Mafuyu was the girl in a dark striped dress, surrounded by countless floating piano keys and tall, imposing buildings… Kanade had to be the name of the girl in white, whose painted backdrop was bare, save for twisting tree branches and sharp ribcages. 

“Were you the ones who saved me?” 

Mizuki was unsure of where to look between the two. Seemingly aware of the fact, Mafuyu walked into the edge of her scene, until she reappeared on Kanade’s. A small mercy, in a strange situation.

Her shoes made ripples in the shallow puddles of Kanade’s scenery. Mizuki anticipated a sound, a splash of water, but each of Mafuyu’s steps were silent. Crisp and careful.

“No, not us.” 

She slowly took a seat in the bough of a nearby tree, while Kanade’s fingers delicately ran the length of a bone white scythe.

“Ena is the one you should be thanking…” Kanade laughed awkwardly. “She said she found a girl freezing in the snow. It’s good you’re alright.”

Ena…

There was that name again. One that Mizuki didn’t have a face for. The person who saved her, and the one who told the paintings to hold their tongue.

“Ena? You both keep mentioning her...” Mizuki’s fingers bit into the fabric of the blanket. “But who is she?”

Mafuyu didn’t even look up, much too focused on toying with the paint strokes on a nearby branch.

“She’s the one who lives in this manor.”

Kanade smiled at her, apologetic. 

“More than that… She’s our artist.”

Mizuki slouched back into the couch with a heavy exhale. 

“As far as I knew, there wasn’t anyone living here, this far from town. Is Ena the only person living here?”

Another shared look between the girls. Mizuki was growing exhausted of how apparent it was that the two were hiding something from her.

“Her circumstances are unique.” Mafuyu broke the silence, her stoic face refusing to give Mizuki the smallest hint. “It’s not our right to share them with you… A stranger.”

“Urk..!” 

She wasn’t wrong.

Her curiosity was definitely getting the best of her, and it’d be unkind to pry about someone who welcomed her into their home. Even if said person had a serenely beautiful manor, with magic paintings adorning the walls. 

“Alright, alright… My apologies. It’s simply that I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Mizuki doubted the paintings would have much need for lungs, yet she could clearly hear Mafuyu’s weary sigh.

“You aren’t the first to say as such. It’s why we refrain from—”

“Mafuyu..?”

As impassive as the violet-haired girl seemed, Mizuki watched her eyebrows raise, the surprised set of her shoulders as she turned her head. A third voice had made itself known.

Footsteps.

It was all Mizuki could think about; she could hear footsteps from the other room. Someone was approaching, someone who wasn’t a painting.

A large figure. She couldn’t see much else, because she quickly dove under the blanket, covering her face. But even without her sight, she can feel the looming presence. 

The atmosphere of the room grew heavy.

“Ena.”

Mafuyu certainly was a girl of many words.

“Oh, you’re back.” Kanade’s voice had a slight tremor to it. “Were you able to gather more firewood?”

“Mhm…” The stranger hummed as they stepped closer, with a slight rustling of cloth. “We should be fine for a few more days, but I’ll send for more supplies before then.”

Even if her breath felt as if it’d be stolen from her lungs, Mizuki couldn’t help but think about how beautiful this stranger’s voice was.

“Has she woken up?”

Mizuki’s hands grew clammy. With each second, it even became harder to breathe. Why did she think it was a good idea to cover herself?

“..."

“Yes. She did.” 

“We’re sorry, Ena… But we ended up—”

“That’s okay, Kanade.” 

Another few steps. 

Mizuki could feel how close the stranger was. No, not a stranger. Ena. 

Ena, who had magical paintings, and a gorgeous voice. 

“Hey… Are you…” Ena cleared her throat awkwardly. “Are you alright?” 

Silence. 

After all, how could Mizuki break such a silence, after bundling herself up and being  reduced to a sweaty mess? 

“Hey…” 

That gentle voice had less patience this time.

Mizuki’s chest tightened with the struggle to take another gulp of air. Maybe if she inched a hand out of the edge… Her fingers pushed at the folds and creases of the blanket to try and give herself a slight reprieve—

Only for her to tip over…

“Hey…!”

Hands grabbed at her in a rush.

When she opened her eyes, it was to the sight of a bestial snout and furred ears.

Large fangs. Horns. Long ears. 

Clawed fingers clutched at her shoulder, another hand resting by her legs to keep her steady. 

Mizuki didn’t fall, but her heart had done so instead, sinking into her throat.

Unless there was a third painting that freely walked through the mansion, the only conclusion was…

“E… Ena?”

“How do you know my…” The beast clamped her mouth shut, pulling her arms back. Her eyes widened, and she frantically felt at her shoulders, until she felt the hood of her cloak. “No… No one’s supposed to…”

She pulled it over her head with a cry, the fabric curving over her horns with the force of her tugging. 

Mizuki knew this feeling too well. Even if Ena didn’t have the face of a human, her emotions rang true, same as any human’s would. 

Fear.

Disgust.

She reached out a hand, to touch Ena’s own. Offering reassurance, her patience. The same way she was given back then, when she was with her sister, or Rui. 

“Wait, it’s okay… You don’t have to…”

“I know, I’m horrifying!” It was apparent that Mizuki’s words weren’t getting through to her.  “I know for sure I’m scaring you, I’m sorry…!”

She turned and bolted out of the room then, her clumsy and hurried steps a ghost of the quiet composure she possessed before. 

Mizuki fought to sit up again, wanting to find her and reassure her… Only for Mafuyu’s eyes to pierce into her when she looked up.

It was incredible, how Ena’s hands crafted a face whose eyes could freeze her in place.

“Don’t get up. Kanade wasn’t lying when she said you weren’t in the state to move around.”

“But I scared her—”

“She thinks the opposite… Let her take a moment to calm down. If you get up now, you’ll only worry her more.”

“She saved me… I was surprised, but how could I be scared of…”

“It’s okay.”

Kanade still did her best to smile, even if she looked ready to rip at the seams. 

“I’ll talk to her, Mafuyu… And… Oh…” The white-haired girl tilted her head with a frown. “I apologize, I only now realized… We don’t know your name.”

“Mizuki.” She said, breathless. “Don’t worry about a proper introduction… Your kindness is… Has been more than enough.”

A soft laugh.

“Mizuki, I apologize for the lack of a warm welcome… I’ll be back, then.” Kanade slowly strode to the corner of her painting, before disappearing without a trace. 

Even though she felt the telltale ghost of frown lines, Mizuki couldn’t help her curiosity.

“Where did she go?”

Mafuyu remained seated, bending and breaking off dead tree branches. She organized each twig carefully in her lap.

“Upstairs. There is more than one painting in the manor, and we can travel through each freely.”

“Does that mean…” 

“No. It’s only us two.” Mafuyu looked to the empty sky, starless, and without a sun. “Ena tries her best to paint us new scenery to experience… But she hasn’t painted a single person since.”

“It’s all so beautiful…”

“It is.” To Mizuki’s surprise, Mafuyu’s two words were filled with boundless praise. “But for her to keep painting for us, when she’s lost her fire for so long...”

Mafuyu bent a branch, making the finishing touches of a crown.

“It’d be cruel to ask more of her.”

Mizuki pulled the blanket to her chin. The crackling fire was her only reprieve from silence, other than Mafuyu’s voice. 

How desperately Mizuki wanted to tell Ena, rather than the horns and claws… 

All she could think about was the soft honey of her eyes, and the delicate care she put into each stroke that made Mafuyu and Kanade.

Someone like that could never be called a “monster”.

Chapter Text

There once was a girl. 

The daughter of an artist, she grew up with her little brother and parents in a simple cottage. Her home was filled with easels with beautiful paintings, and the sweet smell of freshly baked goods.

When the other children made her brother cry, she stood in front of him… Defending him with her words. Sometimes a firm punch or kick. 

Her father would sit with the two, and twist the stems of dandelions into crowns as they played in the fields. In the evening, her mother would call the three of them to come home for dinner. 

The girl’s life is what one would consider simple. But what was undeniable was this...

She was happy and loved.

As she grew up, a rift began to grow. An insurmountable distance she didn’t know how to cross.

The girl’s brother wanted to become a knight. And their mother, despite her tears, gave him her blessing, along with their father.

When the girl expressed her dream to become an artist, her mother smiled, excitedly wondering if they could buy more art supplies from a nearby shop.

The girl daydreamed about a world where she’d enjoy the same accolades as her father. Selling paintings to clients, and running exhibitions in the city… Where his paintings would excite and fascinate nobles, fans of his work who sought out his creative visions.

Her father, however…

Frowned.

It shocked her. Being the quieter of her parents, he never spoke as much as he did, when he fought to dissuade her from that path. 

He insisted that becoming an artist would bring her into a world of struggle.

“It’s a difficult world. Impossible to peacefully enter, if you lack talent. ”

Talent.

That word stung her, a prickly thorn emerging from a beautiful rose’s stem. 

“A talentless artist would work much harder than you are now.”

More thorns. It was all she could focus on, whenever he spoke. 

Did they not enjoy drawing together when she was younger? She and her brother weren’t pushed away from art, the act of creating part of her family’s joyful memories.

“You have no talent, so as you are—”

Art was a constant in her life. His paintings covered the walls of her childhood home. When he sat at the table for dinner, his jaw and hands were streaked with dried paint, to their mother’s chagrin. 

“—you’re only drawing, without aim.”

He had brought her into the world of art, a world where all she could see was his desire to create and express himself… Only to push her out when she inched too close.

Did her lack of talent make her creations pointless ?

But what would her life be without art?

Ena buried her face in her arms, as she hid in the corner of her room. All that kept her aware of the passing of time, was the ever-present ticking of the grandfather clock. 

It wasn’t like the other girl could really chase her; she was still recovering. 

And yet, Ena ran.

She didn’t know what she expected. She knew her form was menacing, and there was only so much a cloak could do to conceal her. Was it naive to wish for once, that someone could look past it?

“Ena…”

On some nights, her friend’s voice brought her peace and comfort. 

“Leave me alone!”

But today, she had no desire for company.

She choked out a sob, her hands desperately running along rugged horns… As if the action could will them away, along with her caprine ears. 

“Leave me alone… I want to be alone…”

Kanade wasn’t phased, only silently taking a seat in the painting across from Ena: a field of white flowers, and a sky filled with bright, flying lanterns. She daintily adjusted her skirt, as she waited amongst the sea of petals and stems. 

“I… Can’t do that. Not when I know you’re hurting.”

“Ugh…” Her claws dug deeper into the sides of her head. “You don’t get it, I scared her! I was just trying to…”

Ena’s eyes squeezed shut, as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

“I couldn’t leave her there…”

“We know you were trying to help. And Mizuki… She knows that too.”

“That doesn’t matter if she…” Ena paused, confused. “Mizuki?”

“That’s her name.” Kanade stood up, to move closer to Ena, even if it only meant being at the painting’s edge. “She was worrying about you.”

An incredulous scoff.

“Why would she… She should be worrying about herself! When I found her, she was freezing to death—”

“I think worrying about others is natural. Especially if they… Thought they scared someone.”

Ena’s head lifted from where it rested. She stared at Kanade’s idle form with wide eyes.

“Did she think she scared me?”

“I don’t think she was too far from the truth.”

“Oh…” Ena’s breaths evened out, and her brows furrowed. “She wasn’t.” 

That small, terrible trickle of guilt bloomed in her chest, then and there. 

“I only meant to check on her, I… Didn’t think she’d see me like this… My cloak, I… Didn’t fasten it tightly enough…”

A small laugh sounded from her painted friend, but it lacked any malice.

“Ena, you have a surprisingly clumsy side. I wonder if your secret would have lasted that long…”

“Kanade…” A whine reverberated from the back of her throat. “You’re not helping…”

“Ahh… Sorry, sorry…” She thought for a moment, while her fingers trailed along the sides of each lantern that passed by. “Then… What would you like to do?”

“I want to apologize, first of all.” Ena awkwardly fidgeted with the tip of her ear. “And after that… I want to make her something to eat. She’s probably starving, after being asleep for so long.”

Ena held her breath, waiting for Kanade’s reply. Even though she was quieter than Mafuyu, her words always brought solace to Ena’s heart. It wasn’t by her design, how kind the painted girl was.

“How about having dinner together?”

Her ears perked up.

“Hah?”

“I meant to say… Today is the first time you've spoken to each other. And I know it was less lonesome for me, the day after you painted Mafuyu.”

“But that’s different…! Mafuyu was an outlet for me, a—”

“You treasure her, Ena. You treasure her, like every drawing and brushstroke you’ve made. Your heart went into her creation, and because of that, I have someone precious to me.”

For someone so soft-spoken, she could be surprisingly forthcoming.

Ena quietly gaped at Kande, trying and failing to think of a way to refute her words. But she couldn’t. 

Even the paintings she never finished, the ones she was ashamed of… Ena always thought of them. The incomplete pictures in her studios, or the paintings she wanted to scrap.

Each of them held a piece of her, no matter how small.

She grumbled. Kanade had a point, she supposed.

“She’s a pain to talk to sometimes, that Mafuyu.”

Kanade only smiled.

“She cares about us. It’d be silly of me not to wish the same for you. To have someone there, whose existence wasn’t limited to a canvas.” 

She quietly huffed, wiping her eyes with the back of a clawed hand, before slowly standing up. 

“Thanks, Kanade…” 

Her face flushed with the embarrassment of it, the vulnerability of her heart exposed. She thought she was able to control her emotions better, to keep her anxiety and fury in check… And now Kanade was here, looking out for her well-being. 

But it had been so long since she saw another person, someone who wasn’t her brother or her mother. It stirred emotions she thought were left to the wayside, never to be seen again.

The girl had eyes the color of rose petals, a color that’d form the delicate hue of a sunset.

Long eyelashes, hair that looked silky and soft to the touch…

Ena swatted at the air, as if it could wipe away her wandering thoughts. Her lips pulled into a tight line as she swung the door to her room open, her steps leading down the hall.

Her hooves clicked with each step she took.

Determined, resolved—

But her fiery rush of bravado faded into a weak simmer, by the time she returned to the lounge. 

The soft notes of a piano sounded in her ears, a slow ballad. Her eyes were first drawn to the fireplace, which was already down to the last two logs. Then, to Mizuki’s sleeping form.

The artist was relieved to see the rosiness of her cheeks, her shoulders still, without that worrisome tremble to them. 

Ena wanted to do right by her, this time.

“Mafuyu? Are you there?”

“Mmm.” The girl was stationed in her original canvas, her fingers dancing along the floating keys. “I felt it was best for me to stay here, so Mizuki wouldn’t be alone.”

“Thank you for that…” Ena quietly walked to the fireplace, humming along to the music. She crouched beside the fireplace to procure an extra log, gently nestling it beside burning embers with her fingertips. “Has she been asleep for long?”

“I wouldn’t say so. But with her restlessness, I figure she’ll be awake… Not too long from now.”

“Okay…”

She stood in front of the couch. With how peaceful the stranger, Mizuki, looked, Ena couldn’t help but feel guilt burn in her chest once more. She was supposed to be recovering, not worrying about…

She shook her head.

“No, this will do… We’ll make it work.”

She spoke to herself, more than anything. If her words puzzled Mafuyu, she didn’t say a word. Her fingers continued to press at the keys, in a practiced, delicate dance. 

Maneuvering around furniture in such a small space was a challenge, especially with her form… But Ena found a strange satisfaction in the strain of her muscles as she moved each side table to the front of the couch. 

The lone melody of Mafuyu’s piano gradually became a duet. She heard a second melody, another set of hands on the keys. The artist’s lips pulled into a small smile.

What a beautiful song it was, that Kanade and Mafuyu weaved together. A tune that soothed the sharp and cracked edges of Ena’s heart.

Considering the strange nature of her week, perhaps Ena was lucky.

As she gingerly set down a warm bowl of soup with a clink… She heard an incoherent mumble before Mizuki stirred, her bleary eyes glancing at the food in confusion.

“Mnngh?”

“Hello…” Ena winced at the sound of her voice, uncharacteristically quiet and timid. “I’m… You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

Mizuki’s eyes widened when she realized who was speaking to her, but she quickly regained her composure. She gave Ena a slow nod of her head.

“Very.” 

The smell of the food seemed to wake her guest in full. Ena couldn’t help but let out a giggle, before walking around the table, offering a hand to help her up.

“I just finished warming this up, so…” Her eyes averted, her heart thrumming in her chest. “Would you like to eat together? It’s alright if not… I could…”

Mizuki’s hand slipped into her own, quickly spurring her into silence. 

Small, delicate fingers in a rugged palm. Ena held onto her as she shakily sat up, properly resting her back against the couch with a weak sigh.

“Please stay. I’d love to eat dinner with you.” She let go of Ena’s hand, moving the blanket so it was draped over the couch’s arm. “I feel like we didn’t introduce ourselves on the best of terms…”

“No, we didn’t…” Ena muttered under her breath, her hand at her side once more. “I know I’m to blame for that. I must have worried you…”

Even if Kanade said as such, it still felt ridiculous to say. The words left a strange sensation on her tongue.

“I was worried.” Mizuki didn’t bother to disagree, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap. Regardless of it all, she still met Ena’s eyes. “Are you feeling better?”

The artist settled into a seat opposite her, awkwardly angling her cloven hooves so her knees wouldn’t jostle the table. Fingers idly felt along the braid in her hair, then the smooth fabric of her ribbon.

“A lot better.” A pause. “Really, you’re… Accepting this situation with much more grace than I’d ever expect.”

A laugh, full-bellied, and joyous, sounded from the girl across from her. A tune that was different from the final notes of the ballad, yet music to her ears all the same.

“I guess I am! But…” She lifted a spoon to her lips, blowing on it gently. “It’s not that difficult. Especially since you’re not as scary as you think you are.”

Fear and confusion was all Ena’s appearance seemed to inspire when she was sighted outside of the mansion. The ease of Mizuki’s words were an affront to that understood truth.

“Excuse me?”

“Big horns, big teeth… But I managed to scare you more than you scared me~”

She felt the telltale crease of her nose, right at the bridge of her muzzle. 

“For your information, I can be scary!”

Ena let out an irritated huff; there was a certain difficulty with holding silverware, when it came to her larger hands. So she set her own spoon back down, before gingerly holding the bowl, to sip at the broth and vegetables. 

Which was to say, she held it in her palms, similarly to a tea cup. 

Mizuki just grinned at her offended expression, before taking another spoonful of soup.

“Oh… This is so good!” The pink-haired girl already began to cool down another scoop of it with small puffs. “Not just because I’m hungry, I swear…”

Embarrassed, Ena’s finger played with the small braid by her ear once more.

“I figured you’d need to build up strength, since you’re recovering… So I—”

“Ena kept pestering us for advice.” The two of them immediately looked to the wall, where Mafuyu was no longer playing the piano, in favor of brushing Kanade’s hair. “She even—”

Ena’s face burned hot.

Thankfully, her guest wouldn’t notice. Not with the way brown fur covered her cheeks.

“Mafuyu…!” Before she could even think of an excuse, Kanade came to her rescue. “There's… A new painting Ena made, in her study. Let’s explore it together….”

Mafuyu took a moment to run her fingers through the long, silky strands of Kanade’s hair. Her face was blank as ever, but the artist recognized the quiet satisfaction in her eyes.

“Okay.”

Gently leading her by the hand, Kanade and Mafuyu disappeared into the margin of the canvas. 

Ena was rubbing her jaw with her hand, as if it could soothe the bashful heat rising in her face.

“It’s cute how you asked them for help,” Mizuki’s lips were curled up, into an infuriatingly smug smirk. “Another reason that you’re not scary.”

“For someone in recovery, you sure can muster a lot of energy to be a nuisance.” 

“Hey, I am a delight!”

“I find that hard to believe.” Despite the sharpness of her words, Ena’s fangs curved into a grin. “I suppose I’ll only believe it when I see it.” 

By all accounts, their makeshift dinner was a success. The sun had been long gone, welcoming the moon and the cold of night.

Yet Ena and Mizuki felt nothing but warmth, from a hearty meal and pleasant company. Not to mention the fireplace, which Ena made sure to stock up with more logs.

“I’ll take care of the dishes.” Mizuki was about to protest, but Ena waved her off with a raise of a brow. “You can’t even stand up without shaking; it’d be cruel to ask you to clean.”

“But—”

The artist shook her head.

“I want you to put your best efforts into recovering. That is more than enough as your payment.”

Her companion held her gaze… Before slouching against the plush cushions of the sofa with a sigh.

“Fine.” 

Ena couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her guest’s puffed cheek. Surprisingly petulant, for someone who easily talked circles around her moments prior.

“Well, at least you’re feeling energetic enough to pout."

“I’m just…” Because of Mizuki’s unfamiliar silence, Ena set down the dishes she was holding, to give her undivided attention. “Unsure, I guess? I know I’m supposed to rest, but not being able to do anything makes me feel restless.”

“Then…” Ena mused to herself for a moment. “What if I were to keep you company?" We can find a board game, or I can do my work here, instead of my study…” 

Her words awkwardly trailed off, as she struggled to think of much else to do. Her time in the manor was usually spent doing errands (or sleeping). Whether it was dusting off furniture, cleaning dishes, preparing another letter to request supplies and groceries…

“Something, anything.” She rubbed at the back of her neck. “I’d rather keep an eye out for you… In case you need any help.”

A slight lie.

In truth, if Ena really desired, Mafuyu and Kanade would be able to watch Mizuki, and update her as necessary.

Her fib was one that her guest may have recognized, in all of its clumsiness. Mizuki’s lips parted in silent surprise, before quickly turning into a grin.

“I knew you weren’t the scary type!”

Her eyes narrowed. 

“What type am I, then?”

“The kind of person who tries to look tough. The kind who gets embarrassed, when people realize they care a lot… A cute person!”

Bizarre, was what Ena wanted to say. To tell her how bizarre her way of thinking was. 

Was it not jarring, how different her body was to her voice?

The way she lumbered around, a fearsome existence in a manor, tucked away in the depths of the forest?

Ena searched Mizuki’s eyes for any sign of insincerity… Yet, the girl’s expression was open and honest. 

“You’re so weird.”

Mizuki took no offense to that, bundling herself in her blanket once more. 

“I’ll be in your care then, Enanan! From one weird girl to another.”

“Enanan?”

“A nickname! We’re strange, but certainly not strangers anymore, aren’t we?”

“Hah… I guess not.” 

She awkwardly glanced at the other girl, before tilting down her snout. A slight bow of her head. 

“Then I’ll be in your care as well… Mizuki.”

Chapter Text

Mizuki felt more of her strength returning, day by day. 

Flexing the fingers of her hand became less of a conscious effort, and she felt proud of the way she could spend more hours awake than asleep. 

Staying at the manor created a new pattern of sorts; when she woke up, Kanade or Mafuyu greeted her. They were fairly punctual with doing so, thanks to the sheer number of paintings in the lounge. She was always in their sights.

Even when Mizuki merely yawned, one of the two almost immediately took notice…

Kanade with a kind tilt of her head as she asked if Mizuki rested well, or Mafuyu’s passive gaze as she informed her of Ena’s whereabouts. Then, Mizuki would watch the two as they meandered through each painting, idly chatting or interacting with the scenery. 

Her eyes always followed the wave of their dresses, pretty with messy brushstrokes. Or the fluttering of their long hair, that shined with the care of painted highlights and glow. 

They made good company, a change of pace despite the weariness in her bones and the slight homesickness she felt. But if she had to recover and rest somewhere, Ena and her paintings were a welcome reprieve from the monotony that weighed on her prior.

Speaking of which, the owner of the manor intrigued her most… With the way she constantly flipped between emotions at the drop of a hat. 

The bestial girl was skittish and prickly, yet warm and kind. Her muzzle and ears betrayed her feelings, even if she denied it. Ena was made of a medley of contradictions, messy and neat lines that only served to pique more of Mizuki’s interest. 

As she promised, Ena kept her company whenever she was able.

From what the seamstress could gather, her day consisted of hanging up laundry to dry, focusing on sketches, or writing letters… Among other things. With such a large home, chores weren’t in short supply. 

(Not that Mizuki knew how many rooms there were in the manor.)

It felt large, though, with the way it had to house a grumbling, towering artist.

The pink-haired girl would see her here and there until it was inevitably time for another meal. Then Ena returned, reassembling her makeshift dining table, and they’d settle into a comfortable silence as they ate. Her host wasn’t a chef by any means, but she did her best to provide a multitude of warm meals to aid in Mizuki’s recovery.

Stews, soups, and even the occasional dessert. With the manor being fairly isolated, and it being the middle of winter… Ingredients were simpler, and erred on the side of what would be easier to store.

Though, it was particularly amusing when Ena tried to subtly offer Mizuki her carrots. It was a wonder that Ena perceived herself as frightening, when she’d shove unwanted vegetables onto Mizuki’s plate with a petulant huff.

“Is this really for me? Or is Enanan simply using me to pawn off something she hates?”

The smile on her face grew, as Ena wiped at her muzzle and scowled. 

“It’s… It’s for your sake! With how sickly you were, getting extra nutrients is necessary.”

When Mizuki raised her eyebrows, unbelieving, Ena crossed her arms with a frown, her furred ears lowered.

The messy pile of carrots made the corner of her mouth turn up. Not that she minded giving Ena a hand; she was familiar with people who had an intense hatred of vegetables.

She stabbed her fork into a piece to prove her point. Ena watched with an intense focus, as if the carrots would suddenly stand up and attack.

With the nature of the girl’s paintings, it didn’t sound too far-fetched, in reality. 

“You know, it is hard to eat when someone’s looking at me so much…”

Ena’s ears stood up on alert, before flopping back down. She covered her face with a hand, sinking into her chair.

“Right.”

The entire situation was ridiculous, to the point that said carrots couldn’t even make it to her mouth. Not with the way laughter spilled from Mizuki’s lips instead, unrestrained and inelegant.

“Hahah…! You could just tell me you don’t like them, Enanan~ No need to get embarrassed!”

“I’m not—” Ena sounded exasperated, but Mizuki spotted the slightest curve of her lips… Hidden behind clawed fingers. “Hurry up and eat, before it gets cold.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

That curve grew into a full-fledged smile, when Mizuki paired her words with a mock salute.

Outside of the time spent eating, resting, and sleeping, Mizuki continued her study of the artist.

She was interesting; could anyone blame her for her curiosity? The way she held herself, the sharp edge of her words, and her long, curved horns were only a few points of interest.

It was not like Mizuki could do much else, for the time being.

For one, despite her tall stature, Ena felt so small.

Her arms were often kept at her sides, and she took each step carefully, as if worrying about the prospect of knocking something over if she so much as brushed against it. 

When she was taking a rest, Ena would awkwardly fit her frame into one of the armchairs, or she’d come up with more busywork… So she could stay nearby while keeping Mizuki company.

And what good company she made! 

To Mizuki's delight, Ena was witty and quick to retort.

Sometimes she’d find herself saying the most outlandish things, so she could see how Ena reacted. The horned girl couldn’t let any of Mizuki’s shenanigans go, not without refuting it with a huff.

Gone were the moments where Ena’s words died off without fanfare, unsure and tentative. Now, her brows pinched and she shot Mizuki a glare whenever she found her behavior ridiculous.

She was so honest, much different than Rui… Mizuki’s friend loved to talk in riddles; the depth of his feelings shining through flowery language and carefully crafted stories.

In contrast, Ena was so sincere, her heart on her sleeve. Mizuki only knew her for a few days, but the artist’s straightforward words and kind deeds were quick to ease her heart. 

Could they be considered friends?  

Mizuki’s fork hovered over a slice of cheesecake.

The word alone made a strange feeling bubble in her chest. 

There were people Mizuki knew, who’d come and go, but Rui was always there for her… Until he couldn’t be. 

To follow his dreams, she let him go with nothing less than a smile, and she hadn’t heard a word from him since. 

She sighed.

Mizuki idly twirled at a strand of hair. It didn’t help that she had lost his farewell gift to her in the snow, a bright red ribbon with clumsy embroidery. She remembered the way his fingertips were covered in bandages, but his smile shined bright with satisfaction. 

“Is the cheesecake not good?”

Waking up from her stupor, she met the concerned shine of Ena’s eyes. If Mizuki knew better, she’d giggle at the sight of her… Hunched awkwardly over her own tiny slice of dessert. 

But this time, it was hard to force out her usual light and airy mood.

“I…” Her lips pulled into a thin line, before she sagged in defeat. “I realized I lost something important to me when I collapsed, all those days ago.”

Her eyebrows creased in the middle, yet Mizuki tried for a smile regardless.

“But it… It’s alright! Maybe it was bound to happen… And it’s definitely lost by now.”

She didn’t dare look at Ena, to watch her expression. Would she be confused? Or would she find it ridiculous, how much her mood soured from a single ribbon?

“No.” 

“Huh?”

Her smile was tearing at the seams, feeling more akin to a shaky curve of her lips. Mizuki should’ve known better than to underestimate Ena. But letting her face fall, to let her lips turn into a frown… It was too difficult. 

“We’ll find it. It’s important to you, isn’t it?”

The artist awkwardly placed her hand over Mizuki’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. The soft fur of Ena’s palm tickled, yet the warmth radiating from it was no illusion or painting.

“It’s still snowing out there. I don’t think we’ll even find it if we check. Honestly, forget that I’ve said anything—”

“Mizuki!” She finally looked at Ena then, only for her frown to slacken, as the richness of brown eyes stared at her, resolute. “Please… Don’t hide how you’re feeling. You don’t have to tell me anything, but could you let me help you?” 

An awkward exhale, as she averted her eyes. Mizuki didn’t know how long she had been holding her own breath. 

“I’m sure Mafuyu and Kanade would love to give you a hand as well.”

She felt the slight tremble of Ena’s fingers over hers. It didn’t help how devastatingly sweet Ena looked, either. Her concern shined through the sagging of her ears, and the slight crease of her brow. 

“Okay…”

Ena’s fangs curved into a grin.

“Then, I’ll begin my search tomorrow. It’s much too dark to see right now, even with a lantern.” 

She squeezed Mizuki’s hand gently, before letting go. If Ena noticed her silence, she didn’t say a word… Instead, she ate her cheesecake, giving the pink-haired girl space. 

But Mizuki could only think about the lingering warmth of her hand, and the happy grin on Ena’s face. 

Friends…

The sweetness of the cheesecake she made couldn’t compare.

Chapter Text

Standing amongst the torn and unfinished paintings in her studio was a girl. 

She wasn’t anyone Ena had a name to, yet her existence seemed to creep along the fringes of her mind. Her dress was plain, with frills in shades of black, white, and gray. Unfamiliar, yet familiar. 

“To create is a gift.”

Her voice was devoid of any emotion.

The crinkled bow on her headband swayed, with the slightest tilt of her head. The artist wanted nothing more than to reach out and smooth its edges, creased and uneven.

She could only watch in silence, frozen in place.

“To create without that spark, or love…” The stranger bent down to pick up a loose sketchbook page, a frown on her lips. “Your heart is falling into darkness, Ena. Shall your appearance reflect it, as well?”

She let the page slowly drop to the floor. 

The lone figure stood in front of her then, face devoid of any emotion. Yet, her fingers tightly clasped at the sleeve of her dress. Despite the weight of her words, she seemed apologetic.

“The same curse that befell your father… It is now yours.”

She turned around, her footsteps creating strange ripples in the fabric of…

Where was she?

“It was painful and lonesome, yet he overcame it. Now it’s your turn.”

The empty voice echoed in her head, even when she was no longer there. 

“Please… Don’t let it win, Ena.”

Ena woke up with a start. 

She couldn’t hide her disappointment as she studied her hands… Hands that were still large, furred, adorned with rough pads at her palms, sharp claws at the tips of her fingers. Feeling along her horns and ears told a similar tale. She was still afflicted with her curse.

Eyes bleary with sleep, she turned her head.

Every morning, Ena waited to see if the sun was visible through the lattices of her windows. It was her only means of keeping track of time while in isolation.

If the day was spent meandering through her home and running errands, her nights were wholly dedicated to drawing and painting. 

And even if she was unable to finish anything, she kept drawing, until she could barely see the lines and paint on her canvas. A frustrating cycle that ended when her body curled into her bed, a cot made for two that she filled with her cursed form… As the last of her candles burned out.

Usually, she’d find Kanade or Mafuyu nearby whenever she awoke. But as of late, they were her eyes and ears, making sure their guest was comfortable in their home. 

She shuffled onto the edge of her bed with a yawn, her arms stretching high into the air before she stood up. 

Instead of the dresses and skirts she used to love, she wore her father’s old clothes, or weathered smocks. They were the only things that could fit her larger frame. 

She pulled on a pair of trousers, then tugged the fabric of a white tunic over her head. She had to be careful to avoid the sharp points of her curved horns.

A morning routine of hers, but even her muscle memory had changed. Her mind kept wandering to breakfast.

A part of Ena wondered if Mizuki had a sweet tooth, or if she’d like something more savory to eat. 

If anything, Mizuki seemed less reliant on the warmth of soup and the fireplace. She no longer shivered from a chill that didn’t exist, nor trembled as she tried to hold a spoon between her fingers. Woefully lacking the experience of a doctor, warming up the girl was all she could think of. She was grateful such a hastily-made plan worked.

With the finishing touches of her cloak, Ena began her day by heading to the kitchen.

She held to the railing as she took each stair a step at a time. Her hooves clicked on each slat of wood as she marched to the first floor at an even pace.

“Kanade? Mafuyu?”

Her eyes looked to each picture frame that adorned the manor walls, to no avail. Forests, gardens, and star-filled skies were all that greeted her.

So she kept walking.

Ena slowed her steps, when she realized where they were. 

Instead of the soft trills of piano, or the sounds of the two muttering amongst themselves while Mizuki rested…

Mizuki was awake, and standing in front of one of the lounge’s various paintings. Ena couldn’t make out what she was saying, but when she followed the other girl’s gaze, she could barely suppress her smile.

Kanade was attempting to tame the dark, wavy locks of Mafuyu’s hair into a braid. She seemed flustered, judging by the way she kept glancing at Mizuki, as her fingers held different strands together.

“Like this, Kanade!” Mizuki used a few strands of her own hair to demonstrate. “Once you get a few pleats done, you’ll understand it better.”

It wasn’t until Kanade’s face had a light dusting of red hatching, that Ena stepped in. She exercised her usual caution, keeping her steps slow and as quiet as hooves could be… Until she was closer to Mizuki.

Mafuyu met her eyes, to which Ena placed a finger to her lips. A silent plea to not alert Mizuki. The painted girl rolled her eyes, before fidgeting with the tips of her fingers once more. Ena resisted the urge to sigh; at least Mafuyu complied.

Kanade continued to ask their guest if the way she braided Mafuyu’s hair looked right. Her fingers tried to smooth out loose cowlicks and rogue strands that stuck out. 

Though it suited the girl, Ena knew the texture of her hair was a testament to the style she used to draw her, with strokes of the brush that felt like the fluttering of wings.

Another step.

Ena was nearly at Mizuki’s side now. The other girl was much too distracted with teaching to notice. She wondered if Mizuki had an eye for art as well, judging by the hawklike focus she had on Kanade’s hands as she slowly formed another braid.

Perfectly unaware, if nothing else. So the artist lowered her muzzle, until her face was close to her shoulder.

“You should be resting.” Her smile grew into a smirk as Mizuki easily startled, a hand at the back of her neck where Ena’s breath ghosted it. “Really, Mizuki… What would you do if you lost your balance?”

“Well, for one…” Her companion pretended to think for a moment. “Shouldn’t you be to blame for startling me? When I’m so delicate, too!”

“Delicate, huh… If you really were, would you be wandering around like this?”

Mizuki’s cheeks were tinged a soft pink. Much more mellow and light than the hue of her eyes, but deeper than the color of her hair. 

“Maybe.”

“Mhmm.” 

With a hand on Mizuki’s shoulder, she gently nudged her guest back to the couch.

“I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to stand up, but don’t push yourself too much.”

“Alright…” 

Ena’s gaze softened. She figured it wasn’t that enjoyable, to be stuck in the same room for days on end. With Mizuki’s recovery, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to relieve a touch of her ennui.

“Since you’re feeling stronger… How about we have breakfast in the dining room for a change?”

Mizuki’s head snapped up. 

“Really?”

She chuckled under her breath. 

“Yeah, really. I’ll have to tidy up a little, but I’m sure it’ll be better than eating here for the umpteenth time.” 

It felt so much better to sit in a chair that was closer to her size. And thankfully, when she had moved into the mansion, there was more than one chair for the dining room table… So Mizuki could settle comfortably across from the artist.

Her company seemed grateful for the change of pace; perhaps the sweetness of pancakes felt refreshing after days of heavy and savory meals. 

She watched as Mizuki spread more raspberry jam onto a piece of pancake, before taking a bite. A satisfied hum sounded, and Ena bit down the urge to celebrate then and there.

There were cabinets with plates and bowls, another handful of paintings along the walls. They were older works, but Ena kept them around so Kanade and Mafuyu could explore. 

And now, Mizuki was tracing each brushstroke and color on them with her eyes.

Ena couldn’t hide her amusement at Mizuki’s curiosity; she was constantly gazing at the walls as she ate. Sometimes, her fork wavered. Not because she struggled to hold it, but because something happened to grasp her attention then and there.

Meanwhile, Kanade and Mafuyu sat together in the scenery of a park. The two took shade under a tree, settling onto a soft blanket on the grass. It seemed as if Kanade was trying once more to tie Mafuyu’s hair.

To the unassuming, Mafuyu looked displeased. But Ena knew her friend; the subtle way she leaned into Kanade’s touch, as well as the lack of frown on her lips…

She was content, and Ena was too.

The artist couldn’t help but wonder if it was strange to enjoy quiet as much as she did now. When she was younger, she was more ambitious. Hungry for accolades and recognition from her peers. 

Other artists. 

Her father.

But now, with pancakes she clumsily flipped with clawed hands… Her heart found a bit of warmth from the cold.

Days like this certainly weren’t a terrible thing.

Even though she was much taller, Ena felt small under Mizuki’s scrutinizing gaze. The other girl studied her closely, a hand on her chin.

“Is your cloak tight enough?”

“Yes...”

“And your lantern?”

“It’s here, along with my matches.” Ena tilted her head, embarrassed by her friend’s concern. “Mizuki, I’m used to wandering the forest. You don’t need to worry; I have all of my tools on hand.”

“It doesn’t hurt to check…” Mizuki muttered under her breath. “I meant it, when I said you didn’t have to go this far for just a ribbon.”

“It’s not just a ribbon!” Ena stubbornly shook her head. “It’s something important to you. And I’d rather look for it, than never try at all.”

She cracked open the door, pulling her hood over her head. A slight breeze blew past; thankfully Ena didn’t have to fret about the cold. Not when she was covered in fur, head to toe.

“The snow’s a lot lighter. But I won’t be out too long.”

She took a tentative step out, then another. But something compelled her to turn, only to see Mizuki leaning against the door. Her smile was small, yet fond.

“Don’t miss me too much…”

Now, as she joked, Mizuki’s smile didn’t quite meet her eyes. Ena couldn’t figure out if it was guilt, or something else weighing on her mind.

She hated it, being unaware of what she was thinking.

“Wouldn’t you miss me more? I’m sure Kanade and Mafuyu aren’t as fun for you to tease.”

“Heh!” One laugh, but it was enough to lift Ena’s spirits. “Maybe… Stay safe, Ena.”

“You too. I better see you resting when I’m back.”

“Wah, and here I was, ready to give your manor a much needed makeover!”

That was more like her.

Mizuki gave her one last look, before slowly shutting the door with a click. Ena held her lantern, and began her trek.

Even if it was for a little bit, she was glad Mizuki could still laugh. That she still could create warmth for her, in the middle of winter.

If finding this precious ribbon was enough to bring back Mizuki’s smile, why wouldn’t Ena search for it?

Red, silken, and embroidered with white thread.

She asked Mizuki for every detail of the ribbon she could provide.

With her hood properly fastened around her neck, and her cloak covering her in full, Ena trudged through the snowy forest. 

She made sure to circle around each tree, or dig at the snow at promising sites. A part of her regretted not remembering where she first met Mizuki.

But snow continued to fall, though not as harsh as days past. The soft sprinkling of it tickled her nose. Ena held silent hope that the fabric of her guest’s treasure didn’t stray too far.

A spot of red in the snow made her pause. She crouched to dig at it.

To her disappointment, it was merely a scrap from a coat… A single button sewn onto it. Her resigned exhale escaped her lips, in the form of a frosty cloud.

“Ena…?”

She looked up in confusion, from where her claws dug at the snow. 

Ena’s first instinct was to run, to hide, to deny… That was until she recognized the familiar, bright olive eyes of her brother.

“Akito?” She stood up to her full height then, brushing at the loose snow on her cloak. “I barely sent a letter yesterday, I didn’t think you’d—”

“We happened to be nearby. The prince wanted to visit each of the smaller provinces… He’s under An and Kohane’s watch right now. ” 

Ena eyes subtly glanced to the horizon, at the expanse of trees. 

“Do they know you’re here?”

“Not at all.” Akito wore the same frown as always, with an agitated crinkle between his eyebrows. “I’m not going to bring anyone here uninvited.”

“I didn’t mean…” Ena coughed, finding it even harder to look at him; even after all these years, and with the bitterness she held onto tightly, he was kind to her. “Thanks.” 

“Yeah, yeah…”

She stared at the snow for a moment, her eyes darting to a gathering of rocks, or a frozen stream. He stood to the side, slightly shuffling in his boots and tunic. A hand rested on the strap of a bag that hung over his shoulder.

“So… Do you want to tell me what you’re doing?”

“Looking for something.”

His eyebrows shot up, incredulous.

“Huh. While it’s snowing? Do you want to catch a cold that badly?”

“No, but…” Ena’s eyes continued to trace along trees and frozen foliage. “I wanted to see if I could find it.”

“It being…”

“A red ribbon.”

He rubbed at his neck. She knew how ridiculous she looked, but she couldn’t back down.

“A ribbon.”

“Shut up! It’s my friend’s...” Ena couldn’t resist the urge to wince; she hoped it wasn’t too soon to consider Mizuki as such. “I told her I’d look for it.”

Akito raised a brow, but he didn’t ask her to elaborate. As Ena kicked at a small pile of snow with her hoof, he let out a world-weary sigh.

“Fine, then. I’ll look for it with you.”

The snow stopped falling, and the sun began to lower in the sky.

If Ena had to hazard a guess, it was almost evening. And yet, there was no sign of Mizuki’s ribbon. Despite her wishes, she couldn’t even find the place they had first met.

“So… What convinced you to dig in the snow all morning?” Akito scooped another handful with a gloved hand. “You said it’s your friend’s, but that can’t mean your paintings.”

He let out a grunt, as he braced his hands against his knees to stand up.

“Airi?”

“No?” Ena moved snow away from the roots of a nearby tree. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

“So you’re telling me you’ve suddenly made a new friend?”

Ena narrowed her eyes at him.

“Why are you prying so much?”

He let out a scoff. Her brother moved to a nearby bush to check for the ribbon.

“Ugh! My bad, I thought you were the one who wanted to be left alone.”

She chewed on the inside of her cheek.

“I did! But…”

“But?”

Ena sifted through another pile of snow.

“Mizuki’s nice… I didn’t realize how long it’s been, since I’ve talked to someone who wasn’t in a painting.”

He halted his movements, gloved fingers halfway through prying at foliage.

“You don’t have to be alone forever, you know.” He lingered in the silence for a moment, mulling his next words. “Mom’s been wondering when you’ll come back. She’s worried, and so is—”

“Don’t tell me how he’s feeling.” Almost instantly, her hackles rose, and her breathing went shallow. “He doesn’t care! Even when… When I’m like this.”

She refused to look at him, busying herself with another mound of snow. Her fingers scraped at it, until she saw another patch of dirt, to her disappointment.

Ena could feel Akito staring holes through her cloak, yet she didn’t dare move.

“Okay. Even without considering him, do you really want to be alone in the woods forever? Your curse, it’s still the same. Mr. Yukihira’s let us borrow his manor so you have a place to stay, but come on—”

Instead of another gentle scoop, her fist met the snow with a furious thump. 

“I know it’s the same! I keep drawing and drawing, but it’s always the same…” 

When she met Akito’s eyes again, he lurched back. Of course he would, at the sight of her tears.

As soon as she realized what he had seen, she whipped her head around, pulling the hood closer to hide her face. A small sob.

Her hand scrubbed at her eyes. Even if she was covered in fur and no longer human, she still cried the same as any would. Of course she doesn’t want to stay cursed. Ever since she became a monster, time was an endless march, where she slowly lost track of the days.

“Ena…”

“We should head back.” A quiet sniff was all he heard from her, before she turned her back to him. “It’s getting late.”

“Hah…” He waited for a moment, before pulling his knapsack from his shoulder. “You know… I brought you what you were asking for. Take it, so I can start heading back to town.”

Ena stopped in place, looking over his shoulder at him.

“What?”

Her brother sighed, irritated.

“Don’t you want to be alone?”

“I’m not letting you walk back in the dark. Are you an idiot?” She wiped at an eye with a finger. “Just go with me, and stay the night.”

“The only dangerous being in this forest is you. You know that.”

A sigh. This time, from Ena’s lips. Even if she and her brother didn’t see eye-to-eye, she knew what made him tick. 

“I’ll make you pancakes for breakfast.”

If she wasn’t so upset, the serious consideration he gave it would have made her laugh.

“Hmph. Deal.”

Chapter Text

She was worried about Ena. 

Mizuki knew she didn’t have to be… When Ena had lived in the woods for years, and thus, knew them like the back of her furred hand. She found Mizuki in the snow, for goodness sake!

But as the sun set, her thoughts wandered more and more.

Mafuyu and Kanade seemed to take notice, as they showed her each of the dining room’s paintings as she sat in one of the chairs. Though she felt stronger, Ena was right. She shouldn’t risk collapsing by running around the entire manor, as much as she was tempted to.

Admittedly, her eyes were more drawn to the painted girls, rather than the beautiful scenery they traversed. Mafuyu, with a clumsy braid Kanade made, draped over her shoulder. And Kanade, whose hair was tied into a low ponytail by Mafuyu.

Ena’s creations, who encapsulated her style even as they moved.

Mizuki idly wondered about their making. The different colors that made them, or what Ena envisioned as she painted their eyes, or the slope of their noses…

“Mizuki.”

“Huh?”

“Kanade’s calling you.”

Mafuyu, with her same blank stare, gestured to her companion.

“Oh!” She blinked, before meeting Kanade’s eyes. “Sorry, sorry. I spaced out a little.”

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t in a hurry.” Kanade gave her a subtle bow of her head, her long, white hair flowing behind her. “All I wanted to show you was this.”

It was a painting hung in the corner, isolated from the rest: a street, painted in greyscale. Mizuki’s eyes were drawn to the smallest of details, like how the window of a store displayed various dresses. 

Then, there was the smattering of rain. Less of a messy medley of brushstrokes to represent downpour, and more akin to drops that were frozen in time.

In the center of it all, was a bundle of daffodils, sprouting in the dirt. A bright yellow, that made it stand out from the rest of the piece.

“This is one of the first paintings Ena made when she moved here.” Kanade walked along the street, her fingers running along the stone walls of the stores. “I remember it well, the day after we woke up. She stayed up all night to mix the right shade of yellow.”

“All that work, only to call it ‘pointless’, and ‘not as good’.” Mafuyu wiped at the fogged glass of a bakery window, created from her breath. “Yet, she still hung it up on the wall, so we could explore.”

“It really is beautiful…” Mizuki followed each stroke of Ena’s brush where she could. Other places were blended softly, so much that some of the shadows were indistinguishable from the warm rays of light. “I wonder what she thought about while she made it.”

“What I think is that after this one, she finally slept longer than an hour.”

“Mafuyu!” 

The other girl didn’t look nearly as apologetic as Kanade did… Content to push and prod along the suspended dots of rain.

“Maybe it was a wish for the future, or a moment of light in the darkness.” Kanade shrugged, though her smile still held the same soft and subtle fondness. “She isn’t too fond of explaining her inner thoughts… Our best glimpse is when she paints.”

She crouched in front of that glowing bouquet of daffodils, a finger gently caressing each petal.

“Even if she doesn’t become a famous artist, I hope she continues to create… Because everything she makes, pointless or meaningful, means the world to us.” 

She understood why Kanade would say so; for her and Mafuyu, their journey was contained in each piece Ena painted. She was their world.

“Ena hasn’t looked this happy in a long time. So thank you, Mizuki.”

But Mizuki felt a certain thrill, after seeing each piece of scenery Ena made. After Rui and her sister, Mizuki hadn’t met anyone with an eye for art. A kindred spirit, whose hands itched to create.

How did Ena feel when she colored in this section? Was she angry? Happy? Did the final image look different from the first sketch?

Each painting left her with more questions, or daydreams about watching Ena draw. If she let her mind wander enough, it’d drift to images of her working on new designs for a dress while Ena painted, a peaceful silence between them.

If they were friends, could she belong in this world of Ena’s, too?

A part of her began to yearn for it.

The squeak of the front door was music to her ears, a melody that made anticipation bloom in her chest.

Her footsteps lead her to the front of the manor, before she could even think about it.

“I’m back.” Ena brushed loose snow off of her fur, lowering her hood as she stepped inside the manor. Those familiar deep, brown eyes met hers once more, a twinkle in them. “Mizuki, you… I told you, you should be resting!”

Mizuki let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Relief, comfort. It felt ridiculous, when she was only gone a short time.

“Welcome back—” She cut herself off when she heard a second pair of footsteps, before a boy walked in behind Ena. His hair was a fiery red, a stark contrast to the dark blue and brown of his knight’s tunic. 

“Ena, is this that friend of yours?” He squinted at her, sizing her up for a moment. Mizuki went still, confused, before Ena hit his arm with a hiss. 

“Stop that! I can’t believe you’re already being weird from the start…” She rubbed at her temples with her palm. “Mizuki, this is Akito.”

Ena grimaced. 

“He’s my younger brother.”

“Brother—” Mizuki’s eyes glanced between the soft, brown fur of the artist, then the redheaded boy who clutched his arm with a scowl.

“Why did you sound so pained when you said that? Ugh, forget it… I’m gonna sit down.” He moved to the living room, settling into one of the armchairs. “Let me know if you need help with dinner.”

He shut his eyes, and Mizuki took that as her cue to let him be. She stepped closer to Ena, so they wouldn’t disturb him.

“I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“Yeah, well… Now you know.” Ena unclasped her cloak, the movement of her fingers awkward and tense. “He’s going to be staying the night, since it’s already dark.”

Ena’s gaze softened.

“We couldn’t find your ribbon, Mizuki… I’m sorry.” 

“No, don’t be,” she shook her head. “I’m thankful you even went so far for my sake.”

Her friend looked puzzled.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Mizuki’s face flushed, embarrassed, and she waved her arm.

“I know, I know… You said it’s important because it’s important to me. I just didn’t expect you to do all of this.”

“Mmm. Start to expect that and more. I meant what I said.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” Ena stuck her tongue out for a moment, before heading to the kitchen. The click of her hooves was her only farewell. “You should rest too, while I prepare dinner.”

It seemed as if a dark cloud was swirling over the artist’s head. 

As she set up the tableware and dishes, Ena muttered under her breath about Akito craving pancakes, even after the sun was down. When Mizuki offered to help, she shook her head with a soft exhale… Before smoothing out the tablecloth with careful touches.

Mafuyu and Kanade relaxed atop a desk in a painting, sitting amongst giant books, and a giant ink well. Apparently, Akito once found their stares “unnerving”. So she and Kanade took care to not be in his line of sight too often while he visited.

Mizuki sat across from Ena, as she always did… But now there was Akito, who sat at the head of the table. At Ena’s left, and Mizuki’s right.

The atmosphere was already awkward, despite Ena’s best efforts. Though Mizuki wondered how hard she tried; she didn’t make eye contact with her brother throughout the meal.

With no one talking over dinner, he took the lead.

“I’m surprised this place looks so clean.” Akito idly cut the pancake on his plate into halves. “Last time I was over, there were pages everywhere.”

“Really?” From the handful of rooms Mizuki had seen, the floors were practically spotless. “I see Enanan tidying up every day.”

Akito’s face screamed incredulousness, down to the downturn of his lips and the crease between his eyebrows.

“Trust me, if you weren’t here, she’d be slipping on parchment and paintbrushes.”

A scoff, from across the table.

“My home isn’t that much of a disaster.”

Akito growled.

“Then why did I step on a tube of paint that other time?”

“Just check your surroundings better—!”

“Sometimes I can’t believe you’re older than me!”

A glance at the both of them made Mizuki stifle a laugh… Hunched over the table, questioning each other with their gazes alone. Identical expressions of anger, down to the way they both held their chin up.

“You two are so alike, no wonder you’re family!

“We’re not that alike!” Both shouted at her in near perfect unison.

“You both don’t look like it, but how you act reveals it all~”

Mizuki chuckled to herself as she sectioned off another piece of pancake. Akito merely lifted a piece to his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

“Hmph. It’s not the first time we heard that.” He sighed. “But a lotta people also say I take after our mother, and that Ena’s more like our father.”

“Oh, really?”

“Mom’s a lot nicer than you.” Ena’s cheek puffed with the pout she threw Akito’s way.

“Could say something similar about you and dad. You butt heads a lot, but deep inside you’re really the same. You both love art, you both can be a pain in the ass…”

That was the first Mizuki had heard of Ena’s father, or her parents in general.

“He’s an artist too?”

Akito hummed.

“Yeah, he’s pretty well-known in the capital. Shinei Shinonome—”

A fork clattered against a plate. 

Mizuki’s head snapped towards the sound, only to see Ena staring daggers into her plate.

“Ena?”

She let out a breath.

“It’s nothing.” Clawed fingers held tightly to the fabric of a sleeve, and Ena wouldn’t look Mizuki’s way. Her chair’s legs scraped against the floor as she stood up. 

“I… Need a minute. I’ll be back.”

Maybe Mizuki could be convinced she was fine, if she didn’t leave the room in haste.

“She’s always like this when we talk about him…” Akito muttered into his pancakes, using his knife to spread more jam along the top of a piece. “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize she’s gotten to the point where just mentioning him—”

His eyes widened when he saw the guilt on Mizuki’s face. She knew how distraught she must have looked.

“Hey, don’t feel bad about that… Ena just needs a minute. Maybe she’ll hide in her room, or throw some things around. She’ll be fine after cooling off.”

Mizuki always heard that. Always was told to give space, to wait. She rose from her seat slowly, carefully steadying herself with the table.

“Hey, she said you still need to rest—”

“I’ll be back, too! Go ahead with dinner, little brother!”

“Seriously! You shouldn’t—”

“...”

“Little brother?”

Mizuki pushed the door to Ena’s room open… The hinges let out a squeak as she stepped inside. 

“Ena?”

Her bedroom was simpler than Mizuki anticipated. A large bed, cabinets, bookshelves, and a desk… The only notable touch of Ena’s was the pages strewn along the floor, or the books and sketchbooks piled on different flat surfaces. The unmade bed, or the melted candles still resting in their candlesticks.

It painted an easy picture for her, one where the artist would collapse into bed after painting through the night. Mizuki was beginning to understand Akito’s surprise.

Now, Ena was nowhere to be seen. But this was where Mafuyu said she tended to hide when she was overwhelmed—

The point of a horn caught Mizuki’s eye, from behind the bed. She carefully stepped over another sheet of paper.

“So this is where you were…” 

She crouched in front of her friend, whose face was buried in her knees.

“Mizuki?” She only saw the slightest glint of Ena’s eye, from where she hid herself. 

“The one and only!” She struggled to think of the right words to say, or what could even be said. “What your brother said…”

“I know he wasn’t trying to make me angry. It’s just that my father and I… Our relationship is complicated.” Her words were muffled, but Mizuki strained her ears to hear every word. “I moved here, so no one could know what happened to me, and no one could judge my family for my shortcomings. He gets to be the perfect, famous artist without an untalented daughter that way.”

A soft sniffle sounded, and Mizuki reached her hand out… Before slowly pulling it back to her own chest.

“Ena, it’s not your fault—”

“But it is!” 

She showed her face then, tear-streaked and imploring. Mizuki knew the feeling too well, the belief that her misfortune wasn’t caused by anyone but herself. Feeling as if you’ve become something horrible and awful.

It made her heart ache, to see it so clearly reflected on her friend’s face.

“The way my father talks about my art, it made me so angry . But he was right. If I gave up on my pointless dreams, I’d…”

Ena quieted then. Because Mizuki was no longer crouched in front of her; she slowly took a seat beside her.

“What were your dreams, Ena?”

She glanced at Mizuki for a moment, unsure, before turning her eyes to the painting in front of her.

“I wanted to be like him, to draw things that were emotional and inspiring.” Mizuki’s gaze followed Ena’s own, to an empty flower field and a sky filled with glowing lanterns. “I wanted people to look at my art and find it beautiful, to notice how hard I worked, to praise it.” 

“That’s not bad to want.”

“But it’s made me become so angry . It’s all I can think about, even when I’m trying so hard to break this curse—”

“Curse?”

Ena’s voice took on an undercurrent of exasperation.

“Come on, Mizuki… I look nothing like Akito for a reason…”

The pink-haired girl hummed, contemplative.

“That’s true… Your hair is brown, for starters.”

“What?”

“It looks a lot silkier too! I am willing to bet his feels like hay.”

“Mizuki!”

Ena visibly shook, but with the force of holding back her laughter.

“Is this really your best way of comforting someone?”

Mizuki shrugged, but the relief of Ena’s laugh lifted a heavy weight off her shoulders.

“You’re smiling… So I’m going to hazard a guess and say it worked.”

“Hah… Maybe. Or maybe your terrible sense of humor’s beginning to affect me.” Ena turned to her then, tears shining in her eyes. She didn’t blink them away, or wipe them with a finger. “I still don’t know what the right path is for me. And being cursed makes me so frustrated… Scared. But I feel less alone now, and I have you to thank for that.”

Mizuki’s heart fluttered in her chest. Her hand rested over it, lightly clutching at her blouse, as if the touch could soothe it. 

“You don’t have to thank me… I’m your friend, Ena. I’ll be here, until you find an answer that makes you happy.” She reached out, wiping at the corner of Ena’s eyes with a thumb. “And you let me into your mysterious magic manor, so now you can’t be rid of me!”

Her joke won her the quietest laugh from her friend, whose shoulders shook with the abruptness of it. Neither of them spoke on it. On Mizuki’s unspoken words. Forever.

“It’s not as mysterious or magical as you think.”

“Says the girl who painted people to life…”

“Painted people to… I wasn’t aware my drawings could gain a life of their own, thank you very much.” She crossed her arms. “I haven’t drawn anyone ever since, but I imagine it’d be overwhelming if I made too many.”

Ena sighed, rubbing at her temple. 

“I need to apologize to Akito… And you as well.”

“What for?”

“This is the second time I’ve worried you, and ran away…” 

“Why are you keeping track? You’ve been worrying about me this entire time. Can’t I worry for you too?” Mizuki rested her back against the wall, pulling her knees to her chest. “I know I was sleeping in the snow, but I’m a very good listener~”

“Pfft…” Ena rubbed at her muzzle, her ears no longer low and dejected. “You better not take another dive in there again. It was hard work defrosting you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it!” 

Ena closed her eyes with a sigh.

“You’re so pushy…” She leaned back, relaxing where she sat. “But I realize that surprisingly stubborn streak is just another side of you.”

The ticking of the clock in Ena’s bedroom made time feel as if it slowed to a crawl.

Mizuki couldn’t tell how long they sat there, lingering in each other’s presence. 

Whether it was because Ena wasn’t ready to face Akito yet, or because Mizuki wanted to stay longer… The two sat side-by-side, silently acknowledging each other’s desire to stay.

Ena broke the silence, her voice only a little louder than a whisper.

“Mizuki… Would it be strange of me to ask about your dreams, too?”

She leaned on her arms, her muzzle resting atop them, watching her. Mizuki had her full attention.

“Mmm…” The pink-haired girl’s eyebrows knit, puzzled by the sudden focus on her. “I never had a big dream I wanted to chase, not really… Back in town, I run a tailor’s shop!” 

Mizuki played with the sleeves of her dress, fingers feeling along each frill along the edge of the fabric. 

“It was originally my sister’s, though. She moved to the city to make it big, so I’m holding down the fort.” 

Fingers picked at a loose thread, yet Ena didn’t say a word. She continued to listen; the slightest nod of her head told Mizuki she was paying attention.

“I feel like… I started losing this spark, ever since she left. After my friend started traveling, too…” She didn’t pull away her gaze, watching how Ena’s ears twitched the slightest bit, or how her nose wiggled as she inhaled. “Part of me wants that spark back, to figure out what can make me feel as passionate as my sister and Rui did. And…” 

If possible, she didn’t want to do it alone.

She desperately wanted to have something steadfast, there for her, even through the changing of the seasons, and the passing of each year.

Why she wanted to make the most of her time in the manor, something too incredible to be true.

“Yeah… That’s the end of it.”

“You know, that’s not a bad dream, either.” Ena rested her cheek against her arm. “If you want… We can search for these answers together.”

The clock’s ticking continued to drone on, the only thing Mizuki could hear beyond their quiet breaths and the loud thumping of her heartbeat.

The smallest ember.

“I’d love that.”

Chapter Text

In the studio, amongst easels and scattered art supplies, Ena saw the girl with the bow. 

Her eyes ran along the different canvases, studying each paintbrush and palette… And she walked to Ena, meeting her eyes once again. In this odd space, away from reality.

“Do you feel closer to it?” She watched Ena with an icy curiosity, studying the beast’s face that she wore. “To your answer, or what you desire...”

Despite the dryness of her mouth, Ena was able to speak, after clearing her throat.

“I don’t know… But I’m not alone anymore. Even if it's only for a little while, someone is by my side.”

Her voice felt rugged and sharp at the edges from disuse. Yet the stranger before her paid no mind. 

She walked closer. Past all of Ena’s unfinished works and scattered pages. Ena’s eyes followed each barefoot step she took, wanting to make sure she didn’t suddenly step on a palette or a scraping knife.

Maybe Akito’s words got to her, just a little. But Ena realized quickly there might be no cause for worry…

Because the girl’s steps were smooth, as if she were gliding across the floor.

“It's lovely, the thought of not being alone.” She stood on her tiptoes, to gently pat along Ena’s head, a hand cradled on the curve of a furred jaw. “It sounds like you’re headed on the right path.”

Ena let out a confused noise. 

“But what is the right path—”

“I can’t say.” Her eyebrows were furrowed, pained once more, yet she wore the slightest smile. “Good luck, Ena.”

In a blink, the stranger’s hand left her cheek, and she began to walk away once more.

The clock in her room ticked with its usual rhythm, steady and sure. It was always the first sound she’d hear upon waking up; then she’d…

Did she fall asleep? 

Her back wasn’t against the soft fabric of her blankets, nor the plush cushioning of her pillows. No, she was resting at an unnatural angle, propped up against the wall. Her neck ached from the discomfort of it.

“Ena…”

A voice called out to her. Then, she heard the rustling of fabric. 

“Ena… Wake up…”

A hand shoved at her shoulder. First gentle, then quickly escalating with its insistence.

“Wake up, my back hurts…” A whine sounded in her ear. “It was a mistake to take a nap here!”

A grumble was all she could let out in response. It wasn’t like she didn’t feel stiff and uncomfortable herself. She just wanted to rest.

Another shove, and she couldn’t help but growl under her breath.

Ena finally stirred, ready to give someone a piece of her mind… Only to see Mizuki, her expression tinged with relief. 

“Finally!” She nudged at Ena’s arm. “Now you can lean on the wall properly instead of me, Enanan~”

Instead of—

“H-Huh?” Ena straightened up then, her posture much more proper, less casual. “Did I…”

A pause, as she played with her braid with a frown.

“Please don’t tell me we fell asleep here.”

“Ding, ding, ding!” Mizuki let out a yawn as she leaned back to stretch. “You figured it out… I don’t know when , but our nap turned into full-fledged sleep. We didn’t even come back for dinner… Poor little brother.”

“Akito—” 

“—is still here. I had Kanade and Mafuyu check on him, and even asked them to give him a message!” The seamstress’s smug look was blinding . “Aren’t I helpful? Don’t you want to praise me for being so attentive?”

“Hah… He probably loved that, having the paintings talk to him again.” She rubbed at her eyes with an exhale, much too tired to think of a retort. “Thank you, Mizuki.”

She only received another nudge in response.

“Is that it? I wanted to feel the embarrassment flowing from you in waves~” 

“Hey! I just.. Woke up.” Another yawn. “I didn’t think I’d fall asleep here either.”

“Maybe it’s good you did,” Mizuki mused to herself. “Judging from what I heard, our resident artist doesn’t get enough rest…”

“From what you ‘heard’?” 

The clear confusion on her face seemed to tickle Mizuki even more.

“I have my sources!”

“There’s only three suspects, I can narrow it down if I wanted to.”

“Well, do you want to?”

“Not really.” Ena slowly braced herself against the floor to stand up, before extending a hand to Mizuki. “I’d rather get breakfast first. Join me?”

The seamstress’s hand slipped into her own, and Ena slowly pulled her up. She dared not think of their proximity, or how natural the other girl’s presence was becoming.

She only watched how Mizuki’s eyes shined with amusement, crinkled at the corners. 

“How polite of you…. You didn’t even need to ask!”

Ena kept watch as Mizuki stepped down each stair, slowly and carefully. She knew at this point, Mizuki probably could handle herself, but a part of her couldn’t take her eyes away.

Looking for the smallest details, a hint of exhaustion, any excuse to—

Ena shook her head with a sigh.

Once they reached the first floor, both made their way to the dining room, only to hear the clanking of metal. Mizuki turned to her, confused.

“Ena? What was that…”

She leaned in closer. Her ears twitched, as she tried to focus on the sound. Now, it was the creaking and closing of cabinets.

“It’s coming from the kitchen, wherever it is.” 

The two slowed their steps, inching closer until they reached the source of the commotion: Akito in an apron, carefully mixing batter in a bowl. 

When she realized it was her brother, and not any possible danger… Her stance immediately relaxed. Mizuki waited behind her.

“Are you making cheesecake?”

He seemed surprised for a moment, his arm relaxing, before he remembered he needed to keep stirring. 

“Yeah. What if I am?” 

Ena’s fingers rubbed against her arm, awkward. 

“That’s fine, but isn’t it early?”

“I just felt like baking something.”

You don’t even like to bake.

It’s what Ena wanted to say, but she forced her mouth shut. She already had much to apologize to him for; why did she want to add another tally to the board?

Instead, she tried to offer an olive branch.

“Is there anything I can help with?” She took another step into the kitchen, to study the ingredients he organized along the counter. “If you don’t have the crust ready yet, I can finish that off for you.”

“No, you…” He took a breath; maybe he wanted to keep the peace, as well. “Yeah, you can help with that.”

She looked behind, trading a glance with Mizuki, who settled into a dining chair with a small wave. Kanade and Mafuyu slipped into the painting next to her, and even if Ena couldn’t hear her, she knew Mizuki was greeting them.

Time to work, she supposed. 

Silently, she crushed graham crackers while Akito continued to carefully fold over the batter. Once Ena finished smoothing the crust of the cake with a measuring cup, he immediately poured in the mixture.

She held the pan steady as he scooped the remainder in with a spatula.

“Aren’t you supposed to make the crust before the filling?”

Akito glanced at her with narrowed eyes, before placing the cheesecake in the oven.

“Shut it, I was in a rush.”

“Right…”

A breath, as the dessert began to bake. Ena glanced out the entrance to the kitchen, wondering if she should find something to do, or try to work on another piece. 

Akito broke the silence.

“Hey, I need to talk to you.” 

Ena angled her head slightly, to level her gaze more with his. She tried not to laugh at how awkward Akito looked, whenever he tilted his up to meet her eyes.

“Sorry about last night. I know you’re already dealing with a lot, but I rubbed salt in the wound.” 

She wondered how incredulous she must look. Her fingertips curled along the edge of her shirt.

“What? I need to apologize. I was being immature, getting so angry and letting my temper get to me!”

His mouth pressed into a thin line, contemplative, before he let out a sigh. 

“Are we seriously gonna argue about who needs to apologize? Look, let’s just accept we both did something wrong. I have something to say, though.”

Ena quieted then, tilting her head to let him say his piece.

“Dad… You don’t have to forgive him. Your feelings on that, they’re all yours to keep. But when will you let yourself be happy?”

He rubbed at his arm, his eyes avoiding hers. She found it hard to look at him too; a part of her kept forgetting that he even cared, beneath all the stubbornness and arguing.

“I don’t remember the last time you drew something without thinking of him, or how good your art had to be. You started all this because you love it, right?”

“Yeah, I did.” 

Akito frowned at the sight of Ena’s drooping ears. Maybe it was the defeat in her voice, along with it.

“Hey, stop that. Your paintings, the ones who talk with us, they terrify the crap out of me. But they’re proof there's magic to what you make.” He averted his eyes, a hand running through ginger locks. “Your art’s not in any museums, or any rich snob’s house… But you’re an artist. You’ve always been, even when the only things you could create were crappy flower crowns.”

“To be fair, I was a child. He always made them better.” A soft laugh. “I should’ve asked how he made them so neat and pretty… Maybe then I would’ve...”

Her words died off, and all that existed in that moment was the space between them… And the ever-present warmth of the oven as the cheesecake baked. 

Akito chewed on the inside of his lip, before meeting her eyes.

“Ena, the person holding you back the most right now… Is yourself.”

“Huh?”

“Sounds weird, I know, but I was able to get this far ‘cause I realized I was doing the same thing.” He rubbed at his neck. “The other knights, I’m not as talented as them…”

Ena’s hand braced against the counter. 

“What? You know that’s not true, you always do well when you set your mind to it—”

“No, Ena… If I’m being honest, I had a hard time.” His smile was small, tinged with bitterness. “When I first enrolled in the academy, the squad I was in… They felt so out of reach. I felt like I couldn’t catch up.”

He continued on, flexing the fingers of his hand and curling them into a fist.

“But you know what they told me? They said they can be that strong ‘cause my strengths and theirs make us all better as a whole. That we’re a team. I wasn’t alone, and you aren’t, either.”

It was hard for him to do so, Ena could see it in the way he fidgeted and looked away, but he bared his heart to her. 

Resolve shone in his eyes, along with desperation. For Ena to hear him, for her to understand.

“Whether it’s Kanade, Mafuyu, Mizuki… Hell, you have me and mom by your side, too. You’re always gonna have a place to go. So let yourself find them, stupid.”

Weak and small, she could barely speak. Hesitation, clear in her voice. Yet, she wanted to believe in her little brother who supported her, even as she kept falling apart in front of him.

“Did you really have to insult me at the end…”

She felt the smallest smile form, around the fangs that poked out from between her lips. Akito smiled, too. A figment of joy, shared between the two of them.

“Can't let your ego get too high up in the clouds… Not that I’m one to talk.”

“That’s fine. I know I can be a pain.”

He shrugged, leaning his hip against the counter as he watched the oven from afar.

“Yeah, you are. But you’re my sister, and I’ve relied on you a lot. So rely on me, too.” 

Breakfast was thankfully a lot more peaceful than dinner. They sat in the same spots as before, but instead of a heavy atmosphere and half-finished food… Ena enjoyed listening to Mizuki and Akito talk, while she cut off a piece of cheesecake with her fork. 

“So you’re telling me she managed to carry you back here?”

“Unless Mafuyu or Kanade can hop out of the paintings, it had to have been her!”

Akito hummed, before shaking his head with a sigh.

“Maybe it’s the curse giving her a hand. The Ena I knew couldn’t even finish a short hike with me. Not without several breaks.”

Ena set down her fork. A clawed finger pointed at Akito accusingly.

“Don’t compare me with you… You’ve been training to be a knight, of course I couldn’t keep up with your pace!”

“And here I was, thinking Enanan was so strong…” Mizuki let out a dramatic sigh. “Maybe instead of carrying me in her big, fuzzy arms, she dragged me in the snow like a sack of potatoes!”

“Hey, I did manage to carry you here.” Her voice went quieter. “I’m surprised that I managed to get that far, too.”

“See?” Akito could barely hide his grin behind his hand. “Time to get any ideas about Ena being cool out of your head.”

She whipped her head to face her brother, teeth curved into a snarl.

“Akito!”

Mizuki tried to placate her fury with a raised hand, but Ena knew her friend was enjoying the chaos, in reality. 

“Hey, hey, hey… It’s the thought that counts, Enanan! I bet you looked really cool while you dragged me through the forest~”

Mizuki barked out a laugh, and Akito stuck his hand out for a high-five. With the clap of their palms against each other, Ena couldn’t even keep the exaggerated pinch of her brows.

Not when she saw a glimpse of it, a future with moments like this… Spent amongst loved ones.

Akito had to leave, not too long after breakfast. 

“The prince’s probably gonna wake up soon, and wonder where I went.” He sighed, hefting his bag over his shoulder. “An and Kohane aren’t gonna be too far off, after.”

Ena didn’t know why Akito bothered with calling Toya by his title, not when she already knew how close they were. Perhaps it was because of Mizuki, who he just barely met.

“Greet the prince for us, then. An and Kohane, too!”

Mizuki cupped her hands around her mouth.

“Safe travels, little brother!”

He only took a few steps at that point, but he quickly turned around.

“Little? You know I’m—” He paused, as if remembering in the present, his older sister towered over him with ease. “I’m taller than her, I swear.”

He furrowed his brows, letting out another grumble.

“Take care, you two.” Akito seemed to mull over his thoughts for a moment, before glancing at the seamstress.” And Mizuki?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for being there for her.” 

Ena tried not to simmer in her embarrassment for too long, while Mizuki smiled. 

Why wasn’t she saying a word? Her silence was suspicious, so Ena hazarded a quick look at the girl, only to realize in terror, that she absolutely was going to tease him. 

With a hand on her hip, and the most smug smile…

“I could say the same, you know? Thanks for being suuuch a caring little brother to Enanan, it’s really sweet to see!”

His face immediately went red—he truly was her brother—and he backed away even more. Ena felt the slightest bit sorry for him, but she had to admit… It was a little fun to watch someone else fall victim to Mizuki’s teasing for once. 

“You— I’m going, now!”

His anger didn’t affect Mizuki in the slightest. She only shot him a grin, waving him farewell with newfound vigor.

“Come back and visit soon!”

Akito rolled his eyes, but his real feelings were apparent, judging by the quirk of his lips.

“Yeah, yeah…”

They kept watch until he was a speck on the horizon; the two of them went inside not long after.

Ena made sure to hold the door open so Mizuki could go back first, letting it shut behind her with an unceremonious click.

“It feels a bit too quiet now,” Mizuki mused to herself as they made their way back to the lounge. Her arms splayed out as she stretched, catlike and comfortable, as if she were in a ray of sun.

“Mm, maybe. But I’m glad things calmed down a little.” 

“It’s amazing he can navigate the forest so well!”

“He had to,” Ena sighed with a laugh. “It made mom worry at first, but he insisted on making the journey to check on me. To bring me any supplies I needed.”

“He really is a good brother.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice...” 

Kanade and Mafuyu met up with them then, as Mizuki settled comfortably into the sofa. It was reassuring, whenever the two painted girls could keep her friend company. 

But her mind kept wandering, and the restlessness made her pace around the room. Mizuki, of course, noticed her restlessness in a matter of seconds. 

“You know, Akito’s not here anymore… So you don’t have to worry about cleaning that much—”

Ena shook her head with a soft laugh.

“No, it’s not that.”

She stared at her finished works, hung up on the walls. 

Each wall of the manor had at least one artwork of hers on it; a stranger could believe it to be vanity, but Ena only kept certain pieces up… Because of Kanade and Mafuyu’s fascination with them. 

It interested her too, how they were able to interact with each element of the piece, pushing and pulling it to their heart’s content.

She didn’t have the heart to take them down after that.

“I didn’t work on any of my pieces last night.” She awkwardly sat beside Mizuki, careful not to take too much space; she tucked her clawed hands into her lap. “I could bring an easel here, maybe a few of the paints I know I’ll use for sure… Unless you’d like to stay in my studio with me?”

“Really?” Ena almost launched herself headlong off of the couch, with the speed Mizuki enthusiastically leaned in. “I’d love to!”

Maybe she should have cleaned before inviting Mizuki.

Her studio was full of easels, and a smattering of art supplies. Dedicated surfaces held tubes of paint, while others housed her sketchbooks and parchment.

Just as messy as Akito would assume it’d be; it was a miracle that the rest of the manor didn’t land in disarray to that degree.

Art was a part of her, as precious as it was painful. The room represented that fact, along with the desperation of breaking a curse. Messy, frightening, and frustrating.

Wouldn’t it be natural to welcome Mizuki into that world, too?

She steeled herself. She wouldn’t run away, not anymore.

“It’s earlier than when I usually start working, but… You can watch if you’d like. You said you know how to sew, so if there’s anything in my studio you can use, too…” The artist scratched at her jaw, nervous. “By all means, use it.”

Her room lacked proper sewing supplies, but she had all manner of coloring utensils and loose sheafs of paper. Ena hoped Mizuki wouldn’t be too bored staying with her.

It was unfamiliar territory, the thought of drawing with another person nearby. Someone whose presence didn’t weigh heavily on her like her father, or as imposing as her art teacher. 

If her eyes drifted to Mizuki while she prepared her tools, she couldn’t be to blame. 

She was merely making sure her friend was comfortable! It was why she took care to clear a table for the girl to use, along with a chair.

And it justified why her eyes occasionally darted to the seamstress, as she prepared the underpainting on her canvas. 

It wasn’t as if she was being obvious—

“Y’know, Enanan… It’s hard to sketch when I can feel you staring at me~”

—or perhaps she was, unbearably so. To the point she rivaled one of Mafuyu’s quips.

“No, I…” She rubbed at her temples with clawed hands. “Sorry.”

Her friend seemed genuinely puzzled by her apology, pink curls swaying along with the tilt of her head.

“What for?”

“I have no clue.” Ena let out a breath, slouching as best as she could on the stool with her larger frame. “It's a lot harder for me to come up with ideas, nowadays.” 

Mizuki hummed from where she sat, surrounded by pencils and pastels. She smoothed out the piece of paper she was scribbling on, and for a moment Ena thought that would be the end of it. She didn’t want to interrupt Mizuki if she was busy.

But then, the other girl waved her over with a smile.

“I think it’s natural to get into a block if you’re constantly doing the same thing… How about joining me?”

Ena hesitated for a moment, before setting down her paintbrush and slowly standing up. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes when Mizuki jokingly patted the edge of her chair, as if the two of them would be able to share such a tiny seat.

Ena settled on standing beside her.

“So what are you doing?”

“Designing a dress, silly!” Mizuki slid over her work in progress, a casual dress adorned in frills. On the front was a large bow. “Any input from our resident artist would be greatly appreciated~”

The shape of the sleeves seemed to be giving her trouble, however. Ena’s eyes traced along erased pencil marks, and hasty scribbles in search of an ideal silhouette. 

She leaned in closer to take a look, over Mizuki’s shoulder. 

“It seems like everything’s figured out, except for the sleeves.”

“Oh! Yes, that’s what I was going to ask you about…” 

She hastily scribbled a few lines, showing Ena another example of what the final product could be.

“I heard this is more of a lesser-known style, but it doesn’t feel right.”

“Of course it doesn’t, the shape of it makes the entire outfit ugly.”

“How cruel… And here I was, seeking out your expertise!”

“Heh—!” The sound of her own laughter was foreign to Ena, but Mizuki’s indignance drew it out of her effortlessly. “I’m not saying that without giving you a few suggestions, don’t worry.”

They drew a few more drafts. 

One style of sleeve had a series of layered ruffles that went down the length of the arm, past the wrist.

“Hmm…” Mizuki held the paper in front of her, slightly rotating it, as if a different angle could change the offenses of the drawing. “It looks very loud.”

“Impractical for casual use, too.” Ena leaned forward, to pull out the next sketch. “How about this?”

The sleeves this time were much less extravagant, with the slightest ruffles at the ends of them.

“It feels too simple…” Mizuki’s chin rested between her thumb and pointer. “I don’t want it to feel like something anyone can make.”

Ena only watched, as Mizuki sorted their collection of drawings. One side was for rejected ideas, while another housed designs that were workable in their eyes.

“I never thought you’d be this organized… Already planning your shop’s next releases?” The words felt strange on her tongue, yet Ena couldn’t stop them. “This could be nice for an original collection.”

Rosy pink eyes studied her own for a moment.

“That’s the goal!” Maybe Ena was deluding herself, by thinking that the usual energy Mizuki’s voice had seemed to die off into a simmer. “If my sister’s going to be in the big city for a while, I need to have fresh ideas when I get back… I haven’t released anything since she left.”

Ena quietly smoothed out the paper of another sketch. Then, her hand rested on Mizuki’s shoulder. A light touch, her hesitation clear with the barest pressure in her fingertips.

“Mizuki, I’m here to help, aren’t I? You’re not doing this alone.”

Mizuki’s smile grew, though Ena wished she could reach out a hand and smooth the slight crease in her brow that remained. It held the slightest hint that Mizuki was putting on a brave face. 

Ena wasn’t oblivious enough to miss it, not when Mizuki was quickly becoming more familiar to her each day.

“Mhm. I’m not, since I’ve got you, Enanan!”

But for how long?

Ena knew that the time would come eventually, when Mizuki recovered enough to return home. Far from the woods, and back to her hometown.

Hell, she might already be at that point. But Ena dreaded it, the thought of being alone again. No matter how they stayed in each other’s company, wouldn’t she pale in comparison to Mizuki’s family?

So she ignored it, pretending the inevitable wouldn’t come. And the rush of her heart in her chest went ignored, as well.

Was it wishful thinking to hope Mizuki felt the same way?

Chapter Text

Mizuki was feeling much better.

Enough that she could leave the mansion, and not worry about a sudden bout of weakness, or tremors from frostbite.

Yet, she skirted around the matter of it, with a dedication and energy unfamiliar to her. 

She kept inventing small reasons to stay, as silly as it seemed. Whether it was a bit of weakness in her legs, still feeling the slightest exhaustion, she’d weave small excuses for why she couldn’t return home… And Ena obliged those feelings with a nod and a smile.

It made her heart flutter in her chest, to know that despite recognizing her lies for what they were, Ena indulged in them with her. 

She knew the artist was the observative type. Mizuki’s kindness in turn, was ignoring how Ena stared at her when she thought the seamstress wasn’t looking. Neither of them wanted to break this routine, this series of mannerisms and happenings that made up their new ‘normal’.

A part of Mizuki wondered if, once she left, the mansion would dissipate into thin air and it’d all be the remnants of a wonderful dream. 

One more day.

Then another.

And another.

How long would it take to create a habit?

It took a manner of practice to familiarize her fingers with the length of a sewing needle and the movements needed to make a skirt. But the familiarity of another person… That was unknown to her.

She wondered what Rui or her sister would say.

Both supported her, always welcoming her feelings with a smile. Now that they were gone, each of her steps felt monumentally more difficult to take.

She hadn’t seen Ena’s artistic process before. 

When she was bedridden, Ena kept her company, but never with a sketchbook or canvas… She only stayed near, doing menial tasks around the manor.

Now she had a front row seat to an Ena who was completely focused. It took a bit of pestering on Mizuki’s end, but her friend finally settled into a chair as she worked.

Her body hunched over the loose leaf paper as she scribbled. Mizuki watched how she erased any stray marks carefully, her tongue peeking out from between her fangs.

She was the type to mutter to herself while she worked, too.

“Now that the dress is figured out, I was thinking of how we could add more flair to this shirt….”

Mizuki enjoyed it, the scrunch of Ena’s nose when she was stumped. The surprisingly delicate way she held her pencil, or how she took note of Mizuki’s tastes and tried to integrate them into her new designs. 

She couldn’t help but wonder how she dressed before she was cursed. If Ena loved skirts and dresses too… But felt limited because of her current form.

A deep ache lingered in her chest at the thought of it. All she had seen the artist wear until now was oversized, practical fabric. A dress would look lovely on her; she was certain about it!

“Mizuki?” 

Ena slowly waved a hand by Mizuki’s face. She must have been thinking for much longer than she thought.

“Huh… Oh! Sorry about that.” She focused back on the drawing Ena had been working on; a shirt with an embroidered collar and ruffled sleeves. “Enanan, you didn’t tell me you had such an eye for fashion!”

Her friend rubbed at her muzzle with a hand.

“Of course I do! I used to study the latest trends, or take note of what the people in the city liked to wear…”

Her nose scrunched at the base of her muzzle, between her eyes.

Cute.

“I shouldn’t be surprised, honestly.” Mizuki’s eyes glanced at the woefully empty paintings on the walls. In truth, they weren’t empty and had wonderful scenery painted on them. But Ena’s companions were nowhere to be seen. “You dressed Kanade and Mafuyu in such cute clothes!”

“I only gave them clothes I had before I moved here…” Ena scratched at her horn. “I’m glad they look alright, since I had to go off of my memories alone.”

“Have you ever thought of making them more outfits?”

Ena hummed to herself, as she shaded in the ruffles on the shirt.

“Not really… I never felt confident about it.”

Mizuki reached out then, to rest her hand on Ena’s furred arm. 

“You know, we can change that, Enanan! Not only are you a better artist than before… More importantly, you have me!”

Ena glanced at the paper for a moment, Mizuki’s hand resting on her wrist, then her eyes, twinkling with anticipation.

“Hah?”

Mizuki grabbed at a sheaf of papers, eyes scanning through various sketches until they landed on a specific shirt.

“Look! Wouldn’t this suit Mafuyu..?”

Ena chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment, before letting out a tiny exhale.

“Oh, maybe you’re right…” 

The sun began to set by the time they were finished. 

Mizuki felt the way her smile stretched across her face, enough to make her face hurt; the two of them made a great team, to her surprise. Between Mizuki’s designs and Ena painting them onto the canvas… It wasn’t long until their piece was complete.

“We did it, Enanan!” 

“We really did…” The artist chuckled under her breath, admiring the canvas with a small smile. “I hope the two of them like it…”

“You said they like exploring the other paintings you made. This won’t be any different!” She paused, studying Ena’s face for a moment. “Oh, you have a little something…”

Mizuki pointed at her nose.

Ena mirrored her, wiping at her nose with her fingers. 

“Here?”

“No,” Mizuki pointed at her nose again. “Right here.”

When Ena once again missed the spot, Mizuki reached for a stray rag, finally wiping at the top of Ena’s muzzle to clean the splatter of paint.

“I… Could’ve reached that.”

Ena shrunk into herself, her fingers ghosting along her nose. Mizuki felt a rush, a thrill about it.

“Sure you could~”

“Mizuki!” 

“Sorry, sorry!” She changed the subject, instead. “Should we invite them now?”

“Wait, before that…” Ena’s cut in gently, her arms crossed. “We can’t call this a finished work without signing it.”

“You were the one who painted it, though!”

Ena shook her head.

“That’s nonsense, we made it together.”

She looked away for a moment, searching along her supplies for something. Mizuki couldn’t see what she looked for, until she turned back around… To press a small paintbrush into Mizuki’s hand. 

“You’re the one who came up with this idea, and helped me see it through, so it’s only right that you get acknowledged for it.” 

Ena held the canvas steady, as Mizuki signed her initials in the corner. Then she signed their own.

Standing beside the artist, Mizuki felt a sense of calm she hadn’t felt in a while. Accomplishment, as well as joy. How long had it been since she made something with someone else?

And judging by the content look on Ena’s face, and the way her eyes constantly traced the brushstrokes and colors on the painting… 

She felt the same way.

Mizuki and Ena waited until the canvas was dry, to cover it with a cloth.

A “grand reveal” was what she called it. And even if Ena looked incredulous, she still searched the room until she found a spare curtain they could use. 

…

“Welcome, everyone!” 

While Kanade looked at the easel with curiosity, Mafuyu glanced at her sides, before letting out a tired breath.

“It’s just us two.”

Mizuki laughed.

“Mafuyu, you need to get excited! After all, we’ve both been hard at work all day!

Mafuyu glanced between the two of them, her eyebrows raised.

“Is this why Ena glared at me when I tried to come in earlier?”

Ena stiffened beside her, a hand rubbing along her jaw.

“Hey— Was I really glaring?”

“Yes.”

“M-Mafuyu!” Kanade held onto the violet-haired girl’s arm. “Let’s see what the two of them made, okay?”

Mafuyu looked the tiniest bit confused.

“I was curious about it. It’s why I asked about the glaring—”

Mizuki clapped her hands. It was a little funny, seeing how Ena and the painted girls stood to attention from the sound. 

“Alright, stop! Let’s get this show on the road. Ena, could you do the honors?”

“Right, right…” 

She pinched at the corners of the cloth, whisking it away with a smooth motion.

“Ta-da!” Mizuki presented the new canvas, filled to the brim with dresses and hats, as many as Ena and Mizuki could come up with. “A selection of clothes, designed by yours truly!”

Ena muttered from behind the canvas, clawed fingers gingerly holding onto the edges of the painting.

“I helped out, too.”

“Ena helped out, too! More than helped out, rather… Our talented artist painted all of these!”

Ena shrinked behind the painting even more, drawing a laugh out of Mizuki, who patted her arm.

“It looks amazing… Thank you…”

Kanade looked at Mafuyu with expectant eyes, to which the other girl silently took hold of her hand and led her into the new frame. They stepped into a room, complete with various outfits and a dressing curtain to change behind. 

It didn’t take long for the two to get lost in their own exploration.

“Kanade, this would suit you… I think.” Mafuyu lifted up a dress with a long black skirt, and a white collar. “You always wear white…”

“Ah, so it’d be something different?” Kanade took the dress from her, the brushstrokes and soft splatters of paint glinting off of the fabric. “I could give it a try. As for you, I think this would look nice.”

Kanade offered her a white dress, with bows on the shoulders. Simple, but a far cry from the detailed and elegant outfit Mafuyu usually wore.

“Your usual dress is black, so it’d be nice for you to try another color, too.”

Mizuki watched the two with Ena, who glanced at the canvas while pretending to clean up the various paints and brushes on the table. She knew the artist was pretending… Because the room was in a similar state when Ena showed it to her.

Was she embarrassed?

She stood up, making her way to the artist’s side with slow, deliberate steps.

“It looks like they’re enjoying themselves!”

“Oh!” Ena was knocked from her stupor, awkward and small despite her frame. “Are they? I’m glad…” 

“They are, miss artist! So put those brushes down, so you can join us.”

Ena glanced at the mess on the table, and the scattered papers.

“I still have to clean…”

“Enanan, little brother already told me how much you don’t clean~”

Her companion snarled.

“Fine! Okay…” Ena returned to her side, pulling up a wooden chair to sit in, and letting out a frustrated huff. “Goodness, that Akito…”

Mizuki sat next to her, smug in the satisfaction of convincing the stubborn girl. Meanwhile, Mafuyu and Kanade walked to different parts of the painting to change.

With the two gone, silence washed over the artist and the seamstress.

“I never asked because I…” Mizuki picked at the ribbon in her sleeve. “I didn’t know how comfortable you’d be to say, but… Do you remember the day you painted them?”

“I do.” 

Ena rested her cheek in her palm, watching the way Kanade emerged, twirling in her hat with a shy smile. Mafuyu encouraged her with a clap of her hands, as she stood in her own white dress. “Kanade was the first painting I made here.”

She hummed softly to herself, her ears twitching as she thought about it, a distant time Mizuki couldn’t even fathom.

“I really forgot about myself, back then. I didn’t even want to eat dinner, until I had something on the canvas.” Ena turned to Mizuki with a grin. “Imagine how shocked I was, when my painting told me it wasn’t good to go hungry… And that I should eat before I continue.”

“That sounds like Kanade… She fretted about me so much when I first got here!”

“She’s always been like that.” Ena let out a hum, her smile growing when Mafuyu seemed the littlest bit flustered by Kanade’s praise. “But I wish I could say I drew Mafuyu under better circumstances.”

“What do you mean?”

Ena’s fingers toyed with the tips of her hair, skirting along her braid.

“I painted her after one of my dad’s visits. I don’t even remember what he said to me, I just… Couldn’t stop seeing purple.” 

Mizuki’s eyes trailed to the dark, violet curls of Mafuyu’s hair. The stoic girl was trying to braid Kanade’s hair once more.

“It’s funny isn’t it? You’d think I’d draw in red, but I felt so empty.” Ena’s hands rested in her lap then, tightly closed into fists. “I didn’t realize what happened until she first spoke to me. She asked what she was doing here… And looked so lost.”

“Ena…”

“That’s why I felt sorry, up until now. It was as if all of my own bitterness and anger, all those ugly feelings, went onto my canvas to make her.”

She looked at Mizuki then, soft brown eyes shining with… Mizuki didn’t know. There was a depth of emotions that she couldn’t even fathom, swirling within her gaze.

“But Kanade, she was so happy. To not be alone, to have a friend. And sometimes I think I can see Mafuyu enjoying herself, too. They’ve both changed after they met each other.”

Small but there, Ena’s lips curled into a small smile.

“I didn’t get it at the time, but now… I understand why Kanade was so thrilled.”

“And why was that?”

Ena laughed, a light and airy sound that seemed to dance around Mizuki’s senses. 

“It’s nothing.”

The artist was saying that to her more often. And here Mizuki thought she was unraveling the mysteries around her!  

“You can’t keep getting away with that, you know.”

Mizuki’s puffed cheeks only seemed to fill Ena with more glee.

“Hehe… Are you pouting? Don’t be mad, look!” She gestured at the canvas on the easel, where Kanade and Mafuyu were trying on a different set of outfits. “Don’t they look cute in those dresses?”

“They do…” Mizuki sighed dramatically. “You win for now, Enanan the mysterious!”

The other girl cracked a smile, a slight tilt of the lips that left a faint warmth in Mizuki's chest.

“What’s with the title…”

They had dinner together, afterwards. 

Content and happy with their new wardrobes, Kanade and Mafuyu spoke to each other in hushed tones while the fabric of their newly-painted dresses flowed with their every movement.

Mizuki couldn’t help but watch them walk through each painting, while absentmindedly chewing on buttered bread. 

The two seemed more comfortable, free.

If she could, she’d love to add more to their world, with Ena.

But thinking about the future like that…

“...and I’d ask if you heard anything I said just now, but I’ll assume it’s a ‘no’.”

Mizuki swallowed her food with a light cough.

“Hm? Huh?”

Her eyes met with Ena, who couldn’t even hold in her own giggle. 

“Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll repeat it for you.” Ena nervously played with the edges of the tablecloth. “I was wondering if Mr. Yukihira had any fabric, or a sewing machine around… And if you’d like to walk around the manor and search with me.”

“Really?” 

“Really,” Ena repeated with a bashful smile, her ears fluttering the slightest bit as she spoke. “We can start after you’re finished with dinner, if you’re not too tired.”

Looking through the other rooms was mostly uneventful, with drawers filled with worn-out paint brushes and boxes packed with old trinkets.

Mizuki enjoyed the sight of a grumbling Ena, who let out a huff as she packed everything back into place. They ventured through various rooms, quickly exhausting the possible places for sewing supplies to be.

“All that’s left is the basement now.” The artist shuddered. “I was hoping that wouldn’t be our last option.”

“Well, since we’ve got this far… It’d be a waste to stop now, right?”

Ena scratched at her neck. 

“Yeah…”

Of course, they made the proper preparations to go inside: lanterns, a heavy box to prop open the hatch as they stepped in, and a broom.

Each stair leading downwards groaned with a creak. Mizuki took each step one at a time, while Ena’s hooves clacked with bigger strides.

“I really hope they’re here. And if they’re here, I’d like to find them immediately.” Ena muttered to herself. “This place is giving me chills.” 

The basement of the mansion was filled to the brim with boxes, crates, and all manner of storage.  It was to be expected.

But Ena seemed surprised by how dusty it all was, long abandoned by the manor’s owner.

“Ack—”

Mizuki stifled a laugh at how Ena wobbled, visibly trying to hold back a sneeze. Her hand swatted at cobwebs that got stuck in her horns.

“Enanan, you know we don’t need to be down here if it’s giving you the sniffles~”

“Shut up,” she bit back with another sniff. “I’m not leaving, not until I figure out what’s in these boxes.”

Her clawed hands pulled the nearest box out of a stack, setting it down. She coughed into her elbow for a moment, before carefully prying it open with a grunt.

Then, she went still. Mizuki looked over from Ena’s side, curious. Ena lifted up a painting from the box, with careful hands.

“It’s his paintings…” Ena dusted off the stretched canvas, to reveal a small illustration of a snowy forest. “Mr. Yukihira made these.” 

Mizuki stared at the initials scribbled on the corner of the painting: S.Y. 

“So this… Mr. Yukihira, he’s an artist too?”

“Yes, and a friend of my father.” Ena held the canvas with her fingertips, careful to not let her claws even brush against the artwork. “He was my mentor for a short while. A bit stern and critical at times, but you can tell he loves art… Just as much as my dad.”

The two of them silently went through more of her mentor’s artworks, Ena quietly mumbling about the way he colored in the bark of a tree, or how he used certain brushstrokes to convey dappled sunlight.

Each portrait and illustration was just as polished and stunning as the rest. Mizuki listened to each of Ena’s compliments, and lingered on each detail Ena pointed out, from underneath the shared lantern lights.

A few more paintings. Plants, buildings, and occasionally people. What made Ena quiet was a specific portrait, hidden in the back of the crate.

It depicted an older couple, a man with dark brown hair, and a woman whose hair was a fiery red. In their arms was a baby, and a toddler.

“Oh.”

She could hear it, the slightest wobble in Ena’s voice. If she cradled the other illustrations like precious treasures… This one was held close as if it were made of glass.

Once again, the truth of the matter struck her; Ena was lonely in this manor. 

“He drew them…” She pulled a lantern closer, to check the date of its creation. “Hah… I wonder when dad had the time to stay still for a portrait. Mr. Yukihira made this not too long after Akito was born.”

Her ears sagged, as she took a deep breath. A low cough followed, thanks to the dust and mildew of the basement. 

She packed the other paintings, but the painting of her family rested beside a box. 

“Judging by the dates on these, they’re older works… From decades ago, and yet they’re so beautiful.”

A diversion. Mizuki saw the strong set of her jaw, an unwillingness to crumble. Not now, when a wound was opened anew.

Like Ena had taken her inside and provided her frostbitten body with warmth, Mizuki wanted nothing more than to smooth a salve over what hurt her.

Her voice came out with a strange softness. 

“What you create is wonderful too, Ena.”

When she met Mizuki’s eyes, she let out a soft laugh.

“Thank you, but…” She held a different painting then, one of a sprawling city with high castle walls. The capital, Mizuki presumed. “I still have a ways to go.”

Mizuki hummed, sifting through all manner of old books and parchment. She gingerly wiped her dust-covered fingertips on her skirt.

“That’s not a bad thing, you know.”

“I know it isn’t… But sometimes I want to hurry and get better quickly… So I can fix this curse. So I can be the type of artist who’ll help Mafuyu and Kanade’s world grow.” She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Sorry, I know we came here to look for supplies, and yet I’ve gotten so…”

Mizuki waved her hand.

“No, no… It’s alright.” She moved a globe aside, placing it on the ground. “I know you care a lot about them, Kanade and Mafuyu.”

“That’s because they’re not just paintings to me, but also dear friends…” Ena searched through a cabinet, lifting containers and jars out of the way, and setting them onto the floor beside the globe. “They both carry a part of me with them.”

That strange feeling ebbed in Mizuki’s chest once more, like vines that crawled up and constricted her throat. 

Her eyes flitted to the painting of Ena’s parents, holding their children in their arms. It was apparent how many people Ena’s touched, giving pieces of herself to them.

Family, friends… 

What was Ena to her?

What if, selfishly, Mizuki wanted to have a piece of the artist for herself?

“Hey, Ena…” Her mouth went dry, and she couldn’t figure out if it was the stale air of the basement, or her nerves. “Am I a dear friend, too?”

Ena went still for a moment, silent, with her brows creased. She turned to Mizuki, her face unreadable in the moonlight shining through the window. Ena’s parents and brother continued to drill holes into Mizuki with their still stares.

Where could she stay, in Ena’s heart? 

Was there even a space for someone like her?

“Mizuki..?”

Chapter Text

Between traveling with his troupe, directing their plays, along with some tinkering he did in his free time… Rui didn’t have the time to visit his hometown. 

Would it be strange to miss a place where he never truly felt like he was home?

Except…

Perhaps it was a feeling of nostalgia, or an urge to reminisce, but more often, he’d find himself telling his troupe-mates about Mizuki. Whether it was the tailor shop that she ran in her sister’s stead, the gifts they made each other, or the markets they’d enjoy in his free time… Recalling and recounting those moments felt like a weak balm against the forces of homesickness.

A long time ago, yet still so dear to him.

Emu was quick to come up with an idea, once he finished talking. Her hand gave his a reassuring squeeze.

“We should stop by to visit her! And she’ll go ‘huaaaah’ and ‘wonderhoy’!”

Nene looked puzzled, and Tsukasa dumbfounded… But the troupe’s leader was quick to recover, clapping his palm on Rui’s shoulder.

“It’s as she said!” Tsukasa flashed him a dazzling smile. “Rui, you’ve worked hard for these last few months. To refresh your mind and heart, let’s visit your friend.”

He was ready to argue otherwise… Then he remembered Mizuki’s bittersweet smile as she waved goodbye. Rui truly did worry for her, despite her assurance that she’d be alright. 

After all, Mizuki wasn’t as subtle as she tried to be. 

“You’re truly kind, Tsukasa. If our twinkling star thinks so, I’ll have to take him up on that offer~”

His friend let out a boisterous laugh, his arm sweeping up into the air in a grand arc. 

“It’s only natural, Rui! After all, a star can’t shine without the smile of his companions beside him!”

Smiling at his words was no difficult feat… Especially since Tsukasa was right. One of the reasons Rui could proudly walk by his troupe’s side was because Mizuki was there for him, all those years ago. 

Recalling the smiles of those his stories brought joy to, thanks to her helping hand, was what drove him to improve his craft each day. 

“With your blessing, then… Shall we go?”

His troupe had no hesitation.

“Of course. Let’s wonderhoy!”

Sheepish, gleeful, confident. Such different emotions, yet their hearts were united.

Fresh snow crunched under their horse’s hooves, as it pulled their wagon along. 

Rui’s mind wandered… Wondering if Mizuki still wore her hair the same way, or if her sister’s tailor shop still had the same wooden sign and pink curtains. 

With Emu asleep, and Tsukasa at the horse’s reins, Nene was the only one awake to keep him company.

“I remember when we first traveled here.” The girl glanced out the window, watching the scenery pass. “I think it was after you and Tsukasa first met. He searched high and low for you, you know.” 

“How could I forget? He wouldn’t leave the town square until I showed my face.” 

“It was so embarrassing…” Nene let out a quiet giggle. “But I’m glad it all worked out.” 

“I feel the same,” Rui’s lips curved into a smile. “Ah… And I know for certain this group wouldn’t be the same without our skilled songstress, too.”

Nene averted her eyes. 

“I still can’t believe we’re using that person’s titles.”

“I think they’re wonderful~ And you did a stunning job with your solo, in our last show… So he’s named you aptly.” 

“Of course you think so, director,” Nene’s lips formed a wry smile. “How are you feeling about going home?”

“A little nostalgic.” He hummed a quiet tune, watching the trees as they passed. “Quite happy, as well. In our hurry to leave, I never got to introduce you all to Mizuki.”

“Was she a victim to your inventions like Tsukasa?”

Rui’s smile grew.

“Rather than a victim, she was my first audience member. She used to help me dress up my puppets and dolls, after I made them.”

After being taken aback by her claim that his puppets looked “unnerving”... The last thing he expected was for her to show up at his house the next day, with a dress for his puppet that was a size too large. He could remember how she struggled to hold it up, not without dragging its frilly skirt through the mud.

It was after that incident that they began to spend more time together, often sitting in silence as Rui worked on designs for his next story.

Lonely together, he felt less stranded in his sea of bright colors and whimsical ideas. It was Mizuki, who gave him the means to make his daydreams into reality. His companion, his collaborator.

“Oh, so…” Nene’s hands dug into her bag, until she retrieved her puppet, a mermaid with glittering green scales, and gold-trimmed fabric on her ivory dress. “She created this?”

“Aha, how nostalgic! Yes, she did.” Rui's gaze was wistful, tracing along Mizuki’s delicate stitching, and the carefully made seams of the sleeves. “She often worried whenever I requested another piece from her, but I knew she wouldn’t disappoint. For our newer productions, I’ve relied on local tailors in the area… But her sense for my creative vision remains unmatched.”

He reached out a hand, to touch along the soft fabric of the mermaid’s skirt. 

“This is one of many outfits I have on hand, created by her. Perhaps after you’re all properly introduced, we can commission her for our next story.” 

His eyes drifted to the surface of a frozen lake. Mizuki and him used to sit along its edge, talking endlessly about characters and stories.

Seeing such a thing meant they’d reach the town soon. His heart felt restless at the thought of seeing her again.

The wheels of their wagon halted to a stop, the carriage rocking slightly thanks to the uneven stone path.

It was as if nothing changed at all.

Townspeople strolled around as they talked, and the stones paving the way were still delightfully cracked and weathered. He even smelled the freshly baked loaves of bread he enjoyed as a child, the warm scent wafting through the cold winter’s air.

He and his troupe took it in, with Emu and Tsukasa leading the fray, while he and Nene walked behind. Emu’s eyes sparkled at the sight of each shop, each house, each farm animal that she passed.

“Those candies you always carry around, did you get them from that shop over there?”

“Mhm… We can stop by later.” Rui let out a quiet hum, happy that the confectionery shop was still open for business. He’d certainly get the fizzy candies he enjoyed later. “A little more, and we’ll be at my friend’s store.”

Tsukasa and Emu let out a cheer. Nene joined in, albeit quieter than the rest, conscious of the stares of the townspeople.

Rui was excited, of course. How would she react to these friends of his? He knew that they could welcome Mizuki, same as they did for him, with open arms. If she received them well, maybe she could join them on their next journey...

The three began to follow him, falling in step behind Rui as he turned the corner into another street. A familiar neighborhood, houses interspersed with small businesses and shops.

To Rui’s surprise, all that was different about Mizuki’s shop was the ‘closed’ sign hung over the door.

“Huh?” Emu looked puzzled, staring at the darkened windows of the tailor’s store. “Maybe she’s not home?”

“I wonder…” He cracked open the door of it, with the help of the spare key Mizuki left him. “She always kept to a routine; around this time, she should be home.”

Holding it open, he stared into the empty shop. Untouched shelves, bare sewing mannequins and fabrics messily splayed across her worktable. It wasn’t in his friend’s nature to leave a mess, let alone close up shop early.

His head tilted, as he picked up the sound of footsteps from above; the upper floors where Mizuki and her parents resided.

“O-Oh, Rui… It’s you!” With her apron tied around her waist, Mizuki’s mother made her way down the stairs to greet him. “I’m sorry, I… I thought you were Mizuki.”

He let out a soft breath, his lips refusing to betray utter worry. First, he’d need more details.

“No need to worry, Mrs. Akiyama.” He gently bowed to her in greeting. “My companions and I were visiting town. Could we come in?”

He made his way further inside, lips briefly pulling into a frown when his fingertips brushed against a smattering of scribbled sketches and crossed-out designs. It was nothing like the polished work he was used to, numerous pages of designs she enthusiastically drew.

“I believe there is much we need to catch up on.”

She led him, Tsukasa, Emu, and Nene upstairs… Fixing them a hot cup of tea and offering them biscuits to snack on as they spoke.

“Mizuki… You haven’t seen her in a week?”

“No, and the most we heard was that she wandered into the forest.” His best friend’s mother pinched her eyes shut, her hands clasped where they rested, on the dining table. “We begged the guards to look for her, but the snow was dense from the storm and… The rumors seemed to frighten them.”

“Rumors?”

“Of a monster, who resides deep in the woods. If we knew of it, we wouldn’t have let her go—!” 

He steadied his breath, trying to will his nerves away. 

“It is not your fault, ma’am.” Tsukasa shook his head. “Rather than seeking blame, we should put all our efforts into bringing your daughter home!”

Mizuki was fairly nimble, a lot more athletic than someone like him… Who enjoyed staying indoors to tinker all day. But much could happen in a short span of time; if something were to happen, could she escape a beast?

“Mrs. Akiyama… I will do my best to find her, I promise you.” Rui took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “My troupe has travelling plans, and they will leave ahead of time. I’ll stay back, and begin my search.”

“Nononono, Rui!” Emu put her hand over his. “We won’t be leaving this town, until we know she’s safe!” 

“She’s right.” 

Rui turned his head, confused, his gaze meeting Nene’s shyer one. 

“I want to thank her… Even though we’ve never met, she’s made many of our costumes and outfits.” 

“Yes, don’t count us out yet, Rui!” Tsukasa let out a bellowing laugh, and the director couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Mrs. Akiyama’s bewildered face. “We are your allies! Let us find Mizuki together.”

“I was mistaken,” Rui laughed softly, under his breath. “It seems that they’re willing to join me, after all.” 

Mizuki’s mother wiped at the corner of her eye.

“Goodness… Thank you, everyone. Please stay safe, and bring her home.”

What could a troupe of performers do to prepare for an expedition into a mysterious forest?

With Mizuki’s shop abandoned, her mother provided them with coats and hats, all designs crafted by his friend.

“She’d feel awful if you were to get sick for her sake,” she mumbled softly, as she wrapped a scarf around Rui’s neck. 

Emu happily hopped up and down, opening and closing her mittened hands as she whirled around.

“Nene, look!”

The group’s songstress giggled, adjusting her new knitted hat atop her head.

“It suits you, Emu.” 

“How about this?” Tsukasa spun in his coat with a flourish, his hand outstretched. “This color, these sleeves, this outfit was fated for me!”

Nene’s lips pulled into a frown, disgusted.

“Gross.”

“Huuuuh?!”

They all laughed, but kept steady in their preparation. 

Emu left the shop to gather intel about the beast in the woods, while Tsukasa packed their wagon with food and supplies from local stores. Nene, in the meantime, helped Rui test out his gadgets, repurposed for their search.

“We have our telescope, a map, and compass… But in the event we separate, I’ve thought of using fireworks to notify each other of our whereabouts!”

Rui lit the underside of one of the explosives to demonstrate, and it launched itself upwards, before exploding in dazzling flecks of yellow. 

“What do you think?” 

Nene stared at the residual glimmer of embers as they faded in the sky.

“You do know we’ll be in a forest, right?”

They left in a matter of days, after saying their thanks and farewells to Mizuki’s mother. The troupe’s search began where the trees started… Thick and tall trunks doing wonders to obscure the path ahead, along with the dense snow. 

Rui idly wondered if there even was a path to seek out… Any intel they collected didn’t provide more information than what could be explored a few acres out. The townspeople often gathered firewood and logs from the forest, but did not dare to venture any deeper.

“So Rui, where shall we begin?”

Tsukasa stood at the ready, a shovel held over his shoulder. Nene took the reins of the horse, Emu sat behind her at the saddle with her spyglass.

“This forest has always been dense, hard to navigate. Mizuki and I were often warned against playing too close to it, as children.”

He met their eyes, one by one.

“So do not separate from each other. We’ll begin searching for shelter as soon as the sun begins to set.”

His friends gave him a salute.

“Aye, aye!” 

Rui’s palm ran along the mane of Pegasus, their horse.

“Let’s begin by going north.”

A manner of hours passed, with the group singing songs while they traversed the woods. Rui did his best to keep note of their location with a piece of parchment, but there were so few landmarks to rely on… Other than a river, and a few fallen, bent trees.

An endless sea of white, brown, and gray. 

Rui was grateful that there were no snowstorms, but merely the frosty air and occasional smattering of snow.

It wouldn’t be too long until they’d need to seek out shelter… A place they could lay out blankets and start a fire. Somewhere where their horse could safely rest for the night.

The horse and wagon remained near a creek, a rare source of fresh water. Tsukasa and Nene kept Pegasus company, while Emu and Rui began to gather firewood. 

He couldn’t hold back his smile, as she skipped in front of him… 

That was, until he saw a scrap of fabric sticking out from under the snow, by the roots of a tree.

“Emu, wait.”

A particular shade.

“Hmmm?”

He knelt and brushed at the snow, cold and crisp under his fingers… Until he could grasp at the fabric and lift it up.

Having a closer look confirmed his fears.

It was familiar to him. A deep red ribbon, with white embroidery stitched by an unsteady hand.

The gift he made for Mizuki, long ago.

Chapter Text

In the time that Ena had gotten to know Mizuki, she saw someone energetic, and endlessly talkative. Curious, warm, bright. The Mizuki in front of her seemed to curl into herself. 

Wrong, completely different than the girl Ena knew.

“Sorry, I… I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“No, you do.” Ena stepped closer to her, with only the warm glow of a lantern and moonlight to show her where the other girl went. “Mizuki, talk to me…”

Her smile was weak, tentative, unused to joking the way Mizuki did with her. How awkward she must have looked, with her lips curled around fangs.

“I can’t be the only one baring my heart all the time… I worry about you, too.”

“Heh, well… I’ve been worrying about a lot of things.” An unfamiliar nervousness took over Mizuki’s expression. Despite her smile, Ena felt apprehension come off of her in waves. “First, it was about where I was… What had happened to me.”

Ena didn’t reply; she only got closer. Hooves clacked against the wood of the floor until she stood in front of her.

“Then it was who ‘Ena’ was. And if I scared her.”

A soft laugh.

“You…” Ena awkwardly rubbed at her horn. “You did, at first. It’s different now, isn’t it?”

Mizuki refused to meet her eyes.

“Now I can’t stop thinking about where we’ll go from here… Worrying about what the future holds.”

“Mizuki…”

“Ena, I know I can’t stay here forever. Not when my family doesn’t know where I am! I’ll have to leave eventually…” 

The artist thought of the warm embrace of her mother’s arm around her shoulder in the family photo, drawn by Mr. Yukihira. 

Of course Mizuki would miss her own family. A space Ena couldn’t fill as much as she tried.

As much as she wanted to…?

“Ah, right…” Ena’s claw dragged down her horn, her eyes averted. “While you’ve been here with me, you’d miss them, no doubt—”

Her friend vigorously shook her head.

“No, don’t misunderstand!” Ena stopped avoiding Mizuki’s gaze then, only to be stunned at the resolve that shone in them, even in the basement’s darkness. “Ena, I want to stay here! With you, and Kanade, Mafuyu…”

She grabbed at Ena’s hands then, holding the soft pads of the artist’s palms in her own. Such a gentle touch was unfamiliar to Ena, who grew used to rough edges and sharpness. Pointed teeth, and rugged horns. 

Ena’s lips parted, confused.

“You… You know I won’t be going anywhere… I can’t go anywhere.” 

“It’s not about that, I… I want to be honest with you. I don’t know how long it’ll take until I can come back. That kind of wait… Would you even wait that long?” 

It wasn’t as if Ena could visit her in town. If Mizuki were to leave, she couldn’t follow… To keep her company, or to visit the shop she heard so much about, in wonderful and vivid detail.

With the dense snow around the forest, or the distance from the town, a multitude of things could stall Mizuki. It could be a week, or months. The tempestuous winters, and the lack of landmarks to the manor made it harder to traverse.

(It was why her family asked Mr. Yukihira if she could use his manor, an artist’s retreat. So she’d have true isolation without any risk of being found by the townspeople, or her father’s colleagues. How that sentiment seemed to bite at her now…)

The newfound loneliness would hurt, but compared to the pain in her friend’s eyes… Letting Mizuki go was an easy choice.

“We’re friends, Mizuki… Of course I will. I’ll wait forever, if I have to.”

…

Friends.

As happy as that word made her to say, why didn’t it feel like enough? Airi was a friend of hers. Kanade and Mafuyu are friends, as well.

To her, Mizuki was…

“Ena that’s too long…” 

The pink-haired girl grasped at her hands, the tiniest bit tighter. 

“You’re not going to wait forever, because I’ll be back, as fast as I can be. I want to come back. I’m having so much fun with you!” She rubbed a thumb idly along Ena’s hand, barely suppressing a laugh as the artist’s hands finally wrapped around her own, large and furred. “Don’t you know you’re stuck with me now, Miss Shinonome?”

It didn’t sound that bad of a future to her. Being stuck, that was.

“Really? Last names?” Ena raised a brow, but didn’t move a muscle. Mizuki was free to squeeze along her palm, and play with the pads of her fingers as she liked. “At least grace me with your own, if you’re going to do that.”

She watched Mizuki stare at her, dumbfounded, before her lips curled up, catlike in its coyness.

“Akiyama.” She gently tugged one of Ena’s hands up, to press a kiss to her furred knuckles. “My name’s Mizuki Akiyama.”

“What—”

“And that tickled.”

Mizuki grinned. 

Hot, blazing heat crawled up Ena’s neck, no thanks to the ghost of a kiss on her hand. Her first instinct was to find the gesture embarrassing, corny in its execution.

“Didn’t like it?”

Her second thought was…

“I…” Ena hunched her shoulders, embarrassed and unsure in spades. “Stop staring at me like that!”

…she liked it, and desperately wanted another.

“Like what?”

“Like that…” She gestured vaguely in Mizuki’s direction. 

She only received the batting of eyelashes in response. 

“So distracted~ Is my beauty captivating you?”

“What? You’re saying that as if you don’t know you’re… Nevermind.”

As if you don’t know you’re pretty.

Mizuki leaned closer with a smile.

“Was Enanan going to give me a compliment? I accept those with open arms, you know~” 

Ena shrunk into herself. She felt her restlessness in droves, from the tips of her ears, to the shake of her fingertips.

Mizuki still hadn’t let go. Even with the way Ena splayed out her fingers, grimacing all the while.

“Quit it!”

“Mmm… Nope! I’ll never quit. I’m having too much fun to~”

Was she in love with her?

Suddenly, it was as if she bit into a cake with hints of eggshell. As if she smeared the paint on her canvas by accident, because her palm rested on it as she drew.

A realization, or the beginning of one.

Maybe it was Ena who wanted Mizuki, more than words could describe… Who was captivated by her, beyond measure.

Time passed in a blur. 

A blink, and suddenly they were heading back up the steps. Mizuki, with a few sheafs of unused parchment, and Ena with Yukihira’s painting of her family.

With the rest of the manor’s storage sifted through, they couldn’t find any sewing machines or fabrics. So they returned to the lounge.

A strange heaviness settled in Ena’s chest as she drifted down the hallway, like a puppet on string. The painting was settled onto a nearby table; she’d retrieve it later and properly hang it in her room.

It wasn’t until she sat on the couch, that she found the words to speak.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t find anything you could use.” She rested her clawed hands in her lap. “I could ask Akito to bring a spinning wheel, or…”

Mizuki settled beside her, with a quiet laugh. 

“What, no! It’s okay… It’ll just be something I have to bring when I come back.” Mizuki grinned. “I’ll have a cart with all of my tools, and I’ll make a dress… Just for you!”

Ena awkwardly tugged at the fabric of her pants.

“I don’t know if a dress could work for me… Maybe after I turn back?”

Mizuki’s lips turned into a slight frown, before she leaned in, taking Ena’s hand once more. The brightness of candles and residual light from the window seemed to make a kaleidoscope of color in Mizuki’s shining eyes.

“That’s silly. Every girl deserves to look cute… In any form.” 

Ena sighed, her fingertips softly curling around Mizuki’s palm.

It had been a while since she wanted to look cute, to adorn herself in pretty clothes and style her hair. Makeup, jewelry, they were all things she loved, but abandoned once she grew a snout and horns.

“I just wonder if I’d really be—”

“Nope. Stop right there!” Mizuki let go of Ena’s hand, to waggle her finger with a disapproving frown. “Is Enanan questioning if she could be cute?”

“It’s hard not to, when I have horns and—”

“Big, fluffy paws?” 

“With big, sharp claws.”

“An adorable little tail?”

“It’s not…” Ena gawked. “When did you see that?”

“It’s hard not to, when I can see it wag behind your cape…” Mizuki hid a smile behind her hand. “Oops! Wasn’t supposed to give that one out~”

“Mizuki..!”

Her friend laughed, her eyelashes fluttering shut as she nearly doubled over on the sofa.

“When you get this embarrassed, it makes you even less scary! How can I say you’re not cute, when you get like that?”

Not that Mizuki could see, but Ena’s cheeks burned hot. The artist did her best attempt at snarling, baring her teeth at the pink-haired girl… Only to hold the arm of the couch as she huffed out her own laugh.

“This is ridiculous,” she giggled, under her breath.

“Then let’s agree that we’re both cute, me and you,” Mizuki’s eyes shined with mirth. “Unless you want to argue with me about this for the next hour?” 

Ena shook her head with a scowl. 

“No, no… Let’s go with that.” She glanced at Mizuki for a moment, before crossing her arms and leaning back… Her eyes closing as she yawned. “Because it’s true.”

“Oh, what was that?”

Ena’s face flushed.

“I’m tired.”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say~” 

Mizuki hummed to herself for a moment, before Ena heard the rustling of a blanket. The fabric was draped over her; she could feel Mizuki settling under the other half with a yawn of her own.

“Let’s have a nap somewhere comfortable for once, shall we?” 

For certain, Ena knew she was dreaming.

“Ena…”

Because a familiar voice called out to her, amongst ripples and echoes in her subconscious. It was that stranger again, the girl with a bow. She took slow, measured footsteps, to bring herself closer to the girl.

“It’s you again…” 

She was sitting on a stool, admiring a canvas. Though, the painting was angled away from Ena… So the artist couldn’t see what the girl was looking at.

“Your latest painting… It’s beautiful.”

To Ena, this stranger was the closest hint she had to figuring out her curse. For her to say as such…

“Does this mean I’m figuring it out? That I’m getting closer?”

The girl’s eyes traced the painting once more, before she slowly stood up, turning to face Ena.

“You are.”

An exhale. Ena could feel the pinpricks of tears, building in the corners of her eyes.

“I’m so happy! I… Was it the composition? Did the colors feel more harmonious?”

Silence. The girl’s bow sagged as she tilted her head.

“Ena…” The girl pulled at her sleeve, fingers idly tracing along the fabric. “What do you think is needed to break the curse?”

An easy answer. 

Every word her father spoke about their affliction was drilled into her head, in hopes of her finding a clue, a cure. She tried everything he did to practice his art, even if it left her awake at ungodly hours, bottomlessly irate.

“My dad said he was only able to cure himself, once he began to focus on his art. You said it yourself, didn’t you? That it would be painful, and lonesome…”

The girl’s face reminded her of Mafuyu. Hard to read, hard to find emotion inside. Yet her words seemed to state her every thought, cold yet honest.

“Didn’t you tell me last time that you weren’t alone?”

“Huh?”

“You seemed happy that you weren’t alone. Even for a short while, your monotone days were vibrant.” A soft murmur. “It makes sense. Because your father wasn’t alone, either.”

It didn’t sound right. 

The man who always preached to her about having to endure suffering and loneliness to create… The puzzle pieces didn’t fit neatly in her head.

“But he said…”

“The right path isn’t clear-cut nor predetermined. It is ultimately your choice, Ena.”

Wistful, the girl smiled at her.

“Dreams should thrive, in spaces where your heart is full. Not in perpetual solitude, as he once did. To create is to light a spark, to start a fire.”

Her finger ran along the edge of the canvas.

“Shinei’s spark was not what he thought it was.” 

Ena’s eyes fluttered open, as the sun began to rise. 

The blanket was bunched up at her side, a lack of Mizuki along with it. At least this time, her back wasn't aching from sleeping somewhere rigid and uncomfortable.

“What do I paint…” She muttered tiredly. “Oh?”

Her eyes trailed across various frames, until they landed on a painting where Mafuyu sat, idly writing on a piece of paper at a painted desk.

“Mafuyu?”

“That’s my name,” the violet-haired girl replied, her pen moving quickly across the page. She didn’t even look up from what she was writing. “Good morning.”

“Good morning… Where’s Kanade?”

“Keeping Mizuki company while she cooks breakfast.”

The artist sleepily blinked, before jolting awake. “Breakfast… Oh! I should…” 

“She’s been awake for a while now. At most, you’d only be able to clean dishes.” 

A grumble.

“I can definitely do more than that…” She stretched her arms above her head with a sigh, feeling an odd satisfaction at the feeling of her joints letting out a soft pop. “How about you? I thought you’d be with the two of them.”

“I’m writing.”

She tilted her head. Last she checked, Mafuyu wasn’t the type to really indulge in hobbies… Save for music or exploring the manor.

“Huh? That’s new.”

“Kanade said I might like it.” Another scribble of her pen. “I don’t know if I do.”

Ena’s hands slowly folded the blanket as she studied Mafuyu, whose face was perfectly stoic… Save for the slightest crease of her brow. 

“You don’t have to force yourself to write if you’re not sure…”

“But I want to. Kanade told me she’d like to see what I wrote about, after I’m done.”

She met Ena’s eyes then, impassive, yet aflame with determination.

“Kanade always writes music, songs that make me feel warm. I wonder… If I can write something that would make her feel warm, too.”

It wasn’t the first time Mafuyu mentioned warmth. 

When Mafuyu first came to life, a lone subject in a dark cityscape… She lamented the lack of it, a constant chill that ran down to her fingertips.

She met Kanade, and Ena watched as warmth began to make itself known. 

Kanade’s songs warmed the spaces they shared. Mafuyu told her she felt warm, when she was able to play one song, thanks to Kanade’s tutelage. Warm from her company, when Mafuyu wasn’t having the best of days… When her words grated against Ena, even if unintentional.

Warm, warm, warm.

“Hey, Mafuyu…”

“Hm.”

“Urgh…” A part of her couldn’t get used to how dismissive the girl’s tone could be. “When you say you feel warm, does that mean you feel happy?”

The silence that followed made Ena think the girl didn’t hear her… Or worse, ignored her outright. 

“It could be.”

Ena’s incredulousness shined in her voice.

“It could?”

“I’m not sure.”

The artist crossed her arms with a sigh.

“Hmm. You know, I remember your first few months here. You’d always say how cold you felt, even when I painted the sun, or candles… It only changed when Kanade showed you a song she composed.”

A smile easily made its way to Ena’s lips, a curve not unlike the bend of her horns.

“That was the first time you said you felt warm. And ever since, the two of you were inseparable." A heavy sigh. “I figured I wasn’t that big of a help. We butted heads so much, back then.”

Mafuyu’s hand swept across her paper, writing words far from Ena’s sight. It wasn’t as if she could peek her head into the painting to look. Yet, Ena’s eyes traced the edges of the parchment, and watched the movements of her hand.

Her being distracted made it far too easy for Mafuyu to catch her off-guard. Mafuyu’s next words came out quieter, a ripple in an otherwise serene lake.

“I’m glad you painted me.”

“You…” Ena straightened up where she sat. “Huh?”

“I was cold, but I wouldn’t have felt that warmth… If you didn’t paint me that night.” 

Simple and to the point, as she always was. Ena stared, dumbfounded, as Mafuyu finished the last of her writing with a quiet sigh.

“What made you want to ask me all those questions?”

Ena blinked, before letting out a soft hum. 

“I’ve been feeling strange lately, that’s all.”

“About Kanade and I?” At Ena’s shake of the head, Mafuyu continued. “Then, is it about Mizuki?”

“That—” Ena was grateful for her fur, or else the redness of her cheeks would have given it away. “I’m not that obvious, am I?”

An unimpressed stare.

“Who else could it be?”

“Who else could it be, unbelievable…” She muttered under her breath. 

“Does she make you feel warm?”

“I…” 

She was more awake now. Awake, and able to think more about the pink-haired girl. Her smile, her laugh, how easily her kindness was extended to Ena, or how much fun Ena had creating with her.

Ena bared her heart to her, and instead of shying away or judging her, Mizuki only took her hand… Encompassing her in a warmth that was foreign to her, lost to time.

“She does. Is this how Kanade makes you feel, too? Like you don’t want to let go of her hand?”

Ena expected a ‘maybe’ or a ‘I don’t know’.

Instead, Mafuyu folded the letter neatly into an envelope… Her lips turned up in the smallest smile.

“I think so.”

The next few days passed in a blur, as they prepared for Mizuki’s journey. 

The two didn’t even discuss when it’d happen, only collecting supplies and packing them into bags. Mizuki’s new clothing designs were tucked into a blank journal the artist wasn’t using. 

Lanterns, boots, rations.

Ena gave Mizuki one of her extra cloaks, stifling a laugh when the fabric seemed to swallow the other girl. Mizuki whined about how silly she must have looked. But Ena was simply content knowing that Mizuki would be able to traverse the woods, warm and protected from the cold.

Warmth made her remember Mafuyu’s words. 

Restless and unrelenting, her feelings for Mizuki bubbled under the surface. It flowed from her shoulders to her fingertips, and nestled under each word she spoke. 

A part of Ena wondered if Mizuki felt it…How each slight brush of hands, each lingering stare burned. Maybe, just maybe, Mizuki’s hands reached for her, yearning for something, too. Or perhaps it was wishful thinking on her part.

More than anything, Ena wanted Mizuki to be happy, to have no worries.

Her own warmth, well-wishes she’d leave with her dear friend.

The next morning, they began their trek, after bidding Kanade and Mafuyu farewell. Mizuki skipped ahead, watching the light snowfall with a sense of wonder. 

The fabric of her cloak billowed behind her with each gust of wind. 

“It’s been a while since I was outside…”

Ena carefully took each step behind Mizuki, making sure to not let her hooves slip on the snow.

“You were recovering.”

“I know, but…” Mizuki brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “A lot of time has passed, hasn’t it?”

“Sometimes I can’t believe we haven’t known each other for longer.”

“Right?”

The artist let the seamstress lead her between trees, through a frozen creek, and over the slightest slopes. She guided Mizuki when she strayed from their path, or nudged her the correct way when she forgot where to go.

Near silence, saved for murmured directions and soft warnings. Speaking felt as if the action of it would bring the end closer. 

Yet, it couldn’t stop the passage of time.

They were halfway to the town, at that point, stopped under the shade of several trees. Where Ena would have to part with Mizuki, so the townspeople wouldn’t see her. 

“Mizuki, I realized…” Ena finished lamely. “It’ll be a while until I see you again, won’t it?” 

“It will be, but we made a promise didn’t we?”

“Yes. We did.” Ena fidgeted with the edge of her cloak, fingers pressing into a smooth edge. “Is it alright if I… Hugged you before you go?”

If Mizuki was surprised, her expression didn’t give it away. But Ena saw it, a redness in her cheeks that could be explained away with the winter’s cold.

Ena knew better though. She knew how Mizuki could skirt around the truth. The flicker of recognition before trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

“Enanan, you’ve gotten so clingy~”

A tentative joke.

“Shut it! I… Know it’ll be a while until I see you again, so…” Ena wouldn’t let her run, not just yet. “Do you not want to?”

Ena rubbed at her sleeve with a sigh, and Mizuki closed her mouth for a moment… Before opening her arms with a small grin.

“C’mere, you big softie…”

A huff, from between her fangs. She stepped closer, and the thick sleeves of Mizuki’s coat wrapped around her in a gentle embrace. Mere seconds, yet Ena could swear it was minutes, with the way her pulse quickened. 

Terrible. 

Her heart, the spaces between her ribs, they all were colored with Mizuki’s touch.

Ena’s palms trailed along Mizuki’s back, hesitating for a second, before she winded her arms around her. Fond, and fiercely protective of the flicker of something they held between them.

“I’ll be back, Ena.”

This was something that’d have to tide her over, until Mizuki returned to her, the space Ena wanted her to consider a second home.

Chin tucked atop the girl’s head, Ena wondered how many words she could hide, writing it into the fabric covering Mizuki’s back.

Thank you… I’ll miss you.

I think I’m in love with—

The branches of the trees above them rustled.

It was Ena’s only warning before arms latched around her neck.

“Let her go, beast!”

Ena’s vision was filled with pink, but not the soft, curled strands of Mizuki’s hair. It was choppier, shorter, accompanied by a voice that was shrill and loud, enough to make her ears fold back.

The stranger tightened her hold, and Ena felt the way her lungs burned, as she was torn from Mizuki’s arms. 

“Hrrrk…!”

“I’ve got her!”

Her first instinct was to flail, to try to fight off the sudden onslaught, a grip that wouldn’t let go. But Ena was no fighter; she could only stare at Mizuki, helpless.

Mizuki’s eyes flitted around the scene in a flurry, at Ena’s gritted teeth, at the girl whose arms held tight around the artist’s neck. Her hands reached out, as if ready to wrestle Ena out of the girl’s grip—

“Rui?!”

Mizuki gaped at the second person who entered the fray, whose hair reminded Ena of lavender, a soft pigment that curled around the edge of iris petals. 

He met Mizuki’s gaze, eyes widening in surprise.

“Mizuki?”

Chapter Text

For the last few hours, Mizuki rehearsed how she’d greet her parents. An apology, an explanation of her whereabouts, and a request… To let her wander that forest again, to return to Ena.

With each tree she passed, she wondered about how they’d react. 

Fear? Anger? Resignation?

Somehow the latter hurt the most. 

“Rui?!”

“Mizuki?”

But nowhere in those plans was a reunion with her childhood friend.

His hair was neatly combed, a far cry from the messy bird’s nest he had as children; a slightly longer length, too…

Yet, he was unmistakably her best friend.

The two stared at each other dumbfounded, before Mizuki’s gaze snapped to Ena, who still struggled under the other girl’s hold with a whine. 

Mizuki saw the way her paws wrapped around smaller, human hands. Yet she held back her strength, refusing to lash out. She knew that no matter how much Ena bristled and gave away biting words… She was kind, much too kind to hurt another person that way.

With another strained breath from the artist, Mizuki was shaken out of her stupor.

“Rui, call her off! Ena’s my friend!”

Her friend seemed to wake from his daze, as well. Without a moment’s hesitation, he called out to his companion.

“Emu! Let her go!”

“Oh, okay!”

At his command, his companion instantly released her grip, and Ena took in a harsh gulp of air. The acrobat flipped backwards from Ena’s back, precise and stable despite the dense snow.

Mizuki would’ve been impressed with the clean landing she had… If she weren’t so concerned for Ena herself. The seamstress immediately ran to the artist, whose hands braced her knees as she caught her breath.

“Ena…” Mizuki cradled the other girl’s furred jaw. “I’m so sorry, I…”

“It’s alright,” she let out a low exhale. “They’re your friends, right?”

“Rui’s my best friend, the one I told you about.” Her thumbs ran along Ena’s cheeks. “Emu, she’s a member of his troupe. They thought I was in danger, I’m sure, but…”

The snow crunched loudly, as more people ran into the clearing. 

A girl with long, gray waves of hair, and a boy whose short hair was a strawberry blonde. Familiar faces that Mizuki put names to with ease: Nene and Tsukasa.

“What happened? I heard a commotion!” The boy made his way to Rui’s side, before spotting Ena, his eyes widening. “Rui, there’s—!”

Mizuki tried to straighten her posture, shielding Ena as much as she could. It was pointless, with the artist being so much taller, but an overwhelming fear took over.

Please don’t hurt her—

“Shhh.” The director placed a finger to the actor’s lips. “Tsukasa, she’s Mizuki’s friend.”

With her friend’s words, her shoulders slackened.

The boy’s lips parted in a silent “o”, and Rui took a moment, before removing his finger.

Ena’s head remained between Mizuki’s hands, while Mizuki idly ran her fingers along soft, brown tufts.

“So much for a peaceful trip,” Ena sighed, but Mizuki recognized the smallest curve of her lips despite her exhaustion. 

“Can you stand up?”

“Yes. I only need a moment.”

“Mhm...” 

Admittedly, she enjoyed stroking along the slope of Ena’s jaw. It didn’t help that Ena seemed as if she were leaning into the touch.

Just like a cat.

A big, grumpy, overgrown cat.

Mizuki had to bite back a smile.

Within moments, they all settled down in the clearing, Rui’s troupe guiding their wagon through the tallest trees. They shared their rations with Ena and Mizuki, while introducing themselves to the artist.

Tsukasa, the group’s star actor (his own words).

Emu, the acrobat (she showered Ena with many apologies, to the artist’s embarrassment).

Nene, the singer (she seemed shy, but greeted the two with a smile).

And last was Rui, their director, who gave Ena a bow.

“Together, we are the Wonder Show Troupe. Glad to make your acquaintance~”

Ena awkwardly shook their hands, cradling each palm with her fingertips. It made Mizuki laugh a bit, the clumsiness of her friend trying to match their politeness.

Not that the group seemed to mind all that much. Emu even held her hand a second longer, to squeeze the pads of her fingertips with an excited squeal.

…

The artist’s ears flicked as they rested atop her head, and she took a small bite of bread.

“So what brought you here? From what Mizuki told me, you all were travelling across the country.”

Rui’s smile remained catlike in its curvature.

“We completed our last production, and my troupe suggested we visit before beginning our next journey.” He lazily leaned where he sat, his back resting against a tree. “Now, how about you? You two seem far from any town or house.”

“Mizuki wanted to travel back home, to see her family,” Ena said, with a nod of her head. “I was escorting her back, since no one knows these woods better than me.”

The artist sighed.

“But I can’t walk too close to town. I was wondering if she'd be able to walk the rest of the way on her lonesome.”

“Maybe you could convince the townspeople you’re wearing an elaborate costume…” Tsukasa murmured.

“Or we can show them how fluffy and squishy she is!” Emu swung her legs from where she sat, atop the branches of a nearby tree. “Everyone kept talking about a monster, but Miss Shinononome’s so friendly!”

Mizuki couldn't help but feel relief at how easily they seemed to take to Ena. She giggled at the sight of the artist’s furrowed brows, confused about Emu’s rendition of her name.

“But what if they don’t respond that well…” Nene fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “We shouldn’t put her in danger like that.”

A silence fell over the group, as they mulled over their options.

Rui cleared his throat.

“I have an idea. Since we’re all here, shall we bring Mizuki back with us? And once she’s ready to return, we will bring her to this clearing again.”

Ena tilted her head, confused.

“But how will I know that you’re there? The forest is dense and—”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Rui shook his head with a smile. “You wound me, Ena. After all, you’ve presented me with an opportunity to test an invention of mine.”

Nene almost instantly paled, and her hand lightly squeezed at his sleeve.

“Rui, I told you…”

The director was undeterred, his voice taking on an excited lilt.

“With careful application, it can be used safely!”

Mizuki laughed, nudging Rui with her elbow.

“Knowing you, there's a ton of possibilities for what it’ll be!” The pink-haired girl began to count on her fingers. “A giant pair of cymbals, a catapult, or maybe even…”

Ena’s brows furrowed, a crinkle in her muzzle. 

“Wait, what was that about a catapult—”

“I’ve created modified firecrackers!” Rui clapped his hands happily, ignoring Ena’s audible confusion. “According to my previous calculations, these trees are just far enough for the explosives to be set off without lighting any of the forest itself on fire.”

Mizuki settled at Ena’s side, just in time for the artist to murmur a question in her direction.

“Has he always experimented with things that explode—”

“Trust me, Ena… It sounds like a lot, but Rui always does his best to make sure everything’s perfect before he tests it!”

Ena stared at her for a moment, lips pressed into a line. Mizuki nearly shrunk under her gaze, before the artist let out a sigh, shaking her head.

“It’s our best plan.” She sighed, a small curve of her lips around sharp fangs. “Thank you Rui.”

The director nodded.

“It’s no problem. And I should thank you, too… For keeping Mizuki in your care until now.”

Her heart grew several sizes at the sight of Ena, bashful and suddenly embarrassed. A clawed hand rubbed at her snout.

“I wouldn’t say that, I…”

“Yeah, Ena took me back to her mansion after I collapsed in the snow… And she’s been fretting over me this entire time!”

“Mizuki.” The brunette grumbled, between gritted teeth.

Mizuki nudged the other girl with a grin.

“No point in acting humble now, Enanan~”

“Hmph!” The brunette crossed her arms, her ears alert, yet angled back. “You’re such a handful.”

Ena paused before turning to Rui, a grin slowly growing on her face.

“Are you sure you want to take her back?” 

Mizuki gasped with faked offense.

“Hey—”

Rui stifled a laugh behind his hand.

“Huhu, of course. Though I feel relieved knowing you’ve kept her company all this time.”

Ena shrugged, but Mizuki could see the light flutter of her ears, the crinkle of her muzzle. Imagined the way her tail undoubtedly swayed, small but embarrassed and satisfied.

I’m glad you were the one who found me, too.

They were packing up and preparing to leave, when Ena sought her out, behind the wagon. It was endearing to Mizuki, how the artist fidgeted for a moment, her arms crossing and uncrossing, a hoofed foot tapping on the dirt.

“Mizuki, I… I’ve been meaning to give you something, before you left.”

The seamstress’s fingers stilled on the drawstrings she was pulling shut.

“Oh?”

Clawed fingertips gingerly reached for the braid behind her ear… Ena found the tail of the bow in her braid by touch, and untied it with a single tug.

“I don’t know when you’ll be back… And you don’t have to hurry to return, either.” She offered the bow, a muted gold, soft and siken, to Mizuki. “I’m not a patient person, but you’re an exception, okay?”

Mizuki’s hand delicately reached over Ena’s, taking the ribbon with a silent hum. It had to be Ena’s favorite, one she wore in a carefully made braid every day.

Was it a memento to remember her by? 

A gift?

More than that, it felt like a declaration. A promise.

“You’re so silly…” Mizuki met her gaze with a smile, her lips curling upwards, unbelievably happy at the feeling of being wanted. “You can just say you’ll miss me!”

Her face felt hot but she continued, enjoying the prospect of teasing Ena far too much. Ena sputtered uselessly, proof of Mizuki’s success. 

Always so honest, down to the confused downturn of her lips.

“Of course I’ll miss you, what are you talking about—”

“I’ll miss you too.”

It was easy to say, the words that lingered on the tip of her tongue since they shut the door to the manor behind them.

The sharpness of Ena’s eyes softened, as she breathed out a sigh. Mizuki felt a smile grow on her face, a dimple forming on her cheek. An idea came to mind.

“How about this? We can trade.” 

Her hand reached into her pocket. Ena looked puzzled, until she recognized the red ribbon Mizuki smoothed out with a hand. 

The one that Rui made for her, that Ena searched for. The same ribbon that was found in the snow after the troupe traveled into the forest to look for her.

A light flush settled on her cheeks. Hopefully Rui would be alright with her lending it to Ena while she was away.

“Mizuki, no… That’s important to you!”

She shook her head.

“I’m coming back, aren’t I? So hold onto it, and you can give it to me when I return.” Mizuki’s brows raised, as she let out a dramatic gasp. “Unless… You think you’re gonna lose it?”

“What? No way!” The hitched breath, the offense in Ena’s voice, all things Mizuki took in with apt attention. “I’ll make sure it’s always in my sight.”

“See?” The pink-haired girl grinned. “My treasure’s in good hands!”

She leaned in closer, and Ena tilted her head down as well, so Mizuki could tie it into the artist’s hair after carefully redoing the strands of her braid.

When she was done, she leaned back with a triumphant grin. 

“There you go… Now Enanan, I better see it first thing when I—” Clawed fingers gingerly wrapped around her once more, in a loose embrace. “Woah!”

“Stop talking for a minute,” Ena grumbled into her shoulder. 

Mizuki could feel how hot her face had gotten; would the other girl see? She desperately hoped not. Maybe it was a blessing, how Ena easily towered over her.

“Wah, you’re so clingy now!”

“Shut up. It’s going to be quiet without you here...”

Mizuki smoothed her fingers over Ena’s shoulder.

“Silly, it won’t be forever.”

“I know...”

Her fingers ran along the tufts of fur along Ena’s neck, savoring the embrace anew. 

A soft, satin ribbon fluttered in Mizuki’s hair, while her red bow was tied in Ena’s plait. The artist’s smile was serene, even as she bid them farewell.

All Mizuki could hear was the clop of the horse’s hooves, and the rumble of the wagon’s wheels as they began their journey out of the woods. From the window, she watched the artist’s figure grow smaller in the horizon. 

And with her, the mansion vanished behind endless trees and brush, like a dream.

When she returned, would it be foolish to hope that they could ever be more than friends? 

Or was it just a silly thought, one that could never be real?

Her hand clutched at her skirt, shaking her head with a breath. If anything, Mizuki didn’t want to return until she made sense of the storm brewing in her heart. 

Ena, sincere and honest Ena… Deserved her honesty, her true feelings.

It didn’t take long for them to return to town. Even with the turbulence of the winding roads, and the snow-covered path, the group ran into little to no trouble.

Mizuki didn’t even realize how tired she was… Not until she lifted her cheek from her friend’s shoulder, uttering apologies all the while. Not that Rui minded, brushing off her apology with a small laugh. 

“We’ve all had an eventful day. It’s only natural.”

The wheels slowed to a stop, in front of the shop she called home. The troupe members made their way out, to gather their supplies, and stretch their legs.

Evening sunset greeted her weary eyes.

Yet, she didn’t move.

How long has it been?

Mizuki stared at the windows of the second floor from where she sat… Wondering how her parents were feeling. Her mom at this time usually prepared dinner, while her dad would be home, having returned an hour or so ago.

She hesitated to leave the wagon. After all, she knew she upset her parents. Mizuki was much too ashamed, scared of seeing that worry and anxiety up close.

Yet, Rui patiently waited by the door, opening it just a crack. He was by no means forward, always handling her worries with a delicate touch… Distant, yet always present.

He didn’t speak, merely offering her a hand, so she could step out of the wagon.

She could do it herself, hold onto the seat as she eased her foot down a step… But that comfort was what she needed. His hand wrapped around hers in a gentle squeeze, as she descended.

A motion of support, hidden in a kind gesture.

“We’ll wait outside for you,” he said, letting go of her hand. 

Each step she took was heavy, hesitant. Regardless of her feelings, she’d have to face her parents.

The bell of her shop gave a small ring as she opened the door, letting out a quiet exhale. It was as if she never left, each of the fabrics and clothes folded and neatly placed in their proper shelves. 

Her fingertips skirted against a table, surprised at the lack of dust. A sad smile on her lips, when she realized who must have kept it tidy while she was gone. The two of them must have looked so distraught, returning home after trying to search for her—

Mizuki’s thoughts stilled to a halt.

She could hear footsteps getting closer, from upstairs. Not too long after Mizuki heard the sound, someone stepped onto the landing, confused, by the sound of their voice.

“Rui, is that—”

An older woman, an apron tied around her waist, rosy pink hair flowing down her shoulders in waves.

Her mother, whose eyes went wide when she realized who was there.

“Hey, mom…” Despite her smile, Mizuki grimaced, knowing how awkward she must have seemed, nervousness written all over her face. “Long time no see?”

The woman rushed to her, and Mizuki flinched, preparing for the worst…

Only to melt in her mother’s embrace, with a sniffle coming from her shoulder.

“You’re safe, thank the gods I—” Mizuki smiled sadly, as she reciprocated the hug, rubbing circles into her parent’s back. “When we realized you were missing, we went out, your father and I…”

“I know…” Her throat felt tighter as she spoke. “You both were so worried, and I’m sorry—”

Mizuki was crying now, as well… Mother and daughter holding each other in a silence much too warm and loving to be awkward. Mizuki tried to ignore the way her nose felt congested as her mother squeezed her, as if trying to reassure herself that she was real.

“Dear…?” Another set of footsteps, and Mizuki met her father’s gaze. His mouth hung open in a silent gasp, before he joined the two… His hand gently combed along Mizuki’s hair as he wrapped an arm around his wife and daughter. 

“Welcome home.” 

In those brief words, she heard the smile in his voice, felt the thrum of his chest as he clung to her.

“I-I’m home,” she sobbed with a strained laugh. “I’m home, and I promise I… I’ll never leave without a word again.”

It was during breakfast the next morning that Rui finally gave into his curiosity. 

A surprising amount of time, figuring how quick the director was at discerning Mizuki. 

The director’s fork stabbed into a piece of broccoli, smiling innocently as if he weren’t about to add more to her plate… Figuratively and literally. Mizuki knew better than to assume his silence was truly peaceful, especially when the corners of his eyes crinkled with barely-suppressed glee.

“Truth be told, when I made that ribbon for you, all I wished was that your heart would be safe, that you’d be able to be yourself.” His lips curved into a smirk. “Imagine my surprise, when I caught you in a lover’s embrace…”

A wave of heat rushed to her cheeks.

“Ruuui, that’s not…!”

One vegetable found its way to her plate’s edge, then another. A small hill of broccoli created by a dedicated director’s hand.

“But you’d like her to be, would you not?”

She cradled her cup of hot chocolate gingerly, fingertips skirting along the sides of the mug.

“I…” Breathless. “Okay. Yes, I would. If you saw how passionate she was, how kind, how much fun she is to talk to…”

Her friend’s smile was ever-present, but he merely nodded, not judging a single word she spoke. He never looked at her strangely, something Mizuki was always grateful for… No matter how unreasonable she felt.

“What you’re feeling is love, I’m sure.”

Mizuki’s fork stabbed into a chunk of potato.

“I know what the townspeople say about her. I know it’ll be tough to make a relationship like that work… But I want to.” She let out a soft sigh. “Confessing, though… I don’t want to ruin things.”

“Mizuki.”

“Hm?”

Rui chuckled under his breath.

“You should tell her how you feel, just as you’ve said to me.”

She played with a strand of her hair, smoothing out a wave with her fingertips.

“Yeah, right! It’s… I’m probably thinking about this more than she is. Ena’s got a lot on her plate.”

“Not that much more than you, I’m sure…”

“Rui, she’s under a curse.”

“And you have a collection of disgusting vegetables next to your meal.”

She stuck his tongue out at him.

“Those aren’t the same and you know that!”

Yet, her cheeks hurted with how much she smiled. Rui’s eyes softened, as he rested his chin atop his hand.

“Yes, yes… I have to say though, maybe there are benefits to being cursed in such a way. I’m sure your fingers enjoyed running through the soft velvet of her fur—”

Mizuki let out a dramatic wail, hands wiping at dry, tearless eyes. She called out to her mother, who was cleaning dishes in the kitchen.

“Mom, I’m leaving because Rui’s being mean to me! And I’ll open the shop while I’m at it,” she stood up with a huff, her friend’s only response a melodious ring of laughter. 

She took one step, then another… Before turning back around and settling into her seat again. Truth be told, she missed her mother’s cooking.

“After I finish breakfast, first.”

Rui didn’t even bat an eye.

“Ah, then you’ll need this…”

With his fork, another broccoli landed on her plate.

The next few days were spent returning to normal… Or as normal as one could be, after getting lost in the forest and finding a magical manor.

Her scissors snipped at a long piece of fabric, following a guideline she pinned to it. Then, she sectioned off another strip, cutting along the edge of it as well. Mizuki’s tongue slightly poked out from between her lips as she snipped off the extra threads at the edges.

The door to her shop swung open.

“Mizuki!”

Emu and Nene stepped into the room, the bell on the door jingling as it shut.

“Oh, you’re back so soon… I have something to show you!” Mizuki waved them over, and they settled into nearby chairs. Emu was practically rattling the legs of her chair, while Nene tilted her head.

Mizuki set down the fabric she was working with, in favor of grasping at the loose sheafs of paper, sorting them until she spotted what she was looking for. 

“Here we go…” Holding it by the corner, she presented it to the two. “I know the troupe already got some clothes from the shop, but I wanted to try making a custom piece for each of you!”

On Nene’s coat, music notes trailed along the sleeves. Emu’s had little wrapped candies. She even already had Rui’s coat planned. 

But Mizuki was struggling on a design for the troupe’s lead actor, who she had the least amount of time to talk to. He always seemed to bounce from task to task.

“What do you think Tsukasa would like?”

She lightly tapped the end of her pencil against her chin, as she waited for an answer.

The songstress let out a small hum.

“Asking you to embroider unicorns would be too much.” Nene muttered under her breath. “And a coat decorated with his face… No…”

“His face?” 

Mizuki almost laughed at what she assumed to be a joke, until she realized Nene’s face stayed perfectly serious.

“You’d be surprised…”

The singer shuddered, and Emu clapped her hands.

“Oh, I know!” The acrobat excitedly bounced where she sat. “Stars! Tsukasa always talks about wanting to be one.”

Nene’s frown quickly eased into a smile, and she giggled.

“That’s pretty clever.”

“Isn’t it?”

Mizuki didn’t look up, penciling stars onto her design as the two talked. Beside the design for Tsukasa’s coat was Rui’s… Decorated with a medley of balloons and pennants.

A few more days went by.

It wasn’t long until her project was done, with four different mannequins adorned in coats of varying lengths and designs.

That feeling of fulfillment Mizuki yearned for came back in the form of Wondershow’s smiles and laughter as they tried them on. A slight adjustment to the hem for one person, or a slight cinching of fabric at the waist for another…

“Ahahahah..!”

Tsukasa stood proudly with his hands on his hips, his coat fluttering within a breeze Mizuki couldn’t seem to find. Nene had her hands politely folded in front of her, but Mizuki felt relief in how comfortable she looked, even without saying a word. Rui busied himself with transferring his smaller gadgets from his old coat to his new one, while Emu bounced happily in her own.

Satisfied customers, from her own work.

The smile on her face almost wobbled with how relieved she was, that her creativity didn’t diminish the way she feared it had. It was different, creating with others, working on a piece with a goal… To make someone else happy.

How long had it been, since she was able to feel this free?

Mizuki shook her head slightly, because she knew when that feeling began, and when the wheels began to turn for her anew. A shared table of sketches, and two painted girls twirling in various outfits of her creation…

She’d have to thank Ena when she returned.

“What a grand design Mizuki’s made for you, Tsukasa.” 

She was drawn back to the present when Rui spoke, his fingers rubbing at his chin as he studied Mizuki’s craftsmanship. 

“Of course… A star must be decorated in clothing that suits his visage!” The actor grinned, a finger pointed to the sky. “Thank you, Mizuki! I will take care of this gift you’ve given us.”

He gave her a bow in gratitude, his arm swept to the side in a grand gesture. 

Mizuki rubbed at her cheek, suddenly overcome with embarrassment. But she couldn’t help but laugh at the extravagance of it. 

“Hey, it’s no big deal! You guys helped my parents out, and you’re even keeping me company until I’m ready to head back…”

“No, no… You don’t owe us a thing!” Emu crossed her arms. “Rui alwaaaays talks about the costumes you’ve made for his puppets… We couldn’t have found him without them!”

“Really? But he’s such a good storyteller—”

“You said it yourself so long ago, don’t you remember?” Rui’s smile grew as he walked closer to her. “Criticizing my designs, before showing up with ones you created yourself. I couldn’t polish and perfect my work without you by my side.”

“Rui…”

“Mizuki, it is only because you supported me so long ago that I had the strength to carry myself forward… Into my future.” 

His hand rested at her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Eyes that usually held a catlike sharpness softened as they met her own. 

“So it’s only natural for me… For us, to give you our support as you reach for yours.”

Mizuki didn’t remember much after she tucked herself into bed, drifting off to sleep.

…

Where was she?

The place she found herself in was familiar, yet unfamiliar all the same. With easels, torn canvases, and scattered papers…

She picked up one page, only to realize it was a design for a dress. Ripped from a sketchbook, and torn in half.

Was this Ena’s studio?

A quick glance around told her she was, but it felt wrong.

The last time Mizuki was there, Ena’s paintings and tools were scattered amongst the room. But it was lived-in and homey… Nowhere near as chaotic, wild as the room before her. 

A broken paintbrush, spilled paint…

“Help her… Please…”

Within the ripples and fogginess of the space, she heard a voice. Cold, yet tinged with sorrow. 

Mizuki found herself checking behind the easels, at the side of the shelves. Only torn curtains and splintered wood greeted her; no one was there. Her hearing felt muffled, as if she was underwater.

“Mizuki.” 

Suddenly, a hand grasped at her arm, and she yelped… Jumping out of the way. 

“Woah…!”

In front of her was a young girl in a dress. Her blonde hair was held in place by a headband with a crooked bow. She kept her hold on Mizuki’s arm, with icy fingers.

“Oh gods, you scared me…” Mizuki clutched at her chest, her fingers bunching up the fabric over her heart. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!”

The girl retracted her hand, letting it dangle limply at her side. 

“I’m sorry.” She clutched at her sleeve then, lips pulled into a frown. “I was surprised to see you here, that's all.”

Her words only confused Mizuki more.

“Surprised… Do you know me?”

The girl nodded her head.

“Yes, but you surely wouldn’t know me.”

“Wow, uh…” 

The seamstress went quiet for a moment.

“Well, we don’t have to be strangers forever… What’s your name?” Mizuki shuffled awkwardly where she stood. “Since you seem to know mine, already.”

The girl seemed to hesitate for a moment, before relenting with a quiet breath.

“Rin.”

Mizuki was startled. A part of her expected more resistance, or even some distaste at the thought of revealing more about herself. She’d understand the feeling. 

“Rin… That’s a cute name,” Mizuki muttered. “So what brings you here? You said “she” needs help…”

The girl looked pained, recognition lighting up her face.

“It’s Ena…”

That got Mizuki’s attention; the pink-haired girl went still.

“Ena needs help?” A small, incredulous laugh. “That can’t… I only left the other day, unless someone found her…”

Her eyebrows furrowed.

“Did… Did someone find her?”

The stranger was quick to reassure Mizuki.

“No, not anyone from the town.” Rin’s eyes averted. “It’s her father… He visited the manor.”

“Oh.” Mizuki only needed a moment to process the information. “Oh no. Is Ena—”

“She’s not hurt, but her curse is worsening.” Rin’s hand squeezed tighter. “Seeing him… I couldn’t see anything, not after she chased him out. ”

Rin turned on a heel. Mizuki’s eyes went wide when she realized the girl was simply going to leave without an explanation.

“W-Wait! I still don’t understand—”

“I’m out of time, Mizuki…” Rin gave her a small smile, regretful. “Please… Being alone is the last thing she needs right now.”

Rin was readying herself to leave, but the seamstress wasn’t done talking yet. Mizuki reached for her, willing her fingers to wrap around her sleeve, to stop her for a moment.

“Rin…!”

But the girl slipped out of her grasp, and continued her stride into nothingness.

She sat up, struggling to catch her breath.

A heaviness settled on her chest after an inhale. She wasn’t in the wreckage of Ena’s studio anymore… Just her room.

When she headed downstairs, she was comforted by the sight of her friend. Rui’s violet strands of hair shone in the rays of light from an open window, his fingers curled around a coffee cup. 

“Mizuki?” 

She didn’t say a word, until her footsteps lead her to his side. 

“Rui, I think I need to go back to the manor. I have a bad feeling…”