Chapter 2
Akiyama Yuuki was rarely home when Mizuki returned from school, her presence more like a fleeting memory than a constant in their household.
Her nights were devoured by late classes and the insatiable pull of inspiration. Ideas struck her like a tidal wave at random moments, and once they seized her, she couldn’t stop until every thread, every design, came to life. Hours blurred as she sat bent over her work, sewing as though her hands were guided by some unseen force.
Even with so little rest, Yuuki had an odd fondness for mornings. She would rise after only the briefest of sleep, propelled by an endless drive to create. Yet, no matter how consumed she was, her baby brother was never forgotten. Whenever he was near, she would craft something special for him like tiny pieces of clothing made with love. And when Mizuki, with bright eyes, proudly showed off her creations, Yuuki’s heart soared. In those moments, all the sleepless nights and endless work felt worth it, as if her dreams had taken shape in the form of her little brother’s joy.
Yuuki’s first ever design was for Mizuki, a creation born out of love and excitement.
When her parents told her she was going to be a big sister, she knew she wanted to give the baby something unique and something no one else could. While everyone else brought diapers, bottles, and toys, Yuuki decided her gift would be different.
One day, with fierce determination, she set to work. She didn’t have much skill or experience, just a child’s imagination and a heart full of love. It was messy, uneven, and riddled with holes, but she poured every ounce of her young spirit into that little creation.
When her parents returned home from the hospital, a tiny bundle cradled in their arms, Yuuki’s excitement was uncontainable. The moment she saw Mizuki’s delicate face, her heart swelled. Right then and there, she silently vowed to always protect and care for him, no matter what.
That night, after the house had quieted from the day’s celebrations and the faint snores of exhausted relatives drifted from the bedrooms, Yuuki crept down the hall. Her tiny footsteps were soft, careful, as she slipped into Mizuki’s nursery. There he was, the smallest and most beautiful thing she had ever seen, resting peacefully in the dim glow of the nightlight.
Without a sound, she draped her creation over him. a lopsided, patchy little blanket.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was hers, made with love just for him. In that moment, she felt something stir deep within her: a passion for creating, not just to make things, but to bring joy to those she cared about.
From that night forward, Yuuki dedicated herself to sewing, to crafting wonderful things that would bring light into their lives. Everything she made carried a piece of that first little blanket, a reminder of the promise she’d made to Mizuki.
Or at least, that’s what she always hoped.
One sunny afternoon, as Yuuki finished sewing a new piece, she heard the front door open. Excited to see Mizuki, she rushed downstairs, eager to ask how everyone liked the Valentine’s outfit she’d made for him.
But her smile vanished. Mizuki stood in the doorway, his eyes red and puffy, his clothes wrinkled and disheveled. The sight stopped her in her tracks. “Mizuki… what happened?” she asked softly, worry tightening her chest.
Mizuki looked up, startled to see Yuuki home so early. He hadn’t expected to face her just yet, and he definitely didn’t want to talk about what had just happened.
People had mocked him for the clothes his sister had poured her heart into, not because they were poorly made. In fact they were beautiful, crafted with skill and care but for some reason they hated seeing him be himself. The only ones who truly accepted him were Ena and his family.
Now, standing there, he felt a lump form in his throat as he tried to hide the hurt in his eyes.
“Oh, Yuuki,” Mizuki said nervously, avoiding her gaze as he bent down to take off his shoes. “You’re early today.” His voice wavered slightly as he tried to brush past the moment, hoping she wouldn’t press him about what she’d seen.
“How was your day today?” Yuuki asked, her tone gentle but her eyes sharp, trying to see through his attempt to dismiss her. “Did Ena like your letter?”
She sat on the stairs, waiting patiently for Mizuki to look up at her again.
Mizuki’s heart sank as he realized he’d completely forgotten about the letter he had written for Ena. Anxiety had consumed him so much that he never even got the chance to give it to her.
“Oh, yeah… she liked it,” he said nervously, forcing a shaky smile. All he wanted was to retreat to his room and cry, but he knew there was no way he could make it past Yuuki without her seeing through him. She always did.
Yuuki stared at him in silence, her gaze steady and probing. She didn’t need to say anything to make it clear she knew something was wrong.
“And what did people say about your outfit?” she finally asked, her voice calm but pointed. “You were pretty excited about it.”
As Yuuki spoke, Mizuki’s face went pale. The hurtful stares and whispers came rushing back, echoing in his ears like a cruel chorus. He could still feel the weight of their judgment, the way people seemed to be waiting for him to falter just to tear him down.
The memories overwhelmed him, and before he could stop himself, tears began streaming down his cheeks, silent but filled with pain.
“I—” Mizuki began, his voice cracking as he broke down. “They liked it… but I think it’s better if I don’t wear this type of clothes anymore,” he said, forcing a trembling smile onto his face.
Yuuki stayed quiet, her heart aching as she watched her little brother struggle to be strong. He was just a child, yet he was already weighed down by fear and doubt over being himself. A kid shouldn’t have to worry about how they express themselves. A kid should just be happy.
Slowly, Yuuki stood and wrapped her arms around Mizuki, pulling him into a comforting embrace. Her hold was gentle yet firm, offering him a sense of security he desperately needed. “Why don’t you want to wear them anymore?” she asked softly into his ear.
Surprised by the hug, Mizuki hesitated for a moment before burying his head into her shoulder. The tears he had been holding back flowed freely now. “People call me weird,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “They don’t like me if I dress up like this.”
Hearing those words, Yuuki instinctively hugged Mizuki tighter. Anger bubbled up inside her, directed at those kids who always seemed to target him. This wasn’t the first time, but if Mizuki was saying he no longer wanted to dress the way he loved, something truly awful must have happened.
She wanted nothing more than to find those kids and make them pay for hurting her little brother. But as the anger swirled, a pang of guilt crept in. It was her who made those clothes. Her designs had exposed Mizuki to the ridicule of those cruel children and ignorant adults. The realization weighed heavily on her, a bitter sense of responsibility settling in her chest.
But despite her guilt, Yuuki reminded herself that it was Mizuki who had asked her. It was Mizuki who wore those clothes with the brightest smile, radiating joy as he expressed himself. It was Mizuki who wanted to be free, and all she had done was give him the little push he needed to be true to himself.
It wasn’t their fault that people were cruel. But the reality weighed heavily because Mizuki would suffer either way. Would he endure the pain of being ridiculed, the stares, and the cruel jokes at school? Or would he bury his true self, living a life of unhappiness and pretending to be someone he wasn’t just to please everyone else?
In the end, no matter the choice, Mizuki would suffer. And that truth broke Yuuki’s heart.
Even so, Yuuki knew Mizuki was strong enough to endure the pain. She also knew that hiding his true self would hurt far more than any ridicule he faced. And Mizuki wouldn’t have to face it alone because he had his family, he had Ena, and he would always have her.
With care and affection, Yuuki stepped back from the hug and looked at Mizuki. Her heart ached to see him hurting, but she knew he needed her strength now more than ever. Gently, she wiped away his tears, kissed his forehead, and leaned her own forehead against his. Closing her eyes, she spoke the words he needed most:
“Still… I don’t think you need to throw away these feelings just to fit in with everyone else,” Yuuki said gently, her voice full of care. “After all… you definitely aren’t weird, Mizuki. I know that for sure.”
Tears welled up in Mizuki’s eyes again, spilling down his cheeks. Yuuki smiled softly, brushing them away. “And I love the you who adores cute things,” she added, her words a soothing balm to his wounded heart.
Mizuki’s breath hitched as he tried to steady himself, her words cutting through the storm of doubt and shame he had been battling. He didn’t know what to say, so he simply clung to her hand, as if holding on to her strength.
Yuuki gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to change for anyone,” she said, her tone steady and firm now. “The people who matter are Ena, our family and i. We all love you just the way you are. You’re amazing exactly as you are, Mizuki.”
For a moment, the room was quiet except for the soft hum of their breathing. Mizuki wiped his face with the back of his sleeve, feeling a little lighter, a little braver. “Do you really mean that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yuuki smiled, her eyes warm and unwavering. “I mean every word.”
- - -
Both Mizuki and Ena were 10 years old now, and while their friendship was as strong as ever, that didn’t mean they didn’t have their share of arguments.
One of the biggest points of contention between them lately was Asahina Mafuyu, the new kid at school.
Ena swore she hated her.
“She’s so annoying,” Ena muttered one day, crossing her arms in frustration. “I don’t get what’s so interesting about her anyway.”
Ena hated how much time Mizuki spent with Mafuyu, and though she’d never admit it, she couldn’t stand how it felt like Mafuyu was taking Mizuki’s attention away from her.
Being the new kid came with its own set of pros and cons. Mafuyu barely had any friends, but that also meant people often went out of their way to include her. She quickly became the center of attention in the classroom. if she so much as dropped a pencil, half the class would scramble to pick it up for her.
Mizuki, being the kind hearted person he was, naturally stepped in to help Mafuyu adjust to the new environment.
At first, Ena didn’t mind. She even welcomed the idea of Mafuyu hanging out with them and had genuinely hoped they could get along. For a while, everything seemed fine. But soon, Ena began noticing the little ways Mafuyu seemed to dominate Mizuki’s attention, and that’s when the cracks started to form.
Mizuki began asking Mafuyu to join them on their walks home after school since she lived closer to him than Ena did. At first, Ena tried to brush it off, but the thought of Mizuki and Mafuyu walking home alone together after she parted ways with them made a twinge of anger bubble inside her, no matter how much she tried to ignore it.
She grumbled to herself on her own walk home, convincing herself it wasn’t worth being upset about.
Then Mizuki began inviting Mafuyu to join them at the park to play. She went along without complaint, but every time Mizuki laughed at Mafuyu’s cold expression or odd remarks, that irritation would resurface. Ena couldn’t quite put her finger on why it bothered her so much, but seeing Mizuki so amused by Mafuyu left an uncomfortable knot in her stomach.
But what really set Ena off was when a few kids at school started spreading rumors that Mafuyu was in love with Mizuki. The idea made her blood boil, and no matter how hard she tried to brush it off, the thought of it gnawed at her all day.
“It’s not a big deal,” Mizuki replied casually as they sat on the floor of his room. He was carefully brushing the hair of a doll his father had gifted him for his birthday, completely unbothered.
“But what if she tries to kiss you?!” Ena burst out, throwing her hands in the air, exasperated by Mizuki’s lack of concern.
Mizuki paused for a moment, blinking at her in confusion before returning to the doll. “Why would she do that?” he asked innocently, as if the idea was entirely absurd.
“Because that’s what people who love each other do,” Ena said, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her tone with a mix of frustration and impatience.
Mizuki tilted his head, still focused on brushing the doll’s hair. “But I don’t love her,” he said as a matter of fact, glancing up at Ena. “Besides, I also love you, and I’ve never kissed you” he said seriously “Only on your cheek though.”
Ena’s face turned bright red, and she quickly looked away, her heart racing. “Th-that’s different!” she stammered, but her voice faltered as she felt a strange warmth spread through her chest.
Mizuki tilted his head, not understanding the sudden tension in the air. He leaned forward, his expression soft. “Why is it different? We care about each other, don’t we?”
“Of course!” Ena said nervously, her face turning bright red. “I also love you too,” she added softly, looking away for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts.
Mizuki blinked, his expression serious. “Then why don’t we kiss?” he said innocently. “In any case, if Mafuyu tries to kiss me, at least she won’t be the first one.”
The entire conversation was so pure and innocent, filled with the kind of childhood sincerity that only best friends could share. Ena froze for a moment, her heart pounding. She had never really thought of it that way.
After a beat, she replied, her face still flushed with nervousness. “Okay, but how do we do it?” she asked, her voice light, but there was something tender in it too.
Mizuki blinked, his expression genuinely confused. “Um, I don’t know… i’ve seen mom and dad do it like this?” he said, leaning forward slowly, unsure of what he was doing but trusting the moment.
Ena hesitated for a second, her heart racing, then nodded slightly. “I guess…” she whispered, her hands nervously shifting at her sides.
The moment felt surreal, innocent, and filled with the unspoken bond between them. As they leaned in, their lips met in a soft, brief kiss which was an act filled with the purity of childhood friendship. Neither of them truly understood the significance, but both felt something new and special in that quiet moment.
It was brief, but Mizuki’s lips tasted faintly of strawberry milk, a sweetness that lingered for a moment. The doll he had been carefully playing with was now forgotten, his focus entirely on the simple connection they shared. As they pulled apart, the world seemed to pause, leaving them in the quiet comfort of their shared bond. Neither said a word, but in that fleeting kiss, something had changed. An innocent, tender understanding between them that would always stay with them.
Mizuki just smiled back, his eyes shining with the innocence of their bond, both of them sharing something unspoken but understood between them.
A few days later, Mizuki told Ena that he had asked Mafuyu if the rumors were true. To his surprise, Mafuyu hadn’t even heard what people were saying about her and Mizuki. She brushed it off, but still, she denied it, saying that she thought, “he was too clingy for her.”
After that, Ena started to get along more with Mafuyu. The awkwardness faded, and she found herself warming up to her new classmate. Despite everything, Ena kept the memory of that day close to her heart. That quiet, innocent moment with Mizuki reminded her of the special bond they shared, and no matter what, that connection would always remain.
And each time she thought of it, her heart fluttered a bit.
- - -
Mafuyu being a new addition to their duo wasn’t that bad at all.
Or at least, that’s what Mizuki thought.
She was a nice kid, a bit awkward when it came to expressing herself, but overall, people enjoyed being around her. That had its own advantages, especially when it came to the other kids being mean to Mizuki.
When Mafuyu was around, people barely noticed the way Mizuki dressed. And if anyone dared to say something, Mafuyu and Ena would simply give them a cold, unblinking stare until they awkwardly backed off. Mafuyu was often too quiet, but that didn’t bother Ena and Mizuki, who would bicker endlessly over the smallest things.
What surprised them was how, in the midst of their squabbling, Mafuyu would sometimes let out a soft, unexpected laugh, as if she secretly enjoyed their antics. That didn’t stop the poor girl from being dragged into their messy adventures, though. No matter how quiet Mafuyu was, Ena and Mizuki always found a way to involve her in their chaos.
One day, the three of them were playing in a field during a school trip. Their parents had allowed them to go, but only under one condition: they had to behave themselves and stay out of trouble. Mizuki and Ena stumbled upon a small swing attached to an old tree. It didn’t look particularly stable, but that didn’t stop them from wanting to try it out. Meanwhile, Mafuyu stood quietly behind the swing, watching them with a mix of curiosity and hesitation.
Mizuki, determined to prove to Ena that he wasn’t a crybaby anymore (a title she never seriously thought of him as but enjoyed teasing him about), decided to be the first to try the shaky swing. Ena, grinning, gave him a gentle push to start. Once the swing found a steady rhythm, she started pushing harder, laughing as Mizuki held on tightly.
Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the air. Before anyone could react, the swing gave way, and Mizuki went tumbling down the grassy slope. The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye, leaving Ena and Mafuyu frozen for a split second before rushing to his side.
“Mizuki!” Ena cried, kneeling beside him, panic flashing in her eyes. Mafuyu crouched next to her, her usually calm demeanor breaking into visible concern. Mizuki groaned, his face dotted with scratches, and his knee bleeding. “I… I can’t move my arm,” he mumbled, clutching it gingerly.
Without a second thought, Mafuyu jumped to her feet and sprinted toward the teacher, her quiet nature replaced by quick determination. Ena stayed by Mizuki’s side, her usual teasing replaced with frantic apologies as she tried to keep him calm.
Mizuki trembled, tears streaming down his face more from fear than pain as Ena held him tightly. “Don’t cry, I’m here, and I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking. She squeezed him gently, guilt etched all over her face.
Mizuki bit his lip hard, trying to stop the sobs that threatened to escape. His knee stung sharply, the raw burn making him wince, while his arm felt heavy and numb. But even through the pain, he was determined not to cry anymore. He didn’t want Ena to get in trouble or grounded by the teacher, especially since he knew she hadn’t meant for him to get hurt.
“I’m okay,” he mumbled between shaky breaths, even though the tears still glistened on his cheeks. Ena’s hug tightened, as if her embrace alone could shield him from the pain, and for a moment, he almost believed it could.
Ena’s hand rested gently on Mizuki’s injured knee, her other hand softly cupping his cheek. She glanced around quickly, making sure no one was near, and then leaned in, pressing a tiny, innocent kiss to his lips with the same kind of pure, unspoken affection Mizuki had once shared with her.
“It’s okay,” she murmured, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. She used the edge of her shirt to carefully dab at the blood near his knee, her movements tender. Mizuki blinked, momentarily stunned, his tears slowing as the warmth of the moment calmed him.
Not long after, Mafuyu appeared with the teacher, both rushing over with a first aid kit in hand. Ena stepped aside, still clutching Mizuki’s hand tightly as the teacher began tending to his injuries. Mafuyu, ever quiet and efficient, handed over supplies as they were needed, her calm demeanor balancing the chaos.
As the teacher finished wrapping Mizuki’s knee, they carefully lifted him to carry him to the school bus. Ena trailed close behind, never letting go of his hand. Mizuki, now cradled in a protective hold, felt the pain in his arm and knee fade into the background. The sting of his fall was replaced by the sweetness of Ena’s kiss, a moment that stayed with him as he smiled faintly, his tears all but forgotten.
- - -
Ena sighed, her fork scraping against the plate as she nudged a piece of carrot to the side, its orange glow mocking her under the dining room light. Dinner felt unbearable tonight. Maybe it was the carrots or her dad, who had been “unusually” annoying all evening.
“Ena, eat your vegetables,” her mom said, her voice tinged with both patience and warning.
Ena poked at the carrot again, her tone low and muttering. “I’m not hungry.”
Her dad set his glass down, looking at her with a raised brow. “Ena, stop playing with your food. Just eat a little and let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.”
She shot him a look but didn’t argue, stabbing a carrot with her fork. Dinner might’ve been awful, but pushing back clearly wasn’t worth the energy tonight.
Ena barely liked to eat at home, or be there at all
She liked having dinner at Mizuki’s house, where the air always felt lighter, filled with chatter and silliness. Mizuki’s dad loved to cook, experimenting with new dishes and proudly serving them with a grin, while Mizuki’s mom had a knack for making everyone laugh, even over something as simple as a spilled drink or a funny story from her day.
At Mizuki’s house, Ena didn’t need to be on high alert, watching every word or gesture. She could relax, laugh along, and enjoy the warmth that came from being part of something so effortlessly happy. It was a stark contrast to her own home, where the tension often buzzed just beneath the surface, threatening to crack the fragile silence at any moment.
Just as Ena was lost in her thoughts, the silence at the table shattered.
“So, Ena,” her mom began, her tone overly casual but her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Is there anyone special at school these days?”
Apparently, now that she was eleven years old, everyone seemed to think she was supposed to be “interested” in “boys.” At least, that’s what her mom and half the adults in her life believed.
Her mom leaned forward, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Eleven is such a fun age,” she said. “You must have a little crush on someone by now.”
Ena pushed her food around on the plate again, her fork scraping the edge. “Boys are annoying and mean,” she murmured, barely loud enough to be heard.
“Don’t murmur, Ena. Behave properly,” her dad said, his focus still on his plate as he cut into his food.
Ena only glanced at him and decided to keep trying to make it through dinner without getting more angry. Her mom chuckled, clearly amused. “Oh, Ena, not all boys are like that. You’ll see when you’re older.”
“Besides you are already old enough to drop that childish attitude” her mom added.
“And your mom’s right,” Ena’s dad said. “Like it or not, you’ll have to marry a boy eventually, so you might as well start liking them now.”
Ena frowned at the thought. “I don’t want to marry a boy. I’m going to marry Mizuki.”
The memory popped into her mind clearly, like it had been yesterday. She remembered being seven years old, sitting cross legged next to Mizuki, and playfully slipping a candy ring onto her finger. Mizuki had giggled, but it was Mizuki’s parents who had explained that marriage was about being with someone you loved, someone you wanted to stay with forever.
To Ena, that was exactly what Mizuki was. He wasn’t just a friend; He was someone who fit that idea of love perfectly. She didn’t need to marry anyone when she already knew who she wanted to be with.
“And when we live together, Mizuki will be a fashion designer, and I’ll be a famous artist,” Ena said dreamily, her voice full of excitement.
She pictured it so vividly. a life where she and Mizuki would create side by side, Mizuki designing clothes while she painted and sculpted. The two of them, living together in a world full of creativity, building their own future with every stroke and stitch. It was the future she dreamed of, and it felt like the perfect one.
But that statement will never be okay, not with Ena’s family.
“Ena, you can’t marry your best friend,” her mom said, trying to keep her voice calm, though her eyes flicked nervously to her husband. He was unusually quiet, his jaw set in a way that made the tension in the room thicker.
Ena’s heart sank, her excitement fading as she noticed the angry look on her dad’s face. She could feel the weight of his silence, the unspoken disapproval hanging between them. Her mom cleared her throat, casting a quick glance at her dad, as if trying to avoid a bigger argument. “It’s just not how things work,” she added softly, trying to soften the blow.
But Ena wasn’t ready to let go of her dream. “Why not?” she asked, her voice small but firm.
“Because he’s weird,” her dad said sharply, his tone cold and cutting. “He can’t even decide if he wants to be a boy or a girl, and his parents and sister keep letting him act like one of those—” his voice hardened, dripping with disdain, “—you know what i mean.”
Ena froze, her stomach twisting into a knot as his words landed like a slap.
“If I ever let you play with him in the first place, it was only because I thought you’d grow out of it,” he continued, his voice rising slightly. “This whole ‘artist’ delusion of yours? It’s a joke. You don’t know the first thing about real work, and you’re never going to make it. So stop wasting your time with him, and start focusing on real boys and a real dream.”
The room went silent except for the sound of his fork scraping against his plate, but the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Ena’s hands clenched in her lap, her face burning with anger and shame. She wanted to yell, to defend Mizuki, herself, and the dreams he had so casually dismissed but the lump in her throat made it hard to speak.
“And if you insist on marrying ‘any person,’” her dad sneered, his tone dripping with contempt, “it better not be that Akiyama boy, or whatever that kid is.”
Ena saw red. Without thinking, she grabbed her plate and hurled it at him with all her strength. The plate flew across the room but missed, shattering against the wall and smearing carrots over one of his prized paintings.
The silence was deafening. Her dad’s face twisted with fury as he stood up, and Ena knew she’d crossed a line.
That night, she paid the price. Her wrists throbbed from the slaps he’d delivered, and her stomach ached from being denied dinner. Lying on her bed, her arms trembling, she cradled her hands and stomach, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. The stars she had put on it for Mizuki, the small, glowing constellations that danced in the dark were the only source of comfort in the room.
Even through the pain, Ena believed it was worth it. Mizuki would have done the same for her, she was sure of it.
But for the first time, Ena kept a secret from him. She wouldn’t let him know what happened tonight. She didn’t want him to carry the weight of her defiance or the consequences that followed. This was hers alone to bear.
She hoped this would be the only secret she ever had to keep from him.