#shinonome ena
mzen!!
another aggie doodle but this time it’s mzen!!!
plus kanamafu bc i think theyre neat
Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! click and drag game!
Game notes • How to Play
Please use a browser other than Google Chrome to play because the gif always locks onto its first frame on Chrome. Safari and Firefox work, please try those.
If you’re on mobile, I’d highly suggest screenshotting the gifs individually rather than as a set to avoid getting the same person for everything
Everyone say thank you project sekai
I havent posted in awhile so.. art dump :3c
Mzen
As Ena watched Mizuki pose in front of the mirror, lifting a finger delicately to their chin in a clearly practiced gesture, she wondered how she had never noticed before. How could she have missed the occasional sharpness in their grin and the quiver of emotion in their eyes. It was impossible for her to look away now, to cast her eyes from the complexity of Mizuki’s gaze.
It was there in this very moment, lurking just beneath the surface as Mizuki picked up a light pink hair clip they found at the store. The flash of something that Ena had long missed, some emotion that she couldn’t place.
“I know I’m cute, no need to stare.” Mizuki chuckled, snapping Ena from her thoughts. They had turned away from the mirror and back towards her. They reached up to remove the new clip, flipping it over in their hand.
Ena scoffed, rolling her eyes slightly. “I wasn’t staring.” She protested, despite knowing quite well that she had been. It couldn’t be helped, the worry she felt for her friend. When Mizuki lifted one eyebrow in blatant disbelief, Ena continued. “You should get that; it looks good on you.”
A smile eased over Mizuki’s lips as they cast their gaze back to the object in question. “You’re right, I think I will.” They said, closing their hand around the clip. Their expression was soft now, the sharpness from before having vanished.
Ena’s concern hadn’t, as she continued walking through the store with them.
Now that she had noticed, ever since the group trip, she always did. Each time her worry grew, nestling deeper in her chest.
When she asked, Mizuki said they were alright. For now, that would have to be enough.
Summary: Mizuki wasn’t sure what they expected when they clicked the next image, maybe another landscape or a picture of the tunnel. Their hand stilled on the mouse when they saw another photo of them, heart sinking as they took in the image.
Unlike the previous photo, this one carried a much quieter sense of energy. Mizuki leaned against the window, their ear and the side of their face pressed against it. Their eyes were half shut, lulled by the rhythm of the train. Their mouth rested in a slight frown, only half visible against the window.
Word Count: 1750
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Mizuki moved their mouse slowly, squinting and leaning closer to the screen as it reached their targeted spot. They clicked to set the effect in place and double checked the position once again. They had been working on this for the last hour, trying to master this new skill. Despite the many failed attempts, Mizuki was confident that it would work this time.
They sat back in their chair as they clicked play, watching carefully as the short clip sprung to life. It only lasted a few seconds, depicting a transition from a white light to a dark black screen. This was done with a circular ring effect as if the camera was entering a tunnel.
It was inspired by the haunted tunnel they visited with the others, the way it seemed to absorb any light that shined within. Mizuki had wondered how it would look in motion and if they could use it for a video, hence the work they had been doing. It still needed some tweaks, but the idea was coming along well. Once they got the final song from Kanade, they would certainly use this effect in the video.
The corner of Mizuki’s lip quirked up as they clicked to save the project. This was another reason to be happy about the trip, they reminded themselves. Kanade had worked through her block, which had been the goal of the trip in the first place. Mizuki had learned more about their friends and even was inspired to do something new with the next video.
Despite all of that, Mizuki’s heart still clenched at the thought of the trip. The revelation they had on the ride home hadn’t left their mind.
They had sent the others the photos earlier, which they took at the different sites the group visited. They had some from the train, the tunnel, the shrine, and many from the school. Mizuki had sorted through those photos carefully, before depositing them into a shared set of folders to send the others.
Now, the evening was starting to wind down. Mafuyu had been the first to sign off, but Kanade and Ena were also still working. Now that Kanade had some ideas, the group was busy once again.
A familiar pinging sound grabbed Mizuki’s attention, pulling their eyes to the task bar on their computer. They had a nightcord notification, which was quickly joined by a second one. They were curious; there weren’t very many people who could’ve been messaging them, especially not at this time of night.
Mizuki clicked the icon to open the chat client, which immediately flipped to their private messages with Ena. The two notifications had been from her, with the first corresponding with a message.
“Thanks for the photos earlier! I took a few pictures on the trip as well, if you’d like to add them to your collection.” It took a moment for Mizuki to process the message. There wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in it, which was quite strange for Ena. She had been a bit kinder since the trip, but perhaps Mizuki was imagining that. Ena’s outlook had improved overall after she vanished to the Sekai, not just with Mizuki.
There was a link after, sent in a separate message. It went to a shared folder, very similar to the one Mizuki had made earlier. The hovered their mouse over it, but decided to respond before clicking it.
“Thanks! I’ll add them to the collection!” They typed quickly and hit enter, releasing the message into the void. Though they didn’t say it, of course they would check the photos first. It was only natural. Immediately, the icon appeared indicating Ena was typing back.
“You’re welcome! These are copies, so feel free to move or delete them!” The reply was accompanied by a smiling emoji. That was a sincere reply, or at least it seemed to be. Maybe Ena really was just being nice. Or the photos could all be selfies; the thought drew a chuckle from them.
Mizuki clicked the photo folder link, ready to find out. A webpage opened on the screen, showing a folder full of images as expected. It was stored in the same part of the shared drive as Mizuki’s other photos. Without hesitation, Mizuki clicked the first image.
A picture opened in front of their eyes, showing the train station platform they had left from. Mafuyu and Kanade stood together in it with their backs to the camera. They lingered near the yellow line on the platform, patiently waiting on the marked spots for the train to come.
The sun, which was mid way through rising at that point, cast harsh shadows over the pair. Kanade practically vanished within them, as Mafuyu was hit with the opposite effect as blinding rays of light washed over her.
Mizuki looked at it for a few moments, already impressed with Ena’s camera skills. They hadn’t been in this shot, preferring to stand farther back.
They closed the image, moving it over to the shared train picture folder. This one was definitely worth keeping. Mizuki went on to the next, which presented them with a landscape. They clicked quickly through the next few photos, moving all of the terrain pictures over to the train folder.
However, they paused when they opened another picture. This one wasn’t a landscape, and it wasn’t of Mafuyu or Kanade either. No, this was a picture of Mizuki.
They were pointing out the window, frozen in the midst of speaking. They smiled broadly, eyes alight with excitement. They were the only person in the shot, framed against the window and the surrounding fields. A slight warmth grew in Mizuki’s chest as they took the image in, relishing this chance to see themselves as Ena saw them. To see themselves fitting in.
Happy, friendly, and enthusiastic were all characteristics Mizuki strived to emulate.
When had Ena taken that picture, Mizuki wondered as they moved the image over. It must’ve been on the ride down, since Ena and Mizuki both sat by the window then.
Mizuki wasn’t sure what they expected when they clicked the next image, maybe another landscape or a picture of the tunnel. Their hand stilled on the mouse when they saw another photo of them, heart sinking as they took in the image.
Unlike the previous photo, this one carried a much quieter sense of energy. Mizuki leaned against the window, their ear and the side of their face pressed against it. Their eyes were half shut, lulled by the rhythm of the train. Their mouth rested in a slight frown, only half visible against the window.
The camera was much closer this time, capturing this moment with precision. This was when Mafuyu and Kanade had gotten up to go to the bathroom, leaving Ena and Mizuki on their own for a few minutes. They should’ve known that Ena would snap a picture.
Mizuki’s stomach churned as they continued examining the photo, a hint of nausea tickling the back of their throat. Their heart clenched painfully in their chest.
So, this was also how Ena saw them. Off guard, looking unhappy or at the very least neutral. Unengaged, even if only for a moment. Mizuki remembered that look, they used to wear it all the time. They shared it with Rui, up on the roof. They had never wanted the other members to see it.
Mizuki moved in a sudden flurry, slamming their cursor against the button to close the window. Their heart clenched painfully as the image vanished, but it remained in their mind.
They hovered their mouse over the file. Each one before they’d copied over, dutifully adding them to the folders. This one, Mizuki wasn’t so sure. They didn’t want to see it again; they didn’t want anyone to see it.
They right clicked on it, pulling up a list of options. Their mouse hovered over delete.
A quiet voice whispered in their ear, practically undetectable in the room. Hypocrite, it echoed, distinct and present and clearly their own voice. It oozed into their ears, taking a painful hold over their heart.
Mizuki remembered the photos they sent earlier today. They remembered photo of Mafuyu staring wide eyed at the sakura tree and Kanade chewing her lip on the train ride down. They had sent those photos without hesitation.
They remembered the picture of Ena, pale faced and hunched over in front of the tunnel as Kanade pat her back. The glee at which they’d taken the photo, so they could hold onto that memory forever.
All of those photos, as unflattering as they were, were seen by all the others. Mizuki had shared them without hesitation, taken in the parts of themselves they had shown to them.
All three of their friends had shown another side to them on the trip, but what had Mizuki done? They told ghost stories with a grin, the same as always. They worried about Kanade or Mafuyu wandering off, the same as always. They hid something from their friends, the same as always.
If they added this photo, the others would see it too. Mafuyu and Kanade would know too.
Still, Ena had seen them like this. She took this photo without a word, or a single snide comment. What was she thinking as she did? Was she annoyed that Mizuki hadn’t been talking with her? Was she taken aback to see that expression on Mizuki’s face? Did Mizuki want to know?
No, they didn’t. There was too much risk, too much chance of failure. Ena didn’t know their past, didn’t know who they really were. She could reject them, no matter how much faith Mizuki put in her.
Their heart clenched again, something that was becoming a maddeningly familiar feeling. The pain sat tight and heavy in their chest, urging them to withdraw, to protect.
Mizuki clicked the delete button, watching as the file vanished. They frowned at the screen, at the hint of their reflection in the glass. After a moment they clicked into the next image, which was a return to the landscape photos.
The weight in their chest remained, long after they finished the rest of the pictures. Even as they thanked Ena again for the photos, telling her that they were done sorting them and complimenting the camera work, the feeling didn’t fade.
They would carry this weight with them, this fear and pain. It would live in their heart, alongside their secret, flaring up with the words they couldn’t say.
It lived with the deleted photo, out of sight but never forgotten.
