"Huh…a new store specializing in German desserts will be opening in Shibuya tomorrow."

Gently rolling to her side, the cool softness of her sheets gliding gently over the partially exposed skin of her legs, her hand outstretched as her wide, brown eyes roamed through the multitude of pictures that popped up on her social media page, an extravagant assortment of sweets and baked goods filling her screen as she idly swiped through the stores advertised selection of menu items. The gentle shifting of the mattress beneath her, the soft scent of floral shampoo reaching her nose as the bed's other occupant snuggled up to her side to get a look at her screen, Ena lightly angled her phone to give them a better view.

"Oh, we should try going there this weekend~"

Chirping merrily in response, her voice drawing away slightly as she rolled onto her back, Mizuki grinned with barely restrained excitement, the pink-haired girl already imagining their date as she stared wistfully at the ceiling. Shaking her head slightly at the fashionista's barely concealed thoughts, the playful glint in her pink eyes telling her more than words ever could, Ena turned her attention back to her phone, the brown-haired girl browsing through the trending tab for anything new and interesting.

This sight is not an uncommon one for the pair, their nights often spent in comfortable silence as they relaxed after a long day at school or after a lengthy brainstorming session on Nightcord, Ena never too far from her phone while Mizuki would mix up her time winding down by either playing a game on her portable console, watching the newest episode of whatever anime she is currently obsessed with, or, as she is now, simply lying back and relaxing. It was a comfortable routine the young lovers shared, both of them simply enjoying being in each other's company, the pair often mixing it up by doing an activity together, though often it was whatever Mizuki managed to convince her to do.

Though Ena would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy being with her.

Scrolling a little further down her social media tab, bookmarking and liking any post that catches her interest, from new outfit ideas for her selfies or some new drawing techniques, Ena blinked a couple of times in surprise as she felt something gently grab a hold of her free hand, her thumb hovering frozen in place over the like icon on her screen. Tilting her head to the side, her hair rustling softly against her pillow, brown met pink as Ena stared into the smiling face of her girlfriend, Mizuki's pink orbs twinkling with delight as she grinned cheerfully, the fashion-loving girl giving her hand a gentle squeeze before turning her head, eyes closed with blissful content.

Blinking a couple of times, momentarily bewildered by the pink-haired fashionista's impromptu show of affection, Ena took a second to appreciate the adorable sight before her. Mizuki's luscious, pink hair, free from its signature ribbon, was splayed out across her pillow like a shimmering pool of rose, as her trim, but no less adorable, belly peeked out from beneath her cute, pink satin pajamas, her long legs making her shorts seem even shorter.

Lowering her gaze from the adorable sight, Mizuki the picture-perfect vision of comfort, Ena stared at their intertwined hands with a curious look in her brown eyes, Mizuki holding her girlfriend's hand gently in her own, her thumb softly running across the ridges of her knuckles. Smiling softly at the sight, noting the light buildup of callous on Mizuki's fingertips, surely from all the sewing and dress alterations she does, Ena observes just how tenderly and lovingly Mizuki is holding her hand.

Something Niigo's resident artist didn't expect when the two of them started dating was just how much Mizuki would end up loving holding hands, the pink-haired girl seeming to try and find any moment to do so. No matter where they were or what they were doing, Mizuki's hand always seemed to find her own, the fashion-loving girl always brightening up whenever their fingers interlocked. Be it due to a random flight of fancy or a deliberate show of affection, Mizuki seemed to delight in the simple, romantic gesture, the pink-haired girl beaming with joy every time they held hands, that it seemed to fill her with immense happiness.

Though it hadn't always been that way, Ena thought as she frowned slightly, Mizuki being strangely hesitant to hold hands or show any public affection really, when their relationship first began, despite the pink-haired girl's clear and sincere declarations of love, her feelings for the brunette never in question. Ena could see that she desperately wanted to, that her hand would naturally gravitate to take her own, a light tremble running through her delicate fingers before suddenly pulling back the second someone passed them by or whenever they neared the school or any other public building.

Even when she finally got Mizuki to hold her hand, a gentle smile curling on the pink-haired girl's face as she stared lovingly at their intertwined hands, she would practically rip herself free the second she spotted someone else, her girlfriend cradling her hands protectively to her chest, as if she had been burned. It hurt. Hurt to see Mizuki push her away again, hurt to be rejected by the one she loved, hurt to see her girlfriend in such pain.

But, most of all…it pissed her off!

So, finally fed up with her girlfriend constantly letting go of her hand whenever they neared the school, Ena practically locked Mizuki's hand in a vice-like grip, refusing to let go no matter how much the pink-haired girl struggled. She wanted this, she knew Mizuki wanted to as well, so she wasn't going to let her take it away, not this time. But, what had caught her completely off guard, that made her iron grip lighten ever so slightly, was the sheer look of panic that appeared on Mizuki's face, her adorable features twisted into an expression of distraught fear.

Noticing how Mizuki's eyes were darting about in fear, a slight tremble running through her fingers as her body shook, Ena gently guided her to a more secluded spot, never once relinquishing her hold upon her girlfriend's hands. Placing her hand gently upon her girlfriend's arm, rubbing it soothingly to help calm the distressed girl, Ena, with patience and understanding, managed to coax an answer from her.

"I…I'm afraid." The fashion-loving girl admitted with a wry smile, her head hung low as she stared dolefully at Ena's hand, the one stroking her arm so gently, so lovingly. "Afraid that being with me, holding my hand might ruin your reputation. I don't want people to think you're disgusting because of me."

Eyes flashing with heated fury, a snarl practically seething from between gritted teeth, Ena, in a fit of supreme anger, grabbed Mizuki's hand and began pulling her toward the school, her girlfriend's voice barely registering in her irate state, her desperate protests falling upon deaf ears. Ena was more than pissed off now, she was furious! And she wasn't going to let this stand any longer.

As the pair neared the school's gates, the familiar sight of uniformed students milling about as they waited for classes to start, Ena never released her hold upon her girlfriend's hand, simply holding it tighter as she leaned closer into Mizuki's side, her arm brushing gently up against the pink-haired girls. This blatant display of intimacy, of possessive closeness, only caused Mizuki to panic more, her pink eyes wide with worry and fear as the school gates loomed ever closer.

Passing a crowd of students, many of them giving the odd pair strange looks as they walked by, Ena whirled around to shoot them an angry glare, the group immediately averting their gaze, intimidated by the furious glint in the brown-haired girl's eyes. Turning her gaze away from the students and to her girlfriend, Mizuki flinched slightly, the pink-haired girl was surprised when Ena simply gave her hand a loving, reassuring squeeze.

"I will never, ever hide who I love!" Ena, her voice stern yet loving, stepped a little closer toward the pink-haired girl, a soft blush coloring Mizuki's cheeks as she stared into the beautiful, smiling features of the brown-haired artist. "I'm happy and proud to be with you and, even if it may sound selfish, I want everyone to know that I'm with you."

Holding Mizuki's hand tight, her smile brightening as she lightly ran the pad of her thumb along her girlfriend's smooth skin, Ena's soft, chocolate-brown eyes glowed with a gentle, loving warmth.

"I love you. And I will never leave your side, no matter what anyone else thinks."

Lowering her gaze slightly, a slight hitch in her throat as she squeezed Ena's hand tight, Mizuki returned her smile with a glowing one of her own, tears pooling in the corner of her eyes as she interlocked their fingers, the pink-haired girl whispering a quiet 'thank you'. Shaking her head, giggling softly at how adorable she was, Ena gently guided her toward the school, Mizuki never relinquished her hold upon her girlfriend's hand, merely holding it tighter as they passed the school gates, no longer afraid of what the world would think of them.

After all, she had Ena.

Remembering that day, how far Mizuki has come in such a short time, and how freely she shows her love now, Ena couldn't help but smile as she stared at their intertwined hands. Placing her phone down on her nightstand, Ena snuggled herself closer to Mizuki's side, the pink-haired girl grinning happily as she pulled her girlfriend in even further, delighted giggles passing her lips as she held her close.

Snuggling comfortably into Mizuki's chest, sighing contently as she listened to the faint beating of her heart, the pair kept their hands interlocked as they sunk deeper into each other's embrace, neither quite ready to let go just yet. Because, for them, holding hands is like a lifeline, a connection between the two of them, something they seek out to know that the other is still there, that they will always have each other.

It was a connection Ena promised to never sever.

A/N: Hold each other close.

Okay so as soon as possible was much further away than expected. But, here we are, with another fluffy bout of MizuEna goodness! Hope you all were looking forward to some more!

No promise on when the next one will be out but I've been on a writing kick recently so it might be sooner rather than later.