Written Wonderland

"Oh, hon..." Yukiko said as she scooted closer and held her hands out to Mizu.

Mizu sighed but eventually accepted Yukiko's gesture, placing her own hands on top but turning her head away, embarrassed. But as she closed her eyes, Mizu willed herself to feel into the warmth of Yukiko's hands. This was special, too, in its own way. So, then, even if Mizu didn't see Serio again, there would be other opportunities for those kinds of interactions. She would just need to be brave again. Like she had been in attending the cuddle party in the first place.

"It's... okay," Mizu said, weirdly trying to comfort her roommate. "I suppose this guy just... really has my attention. It's not something I'm accustomed to."

Mizu pulled her hands away and stood up.

"Thanks for the talk. I'll... see you tomorrow?" Her eyes were soft and hopeful.

"It's... okay," Mizu said, and Yukiko chewed a brief frown, offering her roommate's hands a gentle squeeze before pulling back.

"I suppose this guy just... really has my attention," Mizu continued. "It's not something I'm accustomed to."

Then, she stood, and Yukiko very nearly stood with her, but stopped herself, unsure why the impulse had struck. She still had her ramen to finish. Maybe she'd wanted a hug, but... she wasn't sure Mizu would want one.

"Thanks for the talk. I'll... see you tomorrow?" Mizu asked, her eyes soft and hopeful, and Yukiko smiled warmly, giving a confident nod.

"Definitely. I'm looking forward to it."

She wished she'd been able to offer Mizu more, but she'd content herself with just showing up earnestly for Mizu and Serio tomorrow. Surely, whatever Mizu's anxieties were, they'd work themselves out as she continued exploring.

Mizu retreated to her room, flopping rather gracelessly onto her bed and pulling out her phone. She looked briefly through the photos she had taken of Serio and then sighed, putting the phone down.

To distract herself, she started working on some of her accounting homework and lost herself in the numbers. When it was time to sleep, she found herself scrolling down her social media pages and found a meme that reminded her of Serio. She sent it to him, turned her phone on "do not disturb," and got into bed.

--

Mizu tried very hard not to think about seeing Serio later that afternoon while she did her grocery shopping and tidied her room. When she found herself with some additional free time, she double-checked her coursework and planner, almost upset that she had already finished her homework for the weekend. Well, except her photography assignment, but she hoped to get photographs for that today.

She couldn't help wondering if Serio would want to come back to her place again after meeting Yukiko. She hoped so. She didn't want their meeting to be short. Or maybe she wanted the part where Yukiko was involved to be short. Unless the photoshoot went well. They could play it all by ear.

Mizu carefully packed her camera bag inside her satchel and waited out the few remaining minutes before collecting Yukiko and walking toward the river.

Serio made sure to arrive at the park a little bit early. He'd done his best to don an autumn outfit worthy of photos--well-fitted khaki pants and a thin cream boat neck sweater, with a light scarf mottled with oranges, browns, and a soft pop of blue, wrapped loosely over one shoulder. He also carried his backpack--happily, a fairly complementary dark brown, and full by the looks of it--and strolled casually along the path near the river, experimenting with taking photos with his phone as he walked.

After one photo, he caught sight of Mizu and someone he presumed to be Yukiko, and he raised one hand in a wave to ensure they had seen him as well, offering a wide, warm smile as he tucked his phone into his pocket and walked their direction.

---

Yukiko had chattered with Mizu a little on the way to the park, but tried not to overwhelm her roomie, though she herself was certainly buzzing with excitement. She ended up occasionally skipping or hopping as they went to get out her excess energy. Then, she spotted someone who seemed to be waving at them--and approaching. Yukiko couldn't help latching on to Mizu's arm as she whispered excitedly in her ear,

"Is that him?!"

Mizu was grateful she had opted for a black sweater, even if did slide sometimes off one shoulder, once they had made it down to the river. Though the sun was shining, the air was already growing frigid. Coupled with her slim black jeans and her hair in a bun, she looked much the same as she did most days on campus. She had, however, opted--with some insistence from Yukiko--to put an orange, yellow, and white flower clip in her hair off to one side of her bun. And, last minute, she had added some eyeliner to her waterline. She didn't think Serio would let her get away with not being in any of the photos. Best to come prepared.

The trees were vibrant in their colors--they really had caught them just in time before the leaves started to fall in earnest. Mizu was just about to pull out her camera when she caught sight of Serio walking along the path, snapping photos with his phone already. Her breath caught in her throat for a split second before she remembered to exhale. He really had dressed for the occasion. His fitted khakis with a complimentary cream, boat-neck sweater looked designed specifically for his body. The scarf loosely wrapped around his neck popped with orange and brown.

She wanted to feel the texture of its scarf, maybe even tug at it a little while she caressed his collarbone. But...

Yukiko grabbed her arm suddenly as Serio turned, put his phone away, and waved at the two of them.

"Is that him?!" Yukiko whispered excitedly in her ear.

Mizu smiled a little and said a breathy, "Y-yes."

Serio approached the two of them, and Mizu's mind was already turning on all the ways she would enjoy positioning Serio against the railing near the water--to take a photo, of course--but she tried not to let all that show in her face.

"You've really outdone yourself," Mizu said, "You look lovely. Picture perfect." She smiled, pausing for a beat. "Serio, this is my roommate and friend, Yukiko. Yukiko, this is... Serio."

Serio happily took in the sight of the two of them as he approached. Mizu wore a black sweater and jeans, not terribly different from her usual attire, but also sported a lovely flower clip in her hair--and, if he wasn't mistaken, had put on some eyeliner. He briefly regretted not wearing any himself, but... well, he was still experimenting with it, and wasn't sure what impression it would give Mizu's roommate.

Looking at Yukiko, now... well, it still might have gone a number of ways. Her short hair was in two cute, low-riding ponytails, her bangs a joyous flurried mess over her square, mint green glasses which sat ever so slightly askew. She wore an oversized dark goldenrod knitted cardigan over a simple cream shirt, tucked into a short, light mauve pleated skirt. Her legs were decorated quite playfully with thick, scrunched knee-high socks marled with a few different shades of pink and lavender, over cabled cream-colored tights, all completed with a perfectly functional pair of canvas loafers.

"You've really outdone yourself," Mizu said to Serio by way of greeting. "You look lovely. Picture perfect." Serio smiled wide, one hand brushing back through his hair He wasn't even sure if he was being cocky or bashful; maybe a perplexing mixture of both, somehow. After a beat, Mizu added, "Serio, this is my roommate and friend, Yukiko. Yukiko, this is... Serio."

Hah, that pause was... well, beautiful. Humorous, perhaps heavy, but also delightful in the way it sent a flutter through his chest. Yes, there wasn't a good word to fit in there, as things stood at present. They were in a very interesting elipses, the two of them, and he couldn't deny enjoying it.

"Delighted to meet you!" Yukiko chimed happily, beating him to the sentiment. "Do you hug?" she asked, her hands spread to echo the question in a gesture.

"Sure," he said warmly, and took the half-step forward to meet Yukiko as she wrapped her arms around his torso, and he gently wrapped his around her shoulders and gave a light squeeze. He spared a glance to Mizu during the hug, checking how she seemed to feel about it--insofar as he had figured out how to read her yet. Yukiko didn't hold the hug long, though, before pulling back and simply beaming with happiness.

"You both look lovely, as well," Serio offered then, beginning the statement with Yukiko and ending with his eyes fixed on Mizu's gaze. Yukiko happily curtseyed just the same; Serio felt he was beginning to get a fairly good read on her.

Serio seemed to enjoy the compliment as he brushed his hand back through his hair and smiled wide, maybe a little for show. Mizu enjoyed watching his movements and clocked them for later. They would make a good pose.

"Delighted to meet you!" Yukiko said quickly, "Do you hug?" Her hands were already spread to welcome him.

"Sure," Serio said, and Mizu felt a spark of jealousy in her chest as Yukiko wrapped her arms around Serio's torso, but it didn't catch flame and quickly sputtered out. Serio met Mizu's eyes for a moment, but Mizu remained impassive and maybe even smiled with one corner of her mouth. When Yukiko pulled away not long after the embrace began, her cheeks were flushed, and she was as happy as Mizu had ever seen her.

"You both look lovely, as well," Serio said, looking at Yukiko first before meeting Mizu's gaze. She wondered if Serio meant it.

If she were honest with herself, she wanted to give Serio a hug as well, but it seemed trite to suggest one. Mizu didn't want a hug, exactly. She wanted... whatever it was she and Serio had been doing lately. But that kind of touch... Mizu wasn't sure it was public-appropriate. Or roommate-appropriate, for that matter.

Instead, she pulled her satchel off her shoulder and rummaged through her bag for her camera, unzipping the inner bag and pulling the camera out to have it accessible. Looping the camera strap twice around her hand and holding the little machine loosely at her side, Mizu started walking slowly along the river path. "Shall we?" she said as her features softened and caught the light, eager to get some shots.

Serio thought he caught a shadow of a smile from Mizu when he hugged Yukiko, which gave him hope. He felt something tugging at the air between them afterward, though, while his words still settled, but before he could put his finger on it, Mizu began to rummage around in her satchel. She pulled out her camera in short order, looping it around her wrist and looking quite ready for business, so to speak.

"Shall we?" she said, her features softening, and Serio thought perhaps he caught a glimpse of enthusiasm or excitement. That was good. He smiled and gave a happy nod.

"Any notions on where you'd like to start, or shall we begin with some meandering?"

"I am of course happy to model," Yukiko offered, striking a playful pose with offset hips and a peace sign flashing to her side, eyes positively sparkling with adorableness. She certainly had kawaii down pat.

"And," she added quickly, abandoning her pose in favor of eager swaying, "I want pictures with me and Mizu together! And, I can take some of both of you together, too!" She gestured to each of them, herself included, as a conductor gestured to an orchestra, building an elegant and grandiose vision with her fingertips. Serio offered her a good-natured chuckle.

"That sounds lovely," he said. "I'd also enjoy seeing some of what each of our eyes latch onto without direction, too. Mizu," he regarded her directly again with a soft smile, gently insistent that Yukiko's enthusiasm not overshadow Mizu's chance to speak her own wishes into their afternoon. "What are some photos you'd like to get out of today?"

Serio smiled and nodded, and Mizu let out the tiniest sigh of relief even though her stomach tightened at the thought of moving on. Half of her had hoped Serio would press the hug issue, but he didn't, and she was also grateful for that.

"Any notions on where you'd like to start, or shall we begin with some meandering?"

"I am of course happy to model," Yukiko said quickly. She stuck a pose, sticking out a hip and throwing her signature peace sign gesture. Mizu hadn't told her about the plans for a photoshoot--it had seemed like a casual plan--but it sounded like she was perfectly ready regardless.

"And," Yukiko added before Mizu could get a word in, swaying with excitement now, "I want pictures with me and Mizu together! And, I can take some of both of you together, too!" Mizu's stomach clenched a little. She didn't particularly want to be in front of the camera. But, as Yukiko pointed between the three of them like an orchestral conductor and as Serio chuckled, she let herself relax. It would be all right.

"That sounds lovely," Serio said. Mizu was prepared to start walking, but Serio continued.

"I'd also enjoy seeing some of what each of our eyes latch onto without direction, too." Mizu flashed the tiniest smile, then, hearing in that statement something magic similar to their touch improvizations, but with photos.

Mizu," Serio said, catching her eye with his own small smile, "What are some photos you'd like to get out of today?"

"I have an assignment to document a moment of change. I assume it's inspired by the fall colors. I'll take an opportunity if I see it. It's good to know you each feel comfortable being in the photos."

She did start walking, then, slowly. And before long, she went toward the short barrier fence overlooking the river and stared at the water. It was just windy enough that little white caps emerged on the surface briefly. Zooming in, Mizu tried to capture one cresting, her shutter clicking in quick succession.

Turning back toward her two... friends, she took a couple photos of Serio and Yukiko against the backdrop of the trees and the path. Lowering her camera, she checked the lighting and changed a couple settings.

"Would you..." she started, an image she wanted appearing in her mind. "Could both of you want in forward slowly but turn to look back at me a little?"

She wanted to catch Serio's scarf from the back alongside glimpses of Yukiko's excitement.

"I have an assignment to document a moment of change," Mizu replied, and Serio was sure his face must have lit up, gears already prepping to turn. What a lovely prompt.

"I assume it's inspired by the fall colors," she continued. "I'll take an opportunity if I see it. It's good to know you each feel comfortable being in the photos."

He nodded, and Mizu began walking slowly over toward the short fence overlooking the water. Serio sauntered along just behind her, though he paused when he realized Yukiko wasn't immediately following. He glanced over his shoulder to see her fishing her phone out of the small pink crocheted satchel at her side. Looked like she was aiming to get Serio, Mizu, and the river all in frame. Serio decided to look out toward the river, then, letting Yukiko capture him genuinely taking in the pattern of little waves on the water.

He heard the shutter of Mizu's camera begin to click as well, and he smiled quite contentedly before pulling his phone back out to contemplate his own photography again as Yukiko happily skipped to catch up. He was still contemplating a composition of the waves on the water behind some ferns in the frame when he realized Mizu had turned around, aiming her camera back toward him and Yukiko. He couldn't quite help tossing her a sidelong smile before returning his gaze to his phone and finally snapping a photo. It wasn't his favorite, but it felt good enough to snap, in any case.

"Would you..." Mizu asked as Serio lowered his phone, "Could both of you walk forward slowly but turn to look back at me a little?"

Serio glanced to Yukiko, who smiled and nodded excitedly. He offered her a somewhat cordial smile and nod in turn as he pivoted to face the correct direction and begin walking.

"So, Yukiko," he started after a moment, figuring this was a good time to prompt a little conversation as well. "For the purposes of this conversation, suppose that Mizu has told me nothing about you. What's something you're excited for right now?"

Yukiko giggled lightly, and then touched a finger to her chin, her eyes blinking upward to contemplate, her smile positively effervescent.

"Well," she brought her gaze back to him, and then Serio gently nodded over his shoulder towad Mizu, tossing his gaze back to her with a warm smile as he walked. Yukiko followed his lead, and he was sure that glee radiated from her expression.

"The fall musical is in dress rehearsal," Yukiko happily reported. "I'm on the costuming team, and I'm pretty happy with what we've done. A few tweaks to make still. Can't wait for the performance."

"Very cool," Serio replied with a wide smile, shifting his gaze back to Yukiko but keeping his overall posture tilted a bit toward Mizu, hoping he was giving her a good sightline. "I was on stage crew for a few shows in highschool."

"Ahhh!" Yukiko nearly squealed, grabbing Serio's elbow and lightly bumping hips with him in excitement before tossing her gaze back to Mizu. "You didn't tell me he was a theatre kid!"

Serio chuckled lightly and also shifted his gaze back toward Mizu, his expression warm but his eyes definitely checking in with her, curious whether she seemed pleased with the shots she was getting. For now he didn't mind Yukiko's proximity, but he might see about gently nudging her if Mizu seemed uncomfortable or displeased.