𝒾𝓃𝒷𝑜𝓍, 𝓁𝒾𝒷𝓇𝒶𝓇𝓎, 𝑒𝓉𝒸;

[happyberry]

—

11:11 am

Sakurada Miwako

𝕟 𝕒 𝕞 𝕖

Paradise Kiss

𝕤 𝕖 𝕣 𝕚 𝕖 𝕤

light + alchemy

𝕞 𝕒 𝕘 𝕚 𝕔

seamstress, designer

𝕧 𝕠 𝕔 𝕒 𝕥 𝕚 𝕠 𝕟

𝔸𝔹𝕆𝕌𝕋

• 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 + 𝕙𝕞𝕕 • ♥ • 𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠 + 𝕒𝕡𝕡 • ♥ • 𝕓𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 •
Miwako is a bubbly, deeply sensitive, creative and stylish young woman. She’s a senior high school student at Yazawa School of the Arts in Tokyo, where she studies fashion design. Though her older sister, whom she admires more than anyone in the world, is a bold and successful fashion designer who’s been a standout visionary all her life, Miwako is far more passive and feels she lacks the originality to start her own clothing brand like her sister did. She instead eagerly sews clothes designed by her friend and classmate George, who is a natural genius like Miwako’s sister. Together with George’s ladylike pattern-maker best friend Isabella, Miwako’s punk long-time boyfriend Arashi, and their passionate aspiring model Yukari Caroline, Miwako works hard to bring George’s elegant visions to life to create their own fledgling brand, Paradise Kiss.

In Avalon, her own dreams are coming true slowly but surely, given a pedestal and window of opportunity she was never able to reach for at home. Without Mikako's designs as a mirror on the market beside hers, Miwako's designs can shine on their own. Her problem is not that she's bad at designing; it's that her designs look like copycats of her sister's style by unconscious nature, which would shoot Miwako in the foot as a designer competing with her idol. Here? There is no Happy Berry to compete with. Mikako's designs are good and Happy Berry is a success back home. If Miwako's designs are natural mirrors to Mikako's... then here, she can succeed, living outside her sister's shadow for the first time in her life. She can be her own person, make her own art, and start her own brand — and will never hear the name "Kouda Mikako" brought up unless she brings it up herself. Which she will — often, and enthusiastically — but with a new brand of vigor. Happy Berry is no longer a dream to admire, but an example to follow.

gokudera hayato

A tragic coincidence sparks a reunion with Bingo-kun at just the right moment! log; 13 May

aimono jyushi

Another visual kei fan! She's collecting musicians by accident, too... network; 10 May

della duck

A friend of a friend is a friend indeed! And a potential new avian customer! network; 4 May

alice lidell

Happy Birthday, Alice-chan~! Not an unbirthday at all, but merry as ever! network; 4 May

kirishima eijiro

Magical hairstyling tips! network; 3 May

𝕞 𝕒 𝕪

A bright future! Miwako has money, magic fabric, her eyes on the prize, and what's more: friends! ♥

oda nobunaga

Fast friends with a warlord... What a delightful mindfuck?! Konpeito, konpeito, YEAH! ☆ log (EVENT); end of April

kohinata miku

Encouragement from a sweet stranger... who sews! Yay! log (EVENT); end of April

w a r s u p p l i e s

With her new alchemy magic, Miwako's dreams all come true in the form of an enchanted fabrics expo! log (EVENT); end of April

iruma jyuto

Networking...! Fashion photographers wanted! network; 25 April

𝕒 𝕡 𝕣 𝕚 𝕝

Finally, the skies are starting to clear; seeds planted have started to sprout! Miwako has gained alchemy magic! ☆

ikusaba mukuro junko

Birds of a feather flock together! Found another fashionista! network; 30 March

nanao taichi

Man is least himself when he speaks in his own person; give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth. log (EVENT); end of March

𝕞 𝕒 𝕣 𝕔 𝕙

Working hard or hardly working? Miwako feels like she's on autopilot! Full-force nose-dive into her new dreams! Exhausting!

gokudera hayato

A star is born! ☆ Making over a mafioso into a supermodel~ log; sometime in February

𝕗 𝕖 𝕓 𝕣 𝕦 𝕒 𝕣 𝕪

Seeds of beauty have been planted... Now, comes the patience until they blossom.

amemura ramuda

Harajuku street fashion designer pinky-pink collaboration, y e a h ! ! ☆ network; 24 January

toph beifong

Bending...? Bending spoons? network; 20 January

nanao taichi

Taichi's grand romantic gesture did not go as planned... They need ice cream to cry into. log; 19 January

jinguji ren

Valentine's Day concert and gig as a makeup artist! network; 19 January

nero

How can they co-parent for Alice? Teamwork! network; 17 January

alice liddel

Alice needs clothes and comfort and care... Mama Miwako's here! network; 17 January

hitachiin hikaru

Fashion philosophy discourse... Things got a little heated! network; 16 January

𝕛 𝕒 𝕟 𝕦 𝕒 𝕣 𝕪

December came and went like a mystical flurry! New job at consignment shop, local tailor's aid.

chang geng

Chang Geng is already so beautiful; of course he needs clothes that make him feel like it! network; 30 December

crow

Visual Kei-kun, let's rock! Commissioning an outfit that would make Vivienne Westwood slow clap. network; 30 December

aziraphale

What an angel~! ♥ The birth of a beautiful justaucorps and friendship~ network; 30 December

gokudera hayato

Bingo! Found a stray model on the streets! Gorgeous Punky-Punky-kun! log; 30 December

gokudera hayato

Magic belt commission!!! (。･o･｡) Or maybe just... a nice quality, regular, leather belt instead... network; 30 December

sokka

Welcome to the future, Sokka-kun~ (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ network; 30 December

nanao taichi

Business partners! headshots for modeling in exchange for tips from busking~! Let's make moola! network; 30 December

c o m m i s s i o n s

Advertising her sewing and photography skills in exchange for money to bulk up her wardrobe! ☆ network; 30 December

leone abbacchio

Babysitters' club... and an unusual cultural exchange! network; 30 December

nanao taichi

tokyo kids unite! ☆ fast friends on the web, fashionistas stick together! network; 30 December

jinguji ren

A long-lost Kisaragi cousin far from the Glitter Planet under-cover as a normal Japanese idol, shh... don't blow his secret! network; 16 December

alice liddel

Taking a sweet child under her wing... with matching enthusiasm~ network; 16 December

chang geng

A kindly stranger helps coax her moon rabbit and discover her light magic. log; 16 December

takao kazunari

Training with light magic and telekinesis! And a sparkly bunny. log; 16 December

tsukino usagi

Kismet roommates. Usagi and Miwako are a match made in Heaven! log; 15 December

hitachiin hikaru

Birds of a feather flock together... half-naked in a hot spring. log; 15 December

yakko

Getting their sillies out early in the caravan... log; 15 December

sokka

Warming up to each other in the caravan; meeting Momo~ log; 15 December

a r r i v a l

First couple days in Avalon are already mystifying! log; 15 December

Bingo-kun ☠️
Alice-chan 🎀
Tono ✨
Taichi 🥳
Usagi 🐰
Ren-sama 🌹

今夜世界中が雨ならば
水谷黒 (Mizutani Syunsuke)

4:04

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[happyberry]

There’s a wall with big windows, so it’s sunny and bright lighting... I’ll have to buy black-out curtains for that for photoshoots, of course, but for just hanging out, it’s lovely~ And there’s a wall of mirrors, where the ballet bar used to be! And I saw an old piano in there too! It’s so cute! The landlord I spoke to when I saw the property said the last owners just left it and it’s just been an empty room for several months now... But it has so much potential! I’m waiting to hear back about the license now, I called them this morning and left a message. But hopefully if everything goes smoothly, all I’ll need is some patience and a plan!

[ She’s so excited. Can you tell? ]

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah... I meant mirrors!

[He says and gives a nervous little laugh while rubbing the back of his neck.]

A piano? I wonder if it's tuned...

[That's something pretty expensive for the owners to leave behind, he thinks. Then he smiles at her and sips on his drink.]

We can come up with a plan. What is left for you to do? I can help out.

[happyberry]

It was definitely dusty... I didn't open it up or anything, I can't play. The studio is up a few fights of stairs, and the landlord said they didn't wanna bring it downstairs again. I guess even with magic it's annoying, haha!

[ She gives a little laugh, sipping her cappuccino with both hands. ]

Well, once I get the space... I'm gonna paint the walls! I wanna use my light magic to do something cool to them, I just don't know what yet. And of course gotta go shopping for furniture and decor. Maybe there's a flea market...

[ She pauses to sip again, considering, mind already working and wandering, but looks up with a curious expression, something of a Mona Lisa smile beneath wide eyes. ]

That's very nice of you to wanna help...! Thank you.

[bakudan_bambino]

That makes sense. I've played before, so I can check on it.

[He'll just mention it casually even though they've had some discussions about music and he is way more passionate about the instrument than he's letting on right now.]

I have light magic as well, but if there's a style you're sticking to when it comes to furniture and decor, send me pictures so that ways if I find something that fits, I'll grab it. Two sets of eyes will be better than one.

[Flea markets, hand-me-downs, anyone looking to move out of their place. He has to do some house-hunting for the Tenth and Yamamoto, then find a place of his own not far from them. He feels they might be overstaying their welcome in the inn, though they are still paying.]

Of course, it'll be me paying my dues, so to speak.

[happyberry]

Ooh~! Yes, good idea — thank you! Miwako prefers Western-style antique-esque furniture... Probably easy to find here. And I'll probably end up painting some things myself, anyway. Hehe, maybe you can help with that, too~

[ She grins, her eyes showing her smile just as much as her lips. ]

My own atelier! ParaKiss had one — it was George's uncle's old bar... And when my sister was my age in an artist group, their brand AKINDO had a clubhouse, too. I feel like I'm picking up the baton or something! I can't believe it!

[bakudan_bambino]

I wouldn't mind. I also plan on moving out on my own, so I'll need to get furniture for myself. Whatever you won't need for the atelier, I'll take in. I'm uh... not very good at painting, but I can do my best? [He hesitantly offers and follows up with a returned gentle smile.]

You're already doing so well.

[His smile grows more warm. Gokudera is happy to be talking about this, and to offer his support to her as much as he can.]

that's a cute iconnn

[happyberry]

Ah— thank you...

[ It's perhaps a little odd that, despite all her enthusiasm and inspiration, it seems every compliment comes as a total surprise to Miwako, and she hitches briefly at the encouragement, smile shifting into a grin that's more bashful. She is doing well, isn't she...? Although she doesn't ever lose sight of her goals, she works so much, is alone so much, she sometimes loses sight of her success maybe. Just because a flower hasn't blossomed yet doesn't mean the roots of the plant itself aren't healthy, after all. ]

Nee, you're getting your own place, though? That's cool! My roommate just moved out not long ago, so I'm on my own now, too. Are you excited? Have you ever lived alone before? This is my first time, hoooo~

[ She gives a low, slightly apprehensive whoop, despite its playful delivery as an aside. She's not spent much time on her own until coming here. For her, it's something she admires in other people, but she's always had Arashi and Hiroyuki, when she didn't have her parents or Mikako, that now living alone without Usagi in the house... well, frankly, it's been a little lonesome already. She can conflate whatever virtues she can think of and always will, grotesquely optimistic at times even, but setting off on his own after what sounds like such a rough ride of things, plus being only eighteen himself, to go deliberately live on his own in an alien world seems brave to her. He must be comfortable by himself to choose to get his own apartment, she thinks. So when she says that's "cool," she means more than she says. She's not like that... ]

[bakudan_bambino]

Mn! You're welcome!

[He's being honest, too. It's worth pointing out that her progress is notable. Her enthusiasm is encouraging enough, but now she's figuring out a base of operations for them!]

I will. I just have to find it. [Maybe just a small one-bedroom apartment.]

I've spent most of my life on my own.

[And honestly... he like it like that, even if it can get a bit lonely for him sometimes.]

[happyberry]

Eeeh?! Really? But you're so young! How independent!

[ She looks a little dazzled, even gives her pause from the sip of her lukewarm cappuccino she was about to take. ]

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah. I uh... I'm almost eighteen, I think? Hard to tell what with the time travel...

[Gokudera gives a bit of a pout as he looks off to the side.]

I ran away from home when I was a child, so it's just... pretty comfortable living by myself. I'm used to it. [He'll miss being close to Takeshi, but won't say that. Gokudera isn't looking for any more pity.]

[happyberry]

Uwaaa, really?! Bingo-kun is the bravest! You must have such a strong character!

[ Happy children don’t run away; Miwako knows that much. Resilience is not a blessing she’s been cursed with, herself, but she can admire it all the same. ]

[bakudan_bambino]

I uh well.. no. I wouldn't say that. Makes it sound good...

[Which obviously is not the case. Gokudera hadn't expected this kind of reaction. But he doesn't feel young, just... okay maybe independent is a better word.]

[happyberry]

But that takes a lot — to be comfortable by oneself... People can go their whole lives uncomfortable in their own company! Maybe it didn't start good, but... tragic coincidence made someone special, nee?

[ She references back to those words again: "tragic coincidence." Seems Bingo-kun has had his fair share of it, from where she's sitting. ]

[bakudan_bambino]

In the end, every person only has their self. I'm not saying I want to be alone. It's more... avoidance that's making me move out. I can't think with Takeshi around. He doesn't even know me like that...

[He's blushing, uncomfortable with the topic, but not about sharing it with Miwako.]

[happyberry]

Takeshi?

[ She can sense that he's uncomfortable but... that doesn't deter her. ]

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah... the person I left behind in that last world. There is another version of him here. Yamamoto Takeshi. He doesn't know it but we are engaged. Being around him is very difficult for me.

[It's hard to admit something like this emotional weight. But... she is his other boss, and he takes all work he does very seriously. She should probably be in the loop. Gokudera points at the engagement ring on his finger. It is not impressive, little more than a silver band with a T and a Y carved in.]

[happyberry]

Ah—

[ Her face washes with emotion, and while at first she merely leans in to inspect the ring... but she can't get a very good look at it like that, and reaches across the table to take his hand — seemingly to look at the ring, but instead just... holds it in both of hers, unexpectedly, suddenly serious. ]

...Cherish your memories with him — the other him — even though it hurts now. Don't let the pain stain them blue.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera easily lets her take his hand, then at her remark, he scoffs and looks away. He's heard similar words, but it's all so easy for other people to say.]

I can't put that pressure on him. He's still him, but... it's not the same. I've met so many different versions of him, and each time... it ends. It's hard. I'm getting tired. As long as he's happy, that's all I need. So yeah, I'll cherish it. Or I'll try to.

[It's just so much easier to put up a wall for his feelings and use anger as a means to keep himself safe. He'll try his best to treat Yamamoto like there is nothing different when there is literally three worlds of difference to him now.]

[happyberry]

I know it's hard, and obviously I can't relate, but... We're always different versions of ourselves, nee — even without crazy world traveling stuff to account for... If you let that loss steal the happiness those moments held, it'll be harder to make new happy memories... with him or with someone else. It was what it was when it was, where it was, and now it's time for change. Like any other chapter in life.

[ She doesn't let go of his hand just yet, looking at him earnestly, eyes on his eyes, even if he won't meet her gaze. She can't relate at all, and surely there are very few who can. Making it seem more normal, to her, would be her approach on how to swallow it, being one to put up a wall for her own feelings, too, perhaps surprisingly for how emotive she is. She can only speak from her own experience, and indeed, it's far more limited than his, from the sounds of it... ]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is quiet as he listens to her, not completely dismissive as he has been with many who do their best to offer him comfort or counsel.]

And if we can't make happy memories because he won't accept my feelings for him? I can't go to anyone else. I have... he's... [Gokudera knows she means well, knows he has to focus on the good instead of tripping over his own fears, but there is just as much possibility that this Yamamoto will like girls, or think that Gokudera is joking when he confesses. Everything he's been through... it's a lot for anyone to swallow. He's not even had an easy time telling pieces of it, so to hope for acceptance or -heaven forbid- open arms from the one person he cherishes the most. It will hurt. He won't know what to do with himself. Yamamoto could always hear him out and then need time to reflect on his own feelings. Gokudera would be courteous and allow that, but it all... every thought he has about the baseball idiot hurts. There's longing and aching and...]

A man has needs.

And if I make happy memories with someone else and my Takeshi wakes up in place of this Yamamoto here... [Gokudera is loyal to a fault. He could never...]

I can't just move on. I have to think about this carefully. He's still my friend, no matter what. I am satisfied with that for now.

[happyberry]

So keep those special feelings in your heart. Just because they're locked away doesn't mean they're gone — even if he's still in your life. It's braver to be friends and forgive yourself for circumstance. And— if he is the person you love, who loved you — who loves you — then at his core, that person is still there inside him — maybe not a person who promises the same future as your past, but... the same person who once knew how to understand you. And maybe he can forgive circumstance, too.

[ She's practically parroting Yukari's words at first, etched in her memory, drawing what little parallel she can, but from the bottom of her heart. This is her deepest wisdom to him. She pauses, giving his hand a little squeeze. ]

Miwako had a love like that once. I thought we'd never see each other again — nee, no, I was cruel to him... And... he was still kind to me, years later. And against all odds, I think we're friends again. Just friends.

[bakudan_bambino]

[He hums acknowledgement and acceptance. Gokudera can keep those feelings locked up in his heart, and he won't lose them. He'll guard them fiercely. If there is any opportunity for Yamamoto returning his feelings, even without the bomber prompting them... he will seize that fiercely. Then, if Yamamoto ever wakes up as his Takeshi, he'll have those combined memories of Gokudera loving him... no matter what.

That gives him even more pause and he looks on at Miwako finally, his gaze having a bit more light to it, though there is still sadness. He won't hide how he feels, knows there's no shame in it. But... it would probably hurt Takeshi to know he is upset, or trying to suffer on his own because of some stupid pride. He does feel better talking to Miwako, and her words help.]

Does he have someone else now?

[happyberry]

Not exactly. But— I do. I told you about Arashi.

[ She finally lets go of his hand, only to reach into the Happy Berry backpack she'd been wearing, now strung on the back of her chair. She pulls out that same planner from the day she'd done his makeup, and indeed, pulls out a photo she pulled out that same day, too — the one of her and Arashi as children — and hands it to Gokudera across the table. Her tone is more even than usual as she explains, a wistfulness about her, expression melancholy even as she tries to bring it round to the brighter point she's telling this story for. ]

The other boy is named Tokumori Hiroyuki. He grew up in the same apartment complex as us — we were all best friends until high school... Then— things changed... Once we grew up, Hiro and Ara both fell in love with Miwako. And... Miwako was in love with both of them, too. They're so different, but I loved them the same. They were my only real friends in my life, my two true loves; I didn't want to choose between them. But it can't happen like that... I had to choose one. But in my heart — I never really did... Things just happened. Tragic coincidence with Arashi led me to cut ties with Hiro. But— that doesn't mean it's a tragic ending. Three years passed, and we reconnected not long before I came here. What's more— Hiro and Arashi reconnected, too...

[ The way she stresses that last bit just yells that Arashi must be the possessive type, that there is clearly jealousy at foot here. But whatever her "tragic coincidence" is with the punk, however different her story is from Gokudera's, clearly, she tells this story to illustrate that she knows well how to keep lost love locked up in her heart. And that it's okay to live there like that. But it took a moment not so unlike this one, a good friend like Yukari to tell her it's okay to keep her feelings for Hiro and cherish them privately while cherishing someone else all the same, until she came to any clarity more than swallowing it and hiding this childhood photo behind a picture of her and Arashi grown up instead, out of sight, out of mind. But what she learned is that doing that doesn't yield anything more than a swollen heart full of tender feelings that ache too much to feel. ]

[bakudan_bambino]

Yes, you did.

[He remembers the excited way she'd spoken about him, and Gokudera hadn't known that there'd been anyone else for Miwako. When the picture is passed to him, he takes a look at it and blinks some recognition.]

Ah, the other boy...

[He listens to her, nodding softly and gives a gentle sigh. At least Miwako isn't alone. On this world, yeah... He can understand how she may feel.]

Does Hiro have anyone since cutting ties with you?

[happyberry]

Ah— Funnily enough... There's sort of something with Hiro and Caroline. That model I showed you, with the dark hair and the serious look. They go to the same high school. Such a coincidence! That's how we reconnected. Miwako found Hiro's photo in Caroline's student passbook, the day we met... She was in love with him. But now Caroline is with George — although Miwako thought if it were Caroline Hiro were with, I could let him go, because I like Caroline so much... But— George just moved to France... And we all just graduated. So I'm not sure what'll happen now. You never know what the future holds, I guess. The story continues, na~

[ It's not impossible that Hiroyuki and Yukari will get together after all, Miwako figures. She wouldn't be unhappy at all if that's the case. It'd probably mean she can spend more time with Hiro again in a safe, controlled way that won't make Arashi jealous. That's a plus, right? Besides — Hiro is wonderful, Miwako knows from experience, and Yukari deserves someone wonderful. That's the real bottom line, in her book. But seeing Hiro more herself if he were Yukari's boyfriend in the future would definitely be a bonus. ]