Work Text:
Pink and white carnations, bundled together, sit atop a beautiful flower stand. Tatsumi couldn’t help but smile at it as he fixed some positioning and plucked off already falling petals.
Then, he turned his head to the aisle, gazing at the similar flower arrangement lined up on both sides of the aisle leading up to the altar.
The altar of Tatsumi’s family church was also decorated with these pink and white flowers; the sheets of the altar were newly replaced, and a white chaise was placed in front of it.
A perfect image of a wedding.
Tatsumi stood there, looking at the whole arrangement. He can’t help but feel a bit fluttered at the sight; it was just beautiful.
And it would be better if there were two people just at the other side of that aisle, the blue and purple contrasting with the very soft colors of the decorations around them, wearing the clothing appropriate for such an event.
“Tatsumi?”
“Yes, mother?” Tatsumi turned his back, snapping from his trance.
A woman with longer teal hair and lighter purple eyes looked at him, carrying the fabrics that would be added to the seats and the church, almost with concern.
Sensing his mother’s questioning gaze, he cleared his throat, “I was just checking how it’s looking already.” He turned to the aisle and back to his mother, “How am I doing?”
His mother turned to the aisle and nodded approvingly, “It’s going along well.” She turned to him, handing more sheets, “Can you help me set up the seats?”
“Sure, mother.” Tatsumi smiled at her and accepted some of the sheets that were given to him. He went on the left side of the church, while his mother tended on the right side. He puts the backrest cover, the sheets for the seat, and the cover for the pews, with almost practiced hands.
After all, it was not his first time preparing the church for someone’s wedding.
Their community was small enough for them to know everyone, so their family had been doing their utmost effort to prepare well for any events that happened in their church, whether it be baptisms or weddings, or simple gatherings they shared with their community.
After adding the last remaining sheets, Tatsumi took a step back and admired the look of his work. He nodded affirmatively, with a smile decorating his face.
“You can help your father with some preparations now, my son.” His mother approached him, “I can handle the rest.”
He turned to his mother, “Are you sure, mother?” Tatsumi was a bit hesitant to leave the rest to his aging mom. “I can talk with father later, after all, I’m here until the evening.”
“Are you sure?” His mother was quite skeptical, “Ever since you had your… boyfriends, you visit us rarer than before.”
Tatsumi smiled apologetically, “I’m sorry, mother…” They already had this conversation so many times, he wonders if they really approve of his relationship with them.
Then, his mother just smiled, “I’m just playing around, my son. Your father and I are already used to you not coming home ever since you got into Reimei.” She hummed, “You’re already reaching your 30s, so I am not surprised at all.”
“That’s still far, mother.” Tatsumi huffs, almost looking offended. His mother only chuckled, “You will see how time goes so fast when you get older.”
Tatsumi only sighed, then looked at the aisle once more, then at the altar.
“You look so contemplative recently…” His mother spoke beside him, “Is there something the matter, my dear?”
Tatsumi stiffened at that, yet he didn’t turn his head to her.
“How would a wedding look for three people?” He asked under his breath.
He didn’t look at his mother, afraid of what her face would contort to.
“...I think you need to have that talk with your father now.”
Tatsumi finally looked, and his mother was just calmly smiling at him.
“Can you handle the rest, mother?”
His mother nodded, “Of course, it’s nothing that heavy. Just going to prepare some of your father’s equipment at the back.”
Tatsumi nodded, “Please be careful, mother.”
“Don’t worry, my son.” His mother’s smile only widened, “Now, go on.”
Her son nodded goodbye to her before walking to the back of the church, stepping into the small administrative building just next to their home, where his father’s office is. He knocked on the door lightly, opening it as soon as he heard a small “Come in.”
“Good afternoon, father.” He nodded at the older man in a seat with darker hair than his, his blue eyes now looking at him.
“Tatsumi,” he greeted him, nodding back at him. “How’s the preparation?”
“It’s almost done, but mother insisted that she’ll handle it so that you can talk to me.” Tatsumi sat on the seat in front of his desk, “Is there… something you want to say, father?”
His father sat back in his chair, letting out a long, grunting sigh. “You know that I am growing old, Tatsumi.”
Tatsumi felt tense at that; he knew where this was going. But he lets his father talk first.
“I can still preside at masses and do other work here in the church.” As if in cue, he coughed, the rough noise echoing in the small room. “However, my age is definitely catching up with me.”
Tatsumi takes a deep breath, then looks at him. “We already talked about this before I even left to be an idol, father. Why are we talking about this again?” He felt a little impatient. He knows that he needs to stay in the church after some years, but he laid it out to his father that he still wanted to experience some of the things he wanted for himself.
“I know, I know.” His father stretched an arm with an open hand, as if gesturing to him to calm down. “I am not asking for you to replace me right this instant. I know that you still wanted to sing and dance on stage.”
“However, I will tell you that I will start teaching you some… meticulous work and some more things than I had taught before to start the transition.” His father looked at the papers in front of him and pushing it to Tatsumi.
“Just the mundane things. You have already taught about the more eucharistic mechanisms when you were younger.” His father sat back comfortably again, “And I need more help in that the most.”
Tatsumi only sighed and nodded, “I can do with that, father.”
He really thought he was going to be pushed again to stay and replace him immediately.
“Thank you.” His father nodded at him, “That’s all I wanted right now, my son. I know you already have other priorities than what you already do here in the church.”
“Speaking of, how’s… what’s their name again… Mayoi-kun and Kazuo-kun, right. How are they?”
Tatsumi shot a surprised look at his father; they rarely talk about them whenever he visits home. Despite him already meeting them two and finally granting his blessings to them after some struggle with his parents’ hesitation at the arrangement of their relationship, he felt like they really did not have a choice in the matter. Tatsumi was a stubborn one, and he definitely inherited his mother’s assertiveness, so he felt like they just left him to decide on his life anyway, just like what he did when he decided to go to school for idols and be one.
“They’re doing well, father.” Tatsumi carefully said, as if treading a thin line around his father. “Mayoi-san has been busy with a movie role, Kazuo-san has been busy as well, but with modelling.”
His father nodded, “You’ve been together for seven years already, right?”
Tatsumi is wondering where this conversation is going, “Turning seven next month, yes.”
His father nodded again, “Around that point, I already asked your grandpa for your mother’s hand.”
The younger one raises his eyebrows, “What do you intend with this conversation, father?”
The older man sighed, “Why must you be wary of my intentions all the time?”
Tatsumi had to stop himself from making a sarcastic remark, “You just don’t talk a lot about them, and I find it very odd. That’s all.”
His father chuckled, “Ah, you have a point.” He leaned over the desk, looking at his son more directly this time. “But, aren’t you happy that I am taking an interest in your love life now?”
“And that’s suspicious, to be frank.” Tatsumi did not stop himself this time. His father stiffened a moment before sighing and leaning back.
“I know you are on guard around me all the time, Tatsumi.” His father clasped his wrinkled and calloused hands on the table. Tatsumi avoided his direct gaze.
“But,” his father takes a deep breath, “I am happy for you.”
Tatsumi turned his head at him in surprise, his eyes blinking. He felt bad that he was surprised at what his father said, but he wouldn’t blame himself either. His relationship with his father is tolerable at best.
“I did not understand it when you first showed them to me,” he looked away, slightly shaking his clasped hand. “Having a boyfriend was one, but two of them…?”
His father looked at him with an apologetic smile decorating his face. “I admit I was surprised, frankly, slightly repulsed at the idea. When you first told me, I set it aside as another one of your stubborn and unusual attitudes. When I saw them, I tolerated it, because I know, even if I tried convincing you otherwise, you will fight back harder.”
He shook his head, “You’re really like your mother.”
“However, I have seen how devoted you are to them. I always thought that love could only be dedicated to one person, and the other would be cut off at the short end of the stick. The bible and other cultures do polygamous weddings, but there’s a power dynamic always, like harems.” His father sighs, “Yet, you persisted… for seven years.”
“The Lord was right, love could be found in many different ways.” He nods his head, “Thank you for opening my eyes on such things, my dear son.”
Tatsumi tries to find words in his throat, but everything that his father said only scrambled his brain. Did his father just thank him? Did his father just admit his mistakes? Did his father let himself be vulnerable around him?
His father looked at him and chuckled, “I know you’re… surprised.” He shook his head, “But… I would want you not to doubt my sincerity this time. I think I deserve that much, don’t I?”
“All I wanted to say was…” He smiled at him, a warm, supportive smile. Tatsumi felt like everything was unreal. His heart fluttered at that smile, as if his younger self was crawling back to the surface to catch the sight of that smile.
“If you ever felt like… tying the knot, you know what I mean?” His father stood up and reached for his shoulder, patting it, “I could offer you the service, my son. I may bend some rules, but there’s time to try new things, aren’t there?”
Tatsumi froze for a moment before suddenly hugging his father, despite the desk between them. He felt his father stiffen as well, before returning the embrace.
“...thank you…” Tatsumi whispered between them. He felt something blocking his throat, his eyes starting to get wet. “Thank you… thank you…” He whispered more, grasping the fabric of his father’s cassock behind him.
His father smiled behind him, running his rough hands through his hair. He pats his back, letting Tatsumi reel in himself.
After a while, Tatsumi pulled back, looking at his father. “To be frank, father… I have been… thinking about it…”
The older man only smiled, “As I said, whenever you need it, my son. However you three want it.”
Tatsumi smiled at him, “Thank you.. I… I’ll remember that, father.”
His father nodded at him, “It’s the least I can do, my son.” He pats his shoulders again before sitting carefully back at his seat. “Send them my regards.”
The younger one nodded, “I will. Until again, father.”
♢ʚɞ♧
“Ayase-san, are you ready?” A staff member approached Mayoi as he fixed the tie on his suit. He looked in the mirror one last time, clad in an all-white suit with a blue rose in his suit pocket.
They were now shooting for the wedding scene in the movie he was starring in with a co-actress. The premise of which was a childhood friend-to-lovers story, or at least what the story is intending to be. The director is known for sad, bittersweet endings, so he already knew the couple he was playing in would not be together in the end.
He never really thought of the possibility of loving someone and staying together, then it not working out.
Well, at least in the context he had with Tatsumi and Kazuo. While his thoughts make him feel like they would leave him for a much better relationship, or realize they don’t need him anymore, he always felt like he wanted to spend forever with them.
Before his thoughts ran deeper, he stepped out of the dressing van and went to the small wedding scene set in the middle of a big grassy area. It was supposed to be that isolating, as this was an imagined scene in the movie.
He saw his co-actress, Miya, she was. She was a little bit younger than him, but has a far more experience as an actor than him. She was a child star before, after all.
Miya noticed him and waved at him, “Mayo-nii!” She called to him. She always treated him like a big brother, despite the intimate scenes. She was wearing a simple, beautiful white dress, emphasizing how this scene was childish and a fleeting dream.
“You look pretty in that dress, Miya-chan.” Mayoi smiled at her.
“Thank you!” She smiled brightly at him. She reminds him a lot of Hajime. “It made me feel like I am being wedded again!”
Mayoi chuckled, “Well, you need to lead me, Miya-chan… I don’t have experience in weddings…” He looked at her, a little bit embarrassed.
Miya only enthusiastically nods, “Of course! Just as you guide me, Mayo-nii!”
They started filming the scene, imitating the exchange of vows in the middle of nowhere, just the two lovers being happy in each other’s company.
As the filming went on, Mayoi’s mind wandered. Sometimes, he mistook Miya’s hand with a familiar one. He almost uttered the wrong name as they exchanged vows. So, it went a bit rough, prompting the director to let them take a breath.
“Mayo-nii, you looked a bit distant earlier.” Miya handed him a water bottle. “Are you okay?”
Mayoi looked at her, smiling, “I’m fine… it’s just…” He sighed, “I guess I contemplated at the wrong time.”
“What’s on your mind, Mayo-nii?” Miya sat beside him.
“I don’t know… this whole wedding scene…” Mayoi sighed, “I-i have been having these thoughts… s-since we did a d-dry reading yesterday.”
“I know i-it’s in our advantage that I think of my boyfriends in my intimate scenes with you… b-but…” He shakes his head, “It’s proving to be a distraction this time, I’m afraid, Miya-chan.”
Miya tilted her head, “Does being… married off uncomfortable to you, Mayo-nii?”
Mayoi shook his head, “In… the contrary… I find myself daydreaming of it…”
The girl beside him only smiled widely, “Well! That’s cute!” She giggled as she saw Mayoi blush. “That’s not a bad thing, Mayo-nii!”
Mayoi looked at her, “But the takes earlier…”
Miya shook her head, “That’s fine. We will just try again, okay?”
“...how long have you been with your boyfriends, Mayo-nii?”
The purple one looked at her before turning away from her gaze. “Seven years.”
“Woah…!” Miya looked genuinely surprised and amazed. “So you daydreaming about marrying them is totally normal, Mayo-nii! I married my boyfriend in our fifth year. You’re already going longer than us!”
Mayoi sighs, “I guess you’re right…” He bites his lips, “But it’s definitely impeding my work. We would work later than we intended again…”
His co-actress held his hand, squeezing it with affirmation. “Let’s use those daydreams to your advantage again, Mayo-nii.” She smiled sweetly, “Think of you three exchanging vows, promises.”
Mayoi looked at her, smiling at her bright attitude. He always finds bright people wherever he goes to counteract his gloominess, or is he attracted to light like a moth?
“Thank you for your patience again, Miya-chan.” He pats her head, something that he was guilty of doing always when he found something or someone cute. “I am glad you’re my co-actor in this movie.”
“I am happy to have you as my co-actor as well, Mayo-nii!” Miya smiled at him, “I never felt safer around someone during filming.”
A younger Mayoi would retort that he’s the last person to be safe around, as he would taint them with his darkness. However, after years of learning how to accept compliments, he’s improving.
“I’m happy to hear that, Miya-chan.” Mayoi was more than happy that he was a safe space for her.
The staff called them back in the scene and got back to filming.
This time, Mayoi heeded Miya’s advice.
Tatsumi and Kazuo’s hands in his, looking at him with those loving eyes.
Safe to say the takes were better than the last time.
♢ʚɞ♧
“I get why you like silver rings now, onii-chan.” Kaname looked at the rings in Kazuo’s favorite jewelry shop. “This looks so cool.” He looks at the more decorated ones, what he presumes is usually worn by rockstars, like that snake ring he saw.
“If you want one, go on.” Kazuo stared at the rings, looking to see if he fancies anything today. He doesn’t intend to buy anything; he was shopping with his brother, and somehow they entered the shop as they passed by.
As he scans the rings, something caught his eye.
A ring with an amethyst, aventurine, and aquamarine as its gemstones. It was wrapped in a beautiful silver metal, curling up around the gems.
It was their colors.
Kazuo went heady at the thought of it. It was a perfect ring. For them three.
“What are you looking at, onii-chan—” He gasped, “Oh! That’s your colors!”
The older brother was snapped from his trance, “Mhmm…” He only responded, too shaken by Kaname’s sudden appearance, even though he knew he was with his younger brother.
“You should buy it!” Kaname was more excited than him, well, more than he lets himself show. He knows it's their colors. It was the most perfect combination.
Then, Kaname looked at the clerk, “How much is this?”
“The gem combo, sir?” The clerk looked at the ring, “That would be ¥110,000, sir.”
Kaname hissed at the price, “Oh…”
Kazuo looked at the clerk, “Do you make custom rings?”
The man in front of them nodded, “Yes, we do.”
“How much does it usually cost?”
“It depends on the request, sir.” The clerk opened the glass display and pulled the ring he was staring at. “If this is what you want, sir, it would cost less to be custom-made, and you can control more of what could be in the ring, like engraving, designs.”
Kazuo only nodded in thought, “Thanks, I will keep that in mind.”
“Are you going to avail it or this ring, sir?”
He waved his hand, “No, I’m fine for today.” Kazuo looked at his brother, “Did you have anything that you liked?”
“Hm… I decided to pass on buying jewelry; I want to experiment first.”
The older one only nodded, “Suit yourself.” He looked at the clerk and also gave him a nod, “Thank you.” And they left the store.
“Why didn’t you buy that ring!?” Kaname immediately burst out after the door closed behind them. “That was so perfect! You got Yoi-chan’s colors, and even Tatsumi-senpai’s! That was so cool!”
Kazuo looked at his brother with a slightly irritated look, “You heard the price.”
“Pfft! As if you don’t have that much money—ow!” Kaname held his head that Kazuo lightly hit, well, it’s tapped, even.
“All I am saying is that was such an amazing coincidence! You don’t get that many combinations around rings, especially with your three colors!” The younger brother huffed, “And aren’t you planning to ask them to finally—”
“Shut, Kaname.” Kazuo glared at him, “You’re so loud in the middle of a busy street.”
Kaname groaned, “You’re not hearing me out! All I am saying is, would you rather waste the chance or waste your money? You can get one back easily, by the way.”
Kazuo sighed and looked at him, “You need to learn more about getting your money’s worth.” He huffs, “I know I have plans, but with these things… I prefer to hear what they want.”
The younger one’s frown turned into a wide grin, “Dawww! That’s why—nope! You are not hitting me again!” Kaname managed to block his incoming hand on the back of his head again.
“Well, if you want to hear what they want, why aren’t you already asking it!?” Kaname groaned, “It’s been months already!”
Kazuo rolls his eyes, “You’re exaggerating.”
Kaname groans again, then fetches his phone from his pocket. His older brother raised his eyebrows as the younger one fiddled with his phone beside him. Then they stopped walking when Kaname showed him something on his screen.
“This is the drunk text you sent to me last October, last year, onii-chan!” When he pushed the phone closer, Kazuo leaned back, probably in embarrassment. Kaname pulled his phone back at him and read his text outloud, accurately, with the spelling mistakes.
“Would you t hnk mYyaoi, with a double y, by the way, look god, you can’t even spell right! In ab wednbg dress?”
Kaname read another one, “How can we even kiss he ride? Do we even have a bride? I know I joke a lot of Mayoi beking sour bride… butv logictailly, how would that work? Ow d vene the priest pronounce us? As husbands? Do we evn get marriked in a church? Mabe in Tatsumi’s?”
Kazuo groaned and waved his hand, “I was drunk, you can’t use that on me.”
His younger brother rolled his eyes, “Still! You never drunkenly texted about marrying them! Maybe saying how Yoi-chan is sooo beautiful and Tatsumi-senpai smells so good as always! Which, by the way, you should stop. I don’t want to hear you simping on your boyfriends.” He sighed, “My point still stands! Did you even raise this to them?”
Kazuo stopped to think before shaking his head. “See—” He immediately stopped his brother with a gesture, “It’s a serious commitment, Kaname. You don’t just raise it willy-nilly.”
“Aren’t you already in a serious commitment, onii-chan!?” Kaname groaned, “You have been literally living with each other for 3 years already! You already even have a cat you call your daughter! What makes this not a serious commitment already!? You three act like you’re already married, you just need the rings and the files! You’re already there!”
Kaname grunted, “I am going to be older than you because of you three.”
Kazuo sighs, “That’s… the thing… We’re already acting like we’re married. So do we even need to get married?”
His younger brother looked at him as if he were an idiot asking that. “It’s not about ‘needing’ to get married! It’s about wanting to, onii-chan! And you clearly want to!”
“And what if they don’t—”
“Ask first.” Kaname’s voice slightly lowered, which made his older brother slightly retreat into himself. It was rare for Kaname to sound like this, so hearing it made him snap from his own argument.
After a while, Kazuo finally relented. “Fine. I’ll find a way to insert it somehow in a conversation.”
Kaname was finally relieved; he didn’t expect he would need to push his brother to just ask his boyfriends if they’re interested in marrying at all.
♢ʚɞ♧
Mayoi was humming a small, cute tune as he brushed Purin’s fluffy coat. The white cat is sitting on his cross legs, forming a cute cloud loaf. She has grown so much since they adopted her as a small stray cat. She purred as she was brushed by her mommy, her eyes delightfully shut as she was being groomed.
Kazuo, on the other side of the couch, was silently reading a book he picked up the last time he went shopping with his younger brother. He was already almost finished, despite being too busy to read it most of the time.
“Some drinks, my loves?” Tatsumi puts down a tray with three cups and two kettles, one for tea and another for coffee. A small bowl of sugar cubes and three small spoons also accompanied the tea and coffee.
Mayoi was pulled away from his gaze at Purin and glanced at the drinks. He smiled as he brushed their daughter’s coat one last time and set aside the brush. This prompted Purin to open her eyes as well and gaze at the drinks, but more so on Tatsumi, before hopping off of Mayoi and settling on Tatsumi’s lap instead. It made Tatsumi chuckle, his hands finding their way automatically on Purin’s back to pet her, “Hello, Rinrin~”
This made Mayoi chuckle as well, leaning towards the coffee table to pour himself a cup of tea and dropping a sugar cube. He leaned back on the sofa as he stirred his cup in his hand. “It’s Papa’s turn, huh?”
Kazuo snickered under his breath as he slipped in his bookmark, a strip with what is essentially a cut photo of them three with Purin, between the pages where he is at, and shut the book to set it aside. “She kept migrating to different laps.” He shook his head fondly as he poured himself his coffee, “The benefits of having three owners.”
Tatsumi chuckled at that as he scratched the back of Purin’s head, prompting the feline to purr even more. “A lucky cat, aren’t you, Rinrin?” He smiled as he kept petting her, not even having the chance to pour himself a cup of tea.
They stayed in silence for a while, enjoying the cup of warm drink and the companions around them.
Yet, one could not shake the hesitation that envelopes each of them.
Kazuo was the one to first to call it out, despite having his own thoughts as well, “I can sense something’s the matter. Is there something I should know?”
Mayoi was the first one to react, “H-how can you even feel that, Kazuo-san…?” He looked already nervous, despite being calm earlier. There was a noticeable stutter as Tatsumi petted Purin, which the cat certainly took notice of.
“I don’t think there is.” Tatsumi calmly declared, before looking at Mayoi, who was now a bit panicked. “Calm down, Mayoi-san. You can say anything to us, remember?”
The purple one blinked at them, two pairs of eyes already looking at them. He stared at them, noticing the hesitant movements in their bodies as well. He squinted, as if taking offense at being cornered like this. “You two have something as well. You’re putting the burden on me!”
The two definitely stiffened at that. Tatsumi lets out an apologetic smile, “I didn’t intend to pass the torch to you, Mayoi-san…”
Kazuo, on the other hand, was silent. Mayoi definitely saw through his defenses. Had he seen how much he was glancing at him as he was reading?
This made Tatsumi a bit suspicious of Kazuo, “How about you, Kazuo-san? You’re awfully quiet.”
“What’s this sudden instigation?” Kazuo looked at them, as if getting defensive.
Mayoi shook his head, “Okay, we should not point at each other. But we should acknowledge why we are… careful around each other today.”
Kazuo mocked raised both of his hands, as if surrendering. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. I promise that.”
“Me either.” Tatsumi followed through, looking at the two alternately.
Mayoi felt a bit torn now. His reasons aren’t that… worrying either. But it has been gnawing on his thoughts for weeks already.
“Me too… B-but, if it’s not, why shouldn’t we just… say it?” Mayoi couldn’t even reveal his, so he was being a hypocrite.
Tatsumi gulped on his saliva. Mayoi was right. If it’s harmless, why shouldn’t he say it himself? But… It’s not that harmless, or at least… for him, it will be an awkward conversation to start now. Say that he wants to marry them already? How should he even start that?
He sighed, finally relenting among the three of them. “I… I have been thinking of this… But pardon me, please.”
The two dedicated their gaze to them, and even the cat on his lap was looking at him, as if listening as well.
“A bit of a month ago, my father finally granted his blessings to us.”
“Didn’t he do that already?” Kazuo took a sip of his coffee again, “Like, 3 years ago?”
Tatsumi sighs, “I know it was by the reason they did not really have a choice. I have already been with you two for so long; any denial would just mean nothing to me. And I confirmed that when I talked to him.”
Mayoi looked hopeful, “Your father accepted… us? With no… other reasons than that?”
The teal one smiled, petting the purring cat on his lap. “Yes. It was good news. I never expected it from him. I already accepted that I will just live with my father, just tolerating us… But, he said it with such vulnerability that was unlike him that I did not challenge that.”
“And you only told us now?” Kazuo felt a little bit disappointed. “This is quite big news, Tatsumi. Your family is finally genuinely okay with us. Why did you hide it from us?”
Tatsumi sighed, “That’s not even the whole thing…”
Mayoi tilted his head, “There’s more?”
Tatsumi had to muster every courage that he had in store. Why does he feel embarrassed and hesitant about bringing this up around them? They’ve been together for seven years, for crying out loud.
They should know. They have to know.
“He offered to officiate and conduct our wedding in our church… when we decide to do it.”
Tatsumi threw it in the wind, hoping for the best.
Silence stretched between the three.
Did they take it badly?
Tatsumi was so close to brushing it off before Mayoi broke the silence.
“T-that’s… nice of him.” Mayoi smiled, albeit a bit shaky. His mind raced with that idea, an official wedding officiated by a priest. Despite not being religious, nor even being under Tatsumi’s religion, it felt… heartwarming, before anything else. He had already experienced it, indirectly, and his mind kept running back that fantasy every time they went to bed since that shooting.
“Is he expecting us to be wedded?” Kazuo lightly treaded. He didn’t know that marriage would be brought up like this. But it saved him the embarrassment of telling his own side of this first.
“Maybe…” Tatsumi carefully answered, despite the answer being clearly yes. “He did joke that he already asked for my mother’s hand around this year we have been together.”
The awkwardness only marinated more around them. It was almost suffocating, especially for Mayoi. He unconsciously gripped his pants before taking a deep breath.
“Do you want us to be married?” He finally asked, breaking the topic that was just hovering over them.
It made Tatsumi stiffen, and Kazuo hold his breath. Now they had to face this one head-on.
Tatsumi sighed, “I have thought about it…” He pushed through, “That same day, I helped them set up a wedding that would be conducted the next day. Seeing such… sight evoked some… thoughts to me.”
“I know our situation isn’t really that… ideal to be married on. I only witnessed a man and a woman marrying when I was a child… and certainly only involving two people. But it didn’t stop me from… really thinking it, especially since my father offered to officiate the wedding already. So he might… have some knowledge of how to maybe conduct it…”
Mayoi looked at him, finding Tatsumi adorable, looking shy at his confession. Yet, he was also equally guilty.
“Seeing weddings do… that, sometimes…” This prompted Tatsumi and Kazuo look at Mayoi next. He felt embarrassed having all these eyes on him.
“I… I have… I have been thinking about it… as well…” His voice gets a bit shaky, looking anywhere but them. “Ever since that… wedding scene I had in the movie I was filming.”
“A wedding scene?” Kazuo sounded almost… accusatory, his eyebrows raising at that.
“I-it’s…! It’s just a simple wedding scene. It almost looked like an eloping scene than a wedding scene, honestly.” Mayoi was worried at the sudden glint in both of his boyfriends' eyes that he did not miss when he mentioned that. “It doesn’t take much of a part in the movie anyway…”
Tatsumi sighed, almost in relief. “No need to worry, Mayoi-san.” He looked at him, smiling. “It’s nice to hear you’re broadening your experiences in your acting.”
Mayoi’s worries dissipated at that. “T-thank you.” He gives him a small appreciative grin.
“But… as I was saying, uhm… that’s also the thing I am… hesitating to b-bring up here. “ He unconsciously fidgeted with his pants. “N-not that I am doubting you two…! It’s just that… uhm… I don’t know how to exactly bring it up…” He chuckled nervously, “until now…”
Kazuo took a deep breath and sighed, “I did too.”
The two switched their gaze to him now. He felt embarrassed.
“It was an afterthought, really.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I may have thought of… buying some rings already.”
Mayoi and Tatsumi looked surprised and intrigued. Kazuo scratched his neck at that, “It just so happens I found a ring that had gems of our colors… it was a perfect one… It was just expensive for a single ring… so I didn’t buy it. But it made me think of commissioning us some matching rings.”
“Well… this is awkward…” Tatsumi lets out a humored chuckle. “What a way to know we are all thinking the same. It’s quite… anticlimactic, isn’t it?”
Kazuo huffed, “Are you expecting someone among us to propose a wedding?”
“In a way, this is a proposal, isn’t it?” Tatsumi lets out a small smirk at him, “We’re just talking about the rationale.”
“Rationale? What are you taking this for? A business partnership?” Kazuo had to stop rolling his eyes at that.
“It is some sort of a partnership, after all.” Tatsumi humored him.
“We’re more of a cooperative than a partnership, Tatsumi.”
Then the two couldn’t take it any longer, they burst out laughing at that, along with Mayoi, who was just watching them.
“We aren’t the most conventional couple out there anyway…” Mayoi chimed in, smiling inwardly at their banter. “So common traditions aren’t really expected of us…”
“Well… I didn’t expect it to be talked so casually…” Tatsumi chuckled nervously.
“Casually? We almost suspected each other of hiding something earlier.” Kazuo corrected him, taking a sip of the coffee, finally, after this nerve-racking conversation. It was slightly colder than before.
“You do have a point.” Tatsumi sighed, running a finger through Purin’s hair, who was silently listening to whatever her humans were talking about.
“Based on what we told each other, it seems that we are enthusiastic about the idea already. But… when should we do it?” Tatsumi asked carefully, looking at both of his partners.
“I think we’re ready enough to do it as soon as possible.” Kazuo almost nonchalantly said, too nonchalant for such a big transition.
Mayoi was slightly shocked at that, “A-as soon as possible…?” He contemplated for a bit before letting out a huff. “I suppose we already had Tatsumi-san’s father to offer services… and… I don’t think we would have much planning, don’t we?”
“I am thinking of an intimate event as well, especially regarding still of our popularity.” Tatsumi looked at Kazuo, silently asking for his opinion.
“Why do you look like I would want it otherwise?” Kazuo shook his head, “Still, even an intimate event requires more than a week to plan.”
Mayoi shrugs his shoulder, “Honestly, we could just let Tatsumi-san’s father just wed us with a book, couldn’t he?”
Kazuo shook his head in fondness, with his smile in a smirk. “You’re not the one to suggest that. Wouldn’t you want to dress up for the big day?”
It left Mayoi in a corner, his cheeks blushing up as he was caught. “You got me…” He said in a defeated voice that made Tatsumi and Kazuo chuckle.
“I would like to see what you would want to wear, honestly, Mayoi-san.” Tatsumi smiled so charmingly at him that it made Mayoi blush more.
Kazuo only hummed contemplatively, “How about a month from now? It’s going to be spring by that time as well.”
“A spring wedding…!” Mayoi was excited, “That’ll be so cute…!” The adorable smile that decorated Mayoi’s face made the two smile as well.
“Spring wedding it is.” Tatsumi finalized the decision.
“Should we talk about the planning?”
♢ʚɞ♧
A ring was heard as Kazuo entered a shop. An array of rings and jewelries surround him. He looked around, admiring the craftsmanship before approaching the clerk at the counter.
“Welcome to the shop, sir. How may I help you?” The clerk put on his customer-service tone and smile, which Kazuo only nodded to.
“I heard you’re taking commissions for custom rings? I would like to avail your services.”
“Oh! For what, sir? Is it a special occasion?”
Kazuo had to reel in a sarcastic remark. But he shouldn’t let them know this was for a wedding. He sure knows the prices will skyrocket as soon as they hear the word “wedding.” “I just want to customize some rings. Three rings, to be exact.”
“Three rings… that’s a lot.” The blue one mentally facepalmed himself. “When are you going to need it?”
“In a month, is that manageable?” Kazuo gently shoves his hand in his pocket.
“Hmm… I’m afraid that’s quite a small time—” The clerk immediately stopped as Kazuo slipped in some wad of cash in front of him. Kazuo only stared at him, a silent demand.
“I think it would be manageable, sir!” The clerk smiled at him, too happy with the downpayment. “What’s on your mind for the three rings, sir?”
♢ʚɞ♧
“This way, sir.”
Mayoi was led to an array of clothes, particularly wedding clothes, lined up. Most of them are wedding dresses, and some of them are dresses Mayoi wanted to try for himself. They were too pretty to pass up.
Yet, he was led by some racks of suits, which made him think a bit. Should he get some generic suits for those three? It’s… honestly ugly for him. Not when it’s in Tatsumi and Kazuo, of course, but they had so many opportunities to dress up when they were idols, and settling on some pre-made suits.
Then, a bright idea went into his brain.
He might need to persuade an old acquaintance with this one.
♢ʚɞ♧
“It’s just a small wedding, father…” Tatsumi was already sitting on this chair in his father’s office for far longer than he wanted.
“But don’t you think that our patrons would want to see their next priest’s wedding?” His father prodded on, which made Tatsumi breathe in.
“Darling…” His mother chimed in. “We already had our struggle to accept the state of his relationship… It’s not that I trust our own community, but we don’t want the wedding to be a harder day for your son and his partners.”
“Isn’t it the perfect time for me to preach about love in a different stroke? The community we represent should be informed of a shift in our perspective. And they would welcome them warmly!”
The mother only sighed, shaking her head. “I get what you’re planning. But I think there’s a better time for that other than being the day of their wedding. Let them celebrate it as it is. We can schedule a community gathering after the fact.”
Tatsumi was grateful that his mother took the hint that he wouldn’t really want to involve the devotees of their religion this time. He loves them dearly, don’t get him wrong. But he would be more nervous about keeping faces in the wedding rather than cherishing such a beautiful day.
After some more assertion, his mother finally persuaded his father to maintain it as intimate as the to-be-wedded trio wanted. Just their friends and family, and that’s all.
“Alright… would you want it inside the church…? Or maybe the small garden we have in the backyard.” Tatsumi looked at him, a bit confused. He swore his father would have pushed the wedding in the church proper.
“I don’t want it to look like I am converting your partners in our faith, my son.” As if his father read his mind, he assured his son.
It made Tatsumi smile a bit, “Sure, the garden sounded beautiful.”
♢ʚɞ♧
It was the big day.
Kazuo fixed his blue tie as he looked in the mirror. He smiled at how he looked. It was a custom-made wedding suit. It was a decorated, simple white suit, with ribbons, white flowers, and some other fancier design, such as the frill at the side of his pants and a belt around his dark blue vest.
Reminiscent of the style of a certain artist.
“You look like ya are goin’ to perform in a weddin’ live!” A loud chuckle rang in the room that made Kazuo’s head ache.
He turned to his former unitmates sitting in different parts of the room, Rinne taking the bed (he needs to apologize to Tatsumi’s parents later), Niki on a stool in a vanity, and Kohaku staring from the window.
“It is the producer’s work, after all.”
“Shit, ya got Anzu-chan to make your wedding clothes? Damn, you’re VIP!” Rinne’s smirk was too wide for Kazuo to slap away from him.
“I don’t know how Mayoi did it, but he said she did enthusiastically agree. Apparently, another idol also commissioned her for their wedding. I don’t blame them. Anzu’s work does not disappoint.”
Rinne looked at Niki with a big grin, “Man! I hope we did that in ours, Niki-kyun~.”
Niki only rolled his eyes, “It was a weddin’ in your village, Rinne-kun. And we had to wear the dress your customs demanded.”
“Hey, a man can dream! Besides, we haven’t been wedded yet in the city~ So there’s a chance~” Rinne then switched his gaze to Kohaku, who was silently listening to everything. “And Kohaku-chan could steal that idea too~! Have any plans to follow through on them next?”
Kohaku groaned, “Not yer business.”
“Aw~! Just checkin’, Kohaku-chan~ Sooner or later we will get invites in yer guys’ wedding~!”
Kazuo huffed in amusement, “We can help you with that, if you need, Oukawa.”
“Why ‘re ya sidin’ wit’ ‘im now, Kazuo-han!?” Kohaku glared at them, “As I said, none of yer business!”
“Hey, just putting it out there. It’s my wedding, Oukawa. Don’t be grumpy for me, okay?” Kazuo only smirked wider as Kohaku grunted at them.
“We should go down now.” Niki looked at his watch and said to them, “I think they’re already waitin’.”
Kohaku peeked at the window, “Yup, some of ‘em ‘re already t’ere.”
Kazuo took a deep breath and let it out, “Let’s go.”
“Mhm… Tsukasa-chan had to do something… He sends you his regards, though…” Arashi muttered as she applied more blush to his cheek.
“Just a little more, Mayoi-chan…” Arashi flicked a brush on Mayoi’s nose before stepping back to admire her work. “There! You look so pretty~.”
Mayoi looked at the mirror and smiled to himself, “Thank you, Narukami-san…”
“Of course~ Anything for my pretty best friend~” Arashi sets aside her brush in her makeup bag.
Aira opened the door and glanced at Mayoi, lettingout a short squeal, “Wahh~! You look so good, Mayo-san!”
Mika followed him, smiling as he saw Mayoi’s look. “It seems ya chose how ta’ outfits would’ve looked…”
Mayoi stood from his chair, and when he looked at the full-length mirror beside him, a beautiful silhouette greeted him. His outfit was a fusion of a wedding dress and a suit, almost reminiscent of an outfit he had before with Hiyori and others. Of course, working with the producer meant they would have what they had wanted, and his excitement couldn’t even be described when she first showed him her sketches.
“It’s such a good choice for Mayoi-chan~!” Arashi smiled fondly at him, her hands clasped near her cheek. “He perfectly captures the blurry line between being a bride and a groom.”
Aira hummed in thought, “Tatsumi-senpai and Kazuo-senpai do refer to him as their ‘wife’. So you’re not far off, Narukami-senpai.”
Mayoi blushed at that, turning to look at the others. “Thank you, everyone…” He played with his gloved hands, “You make this a little less… nerve-racking.”
“Don’t ya worry, Ayase-kun, it’s yer big day! Do cherish it.” Mika approached him and escorted him out of the room with the others. “Let’s go… ‘Ta others ‘re waitin’.”
“I’m glad your father actually lets you get wedded, never mind being officiated by him, Tatsumi-senpai.” Jun leaned on the cabinet he was near, looking at Tatsumi adjusting his suit, especially the designed belts around it.
“It’s such a great opportunity, Tatsumi-senpai! When my brother married Niki-senpai, it was a whole negotiation with the village!” Hiiro looked too in awe, staring at Tatsumi.
“Hah, knowing Tatsumi-kun, he would have married them in any way he possibly could~ Kazuo-kun has some connections outside of Japan as well.” Hiyori chuckled in humor, sitting on Tatsumi’s bed as if he owned it. “The wedding is already a guarantee!”
Tatsumi only chuckled, shaking his head fondly, “I did not expect it as well. But, we must thank the Lord for willing it for us to be united in front of him.”
“You’re a priest anyway, Tatsumi-kun.”
“Can a priest officiate his own wedding?” Hiiro tilted his head in curiosity. “My brother, despite being the head of the village, had someone officiate his wedding with Niki-senpai!”
“Oh, Hiiro-kun~ You already know your Tatsumi-senpai, if he really wanted to, he would find a way.”
A knock on the door was heard, revealing Kaname as he entered. He smiled at Jun and Hiyori before looking at Tatsumi. “Tatsumi-senpai, your father said the wedding will start. You should get going.”
“Is it?” Tatsumi hummed affirmatively before looking at the three accompanying him in his room. “Shall we go?”
Outside, an arch decorated with flowers and white sheer fabric stood in front of chairs, and a short aisle covered in a red carpet. More flowers are decorated around the venue, pinks, yellows, and blues surround the small wedding scene. The chairs are few, but enough for such a small and intimate event.
Kaname goes out to the main area of the event and announces to everyone that the wedding is starting, prompting every guest to take their seats.
After a while, slow music plays, wrapping the venue in a beautiful melody. The guests look at the back, waiting for the stars of this day to walk out of their spots.
Mayoi gulped, his throat drying up as he took a step out of the little booth he was in that was covered with fabric.
As he stepped out, his eyes already zoomed in on the two people walking towards the center from their own booths as well, Tatsumi on his left, and Kazuo on the right. It seems they’re thinking the same as well, as their gazes landed on each other.
Tatsumi couldn’t help but smile widely at the sight. He has witnessed many weddings since he was a child, but he never witnessed one like this. It was a beautiful new sight for him, and he was glad he was the one that is participating in this.
Kazuo felt his hands were clammy, then became sweatier as he looked at the two of them. Anzu really did a good job with their wedding clothes. It was at the same quality as their usual idol outfits, but this time, it was grounded in the fact that this was an actual wedding, and not the lives they had for June Bride, and who they are. And, it’s also by the fact they are being worn by Mayoi and Tatsumi.
They met in the middle, their arms finding themselves entangled immediately when they got near each other. They exchanged smiles and small whispers about each other’s beauty. After that, they walked to the aisle, passed by the friends they invited, and went to the altar where Tatsumi’s father was waiting.
His father smiled at his son and his soon to be son-in-laws, before looking at everyone to start the wedding officially. “Today, we are all here to witness the union between Tatsumi Kazehaya, Kazuo Tojou, and Mayoi Ayase. This marks the start of a new chapter of their life and their relationship.”
“Before we start, please affirm your intentions in this wedding.”
Tatsumi cleared his throat, “I am here because I chose to be wedded to these two lovely people.”
Kazuo shakes his head fondly and lets out a huff, “I affirm my intentions of being united with Mayoi and Tatsumi.”
Mayoi gulped before smiling, “I heartfully chose to be wedded to the two people with me before you, father.”
Tatsumi’s father nodded, “Now that the partners have affirmed continuing the wedding. Are there any objections in the crowd?”
After a few seconds of silence, the presider nodded. “We may now proceed with the wedding.”
“In a union of a lifetime, the three of you promise to be the best partners each of you will have. In vows, we see the deep relationship of those united by the Lord’s will. You may start whenever you want.”
Tatsumi looked at both of them, opting to start first. “Hello.” He greeted them with a smile, inciting some chuckles from them and the crowd.
“To my angel and my darling,” he started, and some teasing noises were heard from the small crowd they had, especially coming from Rinne and Hiyori.
“I never would have expected to stand at an altar, in front of my father,” he nodded at the man in front of them with a humored grin, “and be wedded as I dreamed it to be.”
“I honestly never would have expected it would have been you two, especially you two specifically, to be the partners I would swear my whole life with. But I don’t regret anything at all. It may not be the relationship I have expected and seen throughout my life, but it’s the best I had and will ever have. You two have changed how I look in the world and to myself, and I cannot thank you two enough for that.”
He smiled at them warmly, “I always thank the Lord every day for giving you two to me. I promise that I will not waste the blessings that He has graced His servant. I will cherish you two, every day, for the rest of my life. I want to spend every single day with you two for the rest of our lives. Cooking, cleaning our shared home, sleeping together, taking care of our own cat-daughter.”
There were some chuckles and ‘aww’ from the audience, but Tatsumi continued. “I think I have said enough. And if it wasn’t, I could whisper it to you two anyway.” He chuckles, “I love you two deeply, more than anything in my life. Thank you for being with me.”
A few clapped as Tatsumi ended his vow. Hiyori wiped his metaphorical tears beside Jun, “I feel like a proud parent…” Jun only shook his head fondly.
It was Mayoi’s turn; he had to find an angle where he could see both Tatsumi and Kazuo and show his face slightly to the audience. He cleared his throat and looked at his partners.
“I always thought I was cursed when I was a child…” He started, his voice slightly small but still audible. “But… since I stepped out of the darkness I surrounded myself in… I have embodied the suit I presented in ALKALOID, a lucky clover…”
“I had good friends, beautiful ones. And… I am always grateful for them.” He looked in the crowd, his gaze sweeping over it. Arashi had her hands on her chest, as if melted from his words. Shinobu, who was beside Tetora, only pumped his fist in the air while Hajime chuckled along with Tomoya.
“Yet, I seemed to luck out when I got you two.” He turned back to Tatsumi and Kazuo, smiling. “I never thought I would reach you two. Tatsumi-san is too bright for me, Kazuo-san was on a pedestal, and I knew I couldn’t be able to stand with him. But you prove me wrong, you always prove me wrong, my intrusive thoughts, my doubts, and insecurities. I can’t thank you enough for that.”
“Ever since we finally got together, I wanted this to last. I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else but you two.” He blushed at that, as if almost embarrassed to say it out loud. “It almost felt too arrogant for me, but I wanted to be with you two, as long as… No… forever, I wanted to be with you two forever.”
“I love you both.” Mayoi smiled fondly at them, which garnered some adorable squeals from the crowd. “Even if I was like that and still am… You embraced me for who I am… and helped me when I decided to change some of it for my betterment. I promise to always love you two, in the best way I can, in every part of me. I will take care of you two, even though both of you are stubborn at times.”
Tatsumi and Kazuo chuckled almost embarrassingly at that, while the others cackled, mainly Rinne, along with Niki.
“Besides that… I never felt love like this before, so I will deeply cherish it and never waste a chance to give back and take with what we share. Thank you again for choosing me… choosing us.”
Another wave of clapping emerged from the crowd as Mayoi ended his vow. As it slowly faded out, Kazuo cleared his throat as well and looked at both Mayoi and Tatsumi. He pulled out a page of a small notebook, earning some chuckles and fond ‘awws’ from the crowd.
“I don’t think I would be able to say what I want to say as coherently as you two if I don’t write it down.” He unfolded the piece of paper and smiled apologetically at him, “Rest assured, this is written with contemplation I had the past night I wrote this.”
“I would like to call myself a fool.”
“A strong start,” Rinne commented, earning a nudge from Niki. Kazuo glared at him, prompting some chuckles before he cleared his throat to continue.
“I have sworn years ago that my heart would be locked away. I don’t have any use for it. The coldness I bring would suffice in surviving my life.” Kazuo felt already embarrassed reading what his tired yet lovestruck self had written three nights before.
“What I did not account for are people who are willing to show me otherwise and accompany me through that change. That goes for my friends, and especially you two, Tatsumi and Mayoi.” He looked at them, smiling.
“You taught me a lot of things. How to care for someone. How to receive such care for someone. And how not to feel guilty in receiving so. You taught me that I did not need to do anything at all to receive such love, an unconditional love that I had not felt before. I have changed, for the better, because of you two. And, I very much thank you two for that. So much.”
Kazuo had to reel himself in; he could feel himself getting slightly emotional. “I promise you two everything. Anything you want or need. My love, my attention, my affection… everything that you two deserve. In a way, you two complete me. Despite the fights and misunderstandings that we had for years, especially before we even got together, I would never replace this for anything. I love you two, as long as I breathe.”
Mayoi chuckled as he wiped a tear that already escaped from his eye, making Kazuo realize he was already tearing up. He fixed his posture, reeling in more tears, lest he invite more teasing from a certain redhead. Yet, the crowd only looks at the scene fondly, finding Kazuo’s emotional vow something adorable.
“Now that you have promised each other your love, your life, and your devotion, a testament to that should now be presented.”
As if on cue, they all looked at the aisle, revealing Purin walking down the aisle. In her bag was a pillow with three of the rings they had. She was wearing a cute flower in her neck that she somehow permitted. Well, it was her parents’ wedding after all; she could make exceptions.
A series of ‘awws’ and surprised gasps was heard from the crowd. Mayoi himself gasped and crouched when Purin arrived at the altar with the rings. “Ohmygosh… my little Purin is the ringbearer…” He petted her, which earned some purrs from her.
Kazuo finally had some confidence and control back as he grinned proudly, “She’s a great ringbearer, isn’t she?” He grabbed the cushion from Purin and petted her. “Good girl.” He pulled out some treats from his pockets and fed them to her.
Tatsumi only chuckled, giving her some pets as well. “Well, that was clever.” He commented as they let Purin join the crowd, mainly Kaname, who called her in. Kaname only smiled at him, almost too obvious that he was on this as well.
Kazuo only smiled before giving the priest the cushion. He nodded at Kazuo before looking at the three of them. “To rightfully engrave the promise you three shared, pledge before me and the Lord of your promises.”
The priest presented the rings before them. Tatsumi reached for the one with an amethyst and an aquamarine gem, wrapped in a beautiful golden ring with a beautiful design of the metal curling up on each gem. He could see that under it was an engraving of the word “Devotion.” Then Mayoi reached for his, which had an aventurine and an aquamarine gem, and “Affection” was engraved on it. Kazuo reached for his own as well. He couldn’t help but remember the day he looked at these rings. It was perfect, much more perfect than what he found before. He had an amethyst and an aventurine gem, and the word engraved within the rim, “Admiration.”
“Do you, Mayoi Ayase, Tatsumi Kazehaya, and Kazuo Tojou, each promise to love, honor, and cherish one another, to support each other in joy and in sorrow, to remain faithful to the bond you share, and to nurture the trust, respect, and devotion that holds you together as partners in life and in heart?
They all looked at each other, smiling at each other before looking at the priest. “We do.”
“You shall now wear the ring that will symbolize the unconditional and never-ending love and commitment you have for each other.”
The three slipped the rings on their left ring finger at the same time, admiring the matching gems on each other.
Tatsumi’s father nodded happily as he set down the cushion for the rings. “Now that it is settled and done, you have promised each other your faithfulness and love in front of your trusted friends and family and God. I wish you three all the best in your union.”
He raised both of his hands slightly, “By the power vested in me, I celebrate and acknowledge your love, and now pronounce you partners in life and love. From this moment on, you walk this path together, as partners in love, trust, and devotion.”
Everyone clapped at that, cheering for them. Tatsumi and Kazuo smiled at each other, something in their minds gearing up. Before Mayoi could react at their faces, they suddenly kissed his cheeks that made him blush terribly. They chuckled at his reactions, before suddenly stealing a kiss on both of them as a “payback”. It only made their guests chuckle.
“Cheers to the newlyweds!” Rinne raised his hands in the air as the others cheered with him, all of them approaching the three to congratulate them.
They were suddenly broken up with their friends, who were excited to congratulate them.
“Congratulations, Mayoi-dono!” Shinobu approached Mayoi, who was happy enough to see him.
“Chief~! I thought you couldn’t make it~!” He hugged him in excitement.
Shinobu only chuckled, “Why would I miss an important event of my dear friend? I had my own… techniques.”
Mayoi only chuckled, “You’re still a ninja at heart, chief~!”
“Congratulations, Ayase-senpai…!” Hajime approached with Tomoya, “I’m so proud of you!”
“Shino-san…! Tomoya-san…! Oh, I’m so happy!”
“Congrats, Kazehaya-senpai, and thanks for inviting me here.” Koga patted Tatsumi’s back, earning a chuckle from him.
“Oh, no worries, Koga-san. I’m glad you heeded my invitation.”
“Congratulations, Kazehaya-kun.” Eichi approached him with a smile. “Idols have been married a lot these days, don’t they?”
“And only a few of those are you inviTED.” Natsume approached next, glaring at the blonde.
“Eichi-san! Natsume-san,” Tatsumi chuckled, “We are all settling down, aren’t we?”
“I suppose SO. Congratulations, Kazehaya-senPAI.”
“Congrats, Kazuo-san!” Tetora shouted at him as he approached him. “And thanks for inviting me. Shinobu-kun had someone to go with, so he could miss work.” He chuckled.
“You didn’t just make my wedding an excuse to slack off, Nagumo?”
“Oh, give him some slack~” Arashi chuckled, “Congratulations, Kazuo-chan~ My condition still stands. If I ever hear anything from Mayoi-chan, you’re done for~.”
“Not you too, Narukami.”
The guests continued congratulating them, mainly ALKALOID and Crazy: B went on to all of them three, mainly to congratulate them, and second to tease them or piss them off, as per Rinne’s behavior. This continued until they moved to the shared feast, where they all finally settled after the wedding.
The three looked at each other with a satisfied smile, joining the others to mingle with them.
After all, they had forever with each other now.