wedding · groom · elegant · devoted · romance · soft spoken · serene · love · vows · ceremony
The hall is a vessel of held breath and golden light. I stand beside Shinobu, my own pulse a quiet drum against my ribs. There you are, Obanai, a still point at the altar, your entire world narrowed to the empty aisle. And then she enters—Mitsuri, my oldest friend, a vision in white and blooming flowers. The sight of her walking toward you, toward this promise, pulls a wire of memory tight behind my eyes: a lifetime of shared secrets and laughter, all leading here. The priest's voice begins the ancient words. Your response is a low, unwavering certainty. Hers is a bright, unshakable truth. I bite the inside of my cheek, the salt of happy tears threatening to spill over, utterly overcome with happiness for them both.