Wedding

We both stare at the school.

"We're finally graduating, huh?" I say, "Graduating from Class A, at that."

"Yeah... we did it, Kiyotaka."

It required even my efforts, but even so, we graduate from our ideal class.

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"Suzune, what college do you plan on entering?"

"E-Eh? Well... what college, huh? I need to ask my parents regarding such thing..."

"Well, I need to deal with something for a while. So we will not see each other in months, or maybe even years."

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"Huh?"

"I will move to another city, and settle things with my family. Then, I will come back to you."

"K-Kiyotaka!"

"I'm sorry I suddenly sprung this news onto you, but it's a necessary step. After all, confronting my father was inevitable."

"But... you'll go away?"

"Yes. For a long time."

"And... you'll come back, right?"

I smile, "Of course. Besides, we still have something to do when everything is over, am I right?"

She smiles back at me, "Yeah... I guess you're right."

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"I'll be waiting..."

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4 years later

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I love her.

The her that is Horikita Suzune.

The love that colourized my world.

Colourized life.

Colourized my heart.

Teaching me that even a shallow shell shall shine. A shallow shell shall smile. A shall shell shall be filled.

Filled with love.

"Love..."

I never had received love, only exploitations of the cruel adults.

Love for my existence, not who I could, will or should be.

[I... may have developed feelings for you]

And instead of pushing myself to the boundaries to gain love, I merely had to aid her to change everything.

[I'm saying that... I love you]

For the first time, I am to receive love from family. A new family.

"Are you ready, Ayanokoji?"

"I guess I am, Manabu."

"What were you thinking about, anyway? "

"Oh it's nothing."

"I see. We still have 10 minutes before going out, so please greet my parents in the meantime. They wish to see you before the ceremony, is that fine?"

"Parents, huh? Very well, I'll see them."

The first time I'll ever regard someone as my parent.

I wonder,

If I'll be free from being an unlovable child.

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"Hello, Kiyotaka-kun." The father greets me, with the mother right beside.

"Mr and Mrs Horikita... thanks for giving me consent to marry your daughter."

"No, no, it is us that should thank you. Our family had been far distant until you came and brought us together. It is a shame to see our little daughter grow up into an adult indeed, but I'm sure she'll be fine with you by her side."

"That's... good to hear."

The mother walks forward and grabs both of my shoulders, "Please bear with my daughter for the rest of your life. She can be stingy or difficult to handle, but please excuse her shortcomings, Kiyotaka."

"Of course I will."

"Please treat her with the happiness she deserves..."

"Of course."

"And also-"

"It's fine. There's no way I'll leave her, nor will she leave me. As a parent, you should feel assured of that."

She smiles, with tears in her eyes.

"I see, thank you again, Kiyotaka." She kisses my cheek, "Take care of her. She is fragile, but I'm sure you can do it!"

"Yes... mother."

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A few minutes until I go out.

I look into the mirror one more time.

"I guess I look alright..."

I never have worn these types of clothes.

But I guess I will wear them more often in the future.

"The future..."

Who knows what the future holds?

Brimming with possibilities, piqueing our curiosity.

However one thing I can ascertain is that...

the future shall involve both of us.

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"Ayanokoji, sorry to disturb you once again."

Manabu comes in.

"What is it? It's still minutes before I have to get out."

"No, that's not what I came here for. It's because... someone who calls you his son wants to see you."

I widen my eyes.

"Bring him here."

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"Kiyotaka."

I lower my eyelids, "Father."

"Kiyotaka, it's been 2 years... and this is the first thing I see?"

"I said I am free to do what my will desires, and here I am implementing that statement into reality. You have no rights to take me away, nor this freedom."

"I see, that's how it is."

"I've already won against you. It took years, but I did it. So now, just as you promised, you will leave me alone."

"You really are a stubborn child, eh?"

"And you really are a stubborn father. Refusing to surrender until you have succeeded in taking me back. It almost makes me foolish to be born under you."

"Who said I came here to take you back?"

I widen my eyes, "Then, what did you come here for?"

He takes a step forward, "To congratulate you. In both winning against me, and winning a girl."

"I can't believe that."

"Even if you dont believe it, I will still congratulate you."

He hands me over a paper, "What's this?" I ask.

"It's a registry of disownment. I... wanted you to sign this, and erase me from your life."

I stare at the paper blankly.

"It's the only way I can atone, for treating you as a sample, rather than a son."

What does this mean?

Before such a special ceremony,

And I have to decide such immense decision?

"Why so sudden? And why now?" I ask.

"After this wedding, I want you to have a good life. So right now is the best time to allow you to live freely henceforth."

"Ridiculous. Why would I sign this for a father who has no control over his son anymore?"

"Huh?"

"I won't sign it. I can't erase someone from life through a single signature."

"But-"

"Father, you will visit me at least once a month. You will visit me and my wife. Because now, I'm not your only child. You have a daughter now."

"...what?"

"And after a while, you'll become a grandparent. You'll visit our children and play with them, just as a grandparent should do."

"Huh...?"

"And on your death bed, your family shall surround you, just like the scene we all experience the moment we are born."

"Do I deserve such thing? After exploiting you of your abilities?"

"You don't deserve living this life, so I want you to live a new life. Take this registration and make sure it burns in fire. And whatever ashes remain, you are to dispose of them immediately. That way, I will recognize you as my father."

He stares at the ground.

"The registration will be burnt like the project you established. All because of me."

"How can I live a new life?"

"How?" I rest my hand on his shoulder, "Love someone. That's how I did it, and that is what I will teach you. Love your children, and their children. That way, you will change your life."

He looks at me in the eye.

"Love, huh?"

It really is a grand statement to say, but it is true nonetheless.

Love will change lives.

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"It's time..." I say to myself.

The music has already started playing, now...

They require me to walk out and reveal myself...

I straighten my back, and turn to my right.

With large steps, I walk toward the light on the other side of the door...

I turn the handle,

and push.

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The lights beams into my eyes.

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As the crowd cheers.

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I adjust my eyes to the light,

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And the figure I see in front of me is the incarnation of my love.

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"Shall we go then, Kiyotaka?"

"I guess we should."

We interlink our arms.

And walk through the core of the crowd.

"THEY'RE HERE!"  "EVERYONE CHEER!"  "HORIKITA-SAN! AYANOKOJI-KUN!"

"CONGRATULATIONS!"

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People cheering...

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People clapping...

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Old classmates calling our name...

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It's so bright..

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Where do I look?

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Without my eyes aching from this light?

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So many cameras...

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Is this the norm for modern day weddings?

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I'm starting... to feel dizzy...

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"Kiyotaka..."

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I can't see...

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"If you can't see..."

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What should I look at?

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"Look at me."

Before I know it, we reach the end.

"Suzune..."

"What is that face? You look funny!" She giggles.

"I'm still trying to adjust my eyes to such beautiful lady."

She lets out a minor gasp.

"Huh...?" She lets out a minor gasp, "Jeez... you really are annoying..."

"It's going to hard, you know?" She says.

"What is going to hard?" I ask.

"You know... dealing with you for the rest of my life..." she subsequently brightens her face, "But... it will be fun..."

"I see."

She's still bashful after saying romantic lines.

It's almost as if she's never changed.

This girl, Ayanokoji Suzune.

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I look at the crowd.

"Look, at everyone's faces. Even they are trying to comprehend your sight."

She looks around.

"There's... so many people..."

"They are mainly from your side... they probably don't know who I am."

"That's not true... I'll let them know: Just how good of a person you are."

"Really? That's helpful..."

We both stare at individuals within the crowd.

People who come here to celebrate our happiness.

As well as our future.

"Smile, Kiyotaka." I look at her, "Let them know how happy you are!"

"I'll... try..."

"Haha! You appear to be so stiff, Kiyotaka!"

"Well... it's been a while since I've been at the centre of such immense attention... I find it hard to deal with..."

"Oh, really? Then-"

She pulls my collar toward her.

As I fall forward,

The tender feeling returns to me.

The feeling... of a kiss.

"WOOO"

The noise in the crowd grew louder and louder, but that noise did not hinder me.

I was in the midst of experiencing something remarkable.

I am no longer distracted by noise, only love.

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It feels warm, soft, delicate, smooth.

As if time stopped to spectate such spectacle.

This unending embrace of our lips.

It can't possibly be torn apart by time.

Nor the noise from the crowd,

Nor the beaming lights.

If only we stood here, on this stage, in this position, for the rest of our lives.

No... it's fine.

Because...

We'll be together for the rest of our lives.

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"It's... over..."

We sit atop the wedding hall; on the rooftop, staring at the sunset.

"It's... beautiful."

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THE END