"L-Lilly…Are you sure…you want t-to do this…?" Hanako asked timidly as she led her best friend to the bridal shop. She felt a little silly for taking blind Lilly dress shopping with her, but Lilly had insisted, and she didn't have many other friends. Hanako didn't even want to go dress shopping, but Lilly wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Yes, Hanako. I told you, nothing should stop you from enjoying this magical once-in-a-lifetime event." She smiled gently and squeezed Hanako's hand. "It's not silly, it's a growing experience for you to come out of your shell."
Hanako would have replied, had a saleswoman not come up to them at the moment, beaming beatifically at them. "Hi, how may I help you?"
Lilly smiled pleasantly. "Hello, we are the Ikezawa party who made an appointment a couple of weeks ago. This," she nudged Hanako's side gently, "is the lovely bride to be."
Hanako tried her hardest not to blush as she felt the saleswoman scrutinize her, surely sizing her up. This was the worst part of getting married, being singled out and having a huge spotlight on her at all times. Hanako forced herself to give a small smile nonetheless. "Ikezawa party? Right on time. Please, let me show you to a dressing area."
The pair was taken to a back area that was as glamourous as the front of the shop. Hanako led Lilly to the couch in the room, where surely dozens of other brides' families had been seated to help their lovely bride-to-be choose a dress out of several possibilities. Hanako's heart ached, but the small smile remained on her lips. The saleswoman approached her cautiously, sensing how delicate she was. "Miss Ikezawa, what are you looking for in a wedding dress? So I can go get some I think you might like."
"Oh…Um…S-Something simple…but elegant, please…Nothing…t-too extravagant…" she said as she awkwardly took a seat beside Lilly.
The clerk smiled and promised she'd be back soon before leaving the room. Hanako turned to Lilly anxiously. "Uh…L-Lilly…Should I d-describe the d-dresses t-to you…during this…?"
"If you wouldn't mind, Hanako, dear. I would appreciate it very much." Lilly smiled gratefully at the suggestion. "Thank you for offering."
"Y-You're welcome…Thanks…f-for making me do this…I…I would h-have worn…anything…H-Hisao…wouldn't have cared…He loves me…no m-matter what I wear…" Hanako responded slightly peevishly, staring down at her lap.
Lilly tutted gently. "I'm sure he does, but that is no excuse not to get properly fancied up for this occasion. Don't you think Hisao would appreciate the effort you put into your appearances just for this one day?"
Hanako was about to respond, but the sales associate had returned with an armful of wedding dresses. Before she knew it, Hanako was being ushered to the dressing room after having a dress thrust in her arms. Lilly waited patiently for her friend to return and describe the dress to her, though she was sure anything would look lovely on Hanako.
They were in the shop for nearly three hours, and it would have been longer if Lilly had her way. Hanako refused to try on a few of the dresses because she felt they were far too extravagant, which she knew disappointed Lilly, but she didn't want to be in that shop any longer than necessary.
They left the shop arm in arm, pleased with the simple ivory dress they had selected together. Hanako looked up at Lilly worriedly as they walked down the street back to Hanako's apartment. "Lilly…are…are you sure…it's n-not weird…to wear…a w-wedding dress…to a f-funeral…?"
Lilly smiled gently and gave Hanako's hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't you want Hisao to see you in your dress before he moves on? I think you should try to be the beautiful bride just for the day. He wouldn't want to see you in a matronly black dress, would he?"
Hanako bowed her head slightly. "You're….You're right…Thank you, L-Lilly…"