Ah, the second wedding. Thanks to all of those who reviewed!
Special dedication to ninastylee who unfortunately had her internet connection problem but still continues on reading my story even if it hard to do so. This is for you girl! (Are you?) Anyway, here it goes.
Chapter 25: A Tropical Sort of Wedding? I guess.
The Illusive Bachelor Finally Rings the Wedding Bells
Again, another matrimony is scheduled to grace our beautiful land. Prior to his friend's recent wedding, now, it is Mr. Yamazaki Takashi's turn to profess his life to his childhood friend-turned-enemy-turned-girlfriend-turned-fiancé, Ms. Chiharu Mihara or internationally known as "The Virtuoso of Asia".
It is not within this authoress' knowledge that Mr. Yamazaki and Ms. Mihara had a rocky relationship. They were childhood sweethearts but when Mr. Yamazaki started his philandering ways (he allowed me to use this word for your information), Ms. Mihara gave up on him (she actually had a crush on him back then and vice versa) and went away. She studied abroad and became a world-class painter earning her current title. When Ms. Mihara came back to Japan two years later, she enrolled to Tomoeda High, together with her friends and they form the infamous "The Six Geeks of Tomoeda High".
According to this authoress' sources, before the wedding even happened, Mr. Yamazaki actually went to Boracay which is located in the Philippines. The authoress may have not known the reason of this unexpected vacation but according to my intuition, it has something to do with the 'dare' that the guys need to accomplish. When I voiced out my theory, to my surprise, Ms. Mihara smiled deviously and that certainly confirmed this authoress' suspicion.
Ms. Mihara herself told me about the details of the wedding. Just as I mentioned before, Mr. Yamazaki went to Boracay just months ago and both of them agreed to perform their marriage there. Nobody disagreed since the Kurosawa Hotel Chains and Resorts pledged to shoulder all the expenses on the transportation and accommodation trip (a wedding gift from Mr. and Mrs. Kurosawa Hayate if I may recall).
This authoress is very much elated when Ms. Mihara gave me a full access on their upcoming nuptial. I and the others especially all of those who appreciate art would be very much anticipating this glorious day.
Igarashi Mayumi
Reporter and Journalist
Business and Current Events Editor
People Today
"Eh? You really gave her permission to cover our wedding?" asked Yamazaki incredulously at his soon-to-be-wife.
"Why? Is there problem with that?"
"No. It's just that-
"It's just what?"
"Don't you prefer a more private wedding?"
"I do,"
"Then why?"
"I just want to show them something,"
"Something?"
"Our love," she said simply while smiling at him gently. Yamazaki's uncertainty melted at that. Yes, it is worth showing to the world; even if he is dead against it.
A week later…
The Heavens and Seas Clash
This authoress confesses that she is really shocked by how the title of this article have become. Perhaps, I shall enlighten you why this occurred to my mind.
Ah, the white sand of Boracay was truly amazing. Never has this authoress become fascinated by the beauty of the ocean. If I must confess, this authoress cannot swim. However, by just sitting there at one of the benches at the shore, I am satisfied. And surprisingly, the couple decided to celebrate the wedding at the shoreline.
The long stretch of sand was decorated beautifully by different shells and stones found there. It seems that now Mrs. Yamazaki wanted to adapt to the natural placid waters so she refused to use any synthetic decorations. Mr. Yamazaki suggested that it should be done at dawn so the decorating crew, of course, courtesy of the "Haven's Descent" of the Daidouji Industries made the necessary arrangements. It was truly breathtaking really, the sunrise it is.
The ambiance actually reminded me of one of the tropical islands this authoress once visited. There are palm trees everywhere and the sea air is truly new to me because despite the scorching sun, the air has this tendency to blow cold wind. Ah, a true summer getaway.
Once again, the people were satisfied with the feast that the Li Clan prepared for the guests. Since we are in the Philippines, the couple thought that it was a good idea to serve Filipino delicacies which I cannot deny, are truly new to this authoress' tastebuds.
For the main appetizer, there was this macaroni soup called 'sopas', is was very creamy and has this tendency to make you shiver in every bite. Maybe it was served very hot (they said that it is the most ideal temperature to serve it). The others, for the vegetarian, there is this kind of spring roll called 'lumpiang ubod' , from what I overheard from my neighboring table whom I've known as a chef in Hong Kong, it was made of bamboo shoots and it is just a variation of China's 'lumpiang shanghai'. It was seasoned with this brown-like viscous sauce. This authoress has to admit, she consumed three of these rolls.
In case you have noticed, the appetizers are only two that is why the guests are very skeptical since in Mr. and Mrs. Li's wedding, there were four. Our skepticism was immediately banished by the different aromas that seem to make our stomachs growl. It was finally time for the main dish.
Ah, if we were disappointed by the number of the appetizer, the main dishes sure paid for it. The wedding organizers explained to us attendees that the Filipino people don't usually have appetizers on their meals. They directly eat rice and main dish, much similar to us Japanese.
There are couple of main dishes that made are mouth-watering by just its aroma and looks. There is this 'kare-kare' which they said that is made of ox-tail and the sauce was made of peanut butter to thicken. It was partnered with 'bagoong' which is a shrimp paste.
Another dish named 'sinigang' also satisfied my buds. With its really delicious broth, I sure enjoyed its refreshing taste. Despite there is couple of sweats slowly forming on my forehead? It really is hot out here.
Other meals such as 'sisig' which some sort of pork minced and quite spicy which just suited my taste. There is this section in the beach wherein there are some crews who are busily roasting pork and chicken cuts, barbecues, and some kind of fish. This authoress learned later that the fish is called 'bangus' or milkfish in English. It has silvery mind of scales and medium length but very tasty. That was Philippines' national fish I heard one of the locals said.
After the very heavy main dishes, we marveled that there were still fruits that are served for desert. All of them abundantly found here. Watermelons, melons, mangoes (which I love now!), bananas and different whatnots. I delighted on savoring each because it brings this refreshing taste on the mouth.
I thought that that is the only desert. There was a corner where in some people are slowly ling up for something. Being the inquisitive authoress I am, I lined up with the long queue. I saw that it was a 'halo-halo' stand. This 'halo-halo' is a mixture of different foods such as pearls, fermented coconut jelly, red beans, sweetened banana, boiled yam and some rice crispies. Top it with shaved ice and some evaporated milk, there you are! An instant cool treat. Ah, the delight of life! This authoress confesses that she almost gained two pounds in this trip!
The invitation of course, this authoress noticed certainly caused a fortune. Ms. Mihara decided to do a 'mass painting' meaning all of the invitations were sent together with a painting. As we all know, Ms. Mihara's works worth thousand of yen. Ah, it was a picture of the calm sea in Boracay, it looked real actually and I decided to hang it up on the living room. To remind me of the spectacular visit on this beautiful island.
The giveaways were like the invitations, costs a fortune. The elder Mr. Yamazaki Jyuushiro decided to hold a training camp for amateur potters all around the world. All of the products of these trainees were paid for its corresponding value and was given to all the attendees. Each of them have a unique design, earning praises to different art critics among the attendees and giving these amateur youngsters a chance to showcase their talent. Truly magnificent.
The wedding itself was pretty uneventful, with the three maids of honor, this authoress sure that you know them. Ms. Daidouji Tomoyo, Ms. Sasaki Rika, Ms. Yanagisawa Naoko and the two matrons of honor, Mrs. Kurosawa Meiling and newly wed Mrs. Li Sakura. The Five, meaning Mr. Hiiragizawa Eriol, Mr. Hamano Soujiro, Mr. Yamada Masato, Mr. Kurosawa Hayate and Mr. Li Syaoran accompanied their respective fiancé or wife.
What truly caught the attendees' attention were the garments that the bride and groom wore. Mr. Yamazaki wore some sort of top made of pineapple thread and a matching red slacks (which truly shocked us) and a straw hat. Meanwhile, the bride also wore a blouse which has also made of pineapple thread and has puffs on the side and a long skirt with blending colors whick reached her ankles. Oh, I almost forgot, she has a big hibiscus flower on her hair.
When I asked Ms. Daidouji about this strange get-up, she explained to me that since the couple wanted a Filipino-inspired wedding; why not extend it up to the garments? Mrs. Yamazaki's robes were actually called 'baro't saya' while Mr. Yamazaki's clothing is called 'barong tagalog'. It was rather cute really, this authoress smiled at the maids and matrons of honor who also wore the same robes and the Five who wore the same clothing as the groom with matching hats.
When the exchange of vows were made, and the rings were about to be slipped on their respective fingers, the crowds sighed as the groom kissed each of the bride's fingers before slipping the ring. The bride in return, kissed her husband's face on ten different locations except for his lips and slipped the ring. Without the master of ceremony's signal, the groom already swooped the bride in a passion filled kiss. There was a bunch of applause heard all over the place.
I saw among the throngs of people the bride's family sighing in happiness as their only daughter achieves her dreams. Meanwhile at the groom's side, Mr. Jyuushiro beside Mr. Mihara is clapping wildly. Mrs. Mihara and elder Mrs. Yamazaki are busily dabbing their eyes with a handkerchief offered by their husbands.
Ah, it was truly an enjoyable gathering.
With an extra surprise.
It includes a new Mrs. Yamazaki bonking her new husband with a mallet after catching him staring at a beach blond. Tsk, good luck with facing a new hell, Mr. Yamazaki! And congratulations on your upcoming baby, Mr. and Mrs. Yamazaki Takashi!
Igarashi Mayumi
Reporter and Journalist
Business and Current Events Editor
People Today
I placed the newspaper down and stared at the beautiful wedding picture attached to it. Another enjoyable wedding. I wonder if the groom receives a nasty bump from his wayward wife. It would be interesting if he did. ~sakurablossoms18