A/N: Hello there guys~! Here's the next chapter of Fuyumi and Shimizu's wedding. *Please note that the church that is mentioned here is not real and cannot be found in Yokohama. :D
This might be the third to the last chapter. :( Plus an epilogue and a long chapter on Kaji's ending.
I'm sorry that it's going to end pretty soon. :(
I'm gonna miss you guys. This wouldn't have been successful if it weren't for all of you. ;-)
I love all my readers ! So enjoy this new chapter !
So let the music it blast
We gon' do our dance
Praise the doubters on
They don't matter at all
Cuz this life's to long
And this love's too strong
So baby know for sho'
That I'll never let you go
-- Never let you go; Justin Bieber
2 weeks later;
It was early afternoon and the weather was beautiful in Japan. The sun was brightly shining beneath the clouds and the sky was a wonderful shade of blue. The perfect day for a wedding.
The church was silent as everybody waited for the bride to arrive and everything was going according to plan. The church was just exquisite with all the white flowers that hung in garlands from the ceiling. Bouquets of flowers as well as white cloth were placed at the end of the pews that were nearer to the aisle. The aisle was the only thing that wasn't white, it was a red carpet that will soon be covered in rose petals as the flowers girls walk towards the altar. The altar was the most beautiful among all the other places in the church for it was lit in different colors from the stained glass window which was called the 'Rose Window.' The window was full of vibrant colors - red, fuchsia, white and pink - which resembled a rose.
"Amou-san, this place is beautiful!" Hino's jaw almost dropped at how elegant the church looked. And to think the wedding's theme was all about the rose window that was in front of the altar.
Amou-san smirked, "Well, photography and journalism isn't the only thing I'm passionate about. I still remember how much stress I went through just preparing over my wedding." her face was suddenly pale and Hino gulped, thinking if it would be stressful to prepare her wedding. "But, if you really work hard, you'll find that the result could be so worth it. Just like this."
Hino nodded in agreement, "You're right. Is Fuyumi here yet?"
Amou-san glanced at her silver watch, "About ten more minutes, I must say Hino, that dress looks like it was custom made for you." she winked at her.
The dress that Hino wore was a white elegant spaghetti strap dress with overlapped layers of polyester chiffon with floral accent on left side of the dress. Amou-san wore the same dress and she looked good on it as well, "Yeah, if only my cast didn't ruin the entire thing." Hino frowned. "Oh shush, the cast is barely seen under the fabric of the dress."
"Yeah but my limping won't be."
"Tsukimori will be there for you. He always is, isn't he?" And Amou flashed a smirk upon her face.
"He's kind of late though." Hino pouted and looked over to see Hihara walk towards them. "Amou-san, Hino - Ah -" he turned as red as a tomato.
Before Hihara could get back to his senses, Amou-san nudged his arm with her elbow. "Stop gawking, Hihara-sempai. It's rude." and headed over to her husband to get ready.
"E-eh, sorry. Fuyumi's going to be here so we have to begin already."
Hino giggled and patted her old friend's shoulder, "Relax, Hihara-sempai. You're the best man so just act like yourself."
Hihara sighed calmly, "You're right. Though it is quite unexpected for Shimizu to pick me -"
"Hihara! Just relax!"
"Alright, alright." and he went over to the front of the line to his place.
Hino looked everywhere for Tsukimori who was supposed to be here by now. "Tsukimori -"
"Over here." He took Hino's hand and placed in on the crook of his right arm, "I arrived just in time."
Hino's eyes widened as she saw Tsukimori dressed so handsomely in his tuxedo. She breathed in a sigh of relief, her face softening. "I'm glad you did. I had a slight heart attack that you wouldn't come."
Tsukimori arched an eyebrow, "You're exaggerating and it isn't nice to talk about such things, you're only attracting them."
"You're right. I'm sorry, my bad."
Tsukimori covered his face with his hand and shook his head but he seemed to be smiling, "You are so confusing sometimes, Kaho."
Hino frowned, "Well look who's talking. You used to accuse me of being so weird and my lack of knowledge but now you're acting as if you're okay with it now."
"But that's because it was before I really got to know you well, Kaho. Don't you see? When we're this close and this... intimate, we get to know sides of each other we've never known before. Sides that we usually don't show others."
Hino blushed and lowered my gaze to the ground, she didn't want him to see her face redden almost everytime she was with him. But of course he knew this and didn't bother to ask why.
Inside the church, music was playing and that only meant the ceremony was about to start.
Hino swallowed nervously and Tsukimori noticed it, muffling a chuckle. "Is something the matter, Kahoko?"
"I just hope everyone won't be looking at me since I'll be limping the entire time."
"Everyone has to right to, you look amazing." Tsukimori murmured unto her ear, his voice low and smooth. Hino shivered, The way he said it sent chills down her spine."And besides, I'll be keeping you upright the entire trip down the aisle." They took a step forward, only two more pairs in front of them.
Hino rolled her eyes at the word 'trip.'" Don't tease me and it's not going to be a trip, it'll only take a few seconds."
He shrugged casually, "If you say so," Only one more pair to go. "Pretend it's our wedding."
Hino's eyes widened, blushing at the thought. She would be more and more nervous if it was her wedding now. "I'd definitely have no cast by the time we got married..."
"And I wouldn't have minded. If I had my way, I'd get take your hand by tomorrow."
Hino gave him a quick kiss before it was their turn to walk down the aisle, whispering. "I can't wait."
---
After everyone was able to enter the church, Fuyumi Shoko emerged from the limo in her wedding dress with a smile no one has seen her smile before. And it was all for her beloved Shimizu. Shimizu stood proud and tall near the altar, waiting her his beautiful bride and smiled widely as well.
Fuyumi entered and Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus,' started to play. Everyone stood up to watch as she walked down gracefully with her parents at her side.
Amou-san took a few pictures and bit her lip to keep from crying, her husband wrapping his arm around her waist for comfort. Tsuchiura hugged Mizue as they watched Fuyumi down the aisle. Yunoki nodded and smiled at Fuyumi while Hino and Tsukimori did the same. Hihara, the best man, smiled at his old friend and Fuyumi nodded to him before her eyes met Shimizu's.
The ceremony was simple yet it was the most special thing that could happen to two people. Becoming one. Letting the world know that they're together and that nothing could bring them apart.
For as long as they both lived.
After the wedding as Fuyumi and Shimizu were outside the church, the traditional tossing of the bouquet was next. Fuyumi got ready with her bouquet in hand and waited for all the ladies to gather in front of her. Of course, Mio, Nao, Mizue went in front as well as Hino.
She didn't want to in the first place because it was embarrassing - Tsukimori even twitched a smile - but she had no choice but to do so.
Whether she was going to be the next girl to get married didn't bother her. Because she already knew who she was going to marry.
"One...two...three!" and the bouquet went flying through the air and unto Mizue's hands. And a blush came through her cheeks as her eyes met Tsuchiura's.
Hino hugged Mizue, "I'm so happy for you!"
"Wha - Hino, I'm not - "
"Ahahahaha, we'll see won't we Mizue?" Mio giggled. "Can I be your maid of honor?"
The girls continued to tease her and they all waved to the newlyweds as their limo drove away.
---
The wedding reception took place at the huge backyard of Fuyumi's mansion. Everything was lit up by lanterns hanging from the trees and the tables were decorated with white table cloths and red roses. The newlywed's table in the front for everyone to see them.
The reception first started with Fuyumi and Shimizu's parents giving their speeches to their daughter and son about their relationship. Everyone was deeply moved especially Fuyumi since she was moved to tears with only Shimizu to comfort her with a hug and a kiss.
The host was Amou-san, smiling happily with the mic in her hand. "Well everyone, let's end this reception with a dance!"
The band started to play soft music and the newlyweds were the first to take the dancefloor. Everyone watched them as they whirled together, their arms around each other and with warm smiles on their faces. Other couples started to follow as well.
Hino smiled as she saw her other friends with their loved ones have their dance. Tsukimori hesitated at first to ask her but he didn't want to let her down. So he took a deep breath and approached Hino, kissing her cheek all of a sudden, Hino looked up at him in surprise. "Len,"
"Kahoko," Tsukimori smiled, "Can I have this dance?"
"Well, this is a first."
"What is?"
"This, you asking me. Making the first move."
Tsukimori's cheeks reddened, "Well, I'm not going to hold back anymore."
"I'm still handicapped so never mind."
"I don't think I can. Come on."
"Wait - " But it was too late, Tsukimori got her by the hand and led her to the dancefloor. Hino wrapped her arms around his neck while Tsukimori wrapped his around her waist, one hand holding the small of her back to pull her closer. They turned slowly whilst looking into each other's eyes, no words needed to describe this very moment.
Hino slowly slid her hand up to Tsukimori's cheek and brushed it with her thumb, he leaned into her touch and closed his eyes.
"I love you." Tsukimori whispered and slowly opened his eyes to see Hino's reaction. He was surprised to receive a kiss from her. Even if it was short, it lingered and he was left wanting more.
"I love you more, silly." she giggled and he felt her body shake against his. Close as they were now, they felt as if they were connected. Like pieces that fit perfectly together.
"I wish we could just stay like this forever..." Hino sighed calmly, liking the feel of his strong arms. She leaned unto his shoulder, feeling at home.
Tsukimori chuckled softly, only for her to hear. "I would hold you like this everyday if you wanted."
"That'd be nice."
Then all of a sudden, a loud grumbling sound came from Hino's stomach. She was hungry.
"Oops."
Hino looked around her to see if there were anybody else who heard it and fortunately, it didn't seem to disturb anybody.
Except Tsukimori who's hand was covering his face but not his wide smile and the fact that his shoulders were shaking from trying to hold back his laughter. Hino, feeling a little upset, couldn't help but chuckle softly as well. She just couldn't get mad at him. She held his face between her hands.
"You are so annoying, you know that? I was just about to explode a few seconds ago then I see your face and I laugh." she said between giggles.
Tsukimori stopped covering his face and leaned his forehead on hers, "Come on, let's get you some lunch. I should've known you'd be hungry, you barely ate any breakfast."
"I was actually full."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really, now stop teasing me and let's get going."
After the wedding reception and saying goodbye to their friends, Hino and Tsukimori drove off to Hino's apartment to let her dress up and to bring her back home in her apartment to unpack.
Hino hurriedly dressed up in a more comfortable outfit, t-shirt and jeans, and went back to Tsukimori in the living room who was waiting for her and smashed right at him as she ran. They fell back on the sofa, Hino on top of him but there was nothing awkward in that. All they felt was love.
Tsukimori carried her suitcases and put them in the car trunk and they drove to Hino's apartment.
It was still the same apartment she had been living in ever since she moved out of her parent's house. And it was still very familiar to Tsukimori.
He placed the suitcases beside her bed and kissed her goodbye.
"I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?"
"You definitely will, I'll miss you though."
"I'm just a phone call away. Though unpacking all my stuff might take awhile."
"You've got little luggage surprisingly."
"Heh, yeah." Silence followed and Tsukimori cleared his throat to break it.
"Hino?"
"Yeah?"
"You should know that I'm not staying here." he said, his eyes filled with sadness.
"Why not? I thought you said you'd be staying at least a week after the wedding."
"Well, plans have changed."
Hino sighed, "Since when?"
"Since I received a phone call from my parents."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"...yesterday?" she repeated with a tone of disbelief. "And it's already final? You're going back to Venice so soon?"
"It's not in Venice anymore."
"Oh? Where then?"
"London."
Hino sighed, her heart breaking a little from the distance. "We just got here two weeks ago and yet it still seems as if I can't get enough time to spend with you."
"I was hoping you'd come with me." Tsukimori muttered.
"Come with you? Where would I get the money to, Tsukimori? Didn't you know that I almost used all of my savings just to get to Venice and to think that Kaji paid for half of the payment?"
Tsukimori frowned now, "I'm sorry but I didn't. Then I guess I'll just have to ask Kaji to bring you along then."
Hino was taken aback, "No, Tsukimori, I didn't mean it that way..."
"I know exactly what you mean." he exhaled deeply, "I just don't understand you sometimes. I offer to pay for your needs yet you refuse as if I'm bribing you. It would've been so easy if you allow me. Allow me to take care of you."
"Well I can take care of myself, I don't need somebody else to do that! I didn't have your help before and I don't need it now." Hino snapped but suddenly felt sick when she realized what she just said. Tsukimori glared but sighed, his frowned deepened. She had brought up the past which he had long wanted to forget of.
"I apologize, I didn't know. If you say so, excuse me then."
"Len..."
"Just call me later."
And Hino was left all alone in her apartment. Not feeling at home at all.
Well, that was a little killjoy. Wasn't it?
I'm so sorry for the late update, I just finished my other one-shot, Another Cinderella Story, so I hope you guys would check that out and leave it a review as well. ;-)
This was the twist that I was talking about and well, -sighs- we'll see how this ends. But for now, please leave a review! :D
Note: It's been two weeks since Hino, Tsukimori and the others returned to Japan for Fuyumi and Shimizu's wedding for those who are a bit confused. ;-)