9. Planning Committee

Natsuki quickly shot down the idea of exchanging rings, when we decided we would do a mutual proposal.

"Look, I'd scream from rooftops that I loved you," Natsuki said, leaning against a wall, her arms crossed over her chest, "And that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. But the simple fact is, legally, we can't be married. So, why go for the standard protocols. We'll have a ceremony, and we'll do it our way. So instead of rings, where one person or another will try and compare the diamonds in them to see which of us spent more…"

"Natsuki, I would never…"

"I'm not talking about you," Natsuki smiled at me, walking over to kiss me gently on the forehead, "Imagine you went to class, and Suzushiro saw my ring on your finger. You know how she feels about it. She'd try and pour cold water on it, either saying my ring or your ring cost more, making it seem like one of us or the other was more committed."

To be quite fair, I believe that Natsuki had an unfair estimation of Haruka Suzushiro in her own mind, but I also knew exactly where that came from, so I said nothing at that point. However, I could see others doing what Natsuki had described.

"So, here's the deal. We are going to use necklaces to represent our union," Natsuki said, "Each of us will purchase a necklace for the other, and then we will present them to one another. We'll invite our friends, and have a private little get together, where, when we reveal the necklaces to each other and put them around one-another's necks, we'll be announcing that we're together forever."

I decided I rather liked the idea. We agreed that we would need dresses, and there would need to be food, invitations, music.

Now, I am hardly a slouch when it comes to organization…rumors of my penchant for hands-off governance of the student body notwithstanding. However, I will concede that for a wedding, there are far too many tasks for any one person to handle alone, lest they had a century to work out all the details. As I was in decidedly more of a hurry to wed my precious Natsuki than that, I was forced to turn to someone I knew capable of assisting me.

"No way," Haruka said, turning her back on me, crossing her arms.

"Haruka, please! I have apologized, profusely, to both you and Kikukawa-han many times for my behavior that night, and…"I paused, "Or is this about your rejecting my relationship with Natsuki?"

"No. And yes, you apologized. And yes, you were sincere. But this is just one more occasion where you're going to foist all the work off on me and then everyone will give you all the credit, and you'll come off looking like a hero to everyone again for all of MY efforts. Not happening, Fujino."

Love makes us do amazing things. Love makes us do strange things. In that moment, knowing I could not complete these plans alone, I did something that I would have never thought myself capable of. I lowered myself, first on one knee, then the other, then laid forward, prostrating myself before Haruka Suzushiro.

"I am begging you, Haruka," I pleaded, "I will abase myself in any manner that suits you, if you will help me make my union to Natsuki a joyous and memorable occasion."

She sighed, scratching her cheek, her eyes looking up and away from me, "Get up, Fujino. You're embarrassing yourself."

I stood.

"I'll help you arrange this," she said at last, "But you're mistaken already about one thing. If your union to Kuga is going to be joyous and memorable, that's on you two, not on me. So, the rings?"

I explained about Natsuki's idea about the necklaces. She looked intrigued.

"That actually might work well. Give me a second."

She pulled out a smart phone, and then showed me a necklace that had an emerald surrounded by a grouping of lapis lazuli arranged in the shape of a heart around it.

"The colors just scream Kuga," Haruka replied. I couldn't deny it. It was perfect.

We discussed the guest list, venue, and then we got to the subject of dresses.

"Bridal gowns?"

I frowned, "No. I don't believe so. For one thing, Natsuki was emphatic about making this original."

Haruka nodded, "We need dresses…or would Kuga wear a tuxedo?"

I shook my head, "As I'm sure you're aware by now, the collection of lingerie we used to flush out the panty-thief was, indeed, Natsuki's. And the thief was an Orphan. She does not like being associated with manly connotations…despite her affinity for that troublesome vehicle of hers."

"Right. Then, I will need to set up a time to talk to Kuga. The two of you will need dresses that compliment each other, that don't clash with one another. Or would you prefer kimono?"

I shook my head, "I…do not believe Natsuki enjoys seeing me in a kimono after the events of that night."

Haruka shrugged, "Her loss. You actually do work well in one. And so does she. But if we're going with dresses, neither of you can see the other's dress until that day. But they have to work together. So…I'll need to take you and Kuga to a dress shop, but keep you separate."

She jotted down notes on a pad, and asked a few more questions, then set about with making phone calls.

"Truly, I thank you, Haruka," I said to her, bowing.

She sighed, "Yeah, yeah. Don't make a big thing of it, Fujino. Somehow I feel like I'm going to end up the rap on this again."

"The word you're looking for is 'sap'," I replied, "And you won't. I will admit, I rather enjoyed tormenting you, during our days at Fuuka Academy. You were very stern and uptight, and it amused me to play your own strengths against you. But…if we had been more willing to understand one another, I could have counted you among my friends, back then.

"And this ceremony we are planning, were I will announce to all that I will be united to Natsui, it is of the utmost importance to me. So your aid will not go unappreciated. Or unrewarded."

"I still can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered.

I blinked, "Does it bother you so much, Suzushiro-han? My relationship with Natsuki?"

She looked at me, then sighed, "Look, I said some things that night that I'm not proud of, either, okay. I don't agree with such things, but…"

She stood up and walked over to a window, looking out.

"Do you know why I sent students to the Chapel as part of their punishment?"

"Because you are affiliated with the Faith?" I asked.

"EXACTLY!" she whirled around, pointing, then her shoulders slumped, "And I broke my own rules that night. Because I'm not supposed to judge people. I can say, 'This behavior is not right.' Or 'That behavior is not right.' But that's not what I said. I…I called you and Kuga 'filthy', and that was passing judgment. And so…for that, I'm sorry."

I walked over to her and gently put my hand on her shoulder, "Would it surprise you to learn that at the time, I viewed myself the same way? I am a scion of the Fujino Clan. I am their sole heir. There are…expectations. Not, as I've learned recently, so many from my own family. But from society and from those people with whom I would do business? A great deal. I felt my feelings for Natsuki were indecent, impure, and that she would not return them. Indeed, I thought that she would be horrified to learn of them, and for a time, I thought that was exactly what happened."

"I'd say that has a bit more to do with Yukino revealing that someone got a bit handsy while Kuga was sleeping," Haruka said, "Though both you and she insist that you didn't cross certain thresholds, it was still an indecent and inappropriate way to behave. Kuga was injured and unconscious. And you took advantage of that. But…in the end, she forgave you. She decided that who you were, her friend, mattered more to her than what you'd done. And I forgave you for killing me, that night, too."

I felt my eyes water, "It seems my debt to you is quite tremendous, then. Not only have you forgiven me for taking your life, but you are now helping me achieve my dream. Suzushiro-han…"

"Haruka," she smiled, "You can call me Haruka."

"Haruka, I am indebted to you most deeply, if all you're asking me to forgive is your heated words that voiced a sentiment I shared at the time."

"Well, I for one don't see it that way," Haruka said, "You're not forgiving me for heated words, the way I see it. You're forgiving me for breaking a core value of what I believe. All you did was take my life, Fujino."

"Shizuru," I smiled at her.

"Fine, Shizuru. But what I did was betray a sacred trust. I betrayed myself. So…I count your forgiveness as even."

A few days later we met at a dress shop. I do recall with some amusement, overhearing her and Natsuki in the fitting room.

"Hey, watch the hands, Suzushiro!"

"Oh, fuss, fuss, fuss. I've got to make sure these are tied right. Besides, I'm sure Fujino's hand go a lot further than mine are."

"Yeah," Natsuki countered, "But at least her hands are warm! And what is it with you trying to get me in a backless dress."

"You've got a supermodel's figure," Haruka countered, "It would suit you."

"I am NOT showing off that much skin!" Natsuki protested.

"Oh, come off it. We've all seen your lingerie collection."

"W-who told you it was mine!? Shizuru! You are in so much trouble when we get home!"

"Yes, Dearest," I said with a serene smile.

The dresses were chosen, though, sadly, none of the conversation at the shop gave me even the slightest hint of what Natsuki and Haruka had chosen.

We were joined by Kikukawa and Tokiha for lunch.

"I secured the venue, Haruka," Kikukawa informed her lifelong friend.

"And I've got a few cake samples that the brides to be can choose from," Tokiha added, "Though, nobody better ask me to make a tea-chiffon."

I sensed somehow that this comment was directed at me. I smiled, "That was Himeno-han's suggestion, not mine. But perhaps if you wished to try a Sachertorte, Haruka could provide pointers?"

Haruka sighed, "Fine, I suck at baking. But I'm nowhere as bad as your fiance."

"I can bake," Natsuki protested, "I got saddled with Mikoto and Nao as partners!"

"Uh huh," a chorus came up from the table.

"Speaking of Mikoto," Natsuki looked around, "You brought cake samples and you didn't bring your pet wildcat?"

"If I had, there wouldn't be any cake samples," Mai grinned, "Besides, she got the bulk of the cake that the samples came from."

"What about the meal?" Haruka asked.

"Well, Shizuru would probably be cross with me if I said 'cheeseburgers'," Natsuki smirked at me, "So, whatever traditional fare she suggests. Hey, maybe you could make ochazuke?"

"Someone," I sipped my tea, "is feeling very bold today. Should I tell the others about Natsuki's character print underwear featuring that American superheroine?"

Natsuki blushed, "N-nice try. But I lived in Mai's dorm for three months while my apartment was being repaired. She knows about all of my collection."

"Much more than I care to, actually," Tokiha replied with a groan, "There were days she took up the whole shower rod to hang them to dry."

"You can't just throw those things in a dryer," Natsuki protested, "They're delicate and require a good deal of care to keep them in good shape."

"Like underwear, like owner," Haruka sighed. The scarlet hue that prompted is worth a great deal of praise for Haruka, later.

Just then, Natsuki's phone chimed, "Oh, good news. Alysssa just RSVPed. Miyu will be her Plus One."

"That was expected," I noted, sipping away.

"What does a humanoid android like her like for her meals?" Mai wondered.

"You know, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen her eat," Natsuki pointed out, "I'll ask Alyssa if she wants a plate made up for Miyu. I mean…I don't want to insult her by suggesting that Miyu doesn't need to eat."

Her phone pinged again.

"Nevermind. She answered that one for us. Miyu will have what everyone else is having."

"Well, that's good, at least," Kikukawa smiled, "Um…what about your Dad? I know he's been sick, so…"

"Dad can have as much or as little as he feels comfortable having," Natsuki shrugged, "And I guess I'm going to have to learn to dance."

Haruka looked puzzled, but said nothing.

"Is something wrong, Haruka?"

"I…don't want to say anything that would suggest I'm being crass or mean-spirited," Haruka admitted, "But I'm not sure how to ask this."

"Just ask," Natsuki said flatly, "Unless it's about the bedroom, in which case, I'm issuing a preemptive 'none of your damn business.'"

Haruka waved her hands, "No, no, nothing like that, though…now that you mention it, it might inform about that, too."

Tokiha grinned, "She wants to know which of you would lead during a dance."

Natsuki would have fainted if she got any redder.