AN: Well, I'm sorry to say that this looks like the second to last chapter ;_; It's really been fun, and I'm very grateful for everyone's reviews. Maybe sometime in the near future I'll write an epilogue.
Arigatou minna for making writing this story more enjoyable! ^-^
~*^-^*~
Maron opened her eyes and immediately shut them again. Today was it. Today was the day. She moaned and covered her face with her hands. She would give anything not to have to get up and slip into the frilly dress waiting for her in the other room.
"Maron?" A small high pitched voice sounded throughout the quiet apartment. Maron smiled slightly as a small green orb floated in front of her. It popped, and a small angel appeared in its' place.
"Ohayou, Finn."
"Daijoubu, Maron?" Finn frowned as she perched on Maron's bed. Maron nodded. Finn wasn't convinced. Maron finally sighed and shook her head, running a hand through her hair.
"No, I'm not all right. The man I love is getting married and wants nothing to do with me." She said, miserable, as she buried her face in the blankets. Finn watched her friend sadly. She didn't like Yashiro much. Neither did Access or Miyako. Heck, it looked like Chiaki didn't even like her!
"Maron-chan, I'm sure everything will turn out all right." The tenshi forced a small smile before doing her best to hug Maron. The girl sniffled and nodded.
"I hope so, Finn. I hope so."
~*^-^*~
Chiaki sighed and ran a hand through his hair, tousling it and sighed. There was a very feminine shriek from a woman before a pair of hands were not too gently playing with his hair.
"You messed it up again, Chiaki-san! What am I going to do with you!?" The young woman doing his hair asked, exasperated. Chiaki shrugged, not really listening. He looked down at the stiff tux he was wearing and pulled uncomfortably at the sleeves.
"Don't fuss with it, it'll wrinkle."
"What is this made of, cardboard?" He asked dryly before letting his hands flop to his sides. He watched them fix his tux and hair numbly as he stared back at them through the mirror. It was his wedding day, and he was miserable.
"Excuse me." He muttered, brushing off the people helping him. They protested, but he quickly left the room and headed towards the balcony.
It was quiet out there, compared to the stuffy fussing inside the church. A cool breeze ruffled his hair and he grinned. They'd have a fit over it. The sounds of shoes clacking on the floor behind him made him groan. Had they come to get him already?
"Listen, I don't need your-" He stopped short when he saw Maron standing before him. The dress Yashiro had chosen was a little tacky, but hung to her curves just right. He hair was down and curled, a nice change from the odangos that were normally on either side of her head. The makeup was visible, but not overdone. Chiaki opened his mouth before closing it again.
"Chiaki?" Maron looked just as startled to see him there. He nodded dumbly as she stepped completely onto the balcony and leaned on the railing. Chiaki watched her in stunned silence.
"Good luck."
"H-huh?"
"I said good luck. For today, I mean. It's a big day." She smiled, not a trace of sadness on her face. She looked like the Maron he used to know. He smiled slightly and nodded, leaning next to her. What should he say?
"Ne, Chiaki. I really do hope you're happy." Maron's voice was suddenly softer and he had to strain to hear.
"It hurts to know that you love Yashiro, and I don't think I'll ever stop loving you. But I want you to be happy. I'll see you later." Maron offered a wobbly smile before she turned and walked away. Away from Chiaki.
Wiping at the tears that started to form in her eyes, careful not to smudge her makeup, Maron hurried out. Had she taken the time to look, she would have noticed someone watching them in the shadows.
~*^-^*~
Maron sniffled as she scrubbed angrily at the tears falling down her cheeks. She had told herself that no matter what, she wouldn't cry. And here she was, in the garden of the church, crying.
"Here."
She glanced up to see a white handkerchief dangling inches form her face. She hiccuped before accepting it and dabbing at her eyes.
"Arigatou-Noin!?" Maron gasped, feeling an unwilling blush rise into her cheeks. The man nodded before sitting down next to her. She shifted, uncomfortable.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. What can I do?" Maron sniffled. It was far to late to do anything. Chiaki was getting married in…
"We're late!" Maron squealed, grabbing Noin's hand and rushing into the church.
Maron sat in a vacant seat near the back of the room next to Noin in case she needed to make a quick escape. Noin patted her hand reassuringly and she smiled slightly. Music started from the organ up front and Maron felt herself shake. Up front Chiaki stood, tense but ready, eyes focused on the doors in the back.
A creaking sound from behind made Maron turn. There were soft gasps and sighs of appreciation as Yashiro walked into the room and onto the carpet. Her father walked next to her, a relatively old but smiling man.
Maron choked on a sob as Yashiro passed her seat, the creamy white dress swishing as she walked. Before she burst into tears, Maron jumped up and hurried out the door, brushing past people.
Noin had jumped up to follow her when he realized the ceremony had started. He cursed and sank into his seat, a scowl on his face.
The whole speech went by in a blur, and before Noin knew it, it was time for the 'I do's' he looked away, feeling the hurt that Maron had felt earlier when she fled.
"Do you, Nagoya Chiaki, take Sazahka Yashiro to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"And do you, Sazahka Yashiro, take Nagoya Chiaki to be your-"
"No."
~*^-^*~
Maron angrily beat her fist on the bench she sat on. She was so weak. She hated it. Sniffling, Maron glanced at her watch. It still wasn't too late to get out of here. Mustering up all the courage she had, Maron stood and shuffled over to her car. She took one last look at the chapel before sliding into the driver's seat and starting the car.
"Sayonara, Chiaki."
~*^-^*~
Inside, a large commotion broke out, the people attending no longer resorting to whispering. Chiaki stared at Yashiro dumbly. What was she trying to do? Her hair shielded her face, so it was only when she looked back up that he noticed the tears in her eyes.
"Go to her, Chiaki."
"Y-Yashiro?"
Yashiro sighed and wiped the tears off her cheeks before smiling. Chiaki was confused.
"I saw you earlier, talking to her. And I know that even if I marry you, you still have a place in your heart for Maron. I can't compete with that. So…I'm letting you go." She took a deep shuddering breath before more tears clouded her vision. Chiaki opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and grabbed Yashiro into a giant hug.
"Arigatou." He muttered, pulling away and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Yashiro choked on a sob, but smiled and watched as Chiaki ran through the crowds of people. Before he could get out, Noin stopped him. Chiaki glared, annoyed.
"I'm kind of in a rush here, so-"
"She's gone, Chiaki."
"G-gone? What do you mean gone?"
"She called me from her cell phone. She's on her way to the airport."
~*^-^*~
AN: Well, maybe I could stretch this story to one last chapter, but that's really all I can do! ^-^;; I won't be able to write anymore without it becoming blah ^-^ I hope you enjoyed the little twist. Bet you thought Noin was the one watching them on the balcony. Nuh uh! It was Yashiro!
And to think, she ruined the tradition by seeing the groom before they got married. Tsk tsk tsk. Anyway, please review. The next chapter will be the last!
~Neoshipper~