Author's Note: My apologies to everyone for the delay in this chapter. My co-authors computer died on her, so she wasn't able to do any work on her part of the fic. And then it took a while to figure out that it's going to take even longer to get it fixed, so we finally decided that I'd finish this chapter myself. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
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For Us, Forever
Rating: K+
Chapter 3: Crisis Management
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Then...
Mai effortlessly sidestepped the young Pearl running past her as she scanned the crowd, making sure to skip over the leashes of the dogs racing behind her. Chelsea was the only student that Natsuki and Shizuru had invited to the wedding, as she'd proven herself trustworthy after years of taking care of their dog, Kiyoran, during the day, and she'd volunteered to do the same at the wedding. This responsibility had soon expanded to taking care of Shizuru's parents' dog, and then Shizuru's cousin's dogs as well, but Chelsea didn't seem to be complaining. She'd even volunteered to try to wear the dogs out before the ceremony with some running, though she didn't seem to have heard Mai when she'd recommended Chelsea run them a bit farther away from the site of wedding.
Mai sighed. She'd gotten in quite a bit of practice by this point at avoiding Chelsea and the dogs, and there hadn't been any incidents with anyone else quite yet, so hopefully things would be alright. Haruka was starting to give Chelsea an annoyed glare though, so Mai would do what she could to prevent that particular volcano from erupting today. Mai waited patiently until the next time Chelsea came around with the dogs to step out directly in front of her, pointing an arm off to the side, in the opposite direction from Haruka. Thankfully, Chelsea seemed to get the hint, and she veered off without missing a step.
Okay, one crisis averted, Mai thought. She went back to her clipboard, looking over it. Still so much to do, and time was running out on her. She couldn't afford many more distractions here. Okay, next on the agenda: Make sure all the guests had arrived. Mai had been checking off names as she'd spotted them, so there were only a couple loose ends to tie off. Kenichi Viola had gone missing before the ceremony, along with one of the buggies, so she'd have to check that he'd returned and hadn't gotten into an accident. The only other name that she hadn't checked off yet was Takeshi Kruger, Natsuki's father. He'd RSVPed for the wedding, but then he'd sent in a message asking if Saeko was there, and saying he might have to reconsider. Mai had told him that Saeko Kruger was indeed planning to attend, but despite her best efforts, she hadn't been able to get confirmation from Takeshi on whether or not he'd show up. Nevertheless, he hadn't officially canceled, and so he was still on the list.
Getting personal information out of Natsuki was like getting… well, she'd think of a metaphor for that later, when she had more time on her hands. The point was, it was tough, even for Mai. All Mai had been able to figure out was that Natsuki's parents' marriage hadn't been in the best shape for quite some time now, and Natsuki seemed to be taking her mother's side in things. Given the rumors going around that Takeshi had taken a mistress, Natsuki being on Naomi's side wasn't at all surprising. But despite all of that, he at least owed Natsuki to show up at her wedding. Mai had worked around him, so that he didn't have to play a part in the ceremony, but she still wanted him to show up. If not… well, she might have to see about asking Haruka to kidnap him for the day. There might still be enough time left for that, at least. And with Haruka, at least everyone had practice ignoring potential international incidents she caused.
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Now...
"Thank you everyone, for coming today," Yukino Chrysant said. She gazed across the assembled people, all close friends and family of Shizuru and Natsuki, numbering no more than a couple dozen, taking in each face in turn. She knew most of them already, but there were a few new faces among the crowd. That is, they'd been new earlier today - Yukino had made sure to introduce herself to each of them as soon as she could. "I understand that many of you had quite the journey to get here, and I want to thank each and every one of you for making it, although I'm sure my thanks isn't necessary for such an occasion.
"This really is an historic occasion. It's the first time since the founding of Garderobe that any Otome has been allowed to marry without first retiring, made all the more momentous by the fact that it's two of the Columns who are to be wed," Yukino smiled a bit as she said this, glancing at Shizuru briefly, and then Natsuki. "But if today were simply about its historic importance, we would be hosting this event in a much more public venue. No, today is about the personal importance of this marriage. It isn't about the Second and Third Columns, it's about Natsuki Kruger and Shizuru Viola.
"The story of how Natsuki and Shizuru got together is far too long and far too personal for me to go into here," Yukino said. Add to that the fact that even now, Natsuki still hadn't told her all of the details about it. "But what I can say is that it began in Garderobe, when Natsuki was selected as Shizuru's room attendant. This arrangement is meant to give the younger otome mentorship from the upperclassmen, although from what I've heard, Shizuru was changed through this relationship just as much as Natsuki. They both grew through this year together, becoming two of the most mature and skilled otome at Garderobe at the ends of their respective years, earning them each a Columnship.
"Unfortunately, the political environment made it too impossible for the two of them to be open about their relationship without fellow heads of state calling for their resignations. It wasn't until the aftermath of the incident last year, in which Shizuru nearly lost her life, that they finally decided enough was enough. Even after their efforts had helped to save the world, a few people were too small-minded to accept their relationship, but thankfully love won out in the end. People around the world rallied in support of their right to love each other, bringing us to stand here today, ready to bless their marriage to each other."
Yukino paused in her speech, smiling at both Shizuru and Natsuki in turn. They were both so happy right now that it was impossible for her not to share in it. She almost lost her place amid this, but she managed to catch herself before too much time had passed. "Before we continue, I've been told that the betrothed each have some words of their own that they'd like to share. Shizuru, if you would please go first," Yukino said, nodding to the woman in front of her.
