One by one, the couple roped in their clique of friends. Noe was more than happy to help with the design of the clothes. Sekime and his wife, Rie, offered to share their experiences, although they did have to bring little Yoshiko along to Hokkaido (The little girl had already celebrated her first birthday some time ago.). Nakao said "yes" as well. However, Kayashima and Nakatsu could only promise that they would try to come. Mizuki found out that Nakatsu was now playing with a top-tier J-league team. After just two years, that was a great achievement.
Regardless, it seemed that the footballer had made a right choice in not coming immediately. On their third day in Japan, Julia showed up, although she did give Mizuki an earful for not keeping her updated. When she heard that Nakatsu could be coming, she swore to keep the "monkey" out when the wedding took place. That led to a problem. Mizuki wanted Julia to be the bridesmaid, while Izumi insisted that Nakatsu be the best man...
On the fourth day, Kayashima and Nakatsu arrived. The psychic helped Nakao and the Sekimes with the logistics (He would come in handy for spotting those cheats who lied about their prices, wisecracked Sekime), while Nakatsu was just in time for the photo shoots. Although Akiha wasn't available, he recommended a friend for the job. However...
"I am NOT going to take a photograph with him," stated Julia, while staring at the footballer.
"That was my line, you butch," retorted Nakatsu. It seemed that some things just never change, thought the couple. After much pleading from Mizuki, and a fist-hammer on Nakatsu's head by Izumi, the pair posed for the photographer...
The invitations were another big problem. Initially, Mizuki had wanted to invite everyone who were at Osaka High during her time at the school; that promptly earned her a fist-hammer from Izumi. The whole Umeda family was invited; Nakao especially insisted on Nanba-senpai. Tennouji, Kujou and their girlfriends were in the list, along with Kadoma. Kayashima casually put down the Himejima twins and their brother, despite some misgivings from everyone who knew "Oscar"...
By comparison, choosing the rings were a breeze. They were simple diamond rings, but Izumi wanted some engraving to be done. It would take a day or two, said the salesman, but the couple didn't mind.
After six days of preparations, the wedding was to be held tommorrow, one week after the couples' return to Hokkaido. Mizuki took some time off to wander the streets herself; she really had little stomach for all the organising and planning. Shortly after she left, Nakatsu too excused himself...
Looking at the window display of the shops around, Mizuki did some reflections on her own. Tommorrow, she was going to marry the man whom she initially worshipped as an idol, who then became a friend, and later, a lover. She blushed at the many misses she had during her days at Osaka, where she thought that her secret was still safe from Izumi. She was still lost in her dreams when she realised that there was someone behind her. She turned around. It was Nakatsu.
"Nakatsu, what are you doing here?" The man blushed slightly, before he bowed.
"Mizuki, please go on a date with me!" It was typical bluntness from the footballer. Mizuki thought for a while, before agreeing. After all, it was the first, and probably the last, time he asked her out. As they walked down the streets together, Nakatsu couldn't help but look at the lady beside him.
He would admit it readily: He had never stopped loving Mizuki. Ever since he knew the truth, he had wanted to challenge Izumi. But, as it turned out, she returned to the States. While Izumi joined her a year later, he did not. Soccer was his lifeblood, and he didn't give it up. Four years had passed since then. Although he was sure that Izumi had won her heart, he wanted to at least occupy a small place in her memories, memories of those times which they spent together...
Izumi looked at his watch. It was time to pick up the rings. At the jeweller's, he examined the engravings: "S.I." and "A.M.". Perfect. He paid for them in full and stepped out of the store into the streets. He sent a message to his bride's handphone.
Mizuki heard her phone's ringtone. She checked her inbox. Izumi wanted to meet her at the cafe which they frequently went to since they returned to Hokkaido.
"Nakatsu, I need to go. Sano wants to show me something." She turned to leave. The footballer grabbed hold of her hand.
"Just for a while longer, I promise." Seeing the look in his eyes, Mizuki reluctantly agreed. They continued their stroll. Nakatsu soon saw a little stall selling trinkets. He stopped before it and picked up a ring. It wasn't particularly beautiful or expensive. However, it reminded him why he had split up with the first girl he ever dated. Mizuki looked at the ring.
"That little flower looks cute," commented the young lady. Her companion paid for it. Then, gently, Nakatsu took Mizuki's hand and slipped the band onto her last finger. It fitted perfectly.
"I always wanted to buy you a ring, and today's my last chance," said Nakatsu, with just the slightest tinge of sadness. Mizuki had to look away from him. A nervous laughter broke out from the young man.
"Relax! I'm not jealous of Sano. If you're happy together with him, you have my blessings. Come," Mizuki nodded, a thin smile on her lips. Surely, Sano wouldn't mind waiting for a while...
Meanwhile...
"Where is she," thought Sano as he fiddled with the little red box in his hand. Although he had only waited for a few minutes at the most, he couldn't wait to show her the new rings. Besides the engraving, he had bought another smaller ring, for their first child when the time came. Although he didn't show it much, he was excited about the wedding. True, the preparations had been nerve-wracking at times. However, he would finally take the girl who had been behind him for so long as his beloved wife. As the saying goes, there's always a woman behind any successful man. Without Mizuki, he probably would still be feeling sorry for himself, estranged from his family and from high-jump, his first love...
"Hey! Get out of there," yelled someone suddenly. Izumi took a look around him. He was the only one still seated on the sidewalk. The screeching of tyres could be heard a short distance away, along with shouts and screams. Too late, he realised that the runaway vehicle was heading his way. Before he could get away, the sports car ploughed straight into the high-jumper...
After some more window-shopping, Mizuki took a look at her handphone. She gasped; she had taken more time than she had thought. Nakatsu agreed to escort her to the cafe. However, the place was some distance away from their current location. As they hurried, Mizuki prayed that Izumi wouldn't be mad at her.
When they reached the cafe, they were greeted by a chaotic scene. The sidewalk was cordoned off, and police officers were busy with their investigations. The car had already been hauled away, but there was a pool of blood at the scene. The pair looked around. There was no sign of Izumi. Mizuki dialled her fiance's handphone number; the line was dead. She tried the wedding planners; Sekime confirmed that the groom wasn't with them.
Fearing the worst, Nakatsu approached an officer and asked about the casualties. The officer looked at his records.
"Thankfully, only one young man got injured. But, it looked pretty bad. A shame if he died just like that; he was a handsome guy. Stupid drunken driver..." The rest of the officer's words were lost on Mizuki, who had overheard the first part. Her cellphone slipped from her hand. Turning around, Nakatsu tried to reassure her.
"I'm sure it's someone else who's injured. Sano's one lucky guy. It couldn't be him!" Then, the officer fished something out of his pocket. His experience told him that these people were somehow related to the victim.
"We found this near the casualty." With trembling hands, Mizuki took the red box. She opened it, and saw three rings arranged neatly inside, one smaller than the others. Nakatsu took one of the larger rings, and peered closely.
"There are letters engraved on this...'S.I.'," he said, after making out the inscription. Frantically, Mizuki took a closer look at the other ring. Upon seeing "A.M." on it, she could no longer deceive herself. She grabbed the officer.
"Which hospital was he sent to," cried Mizuki, the despair evident in her voice. Nakatsu went limp, as he realised that it was Izumi who was involved. Hoping against hope, he followed Mizuki as the officer offered to take them to the hospital...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!