Always with You
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of its characters.
Chapter 31 – This day of days
Now, some of the reader's might say that it is completely out-of-character for a man like Ren to be nervous. I'm sorry, but some events defy even the most sanguine personalities. And Ren was also Kuon, who used to be dominated by his emotions. Today Kuon was as nervous as a cat locked overnight in a dog kennel.
"Stop fidgeting." Yashiro demanded. Today he was allowed to give orders. He had felt as giddy as a schoolgirl when Ren had asked him to be his best man. Now he was the epitome of calm and control (outside, at least).
"It's hot under this collar."
"You've worn suits hundreds of times. You're going to be wrinkled for the big event. I'm not going to answer to your mom about that." Even six months after Ren's shocking revelation, Yashiro was still bowled over by the idea that Ren was actually Hizuri Kuon, the son of Kuu and Julie. He sometimes felt as if he was the vassal to a prince of state.
Ren looked over at his father, "Dad, stop eating. You know that the food was made for all of the men."
Kuu paused with a heaping forkful of Yakisoba at his mouth, "But I love her cooking! Can't you guys move to the states? You can live with us and she can cook."
It had taken the combined power of Julie, Okami-san, and Kanae to extract Kyoko from the Takarada kitchen this morning. Even though there was an Iron-chef working the event, she couldn't stay away. The poor man had even offered her a job (I think he was afraid that she would decide to compete with him for his title). As she had for the last two Christmas "Grateful" parties, she had designed all of the deserts. She had experimented in Ren's kitchen until he arranged for her to "practice" in a professional kitchen. The truth was that he couldn't tell her no, and he had made himself sick trying her voluminous samples.
Now she was safely tucked away in the bridal rooms. The women had flowed in and out, always exclaiming about how "beautiful," "incredible," "angelic," and "heavenly" she looked. It was only making him more nervous. It had taken him two long years to finally catch that girl, and a part of him would never be at rest until she was safely his, with his ring on her finger.
"Five minutes!" Director Ogata called. He had won the impromptu lottery between competing directors for who would get to record this event. Actors in Japan, even top-level actors, never earn the incredible wages paid to some Hollywood stars. So when Kamisaka Enterprises begged to sponsor the wedding for the privilege of televising the event and having full advertising rights during the show, the couple had agreed. Which was a good thing, because over 1,000 guests had RSVP'd.
Although Kyoko's friends and co-workers made up a portion of that total, it was Ren's side who had the most. Relatives who he had not seen since he left at age fifteen were coming out of the woodwork. They had kept their silence for six long years concerning his whereabouts, so he owed them. It turned out that Julie had a large, extended family that included other models, actors, and even a country music singer. Ren had been reluctant to allow his uncle Owen to sing at the wedding, until he heard the words.
"Its time!"
Feeling a little like a man being led to his own execution, Ren allowed himself to be herded into his starting position. Hio, looking tall and distinguished in his tux, led the beautiful Julie down the aisle to her seat. Two Ishibashi brothers led Okami-san and Fuwa-san to their seats; Kyoko had wanted both women to be honored. (Fuwa Sho had begged to be excused. He just couldn't make himself watch this, no matter how much he had changed)
The minister signaled to Ren, and they both walked in from the side and took their positions. Once there, the music changed.
As Pachabel's Canon played, Kurosaki Shio, less a few pieces of jewelry, but still wearing his trademark goatee, led Aiko Mari down the aisle.
Kogara Hiroji, looking almost civilized in his tux, lent his arm to Chiori Amamiya and led her down the aisle.
Yashiro Yukihito, ignoring the scowls of a certain tall young teenager, proudly escorted Kotonami Kanae down the aisle.
Maria, beautiful in her golden curls and lacy dress, walked down the isle dropping rose petals on the path. She was followed by Kotonami Jino, the young cousin who had won his own lottery to be chosen to carry the ring.
Then the music changed again, and over one-thousand people stood and turned to watch Kyoko enter the room. Those who had not snuck an early peek and even some who had, gasped as Taisho-san led her out. Many of the men in the room had never encountered Mogami Kyoko in her full glory. Now, like the sun rising on an early spring morning the "real" Kyoko walked down the aisle toward the man who owned her heart.
Yashiro put a supporting hand on Ren's arm as he started to sway in shock. Kyoko was everything that she had ever dreamed of being. She was the princess. She was the rich young lady. She was the queen of the faerie world. After years of being held down by her mother, Kyoko was now free to rise to her full potential. And today she had.
Ren would never remember Taisho giving her away. He would never remember the vows. He would never remember the preacher's words. But he would remember his uncle's song, because it said it all:
What was I wearing that day
was there a cloud in the sky
did my father shake my hand
did my mother cry
were there flowers everywhere
I simply did not see
Because whenever I remember
all is see
is you walking down the aisle to me
Tonight we sat together
watching the setting sun
You laid your head on my shoulder
and talked about this day of days
and everyone
Oh, I'm sure that they were there
they all promised that they'd come
but now as you sit here with me
I can't remember a single one
What was I wearing that day
was there a cloud in the sky
did my father shake my hand
did my mother cry
were there flowers everywhere
I simply did not see
Because whenever I remember
all is see
is you walking down the aisle to me
You are so beautiful
and you were walking down the aisle to me
He did, of course, remember the preacher's last words, "You may kiss the bride." He was sure that he got that part right; but just in-case… he intended to spend many, many years perfecting his technique.
* * *
Later that night, as the happy couple rode on the plane for the short hop to Kyoto, Kyoko examined her wedding ring in wonder. "How did you do it, Ren?"
Ren smiled smugly, "I found the top stone-cutter and jewelry designer in Tokyo. He didn't understand, but he certainly did the work right."
Kyoko looked down at the blue slivers of color that formed a perfect circle around the 3-karat diamond. "Yes," she sighed, "He did. And I can't even tell where he cut the pieces from Corn."
Ren winced before he said his next words, "I know that this is going to sound corny (no pun intended), but I wanted to make it so that Corn was always with you."
Kyoko looked up into Ren's eyes. Then she wrapped herself around his arm, "He is."
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Notes: I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my story. As always, I really appreciate your reviews. There will be an epilogue, but it may be a while before I write that.
Several people have written private emails and asked me to write the story of Kanae and Hio, and to write out the full story for Ronin's Children, Runaway Royalty, and My captive soul. Unfortunately, I couldn't reply directly to some requests because they aren't signed. So I will answer here: If I can find the time, I definitely will.
Once again, I would like to encourage you to look at what Songstress of the sea posted on YouTube. She put music to the lyrics on chapter 23. The music is for a female voice, not Sho's, but her composition is great: /watch?v=5WDzqF8jDFM and thank you, Songstress.
If anyone wanted to put "walking down the aisle" to music, let me know.
On another important note: I am looking for serious, committed, and talented illustrators who would be interested in taking on a manga project (or two). I have several stories that I would like to develop, but lack the time and artistic skills to really make a go of it myself. If you are interested, please send me a private email by clicking on my profile.
