Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda d'oro and I am not affiliated with any of the characters mentioned below. As promised, here is the next installment for this fic and enjoy!
Chapter 11/The Wedding
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Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.
JANE AUSTEN, Pride and Prejudice
…
Wedding. As she wonders what it feels like to be a bride. But this was one thing she knows that it will not happen to her anytime soon but to fantasize in a white dress, to walk in a long aisle inside a Cathedral, the flowers and music, and be surrounded with love. "Ah! It must be nice" Kahoko sigh. She then looks at Nao and sees how happy and calm she looks. But nevertheless she looks beautiful on her wedding gown. "Miyabi-chan did a great a job designing her dress." She said to herself silently. She continues to watch Nao as she put on her earrings.
"Kaho-chan? Are you okay? It's not polite to stare." Says Nao
"Gomen, I'm just excited and a new life awaits for you Mrs. Tsuchiura" She smiles
"Hai!" Nao very excited "It can't be help but you my friend should be looking into starting your own family as well."
"Huh? Don't you think it's a little too soon for me to think of marriage? And besides school is more important right now. Come on we have about 30 minutes before the wedding." She then grabs their flowers and help Nao with her train. "Nao? It's your day and don't worry about me I'll be fine." She smiles at her while they walk towards the limousine.
Excitement grew inside the car as the girls cheer Nao. Kahoko of course is more reserve than the others girls. She is thinking of Azuma and it had been 3 days since the fateful night she spent with him and her confessions of her feelings that she might be in love with him as well. She smiles while she looks outside the car window.
At last they arrived at the church. Everyone quickly got out of the car except for Nao and Kahoko for the entourage ensemble. The wedding started on time as the entourage starts walking the aisle while the Westwind Ensemble plays Canon in D Major. Kahoko can hear them play so wonderfully. She then signals Nao "It's time." They both got out the limousine and proceeded to the main door of the church. As the maid of honor she had to walk before Nao. Once she steps on the red carpet the restless feeling strikes her. She smiles at the people who scrutinize her every step, She looks around and sees her Father who is smiling at her, she smiles back at him. Further down she sees Hihara who is obnoxiously waving and smiling at her. She then beams at him. As she gets closer to the altar she sees Azuma's beautiful face; His facial expression is calm as always. He then smiles at her. She positions herself at the altar across from Azuma as they exchange smiles.
Finally, as the Westwind Ensemble Starts to play Suite No. 3 in D major, the two main doors open. Everyone who comes to witness the weeding stands up to see Nao and her father slowly walk down the aisle. Kahoko notices Ryoutaro's excitement as Yunoki lightly pats his back. While she waits for Nao's arrival at the altar she then drifted to her own world. Many thoughts came to her, as she looks back on her life since her mother's passing and Len's betrayal and Azuma. How much of it really changes her? She wonders. But why the feeling of emptiness still lingers even having Azuma around? She then snaps right back to reality and sees Nao's father handing her hand to Ryoutaro. Both then walk towards the altar where the priest is standing.
Nao handed her bouquet to Kahoko as a sign of wedding vow exchange. Ryoutaro then hold Nao's left hand as he slide the ring into her finger:
I Ryoutaro, take you Nao, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.
Nao also hold Ryou's left hand as she slide the ring into his finger and said:
I Nao, take you Ryoutaro, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.
While Nao and Ryou said their I do's, Kahoko's eyes starts to get cloudy. Tears start to fall to her cheeks. She smiles knowing that these are tears of joy. She could have not been happier for the both of them knowing that she brought these two together. Unaware of her actions Yunoki is watching her. He knows deep inside that she is blissful.
The priest then proclaims, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." As Ryou lean down to kiss his wife, everyone applaud for the newly wed. Though Kahoko is busy cheering them on, she meets Azuma'a eyes as he mouthed silently to her saying "I love you." she could not help but feel so love and it made her heart skip a beat. She then asks her self "Can he really be the missing piece in my life?"
After the wedding ceremony everyone meets outside the church. While the newly weds mingle Kahoko finds Hihara.
"Hihara-senpai! How are you?" while she gives him a hug
"Kaho-chan it's been a while. How are you?" he still blushes looking at her
"I'm doing good. I'm pursuing college. How about you Senpai?" asks Kahoko
"Well, I'm still with the Orchestra and at the same the program that I'm in is sending me to school for music literature. So, you look beautiful as always Kaho-chan." Says Hihara while blushing heavily.
"Stop it Senpai." Both now laughing happy to see each other, Kahoko then hear Azuma in the background.
"Hihara there you are. How long has it been my friend?" Yunoki shakes his hand
"Yunoki how are you? I never thought you'd be the best man." He teases Yunoki "So, I thought you were in England?''
"It's a long story Hihara but I'm glad you made it." Yunoki then wrap his arms around Kahoko. Hihara's jaws dropped and could not believed what he sees.
"Na ni? Are you two together? Since when?" Hihara still in shock, He could not believed that Azuma and Kahoko would be together. He knew from way back that Kahoko's life was Len but what he witnessed in front of him is something different. Azuma's expression is kind and loving and Kahoko seems to be content.
"My friend will fill you in more at the reception." Says Yunoki as he gives Kahoko a peck on her lips. "By the way Hihara? It's too late for that confessions of yours." He then mingles with the other guests.
"What the F*ck? Yunoki you haven't change a bit. How could you say such thing you baka!" Hihara clenches his hand while he sees Yunoki walking away from him.
"Ah! Senpai what confessions?" asks Kahoko
"Eh! Nothing" Blushing heavily. But he knew exactly what Yunoki was referring to since he told his best friend about his feelings for Kahoko back in high school. "Kaho-chan, don't worry about Yunoki's blabber mouth. Come on lets get going we don't want to be late for the reception." He smiles at her while blushing at the same time
Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is Eternity.
Though her attention is at the wedding but one can see how distracted she looks. Mixed emotions and anxiety builds up inside her. The tension is up the air, although she hides it very well.
"Kahoko are you alright?" asks Yunoki
"Yes, what made you think something is wrong?" she replied
"You don't have to lie I can read you well like a shoujo manga."
"Eh! Shoujo? Stop it. You're making fun of me. I do have the right to think for my self you know."
Just a few minutes later they arrived at the Grand Hotel where the reception is held for the wedding. The place looks magnificent. Every pillar in the main lobby is deck out with extravagant flowers and the candles are everywhere that made the ambient a fairytale. Amazement painted her face. "Wow!" she said.
"What do you think?"
"My word, your sister did an amazing job turning this place into a fairytale." She still is looking around. Yunoki then guided her to their table where they sit with her father and Hihara and Miyabi.
"Onii-san, what do you think of the place?" asks Miyabi
"It's wonderful. You did a great job." He smiles at his sister. Miyabi very pleased hearing it from her brother.
"Kaho-chan? Do you think you'll ever hire me when you get married?" asks Miyabi
"Huh! Ehhehhehh" Kahoko struggling to answer then her dad butt in and said, "Of course, your work is remarkable, I would only want the best for my daughter." He said
"Kaho-chan, are you planning to marry soon?" asks Hihara
"Oh! No!" she responded quickly
"That day will come and when she is ready." Says Yunoki awkwardness the falls into place.
The newly weds were introduced then followed the dinner. Everyone was enjoying the reception. Drinks were served at the open bar where you find Hihara and Kahoko's dad chatting. While everyone is busy mingling Kahoko sneak in to the sweetheart table.
"Hey! Nao do you need anything?"
"I think I'm good." She smiles "I'm so glad for the turn out of my wedding. Thanks to Miyabi-chan."
"Me too" Says Kahoko "And hey Ryou? Loosen up a bit, I can see tension brewing up" Kahoko teasing him
"You got that right, I'm nervous about the first dance," he replied
"heheheh you will be fine." She then went back to her table where Yunoki is waiting for her.
"So, is everything okay over there?" Yunoki asks
"Yeah! Ryou is nervous for their first dance." She whispers to him
The DJ then invites the couple to the dance floor for their first dance. Ryou surprises Nao to a live performance from Misa Hamai and a International singer Kayla. As miss Hamai starts to play in the piano Kayla starts to sing:
If ever you wonder if you touched my soul,
Yes, you do.
Since I met you, I'm not the same
You bring life to everything I do
Just the way you say hello
With one touch I can't let go
Never thought I'd fall in love with you
*Because of you, my life has changed
Thank you for the love & the joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame
I'll tell the world
It's because of you
Sometimes I get lonely
And all I gotta do is think of you
You've captured something inside of me
You make all of my dreams come true
It's not enough that you love me for me
You reached inside & touched me eternally
"I love you" best explains
How I feel for you
My life has changed
Thank you for the love & the joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame
I'll tell the world
It's because of you
The magic in your eyes
True love, I can't deny
When you hold me, I just lose control
I want you to know
That I'm never letting go
You mean so much to me, I want the world to see It's because of you.
Love is in the air. Every word from the song had an extended effect to every one in the room. Everyone applaud for the nice performance but the couple stands out the most. The spotlight was on them as Ryou kisses his wife after their first dance as a Married couple. More then words can express how much love these two have for each other.
After the performance every one is invited to an open dance. The DJ starts to play some lively music to get everyone loose. Guests start to gather in the middle of the dance as they dance the night away. The newly weds said their thank you to everyone then the wedding guest send them off to their honeymoon. Kahoko closes the limousine door as she waves goodbye to Ryou and Nao.
"Dance with me." He whispers to her ears
"Sure" she replied
While they dance Yunoki can see that she looks sad. He knows that she is missing her best friends already. All he wanted to do is comfort her.
"I know you miss them already but I'm here for you." Says Yunoki
"Thank you!" she looks up and smiles at him then interruption
"So, what about switching partners for a while." Hihara smiling
"Hihara, seriously?" says Yunoki bluntly
"Oh! Come on onii-san, give Hihara Senpai a chance to dance with Kaho-chan" says Miyabi
"Fine." Yunoki then swap partners, he is now dancing with his sister, as he glare at Hihara "don't do anything funny." Yunoki added
"Azuma, please its just a dance" says Kahoko
It was silence for a while then Hihara broke the stillness and asks, "Do you love him?" Kahoko could not believe what she is hearing from her Senpai. She quickly respond and said, "Yes, I think so" as they move around gracefully on the dance floor. "Your father told me everything." Hihara added. Kahoko now a little embarrass "Yeah I figured that out. You two were hanging at the bar drinking your souls away." Then silence-"Senpai, thank you for your concern and I'm so glad to see you." She smiles at him. "Yeah! Me too." Hihara respond. After the song ended Kahoko is quickly sweep by Azuma.
"Where are we going?" She asks
"Just follow me." Says Yunoki. They both went inside the elevator. As they reach the highest floor of the hotel. Azuma open the elevator revealing the scenery around Japan. The city lights sparkles like candles just like looking at the stars in middle of the field at night where you can feel the serenity.
"Wow!" Kahoko amaze
"I know you would like it." Azuma now very pleased he then wrap his arms around her as they both watch the panorama in front of them. All their worries in life and their future seem to disappear as they enjoy each other's company.
…
What will be next for two of them?
~Currently listening to Leona Lewis "Yesterday"~
Note: here is the song used for the first dance. Google it and listen to Kayla's solo rendition "Because of You". It's such a beautiful song. Please REVIEW