Hyouka – The AfterStory
Project Collaboration by Commander Cody & Maria
EPISODE 10
"I'm heading to the Chitanda house," said Houtarou.
"Why?" Tomoe inquired.
"My wedding garments are there."
Tomoe shook her head. "Seriously? You couldn't even buy them yourself?" she retorted, as if Houtarou was not man enough to buy even his own garments.
"Chitanda Hiromi-san told me that she had men's garments that fit Chitanda Tetsugo-san," Houtarou explained, despite being irked with her criticism. "I'm close to being the same height…as he was, before he aged. Besides, they were rather insistent on it."
Tomoe heaved a sigh, left to wonder about some of the eccentricities of the Chitanda family when wedding preparations were involved. "How soon do you need to leave?" asked Tomoe.
"Ten minutes," said Houtarou. It was already noon, and the wedding would commence in about a couple of hours. "It takes a while to don the garment completely."
"Have you eaten anything?" asked Tomoe.
"Ano…not really," Houtarou had to admit.
"I will not have you in a foul mood during the most important day of your life," Tomoe retorted, insisting that the young man stay a bit longer. "Come on. I've already prepared breakfast."
"Can't I just pack it?" asked Houtarou. "I have to bike all the way to the Citanda residence."
Houtarou could hear his older sister huffing, what with being irritated with his stubbornness as Tomoe brought out leftover food from the fridge. In a ceramic bowl was a motley collection of noodles and grilled teriyaki.
Houtarou quickly helped himself to some of this food before he sat down.
"The wedding takes place at the Arekusu Shrine, but I have to go Chitanda-san's house first," said Houtarou.
"I assume you're riding with them?" asked Tomoe.
"Hai," said Houtarou. "Presumably I'll be riding in a limousine."
"A limousine?" asked an astounded Tomoe.
"It'll probably be just like any car ride," said Houtarou.
"Now, Houtarou, don't take that kind of attitude!" exclaimed Tomoe. "It's a treat! And you should remember to thank the Chitanda family for letting you ride in one! How often do people your age ever ride in one unless they belong to rich families?"
"They probably ride in one if their families are renting it," said Houtarou.
"It's still expensive," said Tomoe. "Don't take such things for granted."
"Hai," said Houtarou. By that point, he had finished with his meal; he finished it pretty fast.
"I have to go now," said Houtarou.
"Already?" asked Tomoe, astonished that her brother had just finished his breakfast so fast. "Well, if you must…"
Houtarou made a run for the door, as he was in a hurry to leave.
"I'll be coming over," said Tomoe. "Tousan and Kaasan will come by to pick me up."
Houtarou had arrived at the doorstep of the Chitanda house. When he knocked, the door opened, with Chitanda Hiromi standing at the door.
"Goodness, Oreki-san, I was afraid you were almost late," she said.
"Sumimasen," said Houtarou in an apologetic way. He stepped inside and Hiromi shut the door.
"I'll show you to your changing room," Hiromi offered. "We kept your wedding garments there. You will be in traditional garb."
"Traditional garb?" Houtarou inquired out of surprise.
"Were you expecting to wear a tuxedo?" Chitanda Hiromi retorted with a mischievous smile. "This is a traditional wedding, Oreki-san."
"Sou desu ne," said Houtarou. My sister wanted to detain me for breakfast, thought Houtarou. Even Tomoe had a point; maybe staying at the apartment for a bit to fill his stomach was a prudent thing. I guess it's my fault, he mused. If I hadn't overslept…
"Here's your changing room," said Hiromi, gesturing hurriedly to the young man to step inside and change clothes. "Hurry up."
A stunned Houtarou, woken from his thoughts, was prodded by Hiromi as she ushered him into a bedroom of the house. The bedroom was smaller, though.
He shut the door, and after that, beheld the grey-black haori and the hakama splayed out across the small bed, and the zori at the end of the bed, which would serve as the traditional wedding garb for the groom.
After putting on those garments, Houtarou admired himself in the mirror, mostly to make sure he was presentable. With a comb, he made some attempt to tame his hair, which sometimes went around places, just as it did in his younger years.
When he deemed himself presentable, he left the room and shut the door.
"Ano…where's Eru?" asked Houtarou.
"She's in her bedroom, getting dressed," said Hiromi. "But it's almost time." She knocked on the door. "Eru, hurry up! Oreki-san is here, and…"
"Houtarou-kun?" Eru called. "Ano…I'm not even fully dressed! I need to put on my kimono!"
"Hayaku! Hayaku!" called a frantic Hiromi. "We'll arrange your hair later!"
Houtarou, still keeping the little vestiges of his energy conservation policy, was favorably disposed to wait until his bride-to-be finished getting dolled up. Figuring she would be done soon, if only half-way, he decided to wait outside Eru's bedroom.
Eru emerged out of the bedroom. "Oh…Houtarou-kun!" she exclaimed.
Houtarou immediately jumped up. "Oh…Eru," he greeted her. "Sumimasen. I had no idea…"
"Daijoubou, daijoubou," she assured him, laughing. "You know, you were almost oblivious to my arrival."
"I know," Houtarou acknowledged. "I was just…" He was about to say "lost in thought" until he became drawn to Eru's appearance.
"I've never been drawn to anything…so…"
"Beautiful?" asked Eru. She blushed a little. "Oh…I'm not done yet, though. My hair, you see…"
"Eru, we have to go," Chitanda Tetsugo immediately cut in. "Our limousine is waiting."
"Hai," she acknowledged.
"Limousine…" Houtarou uttered. "Ano…still…" he was about to continue speaking, but with the hurried situation, he felt pressed for time.
Houtarou observed the girl's mother making some minute. "I suppose it will have to do," she said. "We'll get you dolled up thoroughly when we get to Arekusu Shrine." Sometimes, her mother would get a little fussy about her daughter's appearance, though for an event like this, it was well justified.
Houtarou followed Eru as she and her family left the house and entered the well-groomed courtyard. A black limousine remained parked, but with its engine still on. The chauffeur remained standing with remarkable patience.
The chauffeur opened the starboard door of the limousine. Chitanda Tetsugo stepped inside the limousine first, then his wife extended her hand as she took one delicate step into the vehicle. Eru lifted up her bridal gown as she stepped in, and Houtarou did the same for his nuptial garb.
As with every limousine, the exterior of the seats were fastened with black bonded leather. The look and feel of the seats had the power to intensify Houtarou's imagination of stepping into a mini-version of an executive suite. The limousine windows were slightly tinted.
Inside the limousine were two straight rows of seating, topped by a small center row. The port side would serve as seating for Houtarou and Eru, while Chitanda Tetsugo would sit at the center row, and Chitanda Hiromi would sit at the starboard row, near the limousine door.
The driver shifted gears and the limousine moved slowly forward, out of the house's driveway, and onto the pavement.
This was Houtarou's first ride in a limousine; he had never rode in one since he was younger. Hell, this was his first time he ever rode in a car privately owned by another family.
"Usually the groom travels his own way," said Chitanda Tetsugo. "But I figured this arrangement made logistics easier."
"And giving Houtarou-kun a chance to ride in a limousine," added Eru.
"Hai," Chitanda Hiromi agreed. "Eru-chan insisted on it, too."
Eru has a strange way of getting me on board almost anything, thought Houtarou.
"What do you think, Oreki-san?" Eru's mother asked him.
Houtarou remembered what his older sister told her about showing a lack of interest. "Ano…it's quite wonderful," he said, almost stammering.
Eru made a muffled but genial laugh. "Houtarou-kun, you'd think that you would have something more eloquent to say about this ride," she said. "Any young man your age would die for a chance to ride in a vehicle like this. Why, I'll bet that for them, it would almost be like getting a taste of heaven."
Chitanda Tetsugo made a light chuckle. "Take it easy on Oreki-san, Eru. I'll bet he's probably just at a loss for words. You can't take it to mean that Houtarou will take it all for granted," Tetsugo added.
"I hope not," said Eru, though she seemed to suspect that Houtarou was still regarding the ride as something not remarkable, but an occasional guilty pleasure; something to the equivalent of indulging in a favorite treat, as opposed to being treated to an extraordinary opera in a kabuki theatre. Eru was hardly fooled with Houtarou's behavior; but at least Houtarou knew when to politely convey his appreciation.
"I still have to get her hair arranged," said Hiromi. "There is a changing room in the main building of the Shrine."
"Would it be possible to change here?" asked Houtarou, figuring that it took some time for the limousine to drive to Arekusu Shrine, they might as well get it over with.
"It's much more elaborate than that," said Hiromi. "The car jolts a little. Besides…it's not that long a ride."
"We are here," said Tetsugo.
The chauffeur opened the doors, and the Chitanda family, along with Houtarou in tow, got out. The chauffeur would park the limousine in a designated area outside the Shrine. I just hope the chauffeur doesn't get too bored during the wait, Houtarou was considerate to mentally remark.
"I'll see you soon," said Eru, before she and her mother entered a separate room that they would use for private dress-up.
Houtarou sauntered into the lobby, which was used as a gathering space for the many guests here to witness a traditional ceremony in the making.
"Yo, Houtarou!"
Houtarou turned around. Satoshi was waving at him.
"I heard you were treated to ride in a limousine," said Satoshi as he walked closer to his friend.
"Admittedly, it was quite wonderful," said Houtarou. Somehow he had a sense of admiration.
"Really?" asked Satoshi. "You're not just saying that to be polite, are you?"
"Iie, I really meant it," Houtarou insisted.
"How are you holding up, so far?" asked Satoshi.
"To be honest, I seem to be a bit…nervous," said Houtarou.
"Nervous?" asked Satoshi. "Houtarou…nervous?"
"It's my first," said Houtarou. "In a lifetime."
"Ah," said Satoshi. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you'll have little to do, if not nothing, during the ceremony."
But Houtarou was less keen on seeing his friend's remark as a word of consolation. "Tell me this is your idea of a joke," he said.
"Partly," said Satoshi. "But there's some truth to it. In many of these traditional ceremonies, the groom stands and sits at appropriate moments. Other than that…"
Houtarou observed two young ladies approaching the lobby. It was Mayaka and Juumonji Kaho, dressed in the red and white vestments of the Shrine maidens. Their outer vestments were decorated with pictures of blue flowers.
"Maya-chan!" Satoshi greeted. "Oh…you and Juumonji-san are participating as the miko?"
"Hai," Mayaka affirmed.
"It's probably my first time," said Houtarou.
"Houtarou was treated to a limousine ride," Satoshi decided to throw out.
"Really?!" Mayaka asked, almost shouting. "Oreki, what was it like?"
"It was smooth," said Houtarou.
Mayaka made a cross face, seeing that Houtarou had little to say about the privilege the Chitanda family granted him. "You know, for someone who was treated to one, you sure would have something more eloquent to say about it," she criticized him.
"That's what Eru used to say," Houtarou said.
"No doubt, I think Maya-chan and Chitanda-san, soon to be…well, Oreki -san, will be of the same mind," remarked Satoshi.
"Hai," Mayaka agreed right away, her mood becoming a little cheerful now.
"Ano…what will the miko be doing?" Houtarou decided to inquire out of curiosity.
"Ah," said Mayaka. "Kaho-san will explain. Won't you?"
"Hai," said Kaho. "There are some functions in a traditional Shinto wedding that the miko perform. One of the miko performs the ritual dance. That dance is where I have the honor of doing, since it was at the request of the Chitanda family, as I work at the Shrine."
"And the fact that your family owns Arekusu Shrine, too," added Satoshi.
"Hai," Kaho seemed to agree.
"Well, I'd like to see how that turns out," said Satoshi excitedly. "I usually don't get to see the miko performing such dances."
"Fuku-chan, it's not going to be those flashy like those of the idol girls," said Mayaka. "The miko perform this dance with grace, and there aren't many elaborate movements."
"I hope it won't bore you, Satoshi," said Houtarou.
"It's a rarity for me," said Satoshi. "I don't think I'll doze off. But hopefully, Houtarou won't."
"Satoshi…" Houtarou scolded him. I guess it takes a while for him to realize that for something like this, a dance that seems boring would be a significant part of my life.
Then he thought: Still, it is annoying for Satoshi to use my words against me.
Houtarou turned his attention to Kaho. "What other functions do the miko perform in this ceremony?" he inquired.
"Well," Kaho continued. "The miko are also tasked with pouring rice wine for the bride and groom. It is a ritual tradition for weddings like these. Funny thing, though; Ibara-san was insistent on pouring the rice wine for Chitanda-san."
"For Eru?" asked Satoshi.
"Hai," said Mayaka. "We're friends and former members of the Classics Club, after all. How often do you have that?"
"To be honest, I'm hardly that particular," said Kaho. "But it is an honor for me to make a huge difference in the ceremony. Ibara-san is a bit…ambitious…"
"I don't see anything wrong with that," Mayaka retorted with a frown.
"Oh, no," said Kaho, making a gesture that told Mayaka to calm down. "Oh…when the ritual of rice wine is finished, Ibara-san and I start ringing bells."
"Ringing…bells?" asked a perplexed Houtarou.
"To ward off impure thoughts," explained Kaho.
"Oh…Kaho-san," said Mayaka. "We haven't yet decided who administers the wedding band."
"That is also part of the ceremony," said Kaho. "The miko administer the wedding bands to the bride and groom."
"I want to administer the one for Chii -chan," said Mayaka.
"Would it really make a difference?" asked Kaho. "The wedding bands…"
"It would, especially if it's the one that the groom places on the finger of his bride," said Mayaka. "When I look back on this great moment, I want to say, with forthright honesty, that I, as one of the miko, had administered the wedding band that would be given to Chii-chan."
"Perhaps you can administer Chitanda Eru-san's wedding band to her, then," said Kaho.
Mayaka smiled so radiantly over being given this once-in-a-lifetime honor.
"Maya-chan is quite passionate about what she does," remarked Satoshi.
Eru emerged from a changing room dressed in a loose, flowing satin-white kimono made of silk, adorned with cherry blossoms with a silk exterior. Her hair was arranged into an elaborate bun, bedecked with flowers. Houtarou met his gaze with Eru, who had such an adorable smile on her face; one that was so gentle and serene, with her eyes sparkling. For a time, Houtarou remained captivated; there remained something about her that manifested a virgin's innocence.
"H…Houtarou-k-kun…" she stammered.
"I am…in awe," said Houtarou. "You look…extraordinarily beautiful."
"Arigatou," she said sweetly.
"Chii-chan…oh…kawaiii!" Mayaka exclaimed, as she felt around Eru's garments. "Is…is that…silk?"
"On the outside," said Eru.
"Oh!" Mayaka exclaimed in gleeful excitement, satisfying her impulse to touch the hem of her friend's wedding garments.
"By the kami!" exclaimed Satoshi. "I have never come across any garments so elaborate."
"This particular ceremony is done…sometimes," said Eru. "We wanted to do it in the traditional way."
Houtarou's eyes trained on Mayaka admiring the wedding garments. "This is…strange…at least for Ibara-san," Houtarou observed.
Mayaka made a face at him. "Seriously, Oreki -san, can't a girl ever get excited about seeing something so fine?!" she retorted back at him.
"Now, now, Maya-chan, it's not often Houtarou sees you act like this," said Satoshi. "Much of the time you're usually passionate, but also sullen…"
"Fuku-chan, I had hope you would know better," Mayaka scolded him. It seemed his critical observations were only making the young woman more hot-tempered.
Eru checked her watch. "Well…everyone, you know your roles," she said. Her eyes caught on someone familiar to her.
"Chitanda-san," the young woman greeted her. It was Irisu Fuyumi. "Oreki-san…it's been a long time."
"Likewise," said Houtarou.
"Houtarou-kun, Irisu-san helped me with negotiating the ceremony schedule," said Eru.
Houtarou widened his eyes as Fuyumi narrated how she and Eru negotiated with Kaho's father.
Houtarou and Eru talked with Fuyumi for a short time as Satoshi and Mayaka make remarks about the exchange. Fuyumi told Houtarou everything that she had been telling Eru about her careers in life. Then it was time for Fuyumi to join the invited participants.
"Well…I wish for both of you a happy marriage," said Fuyumi, with a courteous bow.
"Arigatou," said Eru in gratitude.
"I'll go join the guests," said Fuyumi. She joined the invited people gathered in the main lobby.
A shrine official, a lady, went over the Shinto rituals, which was a briefing to the guests invited to this grand ceremony.
For Houtarou and Eru, it was Mayaka and Kaho who went over the rituals with them, as they would be at close proximity to the bride and groom during the solemn rituals. As Satoshi was part of the acquaintance among Houtarou, Eru, and Mayaka, he was also included in the briefing.
"During the Sanshin, we will lead you through the Shrine," said Mayaka, referring to the ritual procession. "We miko will escort you to a large room in the Shrine. You will be seated at the center of the room, where there is a table."
"Sweet," said Satoshi. "Maya-chan is truly honored."
"I am," said Mayaka. "I am so excited!"
"What's the table for?" asked Houtarou.
"For the ritual," said Eru.
"Hai," said Mayaka. "The Kannushi," she began, referring to the Shinto priest, "Will begin a ritual purification of you both."
"He will then read out the formula, Norito-soujou," Kaho was next to elaborate. "This particular formula calls upon the blessing and protection to the bride and groom from the Hachiman Okami." The Hachiman Okami were the country's traditional deities.
"After that, I perform the Kagura," said Kaho.
"And when that's done, we commence Chikai no Sakuzaki," said Mayaka.
Kaho proceeded to explain what this ritual involved. "It's a self-explanatory term," she said, as the Japanese terms meant an exchange of nuptial cups. "Both of you must exchange cups three times, drinking three sips from each of these three cups placed before the kami."
Houtarou, like every person in Japan, would have been familiar with the significance of this number, but needed confirmation. "What does indivisibility have to do with this ritual?" he asked.
"O-re-ki!" Mayaka was now glowering at Houtarou, invading his personal space as she met Houtarou's face, nose to nose. "You who can solve mysteries with logical deductions cannot even draw a connection with this number's significance to a married couple's life? It represents indivisibility…between you two!"
"I…I was just asking," Houtarou answered with a fearful stammer. "I'm not often acquainted with these rituals. Besides, asking was easier; I didn't feel like thinking right now."
"Daijoubou desu," Eru assured, gesturing to everyone that they calm down. "Please continue, Maya-chan."
"You will then pronounce your wedding vows together," said Mayaka.
"Seishi soujou," said Eru, identifying the ritual known as the Exchange of Vows.
"That's about one of few things you do that consume less energy," Satoshi was quick to point out. "In addition to drinking rice wine."
"He's right," Eru confided with Houtarou about Satoshi's sarcastic remark. "Don't ever show a lack of interest here; every ritual has great significance. It is my family's wish that we have these traditions."
Houtarou made a nod of assent, though he could not help thinking: The Chitanda family is quite stuffy about old national traditions.
"Are you sure that's all I'm going to be doing?" asked Houtarou, puzzled.
"Well, you'll have to sit down and stand up at certain times," said Satoshi with an open-hand gesture, which made Houtarou conclude his friend was being sarcastic again.
"Aside from that," Houtarou said in a blunt way.
"Kaho-san will explain the rest," said Mayaka. "That's her specialty here."
"You both will present Tamagushi Hairei," Kaho explained, referring to offerings made to the kami. "In their presence you make your marriage vows before them. Following that is the Yubiwa no gi."
"That's when we administer the wedding bands," Mayaka elaborated that special term.
"Directly?" asked Houtarou.
"On stands, of course," said Mayaka. "I will assign the wedding band for Eru."
"Our stands are reserved?" asked Houtarou. "Before the wedding?"
"Hai," said Kaho. "Demo…the miko bring the stands. It's part of the ceremony, you know."
Houtarou heaved a sigh over what he perceived to be an excessive attention to detail. Eru saw his sighing, though, and she elbowed him in the shoulder.
"Then we commence Shinzokuhai no gi," said Kaho. "Both of you will drink rice wine."
"It's only a small amount," Eru assured him. "It's different from sake."
"I hope," said Houtarou. He had drank sake before, during the homecoming of the Classics Club members.
"We will escort you across the courtyard," said Kaho. "With the kannushi in front of us. The Kannushi will commence the conclusion of ceremonies. He will make a bow, and so will you and the others."
"And that's it," Mayaka concluded. "I am so looking forward to this."
"As am I," said Kaho. "It is a great honor."
Suddenly the lady that was explaining the ceremony to the other participants came in. "It's time!" she exclaimed. "Places, everyone!"
"It will be a solemn and silent ceremony," said Mayaka. "So Oreki…" she continued, making a cross face, "Don't drift off to sleep or make a bored face!"
The ceremonial procession commenced. Side by side, with hands clasped together, Mayaka and Kaho led Houtarou and Eru through the shrine, with Mayaka on the right, and Kaho on the left. In the ceremony's tradition, Eru remained at Houtarou's left as both he and Eru held hands.
Behind the bride and groom was an acolyte holding a large white parasol, bedecked with the elaborate drawings of beautiful cherry blossoms, over Houtarou and Eru. Following this processional train were the other participants; a modest number of men in suits, and women, some in formal business attire, some in their kimonos, others with their best Western dress; and there were some holding the hands of little boys and girls, trying to keep them in line.
Indeed, it was this one time that the Houtarou and Eru had a prominent, dignified place of honor in the procession.
The procession had now entered the interior of the shrine, and into a room set up exclusively for the ceremony. Congregants silently seated themselves around the bride and groom, at tables, with backless benches. A table stood in the middle of the room, a few feet away from the shrine; a table set up exclusively for the bride and groom, accompanied by two tall wooden chairs. On the table sat two dark-red ceremonial stands.
Houtarou and Eru took their assigned seats at the center of the room. The young man looked around the room. He caught sight of his father and mother, who sat at a distance; specifically at the very back row. Tomoe was with the Oreki family, also in the back row.
As for Eru, her eyes caught her friend and former senpai, Fuyumi Irisu. In a coy way, Eru waved back at Fuyumi. Fuyumi made a small smile, as she waved back in turn.
The Juumonji family took a fairly prominent place at the seating row; Kaho's father stood still as a rock, breathing steadily, maintaining his dignity.
From what Mayaka and Kaho had said earlier, everything was going as planned. The Shinto priest commenced the ceremony, beginning with he, the acolytes, the miko, and everyone present facing the same direction of the kami, standing, taking a deep, courteous bow. At the priest's words, the congregation sat down.
The Shinto priest commenced the ritual purification of the bride and groom, including the assembled congregation. Then he read out the sacred formula, pronouncing them solemnly as he read Japanese characters written in a vertical position, invoking the blessing and protection of kami for Houtarou and Eru.
The priest then took his seat, and from there commenced the ritual of the Kagura, the Sacred Dance, which Kaho performed. The dance was very reserved, yet graceful, as Mayaka had said earlier to Satoshi; an art executed in lockstep perfection.
"Maya-chan was right," Satoshi whispered, becoming mesmerized by the flow of the elegant garments. But the ritual had more to offer. As Satoshi could notice, the ritual also had another power: to bring men, women, and children out of the exigencies of time and into a taste of something that lay in the realm of the spiritual; a realm that seemed to be made manifest by the controlled, dignified movements of the Shinto priest and the miko; movements involving a greater degree of external dignity. Then there was the intonation of the chant; a facet of this elaborate ritual of such depth and beauty that communicated to everyone in the room that one was in the presence of the sacred.
Kaho brought the dance to a close. At certain moments, the strings of the biwa sounded at certain moments, beginning with the priest and Kaho making a bow to the kami, before ascending an elevated platform.
The time came for the Exchange of the Nuptial Cups. Makaya and Kaho set up three short red stands on the table, in preparation for administering the rice wine to the bride and groom.
Houtarou was first to be administered the rice-wine. Kaho pours the rice-wine into Houtarou's cup.
Next was Eru. Mayaka pours the rice-wine in Eru's cup. When she had finished a small cup, Mayaka made a light smile to Eru, radiant with joy over the opportunity to perform such a sacred ritual for a friend she held dear; and Eru's face gladdened with radiant joy.
Houtarou drank first, then Eru, each taking three sips from their cups.
Mayaka and Kaho poured another drink. Houtarou became unsure how much of this rice wine he could take. Eru took the ritual rather gracefully. She was, after all, a young woman who would willingly suffer the longtime traditions of her country.
Then Mayaka and Kaho poured another third drink for the couple. Kami-sama, I pray that this cup will be the last, Houtarou begged inside. Eru took everything with grace. The ritual aided in forming the bond between him and Eru.
Then Mayaka and Kaho bestowed on the couple an elaborate paper containing the words of vows. Houtarou and Eru read them together. At its core, the vow involved pledging before the Hachiman deity to love and respect each other, and bring prosperity into the family.
Following the Exchange of Vows were the offerings. As part of the tradition, Houtarou and Eru make offerings of tamagushi to the kami to vow their marriage; pieces of hemp and paper to be burned before the deities who roamed the earth. Upon placing their offerings, Houtarou and Eru, at the same time, bowed twice, clapped twice, and bowed once more, all in perfect unison.
Satoshi once made a joke that Houtarou would have little to do during the wedding. If Houtarou had to do anything, it would have been just these few things, in addition to reading out the wedding vow.
Next, Houtarou and Eru would exchange rings. Mayaka administered another wedding band on the middle short stand; the one for Eru to take, giving him a look that said, "This is your part, Oreki. Take care of Eru for the rest of your life." Houtarou, noting Mayaka's facial expression, took the wedding band and out it on Eru's finger.
Kaho took the wedding band and put it on Houtarou's finger, before taking the middle stand off the table.
Soon the ringing of the bells commenced. Mayaka and Kaho took instruments that had several bells. They glided around the room, ringing bells; a symbolic instrument of purifying sexual desire.
Then Houtarou and Eru drank rice wine. To make a strong bond between the couple's relatives, they share the rice wine dedicated to the kami.
When the ceremonies had concluded, Houtarou and Eru were escorted out of the room, and outside, in the middle of the shrine. When they were in the courtyard, they made their bow before the Shinto priest and his acolytes.
"Arigatou gozaimasu," said Houtarou in gratitude. The priest and his acolytes took their leave.
Eru beamed. "Well, Houtarou-kun, you didn't do that bad," she said. Houtarou decided to take such words as a compliment. "What do you think, so far?"
"It was…" He seemed overwhelmed for the right words, so he could only speak plainly. "To be honest, Eru…I had never expected I would be so willing to put up with so much. But now…"
Eru made a gentle laugh. Houtarou's words could hardly be amenable for nuptial bliss; any other bride would have become unsettled with regret by his words. "It's your old habits coming back to haunt you now, Houtarou-kun. You'll have to get used to living a new life now."
She put her arm around Houtarou. It was hard to believe that he was her husband, now; after knowing him as a good friend. In turn, Houtarou took Eru's arm.
"Well, Houtarou, how are you holding up?"
Houtarou turned around and saw Satoshi.
"Now don't complain," said Satoshi. "At least you had little to do during the ceremony. Like I said…"
"Satoshi, daijoubou desu," said Houtarou.
"Ah…hai," said Satoshi, suddenly awoken from his deep thought. "It's just…I never felt so overwhelmed by a Shinto ceremony."
"What about you, Eru?" asked Houtarou.
"Mm," said Eru, with a nod.
Satoshi looks around. "You know…the whole Shinto ceremony was quite elaborate…and solemn. I felt completely drawn to the ceremony itself. To be honest…I've never had seen a ceremony so elaborate…and beautiful."
"It is so beautiful," Eru agreed. "The solemnity…the quiet…it's all so relaxing…and meditative. You feel completely conscious that you are in the presence of a sacred realm."
"I see Chitanda…I mean…the new Oreki-san is dreaming now," said Satoshi.
"There's nothing wrong with dreaming…is there?" asked Eru.
"Ah…iie…," Satoshi was quick to admit.
"Chii-chan…"
Eru turned to see who it was. It was Mayaka, still in her miko gown, along with Kaho.
"It's not Chii-chan anymore," Eru said rather cheerfully.
"Oh…it's an old habit," said Mayaka. "It's just…I wish…"
"Wish what?" asked Eru, with a curious look on her face.
Mayaka looked back on Satoshi. Somehow, looking at him could only remind her constantly of someone that she sorely longed for in her life.
"Iie, iie, don't be too hard on yourself," Eru tried to assure her friend; but she, being a little perceptive, observed that there was something Mayaka was longing about Satoshi. "Daijoubou. We're still friends, right, Maya-chan?"
Mayaka smiled. "Hai," she answered.
"Congratulations, Oreki Eru-san," said Kaho, with a bow.
"Arigatou," Eru said with a bow. "For participating. I'm so glad you could be one of the miko." She turned to Mayaka. "You to, Maya-chan."
The young ladies put arms around each other. Gaiety filled the air, with the joyful laughter of the ladies, as Houtarou and Satoshi passively observed.
Eru looked around. "Are we all gathered?" she asked, clapping her hands. As Houtarou observed her, he could notice that sometimes she could be still maintain her innocence, and of course, even her naivety.
He looked around, too. "The members of the Classics Club is here," he said to Eru.
"Splendid!" she exclaimed in great excitement. "Let's take one for the Classics Club!"
"Not yet!" Chitanda Hiromi and Tetsugo came in. Houtarou observed his own father, mother and sister.
"It was at Chitanda-san's insistence," said Tomoe, referring to Tetsugo.
Houtarou's father made a bow. "Congratulations, son," he greeted him.
"A…Arigatou…" Houtarou faltered.
"Houtarou, you can hardly afford to maintain your energy-saving habits now," said Tomoe.
"Hai," said Houtarou. It was the only part where he could take his sister seriously.
"I'll take the photograph," Tetsugo offered.
"But…otousan…what about you, too?" asked Eru.
"Does that camera have an auto-shutter system?" asked Satoshi.
"It does," said Hiromi. "Tetsugo, let me take care of it. You need to be in the picture."
"All right," Tetsugo assented to his wife. Hiromi fiddled with the camera a little until she came to the desired settings.
"I set the camera for fifteen seconds," said Hiromi.
"Places, everyone!" Eru called, as if she were a stage manager. Still in their shrine maiden gowns, Mayaka and Kaho joined Eru and Houtarou, along with Satoshi. Chitanda Tetsugo takes the photograph.
In the meantime, Mayaka's obsession with Satoshi seemed to manifest itself, as she glanced at him with intense longing. Seeing Eru married only intensified her desire to seek that same union with Satoshi himself.
It was evening of Houtarou and Eru's wedding night, and Houtarou was in his new home, the home of his in-laws.
He was in bed, along with his young wife.
He took off his shirt, as the climate of the room was quite warm.
Eru put her hands together, close to her chest. "Houtarou…" she said. "I…I…" She could hardly think; her heart was pounding with the anticipation of both of them giving themselves to each other.
"I want you…to undress me," she said in a soft tone of voice.
"…Undress?" asked Houtarou.
Eru nodded. With this gesture of affirmation, she was giving Houtarou permission to explore her body. The young man fingered the buttons on Eru's gown. Tension mounted in him as he slowly unbuttoned her night shirt, revealing the shape of Eru's well-proportioned chest. His heart pounded; each unbuttoning intensifying his desire to unveil before his eyes, and his sense of touch, what had been a sacred mystery on earth.
For many years, the urge to come in literal contact with a woman's flesh now awakened, with a passion flaring like a candle burning twice as bright. For Houtarou, this conjugal union, manifested through physical contact, comprised the beginning of a new life.
Eru remained seated on the bed, partially undressed, and her alluring chest exposed, under her nightgown. Tension grew within her, as she prepared to give of herself completely to her husband.
"Ano…please be gentle with me…Houtarou-kun…" she pleaded, with a crooning sound.
"Daijoubou," Houtarou assured his wife. "I'll take it easy. I can be very gentle, you see."
Houtarou placed his hand on Eru's chest, maintaining a firm but gentle grasp. He then wrapped his other arm around Eru. The pleasurable sensation of being wrapped and stimulated by her husband coursed through Eru's body.
"Oh…it feels so good…" Eru uttered in ecstasy.
"It is the oxytocin flowing through your brain," said Houtarou, in an objective sense. Eru, however, was too preoccupied with her heavenly sensation to pay heed to a clinical description of her condition. Houtarou heard no verbal response from Eru in that regard; he hardly minded.
Eru, feeling quite amorous, said, "Houtarou-kun…oh…I just…I just want to…kiss you right now…"
"I'm willing to oblige," said Houtarou.
Houtarou and Eru brought their faces close to each other. They plunged into a gentle kiss, savoring what ought to be a moment captured for all eternity, as they fell into the softness of the mattress, giving in to their aroused passions.
LINE
And at a later time, Eru wrapped her arms around Houtarou as he slept.
END OF EPISODE
NOTE: Ideas from Anaise von Clare's "Reminiscences of the Classics Club"
( s/9531960/1/The-Reminiscence-of-the-Classics-Club)
And now for the Hyouka fans, I now present here a link to the wedding ceremony, performed in the traditional Shinto rite. Just imagine that Houtarou and Eru are present when you watch the videos. Just to get an idea of how the wedding goes, I watched an entire video of the Shinto rite.
Japanese Wedding, Shinto Rite, Pt. I: ( watch?v=iimmLLl84PY)
Japanese Wedding, Shinto Rite, Pt. II: ( watch?v=zzKcRomuzek)
Also featured here are details pertaining to the rubrics of the Shinto rite:
/shinto_is/shinto_
Vocabulary Translations from the Japanese Language:
Hai - Yes
Iie - No
Ano... - Umm... (Filler Word)
Hayaku! Hayaku! – Hurry! Hurry!
Idol Girls – Japanese teen idols