Chapter 48 Coming of Age Day
Ichika's POV

Today was a very important today. Today was Coming of Age Day in Japan. To anybody who turned eighteen the year before, this day would mark them officially becoming an adult.

Currently, my group was getting ready for the event at the salon Honami's father worked at.

"Wow", Saki said in awe. "These kimonos are so pretty!"

"They are", Honami agreed.

"But should you be wearing one, Saki", Shiho asked. "I mean, Furisodes are meant to be worn by unmarried women. But you're already married."

"But I've been looking forward to the day when we would all be wearing forisodes together for forever", Saki exclaimed. "Plus, my mom has always talked about how she can't wait to finally see me wear the one she wore at her coming of age ceremony!"

"I think it's fine", I stated. "I never expected that you'd already be married when this day came."

"Neither did I", Saki agreed.

Then, she smiled warmly before holding her hands together.

"But, I wouldn't have if any other way", she exclaimed, before looking up at us. "And, If I'm being honest, I always worried that I'd be too sick to attend my coming of age the ceremony when the day came."

"Saki", I said sadly.

"But thankfully I'm not", Saki added happily, before smiling brightly. "I'm so glad that I get to spend the this important day with my three bestest friends in the whole world!"

"Saki", I breathed out.

Then, I smiled.

"Me too", I said. "I'm happy that we get to spend this day together."

"Me as well", Honami added.

"And me", Shiho added.

Then, I looked down as a thought came to mind.

"Do you think…we'll still be friends even into adulthood", I asked.

"Of course we will", Saki replied as she suddenly grabbed onto both of my hands. "We're gonna be best friends forever!"

After Saki said this, I smiled at her.

"Besides", she started. "You and I are gonna become family once you marry Onii-Chan!"

"Saki", I scolded, my face turning bright red.

"What", Saki asked in defense. "Onii-Chan promised he'd marry you once he's done studying in America!"

"You heard that", I asked, my face turning even redder.

"Yep", Saki replied. "And speaking of Onii-Chan, let's go show him how we look!"

With that, Saki pulled me outside the salon with Honami and Shiho in tow.

When we got there…we found Tsukasa and Shizuku waiting for us.

When the latter saw Shiho, her eyes lit up.

"Shii-Chan", she exclaimed.

Then, she ran up to Shiho and pulled her into a tight hug.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Shii-Chan", she explained.

"Let go of me, Onee-San", Shiho demanded.

As this was going on, Tsukasa walked up to Saki and I.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Saki", he said.

Then, he grabbed onto Saki's hands as he began to get emotional.

"First you get married, and now you're about to have your coming of age ceremony", he said. "I can't believe that you've already grown up so much."

"Onii-Chan", Saki said.

Then, she gave Tsukasa a big hug.

"Don't worry, Onii-Chan", she reassured. "No matter how old I get, I will always be your little sister!"

"Right", Tsukasa said.

Then, he let go of Saki, and looked at me.

"And of course", he started, before grabbing onto my hand. "You also look absolutely beautiful, my love."

After Tsukasa said this…my face turned red again.

"Thank you, Tsukasa", I said as I turned my head away shyly.

"Alright", Saki started. "Now that we're all ready, we should head over to where the ceremony is taking place!"