We are on to the final chapter of this mini series. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Shout outs to a friend of mine from another writing website who gave me the inspiration for this. Next up will be the final chapter of Silence of the Butterflies as well as Vows of Truth Redux.
11 days until the big day as Naoto sat in her office, now fully decked out in wedding apparel. Wedding cards now littered the room, a growing pile of wedding gifts were forming in the corner and a larger set of flowers populated her desk. Even she was taken by surprise by how much what was normally her solitude from life, her zen place, her home in a home was now her biggest reminder of a life changing event coming soon. Now with her hair short like in her school days, she felt she was now more than ready to take on her wedding day. Rise was right about how it made her feel different, like it was a new her. At the time, she was signing off some documents for catering with some last minute changes and additions before the big day. That's when her phone began to ring. She looked at it, dreading the feeling of one of her relatives calling but she looked at the contact that came up and was completely perplexed. She thought that they had the wrong number.
"H-Hello there, Shirogane speaking."
"Oh I'm so happy you picked up!" Naoto heard a naturally peppy voice over the handset. She couldn't help but wonder why she of all people was calling.
"I'm assuming you are looking for Souji-kun, he's currently not with…"
"No, I'm definitely here to speak to you so don't give me that Naoto-chan." The voice on the other end cut her off. Naoto sat there in stunned silence for a moment, completely taken off guard.
"I wanted to catch you on your own before the big day and all. I just wanted to say a few words before it and I was worried I wouldn't be able to say anything before then."
Naoto took a deep breath, she had been conditioned by her previous calls with her family to be tense. Like a battle of wills and minds, rather than talking about a day that was supposed to be full of fun and celebration.
This should be different…
"Oh… What is it that you need Maori-san?"
"Oh don't be so formal with me Naoto-chan. I'm calling to properly welcome you into the family. I know we don't talk that much because of how busy you are but I'm proud my son was able to settle down with someone as stable, feet on the ground and as smart as you are…"
The rain of compliments made her blush over instantly, totally taken aback by what was happening.
She tried to sputter a response but couldn't get it out before Souji's mum continued.
"Really that boy doesn't know how good he has it sometimes. Anyway, as you know, the Seta family isn't very big but I thought it would be a good time to have a good old women's talk before you get too busy." Souji's mum's compliments didn't go unnoticed as her face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"W-well, I always appreciate the time I get to spend with you Maori-san. I guess with the wedding, it's rare to get any time to speak to loved ones."
Naoto could hear her giggle over the receiver.
"Indeed, I've barely seen our boy since the wedding plans have ramped up. I can only imagine with your family that there is a lot of commotion about the whole thing."
She leaned back and relaxed. Looking at how well decorated her office now is. Everything in sight reminding her of the big day.
"I must admit, quite the same. Family has been complicated around this time since someone joining the family is somewhat contentious…"
She heard her husband-to-be's mother scoff at the thought.
"They may be your family but they can't dictate your destiny. They are there to guide but you are the one who makes the decisions. For better or for worse. "
Naoto's mind paused at Maori's words for a second, taking time to reflect.
"You know what…" A small smile pulled at her lips. "...I think you're right."
Maori giggle.
"You know I have been around the block a few times, Naoto-chan. And I can talk from experience about making decisions, even at the behest of my own family. I've never met a pair which was so in tone and I don't think Souji would be where he is today without your support."
The low serious tone in her voice pulled at the Sleuth's heart strings.
"I'm forever in debt to you as a member of his family and especially as his mother. He would go to the ends of the earth for you, I can see it in his eyes. But his faith and love is not misplaced. While I'm not sure of the specifics, the pair of you earned your devotion to each other, together."
Naoto didn't say anything but she could feel a small tear fall from her eye.
"While our family may be small, it would be an honour Shirogane Naoto, to have you join our small collective. I have no doubt it will be an amazing wedding, fit for the love you two have for each other."
More tears began to fall as they started to stain her oak desk.
"We love you dearly. Ever since Souji brought you to our home that summer, I knew you were made for each other. To have you as my daughter-in-law makes me proud to be a mother. And while I know the situation of your parents, I'm more than happy to be a shoulder to lean on if you need it…"
Just like that, Naoto started to audibly sob into the phone. The noise instantly alerted Maori.
"Naoto-chan?"
"It's just…" She sobbed harder, almost breaking out into crying openly. "It's just… My family doesn't want to accept Souji-kun… I just don't want him to be judged…."
She heard a soft sigh down the phone. The sound that almost shared the same feeling of exasperation that she had for the whole situation.
"Be at ease Naoto-chan…"
The soothing voice was enough to pierce the thoughts in her mind.
"Be at ease…"
The pause was enough to give her brain a second to catch up.
"I have a question…"
Naoto choked back a few more sobs, using her sleeve to wipe her eyes.
"Y-yeah, go ahead."
"Your grandfather has approved of Souji hasn't he?"
Even though she knew she couldn't see her, Naoto nodded anyway.
"Y-yes he has,"
The reassuring voice on the other end was all she needed.
"Then that's all that matters. Remember with love, you can see some things others can't. So have faith in my son and I'm sure everything will turn out OK."
"Y-yes you're right…"
The Sleuth heard the breath Maori made over the phone, feeling like she just lifted the weight right off Naoto's shoulders.
"Look Naoto-chan, when this is all over and you are done wooing my son and all, how about we meet up for tea and muffins, I know a great bakery near our house."
The giggle forced its way out. The emotional support Souji is able to give now had a lot more context in her mind. While she was on good terms with Souji's parents, she lacked the one to one with them like they were getting now since the time when she went over to their residence to ask to marry Souji.
"That sounds great… I'd like that…"
"Excellent!" She heard the clap of her hands over the receiver.
"So tell me, outfit wise, what do you have for the big day?"
For the first time in a while when on the phone, Naoto was completely relaxed, residue of her emotional outburst still on her face but in the moment she didn't care, for once the pressure of being a member of the Shirogane Family was temporarily whisked away.
"Well so I decided to go with a suit…"
For now she was just Naoto.
Detective.
Partner.
Friend.
Daughter.
Heir.
The best….
Labels aren't as important, not now anyway…