"How's Mirei, Yu-yu?"
"She has almost recovered. It's a surprise fever due to over-anxiety of whatever you are planning, Big Brother."
"Are you okay too, Yu-yu?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about Mirei, she can come with me tonight. I'm looking forward to your surprise."
"Nice. Take care of her, Yu-yu. I will be waiting for you both."
Yu-yu finishes his call with Danji. Today is his birthday, so naturally he is eager to celebrate it with his family and friends. Though, there is another person that is even more anxious than him...
"Zzzz..." Mirei is enjoying her sleep with two teddies around her.
"Mirei~" Yu-yu whispers into her ears to wake her up.
"Mhmm... Morning, Yu-yu." Mirei lets out a small yawn, "Can you give me some tissue?"
"Sure, sure."
"This is the 3rd day I have been sick, right?" Mirei exasaperates while blowing her running nose.
"Well, yeah. Are you feeling alright?"
"I think I have enough strength to join your birthday tonight. But maybe no night-time cuddle tonight."
"I see. I'm probably will be washed out also, too."
"How does it feel to not sleep with your wife for three days, dear?"
"I miss hugging you from behind..." Yu-yu shyly says.
"Heh~ It just isn't the same, right."
"I mean, wouldn't it be worse if I'm sick too? Who would take care of you, then?"
Mirei cheerfully smiles, "Thanks for looking after me, dear." She gives him a tight hug.
Yu-yu lets out a slight grin, "It feels like three months have passed."
"It may just be three days, but it does feel like much longer than that. Time sure flows fast."
"It must have been terrible to get sick, right?"
"Of course! I can't go outside or feel good eating anything! It sucks! And also..." Mirei drags Yu-yu to the bed, "I can't cuddle with you~"
Yu-yu senses that Mirei is recovered, and he takes his chance to cheer her up. He brings his hand underneath her head to fondle her, then gently gives her a kiss on her lip.
"Aw, how cute~" Mirei responses with a kiss of hers.
They wrap themselves in their blanket and spend the morning in a fondle session.
::::::::::::
In a clear field, Danji, Haruka and Shinobu are finishing the set-up for a grandiose wedding.
"Will your sister even come for your crazy idea?" Shinobu lashes at Danji.
"Time to go, Yu-yu." Mirei enthusiastically reminds her darling.
"Mhmm." Yu-yu finishes tying Mirei's shoelaces. "I'm done, sweetheart."
"Yay!" Mirei holds Yu-yu's hand, "Let's go, dear."
The two walk to the destination, they stick as close to one another as possible.
"Do you celebrate birthday often?"
"Before my brother abandoned his Minae name. Times were much fun back then. After that, I had to deal with all the problems as the family's head that I barely had time for myself. How about you?"
"It's the opposite. My sisters spoil me with gifts and foods. They always buy me dresses and lipsticks and hang out with me after we finish the birthday cake."
"You don't really like being a girl, I assume. Why such gifts?"
"They just like dressing me up and posting pictures on social media. Also an excuse to get new make-up."
"That's cunning."
"Well, I guess we don't have to pay much for our daughter's clothes—"
Mirei widens her eyes out of surprise, "Our daughter?"
"Uh... Yeah?"
"Do you want twins if we have a son as our firstborn?"
Yu-yu turns into a chili after hearing that. Is this supposed to be talked out loud like that? Why does the conversation drift such drastically? His cheeks redden, his sweats fall nervously, "Think for a response, Yu-yu. How to answer Mirei the best?"
Mirei notices the halt of the conversation's flow. After a while, she shys away from Yu-yu, realizing that was too intimate from her. But that's how she feels, she couldn't hide it.
"I'm scared of seeing you overworking yourself trying to take care of our kids. Raising a stable family is a tough job." Yu-yu answers.
"You have a point." Mirei chuckles, "We are looking too far into the future, dear. Ahahaha."
"It may take us three, five or even ten years before we have kids. Both of us aren't ready for that level of intimacy yet, remember."
"Mhmm. You will be a good dad, Yu-yu. I love how caring and kind you are."
"And you will be a good mom, Mirei. You are such a loving and friendly person."
"At the very least, much better than my parents."
"Now that I notice, your parents don't really care much about our wedding. Only your grandma really supports our decision."
"Welp. I was meant to be engaged off from the beginning, anyway. Still, the time I have spent with you is worth to cherish forever."
"Mirei..." Yu-yu hugs her instinctively, "Thank you."
"Fufu... I want to spend more time with you. Also—"
Mirei pinches both of Yu-yu's cheek, "We are gonna be late! Seriously!"
"Aaaa... Okay, okay." Yu-yu rushes to his house.
"Hey! Come on!" Mirei tries her best to catch up to him.
::::::::::::
"I'm home."
"Good evening, everyone!"
"Finally you come. Yu-yu, Mirei."
"Is everyone not home, Brother?" Yu-yu asks Danji.
"They are in a different place. Also did you just call me Brother?"
"Yup. We are family."
"Get used to it, Big Brother." Mirei snarks at a stuttered Danji.
"Fine, fine, lil' bro. Before we go, come here first."
Danji leads Yu-yu and Mirei to the dressing room. This is his present for them:
"Mirei! It's a wedding dress. There's also a black vest, too."
"Gotta dress formally before going out. Can you change outside, Yu-yu?"
"Sure."
"Wedding dress... They are used in Western weddings, right?"
"Correct. And I think this is more beautiful for you. Dress up, Mirei."
::::::::::::
Yu-yu looks at his selfie. "This looks quite cool, frankly."
He likes the look of his tuxedo and the blue tie. For a casual dresser like Yu-yu, he is a bit unfamiliar with fancy costumes. Though, for a special occasion like his birthday, he would want to make himself look more cool in front of Mirei and her brother.
"Hey! Look at me~" Mirei gently pokes Yu-yu's back.
"Woa...Woah!"
The gorgeous dress of white coming from a fairy tale and a flower crown on top of Mirei's head is a sight worth witnessing. Yu-yu trembles in front of the mystic sight, he wants to rush to her and give a tight hug to feel the best of her wedding suit, the scent of his beloved wife. But he has to hold himself, or else they will be late for the birthday party.
"Your breathing is off. Are you okay, dear?"
"Yu-yu is just mesmerized by your beauty. Wanna give her a hug?"
"Umm... Can I?"
"Aw, you are fine losing the chance to enjoy my cuteness with your heart?" Mirei teases Yu-yu.
"Okay." Yu-yu lets out a happy smile. "Come closer, Mirei."
"Yeah~"
::::::::::::
Danji is driving his siblings to the party. Behind him, Yu-yu and Mirei are chatting idly.
"How long have you been preparing for today, Danji? From the look of it, the idea of making this both a wedding and a birthday should make you very busy."
"Since the day of the ceremony."
"Dated back to spring!? Wow, Big Brother is really dedicated to his work."
"Haha. It's not just me. I also got help from Haruka and Yu-yu's family too, Mirei."
"Really? My sisters said nothing to me."
"Would this be a surprise gift if it is such a case?" Danji scoffs.
"I'm so excited, Yu-yu. I have been dreaming of doing a white wedding with you!"
"Me too. This outfit looks so cool. And engaging in the breeze of winds... So fun!"
Danji feels relieved inside, "These two are truly in the same wavelength."
::::::::::::
Shinobu looks at his watch. It's almost 7 in the evening. "Would it kill Danji if he comes earlier?"
"That guy again... Probably spending too much time dressing them up."
"We could have done the job faster." Yukiko exasperated.
"Whatever. Danji asks us to dress his sister by himself. This entire thing is his idea, so I have no complaints." Akiko comments.
"It's amazing to see a man doing so much for his loved ones. I am fascinated by his strength. This will be a great day for Yu-yu and Mirei."
"I wish I have a big brother figure like him, Mom. Though he is technically a brother to Yu-yu, so we can say we are sibilings with him."
"Yeah, yeah. Danji is so amazing!"
On the other table, Megumi and Urara are chatting with Tomari and Zakusa.
"We will be striking for a special, outlandish honeymoon soon!"
"Where are you heading then, Tomari? Hawaii? New York?"
"Tch-tch. Wanna have a guess?"
"Umm... Maybe Texas? Cowboys look so handsome, and it may fit Tomari-san's taste."
"You are right, Urara. Maybe for another anniversary. However... We are going to Las Vegas!"
"Really!?"
"It is the best place to spend an entire night for. There are so many colorful pubs and shows, and it's thrilling to immerse in casino tables. I have the luck in drawing triggers, so why not put my luck in test? Ahahaha."
"We can enjoy high-quality steak and wine while looking at the brightest stars. Tomari is really good at planning romantic events."
"Gotta do it for my darling, right?"
Urara is amused at the teasing between Zakusa and Tomari, "It sounds very pleasing!"
"Having too much fun, aren't you? Let me join the party too." Tohya makes a surprising appearance. His friends are too immersed in their chit-chat.
"Tohya! Long time no see. Any good reason to come here tonight?"
"Danji is a freak, you know that well. He is the type of man that won't stop until he gets what he wants. I was with him in their wedding, and his face totally screamed Damn, this is boring as hell. I feel sorry for him, traditional wedding isn't his type."
"Yeah, yeah. It's cool for some, but for hot-blooded freaks like me and Zakusa dear, we have to fire some champagnes with exciting cheers."
"I'm cool with any kind of wedding, personally..." Urara comments.
"Everything has their own preference. But Danji has that spirit in him to make his own dream come true. There he is." Zakusa points at the red car.
"Sup! Thanks for waiting!" Danji shouts from afar.
"You are the only husband in the world that have two weddings. Feels blessed yet?"
"I know I am. My heart is pounding."
"It's time for you two to show up in front of the guests." Danji guides the couple to the main stage. A round of applause is given to celebrate the wedding.
"You both look so gorgeous! Oh my gosh, it's a beautiful march!"
"Such warming praise must come from Urara. Right?" Mirei joyfully responds.
"I'm so happy that perhaps I can really fly! It feels like heaven!" Yu-yu is enjoying every passing second of their wedding. Their second one, in fact.
"To everyone that have come here, I appreciate your blessing from the bottom of my heart. I am honoured to be the host for the wedding between my beloved sister and my beloved student - a reliable man, in fact. Tonight... I hereby want to celebrate this special ceremony with all of you! Let's make this a bang!"
"Yeah-hoo!" Tomari raises her toast up high, followed by her friends.
"He completely makes the speech up as he goes, right?" Shinobu comments on Danji's performance.
"That last part is truly him. I could have be the host to fulfill his fantasy, but he is adamant on taking this role from the beginning."
"Just relax. It's your turn to talk, Miss Ice Queen." Shinobu pushes Haruka to the stage.
"Now. I will be giving the mic to Mirei's caregiver herself. Haruka Soukawa. Let's give her a round of applause!"
"Well..." Haruka is stunned when seeing the enthusiasm in the room. She glances at a smiling Mirei before giving a death stare towards Danji and Shinobu. "You two have planned this all along, aren't you?"
Mirei notices Haruka's silence and quickly encourages her, "Speak your deepest thoughts, Haruka. Be more confident!"
"Miss Mirei. (gulp) I... I am very happy to see you have a happy life with the man you love!"
"Ho-ho!" Shinobu is intrigued. He is having fun hiding in a bush to watch the show unfold, but it's not long before... "It's indeed fun. Anyway, your little game ends now."
"Ah! I have been caught!?"
"Polices have sharp eyes. Now join us and stop hiding like a scared cat!"
"Hey! Come on!"
"I have never seen Haruka this bold. But it is incredibly cool! Nice, nice! You do indeed deliver, Haruka." Megumi gives her praise.
Haruka looks around the tables. The cheers are pushing her to talk more, to confess louder regarding what she really thinks about Yu-yu and Mirei's wedding.
"This kind of enthusiasm. Yeah, this enthusiastic feeling. I can sense it from the smiles of you two, and also the applauses of all the guests that have the honor to join them in this memorable day. This feeling of joy can melt anyone's hearts, and for that..."
::::::::::::
"Marriage!?" Natsuko is caught surprise by the revelation.
Yu-yu nods, "Yes, Mom. Miss Mirei and I are about to marry. We have been thinking about this for a while, and we think that our compatibility is stable enough for a lifetime marriage."
"And for that, I sincerely hope you can give us your blessing. Because I love Yu-yu, and Yu-yu loves me."
"Well. I don't have any intent to oppose your marriage. I assume you have already got the blessing from the Minae family, and if so, I will give you my blessing. Welcome to the Kondo family, Mirei."
Yu-yu and Mirei gasp in happiness. With the blessings of both families, their marriage grows from a dream to reality. Soon, they will live together in their comfortable love nest, share love experiences and cuddle with each other in bed... Their eyes gaze at each other in harmony, seeing their reflected selves in the sapphires.
"Thank you, Mom!"
"Have you two planned your wedding, yet?"
"Haruka has the details. I will leave this part to you."
"The wedding is celebrated traditionally in a Shinto shrine. Only relatives of Minae family and those that help with preparations are invited."
"Aw~ Guess I have to meet my son after the ceremony, then."
"Well, I will officially be a Minae post-marriage, so it's better to do the wedding in the Minae way."
"I did consider becoming a Kondo officially, but Yu-yu says he will become a Minae. At that time, I didn't talk much about my desires to support my big brother, but Yu-yu understood me throughly. Then we both agreed on our final decision."
"I think it would be appropriate for her to continue supporting her family. Many people respect her contributions to the Minae clan, so it may be for the better if Miss Mirei keeps her Minae name."
"But Mirei is pushing her career as a streamer, right? Wouldn't that—?"
"I will handle the duties in the Minae clan when I retire from being an influencer. Before that, I want to enjoy my newlywed life to the fullest! My big brother can do all kind of jobs in the world, so I'm fine leaving everything in his hand. Nah, just kidding. I won't completely neglect my role as a member of the Minae family. And, whenever I feel uncomfortable..."
Mirei slips her arms around Yu-yu and flashes a peace sign of certainty.
"I promise that I will be there for her to solve her turmoil as soon as possible. We will share our feelings as husband and wife, Mom."
"That's nice to hear. I'm glad you two get along well."
::::::::::::
"I'm glad to be a part of their wedding, and I hope they always get along well."
Right after Haruka finishes, the crowds erupt in loud praises. The joint emotions enhance the liveliness of this special wedding. Everyone claps in unison as a way to show their appreciation to Haruka's bravery in breaking her ice persona and delivering a moving speech.
"That's the way. I know you can do it!" Megumi shouts to Haruka.
"That's so adorable~"
"Adorable might be too bold of a word, really." Haruka answers Urara.
"It's wholesome. I get sugar rush from your words." Tomari adds on, "Relax yourself. Danji works his ass off for us to have this unforgettable memory together."
"Well then. Hey, Danji!"
"What's up, Zakusa?"
"Do you mind if I share a few words, too?"
"Why not? Go for it."
Zakusa heads towards the stage and says a little bit of his interest, "Do you remember the night your romance blossoms, Yu-yu, Mirei?"
"I start liking him since our fight at Nagoya Castle. He gives me room to express who I truly am and what I desire the most. Of course, his potential as a cardfighter is intriguing, so I want to play a part in his development. The more Yu-yu enjoys what he likes, the more I fall in love with him. His performance is immersive, and his heart is kind, sweet and gentle."
"How about you?" Zakusa gives the micro to Yu-yu.
"Um... To be honest, I didn't really understand the meaning of love back then. I did feel solace in her presence, though romance wasn't the focus on top of my head. Until..."
::::::::::::
buzz buzz
Yu-yu turns off the alarm. He opens the curtains to see some snow falling down on the roads. It's rare to see snow in Berlin, but when it does, the scenery looks more amusing. Today is Christmas Eve, the event where people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Famlies gather to have a meal together, friends hang out for shopping sprees and walking under streets of bright light, so on and so forth.
"How should I enjoy my first foreign Christmas?"
Yu-yu starts to live by himself after he decides to travel the world on his own to broaden his view on Vanguard. He has learned a lot in the past few months, and the landscapes of everywhere he has gone through have embedded into his soul. They are all beautiful in their own ways, and he wants to indulge more in the enjoyment of enlightening his experiences on life. He wants to use his youth to its fullest, not wasting it by being shy and timid like he used to be. Though...
"I don't know... It would be nice if I have someone to ask. My sisters should be busy celebrating Christmas themselves. My parents may be free, or they may actually spend their time on a cinema or preparing delicious dishes. Is this what they call homesick?"
Yu-yu checks his phone to see if anyone in his family is online at the moment, "Welp. No one."
After finishing his toast with a glass of milk, he heads off outside for fresh air. There are many lit-up trees and decorative Christmas angels in front of the houses. The waves of people flooding nearby doesn't faze him like when he was a kid (His sisters always have to hold his hand or carry him in the back when he is scared because of the noises).
Yu-yu heads towards a cafe. He needs somewhere to ease his worries and think about what to do next. It wouldn't be pleasant if he wastes the exciting time Christmas has brought upon, anyway.
"Hmm? That pink braid, and the white hat..."
A girl is ahead of him in the line. Her scent gives Yu-yu nostalgia. Why, if not for?
"Miss Mirei!"
"Ah! Yu-yu! Long time no see!"
"I didn't expect to see you here. What a surprise!"
"Me too, hihi. I want to travel outdoor to celebrate Christmas, but your presence totally throws me off-guard!"
"It's a welcome coincidence. What are you ordering?"
"I'm thinking whether or not I should order pfefferkuchen (gingerbread cake). Stollen (christmas bread) is also a favourite common dessert too. Do you want to try either of them?"
"Not really. I like to have a drink myself. Something like eierpunsch (warm, sweetened alcoholic, egg-based drink)."
"Aw, we finally reunite and you decline my kindness~"
"Miss Mirei, I know you are ecstatic seeing me, but I'm not in the mood for a heavy dessert."
"I understand." Mirei says her orders, "Can I have two eierpunsches?"
Yu-yu is puzzled, but Mirei quickly gives him a swift hug. He quickly gets the memo.
The two of them move to a table. Their orders are served not long after.
"There used to be a saying that gentleman pay for the woman on a date."
"Would that also apply to gentlewoman and a man?"
"Maybe, ahaha. Thanks for the order, Miss Mirei."
"No problem, no problem. So, Yu-yu. What is bothering you?"
"My family members are not online at the moment. I don't know when I can call them, and by that time, I would rot myself somewhere thinking about what should I do during Christmas."
"Homesick is one terrible fever to have. Did you miss your flight?"
"I didn't even consider purchasing a ticket a few days before Christmas. I was so immersed in cardfights that I forgot Christmas was this close. Well, it's too late now. Most flights are already booked."
"It happens. This is your first year travelling overseas, so there are some mistakes that you will eventually make and have to overcome on your own."
"You are right. I should be more careful next year and schedule my plans beforehand to visit my family in important dates."
"Hey, Yu-yu. Wanna have a date with me?"
"Eh— Heh!?"
"A Christmas date. In short, we will spend today celebrate Christmass with each other. If you want, I can be around you for a few more days until I return home."
"That... sounds like a good idea. Not like I can do much alone."
"Nice!"
"How does the wine taste like, Yu-yu?"
"Sweet, in an enticing way. It's refreshingly warm, too. Overall, it's up to my liking."
"Cute! Do you want to go ice skating?"
"Umm... That would be my first time."
"Well, I can teach you. Or we can go somewhere else, maybe visiting the markets or—"
"Let's go ice skating. I think... You can help me learn how to skate."
"Okay!"
They head straight to an ice rink around Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain). Lights of the market stalls of the Christmas Market adorn the cheerfulness of the town.
"We can visit the markets over there later. You may find high-quality artistic crafts, gourmet treats and immerse yourself in carnivals. We are going to have a ton, lots of fun today, aren't we?"
"I'm also feeling excited too. Though, first and foremost, please don't leave me behind in the rink."
"Got you. Hold onto both of my hands. Don't be flustered."
Yu-yu concentrates all of his confidence to intertwine his hands with Mirei. Despite wearing gloves, there is still a sense of hesitance from him.
"Whoops!" Mirei suddenly lets go of her right hand.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!"
"Let the blades stay perpendicular to the rink. Skating is different from walking."
"Easier said than done. Help me!"
"Alright, alright." Mirei reaches out to Yu-yu again. "This time, I will let you know when I will let go of my hand. Remember, balance is key in ice skating. And also, trust yourself that you won't trip if you keep your composure. Ready?"
"Yeah." Yu-yu takes a deep breath.
"Three... Two... One... Zero!"
For Yu-yu, it is a struggle for him to balance himself after just a try or two. The ice is slippery, and the feel of Mirei's hands is irresistible. Honestly, he would prefer holding her hands for a walk, but it would be cowardish to back out from a new experience.
"I guess I get the firm of this. Probably."
"Your breath is quite off, ahaha." Mirei shivers from Yu-yu touch on her shoulders.
"I think I can try to stay balance on my own now."
"Sure. Be careful." Mirei turns away from Yu-yu and dashes ahead.
"Come on, Miss Mirei." Yu-yu is flabbergasted by her speed. She is really experienced in ice skating, isn't she?
Yu-yu tries to catch up to Mirei, but his movements are still slower than hers.
Sensing that Yu-yu is way behind, Mirei stops on her track so Yu-yu can reach her.
"Afraid of face-palming the ice?"
"Well, it would hurt, so I don't want to lean forward too much."
"That's the catch. As long as you hold your balance, you can lean as far as you like. Be confident!" Mirei gives a thumbs-up.
"I see. Let's skate together, Miss Mirei."
"Yeah. You are still new to ice skating, so skating alone isn't the brightest idea around."
Yu-yu and Mirei agree to do pair skating in unison. Thumbs locked. Palms wrapped. They line up in a fine line and dance around in a circle.
"Use your left leg to move around. I won't pull a prank of letting go of your hand, so please do the same."
"Should we try to hold both hands together?"
"Sounds cool. Just for a moment, or otherwise our motion is halted."
After a few spins, they turn toward each other and embrace their other hands. The closer they are, the hotter their cheeks get. Even if it's winter, the heat from the bonding still somewhat gets into their heads.
"Woah! What a blast! Yu-yu, wanna skate around the rink with me?"
"Sure. I imagine we would be like a flying eagle spreading its wings."
"Nice imagination. Hold my hand firmly."
Yu-yu's right hand and Mirei's left hand connect. They gently grin to their soulmate before pushing each other forward.
"The ideal way to skate is by bending the left leg and let the right leg do the work. Or the other way around, depending on your direction."
"So the weight is not evenly distributed, Miss Mirei?"
"One leg will always have more weight on it. Your weight should be just below the toe pick where the blade has a slight curve at the front end of the skate."
"You really know a lot, Miss Mirei."
"Ah~ Thanks for the compliment!"
After the ice skating date, they take photos around the fountain.
"The Roman god of freshwater and the sea, Neptune. I think there is another ocean god already, right?"
"Greek god Poseidon, you mean. Neptune and Poseidon are counterparts of each other. Just like your Trickstar and my Trickmoon."
"Ahahahaha." Yu-yu bursts into laughter.
"It's lovely!"
"You are really adorable, Miss Mirei."
"Oh my, where have you learned how to flirt with a lady~"
"From how you treat me as your boyfriend, no less."
"Yu-yu~" Mirei gushes by squeezing him around his waist.
Yu-yu himself wants to tell her that people may be watching them, but that thought immediately drifts away from his mind. In fact, he truly doesn't want her to let go of him. He yearns for her love, her warm hug and her earnest desires to be with him romantically.
It's like he's growing blind because of his love for Mirei.
"Well then... So..."
"So what, Yu-yu?" Mirei is still holding him tight.
"I want to take a picture of you with the fountain. I think you look cute around the four goddesses around there.
"Okey-dokey. How would you compare my beauty to that of the four girls?"
Yu-yu lets out a soft chuckle, "You love teasing me. Your teases are beautiful."
"I like you." Mirei smiles to his earnesty.
::::::::::::
"That unexpected and unplanned day is actually my most memorable date with her. I had thought that I would spend that Christmas feeling homesick, but luckily Mirei happened to have her vacation in the same place that I was living back then."
"Since then, Yu-yu called me to go on dates whenever we could met. Our romance naturally blossomed after going on many dates. It was a sweet time."
"I can relate to you, Yu-yu. The first date with your beloved can be awkward and unconventional, but it paves way for future dates. If you two hadn't done it already, maybe you can consider a rooftop dinner date. The light air pairs well with the vivid view of the city. The food..."
"Wanna go on a double date with us, you two?" Tomari rushes towards the stage.
"We have to see if our schedule works out, ahaha."
"Is this the wonder of love and romance?" Tohya is amused by the passionate doting.
"You should find a girlfriend soon if you are feeling jealous."
"Have you ever asked a girl out in your life, Danji?"
"I have. Though none fits my type so far."
"Guess I'm better off sticking with cardfighting if even Danji can't have a girlfriend."
"It's not your business."
After Zakusa and Tomari finish talking with Yu-yu and Mirei, Danji gathers everyone's attention.
"Here comes my long-awaited part! The promises in marriaged vowed by husband and wife, and the exchange of rings to symbolize an everlasting commitment in their relationship!"
"He doesn't have to say this like a ring announcer, but the most interesting moment has finally come at last. Heheheh~" Shinobu grins as his patience is worth it in the end.
"Everyone! Cheers!" Yukiko and Akiko puff Danji's spirit up. They are also eager to see the growth of their brother, from a timid boy to a man confident in making his woman happy.
"This isn't really like the formal wedding from the Minae family." Natsuko comments.
"Well, there's not even a semblance of normality in Danji's mess. Though, this time things don't turn out bad. In fact, I'm quite glad he actually commits into making his dream wedding."
"You really should have seen this a mile away. The moment Yu-yu adopts the Minae surname, I already know Danji would not be contempt with his younger brother's boring wedding." Shinobu mocks Haruka's short-sightedness.
"May the groom and bride hold hands."
Yu-yu smirks shyly. To no one's surprise, Danji doesn't care about wordy introductions. He gets straight to the point without hesitation.
Mirei whispers to him, "There's a chance he will tell us to kiss right away, so get ready~"
When Yu-yu and Mirei connect, Danji starts the ceremony between them.
"Do you, Mirei Minae, take this man to be your husband, to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? To love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, be faithful into him."
"Yes, I do."
"Do you, Yu-yu Kondo, take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony? To love her, comfort her, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"Yes, I do."
"You may now kiss your bride."
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P.S. Merry Christmas! It has been a while since I wrote this story. Admittedly, I wasn't really on the mood to write a romance story these months around, only recently am I tempted to finish telling the tale of the newlyweds, for real. The idea of Yu-yu and Mirei's second wedding hosted by Danji was already planned, but I was questioning myself how to continue the story and end it on a high note. It took me a few months, but in the end, I decided to make this chapter the final one of this story. There wouldn't be any better ending other than concluding it with a wedding that Danji has always dreamed for his sister and his protégé, I thought to myself. Though, while working on the drafts, I realized that I needed to tell how Yu-yu and Mirei's romance blossomed, and naturally, the most romantic night between them in their newlywed life. This chapter ended up way longer than I intended it to be, but it was worth it in the end. I don't have any future plan for another story about Yu-yu and Mirei, but if I decide to write one, it likely would be about their family life as true husband and wife. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
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"Her lip is soft~"
"I want him to caress my hair forever~"
While Yu-yu and Mirei lose herself to the heat of pleasure, Danji still has another surprise.
"Happy birthday, Yu-yu!"
Danji brings out a grandiose wedding cake, decorated with strawberry, raspberry and blueberry frostings. Chibi versions of Yu-yu and Mirei's favourite cards (Trickstar Trickmoon) can be seen carrying a giant heart (Yu-yu Kondo Mirei Minae)
"Happy birthday, Yu-yu~" Mirei gives Yu-yu a deep, passionate kiss.
"Thanks~"
"Urara!" A tall lady in a white dress calls out to her first friend.
"There you are, Halona!"
"Sorry for arriving late. I got lost while travelling so it took me longer than intended. I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine. The fun has just begun. Thanks for helping me!"
Per Urara's request, Halona brings a ton of high-quality desserts: cupcakes, profiteroles, cookies, macarons, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and most importantly...
"The thing that you specifically ask me for, right?" Halona brings out a packet of pocky.
"Yep!" Urara is excited to bring it to the newlyweds.
"Did you tell Urara about your surprise wedding idea, Danji?"
"Totally not at all. Urara just has keen initution. It's likely she simply tells Halona to come to Yu-yu's birthday, then you know the rest, Megumi."
"Today is also Pocky Day, Yu-yu." Urara hands out the pocky pack, "This is my gift to you and Miss Mirei. I wish you both a happy marriage."
"Thank you, Urara. I really appreciate it."
"Happy birthday, Yu-yu~"
"Thanks, Urara."
"Alright, it's time to give everyone a share of this incredible cake. Line up!"
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By the time the newlyweds come home and finish showering, it is already midnight.
"Woah! It's already this late. I can't believe it!"
"Tonight was a really, really long night. A very fun night, in fact."
"We owe Danji a lot, aren't we?"
"It's fine. My brother does this on his own volition."
Yu-yu and Mirei lie down in the bed. They have prepared the pockies on a cup nearby.
"Let's play the pocky game, dear."
"No objection."
And with that, they move closer. Yu-yu takes the initiative and caresses Mirei's hand.
"My hair too!"
"As you wish~"
"Say aaah~"
"Aaah~"
Each end of the pocky stick is occupied by them. They carefully bite at it so the pocky doesn't drop. Although...
"Oh no!"
"I think the bite you took was quite big."
"Well... I can't really see how much you bit." Mirei blushes at her clumsiness.
"It's fine. Follow my rhythm. Wait until I finish my bite, then you take a small bite. I will try to make sure our bites have similar length."
"Let's try this again, shall we? Say aaah~"
"Aaah~"
"Pocky is more delicious when you enjoy it with your partner. Maybe I will buy some for our extended cuddling and fondling session in the weekend..."
"Yu-yu?"
"Hmm? Heh!?" Yu-yu awkwardly realizes he doesn't have his end of the pocky in the mouth.
"I think you took a bigger bite than necessary. Or... are you distracted by something~"
"I— I— I..."
Yu-yu's face turns completely red. Indeed, he is distracted.
"I just think we could play this game again in the weekend. It is quite fun, frankly..."
"Anything else? Such as daydreaming about your sweetheart's wedding dress, or how we will spend our night as husband and wife after a grandiose wedding~"
"That stargazing night we had before... I have been pondering on it for a while. About why I'm okay with wearing a dress outside. It was quite embarrassing even if there's no one around in the morning."
"It was the period where we tried to explore different ways to have fun in our newlywed life. You can call that night an experimental failure if you wish. I was—"
"You were sincerely curious about another self of me. That's all it is."
"Rea...lly?"
"Over time, I can feel that you treasure each and every experience we make. Even if some of them are things I would prefer not talking again, really."
"I don't think I felt that way back then..."
"You might not realize it at the moment. Though, delicate scents are also very memorable, right?"
"Mhmm~"
"I love it whenever I sleep next to you and sniff your scent, too~"
Yu-yu embraces Mirei and holds her in his arms as tight as possible. The pocky game can continue tomorrow.
"Yu-yu!?"
"Mirei... At times, I can understand you more than you understand yourself. I guess you can call me arrogant, but I believe that your love for me cannot be compared to anyone else. I want you to be my sweetheart, I desire you to be my lifelong partner, I wish you can be my soulmate until death does us apart!"
"No... You aren't arrogant. That's who you are, Yu-yu. You can read the heart of other individuals. I also want you to be my dear, someone that I can grow old and be happy with."
Mirei gets a firm clasp on Yu-yu's shoulders. She also whispers something to him.
"Your love for me cannot be compared to anyone else, too."
Both of them are burning with the zeal of love and the instinct to be of one mind. Mirei slightly nudges Yu-yu, implying she wants to be spoiled by him during the night. Wasting no time, Yu-yu plants his lips on hers. He strokes her hair and pulls her closer to his side, trying to hold on to this tender moment as long as possible. Mirei touches her dear's forehead and trails along his brow with the utmost care in the world. They have no intent of kissing once and call it a day, however, as they continuously pull their lips forward for a few more rounds of indulgence.
That night, Yu-yu and Mirei become true husband and wife.
—END—