Ch. 29 - The Golden Dress

~4 Years Later~

Aiura twirled in front of the full length mirror before her. The fabric of the gown she was wearing billowed out around her as she did. "This is fun!" She laughed, admiring the way the color glinted in the fluorescent lights of the hotel room they were in.

"It looks really good on you Mikoto," Teruhashi smiled at her from where she was sitting in front of the room's vanity. A makeup artist that Aiura did not know the name of was fussing all around her while the hair person, (she also did not know the name of) finished off the elegant updo the bluenette had chosen for the day behind her.

Aiura stopped twirling and turned to wag a finger at her friend, "Nuh, uh, uh. No complimenting other women on your wedding day! That's bad luck."

Teruhashi giggled, "I don't think I've ever heard that superstition before."

The hair person started packing up their things to leave but the makeup artist glared at the two of them. "Can the jokes wait until after I have the bride's makeup finished?"

"Sorry," Teruhashi apologized and closed her eyes, tilting her head back so the girl could get to work.

"Aw, right when I make my debut," Chiyo entered the room, wearing the exact same golden colored gown that Aiura had on. "Where's my compliments?"

Aiura stuck two fingers into her mouth and wolf whistled at her, "Looking fiiiiiiiine, Chyiopipi."

Chiyo took a bow, "And you as well, fellow bridesmaid."

"Guys!" Mera called out as she entered the room as well, struggling with her arms up and behind her as she frantically tried to get her dress zipped up. "Can one of you help me with this?"

"Ugh, you're too big chested for your own good Mera," Chiyo huffed with jealousy before marching over to help her friend. "Completely unfair."

"I guess god just loves me more than you!" Mera singsonged, smiling teasingly.

"No," Aiura waggled her finger in the air once more. "We all know that the true angel here is Terukoko."

"Soon to be Saiki!" Chiyo squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. "Kokomi you must be so excited!"

"More like nervous," Teruhashi answered, only to have to apologize to her makeup artist when the other woman huffed out again. Butterflies had been fluttering around in her stomach for days now at the approach of her wedding. While of course there was also a large amount of excitement at the thought of marrying her best friend and the love of her life, the anxiety of wedding planning was not something she had been wholly prepared for. The thought that anything could go wrong at any minute was honestly terrifying.

Finally the makeup artist finished, twirling Teruhashi around in the chair so she could get a good look in the vanity mirror. "Well, what do you think?"

"Oh Kokomi! You look so beautiful," Chiyo rushed over and threw her arms around the bluenette's shoulders from behind.

Teruhashi smiled at their reflections. Chiyo had had her makeup done before she had gone to get her dress on, and the darker browns and reds looked stunning on her friend and went with the golden dress perfectly. She on the other hand had requested the most minimalistic look she could get. The makeup artist had completed her request by only using products to enhance her natural features. No smokey eyes, no lip stains. Just her. "It looks wonderful. Thank you so much."

The makeup artist smiled and bowed in thanks, "Enjoy your wedding day." She quickly packed up her things and offered a little wave to the four girls before heading out the door, to get out of their way.

Chiyo, still draped over her best friend's shoulders, gave her a comforting little squeeze. "Why are you nervous? We all know that Saiki loves you more than he loves anything."

"False," Aiura cut in, picking at her nails with a teasing smile on her lips, "Saiki loves coffee jelly more than he loves anything."

Teruhashi giggled, "I'm not nervous about Saiki. I'm worried something will go wrong. Like what if the cake ends up getting smashed, or the fish is undercooked and people start getting sick? What if-"

"Isn't all this what your wedding planner is for?" Mera asked, holding up a white dress bag in the air, containing Teruhashi's wedding dress. "Also, it's time to put this on!"

"Oooh, yes!" Chiyo gave Teruhashi's shoulders a little shake. "It's all going to be ok Kokomi. You can count on us... Now go put your dress on!"

Aiura walked over to take the dress bag from Mera, "You want me to help?"

Teruhashi smiled in relief at the other girl, "Yes, I would really like that. Thank you." She stood from the Vanity chair, and the two of them headed over to the suite's bathroom. Once the door shut behind them Teruhashi whirled on Aiura, "You looked into the future this morning right? Everything is still going to be perfect today, right!?"

Aiura held both hands up in the air, the hanger for the wedding dress hanging off one of her thumbs. "Jeez girl. You need to chill. I already told you that everything is on track and there shouldn't be any problems befalling you on your special day."

Teruhashi sighed in relief, leaning against the sink in the bathroom, "Thank goodness."

Aiura shook her head, "When you can't talk to Saiki your anxiety just skyrockets, huh?"

"Yeah..." Teruhashi smiled bashfully, "It probably wasn't the greatest idea I ever had to make him wear the germanium ring until I was down the aisle."

"Are you kidding? That was the best idea you ever had. Do you know how hard it's been the last few months to keep your dress a secret from him? He likes to act like he doesn't care," Aiura began unzipping the dress bag as she spoke, "But that man has a curious side that outrivals every cat on the planet."

Teruhashi snorted, "That's very true." It had been torture keeping her mind blank in her home whenever Saiki questioned how everything was going with the planning, but when Kokomi Teruhashi set her sights on something gods will wouldn't let anything get in her way. "I can't wait to see his face when he finally sees me."

Aiura smiled, "You're gonna knock him dead, Terukoko. Now, c'mon. Time to get this on."

Teruhashi stared at her dress and took a deep steadying breath. "Ok. Let's do this."

Saiki tapped his thumb against the germanium ring on his finger. He was pretty tempted to remove it... but his future wife would be livid with him if she found out he ruined the big reveal she had been working towards for months now. He sighed internally. It was probably for the best if he kept it on anyway. He eyed the guests filing into the hotel's ballroom that had been decorated for their ceremony. With the ring on he didn't have to torture himself with listening to the thoughts of his friends and family. It was definitely a bonus.

His eyes lingered on Makoto in the front row of the bride's side of the room. He was sitting in between his mother and father, already sobbing into a designer handkerchief as his parents consoled him. Even without his telepathy he knew that Kokomi's parents probably thought that their eldest child was just overcome with joy that his little sister had found happiness and was getting married. Little did they know that Makoto was most definitely crying because he desperately wished that he was in Saiki's place. It was probably better that they didn't know.

He glanced over to the groom's side of the room. His parents and grandparents were already sitting in their seats as well. His grandfather was sitting with his arms crossed and his gruff face turned towards the wall. His grandmother was wearing a mini dress, holding up a video camera and waving at him without a care in the world. His mother was dabbing at her eyes with her own handkerchief, of course she actually was overcome with joy that her youngest child had found love and was getting married. His father, also teary eyed, had been given the job of holding the laptop with Kusuke's smiling face peering from it. He scrunched his nose and glanced back towards the door. Maybe he shouldn't be too harsh on Kokomi's brother.

"Psst, Saiki," Kaido whispered from beside him before clapping him on the shoulder, "Almost time. I bet the excitement is finally getting to you now."

"Pfft," Aren chuckled from next to Kaido, his arms crossed over his tux, "Saiki doesn't get nervous, Shun. You should know that."

"Huh, why would partner be nervous?" Nendou peered around the room as if there was some threat or scare nearby. Little did he know that the scariest thing in the room was the gorilla man that had been stuffed into the same black tux and gold bow tie as the other two men beside him.

Saiki's own bow tie was white, but he figured that was a pretty obvious observation.

Saiki shook his head. What idiots he had chosen to be his groomsmen. Though he supposed the only other choices... His eyes darted to Makoto and Kusuke's faces and then over again to Hairo and Toritsuka at the doors to the room. The two friends that hadn't been chosen to be direct parts of the wedding party had been given two roles for the day to try and not hurt their feelings. (That had been Kokomi's decision, not his.) Currently they were both fulfilling their first role of ushers.

Hairo, who had somehow managed to roll both the sleeves of his suit jacket and his dress shirt all the way up to his shoulders, was being his usual self. Which meant that he was running full sprint from door to seat and loudly encouraging the guests for the groom's side to do the same when they began to walk after him at a normal pace. The steam was already starting to pour from the top of his head as he sweat profusely. Several older relatives that Saiki had been forced to invite had looked extremely uncomfortable at the behavior.

Toritsuka, however, was much worse. The man had chosen to not wear his tie or his dress shoes, despite being asked to wear both. Instead he had donned the usual red prayer beads he always wore around his neck, and kept on his wooden geta sandals (completely barefoot) as well. Saiki wasn't sure, but he had a feeling the sandals hadn't been replaced once since high school. The medium had refused to change up his look even after Saiki figured out how to deal with the volcano and let time resume again as normal. Of course if the look wasn't enough, the way that he was blatantly hitting on every female guest that was in his rough age zone was truly the icing on the cake.

Kokomi was going to be pissed when she returned to work after their honeymoon and her colleagues from the school she had just gotten a job at told her about his behavior.

Oh well, that was going to be a Toritsuka problem and it was one that Saiki did not plan on helping him get out of. The pervert definitely deserved whatever rage his bride was going to throw at him anyway.

"A lot of guys get nervous on their wedding day," Aren rolled his eyes at Nendou, bringing Saiki out of his thoughts and back to their conversation. "It would be normal, if you know, Saiki was normal."

"Thanks," Saiki said sarcastically, raising a brow at his friends.

Aren shrugged, not scared at all, "You know I didn't mean it like that."

"Sure."

"Anyway," Kaido cut in, "I know the planning has been really hard on Teruhashi. It's pretty much the only think Chiyo has talked about at home for months."

"I still don't get how the little guy managed to get a girlfriend," Nendou shook his head, "Seems unfair to me."

"Well maybe if the two of you had some class like me and Saiki - "

"Please don't drag me into this."

" - You'd be able to find some girls to put up with your ugly faces." Kaido crossed his arms with a satisfied grin at his insult.

Aren's smile turned menacing, a vein popping out of his forehead as he uncrossed his arms and cracked his knuckles, making Kaido shrink in on himself. "Better keep your opinions on my face to yourself, Shun. Don't want to start a fight right before the wedding."

Kaido's eyes widened and he grabbed onto Saiki's shoulder in fear, "Saiki wouldn't let that happen so close to the ceremony. Right, Saiki?"

Saiki rolled his eyes, "You all annoy me."

His groomsmen continued to bicker beside him right up until the point that the wedding music began to play, signaling the start of the ceremony at last.

Now listen. Saiki had seen some weird things in his life. Including but not limited to; A bunch of clones that he had created to save Japan; Kokomi's influence on their entire school being so great she was able to get them to hallucinate a princess costume over her gym clothes; The life sized statue of his girlfriend in the Kokomin fanclub room, which was still disturbing to this day; And his friend's father's ghost possessing his friend to be able to confess love to his friend's mother.

But this might really take the gold.

Kusuo and Kokomi were the first of all their friends and siblings to get married. Because of this they had no young children in their life that they could give the traditional flower girl or ring bearer role to. The rings had been an easy fix. Kaido had the ring that Kokomi would slip onto his finger in his jacket pocket, and Chiyo had the ring that he would slip onto Kokomi's finger attached to her bouquet. Kokomi, ever the perfectionist, was a little upset over not having a flower girl though.

Which is what brought their second roll to Hairo and Toritsuka.

The two men clearly had spent a great deal of time online researching the viral flower guy video, because they had gone all out. Both of them donned dark sunglasses and fanny packs that were full of rose petals, and as they made their way down the aisle they threw the petals everywhere. In the aisle and at the guests, dancing their way to the front row where they would be able to take their seats.

While it was good, almost an exact replica of the video, the effect was dulled a lot by the soft piano music that the band was playing at Kokomi's request. The two morons gave Saiki and the groomsmen a thumbs up when they got to the end of the aisle with empty fanny packs and Saiki had to clench his hand closed to not roll his eyes at them. At least they tried.

Mera came down the aisle next. Smiling sweetly while clutching her bouquet of red roses to her ample chest. Then Aiura, who strutted down the aisle like she owned the place, smiling flirtatiously at the guests as she did. The roses in her bouquet were all various shades of blue. Saiki pretended not to notice Aren squirm while she made her way to her place next to Mera.

Chiyo was next, as she was Kokomi's maid of honor. She smiled widely on her way down the aisle, fighting back happy tears while her eyes were trained solely on a dopily grinning Kaido. The roses in her bouquet were a vibrant pink.

The three girls took their place at the end of the aisle across from the boys, and then turned to look expectantly at the doors to the ballroom. The music got softer and sweeter, and the rest of the guests were straining in their seats to get a good look at the bride when she finally entered. Saiki held his breath.

The double doors opened, and Kokomi stepped into the room.

"Offu."

Several of his friend's heads whipped around at the sound coming from Saiki's mouth. Embarrassed, Saiki clapped a hand over his mouth as his cheeks began reddening quickly. It was clear that the entire room had heard him though, as tears were prickling at Kokomi's eyes as she beamed at him. The glowing aura around her pulsated brighter with the joy in her heart.

Saiki lowered his hand, feeling his own tears begin to pool in his eyes as his bride began making her way towards him. The dress she had chosen and kept hidden from him for so long was simple, no lace or beads, just smooth white silk clinging to her body and billowing out at her waist. The veil attached to the back of her bun that was training out in the aisle behind her looked like an angel's wings as she walked, and the flowers in her hands were a gorgeous combination of the three colors that her bridesmaids had carried down before her.

His heart thudded painfully in his chest. There were still days when he couldn't believe that this angel wanted him and only him. There were still days he looked back on his original attitude towards her feelings and hated himself. Today wasn't one of those days. As Kokomi Teruhashi finally made it to him, handing her bouquet to Chiyo and taking his hands with the biggest, brightest smile he had ever seen on her face, Saiki felt nothing other than love pounding in his chest.

"Hi," She whispered to him, biting her lip in excitement as she clutched his hands.

"Hi," Saiki breathed back to her, feeling the smile on his own face growing. "You look stunning."

"I know," She giggled quietly and tapped the ring on his finger with her nail, "Are you ready for a replacement?"

"More than you even know."

The ceremony went off without a hitch, just as Aiura knew it would. So she found herself at the reception, leaning against a wall near a table at the edge of the room, sipping champagne and watching as the newly appointed Mr and Mrs Saiki swayed slowly in each other's arms in the middle of the dance floor. The song of their choice, Earth Angel by the Pretenders, played loudly through the speakers for their first dance. It was sweet, Aiura smiled to herself, as she watched the smile on her friends faces as they danced.

"They really are cute together, huh?" A familiar voice sounded behind her and Aiura turned her head to see Aren had crept up on her. He smiled, almost nervously, at her and held out a glass of champagne as an offering. "I noticed you were getting low."

"Trying to get me drunk?" She smirked at him, but set down her empty glass on the table beside her to take the refill anyway.

"I wouldn't dare. I've seen you trying to unlock the door to your shop while hungover. It's not a very pretty sight." Aren grinned at her and she punched his shoulder.

"You should never tell a lady they aren't pretty!" She huffed, puffing out her cheeks, "Not that you're ever looking pretty covered in grease in your shop."

Aren laughed, "Well I never said I was trying to look pretty."

She rolled her eyes though a smile was pulling at her lips, "Sure, and all those girls that come around to "check out the new bikes" aren't totally your type." After highschool while a few of their friends had gone off to college, Aiura and Aren had both had plans to open their own business, his a bike shop and hers a fortune telling cafe. She found that offering sweets in-between her many appointments kept her customers happy while they waited. Though she couldn't cook to save her life, she had hired someone after a year of steady readings to cook pastries in the morning and then sell them to the masses during the day. Her chef of choice? Well, strangely enough it was Ricki Nendou that beat out the other resumes she had received and who she now worked with on a daily basis. Weirder still was the fact that her and Aren had managed to both choose a store location downtown right after highschool. Their shops were directly across the road from each other so she saw him everyday as well.

Her eyes trailed down his suit jacket. Aren really was covered in grease a good 90% of the times that she saw him. His muscles bulging underneath what she assumed had once been a white muscle shirt. Girls flocked to his shop because of this she was sure of it, even she couldn't deny it was quite the thrilling sight to see in the middle of your work day.

"Well," Aren laughed awkwardly at the mention of the girls that visited his shop, "If I'm honest they're not really my type at all."

She snapped her eyes back up to his face, "Really? I've seen the girls, they're cute."

"Yeah well," Aren rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks beginning to turn pink.

Aiura laughed, "It's ok. I won't push you on it."

"Thanks," Aren sighed in relief before smiling warmly at her again. "We probably shouldn't be talking about work anyway. This is like the first day off we both have had in ages."

"True, cheers to that," She lifted her glass and clinked it against his.

The song that was playing ended then and the guests throughout the room all began clapping and cheering as Kusuo and Kokomi kissed sweetly and then separated. Kokomi got pulled away by some of her friends from work as the music began to pick up and Saiki turned, his eyes darting quickly around the room before finally landing on Aiura. He smiled and lifted a hand motioning for her to join him on the dancefloor.

A sense of deja view hit Aiura then. For just a moment she wasn't standing in the crowd at her friend's wedding but sitting on the floor of her crappy apartment gazing into a pink glowing crystal ball. Her breath caught in her throat.

Care to dance? Saiki raised a brow at her when she made no move to join him, calling out into her mind so he knew she would hear him.

"I don't think you can ignore the groom when he asks you to dance on his wedding day," Aren chuckled and held out his hand, "I'll protect your drink. You go."

Aiura smiled up at him, "Thanks Kubi," She stretched up onto her tip toes so she could kiss his cheek before heading out to meet Saiki on the dance floor.

By the time she had actually made it out another slow song was playing. Aiura hesitated, but Saiki held out his hand without flinching, pulling her directly into a waltz the second she put her hand in his. She laughed with delight when he twirled her around, catching sight of Kaido and Chiyo wrapped up in each other's arms and Kokomi dancing sweetly with her father as he did so. Finally they were facing each other, and he placed one hand on her hip as she put one on his shoulder and they officially began swaying to the music.

What were you and Aren talking about? Hopefully not work again.

"Oh, no. We were mostly talking about the girls he likes," She laughed, "Although he went bright red when I teased him about all those girls eyeing him."

Saiki's eyes flickered over to where Aren was still standing against the wall, currently talking to Hairo. He had set his own drink down next to the empty glass Aiura had left on the table so that he could keep his hand over the top of her glass. Most likely unnecessary given they were surrounded by family and friends but noble nonetheless. I think you have the wrong idea about the kind of girls that he likes.

"I do?" Aiura glanced behind her shoulder at the same scenario Saiki had glanced at. "What do you mean?"

Saiki laughed. Out loud for the whole party to hear, not just her. A sound she was still getting used to after so many years of silence from him. For a fortune teller you can be really dumb about what's in front of you.

"Hey!" Aiura let go of his shoulder so she could punch it instead. "You watch it mister or I will tell the spirits to curse you real good."

Saiki rolled his eyes, You've been thinking of the vision you had of me four years ago a lot ever since Kokomi showed you the bridesmaid dress. Now tell me, if we weren't going to romantically end up together why would the spirits show you this night at all?

The song started to die down and Saiki pulled away from her, so she dropped her arms back to her sides. "I... I don't know what you're trying to say."

Just give him a chance. Saiki motioned to Aren who seemed to have finished his conversation with Hairo and was now awkwardly trying to look anywhere but at Aiura on the dancefloor. Also don't tell him I helped him out. I'll never live it down.

Aiura laughed a little breathlessly. Her head was still feeling a little light by what Saiki was hinting at to her. Her heart was thudding just a little bit faster than she thought it was supposed to and she didn't think it was from their dance at all. "Thanks for being a good friend Saiki. You know you're the greatest."

Saiki shrugged, I have been told that yes. Now if you will excuse me, He nodded his head towards where Kokomi was talking to her older brother, My wife wants me to save her before he asks her to dance.

He darted off, making his way through the people on the dance floor with ease to scoop Kokomi up into his arms. She squealed when he lifted her off her feet and twirled her around twice as he moved them to be in the very center of the dance floor. The crowd whooped as he set her back on her feet and then planted a kiss on her lips that would be worthy of the sappiest romantic comedy ever filmed.

Aiura smiled at the display of affection. She wanted that for herself. Her own version, with someone that only had eyes for her the same way that Saiki gazed at nothing but his wife as they danced together. She began heading back to where her drink waited for her.

Aren smiled when he noticed she was walking back over to him and the eager look on his face made her stomach start doing flips. Had she drank too much tonight? Her heart fluttered when Aren took his hand off the top of her drink and handed it out to her, "You look like you had fun out there."

Despite her usual confidence Aiura felt herself hesitating. Was Saiki absolutely sure of what he thought his friend felt... what if...

No. No she was not going to walk away from this. Aren opened his mouth to say something but closed it again when Aiura gulped down the last of her champagne before grabbing the drink he had just picked up and downing that one as well. He chuckled awkwardly, "Ok... so maybe not so fun?"

"No it was a lot of fun," Aiura hiccupped once, licking the last drops of champagne from her lips and feeling a shiver down her back when she noticed Aren's eyes immediately drop to her mouth. "So much fun I want to go dance some more."

"Oh," Aren cleared his throat, tugging slightly at his bowtie, "You should definitely-"

She put down the two champagne glasses quickly so she could shh him as she stepped up into his personal space. "I want to dance with you, Aren..."

His eyes widened, "I um, I'm not the greatest-"

"You don't have to be perfect," Aiura interrupted him, smiling wolfishly, "Just hold onto me and I'll do the rest."

She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her to the dance floor, feeling giddy at the stars in his eyes as he stared at her with his jaw dropped. She made sure to put his hands on her hips when they got there, and despite the fact that he hadn't been lying about his subpar dancing skills.

She only danced with him for the rest of the night.