A year and three months after the Coming of Age ceremony—
Yuzuru and Arisa had advanced to their fourth year of university.
That day, the two of them were studying at a family restaurant near campus.
“Phew…”
Yuzuru let out a small sigh and stretched.
Seeing that, Arisa set her pen down as well.
“Taking a break?”
“Yeah. …I was thinking of grabbing a drink—do you want anything?”
“Then, iced tea please.”
Yuzuru stood up, partly to refresh himself, and went to the drink bar.
He poured himself an iced coffee and got an iced tea for Arisa.
When he returned, she was looking at the menu.
“Thinking of ordering something?”
“Yes. I’m a bit hungry… just something light. Is there anything you’d like, Yuzuru-san? I was thinking of getting some chips.”
“Nothing in particular. …I’ll just steal some of yours.”
“Alright.”
Arisa tapped the screen and ordered chips.
Then she took a sip of her iced tea, smiling softly.
Yuzuru asked—
“How’s your studying going?”
“I think it’s going well. If it’s like previous years, I should pass without any problems. …What about you, Yuzuru-san?”
“Same here—if it follows past exams, I should be fine. …The oral exam might be the tricky part.”
“That one’s just something we’ll have to deal with when it comes…”
After graduating, both of them were aiming for graduate school.
Arisa—for her own future.
Yuzuru—not out of academic interest, but because his father had told him, “A master’s degree adds prestige.”
If all went well, they would be attending graduate school in America.
“By the way, Arisa… about the wedding.”
“Yes.”
At his words, Arisa straightened her posture.
They had already decided to get married after graduating.
That time was approaching.
“It might be a bit early to plan, but… what about holding it after I finish grad school, before I start working?”
“I think that sounds good.”
She nodded.
A wedding required a lot of preparation.
If they waited until after he started working, it might be hard to find the time—or the mental space.
From that perspective, the period after completing his master’s, but before starting work, would be ideal.
…They could also do it right after graduation during spring break—
but having the groom not yet employed wasn’t ideal.
“What about the honeymoon… as well?”
“Yeah. It’ll be harder to take time off once I’m working.”
Yuzuru nodded.
For something like a honeymoon, having enough time was important.
“What about the marriage registration? Before or after?”
“Either is fine, but… it’s probably better not to leave too much time between them.”
A wedding was also a formal announcement.
For the Takasegawa family and their associates, it signified that the heir was properly married—
that the next generation was secure.
So ideally, registration and the ceremony would happen close together.
Otherwise, people might start talking.
“Then let’s register first. …No particular reason, just how I feel.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
For Yuzuru—or rather, for the Takasegawa family—that was actually more convenient.
It reassured the guests.
Personally, Yuzuru didn’t care about the legal order—
as long as he could be with Arisa.
“As for the wedding itself… um, the Takasegawa family traditionally does Protestant ceremonies, right?”
“Yeah, more or less. It’s less about tradition and more about connections.”
“Connections?”
“It’s like… strengthening ties by sharing events like weddings and funerals.”
He said it with a wry smile.
Many within the Takasegawa circle identified as Protestant.
Some were devout, others had barely read the Bible—
but they all shared the same outward identity.
By sharing the same experiences and values, they built bonds beyond money or blood.
If that disappeared, things wouldn’t collapse overnight—
but it might cause unease.
And if it might, then better not to risk it.
That was what his father and grandfather had gently impressed upon him.
“I think it’s something we should really decide together, but…”
“That’s alright. When I think of weddings, I think of a white dress.”
Arisa smiled.
For her, a wedding meant a pure white wedding dress.
The traditions and obligations felt a bit stiff—
but a formal ceremony had its own charm.
It would still become a meaningful memory.
“And… we can have a second one too, right?”
She remembered hearing that Yuzuru’s parents had held three ceremonies.
And that she could have multiple as well—
with more freedom after the first.
Most people wouldn’t, due to cost—
but she could.
There was little to complain about.
“Of course. …Do you want a second one?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure yet. I might be satisfied with just one…”
The first ceremony would be led by the Takasegawa family, so her wishes might not be fully reflected.
But that didn’t mean it would be bad.
She might end up satisfied anyway.
“You don’t have to stick to a ‘second one.’ Just tell me what kind of wedding you want.”
“Hmm… well…”
She thought for a moment, then answered a bit shyly—
“Since it’s our wedding… I don’t want it to just be tiring from greeting people. I want to actually enjoy it. I want to spend a happy time with you… and our friends.”
“I see… yeah. That makes sense.”
Hearing her honest feelings, Yuzuru felt a small pang of guilt.
That wish might not come true for the first ceremony.
The Takasegawa family would likely insist on something grand.
“I don’t need multiple ceremonies. But the reception… or party—I want that to be a happy memory.”
“Got it. I’ll remember that.”
To make it truly enjoyable—
it would probably need to be just family and close friends.
No unfamiliar faces.
As Yuzuru thought that over—
“By the way, what about you, Yuzuru-san?”
Arisa asked.
“My preference?”
“Yes. It’s our wedding, after all.”
“I see… that’s true.”
Honestly, Yuzuru didn’t care much about weddings themselves.
He didn’t feel strongly about having one at all.
Even just commemorative photos would be enough.
But saying that outright felt wrong.
“Well… I do want to see you in a wedding dress. And I like the idea of a relaxed ceremony with just family.”
“That’s the same as me. Anything else?”
“…There is something, but…”
If anything—
he wanted to see her in as many different wedding dresses as possible.
A-line, princess, mermaid…
He wanted to etch every version of her into his memory.
But that wasn’t really an answer to her question.
Then, suddenly, something occurred to him.
“I’d like to see you in shiromuku as well.” Shiromuku — traditional all-white bridal kimono worn in Shinto ceremonies
“Shiromuku?”
“Yeah… maybe a Shinto ceremony. What do you think?”
Arisa nodded eagerly.
“I’d like that too. I’m interested. …But inviting people multiple times might not be ideal.”
She smiled wryly.
Twice might be understandable—
but a third time would be pushing it.
“Maybe we don’t have to invite people. Just the ceremony… and photos. Only invite those who really want to come.”
“For just the two of us… that could be nice too.”
Then suddenly—
“Ah!”
She clapped her hands.
“What is it?”
“If it’s a shrine, Chiharu-san is there, right? We could do it at her family’s shrine—oh… but aren’t the Takasegawa and Uenishi families not on good terms?”
She trailed off, shoulders drooping.
But Yuzuru shook his head.
“No, it should be fine—as long as it’s just us.”
“Really?”
“We can frame it as a personal connection.”
If it were official family cooperation, it would be an issue.
But as individuals, it wasn’t a problem.
“But wouldn’t people object?”
“Actually, it might help improve relations. They might pretend to object, though.”
The two families didn’t get along—
but in truth, they wanted to.
“This could show our generation gets along. It might even set a good precedent. Sure, some old-timers might complain, but… long-term, better relations are obviously beneficial. Ignoring those who can’t see the bigger picture—”
He stopped himself mid-sentence, covering his mouth.
His expression tightened.
“Something wrong?”
“…Sorry. This is supposed to be our wedding, but I started talking about family politics…”
That wasn’t fair to her.
“I don’t think that’s wrong. Family matters are important too.”
“Still…”
“We’re going to be husband and wife. Not just partners—family. Thinking about the future… even for our children—it’s only natural.”
“…Thank you. That helps.”
“…But just so you know—I come first, alright? Make me your top priority.”
She said it shyly, fidgeting.
Yuzuru smiled.
“Of course. That goes without saying.”
They both laughed.
“That said, it depends on Chiharu’s situation too. Let’s put the shrine ceremony idea on hold for now.”
“Agreed. For now… let’s focus on studying.”
“Yeah… we got carried away.”
Realising their “break” had gone on far too long,
the two returned to their studies.
