The day before the wedding—
Yuzuru was visiting Arisa’s family home.
At the table sat Yuzuru and Arisa,
with Naoki Amagi and Emi Amagi seated across from them.
“Then, please sign here.”
Yuzuru said as he handed over a document.
It was the marriage registration form.
All necessary fields for both him and Arisa had already been filled in.
Yuzuru’s father had signed as a witness.
All that remained was for Arisa’s adoptive father to sign.
“I-I’ve got this…”
Despite his stern expression, Naoki’s hand trembled slightly as he wrote his name and address.
If he made a mistake, they’d have to redo the form, so the pressure was on.
(Though they had prepared spare copies just in case.)
“…There. That should do it.”
After stamping it, Naoki handed the form back.
Yuzuru checked it, then bowed deeply.
“Thank you very much. I will take your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“…I’m entrusting her to you.”
Naoki bowed as well, his expression solemn.
“Naoki-san, Emi-san… thank you for everything.”
Arisa also bowed deeply.
Naoki nodded, looking on the verge of tears.
Emi, meanwhile, wore a somewhat complicated expression.
(…Have they made peace?)
Emi had once abused Arisa.
Though Arisa had never said it outright, Yuzuru had long suspected it.
Arisa spoke about Naoki sometimes—
but almost never about Emi.
She had been someone Arisa didn’t want to talk about.
Yet today, while there was some awkwardness, there was no hostility between them.
At least, that’s how it looked to Yuzuru.
(Well… either way is fine.)
If Arisa had sorted out her feelings, that was enough.
And if she hadn’t—
it wasn’t something he should interfere with.
This was her issue to face.
“Now then, about tomorrow’s schedule…”
After a final discussion about the wedding arrangements,
the two left the Amagi household.
After that, they went to a cemetery.
“It should be around here… ah, there it is.”
Arisa stopped in front of a grave marked:
The Yukishiro Family Grave.
“…I should have come sooner.”
She murmured, almost regretfully.
Then, as if making excuses—
“To be honest, it never felt real. When I was younger, I thought coming here would make it real… so I kept putting it off. And over time, my memories faded… Part of me even thought maybe I didn’t need to come at all… That’s pretty unfilial, isn’t it? If you hadn’t said anything, Yuzuru-san… I probably never would have come.”
“…”
Was she speaking to him—
or to the parents resting before her?
Unable to tell, Yuzuru chose to stay silent.
But the atmosphere was getting too heavy.
“Well… you came today, so that’s what matters, right? The grave is well maintained, too…”
He offered a slightly forced bit of reassurance.
In fact, despite Arisa never visiting,
the grave was in good condition.
There were even flowers—slightly wilted, but clearly recent.
Someone had been taking care of it.
“…Emi-san has been cleaning it.”
“R-really!?”
Yuzuru’s eyes widened in surprise.
Arisa gave a faint, self-deprecating smile.
“When I asked again where it was… she looked at me like, ‘Now of all times?’”
“…I see…”
Yuzuru tried to find something to say—
but couldn’t.
Then Arisa spoke, her tone brighter.
“That’s all in the past. Let’s clean it.”
“Yeah.”
They began tending to the grave.
It wasn’t very dirty, so they simply rinsed away dust and wiped the stone clean.
They replaced the old flowers with fresh ones,
lit incense,
and pressed their hands together in prayer.
(I will take your daughter as my wife…)
Yuzuru offered his silent greeting to her parents.
Then, they left the cemetery.
On the way back—
“Yuzuru-san…”
Arisa called his name softly.
“What is it?”
“…Would you come here with me once a year?”
Yuzuru nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. Your parents are my parents too. Once a year is the least we can do.”
At that, Arisa smiled.
“Thank you.”
For once, her expression looked completely at peace.
