One week after the wedding—
Yuzuru and Arisa visited Chiharu’s family home in Kyoto.
“Thank you for having us today.”
“We appreciate it.”
The two bowed in unison.
In response, the kimono-clad woman before them smiled elegantly.
“Oh my, no need to be so formal. Today is simply… a wedding of my daughter’s friends.”
She was none other than the current head of the Uenishi family—Chiharu’s mother.
She looked remarkably young for her age.
“But if there is ever a next occasion… I would love to attend as a grandmother.”
She laughed gracefully.
Yuzuru and Arisa merely smiled in return, neither confirming nor denying her words.
They both knew that agreeing too easily would only cause trouble later.
“Now then, I’ll leave the explanation of the ceremony to Chiharu. I shall excuse myself.”
With that, she left.
Chiharu, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.
“Alright, once again—congratulations to you both. Though, well, I’ve already said that before.”
She gave a wry smile.
Yuzuru and Arisa smiled back.
The reason they had come today was to hold a Shinto wedding ceremony—
in other words, their second wedding.
It was unusual enough to feel slightly amusing.
“This time, since it’s just the two of you acting in a personal capacity… we’ll omit parts of the ceremony. That’s alright, yes?”
They both nodded.
Unlike before, there were no guests.
Not even their parents.
One reason was consideration—
it would be unreasonable to invite people multiple times.
The other was to keep this ceremony unofficial.
Relations between the Takasegawa and Uenishi families had improved, but remained delicate.
Inviting relatives would make it a matter between families, inviting backlash.
In fact, Yuzuru’s grandfather hadn’t approved.
He only refrained from forbidding it because it was framed as a private matter between Yuzuru and Arisa.
…More to the point, he likely wouldn’t even set foot under a Uenishi torii.
Better not to invite him at all than invite him only for him to refuse.
“The ceremony will be conducted mainly by me, with my mother assisting.”
Chiharu briefly explained the flow and roles.
Notably, she made no mention of her grandmother—the former head of the Uenishi family.
The reason was obvious.
“Well, that’s about it. It’s just us, after all—let’s keep things relaxed.”
Unlike last time, right?
She added with a wink.
Yuzuru and Arisa smiled.
“Alright, we’re counting on you, Chiharu-chan.”
“Please take care of us.”
“Leave it to me. Just sit back and relax.”
She thumped her chest confidently.
After the explanation, Yuzuru and Arisa were shown to separate waiting rooms.
They changed into the outfits they had prepared beforehand.
Yuzuru finished first and waited at the photo location.
Five minutes later, Arisa arrived, led by Chiharu.
“Oh…! That suits you perfectly, Arisa. You look stunning.”
Seeing her in a shiromuku, Yuzuru couldn’t help but exclaim.
Arisa’s appearance carried a somewhat Western air—
yet the white kimono wrapped around her softly, harmonising it.
The contrast of white, red, and her flaxen hair was breathtaking.
It was a perfect blend of Japanese and Western beauty.
Just seeing this made the ceremony worthwhile.
“Thank you. You look wonderful too, Yuzuru-san. Western attire suits you, but… I think traditional wear suits you best.”
“It’s not that different from the coming-of-age ceremony, though.”
While Arisa wore a shiromuku, Yuzuru was dressed in a black montsuki haori-hakama.
It wasn’t as novel, but he carried it naturally.
“Wow, Arisa-san, you’re adorable! Won’t you become my bride instead?”
Chiharu said cheerfully.
Though it sounded like a joke, her eyes looked entirely serious.
“Don’t hit on the bride right in front of the groom.”
“Ahaha…”
Amid lighthearted banter, they proceeded with the photoshoot.
A photographer employed by the Uenishi family took their pictures.
After that, they moved on to the ceremony itself.
Though there were no invited guests—
there were tourists, which made it far from a lonely wedding.
Even being congratulated by strangers felt pleasant.
“And with that, today’s ceremony is complete. Thank you for your hard work.”
At Chiharu’s words, both Yuzuru and Arisa let out a breath.
Without guests, it hadn’t been as tense as before—
but it had still required composure.
“Thank you for today, Chiharu-chan. It was memorable.”
“It was a fascinating experience. Thank you very much.”
They expressed their gratitude.
It was thanks to Chiharu that this ceremony had been possible.
“Think nothing of it. I was paid, after all. Though…”
Chiharu grinned.
“Next time, I’d prefer to attend not as the organiser—but as a mother.”
Once again, Yuzuru and Arisa simply exchanged awkward smiles, neither agreeing nor denying.
