Bride of the Snow Moon Flower - Hikage
Garden of Four Seasons, Summer Garden…
Beneath the glare of the sun, the air is filled with the zeal of insects.
Hikage says nothing.
With a serious expression, Hikage puts a small cup full of sacred sake to his lips.
His intense expression makes your heart beat quicker.
No, if I don’t concentrate…
Caught up in looking at him, you quickly turn your attention to the scenery around you.
The place the two of you chosen to stand at and vow your love to each other was among the young trees of the Summer Garden
This garden…it’s a lot like Hikage.
Looking at the fresh greenery, you feel the strength of the sunlight shining down on you.
Hikage calls to you.
“…yes,” you reply.
Hikage offers you the sake cup, and you take it with a weight of ceremony.
This is the ceremony where two people swear their love for all eternity and become a married couple…
Offering the sacred sake to the god of Aphros, you drink from one cup.
Love with Hikage…
Holding the sake cup to your mouth, the strong scent of alcohol tickles your nose, but you say nothing.
You take a small sip of the sacred sake, and return the cup to the tray in front of you.
…my face feels warm.
Your face felt flushed, but you weren’t sure if it was from the sake or from the stress.
“Did you push yourself?” Hikage asks.
Hikage looks at your face and lowers his brow in concern.
His kind concern makes you happy, and you can’t help smiling.
“Thank for asking,” you reply. “I’m just a little nervous…but I’m fine.”
“Oh, ok, good.” Hikage says in relief. “Though…I’m kinda nervous too.”
You speak to each other as if it’s a secret, and the two of you can’t help giggling.
And just like that, the strain on your heart eases.
“…so, I was thinking…” Hikage starts.
“About what?” you ask.
“This kind of stuffy ceremony isn’t all that bad but…”
He takes your hand, and quickly stands up.
“I like things to be a little more lively,” Hikage finishes.
You feel moved by the brightness of his smile, which shines like the sun.
“Hey everyone!” Hikage calls out. “Thanks for coming! Now let’s have some fun!”
With his voice full of energy, the entire solemn ceremony changes, and soon it’s lively and overflowing with the sound of laughter.
That’s just like Hikage.
The attendants surrounding Hikage and yourself exchange glances and start to laugh.
I’m sure if I’m with Hikage…every day would be spent in happiness and enjoyment, just like this.
Imagining a future like that with him, the corners of your mouth lift in a smile.
The ceremony that you had with Hikage, which turned out to be quite fun, comes to and end…-
Basking in the lingering memory, the two of you now rest beneath a tree.
“I hadn’t really planned on it going that way,” Hikage says. “But everyone seemed to have a good time, so I guess it’s fine.”
“Haha…you’re right,” you say.
Thinking back to the ceremony which had turned out so lively, just like Hikage, you can’t help smiling.
“Sorry for asking you to do this all of a sudden,” you say to him.
“It’s fine,” Hikage replies. “I was real surprised you asked me but… I thought it’d be fun to do something like this with the person you like.”
“!”
His sudden words make your heart skip a beat, and you feel a warmth spread throughout your body.
“Anyway, in the middle of the ceremony you were grinning like an idiot. What were you thinking about?” Hikage asks.
“I-I wasn’t…”
“You were,” Hikage says. “You definitely were. Come on, what was it?”
I was thinking about a future with Hikage…
He was so straight forward as he pressed the question, you feel your cheeks heat up.
But…
“…I was thinking of how someday you’ll stand up and do something like this with someone,” you reply.
“Eh…”
Hikage stares at you as you honestly tell him what you were thinking.
Because that is my true wish…
“…”
Hikage calls your name, and as he does so, he lifts you up, you still wearing your kimono.
“!? Hikage, what are you…”
“Come on,” Hikage says. “That’s not fair. Saying something like that…while looking so beautiful.”
Confused, Hikage tells you this a little brusquely.
“Shouldn’t I be the one…saying I want someone to stand beside me some day?” Hikage says.
“Hikage…”
He looks up at you, his face bright red…-
Seeing that change come over him, your heart leaps into your throat.
While still holding you up, Hikage walks by some of the attendants.
“Hikage,” you say, “everyone can see…”
Embarrassed under the gathered stares of everyone, you raise your voice but…
“Just look at me,” Hikage says. “Then you won’t have a reason to feel embarrassed, right?”
You can’t respond, but at his gentle urging you turn your flushed face into his chest.
“Um…” you ask, “where are we going?”
“So we can be more alone,” Hikage says. “…I just don’t want to let anyone else see you looking so cute.”
His words sounded like they were pouting, but there was affection flowing from them…-
Looking at Hikage, the sunlight shines through his hair.
I like…Hikage.
You feel satisfied from the bottom of your heart, like the refreshing summer breeze, as you keep that thought close to your heart…-
END