Bride of the Snow Moon Flower - Toya
Garden of Four Seasons, Winter Garden...
The garden is wrapped in silence, except for the sound of snow falling from the the branches.
Toya says nothing as he carefully holds a branch with a pointed leaf still clinging to it.
The branch is tied with purifying paper.
Following proper etiquette, the ceremony continues as you stand together to vow your love to each other.
Next we exchange the branches...
Turning to your side, you lock onto Toya's clear eyes, though he says nothing.
In that instant, Toya's tight expression turns into a smile.
Toya...
At his gentle smile, you feel the tenseness slowly vanish and smile in return.
At that, Toya's smile only grows wider.
Looking at Toya's smile, I feel so happy...
As your gazes intertwine, it feels as if time has stopped.
But...-
The branches the two of you are holding hit together and make a sound.
"!"
Toya jumps slightly in surprise.
The rough sound echoes loudly throughout the snowy landscape, and shocks the two of you back to your senses.
Toya says nothing, his lips stiffening as the two of you again continue the proper etiquette for the ceremony.
Oh no, I have to do this right.
Seeing his serious expression, you also focus your mind on the task ahead of you.
"And now," the priest says, "please exchange your branches."
At the priest's words, the two of you exchange branches.
Grab the base of the branch with my right hand, and then the left...
You exchange branches without making a mistake.
As if trying to ease your stress, Toya puts his fingers on yours.
They're warm...
It's as if his feelings are conveyed to you through that touch.
"When you're here," Toya says, "...I end up smiling."
"Eh...!?"
"I feel so full of happiness," Toya continues.
I do too...
In the garden painted silver, Toya's profile seems to glitter and dazzle you.
Your mind is blank as you continue to stare at him.
After the ceremony is over, the Winter Garden is bathed in moonlight.
"Aaah, I was so nervous!" Toya says.
The two of you now alone, Toya stretches and lets out a deep sigh.
"Haha, I was too," you reply.
"It was really hard following all that etiquette," Toya says, "but what was even harder...was thinking of doing the ceremony with you. My face kept relaxing and I couldn't help smiling."
Toya looks at you kindly, and there is a loveliness reflected in those eyes.
"Even though I knew it was a performance..." Toya continues, "when you're my partner, I can't help myself from imagining that kind of future."
"Eh...?"
"Ah..."
Toya looks surprised as he realizes what he just said, and as his face flushes slightly, you feel your own face start to heat up.
"If I were to pledge my love to someone," Toya says, "I'd like for it to be with you but...I wonder if you wouldn't like that."
Toya says the last part as a question, as if to gauge your reaction.
His expression seems strained, but also full of anticipation...and your heart skips a beat.
...I'd be happy.
"Me too," you say, "I wouldn't dislike that Toya."
You reply shyly, and Toya bursts into a smile.
Conveying your thoughts, you feel swept away in that feeling of happiness.
I'd like to smile with him like this, always...
Toya's skin and hair glitter brightly like the snow itself.
Beautiful...
You become enraptured by his beauty, which almost makes him seem transparent.
Watching you like that, Toya starts to look anxious.
"...are you cold?" he asks.
He gently puts his hand on you, and you feel its warmth, just like the warmth in his heart.
"...I'm fine," you say. "I'm not cold if you're here Toya. Besides, I love winter, because it's when I got to meet you."
Even as a cold wind touches your skin, you think it's lovely.
"...thank you," Toya says as he calls your name.
Toya's eyes sparkle as he smiles brightly.
"Let's spend winter together like this from now on," he says. "And not just the winters, spring and summer and autumn...no matter the season, together."
"Yes," you reply, "of course."
You feel as if you want to get closer to his sweet words and his warmth...and you quietly cuddle up close to Toya's shoulder.
END