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Bride of the Snow Moon Flower - Oka

 

Garden of Four Seasons, Spring Garden…

 

In the lovely spring breeze, sakura petals give their blessing as they dance. The beautiful melody of a flute can be heard as you walk in the garden.

 

What a mysterious mood… you think to yourself.

 

You wear a white kimono, and Oka stands dressed in formal attire.

 

“You look very beautiful.” Oka says.

 

“Thank you,” you reply. “You look quite lovely too Oka.”

 

Guests have arrived to give their blessing under a large umbrella. Oka smiles kindly at you, his face like sunlight through the

trees.

 

“I never thought I would be walking like this with you as a bride,” he says.

 

His eyes are gentle and overflowing with happiness.

 

Oka...

 

More so than any other instant, you burn this memory into your heart.

 

“Congratulations!” says one of the guests.

 

“I wish you both happiness!” says another.

 

You hear more people calling out to you.

 

“Haha, it’s a little embarrassing isn’t it,” Oka says.

 

“Yes…it really is,” you reply.

 

It’s like a real wedding ceremony.

 

Suddenly, you feel your face heating up and…

 

“I’m very happy,” says Oka. “And…proud.”

 

“Eh?” you ask.

 

“That my bride is so beautiful.”

 

“!”

 

At his words, your heart pounds in your chest. 

 

I wonder if I can do it right…

 

You feel your body stiffen under the eyes of so many people.

 

Oka calls your name.

 

He places his warm hand on yours.

 

“Please,” he says, “raise your head.”

 

His voice wraps around you gently and…you feel drawn out by the feeling of his hand and his smile.   Guided by his gesture, you raise your head.

 

Ah…

 

You look up, and your vision is filled with the color of many blooming sakura flowers. The lovely flower petals dance down around you, beautifully accenting the white kimono. 

 

Again, Oka calls your name.

 

Beside you, he smiles, and that sight is more beautiful to you than the flowers.

 

“You don’t need to rush,” Oka says. “Let’s enjoy the lovely sakura together, today.”

 

At Oka’s kind words, your tight body relaxes.

 

“Right,” you say.

 

With a small nod, Oka looks at you affectionately. His hand still on yours, the two of you begin to walk.

 

“It’s a simple thing,” Oka says, “and it makes me happy.”

 

Saying so, Oka turns his face up to the pure blue sky.

 

“Beneath this sky, we can pledge our love,” Oka continues, “…I’ve never been happier.”

 

“Oka…”

 

When you had first met, Oka had seemed so lonely… but now, he was always so cheerful.

 

“Me too,” you say, “I’m really happy too. Walking with you like this, it’s really nice.”

 

Oka affectionately says your name.

 

His eyes glitter, and you see his face turn just the faintest hit of red as a gentle breeze blows around you.

 

“Ah…”

 

The sakura fall down around you, wrapping the two of you in a flower petal embrace. The site makes you think of a flower shower blessing two lovers.

 

It’s beautiful…

 

The dance of the gorgeous flower petals makes you smile. While taking in the beautiful sakura, Oka looks at you.

 

“I’m very glad you chose me,” Oka says. “It makes me happy to just be here by your side right now…but it seems I may have gotten caught up in the performance.”

 

“Performance…?” you ask.

 

“Yes,” Oka says. “The performance of the wedding ceremony for you and me.”

 

“!”

 

Does that mean…

 

You stand there flustered, and Oka smiles at you kindly. That smile was like the fragrant smell of flowers. Your heart pounds loudly, different from when it was from the tension, and you can’t seem to quiet it.

END

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