Bride of the Snow Moon Flower - Kaede
Garden of Four Seasons, Autumn Garden…
The brilliant autumn leaves fall, adding color to the stone pavement of the garden.
The ceremony continues solemnly in the light of the garden lanterns.
“…”
You say nothing and steal a glance up at Kaede, who stands beside you.
He too remains silent.
You see an unusually gentle expression in his eyes as he glances at you, and your heart leaps.
“We selected a fine day to hold the vowing ceremony beneath the autumn leaves,” Kaede says.
His voice is dignified as he speaks, and he smiles at you.
It was as if his smile conveyed all of his thoughts to you…
“Please,” you pray, “protect us for all eternity.” My words followed Kaede’s.
“And now,” the priest says, “the token of the autumn leaves.”
At the priest’s words, you take a leaf that has been placed before you. As instructed, you gently kiss the leaf. You then hand the leaf to Kaede, who does the same. He then says your name.
“…yes, Kaede,” you reply.
Kindly saying his name, you both approach the edge of the water. Kaede still holds the leaf, and gently places his hand over yours.
After this, we float the leaf on the surface of the water…
Your body stiffens as you try to remember all of the proper etiquette.
“Haha…”
You hear Kaede’s quiet laugh from next to you and turn to look at him, when Kaede suddenly grabs you around the waste and holds you tightly.
…!
In time with that, the autumn leaf drops onto the surface of the water, and gently floats away.
“With this,” the priest spoke, “the two of you have just completed the symbol of the autumn leaf, and vowed your love.”
It’s difficult to hear the voice of the priest over the beating of your own heart.
“U-um…” you ask hesitantly.
With Kaede still holding you, you shyly look up at him.
“Ah, sorry,” Kaede says. “Did I startle you? You just seemed so stressed .”
In his eyes is a mixture of teasing and kindness, and he looks at you closely.
The moon illuminates the surface of the water where the autumn leaves float.
Following the ceremony, the two of you take in the beautiful vermilion-colored garden.
“Since it wasn’t a real ceremony,” Kaede says, “I thought it would be better if you weren’t so stressed.”
“That’s…”
Even if that’s true, it was Kaede’s ceremony after all.
But the idea was so vague, you couldn’t exactly put it into words. And then…
“Ah,” Kaede says, “I wonder if it’s because of me?”
“!”
Realizing that he has seen through to your true feelings, your face heats up. After he finishes laughing, he turns to look at you.
“Even so…” Kaede begins, “I already knew it, even with you clad in that kimono, but you really are an easy mark.”
It really is just as he says but…
You say nothing, lapsing into silence as you feel slightly chagrined at his true intentions. Then…
“…geez,” Kaede says. “here you are, dressed looking your finest, and because of that, my plans have gone awry.”
“Eh?” you ask in confusion.
Then, could that possibly mean…
At those words, your heart makes a little leap.
“Was that what you were hoping for?” Kaede asks.
He lifts up your chin, and you see a mischievous smile on his face.
He really is making fun of me again…!
“Kaede, I - !”
A mixture of embarrassment and frustration rises inside of you and you open your mouth to complain, but at that time…
“Well,” Kaede says, “you’re not exactly wrong.”
He turns away his gaze and says quietly as if to himself.
“What…?” you ask.
“Ah, didn’t you hear? And here I was telling you the truth and everything.”
“Wha-I…!” you stutter.
“My my,” Kaede says, “such a troublesome bride.”
Kaede pinches your cheeks, and before you realize it, his arms move to gently embrace you.
“That was insensitive,” he says, “but you’re just so cute.”
You’re startled by his sweet words, and the sound of your beating heart gets louder.
“You being this way…” he continues, “no matter how much time passes, I don’t think it will ever change. And I’ll always look forward to it.”
His eyes are still mischievous, but you can’t seem to get out a complaint.
I suppose…Kaede is just going to keep teasing me like this.
Imagining that kind of future, you can’t help but smile.
As if keeping an eye on your rendezvous, the autumn leaves continue to fall around you.
END