Finally, the time has come - the time to hold the wedding ceremony with Amari.......

　The weather is clear and I'm in perfect physical condition.
　But my mind is not at ease.
　No matter how many times you rehearse, your body is tense and your throat is dry and your tongue sticks to the ground.

　The white tuxedo I had prepared for today, the one I had rented, felt so heavy that it felt like it was made of steel.
　Even during the rehearsal and final meeting, I haven't seen Amari in her wedding dress.
　Since the ring was replaced accordingly, the state of surprise is still intact.

　Even so, I can't stop feeling happy from the depths of my heart.
　Although I can't help but laugh at my contradictory state of mind, I am trying to focus on making the ceremony a success for now and adjust my expression.

''Well then, the groom's entrance.

　As the pastor instructed us to proceed, the violin began to play, which was our cue to enter the chapel of the church we had chosen as our ceremony venue.
　Instantly, my skin tingled with a sense of solemnity, if you can call it sacred.
　The artistically designed stained glass windows at the top glowed in the sunlight as if to celebrate this day.

　We walked slowly down the white aisle leading to the altar, which was illuminated by the light.

　The groom's side - that is, my parents, my sister, my relatives and friends - are present on the right.
　If I only looked at them, I could see my father and his friends, including my dad and his friends in dress code, not to mention Kuroon, as well as Miya and Mao, who were invited.

　The bride's side - Tenashi's relatives were seated on the left, and from my point of view, Mayumi, her mother-in-law, was in the front row, and Sumi and her parents were in the back.
　Although I didn't say it aloud, the eyes of the children were filled with curiosity, even from a distance.

　When I reached the front of the altar, I turned around and looked at the path I had taken.
　I was tempted to say a few words of thanks to the people who had gathered for today, but I could probably do that at the wedding reception that was coming up later.

　As the people in attendance remain standing, waiting with bated breath for the ceremony to take place....

Now for the bride's entrance.

　The time had finally come.　
　Soon, the door slowly opened and went..........






　─ ─ I was simply transfixed by Amari who was wearing a pure white wedding dress.

　While being held by Wataira-san's hand, Amari walked to the altar with an even more refined appearance than usual.

　The long skirt, which doesn't even show at the ankles, is decorated with lace and embroidery, and the gloves that cover the middle of her arms are pure white.
　The collarbones that are exposed also look beautiful as well, perhaps because they are wearing a silver necklace.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　The bouquet she held in both hands was decorated with bright red and yellow flowers.
　There were two types of yellow flowers, one of which was, I believe, a euryops daisy - the language of the flower was 'marital bliss'.
　The other flower is the fuchsia - I heard that the language of that flower is 'bringing happiness'.
　I chose both of these flowers for the future of me and Tenri.

　The last red flower is a geranium, and its language is 'happiness with you'... In fact, this flower is the only one that has a separate object of meaning.
　It was referring to the girl whose lapis lazuli eyes sparkled with the same lapis lazuli eyes as her beloved one even now.
　Both me and Amana are happy because of Amana-chan... The bouquet with such feelings seems to represent our form as a family.

　As for that Amana-chan, she was walking in front of Amanashi and scattering flower petals down the aisle.
　This is called "flower girl" and is one of the stunts that can be seen at the entrance of the bride in the West.

　Scattering flower petals is meant to cleanse the aisle, and as she smiled adorably in her pink dress, the venue was naturally enveloped in smiles....
　Before I knew it, the tension that had been weighing heavily on my entire body had dissolved.
　I don't know if I'm simple, or if Amana-chan's smile had that much of an effect on me, but I can say that she is the right flower girl for the job because she was able to lighten the solemn atmosphere.　

　Thank you, Amana-chan.

　So in my heart, I thank my beloved daughter.

　Without a moment to indulge in such deep emotions, I receive Amari's hand from Wataira-san and face her in front of the altar.

　The pastor reads from the Bible on the teachings of love that are appropriate for marriage and then prays to God.
　There's some kind of petty language, but it seems to be about letting God see to our love for each other.

　Then the pastor asks that question.

The groom - harmony. Do you pledge to love, honor and cherish the bride here - Amashi - as your wife in health and in sickness, in riches and in poverty?
"Yes. I swear.

　I answer straight away without hesitation.

'The bride - Amanashi. Do you swear to love, honor and cherish the groom here - Wa - as your wife in health and in sickness, in riches and in poverty?
"Yes. I swear.

　Amari returns as well.

''──then let's exchange rings........''

　The pastor nods reverently at our response and urges us to replace the ring.
　As he called out to us, a staff member who had been waiting at the side approached the front of the altar and took out a ring that was covered with a cloth.

　The wedding ring, which was unveiled here for the first time, is of a very simple design, with a silver body and a lapis lazuli stone.
　Lapis lazuli is said to be one of the seven treasures in Buddhism, lapis lazuli, and the color of Amanashi and Amana's eyes is the same as the color of theirs.

　As I recall, the stone language of lapis lazuli was - 'health' and 'eternal vow'.

　Whether she knew the meaning of this or not, I could feel Amari's small gasp as she looked at the ring with a gemstone of the same color as her eyes.
　I admired her dress too, and I could see that our mutual surprise was a success.

　With that small sense of accomplishment, I received the ring and put it on the thin, white ring finger on Amari's left hand.
　The glove is the fingerless type, so I'm grateful I don't have to take it off.
　I've decided at first glance to go with the ring with this jewel among the many candidates, and it looks very good on Tenri.　

　Next, Amari put a ring on my left ring finger.
　Even though we just put the same ring on like this, it felt like an invisible line was connected, and I was strangely tickled.
　Maybe that's why all the lovers in the world want to feel this kind of connection.

''Well then, kiss your vows....''

　If you're going to have a wedding, the inevitable scene has come.
　But there's no tension between us.

　Slowly, I raise the pure white veil that covers Amari's face.

　We look at each other again, and she looks the most beautiful she's ever been.
　It makes me realize that a woman's most beautiful moment is at her wedding, and that's exactly what it is.
　If that's the person you love, you could say it's your true desire.

　Dressed for today, Amani smiles, full of happiness.
　I felt my cheeks move a little too, caught in the act.

　Ah, yes.
　How could I not be happy right now?
　Maybe I'm the happiest person in the world, I feel proud of myself.

　And to show their overflowing happiness, they pressed their lips to each other's, not from either side.

　I've been kissing so many times that even two hands are not enough, but today's kiss was even more satisfying.

　When he finished kissing her with a hint of regret, the applause of those in attendance began to spread.

''At this time, their marriage is now complete.

　The pastor announced this and the long but short wedding ceremony came to a close.
　Even when it was time to leave, the people in attendance blessed us with a flower shower.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a job.




　Amana-chan, congratulations.
　Congratulations..........　

─ ─ Eh?

　I thought I heard the voice of a man and woman, a man and woman who were not any of the people in this hall, for the first time.
　My mind goes blank with surprise.

　.........whose voice was that?

　I wanted to turn back to see if it was an auditory hallucination, but I shook my head that I was still in the middle of the ceremony right now.　
　However, I also knew the approximate answer right away.

　─ ─ I will definitely make you happy.

　It's possible that maybe it really is just an auditory hallucination and that it's only self-satisfaction.
　Even if that is the case, I'll declare that in my heart to all of them.
　I thought that was the only thing I had to tell them now....

''──Awa-san?''
Hey, honey, what's up?
Yeah, oh. Sorry.

　The two of them called out to me and I realized I had stopped myself.
　I've done it at the last minute.......I apologize for my impatience, but the girls don't show any pretense of caring and smile at me.

　Amari smiles happily and extends her left hand to me........
　Amana turns a big smile on her face.........

　I walk with the girls to respond to their smiles, not to be outdone by the dazzle of the blue sky that spreads beyond the open door.　
　Feeling a certain happiness ahead.....