A Time With and Without You

A Backyard Wedding

"Sit still Mai!" Emma scolded as she braided Mai's hair down her back. Senju sat in the corner of Emma's room putting together a small bouquet of flowers that she picked from the neighbor's garden earlier. Today they decided to have a small, fake wedding since they could find nothing better to do. The only problem being no one had informed the other party of the intentions. 

In the next room sat three boys looking at comics and playing with cars as they talked. 

"What do you think the girls are doing?" Baji questioned as he flipped through the pages of the comic in front of him.

Mikey sat beside Baji stuffing his face full of different snacks he found in the kitchen, merely giving the boy a shrug. He simply didn't care because he thought girls were gross.

Haru was flopped on top of Mikey's bed gazing at the ceiling trying to listen in to the girl's chat in the room next to theirs.

It's been a few years since he's met Mai, and not too long after he met he introduced her to his friends and quickly they all became a very close group.

During the few years Haru learnt a lot about Mai and her family dynamic. Mai frequently stayed out late due to her mom frequently bringing home customers from the brothel she worked at to make extra cash to provide for Mai. Mai's dad has never been in the picture, and she didn't have any siblings or remaining family. 

The sound of giggling grew louder as Mikey's door was flung open to reveal the three girls. Senju and Emma had their hands on Mai's shoulder's as she held a small bouquet in front of her with red cheeks.

"We're having a wedding outside! Come join us!" Emma squealed happily as the three girls ran down the stairs and into the backyard.

All three of the boy's just stared at each other until the lightbulb finally clicked in everyone's heads as the all fought their way to be the first down the stairs.

"Fucking let me go Baji!" Haruchiyo yelled as Baji sat on his back while holding on to Mikey's ankles trying to stop him from being first outside.

"In your dreams Sanzu!" All the boys eventually made it outside after tripping each other and trying to hold each other back. Little to the girls' knowledge all the boys have had a small crush on Mai throughout the year, and they all wanted to be her husband in the scenario.

Smoking on the porch swing outside was Shinichiro and Takeomi watching the boys fight each other. With a small laugh Shin got up to break up their little fight, "Okay guys, enough. How about you each explain to Mai why she should be the one to marry you."

Mai's cheeks got more red at Shin's words as she looked at the boys in front of her.

Mikey instantly pushed Baji and Sanzu to the side and stood proudly with his hands on his hips, "Because I can kick harder than anybody!"

Everyone was quiet until Emma finally broke the silence, "That's it?" She asked with a bored tone.

"Sh-shut up!" Mikey's cheeks got red as he pouted and crossed his arms.

Baji proudly pointed to his chest next and exclaimed, "Because everyone loves me!"

The girls all rolled their eyes as Takeomi and Shin laughed, leaving Baji with a pout on his face and reddened cheeks.

Everyone then looked towards the small blonde who felt his heart race. Many emotions swam through his head knowing how he felt about Mai, and how he didn't want anyone else to marry her even if it was fake. So he said the only things that could come to his mind.

"I guess I'd keep protecting you and holding your hand when you're scared. Just like I have since that day we met.." His answer was met with silence as he scolded himself at his cheesy answer.

His cheeks warmed when he head Emma and Senju squeal upon hearing his little confession as they hugged Mai.

Takeomi simply chuckled and took a drag from his cigarette, "Haru you womanizer."

The girls giggled and pushed you towards Haru as Emma stood between you two to act as the minister.

"Okay okay, friends and family we are here today to marry Mai and Sanzu. If anyone objects speak now of forever hold you silence."

Mikey opened his mouth and began to stand up until he saw the glair coming from Shin, which immediately made him sit down and hold in his words.

"If nothing then let's hear the vows. Mai?"

Mai giggled shyly as she looked at the blonde boy in front of her, "RuRu I promise to keep a smile on your face everyday. I promise to love you and hold nobody else's hand besides yours."

Sanzu couldn't help the blush the spread all across his face as he gently took her small hands into his, "I promise to kick anybody's ass who decides to hurt you or your dolls. I promise to..." His voice squeaked as he felt the embarrassment kick in of having his brother and friends listen in.

In a whisper only enough for Mai to hear he rushed through his next words, "I promise to love you and only hold you hand forever Mai."

The girl showed him her grin that had missing teeth and she squeezed his hand.

Emma squealed and quickly tried to finish her job as a minister, "Ru you may now kiss your bride!"

Sanzu's eyes widened as he went to cuss Emma out, "What?! You think I'm gonna-" His words were cut off when he felt small, soft lips press against his cheek. His brain immediately quit working as he just began to stutter and look towards his friends, wondering what the fuck just happened.

Baji and Mikey stood there with their jaws slack and eyes wide wondering how Sanzu got to be the lucky one.

Shin and Takeomi kept watching from the side as the boys began to fight again for Mai's attention and how the girl's began gossiping and giggling about the whole situation.

Shin broke the silence between the two of them, "I feel like he means it, he's going to be there for her forever."

Takeomi gave a small smile and nodded in agreement, "He's got a good heart even when his pigheadedness gets in the way."

Both chuckled and watched the kids enjoy themselves, wishing they would stay this small forever.