YLIA x Multiverse Episode 25: Here Comes The Bride

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Episode 25: Here Comes The Bride

The sound of Pachelbel's iconic Canon in D resounded through the shrine, as Kousei and Kaori poured their hearts and souls into every note and dynamic expression of the piece.

After all, they weren't just playing for any ordinary occasion.

They were playing for a wedding.

And who were the lucky ones?

Why, Tsubaki and Watari of course!

Kousei's hands flew over the keys of the Steinway piano in a graceful, controlled manner as his harmony bolstered Kaori's performance of the main melody. The ceremony had only just barely begun, and Kousei could already pick up the sound of tears in the audience. But who could blame them?

This truly was a wondrous occasion.

Because Tsubaki's American relatives were also present, her and Watari had decided on a mixed traditional Shinto-Western ceremony. Tsubaki and Watari still wore the traditional white shiromiku and black hakama respectively as the shrine priest escorted them down the sanctuary's center aisle. The matching white wataboshi head covering just barely hid Tsubaki's face as her and Watari walked behind the priest with arms linked. However, the soon-to-be newlywed couple had also appointed bridesmaids, groomsmen, and even a flower girl and ring bearer! The brown oak pews on the left were filled with Watari's family members plus a few of his close college friends, while Tsubaki's family was seated in the pews on the right.

By now, the bridesmaids and groomsmen had taken their positions on either side of the shrine, and Kousei and Kaori were reaching the final measures of the piece. The groomsmen consisted of Takeshi, two of Watari's soccer teammates from university, and then Kousei as the Best Man. The bridesmaids, meanwhile, were led by Nao Kashiwagi as the Maid of Honor, Emi, Watari's sister Niko, Nagi, and Kaori. As soon as Kousei and Kaori had played the last notes, they took their proper positions in their respective parties. Watari's parents and Tsubaki's mother, who had been walking behind them, took their assigned seats as the priest walked around and behind the table set up with the sake cups. The center aisle of the shrine was now littered with bright pink cherry-blossoms, which had been strewn about by none other than Tsubaki's four-year-old niece.

Watari looked over at Kousei and gave him a playful wink. Kousei nodded back. It had been three months since Tsubaki and Watari had asked their friends to be a part of their wedding. And now the big moment had arrived.

"Friends and family of the bride and groom," the elderly balding priest announced with a serene yet happy tone. "Thank you for joining us today to witness this wonderful union between these two amazing individuals. It is always a great joy and pleasure to see two hearts come together in the sacred union of marriage."

Kousei didn't know it, but his eyes were lighting up with a dreamy sparkle as his ears registered the formal yet well-spoken formalities.

Not just because the priest spoke with great eloquence...

But because it made Kousei think of a certain someone he hoped to share this moment with in the near future.

After the priest concluded his opening remarks, he took the pitcher of sake from the top right corner of the table and began filling the three small, medium, and large cups in order.

"The ceremony will now begin with the bride and groom partaking in three sips of sake from these ceremonial cups," the priest announced, and looked at Tsubaki and Watari. "As you drink, may your ancestors and the gods of this shrine bless your marriage with many happy years."

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