From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Exactly three months and thirteen days after I walked back into Endeavor's office and asked him to tear up the contracts that would effectively nullify my hero license, I stand before an entirely different man, face flushed and smiling nervously.

"So...? What do you think?" I half mumble, looking down at the delicate layers of white lace and silk and tiny patters of flowers and thorns woven throughout. My father blinks at me for a few moments, misty eyed and silent.

"You look just like your mother..." he replies quietly and my own eyes prick with tears as Shiori's fingers tighten on mine. I bite my lip hard, fighting against the waterworks that threaten the fresh face of makeup I wear.

"Dad" I complain thickly, blinking rapidly to dispel the offending moisture.

"He's right... it's kinda creepy" Shiori allows, getting me to laugh and earning a look that's equal parts shocked and amused from our father. Shiori is a stunner in a long red dress, her crimson hair pulled up on top of her head and casting the soft features of her face in an almost ethereal glow, but when I look in the mirror, I can only think that they're both right.

My hair hangs in limp curls well past my chest and halfway down my back, the top of it pinned back from my face just enough to emphasize a set of big watery blue eyes and soft round cheeks I never quite grew out of. Still, dressed up like this... I look elegant and older... like my mom. A lot like mom.

"Do you think he'll like it?" I breathe, my fingers shaking and Shiori laughs, the sound coming out just a bit strangled.

"Are you kidding? Katsuki loses his mind any time you get a new pair of jeans. This might just give him a heart attack" she replies teasingly and I can't help the smile that splits my face. This is it... this is it. A year ago, maybe even a little more than that, I stood before Shiori in a white dress and walked down the aisle in a purple gown... I remember thinking that night as Katsuki's eyes trailed after me... I wanted it to be us. To stand in front of all of our friends and say our vows, promising forever to each other. I swallow hard, a thick ball of emotion making my throat tight.

"Hey" Shiori says and I meet her eyes in the mirror, a million emotions washing over me. This is it. I'm getting married to Katsuki and promising my life to him. I'm finally choosing him for real, for forever, and there's so much joy and relief and amazement, but there's also sadness and longing and...

"Mom's here too, Kaida" Shiori reminds me, giving me a firm, reassuring nod. I bite the inside of my cheek, smiling through the tears.

"I know" I say breathlessly and she smiles back at me warmly, her own eyes shining.

"She's here and she loves you. I love you. And I'm happy for you. And I'm so unbelievably proud of you" she adds seriously and each of her words burns through me. I squeeze her hand tighter, grabbing our father's hand with my free one.

"I love you too" I whisper and as the music outside starts up, my heart starts to race.

"Come on. It's time" Shiori insists with a grin and when she heads out to line up, my father and I follow, my arm looped through his.

"Your mother and grandfather would be proud of you too, Kaida" my father tells me softly as we fall into step behind my bridesmaids. My jaw slackens at his words, heart swelling as Shiori goes over the plans for the rest of the night one more time with Ochaco, Mina, Momo and Jiro. I would've asked Shoto to be a bridesmaid, but he wasn't too keen on wearing a dress.

"Dad..." I begin, but the look on his face silences me. Quiet adoration and pride, but also... gratefulness. Beneath it all, I see the emotion glimmering there faintly, a small twinkle in my father's gaze that speaks worlds.