The Matsumoto clan's eldest son, Momo's twin brother Hiro, is ready to be the clan's leader, it was a role he had been groomed for since he was young.
It was a time of peace, a time of prosperity. But it was also a time of change. Her brother is r...
Suzu and Kamiko enter Sayuri's bedroom to wake her up. They giggled as they saw the sleepy expression on her face. "Wakey, wakey!" Kamiko exclaimed, shaking her shoulders gently.
"Mmm... five more minutes..." Sayuri murmured, burying her head under the pillow. But Suzu and Kamiko were relentless, eventually pulling her out of bed. "It's your wedding day we have to get you ready," Suzu said as they entered the bathroom.
Suzu prepares the bathtub while Kamiko helps Sayuri get undressed. "Here I brought tea for you," Kamiko said handing her a cup. "Thanks" Sayuri replied yawning.
The bath was drawn and filled with fragrant water. Sayuri sank into it, letting the warmth envelop her. As she soaked, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savouring the moment.
She rubs her small pregnant stomach and thinks about the baby growing inside her. She feels a surge of love towards her child.
A minute later Kamiko and Suzu begin to wash her. Suzu was washing her hair while Kamiko washed her body.
While that was happening Io and her mother Miyako entered her room carrying Sayuri's wedding kimono along with other garments and her breakfast.
"Good morning, Lady Sayuri, we brought your kimono and breakfast" Io chirped. Miyako smiled warmly, her eyes gleaming with happiness. "Take your time, dear."
"Thank you I will be out shortly," Sayuri said as Kamiko and Suzu kept washing her.
After they finished, they helped Sayuri out of the bath and dried her off. They helped her put the cotton obi back around her waist after that Sayuri put her undergarment on.
Sayuri sits on her futon while eating breakfast while Suzu dries her hair. "Everyone has left for the Narukami Shrine so you will be arriving there last," Miyako said to Sayuri.
"Thank you for letting me know," Sayuri said with a smile. After she finishes eating. Suzu told Sayuri to sit on the floor by the mirror so she and Io could do her hair and makeup.
As Sayuri sat down they began to work on her hair and makeup. Io starts by applying a light foundation and concealer to her face, hiding imperfections. Then she uses a soft brush to apply blush to her cheeks, giving her a natural glow.
Next, she puts light pink eyeshadow on her eyelids and darkens the corners slightly, making her eyes pop. Finally, she lines her eyes with black liquid eyeliner.
Suzu, on the other hand, focuses on Sayuri's hair. She gently combs through the long, light brown hair, teasing out the strands to create volume.
Then she starts to put it into a high bun. Suzu opens a small box revealing a hairpin stick with a gold and red topaz encrusted with small rubies. "Hiro got this for you when he was in Sumeru," Suzu said as she showed Sayuri the hairpin stick.
Sayuri smiled "It's so pretty". She admired the intricate craftsmanship.
The hairpin added elegance to her wedding attire. Suzu put the hairpin stick into her bun and secured it in place. With the hair done, they moved on to the final touches.
"You can stand up now it's time to put on your kimono." Miyako said to Sayuri.
Sayuri stood up, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves. Suzu puts the padding on her to get a basic shape and puts on the wrappings. Miyako puts on the first layer called nagajyuban tying it into place.
Io puts on the second layer called kakeshita. Suzu gets the obi, she lays it out in front of Sayuri, arranging the ends then carefully begins to wrap the obi around her waist, she secures it in place with a bow at the back.
And the last layer is the wedding kimono. Suzu carefully lifts it and helps Sayuri step into it, making sure it's fitted properly.
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Sayuri's wedding kimono, the picture is not mine
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They adjust the sleeves and the collar until it sits perfectly. Io steps back and looks at Sayuri with a smile. "You look absolutely stunning, Lady Sayuri."
Sayuri looks in the mirror and can't help but smile at her reflection. The white and red colour of the kimono looks stunning against her pale skin, and the way the obi is tied makes her feel graceful and elegant.
Miyako helps Suzu put the wataboshi or a cotton hood over Sayuri's head. The hood frames her face and adds a touch of mystery to her appearance.
Kamiko takes a step back to admire her sister-in-law, feeling a surge of pride and love. "You are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," she says with a tear in her eye.
Suzu and Io help Sayuri into her split-toe socks, called tabi. They lace them up carefully, making sure they fit perfectly. Then, they assist her in putting on her zori, a type of flat sandal made of wood and lacquer.
Sayuri walks around the room, adjusting to the feeling of the zori on her feet. She feels both graceful and grounded in them.
As they are ready to leave, Suzu hugs Sayuri and she tells her she will see her at the new house when she gets back.
