After All

Ryoma and Rio's wedding

The historic Church of Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle stood proudly in the heart of Sierra de Oro, its towering stone facade bearing witness to centuries of love, devotion, and destiny. The intricately carved wooden doors groaned softly as they were pushed open, revealing the breathtaking interior bathed in hues of blue, gold, and crimson from the majestic stained-glass windows.

Inside, the air buzzed with hushed excitement, guests shifting in their seats as they awaited the grand procession. This was no ordinary wedding—it was a union of legacies, an unbreakable bond between the Marino and Ojeda families. But beyond that, it was a love story decades in the making, one that had withstood time, distance, and challenges.

This was Ryoma and Rio's day.

The soft strains of the organ filled the air, signaling the arrival of the groom's family.

At the head of the procession walked Karl Marino, the esteemed patriarch of the Marino clan. He exuded dignity and quiet authority, his well-tailored black suit emphasizing his towering presence. Beside him, Riho Marino, ever the epitome of grace and refinement, held onto his arm, her silver hair elegantly tucked beneath a lace-trimmed hat.

As they walked down the aisle, Karl leaned toward Riho, a playful glint in his eye.

"Honey, I forgot to take a poo, hee hee."

Riho stiffened immediately, her elegant composure cracking as she shot her husband a glare, her grip tightening on his arm.

"Karl," she hissed under her breath, "if you ruin this wedding with your nonsense, I will personally handle you later."

Karl merely chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief, but he straightened up as they reached the front row, where the rest of the Marino elders were seated.

Following them was Rafael Marino, the father of the groom. He walked with measured strides, his sharp gaze scanning the church before settling on his son, Ryoma, who stood at the altar. Beside Rafael, his son Amadeo stood proudly, sharing a knowing grin with his sisters—Monica, Isabella, Tsubasa, and Ashley—who walked gracefully down the aisle in pastel-colored dresses.

The sight of the Marino sisters—Katarina, Nozomi, Kyoko, Bianca, Jasmine, Mako, Marla, Rina, Jessica and Sahoko—drew murmurs of admiration from the guests. Each woman carried herself with effortless elegance, a living testament to the Marino legacy.

Next were Ryoma's uncles—Muro, Kazuki, Takeru, and Gaku—tall, strong, and unwavering pillars of the family. Their shared glances spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgment that the eldest Marino grandson was about to embark on his greatest journey yet.

As the groom's family took their places, an expectant hush fell over the church.

The soft, sweet hum of the organ shifted, and the doors at the end of the aisle creaked open once more.

And there she was.

Rio Ojeda.

A vision of radiance and grace, she stood arm-in-arm with her father, Eugene, her flowing ivory gown shimmering in the gentle candlelight. The delicate lace details traced intricate patterns along the bodice, her veil cascading behind her like a river of silk.

Beside Eugene, his wife, Casey, clutched his arm, her eyes already glistening with unshed tears. Coco and Cookie, Eugene's lively sisters, adjusted their floral hairpieces, their excitement barely contained. In the front row, Sylvia Ojeda, Rio's grandmother, sat with pride and emotion in her eyes.

Rio took a deep breath, steadying herself. The weight of history and tradition pressed upon her shoulders, but so too did the weight of love—a love that had stood the test of time.