The wedding was underway.
The wind blew, taking the petals of the cheery blossom tree into the air on the early April month.
The sound of flutes echoed along the stone structures in the courtyard, leading. The Head Priest was leading the marching order, three shrine masters playing flutes were lined up behind him, walking along the cobblestone. Behind them were two Mikos, or Shrine maidens, following.
Then, there was the two special guests, Garou and Kaana, both walking behind the Priests and Mikos, Garou holding a parasol over his and his bride's head. Behind the couple were family. Saya, who was holding Daichi; Kenji, Saitama, Hitomi, Genos, Bomb, and Bang. All of which were dressed up in their best Kimonos.
The Head Priest led the wedding party from one part of the shrine, through the Torii gates to the main pavilion, where the couple will stand before the Shinto god.
The walk was silent, beside from the sound of the ceremonial flutes. Garou, while following the marching order, kept trying to sneak glances at Kaana. No one noticed him trying to do so, but could anyone blame him? He thought she looked amazing. However, thanks to the head covering, he can only make out her nose and mouth from the side. This was the headdress' purpose, after all, but Garou didn't like that he couldn't look at her properly. He'll have to be patient.
The priest led them all into the pavilion, where everyone went to take their seats. Now, it was customary for the parents of the Bride and Groom to sit a few feet behind the couple as a show of the two families coming together. Since neither had their parents, in their place, Saya and Bang sat. Saya passed little Daichi, who was asleep, over to Bomb while the rest sat in their seats at the sidelines. Saya sat behind Kaana on the left, while Bang sat behind Garou on the right.
The moment the couple found themselves kneeling in front of the table, the more they felt the reality of the situation hit them. They both kept a calm demeanor, but both of their hearts were pounding as their nerves fired away from anxiousness and excitement.
Then, the Head Priest appeared again, turning to the shrine to announce the marriage to the Shinto gods. After doing so, he turned to Garou and Kaana, holding a black tray, Mikos at both his sides, one holding a gold kettle. He set the tray on the table in front of the couple.
The first part of the ceremony was sankon no gi, the bond strengthening ceremony, where they took turns in drinking sake from three sake cups, all three increasing in size.
The priest handed the smallest cup to Garou, first. The Miko poured the sake into his cup in three short tips of the spout. Now, when they first rehearsed, Garou didn't know about this first part of the ceremony. He wasn't a big drinker, but since it was tradition, he bit his tongue for Kaana and agreed to do it.
Garou took two sips before slowly downing it all on the third sip as practiced. After emptying the cup, the priest took it from him, turned the cup to the opposite end and handed it to Kaana, next. Garou watched, giving a side glance as the Miko poured Kaana's share. Kaana took the three sips, just like how Garou did. This process went on for the second and third cup, the third cup being the biggest one. Each cup represented something within the ceremony. The first one represented the heavens, giving thanks and appreciation to their ancestors. The second cup represented the earth, as well as the couple's vow to care for each other for as long as they live. Now, the third cup represented the people and praise for the couple's fertility. Of course, Garou had made a joke about the fertility part when this was first explained to them, stating that it was ironic, since they had Daichi.
After the Sankon no gi was completed, Garou and Kaana made their way to stand up and step forward to a higher set table in front of the shrine.
Then, came the vow.
Garou took out a rolled up piece of paper from the folds of his haori, unravelled it and held it up. Vows in a Shinto wedding were very different to modern wedding customs. Garou and Kaana weren't to read the vow to each other. The script was prepared by the shrine and the Groom was the one to read it aloud to the Shinto Gods.
Kaana watched him as he held it, he managed to look calm to everyone else, but she can see the slight nervousness behind his eyes. He was hoping he wouldn't mess up.
Meanwhile, the heroes and family alike, sat expectantly. Kenji sat next to his bald father, wondering just what was happening. He tugged at Saitama's sleeve, "Daddy, what's happening?" he whispered.
"Your uncle's going to read the vow," Saitama was about to say more, but stopped when he caught Saya giving him a side glance, her brow raised. Kenji caught it, too and the two boys resigned to keeping quiet.
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Two Sides to Every Coin (OPM Garou x OC)
Fanfiction(TRILOGY TO FAMILY IS CHAOS) A person's past make them who they are. But who they become because of it is up to them. That can be said for two people who met by chance. Both outcasts, both tangled up in their doubts and fears. Both painted to be wha...
