Note: This was the first ever story I've requested from sweetcandies do enjoy ^^
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So how are things going between you and Ino, Yuri?”
“I don’t know. Ino is always getting on my last nerves, but there’s not much I can do about it.” Yuri was walking his best friend, Serenity (a.k.a. Seri), home after a day of hanging out.
“What do you mean there’s nothing you can do? Both people in a relationship have an equal say.”
“I’d prefer to let her do things that she wants.”
“Do you even love her?”
[That’s something that I’ve been wondering myself, Seri.] Before Yuri could answer Seri’s question, his phone ring.
“Hey Ino.” Seri frowned as she knew her best friend was going to leave early again. She had hoped that they would get to hang out together much longer, especially since it had been four months since they last talked with each other.
[I guess some things just weren’t meant to be.]
“The mall? Yeah. I’ll be right there.” Yuri hung up.
“Sorry, Seri. I have to go.” All Seri did was smile.
“It’s ok. Maybe we’ll be able to hang out again another time.”
“Yeah, maybe.” With a wave, Yuri ran off.
[And again, he is distracted by the monster.] With a sigh of stress to herself, Seri walked herself home. On her way, she ran into Keito, her gay, best friend.
“What’s with your frown?”
“Yuri had to leave again.”
“Poor you. I don’t see why you waste your time with a guy like him. I know so many more men who deserve you.” Seri smiled. Keito hadn’t stopped criticizing her for liking someone who was obviously not going to return her feelings.
“You don’t want me to go through my explanation again, do you, Keito?” Keito smiled.
“No. But at least let ME walk you home, since your so called ‘friend’ can’t even do a decent job of that.” Seri smiled at Keito and nodded. As they walked to Seri’s house, Keito told Seri all about his wonderful night with his new boyfriend.
“He seems so different from all the other men I have gone out with. But still, I have to remind myself that all men are the same. And you should take that into consideration.”
“Does that include you?” Seri added a joking smile.
“You already know what I mean. If I could be a girl, I would.” Seri laughed as they reached her house.
“Thank you for cheering me up, Keito.”
“I’m only a call away. Oh, except for tonight. I’m going on another date with Mr. Perfect.”
“I thought you just said all men are the same.”
“I have to experiment.” Seri once again laughed as she entered her house.
[If only you weren’t into men, Keito, I could easily fall in love with you instead.]
“Mom! I’m home!”
“Oh good! Can you watch the studio for us while your father and I go meet with your godmother? She wants to discuss something with us. I’ll drop you off.” Seri smiled.
“Sure. I haven’t been there in awhile anyway.” Seri dropped her stuff off in her room and went outside to find that her mom was already waiting for her in the car. She got into the passenger side.
“Did Yuri’s mom tell you what you guys are going to talk about?”
“Nope, and what did I tell you about calling her that? She’s your godmother and that’s how you’re supposed to address her. But anyway, like always, I’ll tell you when we get home.” Mrs. Saito pulled up in front of the Saito Photo Gallery Studio.
“Here’s the key. Let your dad know I’m out here.”
“Yep.” Seri entered the gallery to find her dad in the back.
“Dad! Mom’s waiting for you outside!”
“Ok! Just let me hang these photos to dry.” Seri let herself in behind the cashier counter. Her dad came out.
“Hey! I haven’t seen you in awhile kiddo. We’re going to have dinner as a family together tonight, right?”
“Of course! It is the day before my graduation ceremony. Don’t forget to be there on time tomorrow.”
“Ah yes. Thank you for reminding me. I’ll close the shop early.” Mr. Saito kissed his daughter on the cheek and ran outside to meet up with his wife before she got impatient.
[I have the most caring parents ever.] Just as Seri set her things down, someone entered the photo gallery.
“I told you to develop those pictures yesterday, honey! Now we have to delay the time that you could’ve taken me out to eat dinner!”
“Sorry!”
“Yuri? Ino?” They looked towards the counter to see Seri.
“Oh! Hey Seri! Long time no see!” Ino exaggerated the comment.
“Hey. Where are your parents?”
“They went to your house. Your mom told them that she had something important to discuss with them.”
“Oh. Where’s the restroom again?”
“In the back of the studio.” Yuri excused himself as he left the two girls alone, not knowing the hatred between them.
“So, Seri, still think you can win Yuri’s heart? Hah! I could have another man if I wanted to, and Yuri would still hang onto me.”
“I don’t care about getting Yuri’s heart or not. It’s the matter of if he’s happy or not. And with you, he apparently isn’t.”
“Aww, you’re jealous. Maybe you should find your own guy and stop chasing after mine. You and your stupid friendship with him.” Just as Ino raised her hand to hit Seri, Yuri came out from the bathroom.
“Hey, Ino? Did you give the film to Seri yet?” Ino immediately lowered her hands to make it seem like she had been admiring Seri’s hair.
“Where did you get it cut? It’s so pretty!”
“I did it myself.” Ino returned her gaze to Yuri.
“I was just about to until I noticed how beautiful her hair was!” Ino faked a smile as she handed Seri the film that was needed to be developed. Seri returned the fake smile as she took the film canister.
“I’ll have it done for you tomorrow.”
“That would be nice. Okay, let’s go Yuri. At least we’ll still be able to get dinner.”
“Whatever. Bye Seri.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow.” Yuri walked ahead first. Ino turned towards Seri and stuck her tongue out, and sweetly followed Yuri out.
[She’s so annoying. I don’t understand how you can be with her, Yuri, when there’s perfect little me right here.] Seri sighed as she knew that she would never get the chance to be with Yuri. She walked into the dark room to start on the development of Ino’s pictures. When she pulled out the last photo she had developed, she was immediately shocked.
[Who is this guy that Ino is kissing?! It’s definitely not Yuri!] Seeing as the so-called girl that could make Yuri happy was actually cheating on him made Seri angry. She took a second glance at the photo to try and see if she could recognize the guy. Just at that moment, Seri’s phone went off. She rushed to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Seri? It’s mom. Your godmother has sent a car to pick you up from the studio. Make sure you lock up and please do hurry.”
“What’s the rush?”
“You’ll find out when you get here!” With that, Seri’s mom hung up. Seri finished what she was doing and locked up. Just as she turned around, she recognized the car of her godmother.
[Wow. That was quick.] The driver stepped out and opened the door for her.
“Ms. Saito Serenity, Mrs. Chinen is awaiting for you.” With a smile and nod, Seri got into the car.
[What could possibly be going on that I would all of a sudden need to be there too?] The driver pulled up to the Chinen resident and opened the door for Seri. She stepped out, went up to the front door and rung the doorbell. A servant opened it for her.
“Ah… Seri. This way please.” Seri followed the servant to a room with much shouting.
“How can you do this to me?! Why can’t I choose my own wife?!” As soon as Seri walked into the room, all eyes turned towards her.
“Like I said, Yuri, if Seri doesn’t agree, then you don’t have to go through with it.”
“How’d you get here so fast Yuri? Didn’t you just leave with Ino not too long ago?” Yuri ignored Seri’s question as he walked up to her and pulled her towards the two families.
“Seri, tell them you won’t.”
“I won’t what? What’s going on?” Mrs. Chinen spoke up first.
“Mr. Chinen and I have discussed with your parents about an arranged marriage between you and Yuri, and all four of us have agreed upon it. But we would like the decision to be yours.”
“Why doesn’t Yuri get a say in this?”
“Because he’s just going to ruin his life by refusing to marry you.”
“Seri, just tell them you won’t go through with it!”
“I’m sorry… but I’m going to have to say… that I’ll need more time to think about this.” Yuri stared at Seri with disbelief. Seri knew that Yuri was going to be mad at her answer, so she immediately excused herself to leave. Unfortunately, Yuri followed her.
“What are you thinking Seri?! You know that I’m already dating Ino!” Remembering the picture from before, Seri immediately turned around, filled with anger.
“She’s not the girl for you, okay? I know you question yourself about your feelings for her! And I just don’t like how she treats you like you’re just another guy that she’s going to toss away! I’m just trying to save you from making the worst mistake of your life by dedicating so much of yourself to Ino and I don’t want to see you get heartbroken because I like you!” Seri immediately froze after her confession slipped out.
“You what?” Seri wasn’t going to pretend she hadn’t said anything. Instead, she confidently repeated it.
“I said that I like you. A lot.” Yuri gave her a smirk.
“It’s unfortunate because I don’t share the same feelings. And remember this, Seri. There is no way that I’ll ever marry you.”
“Well you don’t see the point. The decision is mine to make.” Yuri gave her a glare before turning around and walking away. Seri turned the opposite way as her tears spilled.
[Way to go, Seri. You sure settled that.] Seri began to sob.
“I just wanted him to be happy.” That night, when Seri got home, her parents had dinner prepared for her early graduation dinner. But as they saw her come in, the mood changed.
“What’s wrong Seri?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like eating tonight.”
“Did you and Yuri get into an argument? If you don’t want to marry him, then just say no.” Seri turned to face her parents.
“No. You can tell Mr. and Mrs. Chinen that I agree to the marriage.” Both her parents smiled.
“Great! The wedding has already been set for three months from now.”
“Okay.” Seri went up to her room.
[It’s like they were already expecting us to get married. Was there really a choice here?]
The following day was Seri’s and Yuri’s graduation. Unfortunately for the two, they didn’t seem too happy, even as they posed together for a picture. They’re parents left to catch a photo with Keito.
“Where’s Ino?”
“We broke up.” Seri didn’t even bother to ask why.
“Good. I don’t want any cheating going on when we’re married.” Yuri immediately averted his gaze to Seri.
“You agreed?!”
“Of course. I already hinted that I was. It’s not my fault that you didn’t take it.” Seri looked up to see Keito waving his hand to her.
“Come take a picture with me!” Seri smiled as she rushed off to Keito’s side.
[Who is that guy? And why was Seri so excited to go be with him? Well, like her, I don’t want any cheating going on either.] Yuri just continued his evil stare at Keito. Keito noticed it.
“Why is your fiancé looking at me like he’s going to kill me?” Seri turned to look and turned back towards Keito.
“I don’t know.” Keito smiled as it suddenly dawned on him that Yuri didn’t know he was gay. He hugged Seri.
“A hug for my best friend!” Seri smiled as she didn’t know what Keito’s intention was.
“You two could be sisters!” Keito and Seri laughed at Mrs. Saito’s comment.
“Mr. and Mrs. Saito, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take Seri out for a fun night tonight.”
“As long as you don’t introduce her to any guys.”
“Of course not! All the men we meet, I call dibs on, unless we somehow run into Yuri. Then he’s yours Seri.”
“Oh whatever. I don’t even want to think about him.” As the ceremony came to an end, Keito and Seri got ready to go hang out, but not before they ran into Yuri.
“Where are you going, Seri?” Keito immediately wrapped an arm around Seri’s shoulders.
“What does it matter to you, Yuri? I’m taking her out.” Yuri was immediately shocked.
“You’re going on a date with HIM?!” Seri nodded innocently as she once again was oblivious to Keito’s intentions.
“We always go places together.” Just at that moment, Ino joined them.
“Hey Yuri! We’re going to go eat out with a group of our friends. Wanna come?” Seri’s heart immediately broke at the sight of Ino and Yuri could sense it, so he played on it.
“Sure.” He wrapped an arm around Ino’s shoulders and pulled her with him.
“Feel like crying?” Seri shook her head and forced a smile.
“Nothing is going to ruin today for me.”
“I know the perfect way to let you vent out your anger.” Keito took Seri to many places where she could physically let out her anger. By the time the night came to an end, she was happy.
“Thank you so much Keito.”
“You’re welcome. That’s what friends are for!” Seri smiled as she hugged Keito.
“Why do you have to be into men?” All Keito could do was smile.
From far away, Yuri witnessed the scene.
[If she’s so into this guy, why is she so intent on marrying me?] Ino came up behind Yuri.
“What are you doing?” Yuri immediately turned around.
“Nothing. What are you doing following me?”
“Why would I be following you, Yuri? I’m here to meet up with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? We just broke up and you already have a boyfriend?!”
“Oh come on Yuri! You knew what kind of girl I was when you dated me! I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell you that the reason I broke up with you is because I was seeing someone else.” Yuri’s heart shattered as Seri’s words all came crashing back.
~ F L A S H B A C K ~
“She’s not the girl for you, okay? I know you question yourself about your feelings for her! And I just don’t like how she treats you like you’re just another guy that she’s going to toss away! I’m just trying to save you from making the worst mistake of your life by dedicating so much of yourself to Ino and I don’t want to see you get heartbroken…”
~ E N D O F F L A S H B A C K ~
Ino just smirked.
“I bet you regret not listening to Seri when she told you to leave me alone. Well, you should’ve taken her advice. I’m not the sweet girl that she is. In fact, she was the one that made me want to leave you. She was always too kind and since you two were best friends, I had to see her everyday and like I can stand seeing someone so sweet like her all the time. I guess I had to tell you the truth sometime, right?” All Yuri did was stare at Ino.
“I’m glad we broke up.”
As school came to an end, Seri had to suffer everyday looking at Yuri suffer the break up with Ino.
[She was always so rude and controlling. How could you have fallen so in love with her?]
Before she knew it, the school year came to an end, and still Yuri hadn’t talked to her. She began to miss their daily conversations and the days they would find to hang out together. She was also sad because Keito had begun to spend more time with his new lover, therefore leaving her with no one to talk to as well. The week before the wedding dress rehearsal, Seri and Yuri went to a bridal shop to look for a dress for Seri. She tried her best to make fun out of it.
“What do you think about this one?” Yuri answered the question without emotion.
“It doesn’t matter to me. It’s your wedding.”
[It’s your wedding… shouldn’t he be thinking of it more as ‘our’ wedding?]
[Why is she still even going through with this marriage? She’s in love with that other guy anyway.] Just thinking about Keito had Yuri boiling with jealousy, which he dismissed as to only being anger. All of a sudden, Ino walked in.
“Hey!” Yuri stood up and smiled as he hugged her.
[What’s she doing here?!]
“I was wondering when you were going to come. Why don’t you go ahead and tell Seri how she looks like in that dress.”
“No thank you. I don’t need any opinion from HER.” Seri turned back towards the mirror only to see Ino whisper something into Yuri’s ear that had him smiling. She frowned as she went to go change out of her dress.
That night, Seri looked at the photo of Ino and the mystery guy when it dawned on her that she had seen the guy somewhere before. All of a sudden, her phone rang. It was Keito.
“Hey! I thought I’d let you in on a little secret.” Seri smiled as she sensed how happy her best friend was.
“Okay. What is it?”
“I’m getting married.”
“What?! To who?”
“Come to my wedding and you’ll find out. Oh, and by the way, we both agreed that you’d be the first we’d invite, along with Yuri.”
“Do I know this person?”
“Like I said, just come to the wedding and you’ll find out.”
“Keito! It’s your turn to do the dishes!”
[Was that a girl’s voice?]
“Coming!” Keito returned to his conversation with Seri.
“Sorry. Got to go. Promise me you’ll come?”
“I wish, but I’m sorry Keito. I’m leaving the country after my wedding.”
“For your honeymoon?”
“Sure.”
“Oh. Well maybe you’ll make it back in time.”
“Let’s hope. Bye.” They both hung up.
The dress rehearsal came up quicker than Seri expected as she stood behind the door. One arm was linked through her dad’s arm as the other clutched preciously at her pocket, making sure the airplane ticket was still there.
~ F L A S H B A C K ~
“If I truly want him to be happy, shouldn’t I let him pick who he wants to be with for the rest of his life?” Seri pondered on the thought as she looked at plane tickets online to the U.S.
“But then I just want to save him from making the hugest mistake of his life.” Seri let the mouse wander to the PURCHASE button.
[But as the saying goes, if you truly love a person, you should let them go.] Seri clicked.
~ E N D O F F L A S H B A C K ~
She took Yuri’s outstretched hand as he helped her up to the altar. The priest began his prayers, and the vows quickly followed.
“Do you, Serenity Saito, take Chinen Yuri to be your beloved husband?” Seri looked Yuri in the eye.
“I do.” Yuri slid the ring onto Seri’s finger.
“And do you, Chinen Yuri, take Saito Serenity to be your beloved wife?” Yuri hesitated in his answer.
“I… do.” Seri held the ring at the tip of Yuri’s finger as she looked into his eyes. She then turned to her maid of honor by Yuri’s request, Ino. Seeing the two broke her heart. She took the ring, and instead placed it into Yuri’s hand. She looked at him and smiled, as tears slowly fell. Yuri returned with a blank stare.
“I guess I should stop you from making the biggest mistake in your life, right?” Seri turned to the guests as everyone watched in silence, knowing already what was going to happen.
“I’m sorry.” Seri bowed. She descended the stairs and ran out of the church.
[I’m so sorry Yuri and Ino. I had to destroy your relationship. I’m sorry.] Seri hailed a taxi.
[What just happened?] Ino approached Yuri.
“I don’t think Seri knows that your biggest mistake is right now, Yuri. You’re letting the person that truly occupies your heart go.” All of a sudden, something snapped in Yuri. All of the memories of the times he spent with Seri came flooding back as he realized how much he truly did love her. He turned and ran out of the church, in hopes of catching Seri. He saw her getting into a taxi at the bottom of the church steps.
“Seri!” Yuri ran down the stairs. But it was too late. The taxi started pulling away. Yuri tried chasing after it, but his speed couldn’t match that of the taxi’s.
Seri looked back through the taxi at Yuri.
[I’m sorry Yuri. I hope you and Ino the best.] Seri stopped by her house, changed out of her clothes and grabbed the already packed suitcase. She quickly left the house before her parents could come home. She got in the taxi and headed to the airport.
[I’m sorry mom and dad. I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Chinen.]
“What did you say to her Chinen?! Why did she leave?!” Yuri ignored his parents ranting.
[She’s gone.] Mr. and Mrs. Saito approached the Chinen family.
“It’s okay. I think Serenity just realized that maybe she didn’t want to marry after all. She did seem kind of out of it these past few weeks as we finalized things for the wedding. She did a lot of contemplating with herself as well.” All of a sudden, Ino approached them, with Keito following.
“No. Seri wanted very much to marry Yuri. But she thought that me and Yuri were still together and so she left. I’m sorry to you all. If I hadn’t been so mean to her when I was with Yuri, you would all be a happy family. I messed things up.” Yuri stood up.
“No, Ino.” He walked up to Keito.
“I think she’s confused about things. Keito, right? I think she likes you.” Keito smiled.
“I would love to marry Seri, but the only person she ever talks to me about is you, Chinen. And by the way, she thinks I’m gay. Seri’s a nice girl, but we’re just friends, nothing more. I’m just not the right guy for her. Like Ino, I don’t dedicate myself to one person.” Ino wrapped an arm around Keito’s waist.
“And that’s why we’re together. I’m sorry Chinen. I was the one who left you for Keito, not Seri.”
“I lied to Seri about my sexuality because I didn’t want her to fall for me. But either ways, I don’t think she could ever change her heart about you.” All Yuri could do was let the information sink in.
~ F I V E Y E A R S L A T E R ~
Yuri put up the most recent picture of Seri on his wall. He took a step back and looked at it with a smile.
[I miss you so much. I can’t wait until the day you come back.] Even though Seri had left before the wedding, her and Yuri had reestablished their friendship. She continued to write letters to him and send him pictures. What she didn’t know was that Yuri was head over heels in love with her, while she sat at school hoping that she could learn to push Yuri out of her heart, thinking he didn’t share the same feelings for her.
Seri walked out of the airport and took a deep breath.
[Home, sweet home.] Nervously, Seri rung the doorbell to her house.
“Who could it be this time?” There had been continuous relatives of hers and the Chinen’s complaining about Seri leaving before the wedding they had all been awaiting. Mrs. Saito opened the door and the person who stood there surprised her, along with much relief. Mrs. Saito hugged her daughter.
“It’s about time you came home, you disobedient daughter!” Seri smiled.
“I’m sorry mom. I’m here to stay though and I’ll never leave again.” Mr. Saito came out.
“Just tell them to leave. I’m tired of these people telling me what my daughter should’ve and shouldn’t have done.”
“Are you sure you want me to leave, dad?” Mr. Saito was shocked to see his daughter again after five years.
“Seri?!” He immediately hugged her.
“How dare you leave without telling me a thing!”
“I’m sorry dad! I promise it won’t happen again.”
“It better not!” After unpacking and telling her parents about her times in the U.S., another guest dropped by.
“Ino?”
“Seri?! When did you come back?!”
“Not that long ago. What are you doing here?!”
“Oh. Yuri did tell me that you were coming back today, but I didn’t know you were going to be back this early! Well then, I guess I can give you this invitation early. Yuri and I are getting married tomorrow, and I was hoping to get this to you.” Ino handed Seri the invitation.
“I also would like you to be my maid of honor. Will you?” Seri forced a smile on.
[Something seems different about Ino.]
“Of course!”
[At least this time I won’t have to leave.]
“Great! If you’re not too tired, will you come with me to get your dress fitted?”
“Right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure.” Seri went up to her room, set the invitation down and grabbed her bag.
“Wow! The dresses look so nice!” Ino came out holding the wedding dress that Seri was supposed to wear to Seri’s wedding.
“I want you to wear this.”
“But I’m not the bride.”
“But I want my maid of honor to look very pretty, and you’ll look gorgeous in this!”
“But I’ll attract a lot of attention!”
“No you won’t. Everyone knows who the bride is. No one will say much about you wearing this. Please?”
“Uhh… I guess.”
“Thank you! This wedding is going to be such a memorable one.” Seri went and changed into her dress. She came out for Ino to inspect.
“Fabulous! You’re going to attract so much attention tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow?!”
“Yeah. I’m sorry the invitation is late. I hope you’ll be ready by tomorrow.” Seri forced a smile.
“I hope so too.” That night, after being dropped off by Ino, Seri immediately retired to her room. She sat in a chair as she pulled out the invitation.
~ Wedding of Chinen Yuri and Kazuka Ino ~
Seri’s hand immediately went to the ring that was tied to a necklace around her neck.
[I guess I probably shouldn’t have this anymore.] She took it off.
Seri and Ino both got into their dresses the following day.
“You look so pretty!”
“You do as well, the true bride of today. I still feel weird about wearing this.”
“Oh, it’s fine! You can’t take it off. Yuri is excited to see you in it.” Seri laughed.
“By the way, where is he? I need to congratulate him.”
“Nope. A groom cannot see his bride before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”
“But it’s just me.”
“And you’re going to stick with me the whole time. By the way, where’s that necklace you wore yesterday?”
“Oh. I took it off. Why?”
“No! I wanted you to wear it!”
“But it was the ring that Yuri gave me at the dress rehearsal. Are you sure about that?”
“I don’t care. It made you look very pretty. Please tell me you have it.”
“Yeah, it’s in my purse. I was going to give it back to the Chinen’s, but if you want me to wear it, I guess I could.” With that, Seri grabbed the necklace out of her purse and put it on.
“And that was what your outfit was missing! You look like an angel!” All Seri could do was smile as she began to get confused. All of a sudden, a knock came on the door, followed by a head poking through the door.
“We’re waiting for the brides now.”
[Brides?]
“That’s us! Come on Seri.” Still confused, Seri followed Ino down to the wedding. There, she was greeted by her father.
“Dad?” All of a sudden, Seri felt knots in her stomach as soon as she realized what was going on. She turned to face Ino. Ino smiled.
“I hope you’re not mad at me for tricking you into this. It’s a double wedding. Me and Keito are also getting married today. And Yuri wants a second chance to prove to you that he’s not making a mistake at all.” Seri was not getting anything.
“But I thought Keito was into men?” All of a sudden, it finally dawned on Seri about who the mystery guy was in Ino’s photo.
[I can’t believe Keito was straight and was dating Ino! And now he’s getting married?!]
“What is going on?” Ino smiled.
“Go through with the wedding, and we’ll explain everything to you at the end. So, Saito Serenity, will you give Yuri a second chance? And he also has something to tell you.” Before Seri could answer, the music started.
“That’s our cue!” With a smile, Ino linked her arm to her father’s and Seri did the same to her father. As soon as the doors opened, Seri could feel her stomach tighten as she finally understood that this was a her wedding day as well.
[It’s the wedding I never stayed for.] After Ino reached the altar, Seri followed. She took Yuri’s offered hand and was shocked to see him smile at her.
“Do you, Kazuka Ino, take Okamoto Keito to be your beloved husband?”
“I do.”
“And do you, Okamoto Keito, take Kazuka Ino to be your beloved wife?”
“I do.” After Keito and Ino exchanged rings, the priest then turned to Yuri and Seri, with a smile, hoping that the couple in front of him had decided to do the right thing for themselves.
“Father, I hope you don’t mind if I request that you ask me the question that will forever tie me to my future first.” With a nod, the priest continued.
“Do you, Chinen Yuri, take Saito Serenity to be your beloved wife?” This time, Yuri answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I do.” He took Seri’s necklace, took the ring off and placed it on Seri’s finger.
“And do you, Saito Serenity, take Chinen Yuri to be your beloved husband?” This time though, Seri was the one to hesitate in her answer. She looked at Yuri confusedly, but then it turned into a smile.
“I do.” She took the ring that she had left in Yuri’s hand five years ago and rightfully placed it on his finger. A loud cheer came from the crowd as the two couples kissed their companion for life.
“I am proud to be the first to introduce to you all for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Okamoto and Mr. and Mrs. Chinen.” Everyone followed the two couples out of the church to where the reception was to be held. After the meal, Keito was the first to give a toast.
“I’d like to give a toast to my fellow friends, and the couple I am more than happy to have been able to share my wedding with, Yuri and Seri Chinen.” He turned to face the couple.
“I’m sorry for all the misunderstandings I caused between the two of you. And especially to Seri, I am truly sorry for lying to you about my sexuality. I thought too highly of myself when I thought that you might fall for me. But I should’ve known better that no one could replace Chinen in your heart.” Ino followed Keito’s toast.
“I would also like to apologize to you two for causing so much trouble in your relationship. If I hadn’t intervened, I think Yuri would’ve realized much earlier that Seri, you were in fact the one in his heart. I still think he was an idiot for not realizing that when all he could talk about was you. Oh, and that day when you were trying on the dress, I had told Yuri that I was marrying Keito. The reason why I whispered it was because Keito didn’t want you to know about it yet until he told you himself. But you left.” Seri smiled as she once again realized something.
[I knew that girl voice in the background that time Keito called me sounded familiar.] Yuri followed Ino’s toast.
“I would like to thank Keito and Ino for making me realize that the person whom I was going to spend my whole life with was truly Seri. Without their guidance, I may have truly made the biggest mistake of my life by letting Seri out of my life forever. I would also like to apologize to Seri for being such a jerk to her when she was the friend who listened to every word I said and helped me when I was stressed. And I’d like to let you know how happy I am to say that I have you as a friend forever now, and much more.” All Seri could do was smile. She stood up to give her toast.
“I guess I’ll add on to the list of apologies. First, I’d like to apologize to my parents and the Chinens for leaving without a word that day. I’d also like to apologize to Yuri for not being the friend he needed and instead turning into his enemy. But if we don’t make mistakes, even if it’s the most stupid one, we’ll never learn anything about life. But, enough with apologies. I’d like to thank everyone for attending this wonderful wedding and let the entertainment begin.” Everyone toasted as the two couples led the first dance.
“I don’t know how many times I could say sorry to you, Seri. I should’ve been a better friend. And I was always leaving you when you needed me the most.”
“Oh, it’s okay. We grew up together, Yuri. When have you known me to never forgive you?” Yuri smiled.
“I hope it isn’t too late to tell you that I love you.” Seri smiled as she heard the words she had long been waiting for.
“If it was too late, would I have married you?” Seri and Yuri laughed.
“I love you too, but then, you already knew that.”
“Yes, I did. And it’s good to know that you still do.” Seri and Yuri shared a kiss.
[Sometimes the person who is truly your soul mate may just be right next to you. The only obstacle is if you can see it before it’s too late.]
No comments:
Post a Comment