“30,000 yen…?”
Kagami was struck dumb after hearing about the substantial gift money.
If it’s 30,000 yen per person, that means our household has practically forked out nearly a million yen. I don’t quite remember, but this was back when 1,000 yen was equivalent to more than 10,000 yen.
“Isn’t that pretty standard? Although some acquaintances might contribute less than that, normally you don’t just come for a quick visit,” Yuka said, tilting her head. So that means the meal is included in that price.
Is that the norm in Japan?
Back in school, I usually paid around 50,000 won and of course, received a meal voucher. Sometimes there were thank-you gifts, sometimes there weren’t. Generally, people who just came to greet without eating would receive gifts on behalf of the absent guests.
However, from what I heard, meals are often a course menu. Since the reception can be pretty lengthy, it makes sense that it would end up being quite expensive.
Honestly, since Yuuki was friends with many of Kagami’s acquaintances and I was here because of my connection with Mori, there were more of Kagami’s acquaintances around rather than mine.
To accommodate me and Koko, we ended up being left together with friends while Kagami was off greeting those who either looked rough around the edges or far too pristine, which made me think Kagami hasn’t quit working after all.
I imagined the rough-looking folks were likely Yakuza or police officials, while the tidy-looking ones were probably lawyers.
Anyway, it’s not like I would have many opportunities to speak with her.
“Yamashita-san? I’ve heard a lot about you from Miho.”
“Ah, yes…”
Naturally, there were guests from the bride’s side as well.
As I expected, there seemed to be overlap with the bride’s guests not being from the same school as Mori.
Sure, she did say, “the daughter of someone I respected,” so it makes sense there’d be some crossover.
Naturally, the younger women among Miho’s guests stuck around our side a bit more until the ceremony started.
They must’ve been a little nervous after all; I mean, there were quite a few Yakuza types around.
Seeing Yuuki struggling to converse alone, we ended up subtly joining in on various conversations. Honestly, Koko and I were there mostly to grab attention, while Harumi and Mako did all the talking.
Ah, right. Shii was quite popular too. It seems that a cute and charming girl is appealing even to other girls.
And after all that anticipation— the wedding began.
The ceremony itself flowed pretty much like a wedding in Korea. The groom and bride entered, songs were sung, and some videos were played.
Despite the number of rough-looking guests, the atmosphere wasn’t rowdy at all.
Well, it was a Yakuza boss’s wedding, after all, they wouldn’t dare.
The officiant was some old man I didn’t recognize. Maybe he wasn’t part of the Yakuza. He might’ve been Yamashita’s teacher from when he was a student.
Mori, wearing a white wedding dress, was smiling continuously by Yamashita’s side.
Her smile seemed so bright, it was hard to imagine she wouldn’t shed even a single tear.
No matter how I looked at it, her expression was nothing but genuine.
“……”
My friends and I all silently gazed at her face.
How joyful must it be to finally unite with someone you love after such a long wait?
Unlike them, I’ve never had love or anything similar in this life or in my previous life, but I could sort of understand that feeling of welcoming happiness after a lengthy period.
I unintentionally turned my head to glance up at Kagami beside me.
Kagami, who wasn’t very close to Mori at all, had an unexpectedly deeply moved expression.
Kagami might be thinking something similar.
Though the kinds of love may differ, love for family is still love.
Finding love and happiness after such a long time.
Becoming a source of someone else’s happiness felt a bit strange.
I was simply living my own life after all.
“Kagami?”
While looking up at Kagami, Koko tilted her head.
See, even Koko doesn’t get it.
But then again, sometimes just being there for someone can be more than enough.
Having lost such people before, I know how precious that can be.
When I turn my gaze to the opposite side, Yuka is quietly watching Mori and Yamashita.
Friends are important too.
Especially friends you’ve been through university with— that’s something you can’t take lightly.
Even now, I still don’t fully understand why I was reborn here in this world. There might be a god who cast me into this world just to observe stories like mine.
Whether such a god exists or not, or if it was merely a coincidence that I opened my eyes in this world again, I think it no longer matters.
I’m here, and my people are here.
I just strive to maintain this relationship for as long as I can.
Well, I’ve been doing that ever since I started making friends in this world.
*
Two weeks passed since the wedding.
Mori and Yamashita went on their honeymoon. Not surprisingly, their destination was Hawaii.
Kagami whined, “I’m the only one who didn’t go to Hawaii…” but unfortunately, Kagami’s visa issue still showed no signs of being resolved, so there was nothing to be done.
If Kagami’s initiative is anything to go by, the moment that visa gets sorted, she’ll likely drag me and Koko along on a flight to Hawaii.
To be honest, I’m a bit looking forward to that.
As memories of my friend’s parent’s wedding started to gradually fade away, something strange happened at our home.
That strangeness was none other than—
Just like any other weekend, I was lounging around the house.
It was mid-June.
With summer’s high heat and humidity approaching, it was scorching hot.
Naturally, Koko, Kagami, and I were huddled inside to escape it.
Koko and I had yet to begin living independently. I had subtly glanced at Kagami, who was still feigning ignorance regarding my hints.
So I thought maybe I should wait until adulthood, keeping in mind that I’d remain here for now.
On days when my classes overlapped with Kagami’s, I sometimes rode with her, and since she often dropped us off in front of school, it wasn’t as troublesome as I thought. At least I wouldn’t have to walk for 30 minutes to the train station.
Kagami’s driving skills have grown so impressive that I can no longer say anything from the side.
“Meow.”
“You really seek out hot spots even in summer, huh.”
I chuckled as Kuro jumped on my stomach while I was sprawled out on the air-conditioned floor, enjoying the coolness.
Well, it is indeed chilly with the air conditioning. Cats usually do like warm places anyway.
As I gently stroked Kuro’s soft fur, I heard a sound from the door.
Knock knock.
I lifted my head just slightly and glanced at the door but then looked back toward Kagami and Koko, both of whom seemed to be laser-focused on something.
“Who is it?”
When I asked a bit loudly, I caught a hint of hesitation from beyond the door.
“…It’s me.”
A soft voice came through.
It was a voice I recognized.
“Meow?”
I set Kuro down, who didn’t look pleased, and sauntered toward Koko, who had wandered off toward the door.
I got off the floor and carefully opened the door.
There stood—
“……”
“……Yuuki?”
A sweaty Yuuki stood there after coming all this way.
…What’s up? Why do I feel a sense of déjà vu?
Oh right. Yuuki had come all the way over before.
That time, he had run away from home due to the situation with Mori and Yamashita.
“Um… Did you come to play?”
I asked, half to check, but what Yuuki replied back was somewhat shocking.
“…Can I stay for a few days?”
Yuuki asked with a slightly flushed face, looking quite embarrassed, with a rather large bag slung over his shoulder.
“Let’s hear your story first.”
I said as I stepped aside politely.
“…Hello.”
Yuuki walked into the room and awkwardly greeted Kagami.
“Hello.”
Fortunately, Kagami responded to the greeting relatively naturally, but her face did show confusion.
“Yuuki!”
“Koko, hey.”
Koko leaped up from her spot, causing Kuro to huff back onto the floor in discontent, and she promptly hopped onto my knees while I was sitting.
“So, is it okay if I ask what this is all about?”
I inquired while scratching behind Kuro’s ears who had come back to my lap.
“……”
Yuuki, cautiously sitting down on the floor as per my gesture, hesitated for a moment before finally opening up.
“Miho-nee and… Dad are newlyweds, right?”
“Ah, wait a minute.”
Before the rest of his story could continue, I quickly raised my hand to stop him.
“I think I already know where this is going. There’s no need to elaborate.”
Yuuki nodded with a relieved expression.
So… that’s what it is.
Hmm.
It can’t be helped that Mori is young. That means, well, there could be a lot of pent-up desires after getting married. If she waited for a few years, it could have resulted in an explosion all at once. I got quite a strong impression of that when I ran into them at the amusement park years ago.
On the other hand, it’s quite unexpected with Yamashita. Considering his build, this could be understandable?
Anyway, well…
It seems the soundproofing at Yuuki’s house… isn’t that great.
I rubbed my temples.
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