Fortunately, as the wedding ceremony officially started, the eyes of the guests gathered on our side began to gradually decrease.
Even if someone ran into a red dragon while attending a neighbor’s wedding, it was normal for a person with basic manners to focus on the ceremony.
At that moment, I could finally watch the wedding with a lighter heart.
Rex Nova maintained a cheeky atmosphere as he made a round on the stage.
“Yes, yes, I’m also glad to be here! You didn’t expect to see me in a place like this? It’s alright! I didn’t know either!”
Rex Nova briefly paused.
“Wow…, Rex Nova! I’m a fan!!”
Forgetting the current location, Rex Nova quietly raised his index finger to the female guest who called out to him loudly.
With his finger to his lips, Rex Nova continued to speak comically.
“I’ll give autographs after the wedding, so please don’t worry and keep it down.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t gotten an autograph yet either. I should go and get one later.
The female guest, who finally realized her disturbance, fell silent, half embarrassed and half thrilled by Rex Nova speaking to her.
Having dominated the wedding atmosphere in an instant, Rex Nova introduced himself again.
“My name is Rex Nova, the CCO of Resurrection Corporation, a famous influencer, and a well-known MC.”
Feeling that his voice was slightly low, Rex Nova manipulated his sight interface to amplify his voice a bit more.
It looked like he was using the vocal amplification cyberware that every celebrity has.
“Of course, right now I’m just an ordinary host, so everyone, please calm down and celebrate the wedding!”
After a brief applause, Rex Nova attracted everyone’s attention to himself.
Like the chairman said, handling ‘unexpected situations’ well was the attitude of the most famous luxury MC in Neon City, which was engulfed in capitalism.
Also, in Rex Nova’s live show, he calmly continued advertising in situations where others might faint, minimizing variables.
“Today, we have so many guests celebrating the wedding─.”
At that moment, Rex Nova stopped speaking for a brief moment.
What was that?
I looked over at Rex Nova, who had paused.
I’m not sure if it was just my feeling, but Rex Nova’s eyes were shaking unsteadily.
It was a very brief time, but it was clear.
Rex Nova was observing the women around me, especially the ‘chairman’, very closely.
“─I’m so excited that it’s such a joyful day that I can almost see hallucinations, haha.”
Thinking about it, Rex Nova must’ve also attended the corporate party.
Then it was natural he would recognize the chairman’s face, who’s currently in that ‘synthetic body.’
He skillfully continued speaking without cutting himself off….
Even if the chairman had asked Rex Nova to host Drake’s wedding, the chairman probably wouldn’t have directly contacted him.
The social class difference was too significant for that.
Justin Borg, the executive secretary, probably communicated on his behalf.
In that sense, he might not have expected someone like the Monolith chairman to sit peacefully at such a standard wedding venue.
Even if he had thought about it, he would have dismissed it with “No way that could be true.”
“Um, I’ll continue now.”
For some unknown reason, Rex Nova, who received a silent permission while looking at us, especially the chairman, calmly continued the wedding.
“…First, let’s welcome the groom! Please give him a round of applause!”
Even though I was surprised, continuing the assigned role in such a manner was truly a model of professionalism.
If something similar happened to me, I would ask the chairman to call Rex Nova.
I thought while watching Drake enter.
Drake’s neatly tied gray beard swayed left and right more polished than usual.
His tuxedo was puffed up as if it was about to burst due to muscles (cyberware).
Since it was a hastily arranged ceremony, it seemed he didn’t have time for a custom suit.
And it seemed he couldn’t wear his usual sunglasses even at the wedding, as he had sunglasses instead of a handkerchief in the tuxedo pocket.
It looked a bit funny.
Drake strode confidently onto the stage.
His green eyes surveyed the guests, and when they met with mine, he flashed a grin, giving me a slight nod.
What was he so happy about, having already greeted me earlier?
Honestly, even though I felt that way, a smile crept onto my lips.
Normally, one would be nervous at a once-in-a-lifetime wedding.
But perhaps thanks to his massive muscles, there wasn’t a hint of tension.
“The groom looks very confident, haha,” Rex Nova also shared a similar sentiment.
As Drake ascended the stage, it was typically a moment attended by parents.
However, as far as I knew, both Drake and Lorenda had been out of touch with their families for a while.
I didn’t ask since it would have been impolite, but regardless, Drake always exuded confidence.
What a remarkable guy.
“Now, let’s welcome the most beautiful part of the ceremony─, the entrance of the bride, whom the groom loves the most!”
Rex Nova, glancing at the chairman, calmly continued his remarks.
Did he really need to pay attention to such things?
Nevertheless, along with Rex Nova’s announcement, the spotlight stretched from the ceiling, illuminating the entrance. Holographic petals elegantly floated inside the venue.
When Drake entered, there wasn’t even a light, let alone a spotlight.
This was a whole different level of spectacle.
Naturally, the gaze of all guests, including mine, shifted in that direction.
A beautifully shining pure white wedding dress flowed down gracefully.
The true star of the wedding had finally made her appearance—Lorenda.
But according to what I know, usually, there should be someone helping to hold up the long end of the dress.
Or perhaps it was because it wasn’t a dedicated ceremony hall, but I didn’t see anyone like that.
That dress looked heavier than expected.
If she tripped over it while walking, it would be a huge accident.
I gently gathered some mana.
Unnoticeably, I lifted the tip of the dress from the ground so Lorenda wouldn’t feel heavy or could avoid falling.
Now I felt a bit less worried.
I slowly watched the back of Lorenda as she ascended to the stage next to Drake.
“……”
So Drake is really getting married.
The women around me who knew Drake, including myself, probably shared a similar thought as they gazed blankly at the pair.
…Maybe feeling a bit envious.
No, that must just be my feeling.
I wiped my nose.
Congratulations again, you jerk Drake.
I silently blessed the couple.
The wedding proceeded with a formal tone.
No events like special songs were present.
Since it was held in a church, I wondered if there would be a pastor’s officiating speech.
However, just like other ordinary weddings, a ‘robot officiant’ provided by the city appeared to conduct the vows.
Not an AI like Eve but merely a robot that outputs predetermined scripts.
【Do the groom and bride pledge here today to hold an unwavering love and faith and not to embezzle city taxes?】
“Of course.”
“Absolutely.”
…An officiant could simply hire someone using credits.
Both Drake and Lorenda, despite the robot officiant’s comment breaking the atmosphere, responded as if it was fine, smiling brightly as they signed the electronic documents.
They probably wanted to have a wedding just like everyone else.
Still, asking about city taxes at such an event was a bit much; this cyberpunk world was hard to get used to.
Well, it didn’t really matter what formal officiating meant.
As long as they’re happy, love one another, and sign the electronic marriage document to upload the information into the city database, that’s what marriage is.
“Then, let’s conclude the wedding of the couple! Please give a round of applause!”
The roaring applause, so loud it drowned out Rex Nova’s voice, continued.
In this harshly competitive cyberpunk world, marriages receive more blessings than anywhere else.
Moreover, given that the protagonists getting married are two of the top individuals with outstanding personalities among my acquaintances, Drake and Lorenda.
All the guests applauded with genuine feelings.
“Now, finally, the groom has something to say.”
What? Isn’t it over yet?
“We’ll now bring everyone back to their seats.”
I was wondering if the meal would be buffet-style or course meals.
Drake didn’t have vocal amplification cyberware implants like Rex Nova.
“Ah, ah.”
Receiving the microphone from Rex Nova, Drake briefly tested the sound.
He then brought a ‘mysterious box’ onto the stage.
What on earth could that be?
Drake began speaking in a calm manner.
“First, I’d like to thank everyone who attended today’s wedding. Thank you.”
I listened to Drake’s words with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I nodded repeatedly.
“And also, especially to my closest friend, I want to express my special gratitude.”
I felt an ominous feeling from those words.
The chances of Drake being referred to as ‘me’ were statistically low.
There were countless people gathered here; perhaps I was just overthinking.
But for some reason, I sensed it.
“Since today is the wedding day of Lorenda and me, he’s a benefactor of the groom and bride.”
Upon hearing that, I lifted my head.
Was the exit over there?
Everyone’s eyes were focused on the stage, so sneaking out would probably go unnoticed─.
At that moment, a hand landed on my shoulder.
What the.
All the surrounding women (7 of them) were looking at me.
…Everyone, Drake is talking right now, and you’re staring at me. What gives?
Of course, if I used magic, I could have escaped, but that would ruin my friend’s wedding, too.
So I had no choice but to keep my eyes on the stage.
“My friend is too shy to come up on stage, haha.”
……!
Just as I thought, I had faith in Drake!
He knew me, ‘I,’ too well!
“If it weren’t for that friend, this gathering, including Lorenda and me, would not have existed.”
That wasn’t true.
Drake always appeared in the game.
…Well, though there wouldn’t have been a wedding.
“There’s plenty to say about a friend, but everyone needs to eat, so I’ll stop here. Haha.”
Just as I was thinking that, Drake’s gaze turned to me.
“If you ever need help, just say the word. I’ll always be here for you, Siwoon.”
But isn’t this a wedding supposed to be about Drake and Lorenda?
Why am I getting the spotlight in the end?
What awkward behavior is this?
Naturally, the attention of the guests gathered on me.
I lowered my head to avoid their gazes.
By the way, Rex Nova had a look on his face that said, ‘I knew it would be you.’
What’s with that expression?
“Oh, and I guess I need to throw the bouquet, right?”
After saying that, Drake looked at Lorenda next to him.
Lorenda nodded her head.
Drake opened the ‘mysterious box’ he’d brought onto the stage.
“There are a total of 7 bouquets. Originally, I had only prepared 5, but I figured 2 more would be needed, so I rushed to get some extras.”
…Huh? Why are there 7 bouquets to throw?
“Throwing them here might cause chaos, so I’ll throw the bouquets outside! The meal is also prepared outside, so everyone, get ready to take pictures and catch a bouquet!”
At Drake’s last words, the 7 women who had been sitting near me stood up.
“Drake knows what he’s doing.”
“True, right!”
They began to chat amiably.
…….
Just to be clear, none of us failed to catch the bouquets.
And thus, the wedding of Drake and Lorenda came to an end.
I’m glad it went well.
*
“Wait?”
When I returned home, I felt confusion.
Our house… Was it this spacious?
Except for a few pillars, it felt like the ‘entire floor’ had become one big house─.
“……!”
It wasn’t until that moment that I realized why all 7 women had followed me.
It was autumn.
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