Inside the hall, the guests were anticipating the appearance of the bride and the groom.
There was a path in between the two rows of chairs, separating by the aisle. White roses and scented candles decorated each side of the path. Each guest sat comfortably on the chair while they were talking in low voices.
Then, the big mahogany doors were opened from the outside. All of the guests' attention shifted to the door.
Wide-eyed in wonder, they couldn't help but praise when they saw the bride and the groom.
"They look so perfect together," One of the guests muttered.
"Yes," Her companion smiled softly, "Ah, their child is already accompanying them on this wondrous day."
The bride and groom entered together, hand-in-hand.
When they saw how gentle the groom's eyes when he was staring at the bride as if only she existed in his world, the guests let out soft praises.
When they saw how soft the bride's smile at the groom, they felt this moment was so beautiful as if nothing could outshine this moment.
Ren and Tsubaki walked on the aisle. Ren was being careful as he was afraid of his wife stumbling on the path. His action made Tsubaki wanted to laugh.
Tsubaki swept her gaze across the hall. Even though they were a few people who were not family, she still saw her loved ones.
Her mother and Granny Sumiko sat on one side together with Satsuki, Chiyo, Kohana, Yoshie and the rest of her subordinates at the bakery. Kanako joined them as she sat together with Hajime. Aunt Ume, Kouchi and his father sat on that side as well.
On the other side, Grandma was smiling softly at them with Aunt Kasumi beside her. Takuma's family was there as well together with Akashi and Toshiro.
Tsubaki wanted to engrave this beautiful moment deeply on her heart.
"Sweetheart," Ren's voice was so gentle as he whispered by her ear.
Tsubaki looked back at him with a smile, "Yes, my darling?"
Ren chuckled softly, "Have I told you that I'm the luckiest man in this world?"
"How corny," Tsubaki laughed, "Well, I and our children are the luckiest too to be a family with you."
Ren was so tempted to kiss her right now.
The moments when the bride and groom exchanging soft whispers with one another were captured by the lens.
Now, it was time for them to read the oath.
Ren carefully led Tsubaki up to the stage. Both of them stood in front of a priest clad in black attire.
At this moment, Tsubaki was suddenly caught in a trance.
Everything felt so surreal to her.
The priest spoke in a loud voice.
"Fuse Ren, are you willing to take Hanada Tsubaki as your lawfully wedded wife? For you to promise her to be true to her in good and bad times, in sickness and in health, to love her and cherish her all the days of your life?"
The man glanced at her. A small smile appeared on his handsome face. He focused back on the priest.
"Yes, I'm willing to take Hanada Tsubaki as my lawfully wedded wife."
The priest smiled as he heard his resolute answer. He then looked at her who was still in a daze.
"Hanada Tsubaki, are you willing to have Fuse Ren as your lawfully wedded husband? For you to promise him to be true to him in good and bad times, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"
She didn't answer.
The priest slightly frowned as he saw her dazed look. It was then when she felt a warm hand holding her slender fingers. She quickly snapped out of her trance. Staring at the priest, she answered.
"Yes, I do."
The priest smiled. He then continued, "You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. You may now exchange your rings."
The guests were clapping their hands in celebration of a new bond being formed under a marriage. Even though this couple had been married for years, today was still worth the celebration.
Tsubaki turned around when Ren pulled her closer to him. She looked up. He was so tall, a skyscraper to her petite body. Her big brown eyes met his dark ones. The man smiled devilishly. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"I thought you wanted to run away since you didn't answer the oath at once," Ren spoke in a low tone. Only the both of them could hear his whisper.
"I didn't..." Tsubaki almost stuttered, her cheeks turned rosy behind the veil. "I just didn't expect that this day would really come."
Ren chuckled. He didn't speak any longer as he took her left hand. His rough palm met her soft one.
Takuma, who acted as his best man, stood beside him. A black velvet box was in Takuma's palm. He took the ring and gently slipped it around her ring finger.
"It's your turn." He said while nudging her to the other ring inside the box.
Tsubaki let out a soft laugh.
She too took the ring and slipped it around his ring finger. His design was quite similar to her, only without the diamond. He smiled in satisfaction as he saw the matching rings around their fingers.
These were their new wedding rings. Even so, she still cherished the one he gave to her before.
He gently lifted the veil covering her face. As their eyes met without the thin piece of cloth, his expression softened all over again.
"Sweetheart," Ren smiled, "I love you."
Then, he gently bent down and kissed his bride before she could answer him.
The guests were all joyous as they saw the bride and groom kissed after the ring-exchange ceremony.
Once again, they could only say the bride and groom perfectly matched one another.
The sight of them made the guests sighed in blissfulness.
Soon, the bride and groom were escorted out of the hall. Tsubaki and Ren smiled and laughed nonstop when their friends showered them with flowers. The sound of applause added to the merriment.
Hand-in-hand, they walked down the stairs.
"Quick! Throw the bouquet!"
"Ah! I want to catch it!"
"Move aside! It's my turn to get married!"
Tsubaki felt her inside ticklish by their enthusiasm to catch the wedding bouquet. Even Ren was affected by it.
He couldn't help but murmur, "Do girls would fight to the death for this wedding bouquet?"
Tsubaki pinched his arm, earning another laugh from him.
Tsubaki turned around to face her back to the crowd waiting on the ground. Ren supported her waist. It wouldn't end up well if she suddenly slipped from the stairs while throwing the bouquet.
"One... two..."
"Ready! Ready!"
"Tsubaki~ Quick!"
Tsubaki laughed in glee, "Three!"
A commotion ensued once the bouquet was thrown. Tsubaki carefully turned around again. She looked at the crowd, wondering who was the lucky one who managed to capture the bouquet.
"Ahhhh!"
"Huh?" Tsubaki was baffled, "Who caught it?"
Ren calmly pointed to one area.
Tsubaki's eyes widened. Then, she laughed so much until her stomach hurts.
Never did it cross her mind that the one who had successfully captured the bouquet was Hajime!
The stoic-looking man stared at the wedding bouquet that fell on his hands before he turned to look at Kanako who stood next to him. His eyes softened when he saw the anticipation on the young lady's face.
He smiled faintly, "For you."
Kanako felt like she would faint right in this instant.
"You... What do you mean? Do you..." She stuttered.
Hajime smiled again, "Maybe it's your turn to throw your own wedding bouquet next?"
"...!"
Kanako almost jumped out in excitement.
Finally! She saw her love life flourishing!
While a part of the crowd was teasing the new couple, Tsubaki and Ren finally stepped out of the last stair. They walked toward the woman who sat in a wheelchair.
"Mother," Tsubaki smiled yet tears began forming around her eyes.
Masami returned her daughter's smile. She took both Tsubaki and Ren's hands before linking them together.
"Ren, please take care of Tsubaki," Masami's eyes started to glisten, "I couldn't do so in her early years. I pray for you two to accompany each other until both of you grow old, with only love and blessings in your lives."
"Mother, I will take care of Tsubaki," Ren firmly voiced out his promise, "Together with our children."
Tsubaki cried quietly as her feelings overwhelmed her.
Her mother was here.
Even though her father and sister couldn't accompany her on her wedding day, her mother was with her.
As the merriment around the church became livelier, there were two figures stood under a tree, hidden from the bushes.
"She doesn't want to see you, Elder Brother. It's best if you just keep your guilt to yourself," Mr. Souma laughed mockingly at his brother.
"Whose fault is this? You're the one who hid her from me!" President Souma hissed.
"Heh," Mr. Souma sneered, "I just did what I should do."
Mr. Souma turned around, leaving his elder brother behind.
No matter how much his brother regretted his mistakes, if the other party refused to forgive him, he could only live with his guilt until the end of his life.
It would become the most befitting punishment for him.