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We arrived back at the village with Ria accompanying us back. Although there was no major difference between both villages, to Ria, the difference was glaring.
"Wow, big brother your village sure is beautiful and lively" Ria commented while admiring the sight of the village with shining eyes.
"Haha, of course, it is, but it is because of the upcoming wedding that it is lively," Ashura said. I could tell he took the comment as praise for his village so I didn't bother commenting.
"Alright, enough of that, let's get you to Nami," I said and started walking toward Hinami's location.
Ria and Ashura followed behind me as Ria praised almost everything she saw and Ashura relished in the praise.
I wonder what really is different between both villages, I mean Ria acts like those country bumpkin who finally gets to see the sight of a city but to me, both villages don't look much different.
A while later, we reached the mansion and I led Ria to the room Hinami is in. Knocking slightly, I said, "Nami, are you free?"
"Hmm? Shun dear, come in"
Opening the door slightly, I smile and said, "Guess who I brought with me?"
"Who?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You're meant to guess Nami dear, that's the purpose of me asking you to guess," I said with a blank face. I mean, I obviously asked, guess what, right?
"Sigh, Shun dear, you know I could sense whoever you brought with you but considering you, I'd not be able to if you don't want me to know, so ill play along and make a random guess, is it Ria?" She asked.
"What? How did you figure that out?" I asked surprised.
"It isn't that hard really. The only person close enough to both of us that would make you bring him or her here would only be Ria," she said plainly.
She was clearly saying that apart from Ria, we don't have any other shared friends, which is true.
"Sigh, you're right, I went over there to tell them about the wedding and Ria decided to follow me back," I said while walking into the room followed by Ria.
"Big Sis," Ria screamed silently and jumped to hug Hinami, "I've missed you"
"Little Ria, I've missed you too," Hinami said while hugging Ria back.
It's practically been less than a month since we left, but why should I comment?
They began to talk about things and I started to feel my presence there becoming unnecessary so I quietly excused myself. I have a lot of things to handle.
Although I didn't know much about the wedding customs around here, I've witnessed some and though I didn't pay attention to them back then, I did pick up a thing or two.
But first things first, I had to make sure the people making the arrangements know what they are doing. I didn't want to be caught off guard by one custom or another. So searching for them, I enquired about the procedures im to follow during the wedding and the things I need to know about.
They looked at me weirdly at first and I couldn't blame them after all, this was supposed to be common knowledge but I didn't have any idea. I still kept my face as emotionless as possible to hide my embarrassment.
I could have had Hagoromo perform the wedding in a western style but I could imagine the look he will give me.
The people involved still told me what I needed to know. As usual, the attire would be a kimono, white for me and black for Hinami, weird. I thought it was supposed to be the opposite.
In short, though, there will be a procession, kind of like an entrance or something, kneeling, acknowledging our parents, drinking wine between the two of us, and vows from my side. I guess it does follow the same procedures I'm aware of.
The issue with the vows though was that it would be me doing it as an oath, a serious one at that, which is completely irrelevant to me as thankfully, I know there are no such things as Gods or deities. That doesn't mean my vows will be any less true.
After getting the full scope of things, life continued without much of a hassle. Indra and Ashura were left to do their own things, and Hinami, Ria, and the girls were left to do their things, sadly and surprisingly, I found out that I didn't have friends.
Not like I need them or anything, I have Hinami and Ria, and that's all that matters, if I need someone to talk to, there's Indra and Ashura and Hagoromo. Hamura and Hokuki too, the only downside to all these is that they will all die later on. I felt pain a little but knowing I would still have Hinami comforted me a little.
The following days had me doing nothing except either meditating or studying something from my memory. This is one good side of my wish. With this, I don't have to go far and wide looking for abilities or techniques, or even life experiences good and bad. I was an otaku and with the powers, I have now, I just need my imagination and I can dive into any world I wish.
Given enough time, I doubt there will be anyone wiser and sagier than me, I chuckled at the thought of that.
....
Tomorrow would be the day we'd been waiting for and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
I was nervous, not because I was scared or something, I was just happy that I would finally take a huge step in my life. Both lives combined, this is my first time finding love such as this.
If the thought of having a happily wedded life was a fantasy in my previous life, tomorrow, it would become reality and there will be no turning back. If there's something I'm aware of, It's that marriage is sacred and this, in turn, means, that till death do us part, we will always be together.
I have transcended death so that's not what I am afraid of. Hinami in time would do so too, but that isn't what I am afraid of too. My fear comes from my changing over the year. I would be lying to myself if I said that time wouldn't affect my psyche somehow in this world. In short, I fear that as time passes, my knowledge of the world will make me do things that the current Hinami wouldn't take kindly to.
Hinami right now is a kind, cheerful, carefree, and positive girl. The rules of this world will surely affect her in one way or another. Sure, she has experienced the way things happen in the cultivation virtual world but that and this are different.
Not everyone can be Ashura and his reincarnations that will remain positive no matter what, not even I can be assured of that. As I am now, I am not confident that I wouldn't be easily influenced by violence.
Sigh. Too many things to think about. I was perfectly fine before all this, why do I have to think about all this now?
I felt a new feeling welling up in my chest. Fear. I thought I had lost this before, but now, I feel like it is everpresent. Fear of the future huh? Maybe I should seal my memory of this world?
Nah... Even If I kept the memory, with the things I have done and taught some people, I fear that except Zetsu schemes and destroys all traces of them, people will find a way to create more, and the world I know from the anime would still be different from this one.
I guess I just have to live in the present and leave the rest to me of the future.
After turning and tossing for the rest of the night, the daybreak finally came and it was the day Hinami and will formally become Husband and wife.
Sitting up on the bed, I took deep breaths and started my morning meditation. I had to keep my mental state at its maximum for today.
Stepping out of my room, I was greeted by an entourage of maids I didn't know were already waiting for me.
"Good morning Shun-sama," they greeted in unison.
"Hmm, good morning, what brought you all here this early morning," I asked.
The one whom I know to be the head maid came forward and said, "Today is the day of your marriage, it's custom for us to perform certain rituals"
"What rituals, why didn't I hear of this," I asked.
"You should already know about this Shun-sama, now then shall we?" She said in a time that wouldn't take no for an answer.
Two maids came forward and started dragging me without even waiting for my reply, not that was going to refuse nor can I refuse.
"Wait a minute, at least can you tell me what's going on," I asked the maids dragging me.
"Certainly, Shun-sama, we need to cleanse you and..."
In short, they had to be the ones to bathe me, dress me, and perform any other things related to the marriage ceremony.
{A/N: I don't think anyone wants to know how the marriage was held so ill just skim the part}
After I was dressed, I was led to the hall where the ceremony will take place. I guess I found another function of this hall, Hagoromo really built himself a multipurpose hall. Surprisingly, it held everyone in the village and the invited guests, like the villagers from Ria's village. Even Hamura, Hokuku, and Hanami were sitted comfortably in the hall.
Hokuki smiled at me and I smiled back Ashura waved at me and my lips twitched. I mean why did he do that? Huh?
I was the first to arrive and Hinami arrived later wearing a black kimono, her hair tied back with a comb on top, similar to the medieval Japanese style.
She looked beautiful overall with her white eye in contrast with pitch-black hair and a kimono.
I on the other hand wore a pure white kimono matching my pure white hair. I didn't blindfold my eyes as it is originally unnecessary.
With her appearance, the ceremony went as planned, Hagormo and Hamura both gave their blessings, we exchanged wine from the same cup, and some vows were said, and after that, a red knot was used to tie our hands together symbolizing our union.
After that, gifts were given, congratulations were said, and that was all. No music traditional or not, no dancing, just that. Honestly, it was bland, but I would be lying if I said I was not happy,
No, I was joyous, with this, another chapter will open In our lives, and with my previous decision to leave any future problems to my future self, I merrily enjoyed th ceremony.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Indra and his wife were also there, though everybody noticed him, there wasn't any conflict.
With that, the day came to an end and what was left was for us to properly consummate our marriage.
As a virgin in both lives, normally, I wouldn't have any idea of what to do, but as an otaku who explored the many genres available to me, I had an idea of what was needed of me, and I was going to give Hinami a pleasant night to remember.
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Thanks for the support. I appreciate.