It's time for the minor performance in the center of the lawn—the dance with the long red ribbon. The bamboo house is closed, and it is forbidden to enter; only the Gather Zone and the gardens around the area are for the celebration. The dance performance was divided into a couple of dancers in each garden. Three of the dancers perform and entertain the audience in the center.
Meanwhile, guests enjoy themselves. Kaiza and I get up and offer tea to one of the vital guest members. Start with Mr. Saya and the old man with the big body. I saw him a couple of times at the association.
But up close this time.
"..."
Kaiza and I offer the tea cup by holding it together to Mr. Saya.
"Thank you."
He said with a smile.
"Thank you, grandfather....thank you for everything..."
Mr. Kaiza says to his grandfather.
"Heh, I thought this day wouldn't come... I'm glad. Thank you for making it happen while I'm still here."
"...Stop saying that already."
Kaiza.
"Take care of her."
"Of course, grandfather."
"And take care of my grandson, young lady."
"I will, grandpa."
I answer him with a smile.
"..."
Then, we offer another teacup to the intimidating man.
"Thank you for being here, Mr. Ryushi."
Kaiza.
"Um..."
He takes the cup after we let go of our hands.
"What a grand ceremony this morning. I haven't attended one for so long."
"Well, you're old now..."
Mr. Saya teases his friend.
"Heh..."
The presence of Mr. Ryushi is almost the same as that of Mr. Yamazaki: scary, calm, and intimidating, and the body size is quite similar.
"And you look great in those white..."
"Thank you, Mr. Ryushi."
"This dress also...you look like a flower...like Saya's speech...you must be something to make this old man and that redhead here nourish you this much."
"I will always hold them in high regard. I value and try to cherish those indications. No words can describe, and nothing can show all my gratitude for Mr. Saya and Mr. Kaiza. Mr. Ryushi."
"Zephyra.."
Kaiza calls me and moves his face beside my ear.
"Can I kiss you…?"
He whispers.
"!"
I am startled.
"Hey boy, wait for the night"
Mr. Ryushi tells Kaiza.
I can feel my face is red right now.
"Hahahaha."
Mr. Saya laughs.
"Now you're actually a wife and have to prepare to be a lady in the Takaki house …will I be able to see you holding the sword at the association again? I haven't seen you for a long time…Saya is lonely and will not stop speaking up about you."
"You're exaggerating..hehe."
Mr. Saya chuckles.
"..Soon, Mr. Ryushi…I will hold the sword soon."
I give him the answer with a smile.
"Good."
Next, we move to Mr. Katahashi and his son, Kento's tables. After we left at the Hwaland station we haven't seen or talked to each other.and He cut his hair short and almost shaved it.
"..."
They are smiling so wide while we offer the teacup to the father.
"Thank you for coming to our wedding, sir."
Mr. Kaiza.
"Thank you for inviting us."
"..."
I smile at them because of the overwhelming sense that Mr. Katahashi gives me. I am sure that his emotion is all about Kento. Kaiza probably needs my clarification on this circumstance.
"!"
Then Mr. Katahashi holds my hands.
"I'm the one to say thank you to you, Zephyra. You bring him home to me..."
His voice is a bit shaking, and his eyes are a bit teary.
"..."
"I'm glad that he came home safely…I want to thank him, too."
"...Thank you so much, Zephyra. I'll always be thankful for you."
Mr. Katahashi keeps on thanking me.
"Dad.."
Kento holds his dad's hand and takes it away from my hand.
"Congratulations on your wedding, Zephyra…and you too, Mr. Kaiza."
"Thank you."
"I'll see you later, Kento senior."
I tell him and bow to Mr. Katahashi.
"Kaiza…"
I call the man with a confused face, but he tries not to show. I hold his hand and get up.
He holds my hand back and steps closer to me while we walk around to the next family.
"I met him in the North Mountain."
I whisper to Kaiza.
"I see. I first thought he was going to steal you for his own son."
He talks to me.
"Heh."
I chuckle softly.
Kaiza holds my hand and my waist to the following table, and we sit in front of Mr. Yamazaki while Jodai is standing behind him.
"Good evening, Mr. Yamazaki."
I greet him first this time.
"..."
We offer the teacup, and he grabs it and sniffs the smell of the tea.
"..I miss the tea time with you…"
He tells me.
"!!"
Kaiza is stunned a bit, but he holds it in.
"And that man…he misses you."
"..."
He must be talking to the swordsmith.
"I miss tea time with you as well, Mr. Yamazaki…and Mr. Yamazaki, why don't you have the herbs and flower garden anymore?"
"!!?"
"How did.. you know we used to have one?"
"The lady told me...she said she used to have, and now she only has peppermint tea."
"!!"
Both Mr. Yamazaki and Jodai are shocked and surprised by what I say.
"You met her...?"
"...yes..."
"..."
He says, noting, and I look up at Jodai.
He looks shocked, and I am about to go for him, but Kaiza is holding my hand.
"What is she like?... Does she look happy?"
"She looks beautiful... we had some good genuine conversation...Her smile is like Jodai."
I explain with a little smile.
"..."
Jodai is a step closer to his father and sits on his knees.
"What did she say?"
Mr.Yamazaki asks.
Should I say it?
"...You can say it."
He confirms.
"She didn't want me to leave him...and she wanted him...wanted you to choose your own life, no matter the path you choose, make sure that you are enjoying it...and I promised her that."
I turn to talk to Jodai.
"...Zephyra..."
Jodai calls me.
Kaiza watching and listening quietly.
"I see..."
Mr. Yamazaki.
"She's happy, Mr. Yamazaki. Even if I could feel a little sorrow from her, she was happy. And she was also happy seeing you two together....It's my opinion, Mr. Yamzaki, if you consider having a herbs and flowers garden for her like the one you had...she would be delighted.
I give them a big smile.
"Thank you, young lady..."
"My pleasure."
I bow to him.
"And you…finally find her…"
Mr. Yamazaki turns to talk to Kaiza.
"Yes."
"This time, don't let her go."
"I won't"
"If you lose her again I will take her with me…"
"!?"
I look at Mr. Yamazaki.
"You know…I want you for my son."
"..."
I shift my eyes to Jodai while he is laying eyes on me as always.
Kaiza holds my waist and my hand tighter. He might be upset. Then I put my other hand over his hand.
"That will not be happening again, sir."
"Good."
He tells Kaiza with a smirk.
It's time for the last family's table. The tables that I'm looking forward to are not at the same time. The contradiction of my emotions is running in my body. The smile that I had earlier with Mr. Yamazaki is fading. Even though I feel my water is flooding inside, my hand is not shaking, and my eyes are not swaying. Not anymore. I only have steady hands, and I'm about to give the cups of tea to them.
We sit together and face the Stygian family.
"..."
We give Charon the teacup and another teacup for Veronica. I give her myself.
We say nothing, watching them take the cups.
"Thank you for being here, and be our witness."
"Sure..."
Charon.
"You look unwell."
I talk to Charon.
"Because I am a bit sick."
"Please take care of your health."
"..."
He's a bit surprised.
"Why don't you drink,...the head lady?"
"..."
"I made it myself... especially for you."
"...."
She's even more hesitant. Then I shift my eyes to Achlys, who is more stunned by what I say.
He seems to want to talk to me.
Then I look at Veronica and stare at her until she raises her cup.
"She put a lot of effort to that Mrs. Veronica."
Kaiza tells her.
"Yes..."
Then, she raises her cup and sips the tea after her husband.
"That's very nice, Zephyra."
Charon tells me.
"Thank you, I'm glad."
Then Veronic put her teacup on the table after drinking half of it. And I wait for her judgment.
"It's good. It's refreshing."
"I'm glad you like it."
I tell her.
"Hope you enjoy the rest of the evening."
Kaiza.
"I wish you good health and your business goes well."
I give them the last word.