Chapter 78
The Big Reveal
The Vice Principal's wedding was a delight of spirituality and Shintō traditions mingled with western chaos. Especially when Sarah kissed the groom senseless. The sight of a blushing Katayū would remain with Elyna for years to come.
The sun was setting in the temple’s gardens, the reverent mood emphasised by soft chime of bells and thousand swaying paper lanterns. Elyna was mulling over the priest’s speech about complementarity—a very Confucian view. His last words, in particular, had called tears to her eyes.
Let your marriage be as enduring as the mountains and as constant as the flowing river. May you find in each other not just love, but the inspiration to become the finest versions of yourselves. May your union bring forth not only happiness, but virtue that will echo through time.
Elyna took a long breath, half-listening to muted conversations in this very scenic environment.
The shrine’s atmosphere was an invitation to peace.
In every corner, a treasure. Stone lanterns lit her path as it twisted underneath camellia and pine trees.
Secretly, Elyna hoped to disappear under the canopy with Kazuki in tow.
Soon. Very, very soon.
And that ‘soon’ was as scary as it was exciting. There was no use fleeing now.
No time like the present.
Summoning her courage, Elyna allowed the murmurs of the crowd to guide her steps back to the reception.
Colourful kimonos shimmered in the lantern lights, a gathering of crisp silk and dark heads that bobbed in unison as Katayū passed through their ranks.
He looked utterly content tonight, wearing the traditional montsuki as if he’d been born with it. But where was his bride?
An arm suddenly linked with her; Sarah grinned at her. “There you are,” she exclaimed. “Let’s join the others. I believe we have a show to put on.”
Elyna’s stomach flipped; who would dare oppose the British woman on the day of her wedding?
“Erm…”
Sarah lifted a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “Oh, don’t look so terrified. You’re brave enough to love him, so be brave enough to show it.”
Elyna let out a breathless laugh. Contrary to Sarah, she felt more attuned to Japan’s restraint.
But if freedom was offered so blatantly, especially with the blessing of the Vice Principal, who was she to refuse?
And there he was, chatting with the core of teachers that made Sakura Seishin Kōtōgakkō an amazing place.
At once, Katayū’s gaze zeroed on them, features softening as he spotted his wife. His attention flitted to Elyna, just a second, before he nodded his assent.
There we go.
Shintarō addressed her a nod, eyes twinkling behind his square glasses—he’d finally won his bet, and would be getting a free trip to Okinawa, courtesy of Katayū.
Shūji stood beside Satsuki, one arm draped casually around her waist, looking pretty dashing in a formal green kimono.
Haruki, who had joined the lot of apprentice part timers, sipped a cup of sake, looking tall and dignified.
They were not the ones Elyna feared most. No, the one that gave her goosebumps was Dr Sōhma Keiko, dressed to the nines in a crimson haori that did wonders for her complexion. Sipping a glass of champagne, she had looped her arm through Onishi—Shūji’s father—in a tender gesture.
“Ah, here is my lovely bride,” Katayū greeted them, barely containing his amusement.
“It seems you caught one of our two stragglers.” Elyna could scarcely recognise the man who had unleashed his wrath on a rooftop, six months ago.
Sarah flitted to his side like a magnet finding its master, kissing his cheek tenderly.
“Oi, where’s Sano?” Shintarō exclaimed. “Is he hiding his girlfriend again?” The man had the gall to wink in Elyna’s direction. Pulse spiking, she clutched the heavy stole around her shoulders.
Shūji’s features perked up instantly, rising to the bait. “Girlfriend? Wait, Sano-san has a girlfriend?”
“If you can manage to get one, Shūji,” Katayū snorted, “I’m sure Sano-sensei can handle it.”
The young man whined in mock offence. “That’s mean! Sacchan, did you hear that?”
Satsuki stifled a laugh and rose on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “There, there. You’re very competent, Shūji-senpai.” The gesture mellowed him, somewhat, but it did not deter him for long. “That’s odd, I didn’t see anyone with him during the ceremony. Where is she?”
Elyna stiffened; she was sure Satsuki had spotted them during the ceremony. One look was enough for the student’s eyes to widen.
“There he is!” Shintarō exclaimed with his usual volume. All heads turned to the canopy where Kazuki emerged from the shadows, his stride confident.
“Well, no girl in tow,” Dr Sōhma muttered, her fan moving rhythmically.
Elyna couldn’t tear her eyes away from Kazuki as he side stepped a group of guests, smiling to people he knew before his gaze zeroed in on her.
And then, they were alone in the world. God, she loved him!
This ridiculously handsome man, whose burgundy kimono draped so perfectly over his shoulders.
The russet tones of his hair caught fire in the lantern light, framing his resolute features like a halo.
Elyna’s breath caught in her throat, overwhelmed. Beside her, all noises drowned into mindless chatter. Satsuki’s squeak of understanding, Katayū’s amused whispers to Sarah, Shintarō’s chuckle, and the thundering silence that settled between Shūji and his stepmother.
“I don’t…”, the school nurse started.
Kazuki reached Elyna’s side, and without a word, snaked his arm around her waist and claimed her mouth. Thoroughly. Leaving no doubt. At all. The world narrowed to the sensation of his body curling around hers, the strength of his arm, the warmth of his fingers at her nape.
Elyna was drowning in the slow, deliberate kiss that weakened her knees. Kazuki’s hold tightened upon her, holding her aloft as she crumbled in his arms. To do this, in public, was one thing. But before them was just too much for her heart to handle.
“There,” he murmured at last, pulling back just slightly until she could feel the warmth of his breath mingled with sake. “Now everyone knows.”
Liquid courage, huh?
The world exploded. Behind Shintarō’s raucous ’way to go, Kazu!” It was Shūji’s voice that rose first, indignant. “WHAT—WHAT—”
“Volume, Onishi-kun.” Katayū’s voice was stern. Satsuki’s hands flew to her mouth, eyes huge as Shūji seemed to struggle for breath.
Multiple voices rose then, a cacophony of exclamations and delighted laughter—from both Sarah and Shintarō—that caused heat to flood Elyna’s cheeks.
She gripped Kazuki’s hand like a lifeline, wondering why she had accepted to play the part.
She wanted to hide, to laugh hysterically. But deep down, a part of her felt free.
Elyna caught Haruki’s eye; his eyebrow climbed so high it nearly disappeared into his hairline.
And that was it. As for Sōhma Keiko… Her fan snapped shut with an audible crack.
She stared at them both, shock giving way to a calculating expression that made Elyna shiver.
Beside her, Shūji’s father only smiled. “Well. That’s … unexpected.”
Shūji finally found his voice. “Unexpected? You’re telling me that … wait, wait.” He whirled on Kazuki, pointing an accusatory finger. “I spent MONTHS trying to figure out who the hell that secret girlfriend was and…”
When words failed him, he just stood there, face red with frustration.
“I’m the secret girlfriend,” Kazuki deadpanned. Elyna finally lost it and started giggling.
But Shūji wasn’t done. “And you!” he exclaimed, looking her in the eye. “We all thought… Why did you tell me you were a lesbian?!” he finally choked out.
“I never did,” she deadpanned.
“Seems like she drives stick now, kiddo,” Sarah chuckled as she took a sip of her champagne.
Satsuki almost choked on her drink and Elyna’s cheeks just flared. She stole a glance at a mildly amused Kazuki, even though his cheekbones had darkened in embarrassment. As for Shūji, he looked like a fish out of water.
Katayū pinched the bridge of his nose, cheeks dusted crimson. “Sarah. Decorum.” The bride just smiled at her groom, her beaming expression mellowing him into a docile kitty.
Elyna gradually relaxed; she had expected too many questions, what and why and mostly, when? They stuck to their cover story, and dodged the rest.
Shūji eventually gave up, and started pouting. But someone wasn’t so willing to be fooled. Sōhma Keiko took advantage of a lull in conversation to land a devastating blow with surgical precision. “Does this have anything to do with a certain school trip in Hokkaidō last December?”
The question landed like a stone in still water, ripples racing to Elyna’s feet. Her heart flipped. Kazuki’s arm slid around her waist, a grounding presence that reminded her she needed to breathe.
“Elyna got lost, and I lost it. When I found her safe and sound, I just realised my feelings for her were not…”
The words seemed to fail him, but not Keiko’s sharp analysis. “ … of the appropriate kind?”
Not appropriate. At loss, Kazuki addressed Katayū a weary look.
“So this is what happened,” Shūji murmured, realisation setting on his face. Discipline-man’s features had closed off, as if protecting his inner musings as he processed the news.
“And so?” the school nurse insisted.
“And so,” Kazuki sighed, his thumb caressing Elyna’s skin. “I refused to acknowledge it, and put more distance between us.”
The atmosphere turned heavy, teachers and students reminiscing on the days, the weeks, even, where Elyna had folded upon herself and called it quits.
“I see…”, Keiko almost hissed, vexed beyond measure she’d been kept in the dark. Probably rewinding the situation, the frustration of being unable to solve the mystery.
“Nah, it’s in the past,” Shintarō suddenly declared, his cheerful tone laced with an underlayer of warning. “Now there is no shame in loving. Is that going to be a problem, Sōhma-san?”