Chapter 46: A Wedding Beneath the Lanterns

The morning of the wedding dawned soft and golden. Miyazuma Shrine’s grounds glowed under the sunlight, the lanterns strung from the trees swaying gently as a warm breeze carried the scent of blooming cherry blossoms. The shrine, once the site of their trials and tests, now felt like a sanctuary of hope and new beginnings.

Ren adjusted his tie nervously. His suit felt strange after years of casual clothing, but it was nothing compared to the fluttering in his chest. He glanced at Yuki, standing across from him in a traditional white kimono. The red obi around her waist matched the ribbon she had worn so many times before, the one that had pulled him toward her even when they didn’t have their memories. Her eyes shone with a quiet strength, a smile that made him both calm and anxious at once.

“You look… amazing,” he said softly, his voice barely carrying over the gentle rustle of leaves.

Yuki tilted her head, brushing her hands together nervously. “You’re not looking too bad yourself, Mr. Suit.”

Ren smiled, the tension easing slightly. “This is it. After everything… we finally get here.”

Behind them, Haru and Mina fussed with final touches. Haru adjusted a set of lanterns, muttering about symmetry and color coordination. Mina rolled her eyes but secretly smiled, threading tiny flowers into the ceremonial decorations. They had insisted on helping despite their own wedding already being set for later in the year.

“You two ready?” Haru called over, barely able to keep the grin off his face. “We’re not letting you chicken out.”

“You’re not helping,” Yuki replied, laughing softly.

The shrine gates opened, and guests began to arrive. Close friends, family, and teachers who had watched them grow from teenagers to adults in a timeline none could have predicted filled the pathways. Keiko Aoki and Yuki’s father stood near the front, their expressions proud and tearful. Even the mysterious aura of the shrine felt warmer, approving somehow, as if the God of Time had paused to witness this union.

The ceremony began with a soft chanting from the shrine priest. Every step Ren took toward Yuki felt surreal, as though he were moving through layers of memory and reality at once. He remembered every moment of their time together—the laughter, the fights, the near losses, the chimes, the festivals—and yet here they were, whole again.

Yuki’s hands were steady, but her eyes glistened. She remembered nothing consciously from the moments the God of Time had erased, yet somehow her heart knew. Every beat aligned with Ren’s, every glance carried the weight of unspoken promises fulfilled.

“Ren Aoki,” the priest intoned, “do you take Yuki Harada to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love her, honor her, and protect her, in all timelines and all lives, until the end of your days?”

Ren’s throat tightened. He looked into Yuki’s eyes and saw both courage and warmth shining back at him. “I do,” he said, his voice breaking slightly.

“Yuki Harada,” the priest continued, “do you take Ren Aoki to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love him, honor him, and support him, in all timelines and all lives, until the end of your days?”

Yuki swallowed, a soft laugh escaping her. “I do.”

The priest nodded solemnly. “By the powers vested in this sacred place and by the witness of time itself, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Ren and Yuki smiled at each other, laughter and tears mixing. They stepped forward together, hands entwined, as petals rained down from above. The wind seemed to carry away the years of confusion, pain, and separation, leaving only clarity, love, and the promise of forever.

Haru and Mina were the first to rush forward, hugging them both. “Finally!” Haru shouted, nearly knocking Ren over in the process. “I knew you’d make it.”

Mina smacked Haru on the shoulder. “And don’t ruin our moment with your shouting.” She turned to Yuki, squeezing her hand. “You’re perfect together. Just perfect.”

Ren laughed, letting himself be pulled into the circle of warmth. “You two have no idea how long we’ve waited for this.”

Haru winked. “Neither do you. But at least you’re here now.”

After the ceremony, the reception moved to a beautifully decorated pavilion near the shrine. Lanterns glimmered, casting golden reflections on the lake. Haru and Mina shared a small, private laugh when Ren and Yuki approached, hands still clasped.

“You guys look happy,” Haru said softly.

“We are,” Ren replied. “Finally.”

Mina smiled knowingly. “I’ve never seen either of you so at peace.”

The speeches and toasts came next. Friends recounted memories of the couple’s high school days, the bizarre events of their time-travel return, and the miraculous way they had found each other again. Each story drew laughter, tears, and quiet awe.

Yuki’s father  took the stage for a moment. “I’ve watched Yuki grow into a strong, thoughtful woman. Ren… thank you for loving her, for holding her even when the world tried to tear you apart. You both deserve this happiness.”

Ren’s mother  stepped forward afterward. “And I’ve learned that sometimes, the hardest lessons are the ones that lead to the most meaningful moments. Today is proof of that. Take care of each other, because you finally understand the true value of love.”

The couple exchanged a quiet, private glance. Words were unnecessary. Everything they had gone through—the memories, the loss, the second chance—led them here.

As evening fell, the lanterns were lit across the shrine grounds. The light shimmered over the water, casting a warm glow. Ren and Yuki walked hand in hand among the lanterns, feeling time itself bend around them.

“Do you think the God of Time is watching?” Yuki asked softly.

Ren chuckled. “I think he’s smiling. And probably rolling his eyes at how dramatic we were.”

Yuki laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “We really made it, didn’t we?”

“We did,” Ren whispered. “And this time… we won’t let go.”

Haru and Mina walked beside them, teasing each other quietly but smiling. The two couples moved forward together, a perfect balance of love, friendship, and history intertwined.

As the fireworks from the festival began in the distance, the shrine seemed to glow with an almost divine approval. The past, present, and future were finally in harmony, and Ren and Yuki knew that whatever challenges came next, they would face them side by side—together, unbroken, and bound by the threads of time itself.

The final lantern floated into the sky, carrying wishes, memories, and promises. Ren held Yuki’s hand tighter. No more chimes, no more timelines lost. Just the two of them, finally home.

The God of Time, silent and unseen, let out a sigh of satisfaction. Balance restored, love preserved, and fate rewritten by the courage of hearts willing to try again.

And beneath the lanterns, laughter, tears, and warmth filled every corner of Miyazuma Shrine, sealing a new beginning for all four of them.