Your Sights

Two months later…

Braith leaned against a metal railing overlooking the mountainous spine of Japan, great green hills rolling into the distance, their slopes quilted with rice paddies catching the last light of day. The sun dipped low, spilling gold across land and sky alike. Behind them, a shrine stood quietly, its worn wood glowing faintly in the evening warmth.

He wore a formal suit - still unfamiliar on him.

Hooked through his arm was Yumie.

She smiled just as brightly as he did. For once, she wore something truly different: a beautiful white wedding dress, elegant and flowing, tailored to her frame in a way that made his breath catch every time he looked at her.

And over it all-

A grey sweater.

The sight made him chuckle again.

She tilted her head.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are,” he said warmly. “You’re incredibly cute.”

She smiled back, shuffling her feet.

“You keep saying that. But when you showed me a picture of myself, I still couldn’t see the appeal.”

He grinned.

“The sweater was your choice.”

She shrugged.

“Makes no difference to me.”

He laughed softly and turned his gaze back toward the horizon as she rested her head against his shoulder.

“Well,” he said, content, “I’m happy.”

“Yeah?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

She hummed.

“Fair point.”

The wedding itself had gone perfectly. Somehow, they’d avoided public attention entirely. In the end, the guests had been few: Eevi and Kertu, Tamiya with his ever-present grin, Nagata, Minami and her husband - the chief of police - the newest humanoid Mahotona, Kinai, along with her Mahoro, and a single news reporter who was apparently mandatory for the sake of national stability.

Neither of them had minded.

The ceremony had been simple. Afterward, they’d spent the day alone together, wandering Tokyo hand in hand, and had plans to board a bullet train later that night to start their honeymoon adventure - government funded, of course.

And when they returned, a house was waiting for them.

Exactly as Yumie had imagined it.

They’d only moved in two weeks ago, but it already felt like home.

Still to come was a visit from Braith’s parents, flights paid for courtesy of the award for - quote unquote - preventing the collapse of Japan. The phone call had gone about as smoothly as he’d expected - panic first, then questions, then relief. They’d seen the broadcast footage, but cared far more that he was alive than that he was marrying what was, technically speaking, a magical fox-girl born from his own power.

They’d had misgivings. Religious ones.

But those faded as they learned more about Yumie - about everything she’d endured, and everything she’d accomplished, despite being blind.

Braith had to admit, he was looking forward to picking them up at the airport.

Yumie even more so.

She adored his parents already, eagerly planning gifts and rehearsing Japanese customs she wanted to teach them. Like him, she was bilingual, so conversation wouldn’t be an issue.

But for now, as the sun sank lower, they were only thinking about each other.

Ever since moving into their house, Braith had found himself checking the Mahotona registry far too often - his eyes lingering on the same line every time:

Is Pregnant: NO

He knew they’d need to talk about birth control eventually.

But that was a concern for another day.

Yumie sighed softly.

“I love you.”

He smiled.

“And I love you too.”

She nuzzled closer.

“No. I love you more.”

He laughed.

“Come on. That’s the fifteenth time today.”

She giggled.

“Just making sure you know.”

He exhaled, peaceful.

“You know… two months ago, I never thought I’d be standing here. Married. With a fox-girl beside me.”

She hummed.

“I don’t think anyone would’ve.”

He smiled.

“We’ve come a long way.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder again.

“We have.”

He checked his watch.

Time to catch the train.

Straightening, he took both her hands in his.

“Ready to go?”

She nodded, smiling.

“I’ll follow you everywhere. Because I can’t do anything else.”

He chuckled.

“That makes it sound like you don’t have a choice.”

She giggled.

“But you know that’s not true. You promised that I’m the one calling the shots.”

He grinned.

“And I’m your sights.”

She nodded solemnly.

“And you’re my sight.”

He leaned down as she puckered her lips, and they kissed - brief and gentle, yet overflowing with everything they’d survived together.

Then she clutched his arm, resting her head against his shoulder as they turned back toward the shrine. Toward their car. Toward a future neither of them could predict.

Her tail swished softly through the folds of her dress.

It was a future without fear. Without hiding. Without running.

They could look back now and laugh.

And ahead-

All they could see was light.