2026-01-02: Claiming the Bride

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<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.


        OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6cgbYlFEzs Silent Hill f - Mayoi Uta

        The Shinzen wedding -- wedding before a Shinto altar -- is a Meiji-era tradition which at least claims to have much deeper roots; fanciful claims it suits the old families to support. Long ago, it was the abduction of the bride which fueled ceremonies -- ceremonies which lasted days, the bride brought to the groom's home in a shrine box...

        Some of those artifacts, at least, survive to the present day.

        Today -- after school, notably, by the bride's request -- the purification rites at Alaya Shrine and their votive offerings frame a rather tall groom with dark green hair and light brown eyes, dressed the traditional samurai's hitatare, bearing Ijuuin's crest upon his haori... and his beautiful bride. Yua's teal hair has been done up in the bunkin takashimada style -- something normally complex enough to warrant a wig, which means that the fact that her hair has been styled so is a subtle comment on the resources availed to the Ijuuin. The 'horns' of the style are hidden by her white tsunokakushi headdress, rectangular folded cloth worn across her forehead, hiding her hairline and the curves of her hair. The dark tawny skin of her face and neck has been lightened by uguisu no fun, ancestral makeup which is an elite luxury item in the modern day; her hands, clad in sheer white gloves with thicker fabric on their backs, are often hidden by her pure-white shiromuku kimono, symbolic of the death of the life she led before.

        (In Japan, a woman enters the man's household and thereafter joins his family; there is no consideration for a wife to belong to both the hearths of her husband and her mother, as they think in Okinawa.)

        The priest steps up, and speaks, offering prayer to the Gods... and explaining those prayers, to the gathered.

        "Izanami-no-Mikoto," 'She-who-Invites,' "the last of the Gods who came into existence after Heaven and Earth, gave birth to the archipelago of our existence with her husband, Izanagi-no-Mikoto," 'He-who-Invites.' "... from the first Gods were they given this sacred task, together. When they circled the Pillar of Heaven to meet each other, Izanami spoke first to her husband, thus displeasing Izanagi, thus deforming their children. It was only with the wisdom of their elders that they learned their folly, that Izanagi must speak first, and so today will we hear the words of our honoured groom Kimitake Ijuuin as he speaks his vows. It is the husband's duty to attend to his wife's evils, as we saw when Izanami swore to destroy a thousand lives a day after her sorrowful death and existence in the Underworld... for on hearing such a rage, he swore to give life to a thousand and five hundred lives. We see from Izanami's tale the potential for destruction held within a woman... but the women of this clan respectfully hide their horns with their tsunokakushi, so that they can become faithful and considerate wives."

        He grasps a sake cup, though, as he brings it to the couple. (What is consecrated there is amazake, non-alcoholic rice wine, but the cups were certainly designed for sake.) "But first, the nuptial sake cups," the priest says, as Kimitake and Yua sip from them, three times. "A cup for heaven, earth, and humanity... a cup for the past, present, and future," he narrates, as he passes another cup to them, and they sip three more times, "... and a cup for the couple and their families," a third cup is passed between them.

        It is a slow process; it is a promise. It is the san-san-kudo, three-three-nine times, as the couple shares sacred rites together.

        "Now," the priest says, "we will hear the groom's speech."

        And Kimitake turns to the crowd, his features severe but his expression quietly pleased. "When I first met Yua-san at a family gathering, hiding behind my cousin Miho-san, she was captivating. The eyepatch across her face only enhanced her vulnerability and her beauty, and she was so shy around us... my Uncle, the Father of our Clan, was fortunately able to arrange for us to come together formally. We will forever be in debt to his wisdom and his generosity in allowing such an embattled woman to find safety beside me... and I am honoured to be tasked with protecting her, and all our children going forward."

        Their families, too, been given cups of that amazake, so that they might cheer "Kanpai!" at the end of that speech... and one of the few concessions Yua won for this ceremony is the consideration of Remi as part of her family party, such that she is given a cup alongside her father Fuyu and young Yume Ooshiro.

        Kimitake slips a wedding onto Yua's finger, then, removing her glove to reveal a dark hand which he slips that rich mokone gane ring onto; it clips in against her engagement ring, to make something more difficult to ignore. So too does she place a ring upon his finger -- after he has secured her.

        The glove on her right hand, it seems, will remain.

        The priest offers sacred evergreen to the altar, to beseech the Gods for their protection, and then...

        Then, it is time for the guests to move to the reception hall.

        Chrysanthemum Hall is within walking distance of Alaya Shrine -- walk a little further, and you'll hit Lotus Plaza, but the function hall is a rich environment to host a crowd. Their guests are welcomed at the entrance, and since this is a public wedding, no one's attendance is checked -- they are only asked if they're special guests. (Guests such as family or Remi need to be checked off, after all, as they're part of the programme.)

        The kekkon hiroen -- the wedding reception -- is of course accompanied by a banquet, though only the appetisers are placed out for consumption in the area of the hall designed for guests to mill about in; a full course of dinner shall of course be served, later on, with sashimi and soup and yakimono and nimono and gohan and desserts...

        Right now, though, there are appetisers: datemaki, sweet rolled omelets, kuromane, black soybeans, kazunoko, herring roe, and delicate, small portions of rolled fish, sakizuke.

        On display, here, is the Wedding Trousseau -- their dowry -- items dating back to the Meiji or even Edo periods displayed in cases for the public to view. In a place of honour are their maki-e shells decorated for kai-awase -- the shell-matching game. Three hundred and sixty clam shells have been hand-painted with scenes from the Tale of Genji, and two shells each feature the same scene exactly, representing the harmony of the bride and groom's pairing. (Details of this Heian-era game are placed on a plaque beside the shells, which are reportedly from the Edo era.) A tea ceremony chest from the Meiji period is another strong draw, as are screens and paintings from the Tale of Genji, dating across the Meiji period... aside from one screen, which dates to the Edo period. A set of Meiji-era dolls are beautifully designed; as is a mirror and mirror stand from that era. There is a tooth-blackening set from the Edo period, alongside a beautiful Edo-era comb. Plaques explaining these wonderous items explain that the bride's dowry is passed down through the family; the Ijuuin's trousseau has been built over hundreds of years.

        ... and this wedding's contribution to the gifts is a fine pair of shiisaa statues, beautifully shaped and painted, detailed as the Ooshiro's formal dowry gift which shall join the dowry until times immemorial. The Shiisaa, it states, are guardian lions who protect homes from evil; on the left, the female lion's mouth is closed to keep good spirits inside the home, while on the right, the male lion's mouth is open to scare evil spirits away from the home.

        Yua's father and little sister, Fuyu Ooshiro and Yume Ooshiro, are here in their traditional ryuso -- Okinawan garments analogous to but distinct from the kimono -- with Fuyu's blue patterned ryuso tied back with a golden girdle, and Yume's pink floral arrangement secured with a pin. Kimono are the traditional mode of dress for a wedding like this... but one of the other concessions Yua won for this wedding was allowing their guests to attend in festive yukata instead, because she didn't want them to suffer heat stroke. Yume, in particular, might be familiar to students of Seven Sisters -- she's a second-year, part of Newspaper Club, and a real whiz at English class.

        Kimitake and Yua Ijuuin -- in that order -- will take a few moments to appear... and those versed in traditional weddings will realise that this is because Yua needs to adjust her outfit. But there is time to mill about, as they enter the reception hall, and find any friends who might have also attended today! All the students at Yua's schools were specifically invited...

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.


Miho Ijuuin, too, is tall. Obviously she is here, at her best friend's wedding--at her cousin's wedding. One would expect nothing less... particularly not those who remember the 2008 Olympics, where Miho pronounced that she would find Yua Ooshiro wherever she had gone.

Today, Miho wears a highly formal kimono. Her furisode has a black base and a pattern of pine, bamboo, and plum--the 'Three Friends of Winter'. They symbolize resilience, integreity, and perseverance through hardship... But how many know that this is itself a hardship? Few. But for Miho, to watch her lover marry her cousin is certainly apt for the wintertime her birthday presages.

Her long, hanging sleeves are a sign of her youth; while Miho can be very commanding, in matters of family she is the youngest, the 'baby' of the Ijuuin main line. Almost always, she gets what she wants...

But is this it?

She is part of the ceremony, but not a large part. Her role has been one of prepration. She listens to Kimitake's speech, but through the wedding, her attention continues to slide to Yua herself. Hiding behind her, Yua had been...

She waits. She watches. The rings are placed...

Miho, obviously, is a special guest at Chrysanthemum Hall. She finds time to stand near Remi as they walk over, and she looks to Remi as she does. "..." She says nothing.

Her eyes linger on the statues, too. The shiisaa...

She is there, waiting for the bride and groom, at the end. There are others here, of course; Ichika Kawase, the only member of the future Newspaper Club at Kasugayama; Ayame Watanabe with her husband, here to support her friend, and more.

But Miho's brown eyes stay focused on the place where the bride has come. She will not need to have notes for her speech. But... She's also not alone! Which is the main reason Miho isn't glowering or otherwise silent. Instead, she occasionally laughs at the jokes of a man even taller than her own six feet, talking in an easy, smooth way with him. He is a handsome man, a movie star, arranged as her date for the reception--because of course she must have a date. Tomoki Hasegawa is almost thirty but youthful, often playing romantic leads in big movies. He asks Miho a lot of questions about the traditions, and those near them can be enlightened by her answers.

She stands with him now.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.


Remi has a lot of feelings about this wedding, and none of them she can express. At least not publically. But if she is required to smile and be supportive, then that is exactly what she'll do.

What is one more mask to wear, among the several she already juggles?

It may have been quite some time since she was last at an event of such formality and deep tradition as this, but Remi's cultured upbringing serves her well. And while Yua won concessions for her father and sister for their traditional dress, Remi (with the generous assistance of both Miho and Yua, of course), has taken the initiative on her own style.

More specifically, she has blended in notes of her French heritage while respecting the Japanese customs. Her long, honey-blonde hair, normally worn loose, is today styled into a French chignon--a type of bun that is often worn at formal events like weddings. It is secured with a pearl hairpin, and two locks of her hair have been left loose to frame her face.

She is wearing a pair of emerald studs (they make the green flecks in her brown eyes pop) and light makeup. And of course, as befits the status of an unmarried young woman, she is wearing a traditional furisode, but again, with a Western touch: the base is a dark forest green, but it is decorated with bold red roses. And her outfit is topped off with an elegant champagne-colored obi.

She stands 5'6"--much taller than the average woman in Japan, and though she has blended in her French heritage she still knows all of the customs, and walks in her kimono with grace. (She, at least, will not be complaining of potential heat stroke--indeed, the more covered up she is, the more comfortable she ultimately is, handling the summer heat with aplomb.)

Still, despite her close friendship with Yua (and their shared hardships), she was deeply humbled to have been told she would be included with Yua's family as part of their party. It is a simple act, yet a deeplyu meaningful one... especially considering she has yet to get back in touch with her own family. She's done her best to be supportive of Fuyu and especially Yume--since Yua was undoubtedly busy with other arrangements. And when the time comes, she accepts her amazake with grace, and cheerfully shouted "Kanpai!" with everyone else.

She finds herself naturally falling into step with Miho as they head to the hall. Miho doesn't say anything. Remi doesn't either. She looks to her friend and just nods.

It's okay, Miho. You don't have to say it.

She will observe the statues as well as the rest of the cultural artifacts with interest. The circumstances may not be ideal, but she is still interested in the history and traditions. And they'll keep her mind off of other thoughts as she waits for the bride and groom to appear.

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.


Reiko is one of the few people not in a kimono or yukata here. Instead, given that she was invited in part because she is a police officer, she is in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's dress uniform: a navy blue cap, a white collared shirt, and a navy jacket and skirt. Her hair is pinned up underneath the cap; she has a tie on, too, and white gloves.

She shifts, a little nervously. She stands out compared to a lot of the people present -- one of the few not in traditional Japanese dress -- but it's an important statement.

She joins with the others, saying "Kanpai!"

And once they're inside Chrysanthemum Hall, she exhales softly -- and glances sideways at her sister, Shinobu. "I... think those artifacts aren't replicas," she says, quietly. "I didn't realize how wealthy they must be. Or, uh..."

A gloved finger scratches her cheek. "Traditional?"

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.


Goro Akechi's arrival may cause some murmuring. "I seem to have made quite a stir." He says with a smile because - he's purposefully out of dress code.
 
He's wearing a Western Tuxedo, the kind that one might see at a Black Tie event, the one concession he's made is that the typical white button up shirt has been replaced by one that appears to be light blue.
 
Just off-color enough to evade both wedding associations and associations with death.
 
He sets down a Shugi-Bukuro envelope on the table as his Goshugi, an entirely appropriate amount for a wedding that few teenagers could ever afford.
 
But most teenagers don't run their own detective agencies and make TV appearances either!
 
The Alaya Shrine. A horrible murder occurred here ten years ago. But one could say the same for so many places, couldn't you? The curse of being a Detective is knowing how many places could have angry ghosts, and not believing a single one of them exists.
 
He listens to the prayers, watches the rituals. His expression grave... this has happened for thousands of years on this island they call Japan. Yet for some reason he can't find a reason to say 'Kanpai' when the time comes.
 
At the reception, he strides up to Miho, holding a sake cup, and one of something non-alcoholic for himself. "Ah, Ijuuin-san. It was a beautiful ceremony wasn't it? Forgive me if we haven't been introduced previously - being a Detective means often having an unfair advantage over those he meets. I'm Goro Akechi."
 
He holds out the Sake cup to her, "And I do believe that the cousin of the groom shouldn't lack a drink in her hand for the rest of the night. Don't you agree?"
 
He's smiling, he's smiling as he does something so very thoughtful for her.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu has not had many occasions to attend weddings. And certainly not a wedding like this - highly formal, highly traditional... everything she's not. But she's been invited, and Yua seemed so happy when she accepted the invitation, so it's too late to get cold feet now... especially when she's already passed the invitation along to her sister.

She has her thoughts about the speech, about everything here, but she keeps them to herself. She does and reacts in the way that's expected of her, because she doesn't want to rock the boat when she's been so kindly invited in.

She can relax a little bit more when they're inside Chrysanthemum Hall - even if she still feels out of place, with even a single one of those artifacts her sister points out probably being worth more than everything she owns put together...

"I thought I knew. But I'm still floored." Shinobu admits to Reiko with a sheepish laugh - and nods. "...Super traditional."

She's... made an effort to dress formally, today. She's dressed in yukata, because that's the nicest outfit she owns and she can't really afford to rent something more traditional - hers a dark green, with a subtle floral pattern in lighter green and bound with a dark blue obi.

She offers Reiko an encouraging smile, though. She can tell she's nervous about all this. ...She is too, a bit.

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.

Hyousuke had been unsure about attending the wedding. He knew Ooshiro-sensei, of course - she was a little difficult to ignore, after all. But he did not know her well. He certainly did not think he knew her well enough to attend an affair as intimate as a wedding, even if the invitation had very explicitly been to any who wished to attend. Yet, the invitation stood regardless, and he could not even use the excuse that he could not secure traditional dress. A rental yukata - plain as it was, with little more embellishment than some dark stripes to contrast the charcoal-grey fabric - was available in his size.

Hyousuke had been unsure of whether he could sit still enough to not cause a bother during the ceremony. He knew he was not a patient man, and the entire affair was unfamiliar to him. He knew nothing of when to speak, where to look, who to follow - he was very clearly out of place amongst every other person gathered. Yet, he remained, doing his level best to blend in despite every fibre of his being seemingly working against that one aim. Silently, he hoped that whatever indiscretions had been detected could be forgiven on account of him having no experience with weddings, let alone traditional ones.

Hyousuke was unsure of what he was supposed to do once the ceremony was over. As unpleasant as he had found it - if only because of its unfamiliarity - the implied instruction of 'be quiet and respectful' had been enough to go on. The reception hall, however... There was nothing to direct him. The guests all tended to their own business, Ooshiro-sensei was not available for him to pass on his well-wishes so he could leave what he supposed had been a terrible idea from the start, and he did not even see a face he recognised and could latch onto.

Hyousuke was sure that he should have made an excuse - whether to himself or to Ooshiro-sensei - but it was too late for that now. He supposed he could busy himself reading the plaques for the time being, and - if he saw someone else pick at the appetisers on offer - take a piece or two for himself. Even with that plan of action though, he was very visibly uncomfortable with the entire thing.

<Pose Tracker> Gozaburou Gessou has posed.

Such a lovely ceremony...if you are into that sort of thing. Gozaburou Gessou is not. Still Gozaburou Gessou loves a party, if he can use it as a networking opportunity. And this ceremony was a big deal. Lots of opportunities!

 Which is why Zabu is dressed to the 9s but in his way. Rather than going traditional, Gozaburou is dressed in a very dark purple tuxedo, almost appearing black unless the light catches it just right. In addition, he has a black silk dress shirt and a bow tie that matches his tux.

 Zabu himself was of average height...maybe even short compared to some here. His hair is swept to one side of his face, hiding dark eyes. His glasses are always rectangular frames that match his suit. To anyone who looks his way, Zabu flashes the smuggest of smiles.

 To Zabu's side, a intern sits nervously clutching a DSLR camera with the task of capturing pictures and video of the event for the show. They are dressed in one of Zabu's other suits...Don't worry folks! The intern will be paying for the dry cleaning out of their own pocket.

 When the reception begins, Zabu is busy giving orders to his intern. "Right. Make sure to get me in front of this lovely dowry. I know the older viewers eat this cultural stuff up." He stops walking before turning to the intern. "Right. Go snap some b roll for the segment."

 Gozaburou makes his way over to the Miho, smiling widely. "Ijuuin-san, we're excited to have you on the show when we can arrange it. How are you?" He turns his head to Akechi, smiling somehow even brighter..such is the magic of stardom! "Akechi-san! I hope there isn't something afoot! Haha-ha"

 Remi doesn't escape Zabu's notice, his smile turning into a smirk. He merely nods as he turns back to Miho and Goro.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

        Surely, there is an end to Umie's thirst for answers. Today is not that day.

        Umie combs a tendril of hair back into place with a pale lavender nail, Umie turns her head, examining the chignon bun for any further signs of succumbing to the early September heat. Next comes the off-white gloves, which she adjusts with a nervous sort of fastidiousness. While the off-white of the cloth set her nail color off nicely, there's no escaping the fact that people may notice a similarity between her and the bride in their choice of hand wear.

        A least her yukata rental looks pretty, if more muted in tone than she's used to: an off-white tone overset with a tan-colored pattern of bellflowers, accented with spots of yellow, three-petaled flowers. and splotches of mint green. A white slip is worn underneath due to the fabric's light weave. She frowns as she takes one last look in the mirror. What is she doing...?

        The metaphorical lock on this mystery is noisy; it will rattle the more she picks at it.

        --------

        It turns out the only lockpicking that'll happen so far is Umie possibly picking at the appetizers, after sweating through the slow procession at Alaya Shrine. While her nerves were on fire in a different, more anxious way thanks to the old shrine looming ahead (please don't think of the murder that happened here, Umie, stop it), the comparatively air-conditioned accomodations of the Chrysanthemum Hall is like a balm on the soul.

        Pausing to look at the differences between Ooshiro's family dress and the dress she saw during the wedding itself, as well as the shiisaas. (.... Ah, so that's where those beasties hail from.) The shugi-bukuro she sets down is handmade, the money inside an unsuspicious but sufficient amount. As brown eyes take in the guests, Umie finds herself recognizing quite a few, whether by sight, or her own more hidden senses pinging like little alarm bells, signaling other Persona users both familiar and unfamiliar.

        Umie herself, of course, remains compulsively hidden from such 'eyes', but during the wedding itself, there were a few spikes of anxiety that temporarily unveiled herself, like a sparrow being sent scattering into the night from a disturbed bush.

        She hears Akechi's voice nearby and looks up, somehow unsurprised that he's here in some fashion, but her attention is immediately drawn to the tall person he's talking to-- no, the tall couple(?).

        ... Specifically the one with the dark green hair. It's like a subtle pulse that ricochets up Umie's spine, freezing her in mid-step. Ah, this is the person Yua had mentioned, possibly.

        It'd be polite to not just stand there but, with Akechi taking the spotlight, Umie simply uses that time as a means to composes herself. (... Is it just her, or does Akechi's smile seem....)

        There's a lot about this wedding that needs words that Umie just can't quite put her finger on.

        "You must be the person the bride told me about," she finally says, when she sees an in, putting up a smile of her own. "She never mentioned you were this impressive."

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

The young daughter of the Okumura family also makes an appearance at this auspicious occasion - in part because of the family's business connections, but also because of the invite extended to each and every student at Yua's schools.

Of course, she doesn't arrive unescorted, arriving with Hisayoshi Sugimura to keep up appearances - despite the man's surprising lack of respect for the traditions for such a conservative young man. "I've got other arrangements tonight. You may as well go play with the other students. The bride is your teacher, yes?" He mutters, as the car door opens, Haru stepping out dressed in a neat and formal kimono. "We'll rendezvous after the ceremony. You might as well watch, maybe you'll learn something."

The door of the car slams shut, the chauffer quickly driving away. Truthfully, Haru is relieved to know she doesn't actually have to spend the wedding with him. Instead, she heads into the Chrysanthemum Hall to see if she can find any of her classmates before it's time to give her regards to the bride and groom.

Still, Haru can't help but feel a little out of her depth as she takes in the somewhat solemn, traditional atmosphere of the wedding. Though she doesn't see Yua just yet, Miho has quite the strong presence herself. And among the guests... none stand out more than the Detective Prince himself. Haru is a little nervous to see him here, but she reminds herself she isn't here as a Phantom Thief. They're both guests, tonight.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.


        In any other circumstance, Katsuya would have been in proper alignment of the dress code, even if it had meant that he would have to rent a men's kimono (he only recently has had reason to buy a yukata; he has never owned traditional Japanese formalwear). But there's one reason that he's here, and it's because he's a cop.

        He may be a homicide detective first, but he is a police sergeant by rank. As such, there is an associated dress uniform, though it's one that he hardly ever wears. Today is the appropriate day for it, to express his wishes and alignment with his colleague, Kimitake Ijuuin. Similar to Reiko, his attire is crisp and similar in color, but the Sumaru blue is a little more saturated, his uniform displays the insignia of his rank, and of course he wears blue dress slacks instead of a skirt. One day, women on the force will no longer have the skirt as part of their uniform but, alas, that change is still a ways off from the summer of 2012.

        He's been to a few weddings, he considers, but never before a traditional Shinto wedding. Most people his age have a 'Western' wedding. He of course had read up on what was involved, but...

        ...but his mind also, like Akechi's, strays to an incident that occured here on these grounds ten years ago. It would have been in the late summer, wouldn't it. The killer was never caught.
        ...He thinks that he knows why.

        As the priest speaks, he's reminded of something. Izanagi had gone to the underworld to retrieve his wife, but had disobeyed her when she asked him to not look upon her decayed body. Then he had fled her, then he had divorced her. And then...

        But Katsuya still does as ceremony dictates, and doesn't speak about any of the things running through his mind.

        He approaches Reiko, marking her as a fellow officer, if from a different jurisdiction. "It's good to meet you, I am Sergeant Katsuya Suou with the Sumaru Police. Ijuuin-san is a superior officer," he remarks, then, notes the woman at her side. "...Shimizu-san. It has been a little while." Glancing between the two of them, he notices something else. "Forgive me, but are the two of you... sisters?"

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.


Let's be real: Kasugayama's faculty probably wouldn't care enough to send an official chaperone along for most events that students were encouraged to attend. But Julian Marlowe came to the wedding anyway, quite possibly having volunteered himself for the role of ensuring the students don't act too disruptively. He may be generally lenient, and this may be a public event, but this is still a wedding, it wouldn't do for someone's big day to be spoiled because someone felt like acting out at the most inappropriate time. Not on his watch! Unless you want to be sentenced to mandatory counseling sessions.

He did find it rather hard to judge whether Yua would appreciate his presence. Even if the exact reasons for it elude him, it wasn't hard to tell that she didn't like him, so he respectfully kept his distance during the day-to-day. Perhaps showing he cared enough to be here would go some way towards mending that cracked bridge. He went the extra mile to appear in Japanese garb for it, wearing a dark brown, unpatterned kimono with matching haori. Nothing too fancy or formal, as he understood was most fitting for guests at such an event. Not that he doesn't still stand out here, with his 6 feet, obvious western appearance, and that eternal monocle in his left eye.

Still, he tries to blend in as best he can and not get in anyone's way, silently observing the reception by himself from the sidelines, snacking on some datemaki. Which he nearly chokes on when someone suddenly slaps him on the back.

"Yo, Counsel Boss!" A smirking, gum-chewing girl still wearing her (modified, off-color) Kasugayama uniform greets Julian as he tries to dislodge what got stuck in his throat. "Nasty cough. Aughta get that looked at."

After recovering, Julian shoots her a displeased frown. "<Miss> Shiranui. A casual event is not an invitation to be casual with me. And did I not tell you to stop calling me that?"

The girl looks unimpressed and uninterested. "Musta slipped my mind. Anyway, didn't catch nobody tryin' nothin', and this party sucks, so I'm out. Later!"

Julian sighs as he watches the girl wander off. For those keeping track, this wasn't his regular errand girl, Tomoyo Harayama. This was the third year Kotoha Shiranui, formerly a lone wolf at Kasugayama until after summer break, when she suddenly started calling Julian Boss. He knows why, but no one else does, so... rumours abound about this fan club he's starting to gather. And neither of its 'members' are helping.

If it's all the same to everyone else present, he'll take another moment to get his bearings back before making any attempts to mingle.

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.


        The wedding is at least not far from Jun's home or school--just a train ride from Hirasaka Ward to Rengedai Ward, a trip Jun frequently takes anyway to visit their father at his job, then down to the Alaya Shrine. He's dressed in a dark men's kimono--changed at Seven Sisters High School with their father's support to avoid that heat stroke Ooshiro-sensei is so worried about--with his black hair perfectly coiffed as always to curtain over one of his brown eyes.
        
        He doesn't think of a certain incident that took place at Alaya Shrine ten years ago. Why would he? Jun had nothing to do with it, and it had nothing to do with him.
        
        It's a lovely ceremony, at least to someone who knows nothing of the greater context. There's only a slight nag of something off to Jun, who dismisses it as the summer heat. Chrysanthemum Hall and its air conditioning are consequently even lovelier.
        
        Though there's food, Jun eschews that for the moment to admire the dowry gifts, in particular the shiisaa statues. It's all extremely traditional. If only his father had the time and an invitation to come; as a world history teacher, Jun's sure he would love it.
        
        Especially when he overhears someone remarking that those artifacts aren't replicas. Jun glances over at Reiko and Shinobu. "It is quite impressive. I'm happy for Ooshiro-sensei," he remarks, offering the two a subdued smile.
        
        His gaze travels from there to Hyousuke, reading the plaques and looking plainly uncomfortable. "...Suzuki-kun, hello," he says, smile growing a bit warmer. It shifts into a look of concern. "Are you all right? You seem a bit... fatigued."
        
        'Fatigued' is not really the word, but if Hyousuke wants to claim it's the summer heat from the walk over, it'll let him do that.

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.


        Tamaki is present at this wedding, at least in part because she and Yua have occasionally seen each other around Aoba and other brief chance meetings elsewhere, invariably within the proximity of schools. (Yumezaki, though? No, never.) For reasons similar to Shinobu's, she's dressed in her summer yukata, the one with a navy-blue uroko pattern, though she does feel a little self-conscious about wearing a necklace of Buddhist symbolism to a Shinto wedding.

        Another part is that she is curious to see what such a wedding would be like, to know what she had missed out on with her own ended engagement. This may perhaps help her to get a better handle on what she feels, or how she should be feeling.

        Then there's the matter of Miho's past insistence on finding Yua, yet Kimitake is the one here marrying her -- this, too, causes Tamaki to Feel a Certain Way about someone else who she was fond of, but has given up on finding again.

        She wonders: Was she wrong to do so?

        She does take notice of Remi's presence with the family, though her association with Miho and Yua comes as no surprise to her.

        Her own work is, perhaps, the furthest thing from her mind. This occasion touches on things more personal to Tamaki, but not in her pursuit of answers pertaining to the supernatural.

        The lower lid on one of Tamaki's eyes twitches around the time the priest speaks of the husband's role to 'attend to his wife's evils.' While she doesn't feel like she's dodged a bullet, it does leave a bit of a solid taste in her mouth, having had the exact opposite dynamic with some boys and men in her own life.

        Something tugs at her memory about how Yua's right hand remains gloved, though she can't pinpoint what, exactly.

        The guests are shuffled to the reception hall, soon enough, and here arrives Tamaki's third purpose in attending: the food. After placing her gift envelope on the table, she blissfully dines on a few rolled omelettes, taking care to not spoil her appetite before the main courses.

        It's here that she sees Hyousuke hovering nearby, waiting for someone to break the invisible seal placed on the appetizers. She's more than willing to take that initiative! She notices that he seems to be alone and very out-of-place, so she tries to throw him a line: "Suzuki-kun? Is that you? It's good to see you here!" Moments later, she notices Jun and gives him a wave as well. "Ah -- and hello to you, too, Kashihara-kun! I can leave you both to it, if you'd like."

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.

 
         They are next to invisible.

         There is a particular gift left amidst the other gifts, resting alongside the special folded brocade envelopes and teacup sets: A artisanal folded paper geometry of a watchful crow, whose weighted body is made of seven long notes of decorative paper, each inscribed with traditional charms of protection and longevity. The crow bears a single folded origami leaf upon its crown, and it stands, with only a small steel legband marked with its name and origin; Shichikigarasu, from the Ryouhara clan, who had sent a note regretting they will not be in attendance tonight.

         Ah, it is true; there are no invitations sent, and no artfully dressed men in yukata. But a carefully crafted lie made pretty is still a lie. It is simpler, one thinks, to lose track of a lower-rank junior kannushi amidst the procession along the paths to the Shrine and the Hall. To make sure things go smoothly, to make sure the guests are safe and attended.

         A particular person works in the margins the reception, his youth almost causing him to be lost amongst the schoolchildren. Ah, but for so many schools whose students care for the Bride, there was a plan in place to manage unattended minors. This young man, barely older than a boy himself, is wearing first and foremost, a bright smile. His grey hair is tied back into a loose tail, with dark glasses and a tiny hat jammed onto his head, along with the traditional kareginu outer robe in darker blue. He is dutifully allowing his subordinate to overwatch the more sensitive affairs elsewhere for now, while he makes sure none of the children, especially those left unattended by school chaperones, get lost. A smile, a tiny wave.

         Even when he takes the dark glasses off of his face and dabs at the corner of his eye with a folded cloth, he only answers mildly the obvious questions he gets from a curious child.

         "Ah, so sorry," Shiryuu replies warmly. "I have a delicate constitution, it seems~~ and... events like these always make me cry.. please, right this way." A welcoming hand offered.

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.


        Yua, notably, said not a word during the ceremony. She cast her gaze down, demurely, though a smile softened her features. She was the picture of obedience they expected from her, white as death.

        There is plenty for Zabu's people to appreciate, when it comes to televisable material. Indeed, they were invited -- and given the exclusive blessing of being the one television outlet invited to the wedding. They've been promised all the best coverage!

        Fuyu Ooshiro finds Miho and Remi, in the function hall. If he was shaken by the implications that his daughter was not safe beside him, he bears that stoically; it is not entirely untrue.

        (And he is known to both of them; he knew them when they were children, even, coming over to Yua's house to play. He has always been a warm and supportive father; he has always put his family's safety first. And he is a member of the JSDF, though he does not wear their decorations, today...)

        "You handled the ceremony very well," he says, quietly, to them -- and if he speaks of it as if it were something they had to bear, well, he knows well why Miho and Remi might be burdened today. He, too, bears that burden; he gave his blessing for this union, but he gave it simply to give Yua and Miho the excuse to be closer together. "Miho-chan, your birthday colours are beautiful... and Remi-chan, the touches you've made to your furisode fit you perfectly." He knows that those touches take her dress outside of the expected Japanese tradition; but there is a reason he is wearing his ryuso, today.

        Fuyu smiles, to Akechi, when he strides up. "The Detective Prince has come to my daughter's wedding...? Oh -- oh, yes, I remember, Yume-chan did say that you went to her school! I hear you cause quite a stir when you come to class," he chuckles. ... and if he makes a mental note to keep an eye on Miho, as the night goes on, he doesn't verbalise it. She may not officially be his daughter-in-law, but he hardly needs something to be official to want to look out for his daughter's people, as he is with Remi.

        "Excuse me a moment, will you?" He asks, patting a hand to Remi's arm, as he steps to the side, just missing Umie and Zabu in the process... to find two women who look terribly lost amongst all this wealth, alongside another officer. Indeed, Reiko: the artifacts are not replicas. To Katsuya and Reiko, he smiles: "You must be... policemen like Inspector Ijuuin, yes? I'm glad to meet some of his guests..." They are definitely not the only policemen in formalwear in attendance -- but they are, notably, the two Fuyu feels more comfortable approaching. Most of Kimitake's friends... well, they have a certain imposing air about them. "Fuyu Ooshiro -- I'm the bride's father. Thank you for attending a formal gathering like this," he says, with a slight bow. And then, turning to Shinobu, he adds: "Could you be... Shinobu Shimizu? I remember Yua-chan mentioning a woman who helped her now and then who had a policewoman for a sister, and I overheard... well, thank you for your hard work," he adds, with another bow. "I know she can be a little forward and familiar at times, but Yua-chan really does mean well... I'm sure if she's invited you here, it's because she regards you warmly." Even though she was just doing courier work for them!!

        Fuyu moves on, then, to green Julian. "Could you be one of Yua-chan's coworkers?" He wonders, looking up at the Western man in his kimono. "I recall her mentioning that she worked with an Englishman at Kasugayama... I'm Fuyu Ooshiro, her father," he introduces himself, again. "Thank you for coming... I'm glad some of her coworkers are in attendance, too, even though you just had a hard day at work." Ikkaku, of course, is also in the audience; he will speak with him, at some point, naturally.

        Meanwhile, amongst the youth, Hyousuke and Jun are approached by a girl with brown hair and lighter skin than her sister -- though the family resemblance between Yume and her older sister Yua is unmistakable, even if Yume is just a hair's breath taller than average at a whole five-foot-three. Her normal side-pony hairstyle has been styled back into a fancy bun, and her ryuso bears a lovely pink floral pattern. She's sixteen, perhaps -- a second-year, though she goes to Sevens. "Hey," she says, to them -- and she waves Haru over, too. "Kind of awkward how she invited all the students, huh...? Oh -- I'm Yume Ooshiro," she adds, gesturing to herself. "I'm, uh... her sister?" She pauses, looking up at Tamaki, who is distinctly not a Youth. (Sorry, Tamaki... you're oooold...) "Nice necklace," she comments. "It's cool, this isn't really our religion, either, they can deal."

        Indeed, there is something Tamaki has noticed, here, as Katsuya has identified the complexity: the tale of Izanami and Izanagi is one with harm done on both sides, a story of the mistakes which can be made in marriage which needn't be as one-sided as they've painted it today. It is... a particular type of traditionalism, the kind which finds faults in women far more easily than men.

        And amongst all the guests being noticed, two guests, entirely deliberately, go below notice...

        "Please welcome the bride and groom," the Master of Ceremonies calls, as a pair of doors in the hall open to reveal them. Kimitake is still dressed as a nobleman, a samurai, but Yua? Yua has been draped with an overcoat of cranes and tortoises and all those three friends of Winter, now wearing an uchikake -- an outer robe -- which is colourful and bright, red, green and gold all featured prominently on a white base, with red lining the edges of her robe.

        All these symbols of longevity bless their union, as she is painted in the Ijuuin's colours.

        "Today, these new Ijuuins wish to connect with the people who have come to support them," the Master of Ceremonies issues his short speech -- a traditional opener -- as he spreads his hands, his kimono suitable to the festivities without being so fine as to upstage the guests. "And so they will join with you as we hear words from our guests. Firstly, their matchmaker has designated his daughter to offer her words to the gathering... then we will hear from a close friend of the bride and the groom."

        And perhaps it's because they know which daughter that is that Kimitake and Yua look first to Miho. For the first time, Yua meets Miho's eyes; and there is something complex, in her one visible eye, before she smiles gently.

        Still she is the picture of beauty... and between those speeches, she can now be approached.

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.


Miho appreciates Remi here. Of course their mutual friend would support them--but even if it feels a matter of course, it is important not to take it for granted. To take her for granted. Another mask, though... how true.

Miho did comment warmly on Remi's appearance earlier; she also apprecaites the way she has made it her own. But...

It is those things she does not and cannot say that Remi understands.

Tomoki doesn't, though. Or at least, he doesn't appear to, and yet, he doesn't tread on feelings too hard, either. "Ryuuja-san," he says, "The green really suits you well!"

He has said similar things about Miho's kimono, of course, but that was earlier. Now...

Fuyu addresses her quietly, and Miho inclines her head. "Thank you," she says to the man who could've been (in another world) her own father-in-law. "And I appreciate that. Yua is beautiful," she says. And then more softly, so only he can hear, "I'll be sure to look after her, too."

Akechi is here! And Miho recognizes him only by reputation, at first. He offers her a drink, and she looks to him first--but then he explains. "It was," she agrees. "...Forgiven, Akechi-kun," she says wryly. "A gift is the best way to smooth over such an advantage." She accepts the cup. "Who am I to turn down such a thoughtful gesture? I will endeavor to remain so."

She smiles back.

"I guess I'm sleeping on the job," Tokmoki jokes, "Not getting my date a drink. Thank you for correcting the oversight, Akechi-kun."

She has a drink now! Fuyu will keep an eye on her. She's definitely tempted to drink more of it. When he asks his leave, Miho nods. "We'll talk again soon."

Dark purple tuxedo approaches! Miho turns to Gozaburou as he approaches. "Thank you," Miho says to Zabu. "I recall my press agent is working on it. I am well, of course." She lifts her drink towards him, "Since I get to be here on this lucky day." Her short green hair is severe, and so is her... gigantic height, but she is soft in expression in this attire. "Hopefully," she agrees.

"Zabu-san! It's good to see you again! How have things been since the last time we got to visit?"

While they talk for a moment, Miho... feels something. That subtle pulse that draws her brown eyes towards Umie, as the very tall woman regards her--and it is a feeling very much like being weighed on the scales of some grand fate.

"Why, thank you," Miho says to Umie, inclining her head in greeting. "Yes, I am Miho Ijuuin. And you are?"

She's interested. But she doesn't comment further. Not... here.

She glances over at Julian, with the student calling him 'boss'. Hmmm. But before she can address that--

Well, was she going to anyway? She has a drink in hand, and the Master of Ceremonies has called upon her.

Miho meets Yua's eyes in turn, and it is hard to read her; there is something distant there, soft but far away. Much like on her worse days. ...But isn't this a 'worse day' itself?

"Yes. I would like to offer a few words to the bride and groom," Miho says, speaking up. Her voice projects easily.

"I have known Yua-chan since our high school days. I first met her at a fencing practice, when she came to watch me at my craft, and was brave enough to come and talk to me after, when so few other students would. In turn I have always appreciated her talent for the arts. She was and is a close confidant, my very best friend... and when my cousin saw her, he clearly saw as much to love as I see. My Father is the one who made this match, and I warmly welcome Yua-chan into our family now."

She doesn't need notes; she already prepared this. Just as she's prepared so much...

"One may recall the time I spent looking for her... When she was missing, for some time. Now, she has been found, and I am glad to say that she has found a place to remain. I wish her and Kimitake-san all the best, and hope that their union is everything we all imagine it to be. Take care of her, Kimitake-san, and she will take good care of you."

She pauses. "Let us celebrate warmly."

With that, she gestures to the bride and groom, allowing scrutiny to fall on them again... and takes a sip of her sake.

"Nice speech," her date Tomoki says.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.


As Fuyu Ooshiro addresses him, Akechi does smile at the man, "Well, perhaps I'm angling for extra credit." He teases, "Though no, in all seriousness, I'm happy to make an appearance. Your daughter is quite the gifted teacher who shows genuine care for her students."
 
A glance towards the front of the hall out the door. A car. A glimpse of a familiar young man, and a familiar young woman. How interesting...

"Isn't it just?" Akechi says with a bright smile Miho's way, "Though I do have to be careful not to be too generous... giving too many gifts to a lady who isn't a bride could be misinterpreted by casual onlookers." He says with a cheerful ease of someone well-accustomed to the jokes adults tell, while also addressing it to Tomoki, her date in acknowledgement.
 
"Oh, are you sure that's what you were actually hoping for?" Akechi turns that statement on Zabu with the casual ease of a Detective pointing out the true culprit at the end of a episodic procedural. "After all, a wedding murder would make for good television. Though, who would be the murderer?" He places a hand to his chin, before his gaze flicks aside to Miho. "Hmmm, I wonder."
 
He then smiles to them both, "Zabu, Ijuuin-kun, I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight. Though I think I just spied a classmate I should give my regards to."
 
He steps away, and with a raise of his own cup towards Katsuya in the distance, he decides to give Reiko a night off.
 
From dealing with him.
 
Haru likely doesn't see him coming, since his purpose is ambush. He's well-familiar with navigating the wedding guests, vanishing behind the right person here and there and-
 
"Why hello." Comes a voice just behind and to the side of Haru Okumura. "You're Okumura-san, if I'm not mistaken?" He says with a smile at her. "I'm Goro Akechi... I'm surprised that I don't see your 'Plus One' here tonight at your side." He remarks as if he actually were surprised by that detail.
 
"I take it that means he respects your independence a great deal as a modern young woman. It's a rare young man that would let their bride to be go unescorted at a wedding party."
 
Sugimoto's Shadow is very good at being loud about his outright contempt for her. Fortunately he's not one to repeat what he's heard.
 
The speeches come, forcing him into silence. He does clap politely at the first two.
 
However it is shortly after Miho's speech, that a man wearing a Kuro Montsuki, with his family crest upon it stands up to give a third. Katsuya and Reiko would recognize him as Captain Shimazu of the Konan Police Department. To anyone who doesn't know him, he's a middle-aged man with a overly large balding forehead, with slicked back black hair.
 
If he weren't a cop, people would say he looked like 'kind of a weasel' but since he is, they're not likely to do so to his face, "In the Western World, the root of the word 'Wed' means to take a gamble."
 
Here, there is a pause, as the man adjusts his glasses, "Perhaps that is why their divorce rates are so high. Here in Japan we understand that tradition is what gives us both our strength of will and character. The bride today... some may call unworthy for her Ryukyu heritage. However, the older and wiser among us know this is not so."
 
There is something of a thin-lipped smile like a man seeing the fruition of some of his goals, "Today she has been taken from those we have stewardship over and made clean in both the eyes of the gods and for the groom within her new role. A rebirth, into something pure... into Ijuuin-kun's wife. May she bring joy to her husband in her submission. A vessel for new life to his house and for his bloodline. Let us praise him for his choice, for his patience and his wisdom. In it, he shows his worthiness to rule over his house for the remainder of their days... and today we celebrate together the fortitude of our traditions as the people of Japan."
 
"..." Akechi is staring at Captain Shimazu for a time, before then looking back at Haru, "A speech like that leaves something of a bad taste in your mouth, don't you agree?"

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.


"Mm-hm," Reiko answers Jun, with a smile. "They really went all out for her. I loved the shiisa, too."

Then, she glances at her sister.

"Mm, yeah. I thought Mom and Dad could be traditional, but... wow," Reiko says to Shinobu with a soft whistle. That is about as much as she will risk commentary on the speech -- but she wants to be gracious, and it's not in her to make such commentary anyways. She adjusts the police cap a little.

"I hope I don't stand out too much," she says, a little more quietly, to her sister.

When Katsuya walks up, she goes more business-minded. Her back straightens out; a finger quickly nudges her glasses up, so they sit evenly on her nose. For her part, she is a regular patrol officer, and her uniform reflects that.

"Sergeant Suou," she says, with a smile. "Officer Reiko Shimizu, with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. I've never had the pleasure to meet Ijuuin-san before." A beat, a moment's hesitation as she looks at Shinobu -- does she know him?

But, there is no use denying it.

"We are," she says. "I'm her younger sister." She does a short bow. And she straightens back up again -- only to bow again, to Fuyu. "I am, Ooshiro-san. I think congratulations are in order. I've never met Ijuuin-san, but... I've heard about him, and he's a credit to Sumaru's force."

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu looks toward Jun as he comments on the artifacts, as well. She nods, with a smile.

"Yeah, me too. I hope this is good for her." She replies. She can try to hope, anyway. She may not know her that well, but she's been nice and accomodating of her, and even invited her in for cupcakes. That wins a lot of points.

"Hah... Seriously. I bet they'd fit right in here." Shinobu replies with a nod toward Reiko, as she brings up their parents. It might even sound like she's saying something nice about them, if someone isn't familiar with them.

Not long after, a familiar face approaches! Katsuya greets Reiko - and when his greeting turns toward her, Shinobu offers him a nod.

"Likewise, Suou. Good to see you again." She replies. He asks the question, though, and Shinobu smiles, nodding as Reiko confirms that, yes, she's her younger sister. "That's right. Glad you two could finally meet. I think my older sister is around here somewhere, too..."

She scans the crowd briefly - but ultimately decides not to bother her when she's probably mingling.

She looks back toward Reiko, then.

"Sergeant Suou's been a big help with problems back home from time to time. He's a reliable guy." Shinobu adds for Reiko's benefit, to explain how they know eachother... without getting into the specifics.

And that's when someone else approaches them - Fuyu Ooshiro, Yua's father... Shinobu stands up a bit straighter.

"That's right, Ooshiro-san." Shinobu replies. ...It's rare for her to be that polite. "It's, uh, no problem. I like doing work for her, you don't always get folks who are polite to the messenger."

It's around this time that another speech is given. Captain Shimazu... Shinobu frowns, just slightly.

"...Tell us what you really feel, why don't you." She mutters, with a brief shake of her head.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.


        Someday, Katsuya will realize that Jun's father was one of his teachers when he was in school, but that day has not yet arrived just yet. Instead, he turns his head just in time to catch the young man, and nods the once as if in greeting. "Hello," he says to him, "I assume you are one of Ooshiro-san's students? Or... rather, I suppose it should be 'Ijuuin-san', now."

        He gets a moment himself to look at the dowry gifts; he had of course an understanding of Kimitake's rank in society compared to his own (the Suous are solidly lower-middle class, income-wise). But this... this brings it into appropriate focus. These are treasures, and would be more befitting a museum exhibit rather than...

        At the sound of a familiar voice, he turns his head. "Uchida-kun, it is good to see you as well." He... hadn't expected her to be here, but her present at least lets him feel a little less like a fish out of water. ...No relation whatsoever with the fish currently living happily in a tank in his dorm room.

        "I see, it is a pleasure to meet you, Shimizu-san." He'd be a little more friendly if they weren't in the setting of a formal wedding, given that he suspects she's his junior. "I have not worked with him often," he says, of Kimitake, "but from my own observations, he is a fine officer." In fact, just recently, he had to reassure the bride herself of this very thing. Though, from all accounts, the bride and the groom are already otherwise, well, acquainted.

        So Ayame is also here? He turns his head to scan the crowd himself, but has about as much luck. Shinobu says he's a reliable guy, though, and slightly, Katsuya straightens just that much more. "I endeavor to do my duty as an officer, just like anyone else," he says, though he's not displeased to hear it.

        They're approached by a particular man. With the Ryukan garb and his age, there's one person he's likely to be.

        "Yes, Ijuuin-san is a superior officer at my precinct," he says, and his supposition is quickly proven correct. This is the father of the bride. "It is good to meet you, Ooshiro-san. It is my pleasure. I am honored to bear witness to a celebration such that this."

        If also left wondering.

        He glances over at Reiko as Fuyu continues, speaking of some association that Reiko, personally, appears to have had with Yua. A little forward and familiar... yes, perhaps so.

        He'd seen Akechi before, at the ceremony, but now, their eyes both meet. Lacking a glass of anything at all, Katsuya instead nods at Akechi's own raised cup.

        Then, after the daughter of the matchmaker, a friend of the bride and groom rises to speak.

        "..."

        Katsuya's expression remains carefully, carefully neutral as the man speaks. Captain Shimazu, after all, is the one who removed him from the investigation. While he must be respectful to a senior officer, he...

        ...'a close friend'? And with words like that? Katsuya remains silent, but his thoughts travel to other places.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.


Remi could not fail to be supportive of Miho in this moment, and is doing her best to stay nearby for her. "How thoughtful," she murmurs quietly, though her gaze is a little sharper than the tone her compliment is delivered in.

Zabu arrives with an intern, and... that poor intern. (We're worried, Zabu, but not for the reason you think.)

"Why, Zabu-kun," she says, with a smile that is all teeth and little friendliness as the TV host draws near. "Imagine running into you at such an auspicious occasion. It is so unfortunate you were unable to secure traditional attire... I see the rigors of television production must be weighing heavily upon your time. Truly a testament to your success."

But that's not the only person here she recognizes, of course. And her smile is a fair bit warmer, (if still subdued), for Umie as she approaches. "Good day, Akabane-san. I did not expect to see you here." When she expressed a similar sentiment to Zabu, her voice was filled with tension. For Umie, her voice has more a tone of pleasant discovery. Remi might have dressed somewhat fashionably (to the best of her more modest budget and temperature considerations) while working the register at the Cardboard Dragon, but not in a way that suggested great status. So it might be surprising to see that she looks... fairly comfortable and not-at-all out of place in this elegant, traditional occasion. "I was not aware you were acquainted with Yua-chan."

She has a smile for Fuyu, though it is a carefully arranged one: a sort of alternate mirror to his stoicism. They bore the ceremony well. "Thank you, Ooshiro-san. And you as well. And I remain humbled to have stood by your family during the ceremony. Thank you, deeply, for that." That part is completely sincere, at least, no matter how difficult the rest of the circumstances of this day may be. Remi did her best not to stray too far from the expected traditions--but she has always felt a strong pull to both sides of her heritage... a feeling she expects Yua shares in some form, from what she's heard her say of her customs. "Thank you. I hope it was not... too unbecoming of me, to have made those changes." She nods as he excuses himself. "Of course, dear."

Remi would, of course, have complimented Miho's outfit, as well. And she bears a warm smile for Tomoki as he compliments the green. "Why thank you, Hasegawa-san, how kind of you to say."

She watches and listens as Miho gives her speech, and if she feels any upset at the injustice of this situation on her friend's behalf, she doesn't let it show. When Miho finishes, Remi steps up, briefly placing a reassuring hand on Miho's elbow, before the steps forward more to take the attention.

"Like Miho-chan, I met our dear Yua-chan in high school--when her Dance Club collaborated with the Drama Club for a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She was a brilliant scene partner but an even brilliant dancer, and though I did not expect it, her warmth and inner light drew me into her orbit. She has been a close confidant and a dear friend, and someone I have looked to in my darkest moments. And we are all glad that she is returned to us at long last."

"Yua-chan, I wish you all the happiness in the world as you enter this new phase of your life... and Ijuuin-san, I know you will look after her with all of the care and dedication as her friends have thus far. I wish you both the best."

And with that she takes a step back, falling in line with Miho to let the reception continue along.

<Pose Tracker> Gozaburou Gessou has posed.

"It is no trouble. Please, you think of anything, don't hesitate to pull on my arm" Gozaburou smiles and nods to Miho as she exits. He turns to face Tomoki when they approach. "Ah Tomoki-san. It is nice to see you as well. Things are spectacular! You'll be amazed -again- on next visit. It'll blow your mind."

 Zabu laughs and politely claps his hands at Akechi's "performance". Even Zabu had to admit that Akechi was certainly an expert at being 'on'. It made you wonder what he'd be like when he was 'off'. Perhaps...Akechi was secretly... into anime hug pillows or Idol culture! Oooo, the scandal that would be. "Oh my, that would be -amazing- television but alas..." He makes a sad face and playfully rubs at his eyes before placing a hand under his chin in contemplation. "You know while we're pitching things...Maybe we should do a Wacky Wednesday style switcheroo. See if the Detective Prince could handle the life of an entertainer?! Now -that- would be out of the box television...Oh well, something else to consider. Ta ta!" He waves slightly to the departing prince.

 Then his eye twitches. Zabu-kun. KUN?! But he doesn't let his face show much anger. No that would be letting her know she got him. Zabu's smile brightens almost out of spite as he turns his gaze back on her. He then feigns a shot to the heart and places the back of his hand on his forehead dramaticly. "Oh, Remi-CHAN...you know success has it's drawbacks. However I also know that it is entirely in vogue to wear western garb to weddings. I guess you aren't as plugged in as I am." He winks at her before turning away.

The intern is currently practicing the one rule Zabu placed on him....Don't be seen by anyone especially Gozaburou. He was a fly on the wall, taking shots of noteworthy things and people. They would appreciate the concern if they didn't need this gig, Remi.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

        Among the gifts is a particularly well-done crow origami, which Umie looks briefly, curious as to how it's constructed. "...." She briefly squints. _Ryouhara_?

        (Ah. Right. NWO agent. Sure, this isn't NWO-facing, but some people have to be adjacent, right? Umie stifles a groan.)

        Now, as Miho looks from Zabu, Umie reflects on the difference between their heights; she's taller than Yua, to be sure, but not by much. Something is being weighed here, and the Badb in Umie becomes restless in response.

        It's a traditional ceremony, however; hardly the stage for some examination or show of inner mettle. The softer methods will do; Umie does a steady bow, hands clasped at her waist. "Umie Akabane," she says, straightening back up. "A pleasure to meet you, Miho Ijuuin-san. I'm honored to have been invited here by your dear friend." She lets one corner of her smile grow slightly, her eyelids lowering.

        There may be more to say, but like Miho, Umie seems happy to leave such subjects for later. It'd be bad luck, after all.

        Remi presents another surprise, but one that's not unwelcome. "I'm just as surprised as you are, but I think I'll survive," she says quietly, offering a small bit of humor in amidst it all. She would say more, but alas--
        
        The bride and groom have now arrived. Umie's face brightens at the colorful display of Yua's uchikake, a part of the ceremony Umie has always enjoyed in the rare times she's been to such ceremonies, growing up. Umie *could* approach, but she feels content to let those closer take in Yua's attention, content to smile from the background.

        She *did* say Yua may not even recognize her. Maybe she could test that later, after this shining moment is done.

        Miho's speech is a fine one from what definitely seems to be a dear friend indeed; Umie can't quite read the groom like she could others she knows better, but, all said, it seems to be a fair match. Something just nags at Umie,. however...

        Ah.

        Glancing as Captain Shimazu speaks, Umie fights, once again, from making a face in polite society. Sure, Yua had said this wasn't NWO-run, and Umie is inclined to believe Yua would not lie to her. However, like the name of Ryouhara, there's certain to be... 'friends'.

        Yeaaaahhh. This asshole is *definitely* NWO material.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.


Julian recovers his composure readily enough, with an easy smile for anyone looking in his direction following the exchange with his student. Though a moment later, he does take a second to dab his forehead with a handkerchief. He underestimated how hot today would end up being, especially dressed the way he is. But, he'll endure what he must for the sake of his principles as a Gentleman without complaint, as always. The stiff upper lip principle is especially strong with this particular Englishman.

Thankfully, his composure is once more fully intact by the time he's approached by Yua's father, correctly guessing at his identity. "Indeed I am, most pleased to make your acquaintance, Ooshiro-san." Placing a hand at his waist, he bows modestly as he introduces himself.

"Julian Marlowe, English teacher and guidance counselor at Kasugayama High School. It was no trouble at all - it has been my honor and pleasure to be present here for your daughter's ceremony. My heartfelt congratulations to you and yours."

He keeps it at that, foregoing small talk to not keep the man from making the rounds. There will be many for him to greet, after all.

...Even if he did have to bite his tongue a little bit. Were he to say everything that was on his mind, then he would have to voice some concerns about the particulars of the wedding vows, seeming to imply an uncomfortably high level of subservience on the part of the bride. But it's hardly his place to question what seems to be all part of a time-honored tradition. He can only assume that in practice, it won't be quite as bad as it sounded.

As Miho's speech begins, he takes the opportunity to glance around, noticing a few figures that seem familiar, despite not having met them before. He only places having seen Goro Akechi on TV once he sees Zabu nearby, who he definitely has seen on TV. Quite a bit of a police presence too. None of these are... really the type of attention he's looking for, so he steers himself away, more or less naturally gravitating towards where he's seen a few of his students together.

"<Mister> Kashihara, <Mister> Suzuki, good day to you both. A fine gesture, coming to support your teacher like this."

That's as far as he gets before Captain Shimazu's speech. That one does cause his gentlemanly facade to crack a brief moment, giving the man the stinkeye for not giving the western world the respect he always tries his best to give the eastern one, and proceeding to highlight the exact parts of the ceremony he found distasteful to begin with. Rather than protest, he just shakes his head, turning back to his students. "Well. Perhaps we'll all be better served by pretending those particular words were never spoken."

It's only then that he takes notice of Yume and Tamaki, clearing his throat. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your conversation, terribly rude of me. Julian Marlowe, I am part of Kasugayama's faculty." He adds to Hyousuke's suggestion, "Of course, but in orderly fashion, let us not crowd her now." Yep, definitely a teacher.

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.


        The lines in the vows about the husband attending to the wife's evils is certainly a part of the sense of something off Jun gets, considering Izanagi was not blameless in his marriage. He's never attended a Shinto wedding before, though, so for all he knows, this is normal. What's more, when it comes to romantic relations between a man and a woman, his only exposure or interest is his parents, and while Jun wouldn't attribute them to just his mother (not in this timeline, anyway), certainly the two had evils of their own to overcome.
        
        He smiles back at Shinobu and Reiko. "I quite agree," he says to the former. To the latter: "They're a lovely piece of Okinawan culture. I hope Ooshiro-sensei's family feel appreciated." As opposed to... used, perhaps. When Sergeant Suou approaches, though, he gives him a respectful nod of greeting. "Yes, that's right. She's very enthusiastic about teaching us about physical education."
        
        Though he's not sure either if it should be 'Ijuuin-sensei' now or not. It might be a moot point. He'll wait for Ooshiro-sensei to announce that once she's back to teaching, either way.
        
        Jun then turns to Tamaki as she approaches then and shakes his head. "Ah, good day, Uchida-san," he says with a smile that crinkles his visible eye. "No need--though, I take it the two of you are already acquainted?" Jun looks over at Hyousuke with a touch of concern. Given how he knows Tamaki, is Hyousuke also wrapped up in trouble...?
        
        At least his explanation of his discomfort makes sense. Jun nods in sympathy. "It is quite a formal occasion for an event opened to so many students. I hope you find an opportunity to relax afterwards." Relax, and rest, he leaves unsaid. He smiles when Hyousuke introduces him to Tamaki as his tutor. "Yes," he says--
        
        But then a girl Jun doesn't know but looks strikingly familiar approaches. Her introduction explains that. "Ah, I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yume-san," Jun replies--calling her 'Yume' because there are many other people who would lay claim to 'Ooshiro-san' first. "I'm Jun Kashihara, one of Sensei's students at Kasugayama High School." (Just "sensei," since there is that uncertainty of what name he should use.) He pauses. "Perhaps a bit," he admits, of the awkwardness of the blanket invite to the students; he'd already implied as much to Hyousuke. With confidence, though, he concludes, "But it's rooted in her care for us."
        
        Yume gestures Haru over, and whether Haru joins them or not, Jun turns to look at her--and at Akechi, in a black tuxedo with a pale blue shirt instead of a kimono. Jun gives him a curious look--but then Miho is called upon to make a speech, and Jun falls silent to watch and listen. That sense of something off returns in force as he does. He'd had the impression that Yua and Miho were... But clearly he must have been wrong, or else they wouldn't all be here like this today. Remi's speech seems... somewhat closer to normal, anyway. But she too talks about how Yua had gone missing at one point...
        
        Meanwhile, Captain Shimazu's speech is more obviously wrong, given that it doesn't have 'traditional vows' to hide behind. Jun frowns as he says Ooshiro-sensei has been made 'pure' for her husband. In other words, cleansed of Kegare... It might be meant to be a callback to Izanami and Izanagi, but it feels distasteful all the same.
        
        "Good day, Marlowe-sensei," he says once it's done, greetings having been interrupted by said speech. "I could hardly miss it. Ooshiro-sensei is so passionate about her students, it's the least we can do to support her." Jun considers Hyousuke's hushed question; then he says, "We can certainly try. Shall we, Suzuki-kun?"
        
        If the two of them (or more) can get to Yua, Jun will warmly offer her his congratulations... but with a crowd this big, that might be a big 'if.' At the least, they might have to get in line first, as Julian suggests/says outright.

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.

  
         A white line from the light travels the sheen of polished smoke black, the shades hiding Shiryuu's eyes as he keeps a tight watch over the ceremony.

         He can't say that he's met many of the people gathered here, and so the junior priest mostly does his work isolated and in private, completely content to remain under notice. He has a good sense of the Ijuuin clan now, and it's towards these that the sidelines of his attention is directed -- perception as wide as the maws of the lions at the dowry.

         Of course, much of what he does is under the shade of artful deception, but not all. The young man seems fairly content to coexist amongst the children, even when one almost blows past him on her way to blowing this so-called pop-stand. A small sniff, a hand waved at a concerned member of -- Seven Sisters? Is that the insignia? No. I'm just fine. Thank you. Please don't mind me.

         The onmitsu's attention smoulders when it grazes over the police force in attendance, all in their dress blues. The so-called detective prince, and what appears to be ... that person is aggressively purple. Is that a camera? Mm. Hardly an ideal situation...

         "They are a little rambunctious today, aren't they..." the smiling kannushi comments.

         Yes, he is just within earshot of Julian. Who is, after all, here to watch over the Kasugayama High students, right? Ah, it's lucky that Yua's father is not far away, to occupy his attention.

         The boy smiles a shade brighter, a tiny, wan, submissive thing, as his gaze slowly pans over to the Ijuuin contingent, and their newest member as the bride and groom are revealed. One would be forgiven for missing the light of small, tiny recognition in his eyes as he pans across one or two figures in particular. After all. He's the only priest here wearing shades.

         He's also holding a folded white handerchief. That is absolutely not hiding a noticeable splotch of red.

         He smiles to the next child who catches him staring, waving shyly again. No, he's not blushing. These kinds of events are just so exciting, aren't they...? Oh, what Captain Shimazu said? Ah, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Please, move this way.

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.


Hyousuke blinked and straightened a little upon hearing his name being said, his gaze flitting away from the piece he'd been examining. It took him a moment to realise that it was indeed him being addressed, and not a separate Suzuki (of which he was sure there had to be at least one),but a smile replaced that ever-so-slightly weary look once he recognised that he had been addressed by someone that he actually knew.
"Kasihara-san!" He said, unashamedly happy to come across a familiar face, though restraining himself a bit so that he did not stick out more than he already did. Tall as he was, with brazenly blonde locks and a rather prominent scar carved across his eye, drawing unnecessary attention to himself was hardly what he wanted.

A quick shrug followed, as well as an offhanded dismissal of Jun's concerns.
"I'm fine. I'm just not used to being in fancy places like this. It's not really my kinda scene." It was a curt response - that much even he had to admit. But for once, he was telling the truth. Or, at least, part of it. There were no visible injuries upon his person, and though his bloodshot eyes remained underscored by bags, both symptoms of his sporadic sleep had faded enough to be ignored or chalked up to a few bad nights.

His attention then turned to Tamaki. Another familiar face - the day had gotten a little better, at least.
"Uchida-san! Didn't expect to see you here." He didn't know who he *had* expected to see, but moved on before the train of thought could get out of the station. "It's cool, I was just talking to Kasihara-san. A friend introduced me to him, and he helped tutor me about some literacy stuff over the break." A rather rough summation of what their meeting had entailed, but enough for the purposes of introduction, he supposed. "Hey, is that an omelette roll? Are we allowed to-"

The thought remained unfinished, and another morsel remained untouched. Yume - someone even a person as dense as Hyousuke managed to recognise as a relative of the bride - approached.
"Pleased to meet ya. I'm Hyousuke Suzuki - just don't ask her how I'm doing with her lessons. I can't dance for nothing." A quick joke to lighten the mood. Who it was intended to help ease, however, he could not say - even with acquaintances gathered, Hyousuke was still not entirely comfortable with all that was going on.

He let the others handle their own introductions, choosing instead to peer over in the direction that Yume had waved someone over from, before sighting Haru amongst those gathered. He knew not who she was, but he raised his hand in greeting anyway. If she was to be a part of their conversation, it was the least he could do to welcome her into it. The gesture stopped abruptly when he saw someone else address her, however. He looked familiar - eerily so. Had they met before?

His curiosity faded the moment he realised it was the Detective Prince. Curious as his presence at the wedding was, it left no mystery as to Akechi's identity. All he was left wondering was where Haru might decide to take herself.
Hyousuke didn't keep watching to find out. The Master of Ceremonies announced the emergence of the bride and groom, and speeches to go along with them. He recognised nobody but Yua - he was not particularly close with her, after all - but Miho commanded his attention nonetheless, if for no other reason than politeness and respect. Once the speech was over, however, he turned to all gathered with him, and spoke in a (somewhat hushed) voice.
"Does this mean we can go up and say congrats to teach now?"

So busy had Hyousuke been with attempting to look even remotely like he belonged, that he had hardly the time to digest whatever the speeches had contained. He'd heard the words and understood their meaning, but it had taken a few minutes to truly process them. Once he had, however, his feelings about the whole ceremony were mixed at best. Such occasions were supposed to be happy, from what he knew. Shinto tradition might have made it seem a more solemn affair than the ones he'd seen depicted in the media, but to hear such words so brazenly said to so many people... Was that normally how things went?

Some were normal enough. Ooshiro-sensei's - or should it have been Ijuuin? - friends spoke of her qualities and hope for the future. They spoke of fond memories, and carried with them what he interpreted as an optimistic tone. But the rest... the rest left him forcing a snarl back, and the faintest hint of bile lapping at the edges of his throat. He tried to steady himself by remembering that he didn't know how any of it worked, and he might've been getting worked up over nothing, but Eiji's palace still remained fresh in his mind. The things he heard, the mannerisms he saw... They all seemed a little more familiar than he would have liked.

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

Haru waves back at Hyosuke as she's invited over. Though she doesn't know many people here, she's glad there's some other people around her age. "A little bit, but it's okay. I didn't expect it either, honestly. Your sister really does care a lot about her students to do something like this, doesn't she?" Haru glances between Jun and Hyosuke, as Yume Ooshiro greets them. It's a similar sentiment to Jun's. "It was quite the beautiful ceremony, too." She adds, with a smile. "I'm Haru Okumura. A third year at Shujin." she introduces herself - both for Yume's sake and the other students. "It's nice to meet you."

A beat passes, and suddenly Haru finds herself ambushed by the Detective Prince himself. "A... ah!" Haru briefly exclaims in surprise, before quickly recomposing herself. "My apologies. I didn't see you just a moment ago." She brushes her hands against her kimono, trying to play things cool. She's sure Akechi could see past any weakness she projects.

"That's correct. I've heard a lot about you, Akechi-san," He commands a great deal of popularity even in Shujin Academy, after all. "But we haven't been acquainted. It's a pleasure. Are you enjoying the wedding?" He's perceptive, instantly pointing out that her 'plus-one' isn't with her. So she decides to just be truthful.

"Unfortunately, my fiance had other arrangements tonight. I'm certain he's sorry he couldn't be here." Respects... "Yes. I think he trusts that I'm not the type of woman who would make a move on another man." The bitterness in that statement is only very vaguely implied, but it's there, even if she's not directly speaking against him. In reality, she can imagine the fit of jealousy had he seen she so much as interacted with someone as famous and popular as Goro Akechi 'alone', but there's no need to mention that, right?

The Master of Ceremonies calls in the bride and groom. She listens - very silently to the speeches. It hits close to home in a similar - but different way to what she felt in Eiji's Palace. 'To be made pure'... it implies marriage as a means of power and control more than a vehicle of true love. Maybe that's why she's felt so out of it for this entire ceremony. Eventually, she ends up tuning it out. "...It was certainly old-fashioned." She agrees with Akechi, finally., showing her distaste without outright condemning the speech. That would be rude. "I wonder if those were the words our teacher truly wanted to hear." She adds, a little more candidly and quietly. Yua seemed so... free-spirited during their lessons, something seems off about it.

"It would be nice to give Sensei our regards if we get the chance," Haru agrees with Hyosuke, and she'll gladly join him and Jun to do so.

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.


        Aw c'mon, Tamaki's just only a couple of years older! She's in college!

        Being college-age is admittedly enough of a visible age gap to distinguish her from Yume, Hyousuke, and Jun, however. Yume does have to look a few inches up at her, at least. As the Youth comments on the Old's necklace, she nervously laughs, simultaneously relieved but also a bit flustered that it was pointed out. "O-oh! Thank you."

        Not everyone who knows Tamaki is involved in trouble! Probably a safe bet, though. She gives him a knowing wink. "Good work on that job the other day with Shimizu-san; I caught wind of that." As for the question of food, she silently gestures and raises her eyebrows as if to indicate 'yes,' although Hyousuke's attention gets diverted shortly after

        That probably answers Jun's question handily. "Indeed we are! He's been helping the community out."

        She casts a furtive glance to the side, then sidesteps away with a grin on her face. "I'll see you three later, I see another friend of mine around here." She starts making her way to Katsuya and Reiko while greeting the former with "Suou-san! How are you doing?" -- though she glances back to Jun to clarify, "Er -- his brother, you see."


<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.


        "I'm counting on you," Fuyu said, quietly, to Miho. He was quiet to Remi, as well, as he says: "You have a place with us, Remi-chan... and your changes are wonderful." His smile to Akechi, of course, was far less private. "It's really lovely to see how many lives she's touched as a teacher..." Like daughter, like father, he's touched by something like that, too.

        Now...

        It is hard to read Miho, but Yua has always been better at it than most; she knows that this is the worst day she's had, because it is the worst day she's had, even as she smiles so warmly.

        "Thank you," Kimitake smiles, to Miho. "I will take the greatest care with Yua-san, I promise you. I'm glad to know she will always have a fine support within the family, as well..."

        And he touches Yua's arm, to prompt her, in turn. "Mimi," she smiles, to Miho, eminently breakable; her voice does not carry, the way the Ijuuins' around her do, but Miho is used to hearing her. "You'll be really happy I'm part of your family... I promise!!"

        She is not the only one to make a speech, though. Yua's hands curl, beside herself, as Captain Shimazu says the quiet part out loud; she does not meet anyone's gaze, then, particularly not her family's. (Fuyu's expression grows a touch clouded, though he's used to restraining himself in front of ranking men; Yume, on the other hand, scowls and turns to the snacks, grabbing a pancake and shoving it into her mouth so no one can ask.)

        "Thank you, sir," Kimitake is the first to speak -- naturally -- when he is done. "You honour me with such gracious wishes. Yua-san is proud of her heritage, so I am truly honoured, as she's accepted this position as a Japanese wife... the grace she has shown in her willingness to join me is a gift I will honour with my strength and my wisdom." And on the surface, he seems, certainly, to be defending Yua with the effortless social manuevering of the rich, never calling Shimazu wrong directly...

        ... it may take those with strong social foundations to realise the word he has made pivotal in his response. He is honoured -- he is being honoured. She accepted the position -- she is willing -- she is a Japanese wife, now, by position.

        And she is the one who is proud.

        But even that insight is something which must be questioned, because -- is it not also true that Shimazu is Kimitake's boss? (Is it not true that the Ijuuins served as retainers to the Shimazus, in those ancient Edo years past?) Perhaps the allowances he makes to the truths of Shimazu's speech are simply the limits of how far he may push back; perhaps he is more supportive of Yua, in private. The Ijuuins must have discussed their dowry with the Ooshiros before today, after all, and Kimitake would surely have not accepted one of Okinawa's greatest prides -- the shiisaa lions! -- into their records if he viewed it entirely poorly... would he?

        "I wish to bear many children," is the nice thing Yua can say about it, at the prompting of Kimitake's fingertips, "and have a big family... thank you."

        She is lucky, perhaps, that Remi speaks next -- that she does not have to sit with Shimazu's imperialism for long. Her smile is less put-on, as she listens to her, her gaze lifting again.

        "Thank you, Ryuuja-san," Kimitake bows his head to her, when she finishes speaking. "I know that you have been a pivotal friend to Yua over the years... and I hope to get to know you much more now that she's joined my household. I will take great care with someone so important to you."

        And Yua, in turn, smiles to Remi. "Recchi... this is the path to my happiness! I'm very glad you're here... you are part of my happiness, too."

        She does feel... a little intimidated, seeing a TV star right by Remi, but... maybe Zabu isn't that intimidating? (His intern is getting great footage of all those artifacts, even if the priests attending it never seem to be in shot when he goes to take pictures...)

        She whispers something, to Kimitake, and so they step deeper into the hall, to Miho and Tomoki, Remi and Zabu. "N...nice to meet you! My name is Yua Ijuuin!" She says, to the men, as she bows; and perhaps Kimitake's hand at her arm is meant to reassure her. (Or to remind her of the level of her voice.) She reaches out to grasp Miho's hand, as she asks, anxiety still clung to her voice: "How'd I do, Mimi...?"

        She clasps Remi's hands, as well -- and offers, by way of apology: "Sorry, this kimono is, um, they said it's a hundred and eighty years old... I'll give you a real hug later, okay?" Yua... does not get hugs at her wedding.

        "You both look... really beautiful," she smiles, to them. "I'm really glad you're here."

        "We both are," Kimitake adds, beside her -- here, at least, Yua is able to speak first. "Thank you so much for coming."

        "I'm glad Mimi's got company, too," she smiles, to Tomoki; and assures Miho, in the same breath, that she does not blame her. "Just give me a moment," Yua adds, as if remembering something; she gives them an apologetic look, before she steps off to offer her personal regards to Captain Shimazu, too. These are more hushed than his previous speech, though snoopy onlookers can certainly see the way it's Kimitake speaking first, a hand at his wife's arm to steady her... that's not so strange, though, is it, when he's Kimitake's friend?

        To Tamaki, Reiko, Katsuya, and Shinobu, Yua steps up and smiles. "Shimizu-san! Suou-san, Uchida-san! And... you must be Shimizu-san's sister?" She adds, turning to Reiko. "I'm glad you were able to come, too! Boy, there are a lot of officers here... sorry," she smiles, to the man beside her, "I don't know how many more I can name off hand..."

        "That is no problem at all," Kimitake smiles, to Yua, before he turns to the others. "Suou-san, Shimizu-san -- and Uchida-san and Shimizu-san, I take it?" He greets the officers first, though they all get their very own stern nod. "I'm very glad you were able to make it to our wedding... while I wished for the people to experience a traditional ceremony, I'm personally glad to see my co-workers here to support me, and Yua-san's friends here to support her, too." Are they Yua's friends??? Well, Yua doesn't seem to know how acquaintanceships work very well... or maybe they just haven't talked that often about her friends. (Or, Shinobu might recall, about much at all.) "We'll certainly catch you again, but I think my wife is particularly keen to welcome her students... is that right?" He asks, looking to her.

        "Heehee... that's right!" Yua smiles. And so it is that Yua steps to the children, next --

        -- except --

        OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7_-qdxVpZ4 Silent Hill f - Hougejaku

        -- from behind her, she hears Shimazu issue a biting comment: 'Okinawan whore.'

        Captain Shimazu would not be blunt in this way. Indeed, he said nothing at all. No one hears anything -- he has no sense he's spoken.

        But Yua does not realise the truth of her hallucinations, as she turns back to him, grief stricken across her features.

        'Does she think we can't tell this is a total joke?' Tamaki's voice reaches her ears, next, and she whirls to look to her -- only to hear her own student, Hyousuke, chime in. 'Yeah, we all know she's a rezubian. That's what we're really laughing about, when we call her a puppy. She's too stupid to figure it out!'

        Before she can think of what to say to that, the voice of one of the Shinto priests comments, 'I can't believe she'd forsake her Gods and her people so easily.' She can hear her own sister, her beloved Yume, agree: 'Ugh, she can't wait to be rid of us!' And it is the venerable Takashi Ijuuin, head of the clan, who Yua hears sadly stating: 'Can a simple girl like that really learn our traditions...?'

        Umie's voice joins the fray: 'Look at how she's looking around so wildly! She can't even take lying for one day, how's she gonna keep this up?!' And she hears Julian adding: 'She's clearly having an episode... I'll make sure she gets the help she needs.'

        Yua is looking back and forth -- quite wildly, in fact -- as her breath shallows in her chest, and her hands curl, lifted to her midsection. "I," she starts, her heart lodged in her throat, "I--!!"

        She turns, then, and all but runs into Kimitake's chest; despite the finery she displays, he embraces her, with gentle yet firm pressure. "Are you all right?" He asks, and this everyone can hear -- these words aren't gold, and they are really words, things anyone can hear.

        Things which aren't just in her head.

        "I -- everyone realised I was--!" Yua starts, clearly upset, and he shakes his head, grasping her shoulders gently. "I'm sorry, I -- I'm sorry!"

        "It's all right," he says, gently. "No one's said anything bad to you... I was listening. This is very stressful, isn't it? Let's go and get some water, come on..."

        It is, as it happens, a route that takes her to the young people she wanted to greet... and the adults around them. "Excuse me," Yua says, a touch hushed, to the priest -- the priest? -- watching over them, "is that water, in that pitcher...? I mustn't have anything alcoholic to drink..."

        And perhaps she will recognise Shiryuu, if she gets a good look at him... or perhaps he will hide from her, as well.

        But he will be satisfied, perhaps, to see that her husband is attending her.

        "Y--Yume-chan," Yua smiles, when she has that water in hand. (She's not throwing them away, it's just how they do it in Japan, it's... normal...) Her smile remains, as she turns to the others: "And Akechi-kun and Suzuki-kun and Okumura-kun and Kashihara-kun, too! Oh, it's wonderful to see you all here... Kimi-san thought this would be a good educational experience, but I was so worried it would be too stuffy for you! I'm quite glad to see you here!"

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.


"You always may," Miho assures Fuyu.

"Her work is important to her," Miho agrees with Akechi on caring for her students. But generosity? "True," Miho says. "I would hate to see people get the wrong idea." She manages to sound wry instead of completely sincere at that one--though it's not Akechi's fault, what she hates today. Instead Tomoki laughs. "I'll just have to keep her cup filled instead, then."

A murder, though... Akechi says it, and Miho glances his way. "Hmmm," she agrees with him. ...But she has no plans for such murders today.

"It was good to meet you," she says to Akechi before he goes.

"Oh?" Tomoki answers Zabu, and grins. "Looking forward to it!"

But Umie... "You know each other?" Miho remarks of Remi and Umie. Whatever she was trying to weigh, it would appear that Miho finds Umie acceptable for the moment. "A friend of a friend can easily become one herself," Miho says, with the tone of aphorism. "A pleasure as well. I'd like to talk with you more, later. We could discuss how she came to invite you."

Kimitake smiles at her, and Miho inclines her head. "Of course," she answers. And Yua... Well, Miho hears her. 'Mimi', she still calls her even now. "I will," she says. And she mostly believes it. After all... Yua has promised.

Captain Shimazu's speech... Miho is entirely impassive as she listens to it. Her response is polite. However...

>Miho Ijuuin will remember that.

Truthfully, 'polite' is easy for Miho in a society where excessive emotional expression is frowned-upon; all it takes is leaning on her natural inclination. Her base affect is increasingly flat as she ages, more and more having to remember to emote, sometimes with difficulty--and on a day like this, the medication helps less than she would like. ...If anything, Tomoki is helping her more, reminding her to be a person. So rather than dwelling on Shimazu's speech, she looks to Yua again, as she says she wants a big family. Miho actually smiles at that. And Remi's speech... "You did well," Miho says to Remi quietly. "...I know she's glad you're here, too."

"You did very well," Miho tells Yua when she approaches. "You are perfect."

'Are'. 'Were'. 'Will be'. They're all true for Miho.

Hugs can come later. ...Hopefully. "I wouldn't miss it," Miho says of being here. And Tomoki smiles at Yua. "A pleasure," he says. "You're a beautiful bride. Ijuuin-san is very lucky." A beat, "I'm Tomoki Hasegawa." Miho inclines her head, and--appreciates... that she isn't blamed. Before she can explain further, though--

Miho doesn't interfere in Yua's regards to Shimazu.

But Yua's alarm alarms Miho, and she almost takes a step forward. Almost. Kimitake embraces her instead, and Miho pauses.

...Ah. Of course. Her husband can reassure her. ...That's how it ought to be, isn't it?

"...You all right?" Tomoki asks quietly of her, and she realizes that she showed some of that alarm after all. "...Let's get another drink, if you want."

"...Of course," Miho answers. Miho finishes the first sake that she had, and soon she'll have another. "I'll see you shortly, Remi-chan," she says as she walks off with Tomoki.

She decides to put on more of a smile. "...So your latest film," she asks of Tomoki as they go for that drink, "'Monday Love'... I watched it, in preparation."

"Really?" Tomoki laughs softly. "How diligent! Studying up for a wedding date... I suppose that means it's not usually your kind of thing?"

Miho cannot help but glance back at Yua now and then. But she's talking with her date, now.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.


Akechi has the good grace to look abashed at Haru's reaction - and apology. "Ah, that's quite alright. It wasn't my intention to startle you." Despite that in fact being his intention.
 
"That is a shame, I'd rather liked to have met him. Though I admit to being more interested in making your acquaintance, Okumura-san." He replies when she speaks of his alternate plans for the evening, though he'd rather shove a hedgehog into his face rather than meet the man outside the Metaverse.
 
"I would certainly hope so. I meant more that most young men would prefer to be present to protect their fiance from unwelcome advances." He says, as if trying to clarify his point, and you know - twist another knife. When one's situation is like anesthetic, you hardly understand that a hand is wielding it.
 
'Old-fashioned'... "That is a word for it." He agrees, not even trying to disguise his own distaste. As for her own feelings...
 
"I can't imagine that they were. By all accounts, she's quite proud of her heritage. To have it so casually erased is unlikely to sit well with her."
 
He's not about to say he's 'closer' to Yua than one would think - because that would reveal he's taking private dance lessons with her, which would be rather disastrous for him if many people in this room learned about it.

He turns to Jun and Hyousuke, and smiles, "Ah Kashihara-san. So good to see you again. Who's your friend?" For someone who seems to know who everyone is in this room tonight - to not know who he is seems notable.
 
"Yes I agree." He asides to Haru, "I think I'll go with you to give her my regards as well."
 
And he's ready to walk up when abruptly - he sees that look back and forth, that skittish look, those wild apologies. Then her being steadied.
 
Far too late to be having cold feet- sensei.
 
"Perhaps give her a moment to compose herself..." He suggests, before they do finally approach, and she seems relieved, "Far from it." Akechi tells her. "I've found it exactly that... an educational experience."
 
He says, with a half-smile at the thought, "Though more than that, I'm glad that I was here to offer my support on such an important day for you."

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.


"Me, too. It's... I think it's a nice gesture," Reiko says to Jun. She smiles at him. A similar thought crosses her mind -- she hopes it's not a token nod to her culture.

"Mm. Yes," Reiko agrees with Shinobu, her voice a little lower. "Though... I think mother would be jealous, too." She says it with a good natured smile at Shinobu -- but it's absolutely saying something more about their mother.

"Oh, I'm glad!" Reiko says, after Shinobu explains that Katsuya has been a big help. She smiles, looking back at him.

"Thank you, Sergeant Suou," she says. "I'm glad that you're looking out for my family. I'm in your debt, and if there's anything I can do..." She trails off; it's a nicety, but it's not insincere either.

When Yua approaches, Reiko smiles -- and she nods her head. "I am! Reiko Shimizu. It's a pleasure, Ijuuin-san. And congratulations, too."

She watches, though, with a frown a little later -- as she takes off like that. Reiko looks into her emptied glass from the toast, and frowns.

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.

Julian's appearance was a surprising one, but certainly not unwelcome. Aside from providing another familiar - if not entirely trusted - face to the assortment gathered, that slight surprise was enough to shake Hyousuke from his bitter reverie.
"Ah, Marlowe-sensei!" He said, greeting Kasu's counsellor with a polite smile. "I figured I could at least say congrats to her. Sensei's been doing her best at school, so it's the least I can do here." He'd evidently decided to follow Jun's lead. Unsure of which name to use, her title seemed like the next best thing.

Speaking of Jun, his question of how Tamaki knew him came up, and Hyousuke struggled for an answer. Even if they were not in the middle of what was ostensibly a public event, he couldn't just casually drop that he'd awakened to someone he wasn't even sure knew about Personas in the first place. Fortunately, Tamaki took care of that problem before he even had a chance to stumble over his own lies, and he got acknowledged for the job he and Shinobu finished to boot. His face didn't shift much, but that didn't stop him feeling some flicker of pride at a job well done - or at a payday well-earnt. Before he could follow up with anything, Tamaki left to speak to others, and Hyousuke saw her off with a short, polite, wave.
"Alright, catch you later! Save some work for me!"

Then there was Haru.
"Hyousuke Suzuki. I'm a third year at Kasugayama." He said, giving her a firm nod in response. He spoke quickly enough that he managed to fit the introduction in before Akechi ambushed her, but that was about the most he managed. He spared a little attention to their conversation, though that was mostly due to proximity. They were close enough that he couldn't help but overhear, even if it wasn't something he was particularly interested in eavesdropping on. Never mind that it was the Detective Prince speaking to her, even he had some sense of decorum. He did give a polite smile when Akechi offered one to him, though. It was also about all that he gave Akechi. The question had not been directed at him, so he supposed it would be best to leave it in Jun's capable hands.

The matter of greeting Yua came next. He was glad to have the company, as his beaming smile no doubt attested to.
"We'd better get moving then." He said, nodding firmly in acknowledgement of everyone. He strode forward, hoping to make some headway before Yua attracted a crowd, though Julian's words managed to keep him at least somewhat restrained. Eager as he was to congratulate one of the few teachers in the school that actually seemed to care about teaching, it was still a formal gathering, and it still demanded he act in a certain manner.

That manner was almost forgotten in its entirety when he saw Yua's grief.

Hyousuke had enough restraint to keep from speaking out, despite his first instinct being to ask if she was alright. He could see something was wrong, and even if the look on her face had escaped him, he could hear it in her voice. Something was wrong, and he couldn't even begin to fathom what. Second thoughts about the marriage? Something wrong with the ceremony? A sudden bout of illness? He blinked, trying to rid himself of such thoughts. Concerned as he was, it seemed like it was being handled. It was not as if he could have done much about it in the first place, he supposed.


That didn't stop him from turning to fix Jun, Julian, and Haru with a somewhat perplexed look, tinged by worry for Yua. He himself had no idea what had transpired, but he didn't consider himself a particularly smart person. Perhaps one of them might have had the answers.

Before he could give voice to his concerns, Yua greeted them all, and Hyousuke's expression snapped into a broad, beaming, smile in less than a heartbeat, changing with practised ease.
"Who cares about stuffy, I just wanted to say congrats!" It was unclear as to whether Hyousuke was oblivious to his own irreverent mannerisms or not. Whatever the case was, he barrelled through with all the grace of a steamroller. "I should probably read some of the plaques again though, I don't think I really got half of them..." His smile turned sheepish, but no less bright for it. That was reserved for the conclusion, to accompany a softer tone. "...Say, Sensei, how're you feeling about all this?"

It would have been an innocuous enough question - if phrased a little oddly - were it not for what he'd seen.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

"I hope so, too." Shinobu agrees with a nod at Jun's sentiments. She can only hope.

Reiko agrees with her, and that comment gets a smirk out of Shinobu.

"I think so, too." She agrees.

Katsuya and Reiko seem to be getting along well, at least, and Shinobu is pleased at that. She smirks, though, at his modest response to her comment. It doesn't surprise her, really. She shakes her head.

"Don't sell yourself short." She replies.

And then, Yua approaches them. Shinobu offers her a smile back.

"I promised." She replies. "I hope your marriage is a happy one."

And then, she looks toward the man accompanying her... Kimitake Ijuuin. She doesn't know much about him. Katsuya says he's a fine officer, and then there's the way he's carried himself throughout this event...

"It's nice to meet you, Ijuuin-san." Shinobu replies with a nod as he greets her. She doesn't object to getting greeted last. "Yes, I'm glad to get a chance to support her."

Sure, she's more acquaintance than friend... but that doesn't change the sentiment.

"You'll be kind to her, right?" She concludes. She's fine with leaving it at that, for now, as they move on to greet Yua's students.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.


Jun and Hyousuke are doing a fine job of proving what Julian has been saying all along: there's plenty of hope for students at Kasugayama, plenty with fine manners and values, if you care to regard them on an individual level. It also speaks in favor of Yua's positive influence, to hear them speak highly of her.

He had been intending to approach with them, to deliver his congratulations to Yua following theirs. Except that... something odd happens. Perhaps odd is all it will be, to some, but to Julian, it's particularly alarming.

He doesn't have the answers that Hyousuke's look asks of him. But he would feel terrible if he knew that his thoughts in that moment were at all similar to what he appeared to say out loud to Yua. In truth, he merely assumes that Yua must be feeling overwhelmed. He certainly wouldn't presume to impose any sort of 'help' of the sort that Yua would imagine, given his profession.

Yet it probably doesn't do anything to make his actions appear any less like rejection, as he considers his assessment that the bride needs space to have possibly been an understatement. Grand events like this can be very stressful... especially when there are sources of unwanted attention about.

"Go on," he encourages the students with a nod, "I believe Ooshiro-sensei would benefit from your support right now." But not from his, appears to be the implication, as he moves to step back. While he still doesn't know what he did to deserve it, he can't help but feel that perhaps it would be more respectful for him to keep his distance, and simply smile, should Yua glance in his direction.

Much like in his line of work... he can't always take the initiative in approaching, as much as he would like to at times. If his involvement is unwanted, then he has to respect that.

...Although he can't say it isn't serving some level of personal interest, having an excuse to back away from the group of Kasugayama students, right when they attract the attention of Goro Akechi. None that he would admit to, anyway. Surely a man like him wouldn't have anything to hide.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.


Remi would never miss an eye twitch on her 'dear' friend and old Drama Club rival, Zabu. Her own smile sharpens as she is called -chan in return. "Oh of course it is, Zabu-kun. But I see only one of us has ever learned the fine art of subtlety."

Hang in there, intern!

Umie expresses surprise, and Remi has a soft chuckle in response. "These are, indeed, surprising times, are they not?" But perhaps they shall have to catch up more later, as other things draw Umie's attention away.

Fuyu is speaking somewhat privately to her, so Remi only offers a small bow of her head--a token of the much deeper bow she may wish to show at a later date. "I am heartened to hear that, Ooshiro-san." And then she offers a quiet, pleased smile. "And I am glad you approve." (See, Zabu-kun? That's how you do it.)

Remi does not miss all of those small, minor nuances--but it is not her place to remark upon them. Or at the very least, this is not the place to do so.

But Kimitake hopes to get to know her, too... "Of course," she says with her own small bow of the head. "Nothing would please me more, Ijuuin-san." To him, respect. To Yua, though, a much warmer smile. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world, YUua-chn..."

She would insist Zabu isn't the type of person who needs to be feared.

It's so unfair, to hear Yua introduce herself with that last name... only to have not taken it from Miho herself. But she lets Yua take her hands, and doesn't even bat an eye when she says her kimono is over a hundred years old. "Of course, darling. I understand completely." She leans in, dropping her voice low for a private thanks. "And I must thank you again, for the arrangement you have made. Truly, I am fortunate to have such a thoughtful friend." No hugs at her wedding... it's tragic.

Yua is a good hugger. But one's obligations must take precedence... at least when antique kimono are concerned.

Yua compliments them, and Remi can only smile. "Darling, you look positively radiant. And I am glad to be here for your special day." She says that last part to them both.

But Yua leaves to make her rounds, and Remi watches her go with an outwardly calm expression. She looks to Miho next, as she remarks on knowing Umie. "Oh, we are acquainted from the Cardboard Dragon." And as Miho complments her speech, Remi smiles to her, though only for her it is just a hair faint. "Thank you, dear. I'm sure she is."

Miho is watchful of Yua, for her own reasons. But Remi is no less watchful, for admittedly entirely different reasons. When she sees Yua's alarm she does not have so much restraint as Miho does--she takes a half step forward before she catches herself, planting her foot down. The accompanying look of concern is far deeper than it perhaps should be, but then she sees it--

Yua is running into the arms of her new husband.

... this is not a situation in which Yua needs her Knight, is it?

Both of those reactions only last a moment, before she composes herself once more, feet together, a warm smile on her face.

She looks to Miho and nods. "Of course, dear. Take your time." She eyes the empty cup of (formerly) sake that Miho is holding.

And after a moment's consideration makes her way over to fetch one for herself.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.


        "I'm simply glad to be of service," he tells Reiko and Shinobu alike. If there is anything she can do, though...? He can think of something, but it's hardly appropriate to mention here and now. "Actually... perhaps we could speak at another time," he says, instead. Family business, especially regarding a wayward sibling, is probably impolite.

        "I am well, thank you," he says to Tamaki. Why he's here is probably self-evident; a number of Kimitake's colleagues are present as guests. Some, as the garb of Captain Shimazu displays, as guests of honor. "I did not know that you were acquainted with Ijuuin-san," he says, though meaning in this case the new bride. He glances at her, then at Jun, as she makes her correction. "No, it is quite alright. We have met," he explains, gesturing generally with his free hand.

        He's not unaware of the social balancing act taking place here. On one hand, Kimitake is defending his wife as politely as one can in such a situation. At the same time, though, while he may not be highly-placed in Japanese society as some with claim of more ancestral foundations might be, he also doesn't miss the way that Kimitake's response places himself... and places Yua. But he's also aware of one thing more.

        Just as Shimazu is Katsuya's superior ultimately, once one ascends the chain of hierarchy high enough, he's also Kimitake's, and... if Kimitake were more blunt than this, or misstepped, especially for a man who spoke at his own wedding...
        If Kimitake's goals are to do well by the citizens of Sumaru, then he cannot err here. Yes, it's a balancing act. Katsuya's own gaze falls on the shiisaa lions and he doesn't say anything, doesn't betray anything more than that brief turn of his head at the wedding gift.

        The bride is next, voicing her desire for 'many children', and going on to greet personally some of her friends and members of the 'wedding party'.

        She even addresses him by name. "Ijuuin-san," he says to Yua, "please accept my congratulations." He's here as a part of civil service, and nothing more.

        To Kimitake, once the man also extends his greetings to the officers gathered here, he says, "I am glad to be in attendance, Ijuuin-san. It is an honor." Perhaps, he allows himself to think, if the circumstances permit it, he might even have an ally in a place of power on the force in Sumaru. Yet, this is also an alliance, that if possible, is far more easier said than done, given Kimitake's rank and resposibilities.

        Something comes over Yua, then. "Are you--" he starts to blurt out, only to (mercifully; he's speaking out of turn) be undercut by her husband. It seems that the matter is being handled, but... that look on her face just now was strange. Like an animal, caught in a trap.

        Some water, he decides, may do her some good. It's been a long day, and her attire must be stifling in this heat.

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.


"It's nice to meet you, Suzuki-kun." Haru smiles, when Hyousuke introduces himself in turn. "Kasugayama? I actually have a friend who goes there." She adds, and that's perhaps a more positive impression of the school than what might come from most Shujin students.

"Hehe... is that so?" Haru replies, when Akechi states his interest in making her acquaintance, perhaps showing the cheerful side of her personality for the first time tonight. "I have to say, you make quite the interesting company yourself, Akechi-kun. You're not afraid to say exactly what's on your mind." There's probably some truth to that, even, even if Akechi is obscuring his intent. As shown precisely a second later by his next comment. "...Yes. I suppose that would be quite old-fashioned in its own way too, wouldn't it?" Haru frowns a little.

And unfortunately, from the way Akechi describes Yua's situation, it only furthers her doubts as to whether this wedding was much more of a willing decision than her own. Yua's very own reaction only intensifies that fear.

"I suppose not. Marriage is about two people coming together to form a whole. This... doesn't quite feel that way." She agrees with Akechi. Both families should be celebrated equally, it's just not right to treat one side of that whole as lesser.

And as Yua undergoes what looks like a panic attack, Haru shares a worried look with Hyosuke and the other students. "I hope she's okay..." She says what's on everyone's mind, quietly. She tries not to show any of that worry when it's time they actually approach Yua. As Akechi advises, she takes it slowly, but with Julian's encouragement, it looks like she's actually relieved to see some of her students.

"Congratulations on your marriage." Haru smiles, as respectfully as possible. "It was quite the ceremony... but if anything, I'm just glad I could attend. Your lessons made quite the impression on me." It was the first time she felt like a teacher... actually cared about how she was doing in school. Now, she's not even sure how she can help Yua in turn. She glances over as Hyousuke asks a question. It's a smart one. "...I hope your husband treats you well,." She concludes - and she does mean that.

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.


         For a moment, everything is fine.

         There are, amongst all men and women and cross, certain situations that are simply inexorably miserable. A lonely walk along a pier where once there was two. A visit to a grave on a hill. A long stare at a miserable staff with a bloody history.

         Ryouhara is aware of the subtext of the event, and the shackles that society impose does not penetrate past his easy smile. Through most of it, the young kannushi minds the flock, as he always has.

         His eyes trail away from the Kasugayama counselor. There is the slightest modulation of the smile that the boy hides behind when the Bride seems to become excitable. Certainly; he has no way of recognizing the vacant Hell in hidden eyes when he watches, but there is a tiny crow chirp in the air that draws his attention from kneeling to console an excitable young child, the younger brother of another student, anxious about missing what was said by that police officer. No, it's fine, he helps Taro-kun say. We'll make a special note of what was said just for you to have forever, okay? Yes, the gods allow it... oh look, there's sensei! Come, let's say hello.

         The tilt of his shades turn to reflect Yua, as she approaches.

         "Aa," the boy replies, straightening almost immediately. He is, in fact, the one also attending the pitcher of water. It is a western glass he turns over to her quickly, filled with crisp, pure water.

         "Be at peace," he tells her, two differently-colored brown eyes rising over the rims of his circular shades, as he charges her with the glass.

         "We will perform according to the promise," the priest assures her, smoothly stepping back to make space for her and her students.

         It is literally the only thing the priest says to her; the only distraction of him from his flock, or of her from her joyous day. It is the nature of all good works, baroque or otherwise, to be subtle. The glance that he throws over Kimitake and his support is equally so; fast, and satisfied.

         Even with Miho and Umie; another priest comes to them separately, offering blessings with his staff. A young, dark-haired boy, wielding a somewhat comically long and crooked gohei, as if it were the last one they found in the box for him. His own hat is at an odd angle, but he is earnest enough as he mills by. Swishing little lines of paper trailing from that staff, he reaches behind a panel of his overrobe, offering Miho a small folded charm, specifically. The height difference is extreme -- Shuuhei has to offer the folded paper way up.

         Except the charm has no spell on it, only a symbol of three swirling leaves in the wind. "Please be safe in the knowledge that you are under the watchful eye of the shihaisha and all of the kami of good luck gathered here," Shuuhei assures Miho in hushed words that could easily be mistaken for a real priest's, before offering a blessing under his gohei again.

         He doesn't explain what 'shihaisha' means, before making his way on, offering more blessings.

         As long as the 'Ijuuin' are safe, Shiryuu and his might as well be ghosts.

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.


        Jun's smile to Tamaki turns melancholic. "Yes, I understand," he reassures her. He saw Sergeant Suou already, and anyway, he doubts Tatsuya would show up to an event like this. And... Hyousuke is helping out with 'the community'... Jun gives him a worried look as he rests a hand on his chin, but he decides to leave it at that. If he's on the same level as Tatsuya and Umie, it's not his place to say anything. "Take care," he tells Tamaki instead.
        
        Haru does indeed join the group. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Okumura-san," Jun says with a soft smile. "I'm Jun Kashihara, a third year as Kasugayama. It was beautiful, wasn't it? The artifacts in particular are breathtaking." He laughs a little and jokes, "I'm sure sensei's fellow teachers will be begging her for a chance to look at them!" But... she has a friend at Kasugayama, does she? "Oh, really? May I ask whom?" he wonders.
        
        He gives Akechi a mildly curious look as he too comes up and asks who Hyousuke is, though he smiles and says, "Likewise, Akechi-kun." Hyousuke's already introducing himself to Haru, though, so Jun nods his way. "As he says. We're friends from school." Is 'friends' the appropriate word? Jun seems to think so, anyway.
        
        There's... a strange situation. Jun doesn't see it at first, but then Yua is looking around wildly and seeing to panic at nothing before running into the arms of her husband. It quite takes him aback, and it doesn't take much urging from Julian for him to head over to Yua with his fellow students. (Julian's urging does get him a nod of acknowledgement, though. "We'll let you know how she's doing," he promises.)
        
        Hyousuke provides a fine line to Yua. Jun follows with Yume and the others, and takes in Yua's brittle and almost manic manner. Akechi says to give her a moment to compose herself, and Jun does, at first offering her a gentle smile. "I'm grateful for the invitation as well, sensei," he replies once she addresses them. "It wasn't stuffy at all--quite on the contrary, I was admiring those artifacts on display earlier. I'm sure Father will be eager to get a look at some point too--he's a teacher at Seven Sisters, as you might recall." Which, given her current state, she might not. Echoing Haru, he continues, "Congratulations on your wedding. I hope..." He glances at Hyousuke and his quite direct question. "...that you aren't feeling too overwhelmed?"

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.


        Umie smiles coyly towards Miho, holding a hand to her chin. "I *do* know a lot of interesting people. Perhaps you'll be another one?" An invitation, if placed subtly, to meet her later.

        Subtle words from a person who can be anything but, when in certain contexts.

        After all, if Umie knew the sort of visions Yua saw, she'd realize it wouldn't be that unbelieveable to have such cold words come from her own mouth.

        Umie, of course, is clueless about what has transpired, instead noticing the nervousness on Yua's face, the way she acts--

        Is this just another cycle? "...." Umie's thinning lips are hidden behind a sleeve, attempting to hide that grimace and desire to step forward with a softened manner.

        A flutter of robes as a priest moves by to Miho, attracting Umie's gaze as she lowers her right sleeve, briefly curious in the young man as he speaks to Miho.

        The clan symbol on the envelope, matching the one she saw on that earlier envelope, the one with the crow, as well as the one on Shiryuu's coat.

        Is there a brief glimmer of let-down in Umie's eyes when she realizes there is no disguise, and that this is genuinely a separate person?

        'Shihaisha.' She has to mask her mouth again, moving towards her original intent of greeting newly married bride.

        "Thank you for inviting me," she says, as Yua leans into Kimitake. "I hope..."

        She clears her throat, not intending to leave a shadow of a bad omen behind her.

        "No, I... expect you two will make each other very happy," she says instead.

        Hope is nothing, but expectation... that would be a stronger word, wouldn't it?

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.


        Tamaki gives both Yua and Kimitake a bright smile and a slight bow. "Congratulations on your marriage." She's unsure of what, exactly, she could further say in this moment: may it last long and be happy? Given what she's intuited ...

        She settles for a sympathetic glance in Yua's direction. "I wish you the best." She wholeheartedly means it.

        To Katsuya, she looks up at him and grins. "I take it you're here to support the other side of the family, given your line of work, yes? Her studio's in the same area where I live and work! And we run into each other sometimes. One time we ran into each other near Chagall Café out in Iwatodai! Oh, I was just recently out at Mandragora, this karaoke place they have there ..."

        She looks between Katsuya and Jun, then nods as they confirm they know each other. "You take care as well," she directs to Jun. "Drop a line or drop on by if you ever want to talk, alright?"

        To Hyousuke, she flashes him a thumbs-up. "Of course!"

        Shinobu, she's seen before on several occasions. Reiko's a new face to her, however. "It's good to see you too, Shimizu-san, and as I told Suzuki-kun, good work!" she directs at Shinobu. "And this is ..?"

        (Should the latter ever introduce herself and mention her given name, there's a decent chance that, being slightly more vulnerable to those particular memories in this setting, Tamaki's smile will momentarily grow awkward and pained, frozen in place until Tamaki manages to recompose herself. 'Just a given name, different surname,' she'll remind herself.)

        The false voice which Yua hears from Tamaki isn't entirely off the mark from how she actually feels, but even in the darkest corners of her heart, she wouldn't ever phrase it so cruelly. She had caught the earlier glance that Yua had given Miho and, in turn, recognized something within herself. Despite how they feel, they are each bound by their respective circumstances.

        A pang of guilt courses through her chest at Yua's outcry of 'everyone realized I was --!'

        Had she been so obvious in her thoughts and words? "I, um. ... I think I may have to step away for a moment. Excuse me."

        And it's here that Tamaki tries to find a quiet, unoccupied corner to gather her thoughts alone.

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.


        "I'm happy to!" Yua smiles, to Katsuya. "Thank you for taking time out of your important work, Suou-san... really, I'm happy," she insists, again. Is she insisting too much...?

        "Thank you!" She adds, to Tamaki's own wishes. "I'll have nothing but the best. I won't want for anything, now..." ... and there's a word for that kind of woman, but they surely have the tact not to call her kept.

        Yua smiles, to Shinobu, in turn. "I will be very happy as an Ijuuin," she promises her.

        "I will be," Kimitake promises Shinobu, and she might have gotten the final greeting, but she gets no less gravity than the question deserves. "Though I think Yua-san could teach us all things about kindness... so I will strive to listen as well as act."

        Don't worry, Reiko, there is plenty of sake to be had at the wedding. It's traditional.

        Miho, at least, will have her almost-never-quite-father-in-law pop up if she goes for a third glass to ask her if she'd like some water instead...

        She was so glad to hear Miho call her perfect; she could feel it, in the way her fingers tangled between hers, squeezing her hands. Tomoki Hasegawa... it's a name she'll remember.

        "That's my line, silly," Yua insisted, when Remi said she was a thoughtful friend; and perhaps she is thinking of the way Remi went after her, though she is a fine enough thespian to keep her smile on her face. "I'm glad..."

        But, indeed: the first person to comfort Yua is her husband, and this is as it ought to be. And when Yua looks around Kimitake's strong eyes, to find Miho... she sees her getting more sake, with Tomoki. And there's Remi, getting some on her own...

        (Is that how it ought to be?)

        She can hear Katsuya start to comment -- can see Julian, keeping his distance, and not just him. (Tamaki even excuses herself entirely for a moment...) But Kimitake said he was making sure no one said anything mean to her... is she just... going crazy?

        "Ah..." Yua starts, as she sees those brown eyes over his shades; recognition flickers over her own singular eye, and she shuts her lips against the name that wanted to cross them, offering him a grateful smile instead. "Thank you," she says, quietly, smiling to him. "I'm all right... it's my own stress that bothered me." She isn't in any danger. She's just... not quite right. That's how it is, isn't it...?

        Yua smiles, to Akechi, water in hand. "I'm glad it's been so educational, Akechi-kun! And I'm really happy you had time to come here on this important day, between all your hard work... heheh, though we've brought your work here, a little, haven't we...?" ... she's laughing, but it's still a little shaken.

        "It does look a little like a precinct, doesn't it?" Kimitake smiles, beside her. "All these uniforms... but I've received an honour much higher than a medal, today."

        "Oh!" Yua exclaims, and by her expression she must be blushing, though it's obscured by the whitening they've done to her skin. Hopefully, it will fade... given time.

        But Hyousuke asks her how she feels, and both Yua's hands curl, around her glass of water. (She sips it only tenderly; perhaps she's not feeling well.) "Oh, I'm sorry... I must have frightened you. I really am happy to become an Ijuuin," and her reassurance sounds genuine, at least. "I just... um, I felt a little ill, and I was sure everyone could see, and I panicked." But will teenagers of their age understand why her excuse is so plausible? It's a little improper to overshare; a more secure woman would think of some other way to reassure them, but Yua goes on: "I'm having a baby, you see... so they're normal feelings, but I became quite frightened at the thought of anything impacting our special day! Ah, overwhelmed is a good way to describe it," she adds, to Jun. "Just a little overwhelmed, for a moment... but that doesn't mean it's bad."

        "Ah... I'd wondered if it was something like that," Kimitake says, with concern, a supportive arm around her. "We can step out for a moment...?"

        "No, no," Yua shakes her head. "I'm all right now... but thank you." She smiles, then, to Haru. "Men ought to be attentive to their wives this way," she advises her... and her, perhaps, in particular. "So... I think he will be a kind man, just as he promised Shimizu-san."

        She pauses, and adds: "I'm really glad I've been able to help you all... but don't worry, I don't plan to stop teaching any time soon! I'll still be able to dance for a long time... and once the baby's born, I'll come back, too!" She doesn't want them to feel like... it's a farewell.

        "Oh, but I do hope Kashihara-san can see all of these artifacts," Yua smiles, to Jun, as well, when he comments on the artifacts. She remembers him! She'll greet him as well, if he's here... perhaps when she goes to find Ikkaku. "I was very surprised to learn the Ijuuins had such treasures in the care of their clan... I'm very fortunate that Father leant them to our wedding."

        Yua tilts her head, when Umie offers her expectations. "...?" She asks, verbalising a question mark, as she examines her -- before -- "... oh! Akabane-san! Oh, I truly didn't recognise you... excuse me!"

        "We will meet your expectations," Kimitake promises, with all the nobility of a good man.

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.


"Yes... We'll see if I can qualify," Miho agrees, more demure than she would usually be because she's inhabiting a certain Role herself. Not that she isn't usually polite--but she isn't usually dressed so femme, either.

But shortly, Miho reaches out to accept the paper from the priest, her long, hanging sleeve dangling as she does. SHe picks it up and looks to it. And there, he says...

"Thank you," Miho says to the 'priest', and while it isn't precisely reassuring to the particular problem she has... it is more peaceful. It makes her think instead of only feel, and that's only a good thing in this case, where soon enough Fuyu will have to remind her to drink water instead of more sake.

Tomoki adds, "Even the priests pay attention to you," he says. "Not surprising, I suppose." He doesn't have to repeat his earlier compliment; it would come off as smarmy.

She'll ask what shihaisha means later. For now, it is not strange to Miho that someone would come out of nowhere to offer her secret messages. Especially in her current mindset, that's just Tuesday. ...Though 'this symbol' in particular...

Expectation... a strong word indeed.

Yes, Miho definitely wants to talk with Umie later.

For now, though...

Miho does go for that water. And talks with Tomoki a lot, even as she keeps looking towards the bride.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.


"Yes quite so." Akechi says at Haru's chuckle, smiling, as he puts a hand upon her chin, "You have a reputation for being rather unobtrusive at Shujin. Such that most students don't even know your family ties... but I suspect there is far more to you than you let show."
 
He leaves his tone in this state of plausible deniability. Perhaps he's merely speaking of the fact that there is more to most young women than most young men would believe beneath the surface.
 
Or perhaps he's just making veiled accusations of her being a Phantom Thief.
 
"And if I'm correct - then I think you'd make rather interesting company yourself, Okumura-san." He says, with a cheerful bent of someone who actually seems to find her pleasant.
 
"No... this feels more like a warning that she must sublimate who she is to be tolerated by her new in-laws." He tells Haru bluntly what he feels about the speech. "It's a sort of ugliness seen within families who concern themselves with outdated concepts like the purity of the bloodline."
 
While he asks for an introduction to Jun, Hyousuke outright states who he is, "Ah, it's nice to make your acquaintance, Suzuki-san. I'm Goro Akechi, a third year at Seven Sisters."
 
And TV Personality, and Detective Prince and - he wears a lot of masks, but he introduces himself first like that, as if reading the room.
 
'I hope she's okay...'
 
"I think she merely needs a moment." He says as he explains, "The last thing she would want is for us to... draw attention to the matter in front of men like that one." He says as he cants his head slightly towards Captain Shimazu, who appears not to have noticed this, instead mingling after the speeches.
 
It could be worrisome, Yua's words there back to him, but he decides to take it in stride. "Well, it does tend to follow me wherever I go." He says with a certain good humor.
 
Jun does ask if she's feeling overwhelmed as well as Hyousuke, and Akechi decides to say, "What bride wouldn't, on a day like today? But... if there is something we can do." He tacks on to the end of that, trying to head off Kimitake some at the pass.
 
But, it turns out to be unnecessary... or at least, not asked for...
 
The rest of the party is a blur...
 
In a corner, Goro Akechi takes a sip from a cup as he watches Yua greet some of the guests, "If you could go back to before I was ever conceived and made a different choice... would this be the kind of life you might have had?"
 
There's a bitterness to his voice, like for all of the terrible context of tonight how a woman might find it far preferable to being discarded - an outcast. He sets it down, and turns to leave. "I wonder."

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.


        And so, when the socialisation before dinner is done, the guests are invited to a sit-down dinner of several courses... flower bouquets are presented, the families give their own speeches... the cake is cut, ceremoniously, and they even borrow Miho's saber to do it. (With the Master of Ceremonies announcing, grandly, how this was the sword which won the Olympics for Japan.) Everyone receives a piece -- though not from the cake which was cut, because that, as is tradition by now, is a replica of a cake specifically designed to be cut. The cake they're given is far more... edible.

        ... and after all their rounds of toasts, the newlyweds send off their guests, before retiring to their home together.

        Welcome to the rest of your life, Yua.

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