CHAPTER 281: VEILED IN LOVE ( 281 )

The morning.

The soft chirping of birds greeted the dawn as light filtered gently through the shōji screens of the Kitayama residence.

A calm breeze passed through the open windows, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and salt from the distant sea.

Inside one of the guest rooms, silence reigned—soft, sacred.

Kyouko sat gracefully before a mirror, her back straight, her eyes downcast in quiet focus. The shiromuku wedding kimono draped over her shoulders like a cloud—pure white, embroidered with cranes and waves, flowing down her arms like silken snow.

Two assistants were carefully adjusting the layers while another prepared the traditional tsunokakushi headpiece, meant to veil the bride’s "horns of jealousy" and show obedience and serenity. But for Kyouko, it was simply a custom, a graceful gesture she had never needed.

Hanako stood by the door, arms folded gently. Her expression was unreadable for a moment... and then she chuckled softly when Kyouko, looking faintly uncomfortable, raised a hand as the makeup artist reached for the full brush set.

"I’m sorry," Kyouko said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can we just use the light one...?"

Her tone was polite, but hesitant.

Hanako smiled, stepping closer.

"Just lipstick, then," she said warmly, turning to the makeup artist. "She doesn’t need anything else. My daughter is already beautiful."

The makeup artist bowed slightly, understanding the quiet elegance this bride wished to preserve.

Kyouko’s gaze met her mother’s briefly in the mirror. There was a soft, fleeting shimmer in her eyes, nerves, perhaps... but also something deeper.

Hanako stepped closer, adjusting a stray strand of hair near Kyouko’s temple before whispering with a quiet smile, "You’re going to take his breath away."

"...Mother," Kyouko murmured, flustered.

"Nervous?" Hanako asked, her voice low and teasing, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she watched the makeup artist give a final gentle pat with the powder brush.

Kyouko didn’t answer at first. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, at the serene woman staring back. The smooth white layers of the shiromuku, the gentle sweep of her hair, the way the red lining peeked just barely at the edges of her collar.

"Not really," Kyouko said softly.

Her hands were resting calmly in her lap, fingers laced together. Her voice carried no tremble. Calm, like a lake before dawn.

Hanako smiled, half proud, half amused. "We’ll be going to the shrine after this," she said, reaching out to straighten the fold of Kyouko’s kimono sleeve. "I’m sure Haruki is already there."

A quiet breath left Kyouko’s lips.

"Mm... okay, Mother."

"Hanako!! Where’s my daughter!?"

The deep voice echoed from the front of the house, carrying the usual sternness that belonged to Kitayama.

Hanako chuckled softly, giving Kyouko’s obi one last light pat before standing.

"Your father’s already excited..." she said with a smile, then turned toward the door. "Let’s go. I’m sure the van is already waiting outside."

Kyouko nodded gently, rising to her feet with careful grace.

"Mm... okay, Mother."

The long white hem of her shiromuku whispered softly against the tatami floor as she walked. The soft weight of the silk, the subtle scent of the powder and red lipstick she allowed—it all felt surreal.

Outside the guest room, the hallway was filled with soft footsteps and hushed voices. Keiko and Kazuma were already dressed and waiting, the wedding staff bowing respectfully as Kyouko stepped forward.

A few meters ahead, Kitayama stood in the entryway. His arms were crossed, but the way his eyes softened the moment he saw Kyouko.

Kitayama grunted, his brows furrowing slightly as his gaze swept over Kyouko once more.

"We can’t be late," he said firmly. "When we arrive there, don’t forget, you’ll be brought to the waiting room first. Thirty minutes before the ceremony. The shrine staff will guide you and explain everything again."

"Mm... sorry, Father," Kyouko replied softly, bowing her head.

Kitayama sighed.

"Even after becoming more than an adult, with a daughter who’s already adult, you still act like a child sometimes."

"Mou~ Father..." Kyouko pouted faintly.

He gave a light grunt again, adjusting the cuff of his montsuki.

"Don’t make the driver wait any longer. Everyone’s already outside. And Kenji’s been waiting at the shrine since earlier."

"Okay," she replied gently.

As Kyouko stepped outside with her parents, the warm Okinawa morning sun greeted them, soft and golden. The van waited near the gate, polished and decorated with subtle white ribbons tied to the handles. A few staff from the Takahashi Group gave respectful bows as they opened the door.

Kitayama grunted, adjusting the collar of his montsuki as his gaze swept over the sunlit courtyard.

"Hmmph... If only Kenji were here, we could’ve taken a proper family photo first. The whole family, together," he muttered under his breath. "But whatever."

He turned slightly, his voice more direct now.

"Kyouko. Hanako. Keiko. Go take a picture before we get in the van."

"Ehh? Now, Father?" Keiko blinked.

Kitayama raised an eyebrow.

"Of course now. You think once we arrive at the shrine there’ll be time for it? This is the last moment at the house."

Hanako chuckled softly. "He’s right. Come on, let’s just take one. A keepsake before sending our daughter off."

Kyouko nodded shyly, one hand lightly adjusting her shiromuku as she stepped beside her mother and sister.

The soft rustling of the silk against the stones beneath her sandals added to the morning’s quiet elegance. The makeup artist, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to adjust the angle of Kyouko’s headpiece and veil. One of the Takahashi staff lifted a phone and offered with a bow, "Shall I take the photo for you?"

Kitayama simply grunted again and handed over his own phone.

"Use this. And don’t make me look fat."

That made Hanako and Keiko both laugh.

The three women stood side by side, Kyouko in the middle. Her gentle smile was serene, eyes soft but shining. Keiko held onto her sister’s sleeve proudly, while Hanako lightly touched her daughter’s back.

The shutter clicked.

A moment, captured forever of grace, strength, and family.

Kitayama gave a quiet nod.

"Alright. Let’s go."

( End Of Chapter )