Time passed by like a train you forgot to get off at your stop. Ever since that night, I kept thinking about the old man’s bar. In the end, I agreed to Keiko’s suggestion to help take over and learn the ropes there. Which means… no day off for six whole months.

Six months, people.

Not a single day to be lazy in bed. Not a single afternoon nap.

I sighed, adjusting my apron in Manna’s Kitchen the day before the wedding.

Hang in there, Ryusei. You’re gonna make Keiko and Rin proud. And maybe finally be worth something.

---

And then, before I knew it — today came.

12th June, 2026.

Junpei and Ruka’s wedding day.

Manna’s Kitchen closed for the day, and we all worked our butts off yesterday decorating and moving tables around. And now, here I was… pacing around our place like a headless chicken while Keiko sat on the couch already dressed and waiting.

“Ryusei! What the hell are you doing?” Keiko called out, glaring at me.

“Sorry! I—” I froze as I held up the clothes I was about to wear.

“...Keiko, I just realized. I don’t have any formal girl clothes. I didn’t even think about it. And hell no am I putting on a dress.”

Keiko’s expression softened. “Oh. Crap… you’re right.”

She looked so good though — light makeup, a soft casual dress in muted blue, hair slightly curled. Damn, my wife was fine.

“You’re really pretty,” I blurted out.

She blushed immediately, looking away. “T-Thanks.”

I stared at my clothes again — a simple shirt and casual pants — and sighed. “Should I just go like this? I feel like it’s off though. I wanna at least match you a bit.”

Keiko got up with a sigh and rummaged through her closet. “Wait… let’s add something.”

A minute later, she handed me a blazer.

Her blazer.

“Try this.”

I stared at it. “Keiko… this is yours.”

“So?”

“I’m telling you, it won’t fit—”

She helped me put it on anyway, tugging on the shoulders and straightening the collar.

And somehow… it fit. Pretty damn well, actually.

“Wow… I didn’t realize this body fits yours so well,” I muttered without thinking.

Keiko’s face turned crimson.

I blinked.

Wait — crap, that sounded bad.

“I-I mean we’re the same size now! That’s it! Size! Blazer size, duh.” I scratched my head, silently cursing myself.

Keiko smacked my shoulder with a blush. “Idiot.”

We both laughed, and then I glanced at the clock.

“Shit, we’re late.”

“Let’s go!” Keiko grabbed her bag.

---

We arrived at Manna’s Kitchen about 20 minutes before the ceremony started. The place looked great — simple, cozy, with pastel flowers and lights strung up along the walls. It wasn’t crowded since it was a small, intimate wedding.

We greeted Junpei’s and Ruka’s parents, then found our seats at a table already occupied by Aki and Miko.

Aki, of course, wasted no time complaining.

“Oh god, even on our day off we had to show up to this.”

Miko pouted and nodded.

Keiko raised an eyebrow. “It’s not even our day off in the first place.”

Aki groaned dramatically. “Keiko, stop ruining my daydream.”

Then came the voice of doom.

“You want a day off?” a voice said behind Aki.

“Yeah, a really long one. Who doesn’t want that?” Aki answered without looking.

I immediately broke into a cold sweat, recognizing that voice.

Oh no.

Aki. No. Turn around. Now.

But of course she didn’t.

“Well then, feel free to hand in your resignation whenever you’re ready,” Manna said, finally stepping into Aki’s line of sight.

Aki froze like someone hit pause on her life.

Her face went pale, her eyes wide, and her mouth opened and closed like a dying fish.

“SSS-SORRY, MA’AM!” she yelped, jumping to her feet and bowing so hard I thought she’d break her spine.

Manna chuckled and waved her hand. “Relax. I’m joking. Sit down. The ceremony’s about to start.”

Aki slumped back into her seat, still trembling.

I held back a laugh. Damn it, I should’ve filmed that.

---

The ceremony started soon after. Junpei walked down the aisle — okay, fine, the guy cleaned up well in a suit. I’ll admit it.

But Ruka…

She looked stunning.

Simple, soft makeup, an elegant white dress that fit her perfectly, hair tied back with loose curls. You could tell she was glowing.

The ceremony itself was sweet, quiet, and personal — just close family and a handful of us friends. It wasn’t a flashy event, but it felt… right.

I spent half the time sneaking glances at Keiko beside me. She was watching everything with the softest look on her face.

Her eyes glistened when Ruka said her vows, and I swear I saw her wipe a tear when Ruka’s dad gave his little speech.

It hit me then. Maybe she’s sad.

Sad we never had a ceremony like this for ourselves.

We kind of skipped that part, didn’t we?

I wondered if she wanted one.

Would she wish a little wedding like this? Intimate, quiet, simple.

I made a mental note to ask her someday.

---

Afterward, during the meal, the four of us gathered around the table again. Aki was still sulking from earlier.

“I swear to god, Manna’s gonna kill me one day,” she muttered.

Miko snickered. “You should’ve seen your face. Like a pale fish.”

“Shut up, you goldfish addict.”

“Better than a donkey voice like you.”

“Oi!”

I chuckled, feeling the usual chaos settle back in.

Keiko let out a small sigh as she sat back in her chair beside me, her gaze fixed on the ceremony still wrapping up. She wasn’t smiling like usual — it was softer, thoughtful.

“Hey…” she said quietly, just enough for me to hear over the chatter. “Thanks for coming with me today.”

I glanced at her. “Well, of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

She chuckled under her breath, then shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just… this is my first time seeing a wedding of a friend like this. You know… something small, not flashy, but warm. Real.”

Her voice trailed off for a second before she looked away, watching Ruka and Junpei talking to their guests.

“I never had many people close to me. No friends to invite me to things like this. So… I guess it made me feel something. Moved, I guess.”

I stayed quiet for a moment, watching her side profile. It wasn’t like Keiko to get sentimental in public, even in front of co-workers. She kept everything in check. Always strong, always unshaken. Seeing this side of her, even if it was subtle, hit me harder than I expected.

“Yeah…” I muttered, pretending to be focused on the decorations. “Same here. Never thought something this simple could feel like this, you know?”

She smiled faintly and gave a small nod. “Kinda makes you wish… you could have something like it too, huh?”

I didn’t answer that one. Didn’t need to. I just smiled and gave a small nod.

Then, like flipping a switch, she smirked a little and flicked her gaze at my blazer. “By the way… this looks better on you than I expected.”

I snorted. “Well, guess it means we’re the same size now. Who knew?”

Keiko rolled her eyes and leaned her elbow on the table. “Honestly that blazer’s oversized on me.”

I grinned and leaned a little closer. “Nah, you’re just short.”

Keiko clicked her tongue and shot me a glare. “Say that again and I’ll strangle you with that blazer.”

I chuckled under my breath. “Okay, okay — noted.”

She huffed, but the corner of her mouth twitched up.

And just like that, the moment passed. Felt better, though — like we both shared something without saying much.

Suddenly Aki groaned from across the table, loudly breaking whatever peace was left.

I smirked to myself.

Well, at least Aki didn’t get herself fired today.