Byakuyou - The Wedding Outfit That Ties to the Future - Main Story

Byakuyou - The Wedding Outfit That Ties to the Future - Main Story

Chapter 1 - An Elegant Ceremonial Hall

Kingdom of Literature, Wilhelm*, June... In the oldest building in Wilhelm, "Zuichoukan"...

T/N: Kagetora's kingdom

(So many people have held their wedding ceremonies here...) 

Right now, when I got invited to the pre-opening of the building's renovated wedding hall, I stepped on the red carpet that was spread out on top of the wooden stairs and looked at the elegant interior. 

(We should be meeting up in that room...) 

When I reached the top of the stairs, I arrived at some large doors. With thoughts about him, who I haven't seen in a while, I opened the heavy doors... 

Byakuyou: This uchikake* sure is nice. This sash from earlier would look good with it. 

T/N: A Japanese wedding kimono

MC: ...!

Colorful dresses, uchikakes and tuxedos... Surrounded by a lot of outfits, Byakuyou-san entered my vision. 

(Could it be that... These are all wedding clothes?) 

Looking at the sea of colorful fabrics, Byakuyou-san turned towards me. 

Byakuyou: Oh my, is it already the meet up time? 

MC: ...It's been a while, Byakuyou-san. 

As I was unable to hide my surprise as I responded to him, Byakuyou-san looked at me and lightly smiled. 

Byakuyou: Welcome. I've been waiting, MC. 

His smile instantly made him look more beautifully radiant... 

Chapter 2 - Putting on Dresses

As I was looking at myself in the vibrantly colorful uchikake... Byakuyou-san compared clothes to me with a serious expression. 

Byakuyou: This would go with your beautiful skin. Then, let's go with this one next. 

As soon as I tried on the clothes, Byakuyou-san gave orders to prepare the next set of clothes. 

MC: Um, why are you putting clothes on me? 

As I blinked, Byakuyou-san smiled merrily. 

Byakuyou: Obviously, to give you something to wear. For the public opening of the Zuichoukan, a promotional commemorative photo has been requested. There's no one else, but you that I would have for a partner, so I thought you would agree to it. 

After telling me that with no hesitation, I got a warm feeling in my chest. 

Byakuyou: Is that a problem to you? 

MC: ...No, I'm happy. 

The heat in my chest was spreading to my cheeks. Looking at my face, Byakuyou-san smiled and spoke. 

Byakuyou: As usual, you're... No, never mind. 

When he lightly shook his head, his elegant lips curved up into a smile. 

Byakuyou: Since it's a rare opportunity for you to be wearing wedding clothes, look forward to it. 

Once Byakuyou-san clapped his hands, the staff members that were in waiting moved eagerly...

......

After putting on the colorful clothes in the room one after another... 

(Even though I'm only just dressing and undressing, it sure is a lot of work...) 

Various clothes such as colorful uchikakes and classical dresses were prepared. 

Byakuyou: ...How troubling. 

Sitting on the sofa, Byakuyou-san crossed his legs with a displeased look. 

Byakuyou: The clothes to use for the main photo. Should we go with an uchikake or a dress... MC, do you have a preference? 

When Byakuyou-san asked that, I looked at the clothes that were on display. 

///Choices///

- They're both so nice that I can't decide (☽)

MC: They're both so nice that I can't decide.

Byakuyou: Fufu, I see. I was thinking the same thing. They're all so charming. That it's hard to narrow it down to just one outfit. 

- I do (☼)

MC: I do. 

Byakuyou: Oh, really? Which one do you like? 

MC: The one I wore earlier... Ah, but this dress that was prepared just now is cute too...

///Choices///

As I was looking at the clothes, Byakuyou-san slowly walked towards me... 

Byakuyou: Let's take a little break.

He softly placed his large hand on my back. As I felt his warmth through the clothes on my back, my exhaustion started going away...

Chapter 3 - The Meaning Behind the Wedding Clothes

As birds were chirping outside the window, I looked at the courtyard that had a charming atmosphere... After the staff and servants bowed to us, we took a break. 

(Huh? This is...) 

On top of a table near the window, there were many photos on display. In them were pictures of families holding their children and couples in wedding garments...

(Could these be... generations of this building's owners?) 

When I saw a photo that had a mix of both traditional and Western clothes in it, it all matches well together strangely. 

Byakuyou: Aren't you tired? Sorry. For making you do all this? 

As I was resting my feet on the sofa, Byakuyou-san said that beside me. 

Byakuyou: I just got a little excited. 

(Byakuyou-san was excited...?) 

When I looked at his face, we looked straight at each other. 

Byakuyou: Was that bad of me? 

Byakuyou-san pouted somewhat embarrassedly. 

///Choices///

- I'm happy (☼)

MC: No, I'm happy. 

Byakuyou: Happy? Such a strange girl... But, that's just like you. 

As Byakuyou-san was surprised, I broke into a smile. 

- I'm surprised (☽)

MC: I'm a little surprised. 

Byakuyou: Even I get excited sometimes. I heard that we'll be receiving the photo that we'll be taking together. 

Getting a ticklish feeling from his words, I broke into a smile. 

///Choices///

(Byakuyou-san... is kind of cute.) 

As Byakuyou-san stared at my face, he softly narrowed his eyes. 

Byakuyou: You finally smiled. 

MC: Eh? 

Byakuyou: When you were trying out the clothes, you looked like you were straining yourself the whole time. 

When he said that, I... 

///Choices///

- Really? (☽)

MC: Really? 

Byakuyou: Oh, you didn't notice? You seemed pretty nervous. 

(I guess I was nervous...) 

- I was nervous (☼)

MC: I was just nervous...

Byakuyou: I may not have understood what you were feeling, but despite that it's before the real thing, just looking at you was enough to make me worried. 

///Choices///

MC: ...I've never gotten the chance to wear bridal clothes. Because the day when you get wedded to the person you love is something that I think is special. 

When I told him what I thought, Byakuyou-san suddenly made a wry smile. 

Byakuyou: I like that straightforward side of yours. 

(Byakuyou-san...?) 

Despite that his direct affection made me happy... His words that somewhat had a hidden meaning to them made me uneasy. 

MC: Byakuyou-san, don't you think so too? 

Byakuyou: ...

Byakuyou-san silently got up and picked up one of the photos on the table. 

Byakuyou: Looking at this photo made me remember. The letter that was sent to me.

MC: ...!

Before, Byakuyou-san's parents received a request for a marriage interview with the princess from the neighboring kingdom for him. Remembering that time gave me a sharp painful feeling. 

Byakuyou: Don't worry. My father and mother respect my feelings now. 

Before I could speak, he said that softly. After giving me a reassuring smile, Byakuyou-san looked down at the photo. 

Byakuyou: ...I wonder if it's traditional. It seems like marriage partners have been decided based on personal gains since old times in this kingdom. Using marriage as a simple way to connect families and creating bonds... 

Lightly sighing, he carefully placed the photo back to it's original spot. 

Byakuyou: As a royal, I don't really agree with that way of thinking. But, I'm sure that there were people that were forced to be put into unwanted marriages.

(Unwanted marriages...) 

I took another look at the woman in the white kimono in the photo. It was hard to tell what the woman in elegant clothes was thinking from her expression... 

(The woman was probably preparing herself to part from the family she loves...) 

Byakuyou: Thinking about it... Wedding gowns this beautiful could be considered a woman's battle attire. 

His eyes had the intense gaze of a royal as he looked at the photo... 

Chapter 4 - The Feelings That Were Put into the Clothes

As the sunlight was shining through the stained glass in the hall, the music that was playing from the gramophone sounded pleasant... After taking a break in the room, we took consideration for the clothes that were going to be put on display for the invitees. 

Byakuyou: This uchikake and dress too... What a grand sight to look at. 

The clothes that were on display in rows were the traditional kinds in Wilhelm, including various kinds that were popular in other kingdoms. 

Staff Member: Among what we have on display are what our generations of owners have worn. 

After hearing the staff member kindly explaining in detail, my feet stopped at a bridal garment that caught my eye. 

MC: This is...

It was a white gown that a bride was wearing from among the photos we saw earlier... 

Byakuyou: It's the dress that we saw in the photo earlier. I thought the photo was from a long time ago though... 

(The woman got married to the man she spent the rest of her life with in this dress...) 

The dress that I was looking at firsthand still maintained it's white color from the photo and the gorgeous embroidery wasn't frayed at all. 

///Choices///

- It's hard to believe that it's something old (☽)

MC: It's hard to believe that it's something old. 

Byakuyou: Despite it's elegant feeling, it doesn't look old at all... It's spotless white color is probably what's making me think that. 

- It's really beautiful (☼)

MC: It's really beautiful... 

Byakuyou: It must've been inherited with great care for such a long time. 

///Choices///

When I looked at the dresses that were on display again, you could tell that each of the dresses were tended with love from how they were delicately made...

-Flashback-

Byakuyou: But, I'm sure that there were people that were forced to be put into unwanted marriages.

-----

Byakuyou: Thinking about it... Wedding gowns this beautiful could be considered a woman's battle attire. 

-Flashback-

(I'm sure that's not entirely true.) 

MC: Byakuyou-san... I really do think that a bridal dress is something special. 

Byakuyou-san slowly turned towards me. 

MC: The dresses that were inherited are beautiful even now... I think that's enough to see that the brides have made some happy memories. 

When I spoke out my thoughts, Byakuyou-san narrowed his eyes softly while looking at me. 

Byakuyou: MC... 

MC: ...I want to take a happy photo too. One that can't be compared to the people that'll get married in the Zuichoukan from here on. 

(Someday, I would like to... hold a ceremony like that with Byakuyou-san too.) 

Byakuyou-san's fingers combed through my hair with flowing movements. 

Byakuyou: Despite that I thought you were a dangerous princess that I shouldn't keep my eyes off when we first met... Before I knew it, you became so beautiful. 

As he murmured that, he held my hand and slowly entwined our fingers together.

Byakuyou: That's okay. We should get the world's happiest photo taken. 

His hand felt warmer than mine as he held it tightly. When we smiled at each other, we walked through the gorgeous hall of displayed clothes again... 

Sun End

Moon End