The Wedding Day (Romance Plotline, 4,000 Words)

After finishing his work, Takuya took a wedding leave and officially began the countdown to his wedding.

September 17, Da'an.

The ancient shrine, personally selected by Nakayama Miyuki, is nestled among lush trees in the heart of Tokyo, but it is no longer tranquil today.

Outside the shrine, rows of expensive black cars silently proclaimed the status of the guests.

Sega's top executives and directors, Sunrise's President Ito, Bandai's Mitsui Chuta, presidents of major distributors and suppliers, presidents or executives of various game developers, and even Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto all came to offer their congratulations.

On the other hand, the guests invited by the Nakagawa family were also quite distinguished.

The executives of TV Tokyo, needless to say, along with representatives from other television stations and GG giants led by Dentsu, almost comprised half of the Japan media industry.

The number of invited guests far exceeded one hundred, each of whom was a pivotal figure in the industry.

At this moment, they have all come for the same purpose—to witness the marriage of the Sega Nakayama family's Kirin and the little princess of TV Tokyo.

In the lounge, Nakayama Takuya tugged at his elaborate and heavy crested haori, feeling even more suffocated than when he faced the questioning of the entire board of directors.

"Takuya, stand up straight."

The voice of her mother, Nakayama Miyuki, came from behind her. Today, she was wearing an elegant tomesode kimono, her expression solemn, but her eyes held an undisguised joy.

"Today, you represent the face of the Nakayama family."

"Understood, Mother." Takuya adjusted his posture helplessly.

This is no longer just the union of two young people; it is a silent commercial declaration that has swept through the gaming and media industries.

Just then, Nakayama Hayao walked in. He glanced in the direction of Shigeru Miyamoto, his gaze lingering for only half a second before resuming his usual dignified demeanor.

Today, even the biggest business rival is a guest who has come to offer congratulations.

He patted his son on the shoulder without saying much, but the approval and pride in his eyes were more profound than any words.

As the priest's distant voice rang out, the ceremony officially began.

As Eri, dressed in a pristine white "Shirokimi" and wearing a "Kakugakushi" Eri, slowly entered the shrine accompanied by her mother,

The hustle and bustle of the entire scene seemed to vanish instantly.

Takuya's gaze could no longer be taken off her.

From their first meeting at the Ginza restaurant, to the spark that flew under the fireworks over the Sumida River, and now, the girl who will soon bear his surname, has gradually walked into his life.

He suddenly realized that all of his mother's seemingly tedious arrangements were worthwhile.

At 10:40, the temple bells rang out, signaling the official start of the wedding.

After the elaborate rituals, the priest recited a blessing in an ancient and solemn tone. His ethereal voice echoed in the majestic temple, announcing the grand wedding to the gods and praying for blessings.

Takuya knelt on the cushion, listening to the blessing that seemed to transcend time, his eyes glancing at Eri, who was dressed in a white kimono, beside him.

She wore a horned headdress, concealing her usually gentle face, revealing only her delicate jawline, her expression solemn and devout.

He suddenly found it somewhat amusing that he, who could debate with a group of scholars and foresee the industrial landscape of the next thirty years, was now being forced to complete each step of this ancient ceremony like a puppet on a string.

This is much more complicated than the final boss battle.

The auspicious hour arrived, and the ceremony of offering three sacrifices began.

The shrine maiden, holding a long-handled sake ladle, poured the sacred sake into three cups—large, medium, and small—in sequence.

Takuya, took a small sip, and then handed it to Eri.

Eri took it and also took a sip.

When it was time for the medium-sized glass, Takuya noticed a barely perceptible tremor in Eri's hand as she held the glass.

He calmly reached out and, as he handed over the glass, gently supported the bottom of it with his fingertips, stabilizing his nervousness.

Eri looked up and met his gaze through the gap in the "Hidden Corner," a hint of warmth and reassurance flowing through her eyes.

The three-three-nine degree contract is a lifelong pact.

Next, the oath was recited.

Takuya held the oath in his hand, but his gaze went beyond the solemn washi paper and was fixed firmly on Eri.

"I, Nakayama Takuya, hereby enter into a marriage contract with Nakagawa Eri. For the rest of my life, in good times and bad, in poverty and wealth, I will share joys and sorrows, and stay with her until our hair turns white."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly and forcefully.

Eri bowed slightly, her voice soft yet incredibly firm.

"From this day forward, I will change my surname to Nakayama and my name to Nakayama Eri."

The moment the four characters "Nakayama Eri" were uttered, Nakayama Miyuki, sitting upright in the superior position, had a thin layer of mist in the corners of her eyes, and her face was full of satisfaction and pride.

Nakayama Hayao's face, which was usually stern and unsmiling, softened for once.

On the other side, Nakagawa Jun took a deep breath, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a mixture of blessings for his daughter and the unconcealed disappointment of an old father.

All the guests stood up to witness this moment.

Following the jade string offering ceremony, the family cup ceremony took place.

The atmosphere reached its peak when the shrine maiden simultaneously presented the cups filled with sacred sake to both Nakayama Hayao and Nakagawa Jun.

The emperor of Sega and the president of TV Tokyo, two giants who usually wield great influence in their respective fields, exchanged a glance, raised their glasses simultaneously, and drank them down in one gulp.

This glass of wine carries more weight than any business contract.

It heralded the birth of a massive alliance spanning the gaming and media industries.

Sitting in the guest section, Shigeru Miyamoto watched this scene, his hand holding the teacup hovering in mid-air, a hint of indescribable solemnity flashing in his eyes.

With the final shrine maiden dance concluded, the long ritual before the gods was finally completed.

After the ceremony, everyone moved to the wedding banquet hall, which had already been decorated.

The emcee announced the start of the wedding banquet in a melodious voice, and after briefly introducing the illustrious background of the Nakayama family and Nakagawa family, the lights in the entire venue suddenly dimmed.

Two spotlights shone on the heavy oak doors of the banquet hall.

The gate slowly opened, Nakayama Takuya and Eri, dressed in a gorgeous colored jacket, stood hand in hand in the light and shadow.

Eri has completed her first change of clothes, shedding her "Shiromuku" (white kimono) which symbolizes purity, and putting on a "iro-uchi" (colored jacket) with gold and red as the main colors, embroidered with auspicious cranes and flowers, signifying rebirth.

Her gorgeous clothes made her radiant, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

The two walked slowly on a long carpet covered with flower petals, and the guests on both sides stood up and applauded, including many business tycoons who were usually only seen in financial news.

At the head table, both fathers, Nakayama Hayao and Nakagawa Jun, wore proud smiles.

The two mothers, Nakayama Miyuki and Nakagawa Takako, were overflowing with joy and relief.

Next up is the "opening ceremony".

A huge sake barrel was pushed onto the stage, and Takuya and Eri each held a small wooden mallet.

"Bang!"

The two of them worked together to knock open the lid of the wine barrel, and the crisp aroma of the wine instantly filled the air.

As the guests savored the auspicious sake, it was the newlyweds' turn to give their first speech.

Takuya took the microphone, cleared his throat, and instead of reading from his prepared script, he looked around the room before his gaze finally settled on Eri.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to witness this most important moment in my and Eri's lives. Before meeting Eri, I thought my greatest achievement was designing games that brought joy to millions. But now I know that my greatest fortune is having her as my wife."

He paused, then changed the subject, adding a touch of his characteristic humor.

"Of course, being able to marry Eri is also inseparable from my mother's wise guidance and strict supervision. I once thought that completing the wedding preparations assigned by my mother would be more difficult than beating any game on hell difficulty. Now it seems that this final reward is really too generous."

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience, and even Nakayama Hayao, who had been sitting upright at the head table, couldn't help but smile.

Eri blushed and gently punched his arm, but the smile in her eyes was as sweet as honey.

The banquet officially began, followed by speeches from both sets of parents.

Nakayama Atsuo looked at the newlyweds with a broad smile, "Eri, from today onwards, you are a member of the Nakayama family. Takuya, take good care of her."

But Nakagawa Jun, a media mogul, is now just an ordinary father.

He looked at his daughter, his eyes slightly red. "I'm officially entrusting my precious darling, my most treasured gem, to you. Takuya, please make sure she's happy for the rest of her life."

These words are both a trust and a father's deepest love.

The atmosphere at the wedding banquet reached its climax during the "presenting flowers to express gratitude to parents" segment.

When Eri knelt before both sets of parents and unfolded the handwritten thank-you letter, the previously cheerful hall fell silent instantly.

"Father, Mother--"

Her voice was choked with uncontrollable sobs as soon as it came out.

The letter contained no flowery language, only a daughter's gentle recollections of her parents' more than twenty years of nurturing.

From the mites that appeared when she was learning to walk, to the arguments during her rebellious phase, and now, as she prepares to get married and begin a new chapter in her life.

Nakagawa Takako was already sobbing uncontrollably, and even the imposing president, Nakagawa Jun, frequently took off his glasses to wipe his eyes.

Even the usually Nakayama Miyuki took out a handkerchief and gently pressed it to the corner of her eye.

Takuya stood silently beside Eri, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, offering her silent support.

After reading the letter, Eri presented flowers to her parents and bowed deeply.

Takuya then served tea to his parents-in-law and made a solemn promise.

After this segment ended, Eri went to change clothes again.

When she reappeared wearing a dark kimono that symbolized her farewell to her girlhood, the wedding banquet was drawing to a close.

The hustle and bustle of the wedding banquet finally faded away, and Tokyo under the night sky was ablaze with neon lights.

The black Rolls-Royce drove smoothly toward the Nakayama family's main residence. The car was quiet, with only the two of them breathing heavily after letting their guard down. Eri gently rested her head on Takuya's shoulder, and the gorgeous kimono she was wearing felt incredibly heavy at that moment.

"I feel like I've just finished a battle." She closed her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of languid nasal tone.

Takuya tugged at the collar of his embroidered haori, feeling like he could hardly breathe.

"Yes, but it'll be soon. Once we get home, finish the final ceremony, and go to the bridal chamber, everything will be fine."

Eri blushed slightly at his teasing and buried her head in Takuya's arms.

The vehicle slowly drove into the Nakayama family, where the lights were brightly lit.

Nakayama Atsuo and Nakayama Miyuki were already waiting at the entrance, their expressions solemn.

The cozy atmosphere in the car vanished instantly, Takuya and Eri immediately sat up straight, switching back into "newbie mode."

In the courtyard of the mansion, a brass brazier was already prepared, the charcoal inside burning red-hot and making soft crackling sounds.

"Takuya, help Eri." Nakayama Miyuki's voice rang out, gentle yet authoritative. "This is the first step into our home, a step away from the dust and impurities of the journey. Be steady."

"Yes, Mother."

Takuya took a deep breath and grabbed Eri's arm. Her palms were slightly sweaty, and she was clearly nervous as well.

The two exchanged a glance, took a step, and together steadily stepped over the blazing fire.

Upon entering the inner hall, the final ceremony takes place before the family shrine.

Nakayama Miyuki personally brought over an antique porcelain bowl filled with Shimizu had been collected from both families and then mixed together.

"Sharing this water, our two families are now bound by blood, never to be separated again."

Takuya took the porcelain bowl; it was slightly cool. He first took a sip himself, then carefully brought it to Eri's lips.

Eri lowered her head and took a sip as well.

The cool spring water slid down my throat, as if washing away all the fatigue and noise of the day.

When all the ceremonies were over, Nakayama Atsuo and Nakayama Miyuki finally nodded in satisfaction, left a "get some rest" message, and turned to return to their own courtyard, leaving the space entirely to the newlyweds.

Only after his parents' footsteps completely disappeared did Takuya finally let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if all his bones had been removed, and he collapsed onto the tatami mat.

"Phew--Finally beat the game."

Eri his relieved expression, Eri couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly, her eyes filled with tenderness.

She slowly knelt down beside him and began to help him untie the elaborate and heavy patterned haori he was wearing.

"I feel like this is harder than any of the hellish difficulty games I've ever made," Takuya complained. "The process is complicated..."

The crucial issue is that there's no way to save or load; one wrong step and you lose everything.

Eri was so amused by his absurd logic that she bent over laughing, but her hands didn't stop moving as she deftly untied one knot after another.

"And what about the final reward?" she asked, tilting her head as if she already knew the answer.

Takuya looked at her, said nothing, and just chuckled.

Layers of clothing were removed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted after a long day.

Takuya felt a sense of lightness throughout his body, and even his breathing became much easier.

He also turned around and helped Eri the gorgeous colored jacket.

When the last layer of clothing slipped off, leaving them both in only thin, close-fitting shirts, the air in the room seemed to warm up as well.

The surroundings were so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.

Takuya reached out and took her hand as she was tidying her clothes.

"Nakayama Eri."

He called her new name softly, his voice carrying a solemnity he had never shown before.

Eri paused, looked up, and met his deep eyes, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

"Um."

"When I heard you say that name at the shrine today," Takuya said, gently stroking her hand with his thumb, "I suddenly realized that all the trouble I'd gone through was worth it."

Eri's eyes welled up slightly. She leaned closer, resting her head against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"I practiced for a long time, afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing myself in front of so many people."

"How could it be?" Takuya lowered his head, kissed the top of her head, and inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair. "We've been waiting for this moment for so long, how could we be wrong?"

He picked her up and carried her to the soft bedding that had already been laid out.

Clair de Lune streamed through the shoji doors, casting a soft, hazy glow into the room.

Takuya gently shook Eri down, gazing into her eyes. In them were stars, Clair de Lune, and his complete self.

"Welcome home, Eri," he said softly.

Eri stretched out her arms and wrapped them around his neck, responding to all his unspoken words with a gentle yet firm kiss.

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