SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: The wedding:
A sharp knock on the door cut through the tense silence, and Mei Mei strode in, her confident demeanor faltering the instant she caught sight of you. Her sharp eyes swept over your face, lingering on the mismatched makeup. For a moment, she stood frozen, her finger lifting to point out the obvious flaw. "What—" she began, her tone laced with disbelief.
Before she could finish, the makeup artist stepped forward with a pointed clap of her hands. "We're running late. There's no time to dwell on details," she said smoothly, her voice brisk and authoritative. Mei Mei hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line as she shot a skeptical glance your way. Whatever she had planned to say was swallowed by the sudden whirlwind of movement as your mother and Satoru's mother ushered everyone into action.
"Come on now, let's get moving!" your mother chirped, already heading toward the door with Satoru's mother following close behind. Shoko gave you a lingering look, her eyes filled with quiet concern, but even she didn't dare object. Mei Mei held back for just a second longer, her expression unreadable, before she turned and left with the others.
The makeup artist stayed close, her hand brushing your shoulder as she gestured for you to lead the way. "You're stunning. Let's make this a day to remember," she said, her calm smile unsettling. You took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling like a puppet being guided into place, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on your chest.
The soft notes of the wedding music floated through the garden, mingling with the scent of fresh blooms and crisp air. You took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering anxiety in your chest as you stepped forward, the sunlight catching on the intricate details of your dress. All around, guests turned to look at you, their expectant smiles faltering into something uncertain. A few exchanged hushed whispers, their gazes flickering between each other before settling back on you. The weight of their stares made your steps feel unsteady, your heart pounding louder with each passing second. You couldn't understand their reactions, but the shift in their expressions—disappointment, confusion—made you feel strangely exposed. Still, you kept walking, head held high, even as the knot of unease in your stomach tightened with every step toward the altar.
Among the polite applause of the guests, Utahime's slow, deliberate clapping stood out. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, and an unmistakable smirk curled at the corners of her lips. She didn't bother to hide her triumph, watching intently as you walked past, oblivious to the subtle sabotage she had orchestrated through the makeup artist. To everyone else, her expression might have seemed one of pride, but you couldn't shake the slight chill that ran down your spine when her gaze lingered just a moment too long.
As your eyes scanned the garden, searching for something to anchor your wavering nerves, they landed on a figure that made your breath catch. Sukuna. He stood among the crowd, his crimson eyes watching you intently, just as they had in your dream. Heat rushed to your cheeks, and your eyes widened in shock. "How is he here? you thought, your heart skipping a beat. My dream isn't about to come true… right?" The thought sent a chill down your spine, and your steps faltered for just a moment.
Then you noticed another familiar figure standing beside him—Uraume. The sight of them together made your palms slick with sweat. "Why is she here too?" you wondered, panic rising in your chest. The two stood out against the cheerful crowd, their presence a stark reminder of the dream you couldn't shake. Your mind raced with questions, but there was no time to dwell on them as the music swelled, urging you forward despite the unease clawing at your resolve. You took a deep breath, calming down and telling yourself to not overthink.
You reached the altar, your steps hesitant under the weight of unease, but Gojo's intense gaze locked onto yours, freezing you in place. His smile was sharp, almost predatory, as he took your hands in his, his grip firm and unyielding. When the priest prompted him, his voice was smooth, yet there was something in his tone that sent a shiver down your spine. He spoke of how you captivated him, how your spirit intrigued him like no other, and how he couldn't let anyone else take your place beside him. His words felt possessive, his piercing gaze never leaving your face, as though daring you to look away. When the priest declared it was time to kiss the bride, Gojo pulled you in with a forceful confidence, his lips crashing against yours in a kiss that left you breathless and the crowd cheering, though their applause felt distant against the pounding of your heart. "How sweet you taste, my bride."
Utahime's eyes narrowed as she watched Satoru's kiss land on your lips, the force of it making the crowd erupt in applause. A bitter wave of jealousy surged through her, the sight of his possessive embrace fueling a seething frustration she couldn't contain. Her fists clenched at her sides, and her lips pressed into a tight, angry line as she watched you, his bride, bask in the attention. Every part of her wanted to tear him away from you, to show him who truly held power, but she held back, her eyes flashing with restrained fury. The crowd's cheers only deepened her irritation, reminding her that this was a moment she couldn't ruin, no matter how much it twisted her insides. So she bore it—silent, but simmering with resentment.
After the kiss, you cut the cake and celebrated with wine, the guests' cheers still lingering in your ears. The evening seemed to float by effortlessly, but when it was time to take photos with the guests, you made your way over to Sukuna and Uraume, curiosity pulling you toward them.
As you approached, you couldn't help the surprise that flashed across your face. "Sukuna? Uraume?" you said, blinking in disbelief, in a chill, happy and excited look. "I didn't expect to see you two here."
Sukuna smirked, his crimson eyes never leaving you as he leaned casually against the side, "I'm sure you didn't. It's been a while." His voice was low and teasing, but there was something more—something that hinted at a deeper history between you, even if you couldn't quite place it.
Uraume nodded in greeting with respect respect and a bright smile, her gaze sharp but unreadable. "It's been a long time."
Just as you were about to respond, Satoru appeared beside you, a playful grin on his face. "Ah, I see you're catching up. Well, I should've mentioned it earlier. Sukuna and I go way back—since high school, actually. And I recently found out that he's been staying in touch with Uraume too, so I thought, why not invite them both? They're practically family at this point."
You raised an eyebrow at Satoru, still processing the unexpected reunion. "So, you've been in contact with them all this time?" you asked, trying to hide the surprise in your voice.
Satoru shrugged with an easy smile, "Of course, we're all old friends. Didn't think it'd hurt to invite them to the wedding. You know how it is."
You couldn't help but laugh, shaking your head. "I knew it. Well, in that case, it's great to see you both again. Welcome," you said with a warm smile, and Sukuna gave a brief nod, while Uraume's lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.
💌After the wedding‼️💋
To be continued...