Having Had My Bride Stolen, I Just Want to Live Peacefully

―A few years later.

I sat in a chair in the waiting room of the wedding hall, waiting for my turn.

“Ah, Arata, it’s finally the day of the wedding.”

“Ah, aah…”

“Hey, are you scared? You’re surprisingly timid despite your appearance.”

Kyouhei said while shrugging his shoulders.

His gesture goes very well with the suit.

“It’s more unnecessary than I expected. And they say they like that kind of thing, which is my charm.”

“Ah, now you’ve got to talk nonsense. ‘ve had my fill just from listening to it all the time.”

“When did I tell you I’m in love?”

“Ugh, it’s all the more troublesome not to be aware of it.”

The tense atmosphere loosens.

But I was frightened, as Kyouhei said.

My hands are cold even though I’m wearing gloves.

“That’s all right. I’ll never have such a nightmare again.”

He put his hand on my shoulder.

“That’s why you only have to think of the bride in front of you.”

It reminds me of an act of dinner after I was fired from my job.

He patted me on the shoulder like this.

Kyouhei has helped me many times.

“Yes, I will.”

He looks frivolous, but he’s a kind fellow, after all.

“Then I’ll go first. I’ll be waiting for you, bridegroom.”

Kyouhei waved his hand and left the waiting room.

Everything is different from that day.

I did the final check of the tuxedo in front of the mirror.

◇◆◇

“…Do you vow?”

“Yes, I vow.”

At the altar, at the priest’s inquiry, I declare quietly.

My voice echoes through the solemn ceremony hall.

“Then the bride―”

Next was a question for the bride.

Tensions gradually increase.

It’s okay. It’s all right。

She’ll never do anything like that day.

Believing this, I looked at the bride.

Perhaps she noticed my gaze, but the mouth under the veil formed an arc.

With that smile, my trembling hand suddenly stopped.

I’m no match for her, for she always makes me feel safe.

And the pastor ends well.

“…Do you vow?”

“I waited a moment for this marriage!”

A wooden door opened with a loud voice that did not match the chapel.

Just before the bride answered the usual “I vow” after the priest’s standard question.

It’s good timing.

This is the second time. Is it possible?

I can’t say that. It’s real.

This is the second time, but this time it’s different.

I’ll never give her away to anyone else.

I’m going to spend my whole life with this person.

She stepped forward before the bride and stood up.

The sudden event draws everyone’s attention to the woman involved.

A woman? Who is she?

She hurried forward to the intruder who had opened the door, but in retrospect, she was a woman by voice.

Her hair is worn out and she is haggard even though she has a plump body.

I don’t remember seeing this woman.

“Why are you in the middle of a wedding?”

Ask the woman who broke in.

“Arata-san! It’s me!”

“Even if you say it’s you…”

I can’t make any sense at all.

“Did you forget? I’m Himeno.”

Why is Himeno-san here?

She looked like Obasan, who was completely older than me, if I may say so.

I don’t have to think about what kind of life she has lived since then, but I guess it wasn’t the same as before.

“I knew Himeno-san. What do you want now? It doesn’t matter. Go away. As I said, the wedding is in the middle.”　

“I realized it’s true love!!”

Obasan, who seemed to be Himeno-san without listening to me, opened her mouth.

This is true love? You’ve said that before.

I have a headache when I hear those words.

I hold my temples back and get frowned upon.

Himeno-san, who only cares about herself, continues to shout regardless of us.

“I realized that I’d rather have someone as solid as Arata-san, than something like Minato. Well, I’ll close your eyes to the poor expression of your feelings, so why don’t you marry me instead of that woman?”

She said she was such a woman but pointed to the bride next to me.

She seems to misunderstand that she’s still at the center of the story and that she can do whatever she wants.

“What do you mean by such a woman? More than you… No, it’s presumptuous to compare. She is the only person I like and my precious bride. I feel nauseous just because you’re here. Leave immediately.”

“Why, what… You’re very different from what you used to be. You’re so emotional…”

Himeno-san falters as if she were looking at something unbelievable.

“Security guards, get her out.”

Security guards surround Himeno-san and catch her in no time.

And when they tried to take her through the door, she was still showing resistance.

“Aahh, Arata-san.”

An ugly cry is tarnishing the sacred ceremony hall.

“Pastor, please go on.”

After pulling myself together and continuing the ceremony. It was not canceled this time.

When I urged him to resume he cleared his throat.

“Bride, do you vow to marry Arata?”

―Yes, I vow.