Part Seventeen: Matrimony

"Today's the big day, my guy," Tamashi said to Nozomi, "Got any butterflies in your stomach?"

'You ask me that as if I'm the one getting married,' Nozomi shook his head.

"That could be soon, depending on how fast you decide to get with Roboco-chan," Tamashi teased.

'You know, I never should've admitted that I liked Roboco,' Nozomi groaned.

"Seriously though, you ready for this?" Tamashi asked, "If I've combed your memories right, you've never been to a wedding before, let alone being a best man."

'Since when do you have access to my memories?!' Nozomi snapped, 'No snooping around in my mindscape!'

"Ugh, it gets boring in here though," Tamashi whined.

'Wasn't my choice that you decided to merge with me,' Nozomi retorted, walking out the door.

...

Arriving at the small chapel posted on the invitation, Nozomi walked up to a side door. Opening it, he found a certain shark girl.

"Nozomi, hey," she waved, smiling. She was wearing a dark suit with a blue bowtie, with her short light blue hair combed down.

"Gura," Nozomi waved back, "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous as hell," she admitted, "I'm probably gonna throw up."

"Haha, that's fair," Nozomi chuckled.

"Oh yeah, your suit is in the next room over," Gura pointed to a spare nearby room.

"Alright, thanks," Nozomi thanked, walking to the aforementioned room. Flicking a lightswitch, he found a black suit with white accents and a green tie. Taking off his clothes and trying on the suit, he grinned, finding it to be exactly his size.

"How the hell did she know my size…?" Nozomi chuckled, fumbling with the sleeves for a moment. Smirking, he left the room. He found Gura, as well as 4 other girls, those being Calliope, Roboco, Lamy, and Ollie, all wearing suits similar to Nozomi's, apart from differently colored ties. He went over to greet them.

"Hey, best man," Calliope addressed.

"Hey everyone," Nozomi waved, "I assume you'll all be walking the aisle with Gura?"

"That's right," Lamy nodded, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, hang on Nozomi," Roboco interrupted, going up to the teen, "Your tie's a bit loose…"

"O-oh, thank you, Roboco-chan," Nozomi thanked, blushing ever so slightly as the robot girl straightened his tie.

"Damn, I remember when Gura and Ame first got together," Calliope reminisced, "It hasn't actually been terribly long ago, but it feels like they've known each other for forever. I wonder why that is…"

"Hey Nozomi, what do you say we get married next?" Ollie went up to the boy flirtatiously.

"I-I thought I told you I had eyes for someone else!" Nozomi stepped back, the blush on his face only growing.

"Hahahah, I know!" Ollie laughed, "I'm only teasing."

"Were you really though, Ollie?" Calliope questioned, a light smirk appearing on her face.

"Well…" Ollie thought for a moment, her grin only widening as time passed, "Only kind of."

...

The time for the wedding had come, and Nozomi was all sorts of nervous. Swallowing his fear, he went to the front of the line of girls and glanced to his right. There, he noticed a similarly long line with Suisei at the front and Kiara, Botan, Polka, and Aloe following her. They were all wearing elegant blue dresses, with a white lace on their waist. Kiara waved at the boy eagerly. He waved back, chuckling, which helped to ease the fear he was feeling. The doors opened, and, with one final gulp, he began to walk down the aisle, leading the members of Hololive to the side of the chancel. Suisei did the same, leading her group to the adjacent right side of the chapel. And, as the organ began to play a familiar tune, the two walked down the aisle together, Gura in a black tuxedo with a blue tie and Amelia in a white wedding dress with a red lace. They made their way to the front of the chancel, their eyes fixed onto each other. Enma walked up to the girls, presumably to officiate the marriage.

"Friends, we have gathered here today to celebrate the union of Amelia Watson and Gawr Gura," Enma said with her ever-so blank expression, "But you all already know that. Gura, would you like to start?"

"Yeah," Gura smiled, "When I first met you, Amelia, I was scared, lonely, and weak. There was no way I could've ruled Atlantis, nor was there any way I could have made it on the surface. But I met you. You filled my life with so much hope and joy, and you gave me strength. Strength to face adversity. And strength to eventually become your girlfriend. I'm so happy I met you, Amelia. You're my light. So, I promise, I'll never leave your side. Not ever."

"I-I see…" Amelia smiled, blushing and even tearing up slightly.

"Amelia, if you may," Enma urged.

"Alright," she said, wiping her face from tears, "I'll be honest, Gura. When I first met you, I found you to be a bit of a nuisance. You always pestered me and you were very needy. And, even so, I grew close to you. You were always there for me, helping me fight battles that I couldn't win alone… literally and figuratively. You are my inspiration, Gura, my motivation. That motivation in turn prompted me to ask you to become my girlfriend. And I'm so glad I did. You truly care about me. Thank you, Gura, for every time you've helped me, for every time you've consoled me, for every time you've cried with me, for everything you've done. I love you, Gura, and I always will."

Nozomi smiled at this display of love, quite moved by their passion. He looked to his right to see a certain pink-haired reaper gazing intently toward an orange-haired phoenix. Why that was, he was unaware, but he took mental note of it.

"It's clear to me that your passion for each other is strong," Enma closed her eyes and nodded, "And this kiss better match that passion. I now pronounce you partners for life. You may kiss."

The two's teary blue eyes met, and, as Gura threw her arms around Amelia's shoulders, they shared a long, heartfelt, and passionate kiss. Nozomi started the applause, and everyone in the audience followed, clapping for the newlywed couple.

...

As the wedding reception went on, Nozomi was approached by Amelia and Gura.

"What's up, my best man?" Gura asked playfully.

"Nothing much, just enjoying the festivities," Nozomi said nonchalantly.

"We're gonna be tossing the bouquet soon," Amelia informed, "Who knows? Maybe Roboco-senpai will catch it…"

"Ugh, even you guys?" Nozomi facepalmed, "I can't catch a break with you guys."

"Well, you're stuck with us 'til we rescue everyone in that other world," Gura grinned, "You're gonna have to learn to deal with us."

"I suppose you're right," Nozomi shook his head, "I'm curious now. I wanna see who catches the bouquet."

"Sure," Amelia nodded, looking towards a large group of women, "Who wants it?"

The crowd roared as they eyed the bunch of flowers Amelia was grasping in her hand. Turning around and closing her eyes, Amelia threw the bouquet at the crowd, quickly turning around to see who catches it. The group of flowers disappeared into the crowd, and the three waited in anticipation. And the one who emerged with bouquet in hand was none other than the oni girl, Nakiri Ayame. Nozomi's jaw dropped, and Gura and Amelia's smiles widened. Ayame went out of the crowd to leave the building. As she did, though, she passed Nozomi and winked.

"There's no way," Tamashi muttered to himself in disbelief, "There's no fucking way…"

"Damn, nice going, Tamashi," Gura teased as she nudged Nozomi with her shoulder, "She's a good girl, take care of her."

"Did you guys hear they made out in my mind last night?" Nozomi asked, smirking mischievously.

"Don't tell them about that!" Tamashi commanded frantically.

"Ooh, how scandalous," Amelia giggled, "Do tell…"

"No! Don't tell!" Tamashi panicked. Nozomi laughed.

'Sorry, Tamashi, I'm afraid I can't hear you…' Nozomi teased.

"How could you betray your own Echo like this?!" Tamashi interrogated.

'This is retribution for all the Roboco teasing,' Nozomi informed.

"Alright, here's what went down," Nozomi began.

...

As he was chatting with the newlywed couple, Nozomi suddenly opened his eyes to find he was in the sky. Panicking, he got to his feet, quickly realizing that there was no way he could fall. Sighing in relief, he began to walk towards a mysterious light. And there, he found a mysterious girl with her back facing him, with light blue hair and a white dress. An angel.

"Ito Nozomi, hello," she turned toward the boy, revealing her deep blue eyes, "I'm Amatsuka Uto. I trust you've been treating Tamashi well?"

"U-uh, yes, Amatsuka-sama," Nozomi stammered and bowed. Why he felt the need to treat the girl with such respect, he was unsure.

"That's good to hear," Uto nodded, once again looking to the sky-like place before them, "It's good to hear Amelia's happy. And she finally got with her precious shark. I'm proud of her."

"You know Amelia?" Nozomi asked. Uto began to giggle quietly.

"Of course I do," Uto smiled sweetly, "I am Amelia."

Before Nozomi had time to interrogate her on this statement, his vision began to fade.

...

Nozomi suddenly found himself back in the chair he was talking to Gura and Amelia in.

"Hey, you good, Nozomi?" Gura waved her hand in front of Nozomi's face.

"Amelia," Nozomi began, "Do you know an Amatsuka Uto?"

Amelia gasped, while Gura looked at the boy puzzled. The detective's face took a more grim appearance, as she rose to her feet.

"Nozomi, come with me," Amelia urged, "Gura, you too, please."

"O-oh, alright," Gura complied, heading to a nearby balcony. Amelia walked towards it.

"It's a beautiful night, huh?" she began, looking regretfully towards the night sky, "Although not in the Mirror."

Amelia sighed, looking at a pocket watch on her side. She then looked at the glasses-clad teen and her wife, trembling somewhat.

"Amatsuka Uto is…" she whispered, "Amatsuka Uto is me from my previous life."