Chapter 40

A few days later…

"How could you?" Mitsuri busted into her room.

"You know; you really need to stop doing that."

"Never mind that. I thought we were best friends. How could you not tell me?"

"And now I'm confused. Not tell you what?"

"That you're engaged."

"I haven't told anyone yet. How did you know?"

"Are you telling me that that ring on your finger is just for decoration? I was waiting for you to say something about it but since that obviously wasn't going to happen, I had to confront you about it."

"I was going to tell you, it's just you know, perfect timing and stuff."

"Yeah sure, let's go with that. Next time something big happens in your life, be sure I'm the first person you tell."

"What about my dad? You know, my own flesh and blood."

"Sisters before misters. Before I forget, sorry about busting in like that. I hope you're not mad enough to not want me as maid of honour."

"C'mon, who else would I choose?"

"Yay. Anyway, how did he propose? Was it romantic?"

"It was...something."

"It must have been if you're blushing so hard right now. May I see the ring; I didn't get a proper look at it."

She showed it to her.

"Wow, he's not messing around. Quick question: you're not pregnant, right?"

"No."

"Oh, just making sure. I thought you were tying the knot because a bundle of joy is on the way."

"Yeah, that's not happening anytime soon."

"I always dreamed of the day you'd get married. Emphasis on dream, for obvious reasons. I even started planning for it when you were 12. A winter-themed wedding would be perfect for you. I was thinking the invitations could be an off-white colour and the paper used could be Romantic Eggshell Dream. Although, I couldn't pick a dress for you. I couldn't decide whether it should be an icy blue or just the traditional white. Then I started thinking that it should be a very pale, almost white, blue, and have blue or silver snowflakes embroidered on the hem, neckline and straps. And maybe finish it off with a sparkly belt. Takumi's tie would match the colour no matter what it is. It would be long and have a tail to bring out your shortness, in a good way, and the straps would be off-shoulder. I was thinking silk or chiffon, maybe sequin, but lace should be there because it suits you, and I can imagine how gorgeous it'll look on you. Maybe the straps and neckline could be lace, or instead of embroidering the snowflakes, they could be lacework. And the cake..."

"Hold up. That's great and all, a little crazy even, but it's too early to plan a wedding."

"Why?"

"There isn't going to be one anytime soon."

"What? But… what?"

"Yeah. There'll be one in a couple of years."

"Well, that's disappointing."

"Anyway, I don't think lace would be such a good idea."

"Why?"

"Let's just say you'll be potentially signing me up for motherhood."

"Oh." She snickered.

"Trust me, you wouldn't be laughing if you were me. I can't believe you were planning my wedding behind my back."

"You can't blame me; it's not like you were going to do it."

"But at 12?"

"I mean, that's when you first shifted. And it's more like, me... and all the other ladies in the pack because you were most likely going to find your other half at 18 so six years was enough to start planning. But when you found him at 16, we started finalising the plans. One mind-link and everything will be ready for you to get married in three days. That's how prepared we are."

"Wait, you were all planning it behind my back?"

"As I said, it's not as if you were going to do it."

"You're getting wifed?" Youhei busted in.

"How did you find out?"

"I may or may not have mind-linked the whole pack about it," Mitsuri said.

"So much for telling everyone myself."

"What, you didn't tell your own best friend, so I highly doubted that you'd tell everyone else. That's why I did it for you."

"You're getting married?" Her dad asked.

Before she could say anything, Kaido came in.

"Stop right there and not another word," She told him. "You too, Takeshi."

"But..."

"But nothing. I'll explain everything later. Now everyone, out. Except you, Mitsu."

When they left, she closed the door.

"Is it too late to say sorry?"

"Definitely. Next time, let me break the big news."

"Only if I'm the first person to know."

"Sure. Now I have to mind-link everyone to fix your mess."

There was a knock on the door.

"I told you to leave."