Chapter 108

Nighttime. The white moonlight blanketed the earth, and the sky was clear, adorned with a myriad of shining stars.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp sound of bamboo sticks falling echoed through the brightly lit, grand Japanese-style garden.

Holding the hand of Kuroha Itsuki, who was wearing a white dress, Hiroshi slowly walked along the corridor, glancing at the flowers blooming in the garden outside and gently tightening his grip on Kuroha's hand.

In the living room, the guests looked up at the opening wooden door. An elegant man with a gentle smile entered, leading Kuroha, who seemed like a shining moon in the dark sky.

Slowly, they approached the head seats, where Hiroshi bowed, picking up a prepared cup of sake.

"Father, please accept this sake," Hiroshi said, offering it respectfully.

Kuroha's father accepted the cup, drinking the contents in one gulp. He exhaled deeply and put the cup down.

"I'm entrusting Kuroha to you, Hiroshi," he said solemnly. "You both must be happy."

"We will be! Thank you, Father," Hiroshi responded, holding Kuroha's hand more firmly. "Rest assured, I will take good care of her."

Kuroha's mother accepted her daughter's offering, her eyes filled with tears yet a smile lighting up her face. "From today on, Kuroha, you're no longer a child," she said softly. "From here on out, there will be many things you will face that we cannot help you with, but I believe that you two will walk through it together."

"Your father and I may not be able to help you, but remember, no matter what, this will always be your home."

Kuroha reached out, gently wiping away her mother's tears. "Thank you, Mother. I'll always remember that," she replied quietly.

With their fingers intertwined, Hiroshi and Kuroha bowed to her parents with smiles on their faces. "Please rest assured, Father, Mother, we will be fine."

Looking into each other's eyes, Hiroshi and Kuroha each took out a ring.

"I'm grateful that time has brought us together and that you've chosen me," Hiroshi said, lifting Kuroha's right hand and gently placing the golden ring on her ring finger.

"I'm grateful for everything that led us to meet, and thank you for choosing me," Kuroha said, taking Hiroshi's left hand and placing a matching golden ring on his ring finger.

They smiled at each other as their rings glimmered softly under the lights.

"From now on, let's walk this journey together."

Holding hands, Hiroshi and Kuroha turned and bowed to the gathered guests witnessing their union.

Below, Chika Fujiwara waved her arms in excitement, her face brimming with enthusiasm. She cupped her hands around her mouth and called out softly, "Seal it with a kiss!"

Kuroha's face turned crimson, and she shot a glare at the jubilant Chika.

Hiroshi smiled, noticing Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya sneaking shy glances at them. He pulled Kuroha close.

Blushing furiously, Kuroha found herself in Hiroshi's embrace. He smiled at her, his voice soft, "How could we complete the engagement without sealing it with a kiss, right, Kuroha?"

"Ugh," Kuroha muttered, biting her lip gently as she tapped Hiroshi's chest with embarrassment. "My parents are watching..."

"It's fine," Hiroshi said with a grin. "We're practically married now."

And with that, he leaned in.

Applause filled the room, accompanied by Chika's cheers. That day, under the witness of family and friends, Hiroshi and Kuroha formally pledged themselves to each other.

Time flowed like water, gently and continuously.

When the moon reached its peak, the guests began to depart.

At the entrance of the Itsuki household, Chika happily hugged Kuroha.

"Congratulations, Kuroha-chan!" Chika beamed, her voice dropping to a softer tone as she asked, "Will you still come back to school?"

"Don't worry, Chika," Kuroha said, stroking Chika's pink hair. "I'll be back. I worked so hard to get into Shuchiin Academy, and everyone is still there."

"Really?!" Chika's eyes sparkled with delight, and she hugged Kuroha even tighter, shouting in excitement, "That's great! I was so afraid we wouldn't see each other again at the student council!"

Patting Hiroshi on the shoulder, Miyuki asked, "So, when are you two planning to get married? We'll be sure to have our gifts ready."

"We?" Hiroshi turned to see Miyuki's nervous face as he held Kaguya's hand, her face flushed. Hiroshi chuckled, "Don't worry, you'll definitely be informed. The plan is for after Kuroha graduates from high school."

Morning arrived, sunlight streaming into the room.

Hiroshi placed a gentle kiss on Kuroha's forehead as she opened her clear eyes. "Good morning, Kuroha," he said, smiling.

Kuroha slowly sat up, the blanket slipping from her shoulders, her long hair cascading down her back. The birds chirped outside the window as she smiled at Hiroshi. "Good morning, Hiroshi."

After bidding farewell to their parents in the living room, Hiroshi took Kuroha's hand and smiled. "Alright, we're heading out now, Father, Mother."

"Be careful on your way," her parents replied.

In a flash of white light, the two disappeared with a smile and a wave.

In Mondstadt, at the estate, Hiroshi and Kuroha appeared at the entrance.

They looked ahead, seeing petals of all colors fluttering through the sky, the blooming flowers lining the path leading to the grand stage.

Adjusting his collar, Hiroshi held Kuroha's hand as they stepped forward.

On either side of the path, all their friends had gathered, waving and cheering in celebration—except for the Geo Archon, Zhongli, who had not arrived yet.

The wind blew gently, guiding them along with flower petals drifting around. Amid all the blessings, Hiroshi and Kuroha made their way to the stage.

Venti strummed his lyre lightly, smiling at the couple before him.

"Congratulations, Hiroshi and Kuroha," Venti said warmly. "The wind has told me that your hearts are one."

A gentle azure glow enveloped the couple as the wind swirled around them.

The soothing sound of the lyre filled the air as Venti continued, "Then let the wind bring you my blessings."

"May this pure love echo forever in the free winds and be recorded in the memories of this world."

The wind danced and spread into the distance.

Venti played the lyre, his blue eyes fixed softly on their joined hands. "Then let me offer you my most sincere blessings."

The music echoed, merging with the wind, flowing towards the far reaches of this world.

There was a pair of lovers, who at that moment, found their hearts intertwined.

The wind blew past the great oak tree of Windrise, spiraled through Mondstadt City, swept across Mondstadt's lands, and drifted even farther.

In Liyue, a man in ornate robes with dragon horns listened, his golden eyes looking into the distance.

"This contract, I have heard," murmured Zhongli, the Geo Archon. "Next time, when the contract is made, I shall personally bear witness."

Beside him, a beautiful woman with flowing white hair and a black crown listened to the echoes of the lyre in her ears.

With a flicker of emotion across her face, she muttered softly, "How tedious."