The sun cast a warm glow through the window as I glanced over the travel itinerary. My excitement for the honeymoon was palpable, but as I read the list of participants, I felt a sharp pang of disbelief. Kanbaru Suruga would be joining us.
"Why?" I managed to ask, though I already knew the answer. My wife, Araragi Hitagi, sat across from me, her expression unwavering as if she hadn't just altered our intimate getaway into something of a small gathering.
Hitagi's fingers danced over the paper like a conductor leading an orchestra, guiding each note of our planned adventure, while I tried to reconcile the unexpected addition of Kanbaru into our carefully curated schedule. A honeymoon was supposed to be a romantic escape, just the two of us—this felt more like an ensemble cast from a mystery novel rather than the start of our shared life together.
"It's a done deal," she said matter-of-factly, as if sealing our fate with the stroke of a pen on the official paperwork. I sighed, resignation mingling with acceptance.
"It's just… surprising. I thought we'd have some time alone." My mind raced with images of the three of us in Tochigi Prefecture, aiming for a romantic glamping experience at Nasu Highlands, only to be joined by Hitagi's spirited junior from university.
Hitagi shrugged slightly, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Well, Kanbaru is famous for needing her father on her first date. I guess some things never change, even after six years."
I threw my hands up in defeat. "So, this is what our honeymoon has come to? You and your father on a trip with me, only now it's Kanbaru?"
"Not quite, Koyomi." She leaned in, her voice low and conspiratorial. "I haven't spent much time with Kanbaru lately. She's busy with her studies, and I'm caught up with work. This could be a perfect opportunity for us all to reconnect."
As if summoned by the very thought, Kanbaru's voice pierced through my contemplation. "I'm in my fifth year of medical school now, working towards becoming a sports doctor!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with fervor. "I even get to train with a professional basketball team!"
My smile faltered. Yes, I remembered how she had long aspired to intertwine her love for sports with medicine, yet the weight of this vacation began to feel less about our marriage and more about her journey.
"You do know this is our honeymoon, right? Not a career trip?" I shot a glance at Hitagi, who was barely containing her amusement.
Hitagi feigned innocence. "Oh, but isn't that what honeymooning is all about? Celebrating milestones in our lives? That includes Kanbaru's pursuit of her dream."
In that moment, I felt the gears of our plans grinding against one another. Was I being unreasonable to want our time alone? Or was this just another chapter in the incongruous narrative we had crafted over the years?
But Kanbaru's laughter filled the air, and though her enthusiasm was infectious, I couldn't shake the feeling that our honeymoon had morphed into a group outing. Just another notch on the scoreboard of shared experiences rather than a sacred retreat for Hitagi and me.
And there it was—the invitation whispered through the chaos. "We could even share an accommodation," Kanbaru teased, her grin wide. "I promise to keep things entertaining!"
I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up. "But you're not even living with me! Shouldn't you be more focused on finding your footing as a budding doctor?"
Hitagi chuckled, nudging me gently. "Oh, just celebrate our marriage without letting your insecurities get the best of you."
I had never envisioned our honeymoon could also be a graduation of sorts for Kanbaru. It was tempting to focus my thoughts on Hitagi's new name and the life we were forging together, but it seemed the strings of the past were still reverberating.
"Senjougahara," I breathed, slightly overwhelmed. "To think we would find ourselves mingling romance with the excitement of your junior's milestones. How peculiar."
And as I looked at Hitagi, I saw in her gaze the hints of laughter and love, a reminder of the journey we were all navigating. I silently conceded—for every mixture of emotions, there would be moments worth celebrating, together, as odd as it may have seemed.
"Fine, Kanbaru," I said slowly, relenting. "But just so we're clear, this is still our honeymoon."
The warmth of laughter enveloped us, weaving a delicate thread of camaraderie around our hesitant hearts, and I couldn't help but wonder how this unexpected journey would unfold.