Putting the heavy-handed lecturing aside, the core of the issue could be summarized as follows.
It seemed Saito Furufushi's past would bring nothing but shame to the Kuchiki clan.
Of course, it wasn't just that; should the two unite, they would be subject to the wagging tongues of those who knew of her bloody history. This hushed plan was a necessary measure to prevent that.
A wedding that deserves nothing but blessings shouldn't be filled with mockery, curses, and jeers, should it?
Better to hide it. Though it would be a meager ceremony, it would at least allow the two to live together in quiet happiness, free from scandal.
"A reason that's easy enough to understand."
"I am grateful for your understanding."
It was an inevitable choice made for the sake of the clan and for the happiness of the couple.
A marriage is meant to be the start of happiness, but what if the very first step is stained with contempt and disdain?
Even if their married life were happy afterward, the wounds inflicted during the wedding would remain as scars that never vanish, lasting a lifetime.
Of course, if I were to set aside my personal bias and look at this objectively, it is true that the contempt from 'those who know her past' is simply the karmic retribution for the slaughter she has accumulated.
Though I took her in as an adopted daughter out of long-standing affection, that truth is undeniable.
It was uncomfortable, but I couldn't say his reasoning was illogical.
No matter if I am Furufushi's foster father, I cannot insist that wrong is right, nor can I pretend what exists does not.
To do so would be a failing as a human being, long before being a foster father.
"But that doesn't mean your methods are correct."
"It was done out of necessity for the clan and the children. Are you saying this was a mistake?"
"If it was truly for those children, you should at least have refrained from keeping it a secret from the two of them."
According to the Clan Head's words, the wedding would be humbler than ever. No guests—just a quiet affair within the clan before calling it a day.
Yet, Hijiri and Furufushi were clearly looking forward to their wedding day.
Thinking that tomorrow would surely be a happy day, because tomorrow was finally their wedding.
If those two had known that the wedding would be beyond modest—that it would be pathetic—would they have been able to look forward to it so purely?
Well. I can't say for certain, but at the very least, they wouldn't have been able to rejoice with such innocence.
"I acknowledge that Saito Furufushi's past is drenched in blood. However, the fact that your grandson is getting married means you gave your permission, did you not? Or what is it? Did you allow the marriage but refuse to acknowledge it?"
"…That is. I had no such thoughts."
"Then what is it? What were you thinking? If there is something I don't know, tell me. We shouldn't be piling up needless misunderstandings and getting red in the face. We aren't at an age where we should be grabbing each other's collars over such things."
Tap, tap, tap. I waited for an answer, drumming my fingers against my knee, but no response came no matter how long I waited.
Since he had nothing to say, he was likely resorting to silence.
It was cowardly in a way, but not something I couldn't understand.
From the Clan Head's perspective, a bomb that could go off with one wrong word was shoved in his face, demanding a password. There was no way he could easily open his mouth.
This is why old fools with stiff heads are so troublesome….
I'm not that much of a madman, so why are they judging me by their own standards?
"Once you have decided to embrace her, you must embrace her past as well. Spitting out what is bitter and swallowing what is sweet is an act for an infant who hasn't even grown teeth. Unless you have become a senile ghost, do not act like a child. Would it not be a waste of all those years you spent cultivating yourself?"
As I tried to ease his tension with a gentler admonition, the Clan Head flinched. He furrowed his brows in deep thought before quietly closing his eyes.
"I will keep that in mind."
"I look forward to hearing good news later."
The Clan Head was an old man himself. No matter how stiff-necked he was, he wasn't so dim-witted as to misunderstand my meaning. I held my tongue and stood up from my seat.
I thought about dropping by to see Furufushi on my way out, but figured she'd be in the middle of a frantic rush, so I just headed home.
And the very next day, when I went to work at Squad 4 as usual, news arrived that Furufushi's wedding had been postponed by a week.
The reason was simple…. Preparing a grand wedding naturally requires that much time.
However, most people who heard the news seemed more shocked by the fact that that Furufushi was getting married rather than the fact that the date had been moved.
"Captain! Captain!! Captain Saito is getting married!!"
"Yeah."
"Uh, you don't look surprised at all. Wait, did you already know!?"
"Of course I knew. The agenda of the last Captains' Meeting was about Saito Furufushi and Katori Batsuunsai getting married and retiring."
"Oh, right…"
Sakurano nodded, letting out a deep sigh as she sluggishly flipped through some documents.
She was clearly struggling to focus, so I set my paperwork down.
"What's up? Something happened?"
"Huh? Oh… it's just, how should I put it? I knew Captain Katori would get married eventually, but I never imagined Captain Saito would. I kept thinking, 'I'm still okay, there's time,' but as people around me start marrying one by one, and even the person I thought would be the absolute last to marry goes before me, I'm starting to feel… rushed. Sigh…"
She's always talking about going off to find her match, so she really was concerned about it.
But it's not like I had anything particularly helpful to say, so I just nodded in acknowledgement.
I can't exactly set her up with a guy.
From Sakurano's perspective, the men I know are all just old farts.
…Wait, not just old farts, but grandfathers?
Ugh, how horrific. Let's not think about it.
"Wait and have hope. A good connection will appear eventually."
"Sniff, I want to live happily and lovey-dovey with a boyfriend by my side like everyone else…"
"Then go outside. If you stay cooped up in the barracks working every day and then complain about not having a boyfriend, what am I supposed to say?"
"But… if I'm working, I can say I don't have a boyfriend because I'm busy with work. If I stop working, I lose my only excuse…"
"Find a balance between work and life. I tell you to go home, but you're always doing overtime anyway."
"That's because I have to be a role model so the subordinates will follow along."
"You're too over-the-top with that. Cut back on the work. Should I just send you on vacation?"
"Ah, ugh. That… I'm fine!"
She's the one singing about needing a man, yet she recoils in horror the moment I try to push her out to find one.
I found out later that Lieutenant Sakurano was actually holding out because she was desperately waiting for a miraculous, fateful encounter with her destined partner.
I mean, I kept telling her she has to go outside for such a miracle to even find her.
…It was frustrating enough that I wanted to shout it, but I didn't say it out loud.
Honestly, even hearing 'When are you getting married?' from family is annoying, but from your boss at work?
I wouldn't even have the breath for a sigh. Truly.
While assuming she'd handle her own business and living my days as usual, time blew by like a breeze, and a week passed. The day of Furufushi's wedding arrived.
Whether it was because my previous 'gentle advice' hit home, the wedding was surprisingly spectacular.
It was almost as if the Kuchiki clan was asking, 'We did this much, can we make up now?'
'It's not like we were fighting, though.'
Still, it was commendable that they changed their minds, even if it was late, so I should prepare a gift for them later.
The hot spring I used to use shortly after leaving Hell is still there. If I take them there to let their bodies and minds rest, they'll probably love it, right?
…Wait, technically I'd be taking them to the Gate of Hell. They might actually be terrified.
A sudden image of the Kuchiki Clan Head wailing, 'Oh Lord, Great Messenger, it's not my time to go yet!' popped into my head, making me wipe my face with my hand.
'Let's think about the gift slowly later.'
With that thought, I slowly moved toward the direction where I sensed Furufushi's presence.
She was still in her room preparing. Beyond the tightly shut sliding doors, I sensed five other presences besides Furufushi.
"Yo, daughter. Daddy's here."
Since a husband isn't supposed to see the bride before the ceremony, I leaned against the doorpost and spoke. An answer came from beyond the door.
"Geez, you're exactly on time. You could've come a little earlier to hold down the fort."
"I had some stuff to do. Got a bit busy, you know how it is. But hey, I'm here and I'm not late, right?"
"Busy? You? You're a total layabout bum."
"Hey, you brat, watch your mouth with your foster father. A bum? I'm the Captain of Squad 4. And since you left the Dojo and Yachiru got pregnant, I've been the one running the place. Who could possibly be busier than me?"
"Want me to throw your favorite phrase back at you? It's karma. You played around so much back then, so work just as hard now."
"Pff, you sure have a silver tongue. So, does the dress fit? I didn't know your measurements, so I just made an educated guess."
"It's too tight around the chest."
"If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. Even a passing dog wouldn't buy that one."
"The things you say to your adopted daughter!"
"I have a principle of never lying. Anyway, congratulations on the wedding. Look forward to the main ceremony today."
"Heh, what did you prepare this time?"
"Something that'll make your jaw drop."
After exchanging a few more words of blessing, I ended the conversation and headed back to the hall.
I waited in a spot where there weren't many people. When the announcement came that the wedding was about to commence, I trudged toward the seats reserved for the parents of the bride and groom.
As soon as I took my place in the parent's seat, the gazes of everyone there—including the Kuchiki Clan Head and the other heads of the Four Great Noble Families—pierced into me.
It was only natural.
"Seriously, why did they have to make it so flashy?"
I had come out wearing the Nether King Regalia, which I hadn't put on once since my retirement.
By the way, wearing this creates a mandorla of flames behind your head. I still don't know what the hell the person who made this was thinking… or rather, how they even made it.
'Man, it's hot.'
Damn it, why is the back of my head so toasty?
I hope this wedding ends quickly.
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