Inside the photo studio, Shirayuki stared at the rows upon rows of wedding dresses in the display case, her eyes going completely still.
Classical long gowns. Modern short cuts. Slim mermaid dresses. A-line dresses.
Shirayuki had always thought wedding dresses were more or less the same. White, fluffy, pretty. That was it.
Who knew there were this many styles?
It was her first time stepping into a place like this, and her brain was already starting to lag behind.
"May I ask what service you're looking for?" the staff member asked politely. "Purchase, rental, or a photo shoot?"
"Huh? Ah…" Shirayuki stiffened a little. "I'd like to look around first."
"Of course."
The staff member stood quietly at the side.
Back at the shrine, Shirayuki had imagined what she would look like in a wedding dress.
She had white hair, after all. That sort of light, floaty, pure-white outfit would probably suit her. Maybe she would even look beautiful in it.
So she wanted to try one on.
She wanted Chiya to see it.
Let him feast his eyes a little.
Then, on the way back, she happened to spot a bridal photography studio. Her head went hot, her feet moved on their own, and before she knew it, she had walked straight inside.
Now what?
Was she actually going to buy a wedding dress?
With the money she had now, she could afford one. But could she even wear it?
If she put it on, how would the uma musume around her react?
Wouldn't it cause a riot?
And if she didn't wear it, then kept it hidden in her wardrobe, how was she supposed to explain it if Mejiro Dober found it?
While Shirayuki was worrying over all of that, her gaze was suddenly caught by a short lace wedding dress.
The hem was decorated with crystal pieces that glittered under the lights. The neckline was a V-shape, the back was open, and the design looked a little like her racing outfit, only much more delicate and adorable.
The moment Shirayuki saw that dress, she stopped being able to move.
She swallowed.
Her heart began to pound.
"Um…" Shirayuki spoke up. "I'd like to try this one. Is that okay?"
"Of course."
The staff lady smiled. "Please come with me to the changing room. The groom can wait outside."
She had mistaken Fujiwara Chiya, who had come in with Shirayuki, for the groom.
The man opened his mouth, clearly about to say something.
Then he swallowed the words back down.
"All right."
They entered the changing room. The staff member took out the dress and helped Shirayuki put it on while explaining each part.
"Miss, you have wonderful taste. This is our store's newest design, made especially for younger girls. May I ask how long you and your husband have known each other?"
"Since we were born."
"Oh my, that really is a long time. Are the two of you childhood friends, then?"
"Something like that."
"To have such a close and handsome husband, you really are lucky, miss. Not many girls find the person they love at such a young age."
"Cough, cough… I guess so."
Hearing the staff member keep calling Chiya her husband made Shirayuki's cheeks flush red.
Every time the word husband came up, Shirayuki's heart gave a tiny jump.
Along with it came a strange feeling.
A little ticklish.
A little nervous.
And a little happy.
Maybe she just found the title fresh and exciting.
It was the first time someone had described her relationship with Chiya as something other than siblings.
But really, we're already part of each other.
"All done."
The staff member placed the veil over her head. The translucent gauze covered most of Shirayuki's back.
"Please take a look."
"Let's go outside first."
Shirayuki did not look in the mirror.
She wanted Chiya to be the first person to see her in a wedding dress. Otherwise, the surprise would be ruined.
"You want your husband to see you first? Of course, I understand."
Sighing inwardly at the girl's pure innocence, the staff member led her outside.
"Groom, your wife has finished changing."
At the sound of her voice, Fujiwara Chiya stood up.
Under the bright studio lights, a white girl soon appeared before him.
Her soft, snow-white hair rested beneath the veil, shimmering with a silver glow beneath the lights. Her sky-blue eyes were clear and bright, brimming with the lively innocence of a pure young girl. The delicate lace dress swayed gently with each step she took, while the crystals along the hem sparkled like scattered stars.
Because it was her first time wearing something like this, Shirayuki moved carefully.
Cautiously.
As if she was afraid of tearing the dress by accident.
Yet those unconscious little movements only made her look even more like a small animal in need of protection.
Fujiwara Chiya's pupils shrank.
She was even more perfect than he had imagined.
Shirayuki really did suit this kind of white, floaty clothing.
"What do you think, groom?"
Fujiwara Chiya looked at Shirayuki's skin, made even more delicate by the wedding dress, then coughed twice.
"Mm. It looks great."
Hm?
The staff member found that a little strange.
His wife was dressed up this beautifully. Shouldn't he be praising her more?
And yet he simply stood there, looking at her quietly, appreciating her in silence.
Not only that, but the white-haired girl said nothing either. She merely turned her body softly, letting him see the dress from different angles.
Between the two of them, there seemed to be some mysterious, wordless understanding.
"Excuse me, about the dress…"
"Yes," the staff member replied. "It can be rented, purchased, or used for a single wedding photo. If you purchase it, we can also take one free wedding photo of the two of you."
Fujiwara Chiya turned toward Shirayuki.
Those clear, shining blue eyes were looking right at him.
His heartbeat sped up for no reason.
A beautiful blush spread across Shirayuki's cheeks.
If they bought this dress and brought it back, getting discovered would absolutely cause a disaster.
The semi-transparent lingerie they had bought in Europe was still hidden in Shirayuki's wardrobe. If that outfit was found, they could probably still bluff their way through somehow.
But a wedding dress?
How were they supposed to explain that?
Fujiwara Chiya fell into hesitation.
"After purchase, you may also store it here first," the staff member added. "We can deliver it to you on your wedding day. You can also apply for our photographer to take your wedding photos at half price."
Shirayuki's ears instantly perked up.
In that case, they would not have to worry about anyone finding it.
Wait, am I really about to buy myself a wedding dress?
Fujiwara Chiya questioned himself uncertainly.
Then, suddenly, a small, soft hand took hold of his.
Warmth passed between their palms.
It was a habit he and Shirayuki had developed after returning to Japan.
The time they could spend together was painfully short. To find even a brief moment of reassurance, Shirayuki would hold his hand whenever she had the chance.
Over time, whenever the two of them were together, their hands would naturally find each other without a second thought.
At last, Fujiwara Chiya made up his mind.
"I'll buy this dress. Please keep it here for now. Later… if we happen to get married, I'll come pick it up."
"Of course. Would you like to take the wedding photo first?"
"Mm. Let's take one."
A photo was much easier to hide than a dress.
"In that case, groom, please come this way to change."
Fujiwara Chiya changed into a black suit.
Shirayuki wrapped her arm around his, and the two of them stood in front of the camera.
"Both of you, please look at the lens. Keep smiling…"
Click!
With a brilliant flash of light, Chiya and Shirayuki's wedding photo was complete.
After leaving the photo studio, Shirayuki looked at the wedding photo in her hands.
A blissful smile bloomed across her face.
She hugged the photo to her chest and leaned against Chiya.
Today really was a wonderful day.