Four Months Later
If someone told me two years ago that I would be isekai'ed and in that adventure, not only would I get powers, but I'd also get married. I'd have laughed, right to their face, like tears running down my face, my stomach cramping up sort of laughing.
Yet here I was, nerves fraying, hands trembling, knees weak. Somehow, marriage was proving to be more terrifying than fighting a twisted curse.
I'm currently standing in front of the torii gate that leads to the shrine. The actual wedding ceremony would be performed at the shrine by a priest, then the reception would be at my estate.
The guests had gathered around me, also waiting to be escorted into the shrine by the priest. We were all waiting for Mitsuri.
Cherry blossoms drifted lazily the air, carried by the breeze that smelled faintly of incense. The guests murmured quietly, they were all dressed in ceremonial attire.
I spotted the Kamado family, Kie smiling warmly while Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the other children waved. Kie had vanished for some time, she had apparently gone to pick 'flowers'.
Next to them were the Hashira wearing their best robes, swords at their sides. Mitsuri and I had invited them as normal guests but they had insisted on acting as impromptu guards.
Gyomei looked like he was about to cry an entire river of tears. I glared at the top of his head where Mei-Mei… my cat, was lounging.
She had vanished for some time, I only found out recently that she had been exploiting Gyomei's love for cats and had been using the Stone Hashira as a back up food bank.
Shinobu and Kanae wore matching smiles, Kanao was as blank faced as usual.
Sanemi was scowling, but he couldn't hide the fact that he was looking at Kanae more and more with each second.
Tengen was whispering to his wives, probably about how his wedding was flashier or something.
Obanai had refused to come.
Muichiro was staring up at the clouds, Inosuke was next to him doing the same thing while making boar noises.
Giyu was standing stoically at the back, expression unreadable, but clearly just happy to be there.
I'm focusing on different things to try and distract myself from the rising panic I was feeling. Thoughts swirling through my head as I stood nervously in place.
'What if I trip… what if I stutter and say her name wrong… what if she realises how weird I am?'
And worst of all, 'What happens if I get sucked away into another world again…'
That one gnawed at me the most. The thought that I'd eventually have to leave for another world. The thought of leaving her one day… it made me more angry than anything.
'Yeah no… she deserves better than that. She's gonna be coming with me if anything. I won't leave her, not after everything we've been through.'
Then the guests fall silent. I slowly turn my head, and there she was.
Mitsuri steps into the sunlight and every single thought I had evaporates. All the fears, all the ridiculous doubts I've had, all the second guessing just vanishes like it was never there in the first place.
She's wearing a pure white shiromuku kimono, embroidered with delicate red and gold sakura patterns that shimmer when she moves. Her hair, a bit longer again, is partially pinned with pearl ornaments, a few strands left loose to frame her face.
'She looks… beautiful, radiant… fuck I'm a lucky guy.'
She had a smile on her face when she saw me. She stepped forward and stood next to me, and we got ready to follow the priest into the shrine.
The priest's voice fades into a distant hum, I'm vaguely aware of the fact that Zenitsu and Tanjiro have restrained Inosuke because he was about to challenge the priest or something. I couldn't really tell… my whole world was focused on her.
Next thing I know, we're both in the shrine, the priest is chanting a prayer. Mitsuri's hand was in mine as we stood side by side.
The priest chanted the purification ritual, haraegushi wand waving as his words filled the air. Mitsuri glances at me, her eyes bright with excitement. I give her a calm grin despite the lingering nervousness in my chest. That's when it happens.
A gentle light began to glow around us, warmth filled my limbs. I heard gasps coming from the guests, this caught the priests attention.
The glowing aura that felt more divine than cursed pulses once, twice, then faded. The murmuring from the guests went with it.
The priest, lowering his wand, finished the chant with an awed whisper.
"Kami has blessed the couple, they have approved of this sacred union." The priest announced.
Mitsuri squeezes my hand, tears in her eyes. I let out a low chuckle and shook my head. "I guess even the gods ship it." I mutter quietly.
That earned a few laughs from the people who heard me.
Sanemi quietly grumbled, "Of course they'd bless the two loudest people in all of Japan."
I ignored him.
Kanae smacked his arm while Kie glared at him. Sanemi bowed his head fully cowed by the two women.
The ritual continued, and the priest received another prayer. His voice is steady but reverent now. I could tell that this was probably going to be written about.
Then came the san-san-kudo, or the sake exchange. Mitsuri's hand trembles slightly as she lifts her cup, filled with water of course, the symbolism was still there though.
Her eyes darted up to meet mine.
"Don't spill." I whisper.
She giggles, "You first Satoru-kun."
We each take three sips, even though it's water and not sake, it still tastes sweet and warm. The crowd watches respectfully in silence as we set down the sake cups.
The priest coughs to get my attention, then he nods.
'Right… the vows.'
I cleared my throat, trying to sound composed. "Mitsuri… from the moment I met you, to the first hug you gave me that nearly shattered my ribs, I knew I was doomed," I lightly chuckled, "you are warmth and love in human form, you've taught me that overwhelming strength doesn't mean being cold, you taught me to love without limits. So I promise, no matter where we are, no matter what lies ahead… you will always be my home."
There was a collective awww from the Kamado family. Even Sanemi, the most angry looking one, had a lone tear running down his cheek. And Mitsuri, her eyes glistened with tears, but she's smiling like she just swallowed the sun.
"Satoru…" she begins, her voice soft, trembling with tears but clear, "you're the brightest light I've ever known, sometimes too bright." There's a few snickers at that, "but that light, it's never once hurt me. It only ever made me feel safe, and loved, and seen. I promise to walk beside you… even when you're floating off the ground… and to love you more than there are stars in the night sky."
'Fuck… I can't top that…' I'm fighting back tears myself.
Someone… probably Zenitsu… audibly sobs.
The priest raises the sakaki branch, performs the final blessing, and we each offer our own branches at the shrines altar. When I straighten, Mitsuri turns towards me, smiling through tears. The world feels utterly still.
The rings come last, a modern tradition in an ancient ritual. Mine slips onto her finger perfectly, her hands are warm, incredibly soft.
When she slides mine on, she whispers. "Don't ever disappear on me okay?"
My chest tightens, "Never." I promise with a smile.
Applause ripples through the crowd. The Kamado kids cheer, I swear I heard a meow in there somewhere. Then the bell rings out from the shrine, the sound reverberating through everyone.
'I don't think I've ever been this happy before… Here's to a thousand more moments like this.'
[Scene Break]
The reception was much livelier than the wedding. The Kanroji family mingled with the Kamado family. The Hashira shared a table and for once, they all acted their age.
Maybe it was the sake… alcohol has a way of getting people to get uncomfortably truthful.
By the time the sun began to dip in the horizon, most of the guests had wandered off. There was plenty of space in the old clan compound so I'd be hosting a lot of guests for the night.
The Hashira had insisted on staying to guard Mitsuri and I, but really, I think some of them were just too drunk to make it home.
The courtyard was awash with gold and pink hues, lanterns softly glowing overhead. Flower petals scattered around the estates grounds, probably the work of one of Tengen's wives.
Now it's just Mitsuri and I, sitting under one of the cherry blossom trees in my garden. A gently hush had fallen over us.
Her head rested on my shoulder, her hand intertwined with mine. We were in a world of our own, no demons, no missions, just us. Just the faint hum of life, and the woman who unknowingly had me believing in love again.
"Today was perfect." She whispered, squeezing my hand softly.
"It really was… besides someone crying so loudly that the priest almost stopped mid ceremony." I chuckled.
"Moh… it wasn't his fault." Mitsuri giggled.
"Mmm," I hummed, "maybe I can get him to babysit for free in the future."
"Satoru…" Mitsuri swatted me on the chest.
"Fine fine… yeah, it was a perfect day. The gods even blessed us."
Mitsuri leaned against me more fully, the scent of her hair mixing with the faint fragrance from the tree. The planter light catches on her ring, our rings, and for the first time, it really settles on me.
'Holy fuck… I'm actually married… wait what?! When did that happen?'
It's not the kind of feeling I'm used to. Not pressure or dread, something gentler, something like love and responsibility.
"I still can't believe we're actually married," Mitsuri murmurs, "it feels like a dream."
It was like she read my mind, I chuckled and brushed my thumb along her knuckles. "If this is a dream, I'd better not wake up… I actually really like this one."
She smiles widely, eyes closing contentedly, the air cools as evening deepens. The breeze making pink petals drift around us.
'I could stay like this forever…'
Then Mitsuri gasps softly.
I tense a bit, "What's wrong? Was it the food? I knew that onigiri Zenitsu handed me tasted funky."
She shakes her head quickly, eyes wide but glowing with excitement. "No, it's… Satoru, here!"
Before I can process, she grabs my hand and places it to her stomach.
And then I feel it.
A gentle and unmistakable kick.
For a moment my brain stops, I feel like Shinjuku Gojo Satoru, brain bleeding through my nose and ears. All I can do is stare at her belly like it just performed a magic trick.
"That's- was that…"
Mitsuri's eyes are shimmering, "Our baby… they've been kicking a little lately, but that one was really strong."
Our baby.
It really hit me then… the reality, the gravity, the suddenness of it all.
"Wait… wait… so it's actually- like a tiny little human is there… and it's ours, like-"
Mitsuri giggled, covering her mouth with her free hand, "You're just realising this now?"
"No- I mean yeah… wait, no… I knew, I just… it don't really click for me until now!" I was a little loud, Mei-Mei chirped from the cushion she had gotten from somewhere. "I'm gonna be a dad! Wait, oh no… I'M GONNA BE A DAD!"
Mitsuri tilts her head, "Oh no?"
I run a hand through my hair, nervously chucking to myself. "Do you know how terrifying that sounds… I- what if I mess up. What if they inherit something weird."
Mitsuri watched me spiral with the same loving amusement as when I do something ridiculous.
Cause to be fair, the panic was ridiculous.
She places her hand over mine again, guiding it gently back to her belly. The tiny kick comes again, softer this time, like reassurance from my own child.
Her voice is soft, steady. "They'll have us Satoru-kun… loving parents that care for them, that's all a child could need."
I exhale slowly, "I'm gonna be a dad," a smile breaks out onto my face, "what are we going to name our baby?"
Mitsuri smiled in return, "I don't know yet…"
"How about, if it's a daughter, you name her, and if it's a son I name him?"
"Deal." Mitsuri laughed quietly.
The moon rises higher, painting the garden in silver light. The sound of laughter from the guests has faded completely. A comfortable silence embraced us as we held each other close.
Mitsuri sighed softly, "They're going to have your eyes."
I shook my head, "Probably not, your eyes would be better."
"Your smile then." Mitsuri added.
"That'd be dangerous," I chuckled, "no one would be safe."
She laughs softly before settling back into my arms. Her warmth pulled me into contemplation of a future that I never imagined for myself.