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The morning light filtered through the windows of the groom’s suite, casting a warm glow over Yuta as he fidgeted with his bowtie for what felt like the hundredth time. His reflection in the mirror showed a man caught between nerves and exhilaration, his usual composed demeanour slipping just slightly.
“I-I think I’m doing this wrong again.” Yuta sighed, fingers tugging at the silk.
Yuji grinned and clapped Yuta on the shoulder with enough force to almost knock him off balance.
“Relax, you’re getting married today, a crooked bowtie won’t ruin anything!” Yuji laughed.
Megumi crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a rare smirk. “She’ll probably fix it for you if she thinks it's wrong”
Kinji snorted, tossing Yuta a flask “Here. Liquid courage, you look like you’re about to pass out.”
“Salmon” Toge seemed to confirm, giving Yuta a thumbs-up, grin visible even under his face mask.
Outside, the distant murmur of guests arriving and the rustle of cherry blossom petals in the March breeze served as a reminder that today was the day. Yuji suddenly leaned in towards Yuta, practically vibrating with curiosity.
“C’mon, man! You’ve been dodging this question for months. How’d you actually ask her? I don’t feel like Maki’s the ‘romantic sunset proposal’ type.”
Yuta exhaled, cheeks flushing slightly as he gave in “... You’d be wrong there, but honestly, it was kind of a mess.” He ran a hand through his hair with a sheepish laugh. "I had this whole speech planned, practised in front of the mirror and everything, but when the moment came, I just....”
He hesitated, then laughed harder.
“I tripped over my own feet getting down on one knee. Just face-planted right in front of her.”
Megumi’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s why she wouldn’t tell us either? Because you embarrassed yourself?”
Yuta groaned, covering his face briefly before continuing, “You asked her to? She won’t tell you, not because she was embarrassed, but because she laughed. Not like a cute laugh, full on wheezing, clutching her stomach, tears in her eyes, laughing, and then she said yes like it was the easiest thing in the world”
Kinji nearly choked on the flask “That’s your proposal, no fancy words, just you eating shit and her laughing her ass off and saying yes?”
“Mustard leaf.” Toge added, facepalming.
Yuta threw his hands up “Hey, it worked! And I slipped a ring on her finger and then she-”
He cut himself off.
“Kissed you?” Megumi guessed dryly.
Yuji clutched his stomach and laughed, followed by everyone else in the room.
“That’s cute, I’m glad for you,” the pink-haired man finally said when he stopped laughing.
Yuta grinned, the nerves and shyness melting away.
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Across the venue, Maki stood before the full-length mirror, scrutinising every detail of her white wedding gown. Today, she would stand next to Yuta, the man she loved, and marry him. The thought brought an easy smile to her lips and a sparkle of excitement to her eyes. Yet, beneath the surface, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. This was unfamiliar territory for her, and she wanted everything to be perfect.
“Stop looking so tense, Maki.” Shoko teased gently as she fussed over the pink flowers in Maki’s short hair, “You’re supposed to enjoy this.”
Maki rolled her eyes, but her expression softened “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one getting married today.”
Nobara, Momo and Yumi shared a knowing look amongst themselves, each trying their best not to laugh out loud. They had never seen Maki like this, vulnerable, anxious, yet radiant. It was endearing to say the least.
“Gojo was right”, Maki thought “I am excited”
She turned to her friends and forced herself to relax.
“Alright, how do I look?”
Maki’s dress was elegant; the crisp white fabric hugged her frame perfectly before flowing outwards when it hit her waist. Delicate lace sleeves traced her arms, intricately woven with subtle floral patterns that caught the light. A matching lace choker graced her neck, adding a touch of vintage style that Maki adorned.
Her three other bridesmaids let out exaggerated gasps, with Nobara speaking first.
“You look fantastic, Maki, he’s gonna love it”
Yumi nodded approvingly, “Seriously, you’re gonna make Yuta cry when he sees you.”
Momo grinned, crossing her arms “The lace is perfect. Who helped you pick out the dress?”
Maki grinned, “Utahime and Shoko”
Shoko, smirking from behind Maki, gave one last tweak to the flowers in her hair.
“Good choice, right?” She paused, then added dryly, “I hope Yuta does cry, Utahime, and I tried to find the right dress for ages”
Maki snorted, rolling her shoulders once before nodding “How much time do we have?”
The bridesmaids exchanged excited glances. Maki had clearly lost track of time.
“Not much, the procession has already started,” Nobara stated flatly.
“We bridesmaids have to leave in like… 2 minutes?” Yumi said with a chuckle.
Maki’s eyes widened as she quickly grabbed her phone, checked the screen, and saw that it was almost time. Panic flared briefly in her eyes, but Shoko’s calm voice cut through the noise of the bridesmaids giggling.
“Hey, it’s okay, Maki. Just breathe.” She patted Maki’s shoulder reassuringly, “You’ve got this, okay?”
With a deep breath, Maki closed her eyes and nodded. Shoko handed her a bouquet of beautiful white roses tied with a black ribbon. The door opened, and the music swelled louder, signalling that it was their turn. She could hear the murmurs of excitement and anticipation from the guests. Maki took a moment to compose herself, adjusting the lace on her sleeves.
As Shoko and the other bridesmaids left in front of her, Shoko gave Maki a comforting smile.
“Remember, you’re not alone. We’re all here for you.”
Maki smiled back, straightened her posture, took a deep breath, and stepped forward, one step closer to walking down the aisle.
Yuta stood at the altar, fingers nervously rubbing together as he scanned the sea of faces filling the venue. The soft murmur of the gathered guests, the faint rustle of expensive clothing, and the warm glow of candlelight reflecting off delicate floral arrangements. It all felt surreal; the day was here. His eyes flickered across the rows, spotting familiar faces; his parents, despite everything, had reconnected and were sitting in the front row. His mother dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, while his father wore a proud smile. His younger sister waved gently at him, too. Behind them, an ocean of Jujutu society’s elite; members of the Gojo clan, the Kamo clan elders, with Noritoshi at the centre, the Inumaki representatives, the Iori clan members in their traditional red and white, members of the Fushiguro clan, even the head of the department of Jujutsu- Satoru Gojo, who was practically in tears already was in the crowd. Also amongst the crowd were all of Yuta’s friends, Hakari, Toge, Yuji, Megumi, Kin, and the list went on. When the head of the Gojo clan got married, it was a massive event; everyone who was anyone was there, including both the new and old generations of sorcerers. Even Hajime Kashimo had turned up.
Then, the music swelled, a signal. Yuta’s breath caught.
“She’s coming”
The moment the doors at the far end of the aisle opened, Yuta felt his breath hitch in his throat. The soft murmur of the guests faded into stunned silence as all eyes turned towards the vision in white. Maki stood there, poised and radiant, her dress catching the light as she took her first step forward down the aisle. She moved with grace, chin held high. Today, she was untouchable.
Yuta could feel the heat behind his eyes as tears threatened to spill. His lips trembled slightly, but he couldn’t look away.
“She’s beautiful”
The thought echoed in his mind as she glided closer, her golden eyes locking onto his with quiet excitement. Yuta could see the slightest flicker of emotion in them at all times, but today her feelings were clear to see: nerves, excitement, but most importantly, love. At some point, Yuta realised his hands were shaking and he tried his best to shake off his nerves.
By the time Maki reached the altar, Yuta was blinking rapidly, barely holding it together. The officiant had to clear his throat subtly to remind Yuta to take her hand. Maki smiled widely, on the verge of happy tears herself, and she rubbed her fingers on the top of Yuta’s hands as the officiant began.
The officiant, an elder from the Iori clan, raised his hands, and the murmurs of the guests quieted instantly. His voice carried authority, echoing through the now silent hall as he began the ceremony.
“We gather here today under the watch of the heavens and the most important members of the Jujutsu world to witness the union of two souls bound by their duty as Jujutsu Sorcerers, but more importantly, their bond of love.”
His gaze shifted to Maki, then Yuta, his expression warm.
“Yuta Okkotsu, head of the Gojo clan, wielder of boundless power and descendant of Michizane Suguwara; do you pledge yourself to Maki Zenin, to love her, to care for her, to support her, comfort her, help her and comfort her until the end of your life?”
Yuta’s voice was steady, unwavering as he answered without hesitation.
“I do.”
Yuta slipped a wedding ring onto Maki’s finger. The elder then turned to Maki, his tone softening just slightly.
“Maki Zenin, warrior without equal, master of your own fate, do you pledge yourself to Yuta Okkotsu, to love him, to care for him, to support him, comfort him, help him, and comfort him until the end of your days?”
Maki’s grip on Yuta’s hands tightened slightly, her eyes burning with conviction as she shifted onto her tiptoes slightly in excitement.
“I do.”
A ripple of approval ran through the crowd as Maki placed a ring onto Yuta’s finger; even the most traditional among them couldn’t deny the weight of this moment. The elder raised his hands once more.
“Then, by the laws of Jujutsu Society and the will of the clans gathered here, I declare you bound in soul and purpose. May your union be as unbreakable as your resolve.”
He paused, then added with a faint smirk.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Yuta didn’t hesitate. With one hand still clasped in Maki’s, he cupped her face with the other, pulling her into a kiss that was soft at first, but lingered. The cheers and applause of the crowd faded into white noise as Maki responded eagerly, one hand squeezing him, and the other pulling him closer by his jacket. For a few precious seconds, nothing else existed, no clans, no responsibilities, no audience, just them.
When they finally pulled apart, Yuta couldn’t help but laugh breathlessly, resting his forehead against hers. Maki smirked, eyes glinting with playful challenge.
“Took you long enough.” she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.
“It was worth it though.” Yuta grinned.
The eruption of noise got louder, Yuji whooping, Nobara wolf-whistling, and Gojo in floods of happy tears, tissue pressed up against his nose. Yuta and Maki barely noticed as they turned to face their guests, hand in hand, husband and wife.
Maki looked at herself in the mirror of the side, she had changed into something more traditional and clan-approved, a white and red uchikake kimono, a masterpiece from the Iori clan’s finest seamstresses. Beside her, Yuta looked every bit the dignified clan head in his new outfit, a sleek black haoiri and grey hakama, also traditional, and also tailored by the Iori clan. Maki nudged Yuta with her elbow, the pair hidden away in a side room, awaiting the guests to enter so they can make their grand entrance.
“Think they’ll stare?” she whispered under her breath, nodding towards the door.
Yuta chuckled, slipping his hand into hers, their fingers intertwining “Let them stare. We’re husband and wife, heads of the most powerful clan.”
Maki sighed contentedly, “Husband and wife, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that.”
Yuta smiled and quickly kissed her on the cheek “Me neither.”
The muffled sounds of guests settling at their tables and the soft chatter of conversation filled the air as Yuta and Maki waited in the dimly lit side room. Maki adjusted the sleeve of her uchikae, and Yuta straightened his haori one last time.
Then, the signal, a quiet knock at the door, followed by Shoko’s voice whispering. “Okay, you’re clear, go time.”
The double doors swung open, and the grand reception hall fell into hushed silence as Yuta and Maki stepped forward, hand in hand. The guests turned in unison, their expressions ranging from awe to admiration. The soft strains of a traditional melody began to play, slow and romantic, as the newlyweds made their way toward the centre of the dance floor. Maki’s grip tightened slightly on Yuta’s hand as they reached the middle, the spotlight casting a warm glow around them.
“You ready?” Yuta murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maki smirked, “Try not to step on my feet.”
Then, the pair began their dance, slow, deliberate, perfectly in sync. The world around them blurred, each other and the music being the only things recognisable to either of them. For that moment, it was just them, Yuta and Maki, husband and wife, moving together. Around them, it seemed as though the eyes of the entire Jujutsu World were watching: friends, allies, comrades, and teachers. Yuta and Maki didn’t pay attention; they had each other, and that was plenty.
As the final notes of their first dance faded into applause, the entire room rose to their feet in celebration. Yuta guided Maki by the hand toward the head table, where their closest family members and mentors waited. Yuta’s mother was already dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, while Yuta’s father patted her shoulder with a proud smile.
Shoko, seated in the place of honour as both mother and father to Maki, due to the obvious absence of Maki’s parents, leaned back in her chair with a smirk, swirling a glass of champagne. And then there was Gojo. Satoru, still sniffling, had his face buried in a pile of tissues, his eyes red with how hard he’d been crying. Utahime sat beside him, patted him on the back, knowing that there was no chance of stopping the crying.
“My precious students,” Satoru sniffled, reaching across the table to grab Yuta’s sleeve as they sat down “all grown up!”
Maki shot him an unimpressed look. “Pull yourself together.”
Utahime sighed. “He’s been like this since the ceremony started.”
Yuta just laughed, squeezing Maki’s hand under the table. “I think it’s sweet.”
Shoko raised her glass, “To the happy couple.”
The table echoed the toast as an attendant approached, microphone in hand, and placed it in Shoko’s hand. In her role as the bride’s mother, she would do the welcome speech.
Shoko stood from her seat, her eyes scanning the room before settling on Yuta and Maki with a soft smile.
“Thank you all for being here today to celebrate Yuta and Maki”, she began, “I think I speak for everyone, especially their friends, when I say… It’s about damn time.”
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. Yuta giggled, Maki smirked, shaking her head slightly.
“In all seriousness,” Shoko continued. “These two have fought hard for each other, for all of us. So tonight, we celebrate not just their love, but the future they’re building together. Now, enough from me, let’s eat.”
As she sat down, the staff began wheeling out the first courses: delicate appetisers, steaming bowls of soup, and platters of arranged sushi. All the guests turned their attention to eating.
As soon as food was on their table, Yuta’s mother leaned in toward her son, her eyes shining with warmth.
“Maki, you look absolutely stunning,” she said, glancing at her new daughter-in-law with admiration “And your dance was beautiful. You two fit so well together.”
Yuta beamed, squeezing Maki’s hand under the table. “Thanks, mom”
His mother tilted her head slightly. “So what’s next on the schedule?”
Yuta swallowed a bite of food before answering. “The speeches, Yuji’s giving the best man speech, and Momo is doing the maid of honour one, even if Shoko is technically the maid of honour”
His mother blanked, scanning the room “Ah, which ones are they again?”
Yuta chuckled, pointing discreetly toward Yuji, who was currently laughing loudly at something Setsuko had said. “That’s Yuji, pink hair, loud laugh.”
His mother nodded in recognition, “Oh! The energetic one.”
Then Yuta gestured toward Momo, seated near Nobara and Yumi.
“And Momo, long blonde hair, wears it in pigtails.”
His mother smiled, “Ah, yes, she seems very sweet.”
Maki had to stop herself from laughing before leaning in.
“Just wait, Yuji’s speech is either going to be the best thing you’ve ever heard or an absolute disaster. I know Momo will have a good speech for me.”
Yuta groaned, “Please be a good speech…” he whispered under his breath.
Around 10 minutes later, Momo approached the head table, holding a microphone casually in one hand. The murmur of conversation died down as Momo adjusted the microphone and stood closer to the guests with a confident chuckle. Her usual sarcastic and playful demeanour softened into something sweet as she looked directly at Maki, winked, and then looked at the rest of the guests.
“You know, when I first met Maki all those years ago, she was terrifying,” she began, earning a few laughs “, and going to different schools, that mental image continued until after the culling games, when I found out she was also really, really bad at admitting she cared about people.”
A wave of laughter filled the room, and Maki rolled her eyes, even if the corners of her mouth quirked upwards.
“Especially Yuta,” Momo continued, gesturing toward him with a grin. “Seriously, everyone in Kyoto knew he was head over heels for her even before the culling games, let alone what the team in Tokyo felt. I’m pretty sure even the cursed spirits picked up on it.”
Yuta buried his face in his hands as the guests erupted into laughter again, his ears burning red. Maki chuckled, but didn’t deny it.
“But,” Momo’s voice grew softer. “Watching her open up, seeing her let someone in after everything she’s lost, that’s when I realised how strong she really was. Not just as a sorcerer, but as a person.” She paused, her gaze returning to Maki “And I know Mai would be so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Silence settled over the room for just a moment, then Maki’s breath hitched, tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and a few slipped free before she could stop them, quickly wiping them away with the back of her hand.
Yuta didn’t say anything, just reached over and squeezed her hand under the table.
Momo raised her glass, smiling. “To Maki and Yuta, may your marriage be as unbreakable as her stubbornness.”
Glasses clinked around the room as chatter and cheers rose again. Maki breathed out sharply, shaking her head and turning to Momo.
“Thank you so much.” Maki whispered.
Momo gripped Maki’s hand.
“You’re the best.” Momo said back with a warm smile.
Yuji then stood up, walking towards the head table with a whistle from Setsuko. It was now his turn for the best man’s speech. He took the microphone from Momo with a grin, adjusting it slightly before clearing his throat dramatically. The room returned to silence.
“So, uh, when I first joined Tokyo Jujutsu High, Yuta had this reputation of a powerful and respectable sorcerer, but the first time I met him..” Yuji scratched the back of his head, chuckling. “Dude literally killed me, like full-on murdered me, katana to the heart, actually”
The room erupted again, with some guests gasping, while others, like Megumi, just face-palmed. Others, like Hajime, choked on his drink, wiping his mouth with a cackle.
“But!” Yuji held up a finger “Then he un-killed me! Which, you know, not a lot of guys would do after killing you. That’s when I knew, this guy? Absolute legend.”
He pointed at Yuta, who was hiding his face again, shoulders shaking with embarrassed laughter.
Yuji continued, gesturing wildly. “And then the culling games happened. Yuta fought in Sendai, but luckily didn’t destroy my girlfriend's house.”
A chorus of laughter, led by Sendai native Setsuko.
“Then Shinjuku, and BOOM, finally after what felt like a lifetime of Yuta and Maki dancing around each other,” he mimicked swooning dramatically, earning a loud snort from Nobara “The two actually started dating, even if I’m not totally aware of how, either way it was about damn time.”
The Tokyo students all burst into cheers, clapping and laughing. Maki shot Yuta a look, smirking.
Yuji grinned, raising his glass, “So here’s to Yuta, best friend, best and worst executioner, and the guy brave enough to marry Maki!”
The guests roared with laughter, Yuta groaning into his hands while Maki just smirked, raising her own glass.
“Damn right,” she muttered.
Yuta stood up, taking the microphone from Yuji with a small, grateful smile. The room fell into an anticipatory hush as he took a deep breath, his fingers tightening slightly around the mic.
“Before Jujutsu High,” he began, voice softer than usual, “I was… afraid. Of myself. Of Rika. Of hurting the people I loved by just existing near them. So I pushed them away, my parents, my sister, because I thought that was the only way to keep them safe from me.”
A sombre silence settled over the guests. Even Kashimo and Fumhiko’s ears perked up.
“And then,” Yuta continued, his gaze flickering to Maki, “There was Maki.” his lips quivered into a small, private smile, his voice wavering slightly. “She was, is, my shining sun in a winter sky. Bright, sharp, impossible to ignore. She didn’t care about my curse; she didn’t treat me like I was fragile. She just… saw me. And that meant everything.”
Maki’s fingers twitched against her glass, her eyes pricking with today’s familiar feeling, tears of joy. She was listening closely.
“Christmas Eve, 2017,” Yuta said, voice roughening further, “I thought I lost her, thought that she had sacrificed herself to protect me, and that empowered me. And when I did lose her, when I left for Africa, I missed her so much it felt like a physical ache. It wasn’t until after Shinjuku, when Charles pointed out the obvious-”
A ripple of laughter erupted from the table that Charles Bernard was on, the mangaka/sorcerer suddenly shooting up at the realisation that he had been mentioned.
“- that I realised that I didn’t like Maki like a friend, I was deeply, hopelessly in love with her.” Yuta exhaled, shaking his head. “And I’m so, so lucky that she decided to love me back.”
Maki’s breath hitched as the tears began to flow freely.
Yuta raised his glass, his voice steady and warm now. “To Maki Okkotsu. My partner. My equal. The love of my life.”
The room erupted into applause, but Maki was already standing, grabbing Yuta by the collar, smashing her lips against his with a sudden, fierce affection. In quick succession, she peppered his cheeks, forehead, and nose, anywhere she could reach, with rapid, smacking kisses, leaving vibrant red lipstick marks in their wake. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, Satoru and Utahime’s jaws practically hitting the floor as they did so.
When she finally pulled back, Yuta was dazed, his face covered in a dozen perfect kiss marks. Maki smirked, snatching the mic from his slack grip with a flourish.
“I love you too,” she declared as she turned the microphone back on.
Laughter roared through the hall as Yuta fumbled and sat down, utterly lovestruck and completely unashamed. Meanwhile, Satoru burst into fresh tears, sobbing quietly into Utahime’s shoulder while she patted his back in exasperation.
The photographer, sensing the perfect moment, snapped a picture, Yuta blinking dumbly with Maki’s lipstick all over him, Maki grinning like she’d won the greatest victory of her life, and those at the head table in various states of amusement or embarrassment around them.
Maki waited for the guests to settle before starting her speech. She took a deep breath, gripping the microphone tighter than she intended.
“Before Jujutsu High,” she began, “I was raised in the Zenin clan. And for a long time, I thought that was all I was, a Zenin. A failure. A disappointment.”
Her jaw tightened for a second before she forced herself to relax. “But I had Mai. My sister. My only real family back then. And even though we fought, especially after we joined different schools, I miss her, I miss her every day.”
A heavy silence settled over the room before Maki breathed out sharply, shaking off the weight.
“Then I came to Tokyo Jujutsu High, and suddenly, I wasn’t just a Zenin anymore. I was Maki. And then he showed up”
She turned and smiled brightly at Yuta, who was sitting still, lipstick-stained.
“This nervous wreck of a guy who could barely look at me in the eye without stammering at first.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Yuta groaned, burying his face in his hands again, but his shoulders shook with silent laughter.
Maki smirked, “But he was brave, strong. Stupidly strong. And kind, the kindest boy I had ever met. Something felt deeply wrong when he went to Africa, I couldn’t tell what. And somehow, even after-” her voice hitched slightly. “Even after I was burned, when I thought for sure he’d look at me differently… he didn’t. He never did.”
Yuta’s expression softened, his eyes glistening.
“And then,” Maki continued, “I spent months being an idiot about it. Pretending I didn’t love him, pretending I didn’t notice how he looked at me, pretending I didn’t look at him in the same way. Until someone decided to be a massive pain in my ass and say it out loud.”
Charles threw his hands up in mock surrender, now being mentioned as the matchmaker in both speeches. The guests laughed again.
Maki’s grin faded into a soft smile. “But he was right. And I’m glad he was.” She turned back to Yuta, her voice dropping just slightly. “Because loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
The room fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into cheers, applause and various states of emotional turmoil. Yuta’s mom was crying about as much as Satoru; all the couples in the room were either looking at each other lovingly or silently cursing themselves that they didn’t have it as easy as Yuta and Maki. Yuta was already standing again, pulling Maki into a tight embrace before she could even lower the mic. Her free hand gripped the back of his haori as she buried her face against his shoulder. They stood there for a while before Yuta pulled back, just enough to press his forehead against hers.
“I love you,” Maki whispered.
“I love you too,” Yuta whispered back.
The two shared a gentle kiss amidst the chaos. Over the noise, Charles walked up to the table and spoke aloud.
“You’re welcome, by the way”
Maki shot him a joking glare. “Don’t push your luck.”
The wedding meal began in earnest again, as the photographer quickly snapped a photo of Yuta, Maki, and Charles together, before ushering them on a whistle-stop tour of every table to take pictures with each primary group. Yuta and Maki actually lost count of just how many photos they took with clan representatives and people that they barely knew, but enjoyed the pictures they took with the people they knew well. Everybody from those who fought alongside them in the culling games such as Hajime, Fumihiko, Yuki, Choso and others, to the Kyoto students table, which contained Kasumi, Kokichi, Aoi and so on, the Tokyo Table, which had Panda, complete in a tiny suit, Yuji, Setsuko, Nobara, Toge, Hakari, Kirara, Moe, Tatsuya and so on, the Kamo table provided some amusement with Noritoshi and Momo, same with the Fushiguro clan table, which contained Megumi and Hana.
By the time the newlyweds had gotten back to the head table for a more sensible picture, Utahime had to drag Satoru from the dance floor by the scruff of his neck. Yuta also managed to get his younger sister in the picture. After that photo was taken, Yuta disappeared to clean his face for the cake cutting later on, and Maki got a few minutes to herself to think and just watch the milling of the party. However, as she did so, she saw Yuta’s sister lingering nervously nearby. The girl, fifteen, with the same shy eyes as Yuta, but her mother's soft features were obvious. She was hesitating, clearly wanting to speak to Maki.
Maki straightened slightly and beckoned her to come closer. “Hey.”
Yuta’s sister fidgeted with the hem of her dress before speaking quietly, “I-I just wanted to talk to you. About my brother.” She swallowed. “And… thank you.”
Maki raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
The girl glanced down, then back up, her voice steadier now “After everything that happened with Yuta, you’re the one who reached out to our parents. You’re the reason Yuta started talking to us again.”
Maki nodded. She had been the one to track them down, not that it was hard; Satoru kept their names on file and their last address, which hadn’t changed. She had just turned up at their door one evening with a letter from Yuta.
“He would’ve come around even without me.” Maki said.
The girl swallowed again, then suddenly bowed deeply “Thank you for bringing my brother back to us, and- and thank you for making him happy.”
Maki blinked, caught off guard. She wasn’t used to family stuff. But before she could fumble a response, the small girl straightened with a small smile.
“And welcome to the family, Maki Okkotsu.”
Maki’s breath hitched. This was real; she was an Okkotsu too now. She cleared her throat, trying to hide the roughness in her voice. “You’re welcome.” Then, after a beat. “You can have extra wedding cake later.”
The girl's face lit up before she scampered off, leaving Maki standing there, heart aching. Yuta returned moments later, his face finally free of kiss marks, only to find Maki looking slightly stunned where she stood. Before he could ask what was wrong, she grabbed the front of his haori and pulled him into a tight hug, burying her face against his chest.
Yuta blinked in surprise but wrapped his arms around her without hesitation. “Everything okay? He asked softly.
Maki just squeezed him tighter for a second before pulling back slightly, enough to meet his eyes. “Yeah,” she murmured. “Just…happy”
Yuta’s expression softened, and he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Good.”
Hours later, the reception was in full swing, the energy still buzzing despite the late hour. Laughter and chatter filled the air as guests mingled, danced and indulged in the endless supply of food and drink.
Maki, bouquet in hand, stood next to Yuta, who had mysteriously reappeared covered in even more lipstick marks earlier in the reception, while a crowd of unmarried women, ranging from Nobara to Yuki to Utahime, gathered eagerly behind her.
Yuki, grinning wildly, cupped her hands around her mouth and hollered.
“Throw it, Maki! I need a wedding!”
Maki grinned, adjusting her grip on the bouquet “You sure you’re ready?”
A crowd of yes spurred her on.
With a deep breath, Maki turned her back to the crowd, raising the bouquet high before launching it backwards with far more force than necessary. She watched the bouquet soar through the air, then suddenly be claimed by a high-jumping hand, Hana. She had half-activated her cursed technique to snatch the bouquet out of the hands of anyone else.
Landing lightly on her feet, Hana immediately began bouncing with excitement, waving the bouquet wildly above her head.
“I got it! Megumi, look! I got it!” she squealed, her face flushed with joy.
Megumi, who had been watching from the sidelines with his usual neutral expression, suddenly found all eyes turned towards him. His cheeks tinted pink as Hana came barrelling toward him, nearly tackling him in her enthusiasm.
Maki heard Yuji laugh out loud and turn to Setsuko to say, “Looks like Megumi is next.”
Maki turned to Yuta and whispered. “It might actually cheer him up.”
Yuta chuckled, watching as Hana continued her victory dance, while Megumi tried and failed to maintain some composure in front of her. “Think we’ll be attending another wedding soon?” he asked, slipping an arm around Maki’s waist.
Maki snorted. “At this rate? Definitely.”
“Want to go outside for a bit? Some fresh air?” Yuta asked.
Maki nodded. “Yeah, its a bit hot in here.”
The cool spring air was a welcome relief from the stuffy reception hall as Maki and Yuta stepped outside. The night was quiet, save for the distant hum of the party inside. The moon above cast a silver glow over the gardens of the Gojo Estate.
Yuta exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders “It’s been…Amazing today”
Maki leaned against the railing, watching him. “Yeah,” she agreed, “though I think you enjoyed the attention a little too much.”
Yuta’s face flushed slightly “I-what?”
Maki cut him off by stepping closer, her fingers brushing against his jaw “Relax, I’m teasing.” Her thumb traced the edge of his lipstick-stained cheek . “Though you do wear my lipstick on your face well.”
Yuta swallowed. He knew precisely what Maki was like and what she meant. Before he could respond, Maki leaned in, pressing her lips firmly against the pulse point on his neck, deliberate and possessive, leaving behind a fresh, vibrant red imprint.
Yuta shuddered, his breath hitching. “Maki.”
She pulled back, enough to admire her work and meet his gaze, her smile turning into a smirk. “There, now if they don’t see the ring, they’ll definitely know you’re taken.”
Yuta’s fingers tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “Was there ever any doubt?” he murmured against her. “Later, we’ll pick this up later.”
Maki’s grin was wicked “I’ll hold you to that!”
The distant sound of music and laughter drifted out to them, a reminder of the celebration in full swing. For now, in this quiet moment under the moonlight, it was just the two of them, husband and wife, Yuta and Maki Okkotsu.