Chapter 15
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, dappling a corner of the fitting room and carpeting the clean, beige wooden floor. A subtle fragrance, the kind unique to high-end bespoke bridal shops, wafted through the air, a blend of sandalwood, cream, and the clean scent of sunshine.
Sakura Minamino stood in front of the mirror.
Her snow-white wedding dress accentuated her still slender shoulders and neck, with a slightly raised waistline and a flowing skirt that cascaded down like a waterfall. The lace at the chest was fitted, understated yet softly beautiful, like clouds gently gathering around her.
And below the hem of her skirt, as she turned slightly to the side, a hint of her slightly protruding belly was revealed.
Two months pregnant, she was still quite thin, but her soft, delicate curves were so clearly captivating.
In the mirror, she saw a smile in her eyes, her expression gentle and serene.
“Madam,” the female designer exclaimed softly, “you really look better in this than on the model.”
“This design has been refined to fit your figure after your waistline has shifted upwards. The slightly convex lines on the front are actually what we want to emphasize as the soft feeling of ‘the bride is also a mother’.”
"Would you be willing to come out of the fitting room now and let the young master take a look?"
Looking at herself in the mirror, Minamino Sakura's cheeks began to flush slightly for some reason.
"……Um."
Outside, Shuichi Minamino was sitting on a custom-made wedding dress sofa.
He was wearing a sharp-tailored suit and holding a handwritten wedding schedule, but he hadn't turned a single page since then.
I heard the door open softly.
He looked up.
At that moment, the world stood still.
She walked out slowly, stepping onto the soft carpet, like a fairy stepping out of a painting.
Sunlight streamed through the curtain behind her, making her skirt glow, and her slightly protruding belly, in the interplay of light and shadow, resembled the whispered imprint of new life.
He stood up and slowly walked towards her.
His gaze remained fixed on her, unable to look away.
In that instant, all words of praise lost their power.
Her face flushed slightly, and she said softly, "...Doesn't it look...a little strange?"
Minamino Shuichi stopped in front of her.
He didn't speak.
He simply raised his hand, gently cupped her face, and lowered his head to lightly touch her forehead.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
He closed his eyes briefly, his voice hoarse and deep:
"...You are really, so beautiful."
"It's so beautiful it scares me."
“I never thought that I would look at someone, just standing there, and feel that my life would never be empty again.”
"Don't you think that's an exaggeration..." She bit her lip, her eyes already glistening with tears.
“I didn’t,” he said in a hoarse voice. “I’m telling the truth.”
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then gently placed a kiss on her brow.
Sakura gently bit her lip, then suddenly stood on tiptoe, reached out and grabbed his suit collar, in a moment he least expected—
I stole a kiss from him.
Her lips touched his, like a feather brushing against him.
She quickly retreated, her cheeks as red as ripe apples.
"...Hmm, I'll reward you for the sweet talk you said today."
He paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"If you're going to steal a kiss from me, why don't... I kiss you back properly?"
"No, no! You can't do it here—uh…!"
His hand encircled her slender waist, and the hem of her wedding dress was gently lifted slightly, revealing just the subtle curves of her life.
He was careful not to touch her stomach, but he couldn't help but kiss her deeply.
This kiss was deep and tender, lingering and solemn.
It's like a seal placed to mark a promise for the future.
The mirror reflected the two figures embracing, and what was wrapped in a white veil was not just love, but also—the shape of home.
Seven days until the wedding.
The Minamino family's wedding preparations are in full swing, and the entire villa is bathed in the joyful morning light. Florists are going back and forth every day to test different arrangements, the dessert team is starting to test the wedding cake, and the dedicated wedding attire manager is preparing spare dresses and shoes for Sakura on her wedding day.
At this moment, Minamino Sakura was sitting on the carpet covered with lace and ribbons in the master bedroom, her knees curled up, staring blankly at the several pairs of shoes in front of her.
Those were high heels she had personally chosen a few months ago—champagne gold, stiletto heels, and tiny pearls adorning the toes.
“So beautiful…” she murmured.
She had originally planned to wear these shoes on the red carpet.
But now, she looked down and touched her slightly protruding belly, which was two months pregnant.
"...But I can't wear them anymore."
She sighed somewhat dejectedly, her eyes filled with a faint sense of loneliness.
Swollen feet, a heavy lower back, and poor balance are some of the problems that gradually appear during pregnancy.
She knew, of course, that she was no longer someone who could effortlessly walk the red carpet in a runway style.
But she never truly expressed to anyone that what she cared about wasn't the shoes, but rather... a feeling of "making a full entrance as a bride."
She was lost in thought when the door was gently pushed open.
"I'm back." A familiar voice sounded from behind.
She turned around and saw that Minamino Shuichi was standing at the door, having taken off his coat. His green eyes swept over her and landed on the high heels in front of him.
His gaze softened.
"Why are you sitting on the floor? Aren't you cold?"
"...It's not cold." She lowered her head.
He walked over, bent down, and gently touched her hair.
"Choosing shoes?"
"……Um."
"These are all the ones you chose before, right?"
"……yes."
"It's a pity you can't wear it now," he said gently.
She didn't say anything, but simply hugged her knees and buried her face in them: "...I know."
"Are you angry?" he asked softly.
She shook her head: "...No."
"Then you must be sad."
“I’m just… a little unwilling.” She sniffed. “Everyone says that a wedding is the most beautiful day of a girl’s life, and I was really looking forward to it.”
"I look forward to wearing my most beautiful high heels, standing straight and tall, and walking down the red carpet."
"But... I can't even do this little thing now."
Her voice was low and muffled, yet so tender it was heartbreaking.
The next moment, a warm hand lifted her ankle.
Sakura was startled and looked up—only to see that Minamino Shuichi was already kneeling in front of her on one knee.
He gently pushed aside the high heels and picked up a pair of snow-white satin flats placed next to him. The toes of the shoes were embroidered with delicate patterns, exuding both gentleness and composure.
"……This is?"
“It’s something I’ve been preparing for a long time.” He spoke softly but firmly. “You said you wanted to dress beautifully.”
"But you never said that high heels are the only requirement for being beautiful."
He gently held her ankle and put the shoes on her feet, his movements meticulous and quiet, without the slightest impatience.
She stared at him blankly, her eyes suddenly becoming a little wet.
Nanno Shuichi did not get up immediately, but remained kneeling on one knee, looking up at her with an extremely serious expression.
"cherry."
"I won't let you walk the red carpet alone."
Whether you wear high heels or not is not important.
"The important thing is that I will hold your hand and walk with you every step you take."
"From now on, and every moment into the future."
"I will take responsibility for ensuring your smooth journey to the happiest end."
Sakura's eyes were completely red. She pursed her lips, blinked hard, but still couldn't hold back a tear from falling.
She lowered her head and gently hugged him.
It felt like I had run into the strongest and warmest embrace of my life.
"...Shuichi."
"I think I really... can't live without you anymore."
He gently kissed the back of her hand, his voice soft and tender:
"Then... never leave me for the rest of your life, okay?"
Sunlight cast their shadows on the floor.
A pair of toes in flat shoes gently touched his knee.
She smiled, tears welling in her eyes, but her face was full of happiness:
"Okay, Mrs. Minamino agrees."
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