บท 16: 16. With a Single Kiss
He truly seemed relieved when he said that.
"I was very worried about her, unable to do anything, but I am glad that you came and saved her. I am very grateful to you, Kotaro-san. I am truly happy that you accepted Mitsuri for who she is."
Mitsuri's father smiled kindly, truly expressing his emotions. The fact that his father-in-law thought so highly of him made Kotaro's heart warm. Still, he wanted to make one thing very clear.
"Father, I didn't save Mitsuri. I didn't agree to the marriage because I felt pity for her. I fell in love with her, and that's why I married her!"
His resolute words made Mitsuri's father's eyes widen, and then he smiled even more happily.
"Is that so? Then I am very happy. Take care of my daughter, Kotaro-san."
"Yes. Leave it to me. But one thing, Father…"
"???"
"Kotaro. Call me Kotaro. From now on, I am your son too."
"Hahaha! Alright. Please take care of my daughter, Kotaro."
"Yes!"
And then…
"That's right! Onii-san! Take care of our sister!"
Five boys emerged from behind Mitsuri's father. These were Mitsuri's brothers, who came out to warn and advise Kotaro to take care of their sister.
"Don't worry. I will take care of your sister very well. By the way, do you want gifts?"
"Gifts?!" x5
"Here, come with me."
Kotaro handed out money envelopes to the kids, bribing them to get their affection.
"Onii-san, you're the best!" x5
And with that, all five brothers approved of Kotaro as their sister's husband! Heh~ It all takes money to win a child's heart.
"Kotaro-sama."
"Oh! Mitsuri. Did you finish talking to Aunt Aiko?"
Just as Kotaro was talking with Mitsuri's parents, Mitsuri had gone to talk with Kotaro's guardian, Aunt Aiko.
"Yes. She is really kind."
"Kind? All I get from her are her punches."
Giggle~
Mitsuri laughed at his remark, making Kotaro chuckle as well. After their laughter, a silence fell, and both of them observed the festive atmosphere of their marriage.
Both their hearts were filled with happiness and anticipation for the future they would share together. Mitsuri looked at the people with smiles, then at her dress, and then at Kotaro's side profile. For her, this marriage was a lifetime wish. And now it was fulfilled all because of the man beside her.
Her eyes filled with love, and it was her instinct, her need to express and feel that love, that made her move her hand and grab his.
It was a sudden move, catching Kotaro off-guard.
"Mitsu--- !!"
Before he could say anything, Mitsuri tiptoed and then…
Chu~
… kissed Kotaro's cheek.
"Kotaro-sama… I love you."
"Mitsuri…"
Kotaro's eyes widened as he looked at her. Mitsuri stood beside him, holding his hands, smiling brightly with happiness unlike before.
She looked like an angel, in a white dress with a smile that radiated happiness and love.
And this angel was confessing her love to him.
There was no way Kotaro could just stand still. An impulse ran through his body, urging him to act, and he wasn't the type to restrain himself.
Grab!
Kotaro grabbed Mitsuri's face and, without waiting or thinking about the countless eyes on them, he went ahead.
"I love you too."
"W-Wait, Kotaro-sam—"
Mphm~ Mmn~
The kiss was far from ordinary. It wasn't just a peck; their lips stayed connected for several seconds, with Kotaro becoming more and more passionate.
After a few more seconds, Kotaro finally pulled away and wiped his lips with his hand. Mitsuri stood in front of him with a very enticing face. Her face was flushed, and her out-of-breath state made Kotaro's hormones go wild.
"Mitsu-- Ouch!"
Slap!
Before he could even move, a strong slap landed on his head, making him cry out. That's when Kotaro realized that his actions weren't private at all.
"Y-You… What are you doing here in the shrine?!"
Aiko had slapped him and shouted loudly, scolding them. Behind her stood the guests, Mitsuri's parents. Her father was smiling while covering the eyes of two boys, and her mother was blushing and hiding the eyes of three other boys.
Other guests were either blushing or gossiping about the kiss. This was not a modern time where Western culture had proliferated in Japan; this was a time when traditional values ruled.
And a kiss, especially a lip kiss, was indeed too much for the crowd to handle.
"You beast! You should at least have waited until nightfall!"
Her blunt words made Kotaro feel extremely embarrassed.
"Aunt Aiko, you shouldn't say such things out in the open."
"In the open?! I don't want to hear it from a guy who kissed in the holy shrine!"
While kissing in public was a feat on its own, Kotaro had done it inside the shrine, the place where gods are worshipped. With Aunt Aiko's loud and frank words and Kotaro's unbelievable actions, this event quickly spread throughout the town. It didn't take long to reach many other places.
Later on, in modern times, many couples came to this shrine, which allowed kissing during traditional weddings, all because of a man who dared to do it.
And just like that, Kotaro Kenshin, the reincarnator, didn't make his name etched in history because of his fighting prowess or otherworldly knowledge like others.
He did it with a single kiss.
===
A/N:
"He earned his place in history with the sword, and another did it with his mind. And me? I did it with nothing but a single kiss."
— A poem by Kotaro Kenshin.
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