05. WEDDING

Your stares burned on the crumpled paper where the bucket list was written. All of the remaining items were ridiculous. You flipped to your back, eyes directly at the ceiling before moving your gaze to land at Haitani Ran who's sprawled out on your couch, browsing through his phone.

From that angle, you couldn't deny that it somehow reminded you of Rindou. Oh no, you really shouldn't be thinking of his brother. But why were you?

"Hey, Ran. Why do you even want to stay inside a jail?"

He turned his head to look at you, then curved on his lips was a smile. "Ah, one of the items in my list?"

You nodded as a response and he sat up, pulling his knees up and hugging them near his chest. "I don't know what to write anymore and that's what came to mind."

"You're quite an airhead."

"That's mean." he pouted sarcastically, making you want to throw a pillow at him. "But let's not talk about my list, let's talk about yours. Are you a hopeless romantic? Do you really want to rehearse a wedding before everything ends?"

Biting your lips, your patience snapped. Picking up the pillow next to you then with all your strength, you threw it towards him.

Not that you're being that hopeless in love, but the fact that at one point you and Rindou promised each other a wedding made you want to experience a wedding in general. And at that point, you realized that almost everything on your list somehow relates to Rindou—

Even after you said that you're over him.

Were you actually not?

"Ouch," Ran groaned, pretending that it hurts.

You rolled your eyes at him, jumping from your position. "What? Are we just gonna stay here all day and waste it?"

Ran scratched his nape and picked himself up, draping his arm over your shoulders, lips near your ear. "Let's get married then— but are you sure you didn't get sick after staying under the rain?"

A blush crept to your cheeks brought by his concern. You immediately flicked his arms off. "I'm not as weak as you picture me out. What about you?"

He crossed his arms on his chest, smirking. "Fine as hell."

"Good, now why don't you find a suit for our wedding?"

"Yes, princess."

—

The church wasn't empty as you expected it to be. You stood beside Ran as you watched a group of people kneeling in front of the aisle. Murmuring prayers while begging and crying, snot and tears mixing up on their faces.

Your wedding gown wasn't as extravagant because you wanted to rush everything, you just grabbed some random wedding gown from the empty boutique and ran with it. And standing there dead while you watch the people grieve is hilarious.

"They're praying?" you asked, resting your hand at ran's shoulder for support. Your high heels were making you suffer.

"I guess?"

"For what? For the world not to end?"

Ran peeked at you from his lashes before he answered, "I don't know? Probably since mankind are stupid. They'll try to deny everything until the very thing happens. They'll find something they can learn to believe in and if those beliefs didn't happen— next thing is they'll find someone to blame so they won't feel bad about themselves. Maybe praying is their defense mechanism. And you know what will make everything even more hilarious?"

It was the first time Ran spoke a little longer than he usually does.

You shook your head, shifting your weight to the other foot. "What does?"

"The fact that those people don't even believe in god and already committed blasphemy before they knew that the world is going to end."

"Then... What do those people who believe in God do?"

Ran squinted his eyes, snaking his hand to your waist. "Some believers will think of this as the judgement day and some will start to blame god for all of this and deny his existence like they didn't kneel down on his statue and ask for his guidance every single day."

"...Ran, how do you know so much stuff about this?"

He laughed, ruffling your hair. "I just read it in a book, princess. Now, why don't we ask the priest over there to be the witness of our wedding."

Then he didn't need to hear your response as he pulled you towards the priest. His hands clasped tight, in a motion as if praying, eyes closed and the corners were watering.

"Uh, sorry to bother your prayers, father but—" Ran tapped the priest on his shoulder making him open his eyes. "Could you officiate our wedding?"

The priest's eyes raked all over the both of you, his eyes somehow holding judgements. "Is that what you really wanna do during our final week here?"

You nodded while your forehead still creased. the priest sighed, standing up. "Alright. What's the groom's name?"

"Haitani Ran."

"And the bride?"

"L/n Y/n."

"Do you have your rings?"

You looked at Ran because obviously, you did not bring one. He nodded then took your hand, placing a silver ring on top of your palms. "We do."

"Alright, now say your vows."

Ran held you on your elbow, motioning you to face him. "With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine."

You smiled, knowing full well where he got the vows from. It was from the corpse bride where you undoubtedly shed a few tears. "With this hand, I will lift your sorrow. Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine."

"With this candle, I will light your way to darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine."

"I do," you replied, locking eyes with him. He offered his palm and you placed your hand on top of it. With a little smile on his lips, he slid the ring on your finger.

Now it was your turn to ask. "With this candle, I will light your way to darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine."

The spark on Ran's purple eyes never disappeared as he opened his mouth to say, "I do." And the ring fitted his finger perfectly.

"With this, you may now kiss the bride."

Ran chuckled as he cupped your cheeks, "Would the priest be mad if he knew that I already kissed you on our way here?"

You narrowed your eyes at him, "We did worse, but get over it and kiss me."

As his lips pressed against yours, you heard the priest sighed. "I now pronounce you as husband and wife."

—

"Uh, excuse me mister? Why are you driving towards the precinct?" A question mark was visibly flying on top of your head as you tilted it sideways, watching ran single handedly maneuvered the steering wheel again because the other one was holding his lighted cigarette.

"We'll spend our first night there. Isn't it fun?"

"Are you kidding me? How is that fun?"

"Well, jails are supposed to be small and tight. In that case you'll have no choice but to wrap your arms around me and let me touch you as much as I can."

"Aren't you spoiling yourself too much today?"

Ran laughed, hitting the break as he parked in front of the police station. "If I won't spoil myself now, when can I?"

You looked at him as you removed your seatbelt, "You have a point there."

"Okay, let's go then."

As you walked inside the station, Ran held your hand. There wasn't a single officer inside and it was insanely quiet.

"Hey, do you think they let them out?"

"Who? Detainees?"

He nodded, turning into a corner where an empty jail was situated. "Hmm, probably? They still deserve to enjoy the last days of the world?"

"Even if they've committed crimes?"

"Well, Ran... people in jail are just accused and maybe just committed a minor crime like driving while under the influence of alcohol. Let them be, they'll still be punished anyways. By those flying meteorites."

Ran laughed, pulling you behind the bars before closing them. Indeed the room was just small, almost not enough for 3 people.

You sat down on the floor and the male followed you, patting his lap to give you a signal that he wants you to use it as a pillow. And you gladly complied.

"You know what, I don't want to ride the horses now."

"What do you mean? The one on your list? You don't wanna do it anymore?"

"Yeah." you sighed, closing your eyes.

"Then what do you want to do instead of that?"

You fell silent, behind your closed eyelids was images of Rindou flashing continuously. It was unimaginable and utterly... disappointing.

You don't want to think about him, let alone be reminded of him. But as each days burns on the palm of your hands, the more you start to remember and reminisce about him.

And you hate it.

"Can we go meet rindou?"

"Wow, you're contradicting yourself now, huh? You said you're over him and you said you didn't want to talk about him? Then what's this now?"

"Sorry... I did say we should fall in love with each other—"

"But well, I'll give you the opportunity for closure."

"I just want to let him know that I'm doing fine... and wish him a happy last few days on earth."

His fingers started to play with some stands of your hair. "Alright. I wanted to see him anyway."

"You should tell him that you also care so much about him."

"I do, I always do, princess."

You reached your hands up, waiting for him to intertwine his fingers to yours and when he did, you smiled. As you opened your eyes, it immediately locked with his.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Spending a day behind bars with your wedding gown wasn't really a bad idea after all.