PHASE 52 - I JUST FOUND THE FASTEST AMBULANCE IN THE WORLD

I hear the church bell ringing. Doves flew away to the glorious blue skies. And the cheers of the people made all the souls feel alive.

I’m at the altar, wearing a pure white wedding dress. I was holding a bouquet of thornless white roses while having a wide smile and a pinkish blush on my face.

In front of me is a handsome man with golden hair, emerald eyes, and a delicate face. He’s wearing a white tuxedo with black insides and a red necktie. He looks the very same as when he first proposed to me to become his girlfriend.

Beside us is a priest who is supervising this very wedding.

The angels are singing as my one and only true love started to speak our vows.

“I, Alaric Eisenhower, take you, Tiara Hikari, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

He made a bright innocent smile at me.

I’m crying… This is so sweet! At last, our love story has come to a close! This wedding will be the best day of my life!

It’s my turn to say my vows.

“I… I thought we would only just be friends forever…”

<>

Bam!

“...Auuu…”

I rubbed the bump on my head. I realized that I fell out of my bed, forehead first. Thanks to that, I woke from a sweet dream that suddenly became a nightmare.

What kind of dream is that anyway!? Did I just friendzone Rikkun on our very wedding day!? I’m such an idiot!

I stood up and looked at the calendar. I have crossed out the dates that I’ve been through and encircled the particular Saturday date. Three days left before the Grand Confession Serenade.

I turned in the mirror and looked at my morning face. I have lots of bed hair swaying about. I held my heart and inhaled so deep that it’s about to burst. Then, I exhaled it in one phrase that should pump me up.

“I’ll do my best for this day too!”

<>

Afternoon came without me realizing the passage of time. I’m so busy at school. After my classes, I would proceed to the school amphitheater to do my rehearsals for the musical play until midnight. It’s good that Rikkun excused me out on our Gate Guardian meetings or else my stress would eat me out.

But for this day, an accident came.

When I was practicing my dance steps, I accidentally stubbed my toe and sprained my ankles. My fellow Idols and the Drama Club members are shocked.

“Tiara, are you okay!?” Miss Harie asked.

“...I...I’m fine…” I made a sorry smile at them.

“It’s no good! We have to call an ambulance right away!” Miss Awane exclaimed as she picked her phone and dialed a number.

I think an ambulance is too exaggerated. It’s just a minor injury so I think the shrine maidens can cure my internal wounds.

But I never thought that Miss Awane also intended to heal my spirit.

“Hello? Hey, Alaric! Tiara got an accident! You are needed here, right now!” Miss Awane shouted at the phone.

“Waaaaaah! M-M-Miss Awane! That’s not necessary!” I cried.

Suddenly, there was a strong rumbling noise. A speedster suddenly came with thick smoke following him! The whole stage was covered with flying clouds of dust as my knight in shining armor arrived!

“R-Rikkun!” I exclaimed.

There are even residue sparks all over his body, hinting that he might have used the spell just to get here in an instant.

“Tiara, hold me tight,” Rikkun said as he raised me up with his arms and carried me like a princess.

“E-Eeeeeek!” My face went full red, realizing that our face is just a few inches away from each other. My heart is booming nonstop!

Then he rushed out of the scene with full throttle.

Meanwhile, Miss Awane and Miss Harie together with their respective club members are the only ones left on the stage. All of them projected a smile full of guilt, especially the president of the Idol Club.

“That was unexpected… I hope her heart can handle that…” Miss Awane muttered.

<>

My heart couldn’t handle it. I was so lovestruck at that time that I fainted. When I woke up, I was already in the school clinic. I’m completely fine, but Rikkun is insisting that I should rest for the day.

“R-Rikkun, it’s just a sprain…” I forced a smile while blushing. “N-No need to turn me to the clinic, geez…”

“My goodness, you’re so hopeless.” Rikkun sighed.

He looked left and right. When he is sure that nobody is watching, he used his to my toe and ankle, restoring it to full health.

“I-I’m sorry if I’m so clumsy.” I bowed, ashamed to look at his face.

“Idiot.” Rikkun gave me my favorite headpat. “It’s okay. It makes me want to look for you more. You’re my precious cinnamon roll.”

Did he just say precious cinnamon roll?

Now I’m hungry!

<>

Friday came so fast.

The period before our lunch break is free time, so I had the chance to goof around. Since Rikkun has been teasing me since the first season, I thought of a simple prank on him. This will also serve as a test of courage for me.

I saw him in the corridors, walking towards the cafeteria to maybe buy some canned coffee.

I sneaked behind him and then covered his eyes with my gentle hands.

“Wha-!!!”

“Who is thiiiiiis~” I gave a tone that is similar to a single verse of a lullaby.

“What kind of games are you playing at?” Rikkun gave a cold tone.

“If you guess me, I’ll give you a prize!” I said again with the same kind tone. “Who is thiiiiiis~”

“...T-Tiara…” He said. I noticed that his cheeks are so warm and soft when he talked.

“Ding! Ding! Correct!” I released him and I made a jolly smile as soon as he turned around.

I reached out to him a set of tickets. One is an overly special VIP seat ticket for my grandest musical play (Confession) tomorrow, and the other one is for a restaurant for an eat-all-you-can Mongolian buffet. And the last piece of paper is a special ticket that can be exchanged for a ⅙ scale figure to any of his favorite anime character.

“W-Wow…” That’s the only word he can mutter. He’s so speechless.

Because of his cute blush, I had the urge to pat him in the head. I can’t resist him. He looks like a tamed lion that is now behaving like a housecat.

“There, there,” I said with a motherly voice. “I love it when you’re happy, my dear Rikkun…”

“T-Thanks Tiara!” He made a bright smile as he hugged me tightly.

It’s too early to thank me, my love.

That’s what I wanted to say.

I know he will praise me more tomorrow.

The confession day.

[Days before Helena’s Return: 21]