Hearing Ayame's words, which were laced with an unconcealed threat, Blake shook his head. "No, I don't have any enemies whatsoever. Almost all of the guys and gals in my school are my acquaintances and friends."
"My only request is that you can fulfill my dream."
Listening to Blake, Ayame immediately understood what he meant. "Your dream? Ah, I can easily fulfill it."
"As the princess of the Tengu Race, I have wealth beyond your imagination. As long as you become my husband, I'll take care of you, and you won't have to work."
"And besides, that's what I want since I can spend more time with you in our mansion."
Knowing that Ayame agreed to fulfill his dream, Blake replied, "If you are serious about becoming my wife and you don't mind my dream, then I won't refuse."
To show her seriousness about their marriage, Ayame took out a marriage registration form from her storage ring and placed it on the wooden tea table.
"I knew you wouldn't refuse, so I already prepared the marriage registration beforehand. I had my subordinates investigate everything about you, and I know all about your dream down to your preferences."
"Your human race doesn't require any wedding ceremony, unlike our Tengu Race where it's mandatory. We can perform the wedding ceremony of the Tengus when we visit the Tengu Realm. But for now, we can make do with making our marriage legal by registering it at the ward office."
"My father has already stamped his seal on the marriage registration form and he acted as our witness. I also signed it and all that's left is for you to fill out the form on your side and stamp your seal."
With Ayame's explanation, Blake took a look at the marriage registration form.
The marriage registration form was a meticulously crafted document, reflecting the solemnity and significance of the commitment it represented.
The form itself was a thick, creamy paper adorned with intricate, watermarked designs along the borders. These designs depicted traditional symbols of unity and harmony, blending elements of both Tengu and human cultures.
At the top of the form, in elegant calligraphy, were the words "Marriage Registration Form" followed by spaces to fill out the names of the bride and groom.
Below this, detailed sections require information such as dates of birth, addresses, and other personal details. There were also designated areas for the signatures of the bride and groom, the witness (in this case, Ayame's father, the Tengu King), and official seals to authenticate the document.
Blake's eyes lingered on the impressive seal of the Tengu King, an ornate emblem that conveyed authority and approval. The weight of the moment settled over him as he realized the gravity of the commitment he was about to make.
He picked up a pen, filled out his information, and stamped his seal beside Ayame's.
Blake didn't hesitate since he had nothing to lose. Or rather, he also liked Ayame when they were children but, for some reason, Ayame left him.
When they were children, he already knew about Ayame being a Tengu Princess. He was very sad when Ayame left after she proposed to him, but he soon realized that it was likely due to Ayame's responsibilities as the heir of the Tengu King that she had to return to the Tengu Realm.
'And if I'm not mistaken, Ayame seemed to have sneaked out of the Tengu Realm to travel to the human world. So Ayame was likely grounded after that incident, and she could only return to the human world to fulfill our childhood promise during my eighteenth birthday.'
While Blake was lost in his thoughts as he reminisced about his childhood with Ayame, Ayame took the marriage registration form with a sweet smile on her face.
With the marriage registration form in hand, Ayame suggested as she hugged Blake's arm, "Darling, let's go to the ward office. I want to get married to you as soon as possible! Consider it one of my birthday gifts to you!"
Feeling Ayame's warm body temperature and the softness of her breast against his right arm, coupled with the heavenly scent that wafted from Ayame's body, Blake could barely resist her allure as he nodded, "Yes, we can go together and register our marriage."
...
Blake and Ayame left Blake's house and stepped onto the quiet streets of their neighborhood.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the surroundings. Cherry blossoms fluttered in the breeze, adding a touch of magic to their journey.
Hand in hand, they walked down the street, Ayame's wings tucked neatly behind her, blending in surprisingly well with the evening shadows. She had used her magic to conceal her Tengu wings to prevent unwanted attention.
The walk to the ward office was serene. They passed by small shops and houses, each with its own unique charm. The occasional passerby greeted them with smiles, unaware of the significant step the couple was about to take.
Ayame's eyes sparkled with excitement, and Blake couldn't help but feel a swell of happiness seeing her so elated. The simplicity of the moment was a stark contrast to the extraordinary circumstances of their relationship, making it all the more special.
...
Arriving at the ward office, Blake and Ayame stood before a modern building that seamlessly integrated traditional Japanese architectural elements.
The structure was sleek, with large glass windows reflecting the hues of the setting sun. The entrance was framed by wooden beams and stone lanterns, giving it a welcoming yet official appearance.
The interior of the ward office was equally impressive. Clean lines and minimalist design principles created an atmosphere of efficiency and order.
The reception area was well-lit, with potted plants adding a touch of greenery. Staff members moved about with purpose, assisting residents with various administrative tasks.
The air was filled with a sense of community and service, making it clear that this was a place where important milestones in life were recorded and celebrated.
Blake and Ayame approached the reception desk, ready to take the next step in their journey together.
A friendly receptionist greeted them with a warm smile.
"Good evening. How can I help you today?" she asked.
Ayame, with a confident yet gentle tone, responded, "We would like to register our marriage."
The receptionist's eyes lit up with genuine happiness. "Congratulations! I'll need your identification and the completed marriage registration form, please."
Blake handed over their IDs and the meticulously filled-out form. The receptionist examined the documents, her fingers dancing over the keyboard as she entered their details into the system.
"Everything seems to be in order," she said, glancing up at them. "Now, if you could both sign here to finalize the registration."
Blake and Ayame each took a pen and signed their names on the form. The act, though simple, felt monumental. As they completed their signatures, the receptionist stamped the form with the official seal of the ward office.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. You are now legally married," the receptionist announced with a cheerful smile.
Blake felt a surge of joy and relief wash over him. He turned to Ayame, who looked equally radiant, her eyes shimmering with happiness.
They had finally fulfilled their childhood promise, and the reality of their commitment felt both grounding and exhilarating.
The receptionist handed them a copy of their marriage certificate. "This is your official marriage certificate. If you need any additional copies or have any questions, please feel free to come back."
With heartfelt thanks, Blake and Ayame left the ward office, holding each other's hands.
The streets of Sakura City seemed to glow brighter as they walked back home, ready to start their new life together as husband and wife.
The future was full of possibilities, and with Ayame by his side, Blake felt ready to face whatever adventures awaited them.
Blake and Ayame walked hand in hand, the warmth of their newly registered marriage certificate adding an extra glow to the evening.
The streets of Sakura City were alive with the gentle hum of life, the occasional passerby smiling at the radiant couple. The scent of blooming flowers mingled with the evening air, creating a perfect backdrop for their stroll.
However, as they turned a corner into a less populated street, the atmosphere shifted. A group of rowdy, drunk hooligans loitered by a streetlight, their laughter echoing through the night.
The leader of the group, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, noticed Ayame and nudged his companions.
"Hey, look at that beauty," he slurred, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Ayame. The other hooligans turned their attention to her, their expressions quickly shifting from curiosity to lecherous interest.
Blake sensed the change in the air and tightened his grip on Ayame's hand. "Stay close to me," he whispered, his voice tense.
The group blocked their path, and the leader stepped forward, a smirk on his face. "Hey there, pretty lady. Why don't you leave this guy and come have some fun with us?"
Blake stepped between Ayame and the hooligans, his eyes blazing with determination. "She's my wife. Back off."
The leader laughed, a harsh sound that grated on Blake's nerves. "Your wife, huh? Well, she deserves better company. How about you run along, and we'll take good care of her?"