Chapter 9: Bouquet of Revelations

The chapel's stained glass cast kaleidoscope shadows across my bridesmaid dress. Maki's "British-style" wedding had turned into Tokyo society's circus — complete with paparazzi disguised as guests and a three-tier cake taller than the groom. 

"Stop fidgeting." Ryōsuke adjusted his boutonniere, his fingers lingering on my wrist. "You'll upstage the bride." 

I glared at our reflection in the vestry mirror. The champagne-colored satin clung like second skin, the hem riding dangerously high. "This is revenge for the Nishizawa files, isn't it? She's punishing me for catching her husband's mistress on CCTV." 

His laughter drew Shangguan's gaze from the pews. Through the rose window's crimson filter, I watched him lean towards a girl in powder-blue Dior — all porcelain skin and practiced laughter. Acid rose in my throat. 

"Jealousy doesn't suit you," Ryōsuke murmured, his breath warm against my nape. 

"Save your rom-com lines for Erena." I jerked away, pearls biting into my collarbone. 

The procession began to Wagner's Bridal Chorus. As we passed pew six, Shangguan's date giggled at his whisper. My stiletto caught the lace runner. 

"Steady." Ryōsuke's grip tightened. "Wouldn't want you kneeling before the altar early." 

The ceremony blurred into ritual. When Maki's bouquet arced overhead, I ducked — only to have destiny smack me between the shoulder blades. 

"Congratulations," the florist card read in Shangguan's precise hand. *Next round's on me.* 

**Reception Aftermath (VIP Lounge)** 

Makishizumu: 👰♀️💐 

Brain: Brilliant maneuver old chap 

Maki: 20:1 odds at Vegas now 

Yu: 🖕 

The afterparty thrummed with champagne and covert deals. I found Shangguan on the terrace, his bowtie undone and shadows pooling beneath his eyes. 

"Your sister's charming," I twirled the cursed bouquet. "Though 'father's friend's daughter' was creative." 

His cufflink caught moonlight as he stepped closer. "You ran before I could explain." 

"Did I?" The roses trembled. "Funny how you lawyers never mention key evidence." 

A firework exploded overhead, painting his confession in sulfurous gold: "I bought this chapel last month." 

The revelation hung between us like shrapnel. Somewhere below, Ryōsuke's laughter tangled with Erena's. 

"Was that a proposal or a hostile takeover?" 

His answer came wrapped in jasmine-scented darkness. When his lips found mine, the bouquet tumbled to the grass — petals scattering like broken contracts. 

**Zhi's Memo (Sent 23:47)** 

*Item 302: Cancel Hokkaido transfer (Kawahara's replacement caught embezzling) 

Item 415: Purchase adjacent chapel plot (Yu prefers mountain views) 

Item 500: Learn Mandarin term for "happily ever after"* 

The limo ride home smelled of regret and Chanel No. 5. As Tokyo Tower blinked its midnight warning, I finally understood — in this city of borrowed dreams, even love letters came written in triplicate.