When Kazama formally proposed all those years ago, he had expected marriage within the same year. The latest he would have waited was until she graduated.

So why was it that he was currently standing in Sen's wedding, fully engaged but not yet married?

He stared at his fiancée from where he was seated. Chizuru, being one of Sen's closest friends, had undoubtedly been chosen as her maid of honour. She had a bright smile adorned on her face, cheeks flushed excitedly as Sen walked down the aisle with her father.

The two glided gracefully towards the groom, who was the same man Sen fell in love with many years ago. Kazama was happy for her, but at this moment, seeing Sen (who was the same age as Chizuru) in a wedding gown while Chizuru has yet to wear one, made him frown.

Beside him, Amagiri prodded his arm.

"It is not polite to scowl at such an occasion, Kazama-sama."

If anything, his frown fell lower.

"He's probably just mad that he didn't get married first," Shiranui snickered.

The idiot was right for once.

The trio had gone their separate postsecondary routes after graduating from Kazama High. Shiranui pursued designing while Amagiri decided law was where his skills needed him. However, through it all, the two still worked in alliance with the Kazama family as that was where their loyalties lied.

His attention returned to his beloved, who had dared to not spare him a glance since the ceremony started. He figured it wasn't that she was purposely avoiding eye contact with him, but it was the grandeur of the event that had stolen her eyes away. She saw enough of him back at home anyway.

Chizuru was currently watching Sen approach, but she was also watching her friends watch Sen approach. Almost everyone she knew was here today, and that most likely had to do with how rich families operate. They were all connected to each other one way or another.

After high school, all her friends pretty much scattered and did their own thing. Saitou became a police officer…though it seemed to be inevitable. He had always been a man of discipline. All her teachers continued their teaching careers, and it came as a surprise to everyone in their group when Heisuke decided to follow that same path. He was now shadowing Nagakura-sensei, and only had a few more months to go before he can be a full-fledged teacher himself.

Though his family was here today, Okita himself could not make it. He was still in Paris, which was where he had decided to continue his studies. They never lost contact however. In fact, he once said "Just call and I'll come running, no matter where I am in the world." When she had asked just what he was studying that had him all the way across the world, he had said something along the lines of "studying the language of love."

It was not long after Sannan-sensei talked to Principal Kazama did he start getting funds for his work. It was at this time that Yamazaki started helping him out too. He continued to do so during his studies in university, which were heavily focused on the sciences. They have yet to perfect the concoction they were hoping for, but along the way they discovered another drug that could treat specific illnesses. It was a step in the right direction.

When Chizuru introduced her middle school friend Risa to Sen, the two girls had hit it off right away. They clicked like magic, and soon the three became a chatty group of friends who could share anything with each other. As a result, Risa was also present at the wedding today. In fact, the catering was actually put together by Risa, who had followed the path of a chef. It was ironic since it was Risa all those years ago who could not even tell a zucchini apart from a cucumber.

Apparently, Kaoru and Shizuka have decided to divide the work up between them. They were both training to be the next head of the Nagumo family, after Mr. Nagumo is ready to hand over his position that is. They have both agreed on a deal that the one who succeeds the most during this time will be the head, while the other will support as a vice leader. Though they never revealed too much through their expressions, the Nagumos couldn't have been more proud of their children.

Beside the Nagumos sat her parents. At some point, they had stopped working for the Nagumos and, with full support from both the Kazama and Nagumo family, have decided to start their own business again. It was small, nothing like the powerhouse their family used to be, but booming nonetheless thanks to their amicable traits.

Kazama had always been a great leader, so it was obvious that he would do great in his father's shoes. She dared say he was even better, since the Kazama family seemed to have only increased their net worth since his reign. As for herself?

With her intellect, everyone told her she could do whatever she wanted…so she became a counsellor. A career counsellor. And to be more specific, a career counsellor at Kazama High.

Many thought it was waste, but Chizuru decided that was what she wanted to do most. She enjoyed talking to the kids and helping them out. Sometimes, she found herself becoming an undercover math tutor for Hijikata-sensei's failing students, but she enjoyed that all the same. It was only later on did she realize that he had known about it all along. After all, it wasn't a regular thing when you see students getting single digit scores one day suddenly pass with a 60 the next, and a 75 the week after.

So in one way or another, she was making a name for herself too.

She was pulled out of her reverie when the bride finally arrived at the groom's side and the two began making their vows.

"I do," Sen spoke firmly, smiling.

When they kissed, the crowd (minus her stoic fiancé and friends) cheered for the newlyweds. Sen turned to the audience just then.

"Get ready, guys!" she shouted before bringing the bouquet up and tossing it high in the air. However, something was wrong about the projectile…it seemed to be aimed directly at-

"Huh?" Chizuru blurted as the small bundle of flowers found its way into her totally-not-outreached hands. The audience was silent for a second before the cheers came back tenfold.

"Finally!" she heard someone yell.

When the implication of the situation finally hit her, she turned to look at Kazama. His expression matched hers; he himself was wide-eyed.

It was short-lived though, because the next moment he was sporting his signature smirk again. He stood up from his seat and began to stride towards her, each step resonating in her ear now that the assembly of people had quieted down. All were eager to hear what the Kazama leader had to say.

"You know I hate to wait," he started, voice deceptively patient.

"I know," she answered, almost breathlessly.

"And yet you still made me wait all these years."

She nodded slowly. "I told you; I wanted to get a proper job first."

Someone from the crowd whistled. "Wow, what a lame excuse." A loud slap echoed through the large banquet hall, followed by a loud "Ow!" Everyone ignored it.

"You kept telling me to wait, even after you started working."

"Well...um..."

"There's a limit to how much of your stubbornness I can tolerate." He glimpsed at the flowers before returning his gaze to hers. "They're all ready. I'm ready…are you?"

She looked down at the bouquet, and specifically at the hand that was holding it…the hand that had her engagement ring on it. The diamond sparkled expectantly up at her, as if waiting for her response.

She blinked, trying to envision what a married life would mean. Would it be any different? Shiranui once mentioned that they were already acting like a married couple anyway (and that it was suffocating, but that was totally unnecessary in her defence).

It was funny really. Marrying him would mean giving her everything to him. It would mean belonging to each other, loving each other, unconditionally. However, she had always been his, and he had always been hers.

This was why she had never felt the need to rush. She was actually a little surprised when he had agreed to wait for her. He was such a considerate man, so careful in how he treated her.

But he was right. She had made him wait long enough. With that in mind, she smiled.

"Yes, I think I am."

"Good," he smiled back. He leaned down, taking her hands and touching his forehead to hers. "You better be prepared then. I have no intentions of holding back."

She grinned. "And I'm completely okay with that."

"Yuck!" the same voice from earlier yelled.

Another slap.

A/N: And that's it! Thank you for following my irregular update schedule all these years. Can you believe it? It's been 4 years since I started the first installment! It's been a pleasure writing this disaster of a story and reading all of your wonderful reviews! If you have time, please leave a last review! Thank you once again! ^^