The day of Ravihiro's engagement ceremony had finally arrives, and the atmosphere within the Sky Demon Sect was electric with excitement. Colorful banners flapped in the gentle breeze, and the scent of fragrant flowers filled the air. Disciples and elders alike bustled around, preparing for what was sure to be the event of the season.
Ravihiro stood in front of a large mirror, adjusting his attire. His usual casual clothes had been replaced with formal robes that were embroidered with intricate designs, though he still wore them with an air of discomfort. "Do I really have to wear this?" he grumbled, tugging at the sleeves.
Kaira as she was known in her dragon form, appeared behind him, her expression teasing. "You look great! Just embrace it, Ravihiro. It's your engagement ceremony! Plus, think of all the attention you'll get."
"Great. Because I'm just dying for attention," Ravihiro replied dryly.
Rumina entered the room, and Ravihiro's gaze instantly shifted to her. She wore a stunning dress that accentuated her figure and glimmered like the stars. Her hair was styled elegantly, and she looked radiant. "You're not looking half bad yourself, Reaper," she teased, noticing his discomfort.
Ravihiro rolled his eyes. "I feel ridiculous."
Rumina smirked. "Good! Now you know how I feel all the time."
As the ceremony began, guests started filling the courtyard. Huo, Haruno's husband, and Kalki, their son, were among the first to arrive. Huo was grinning from ear to ear, unable to contain his excitement. "Look at our little sister! She's all grown up!" he exclaimed, elbowing Haruno playfully.
Haruno, glowing with maternal pride, nodded in agreement. "She really is stunning! But I can't believe she's getting engaged. Where did the time go?"
Kalki, their mischievous son, chimed in, "I hope Uncle Ravihiro doesn't embarrass himself. You know how he gets when it's his turn to speak!"
The crowd chuckled at this, and Haruno shot Kalki a playful glare. "You're not helping, you know!"
Meanwhile, the elders of the Sky Demon Sect had gathered, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Rumina's father stood at the front, his presence commanding respect. "Today, we celebrate not just the union of two families but the strengthening of our sect. Ravihiro, you've proven yourself time and again, and now you take on this new responsibility."
Ravihiro, standing beside Rumina, felt the weight of expectations upon him. "Just don't expect me to wear this ridiculous outfit forever," he whispered to Rumina, who stifled a laugh.
As the engagement ceremony progressed, friends and allies of both families made their speeches. Kaira, with her mischievous demeanor, took the stage first. "Everyone, let's give a hand to our lovely couple! And let's hope Ravihiro remembers how to speak today!"
The crowd erupted in laughter, and Ravihiro shot her a glare. "Thanks for the support, Kaira."
Next up was Huo, who leaned into the microphone, clearly relishing the moment. "As Ravihiro's brother-in-law, I just want to say… you better treat her well, or you'll have to deal with me!" He winked at the audience, earning a round of applause.
Ravihiro chuckled nervously, wishing he could vanish into the ground. "Great, now I have two brothers-in-law to deal with."
When it was finally Ravihiro's turn to speak, he cleared his throat, looking out at the sea of eager faces. "Uh, thanks for coming, everyone. I—"
Rumina elbowed him, whispering, "Don't forget to mention how lucky you are!"
"Right… I'm lucky," he continued, glancing sideways at her. "Lucky to be engaged to someone who can put up with me, I guess?"
The crowd burst into laughter, and even Rumina couldn't suppress her smile. "At least he's being honest!"
As the ceremony continued, playful teasing filled the air. Kalki ran around with a bouquet of flowers, pretending to offer it to various elders and laughing when they blushed. "Uncle Ravihiro, should I throw these at the next lady I see?" he joked, causing more laughter.
"Not if you want to survive!" Ravihiro shot back, earning a high-five from Haruno.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue over the courtyard, the engagement was sealed with a toast. Ravihiro raised his cup, looking at Rumina with a mix of annoyance and affection. "To my fiancée, the woman who apparently believes I'm worth all this fuss."
Rumina grinned widely. "And to the adventure ahead! Let's hope we survive it together!"
The guests laughed, the sound echoing around them, and as they clinked their cups together, Ravihiro felt a sense of belonging. Despite his reluctance toward marriage and his introverted nature, there was something undeniably warm about the celebration.
As the evening wore on, the group mingled, sharing stories, laughter, and, of course, more playful teasing directed at Ravihiro. Even as he felt the familiar urge to retreat, he found himself laughing along, caught up in the joyous atmosphere.
As the night came to a close, Ravihiro found himself cornered by Kaira and Haruno, both of whom had devilish glints in their eyes. "You know," Haruno began with a smirk, "being engaged means you have to listen to Rumina now."
"Yeah," Kaira added, "I hope you're ready for a lifetime of that."
Ravihiro groaned, but the smile on his face betrayed him. "I'm beginning to think I was better off alone."
"Too late for that!" they both chorused, and laughter erupted once again.
As the last guests departed, Ravihiro stood on the balcony, looking out at the stars. Rumina joined him, leaning against the railing. "You survived," she teased, nudging him playfully. "See? It wasn't so bad."
"Don't remind me," he grumbled, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
"You know," she said softly, her gaze turning serious, "I appreciate you. For everything."
Ravihiro turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Just don't expect me to change too much."
She laughed lightly, "I wouldn't dream of it. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Whenever you start to act like a brooding lone wolf, I'll be there to remind you to lighten up. Deal?"
"Deal."
And with that, under the vast sky filled with stars, a sense of camaraderie blossomed, solidifying their bond as partners in a journey neither had anticipated but both were ready to embrace.