Chapter Text
Weddings: ceremonies that celebrate the true love a couple have for each other.
An event where promises to be there for one another in sickness and in health; for richer or for poorer, are made.
It’s every child’s dream to have a beautiful wedding with their soulmate- though when you get older, people say your views do tend to change.
But for Chuuya, it didn’t.
It’s how beautiful the meaning behind weddings is that draws Chuuya towards them- that made him want to become a wedding planner. The dresses, the suits, the venues, the flowers- he’s in love with it all.
His heart still feels warm and full every single time he finishes organising a wedding; every single time he sees another couple exchange rings and vows.
The office has been empty since he came in this morning, due to the peak wedding season coming to an end. Chuuya’s been at his desk for a few hours now, on his computer, scrolling through Pinterest boards for inspiration.
It isn’t until he hears the door swinging open that he looks up from the screen.
“Welcome to Nakahara Weddings-”
“Oh, darling, doesn’t it look gorgeous here?”
Chuuya looks over at the brunette and his partner who have just entered his office, and are now looking at the bridal gowns displayed near the entrance, and the glistening diamond rings enclosed in the locked glass case in awe.
The couple seem way too distracted by the display, that even Chuuya is a little hesitant about heading over.
“Uhm- May I help you?”
The man’s brown eyes dart right up to Chuuya’s blue ones and point to the display enthusiastically.
“Are these for sale?”
“No, they’re for display only- but I could get you similar, if not same-“
“Tch.”
What the hell?
Did the man just-
It’s fine. Chuuya’s met his fair share of rude customers anyways.
“Well, me and my girlfriend- I mean, fiancée, Sasaki, would like to get married. Nice to meet you, I’m Dazai.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Dazai. I’m Chuuya.” The wedding planner says, extending his hand to shake the other’s, “of course, let’s head over to sit and discuss the details, shall we?” He continues, smiling and leading the couple over to one of the tables nearby.
Chuuya has dismissed the rest of his employees for a short holiday they deserve, so the office is undoubtedly quiet and empty. After all, this spring had the record of the most weddings planned by Nakahara Weddings ever- and they’ve been so busy since the start of the year.
The three of them take a seat, Chuuya serves them cups of tea, and grabs a few photobooks of weddings he’s done, and a file full of wedding inspo pictures he’s found from the internet.
“Here are some of the weddings we’ve done. Do you both have anything you want to include? Do any of you have ideas in mind? A date?”
“We haven’t started brainstorming yet, but she’s the boss.” Dazai says, gesturing towards his fiancée, Sasaki, who’s seated next to him and smiling lovingly at Dazai.
“What about a date? Since it’s winter soon maybe next year-”
“Ah, this one I’ve got covered! We would like it to be this Sunday!”
This-
This Sunday?
Are you kidding? It’s Tuesday today, which means that Chuuya has a total of 4 days to plan (excluding today), and-
Okay, calm down Chuuya. Maybe it’s just a few guests- a small, private wedding! Like the ones celebrities have!
“How many guests are you going to have?”
“This one I’ve got covered too! We’re thinking around 300!”
Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me.
Chuuya turns over to look at Sasaki, who looks unfazed, and fixes his gaze back at Dazai, who’s grinning widely.
He lets out a sarcastic laugh, and slams the wedding photobook he was flipping through shut.
“You’re kidding me, right? Is this a prank or-“
“It’s no prank, chibi. We’re actually, genuinely, in love.”
Chibi?
First, this man has the audacity to head in his shop and tut at the display that wasn’t for sale. Then, he wants a wedding with 300 guests done by this Sunday?
And worst of all, this- lanky, tall, bastard- decides to call him chibi?
“Realistically speaking, you know that a wedding for 300 guests is impossible to do within such a short time frame, right?”
“Which is why we were hoping you could get it done!” Dazai says with a huge grin (how could he still be cheerful at a time like this?).
“I’m no magician, so unless you give me another date or adjust the guest list-“
“No! We can’t! You see, Sasaki has a big family, and I have lots of friends- and they’re only free this Sunday! Plus, I’ve seen people plan weddings in less than a week on TV! Have you seen ‘Say I Do’ on Netflix?” Dazai retorts frantically, slumping back into his seat as if defeated.
“That’s TV. I’m afraid I can’t do a wedding like that in such a short amount of time.” Chuuya replies, calm and collected even as Dazai is freaking out- due to countless first-hand experiences, of course.
Finally, Sasaki clears her throat.
“I wouldn’t mind having a quiet ceremony. Just me and Dazai, this Sunday.”
Thank god! Someone is thinking realistically!
“If it’s a small ceremony, I think 4 days to plan shouldn’t be a problem. Does Dazai agree to this?”
“Why, my wife-to-be! I can’t believe you wanted such a small, romantic wedding!” Dazai exclaims dramatically, causing Chuuya to cringe. “Of course I agree! Like I said, she’s the boss!”
Well if she was the boss, you wouldn’t have suggested a grand wedding with 300 guests-
Chuuya reopens the photobook and turns it so that the couple can view the pictures.
“Now, what’s the concept we’re going for here?”
“What about- night club? Crazy neon lights, EDM music, all of that.”
Chuuya’s brain isn’t functioning.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“It’d be so unique, wouldn’t it, Sasaki?”
Unique? If your idea of ‘unique’ is a total disaster, then sure!
“I-I was thinking of a more- fairytale kind of concept? I loved princesses growing up, so I would love to have a wedding like that.” Sasaki blurts out before Dazai can begin listing some crazy ideas for a wedding again.
“Great! That’s where we’ll start. I have a ball gown that’s available for rent, actually- from one of my clients that backed out. But, we’ll have to have an indoor wedding- since the ball gown is sleeveless, is that okay?”
Sasaki nods, and Dazai does too (surprisingly).
“I’ll book a small ballroom at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo, how does that sound? We can have the food there too- and you can invite a few guests, below 100. We don’t have a lot of time- and I have contacts there, so it would be easy to book.”
“Sounds good. How much are we looking at for the total costs?” Dazai asks, apparently finally taking things seriously.
“I’d say you’re looking at around 2 million yen, including my service charge.”
“Fair enough. I’ll make the full payment now.” Dazai says, retrieving a cheque book and issuing it to Chuuya.
Well, at least he’s paying.
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Rushing to plan a wedding in 4 days is an experience Chuuya would never recommend to anyone.
He’s planned numerous weddings before, but one thing they all had in common was a realistic timeframe. Things like weddings take months to plan, and rushing it all in less than a week might have been a little ambitious of Chuuya.
“Hi, it’s Nakahara Chuuya from Nakahara Weddings, I was wondering if the Ritz Carlton is available on Sunday evening-”
“Hello, I’m Nakahara Chuuya from Nakahara Weddings, do you have catering-”
“Hey, Atsushi! Do you think it’s possible to get flowers for a wedding on Sunday?”
“Ane-san, can you send that dress from the back-out client over to my office-”
The good thing is that with years in the wedding planning industry, Chuuya does have a few contacts that could help him out. Top it off with Chuuya’s driven attitude towards his work, and his habit of never backing down from a challenge- and you have the impossible made possible.
By Friday, he’s gotten the venue and food booked for the wedding day, and Atsushi and Akutagawa are handling the decor and floral arrangements- which is most of it done already, really. The dress and suit should be arriving tomorrow, plus, Kouyou does hair and make-up too, so that’s settled.
Since Chuuya had to spend a few nights at the office to sort out everything before the big day, he’s obviously high on caffeine and sleep deprived.
Dark circles are forming under his eyes, and he might be feeling just a little light-headed- but he, yes, Nakahara Chuuya himself, planned a wedding in 4 days!
4 days!
He’s already fantasizing about finally heading home and having a long overdue glass of wine on the sofa.
Just as he’s putting down the landline, packing the stuff on his desk to get ready to lock up, the door swings open to reveal a disheveled looking Dazai.
“We’re closed- oh, Dazai! I’ve got everything done and-”
“We’re calling the wedding off.”
Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me.
Chuuya sucks in a small breath and exhales, trying to remain calm and professional.
“May I ask why?”
“I just wasn’t ready to marry someone that was allergic to seafood. You see, I love crab, and I just couldn’t- go on with the wedding anymore.”
Chuuya fights back to urge to scream at Dazai.
He’s seen weddings get called off before, he’s had a few couples cancel their wedding because of nerves, and even the stress of planning a wedding.
But this wedding was pulled together at the very last minute, and he’s never had to pull all-nighters at the office, or call so many people in such a short amount of time before.
He knows he’ll have to make even more phone calls starting tonight, to sort out this mess of a cancellation.
Chuuya is completely drained of energy, thanks to this- stupid mackerel!
“Okay. About the refund, I’ll have to discuss it with the other companies- I’ll contact you and wire it back to your account as soon as possible,” Chuuya sighs, picking up his bag and walking towards the door, where Dazai is. “We’re closed now.”
The redhead shuts the lights, locks up the office, and leaves with Dazai trailing behind silently to the car park outside, and they part ways.
Chuuya hopes he never sees that bastard again.