Inside the room, Aoba quickly changed into the wedding outfit that Uzuki Yugao had prepared for him.
It was a kimono with a black haori trimmed in gold, paired with a white inner layer and a bright-colored sash, making him look calm and reserved.
It also gave him a more mature air.
The youthful feeling he had before was gone... well, not exactly youthful, but he had never quite seemed like a full-grown adult.
Now that he had changed into the wedding outfit Yugao and the others had picked, that feeling had faded a little.
It felt like his youth was about to come to an end.
But with the wedding drawing closer, his youth really was coming to an end.
Aoba could not help sighing to himself before walking out of the room.
———
By now, the sun was already hanging at the horizon, looking as though it could set at any moment.
The golden evening light spread across the ground, making it the perfect scene for wedding photos.
Yugao, Konan, and the others had also changed into the outfits they had chosen.
The moment he stepped outside, the scene before him perfectly matched one phrase: A contest of beauty.
Although most of the wedding outfits shared similar designs and were mainly kimonos, each one differed in color and accessories, fitting the wearer's own style.
For example, Yugao wore a proper light purple kimono with a beige inner layer, and a bright red sash tied into a bow at her waist.
Konan wore something similar to a Japanese shrine maiden ceremonial outfit, though with some modifications. The main color was a soft off-white, with wine red as the lining and accent color, and gold trim.
Shizune also wore a kimono, but like Aoba's, hers was mainly black, decorated with gold patterns and bright red accessories, giving it an elegant yet neat and light feel.
She was not the only one in a black kimono. Temari, Kurenai Yuhi, Uchiha Mikoto, and Kin also wore black kimonos, though each outfit differed in its details according to its wearer's personality.
Then there was Tsunade, still wearing her favorite classic blue-green kimono. She was probably the most mature-looking person present while also giving off a bold and dignified presence.
The only problem was that she was standing there with her arms folded and a dark expression, looking as though she might explode at any moment.
Because Kushina had been circling around her the whole time, asking question after question, and Tsunade could not lose her temper in a setting like this.
Aoba quickly looked away, afraid Kushina might turn her attention to him instead.
But the pair on the other side also seemed somewhat like oil and water.
One was Terumi Mei, wearing an ice-blue kimono with a diagonal collar, one shoulder exposed, and revealing some skin. The other was Kurotsuchi in a bright red qipao.
Both had their arms folded, and judging by what they were saying, they were once again finding fault with each other.
Not many had chosen qipaos, though.
Besides Kurotsuchi, there were only Anko and her dear little sister, Isaribi.
They did not naturally give off the same composed and reserved feeling as kimonos, but their fitted design showed off the figure more.
Then Samui, Mabui, and Yugito had all chosen matching gold kimonos with black cloud patterns.
As for Kazahana Koyuki and Seramu, the former wore a light purple kimono with a bright red haori, while the latter wore a light red kimono with a dark purple haori.
That was somewhat similar to what they had worn when they served as queens of their respective countries.
Aoba quietly noted the main features of everyone's outfits. But after looking around, he realized someone seemed to be missing and asked in confusion, "Where's Kaguya?"
"It's Kaguya-neesan's first time wearing a kimono. She was worried about damaging it, so she's taking longer. Hinata and Yakumo have gone to help her."
Karin, who was fiddling with a camera while constantly taking pictures of Aoba, explained as she snapped away.
"I see."
Seeing how cheerful she was, Aoba could not help rubbing her little head.
"Sensei!"
At that moment, another fiery red head appeared in front of him.
Sara suddenly appeared before Aoba, raised her little head slightly, and looked at him seriously.
"Sara..."
Aoba also wanted to pat her head, but she shook her head and dodged.
Sara put her hands on her hips, gave a light snort, and asked directly, "When am I getting married?"
"..."
Aoba had known she was going to ask that.
He did not make excuses or try to change the subject.
"When you're old enough to get married."
Aoba reached out once more, intending to rub her head.
This time, Sara did not dodge. She said seriously, "Then you can't lie to me."
"Why would I lie to you?"
Aoba pinched her cheek with some exasperation.
"Good."
Having received his promise, Sara immediately beamed with delight again.
The next time she saw Hanabi, she was definitely going to show off.
Hanabi had not come today. According to Fu, the girl had been coming here every day recently, staying until after dinner before going home with Hinata. Today, however, Hyuga Hiashi had personally come to wait at the gate.
Sara could only sigh in disappointment. Otherwise, Hanabi definitely would have broken down.
Aoba had no idea why the girl had suddenly started grinning to herself, but just then Kaguya came out.
"!"
Everyone's eyes lit up to some degree.
A pure white kimono, pure white eyes, and blue-white long hair.
She truly looked like someone made of snow.
"Does it look good?"
Seeing everyone's eyes fall on her at once, Kaguya instinctively asked.
"It looks very good," Aoba answered seriously.
The others all nodded in agreement.
"Mmm..."
Instead, Kaguya did not know how to respond and could only give a soft acknowledgment.
"All right, time won't wait for us. We'll take the photos according to the drawing order."
Yugao stepped forward. Seeing that everyone had arrived and Tenten, Sakura, and the others had already finished setting up the location, she took out a tube of lots.
"Just so we're clear, no using your abilities to cheat."
"Okay!" × all
Everyone agreed without objection.
After the drawing was finished, they began taking photos one by one.
Tenten and the others worked diligently, and they even seemed to have learned photography on purpose. They were every bit as professional as the staff at a wedding studio.
Still, a few little incidents happened during the photo shoot.
For example, Aoba's earlier concern came true after all.
Tsunade, who had been holding back her irritation because of Kushina, finally could not quite contain herself. The moment the camera clicked, she reached over and tugged hard at Aoba's cheek.
Aoba could only smile helplessly, though the photo turned out unexpectedly amusing.
That also set a bad example. When it was Kurotsuchi, Yugito, Anko, and the others' turns, there were many more surprise attacks.
But in the end, they still finished the shoot without any problems.
After changing poses more than a hundred times, Aoba actually felt a little tired.
Fortunately, he had the ability of Fuinjutsu. Otherwise, they really would not have finished in such a short time.
However, when he looked over at Sara, Fuu... and even Kushina, who were standing nearby watching eagerly, Nohara Rin also looked somewhat envious, though not quite like they did.
"How about taking one more family portrait? The kind where everyone is in it together?"
"Hm?"
Kushina and the others, who had been regretfully watching from the side because they could not join in, immediately lit up.
The others, who had been gathered around several cameras looking at the wedding photos they had just taken, paused briefly before agreeing as well.
Nohara Rin and Uchiha Hikari had no objections either.
"Then I'll arrange everyone's positions."
Seeing that no one objected, Aoba planned to line everyone up according to height.
"Aoba-kun, Hanabi..."
Since it was going to be a family portrait, Hinata had not forgotten Hanabi, who was absent.
Of course, Aoba had not forgotten her either.
"As for Hanabi, I'll go pick her up in a moment... Hm?"