"Arita, come to the lab immediately."
That email arrived just as lunch break was about to end.
My name is Kazuki Arita. I'm a third-year university student majoring in architecture. Most days, I'm busy building scale models and working on design drafts, just trying to keep up. My life as a student had been relatively satisfying or at least, that's what I thought.
"…Did I do something wrong?"
As far as I could remember, nothing came to mind. My grades were fine, and I always submitted my assignments on time. Still, I headed to the lab without questioning it further, knocking on the door as I arrived.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, Arita. You're here."
The one who turned around was Professor Shiina, my academic advisor. He had a reputation for being strict, but those who knew him also saw his supportive side. Students generally liked him.
"Is something the matter, Professor?"
"Yes. Starting today, you'll be doing an internship."
"…An internship? Starting today?"
"That's right. It's at a company called Hinata Wedding Planning. Ever heard of it?"
"Uh, no… Wedding? Like, marriage?"
"Exactly. Our department is assisting them with a project, but it seems they're short on staff. And you, Arita, were chosen to help."
"Wait a second… I'm an architecture student! I don't know the first thing about weddings."
"Which is exactly why you should go. Experience outside the classroom is valuable, Arita. I believe you can handle it."
And just like that, I wasn't given a choice.
And so, my "first wedding" experience in life began… forcefully.
＊＊＊
A few days later, I found myself on the 14th floor of a sleek high-rise in central Tokyo. That was where Hinata Wedding Planning was located.
"Good afternoon. I'm Kazuki Arita. I'll be starting my internship here today"
"Yep, we've been expecting you. Come with me."
A young female staff member greeted me as I entered the office. She was cheerful and spoke with a quick, upbeat tone. Her name tag read "Hashimoto."
"Let me introduce you to your supervisor. Her name's Hinose-san!"
"…Huh?"
At a nearby desk, a woman was typing away on her laptop. She glanced up, eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You're Arita-kun?"
"Y-Yes. I'll be learning under you starting today…"
"Hmm… architecture major, huh."
Her name was Rika Hinose. The moment I took her business card, I was momentarily captivated. Long black hair, porcelain skin she was stunning. But her gaze was cold.
"I'm Hinose. I've been a wedding planner for five years. Don't expect me to teach you. Learn on your own."
"Uh… okay."
"There's tons of work. No time for questions. Just watch and learn."
And just like that, the conversation ended.
It felt like a battlefield. No colder than that.
"Don't take it personally, okay? She's really talented, just… not good with people," Hashimoto-san whispered to me later when Hinose wasn't around.
"I heard she went through some stuff in the past. But when it comes to work, she's a perfectionist. If she acknowledges you, that means you're the real deal."
Acknowledged… huh?
Somehow, it already felt like an impossible challenge.
＊＊＊
That very same afternoon, I was pulled into my first team meeting.
"In three months, we have an extremely important wedding to plan. The client is the daughter of the chairman of Hinata Group."
"…What?"
"Basically, it's the wedding of a corporate princess. No mistakes allowed. And you, Arita-kun, will be partnering with Hinose-san."
"W-Wait a minute! I just got here and"
"You're doing it."
No room for negotiation.
"Your knowledge of architecture might be useful in certain aspects. But whatever you do, don't get in the way."
Her words were blunt almost harsh. But strangely, they lit something inside me.
"Understood. If I'm going to do this, I'll give it everything I've got."
She looked slightly surprised for a second. But only for a second her expression quickly returned to that cold neutrality.
"Alright then. We're starting now. Tomorrow at 9 AM, meet me in the lobby. We're going to scout potential venues."
"Got it!"
That was the beginning of what would become a very long three months working with Hinose-san.
At the time, I never imagined it would lead to something more than just a job.
Love? That hadn't even crossed my mind yet.
＊＊＊
The next morning arrived quickly. I barely had time to process everything when I found myself standing in the office lobby at 8:55 AM, holding a notebook and pen like my life depended on it.
"You're early."
Hinose-san appeared exactly on time, dressed in a stylish yet professional beige suit. Her presence was so sharp, it made me straighten my posture automatically.
"We'll be visiting three venues today. Take notes. You'll be expected to give input by next week."
"Input? Already?"
"Did you think you'd just be watching?"
She didn't wait for my answer and walked toward the elevator. I had no choice but to follow.
The first venue was a luxury hotel rooftop. The view was breathtaking, with a panoramic skyline of Tokyo stretching out in every direction. I could instantly imagine a sunset ceremony here.
"This location's good for evening weddings. Wind direction and lighting need to be considered. What do you think, Arita-kun?"
"Ah… I think… yeah, the west-facing side would catch the sunset best. But we might need wind protection for the floral arrangements."
I braced myself for criticism but instead, she gave a subtle nod.
"Good. You're not just standing around, at least."
Was that… praise?
Even a sliver of recognition from her felt like a victory.
The day continued with two more venues a glass chapel by the bay and a rustic garden estate in the outskirts of the city. By the end of the day, I had taken five pages of notes and memorized three different floor plans. My feet ached, and my head was spinning.
But for the first time in a long while, I felt strangely alive.
＊＊＊
As days turned into weeks, I slowly adapted to the pace. Hinose-san remained cool and distant, but she never wasted time. Her standards were high, but fair. And the more I watched her work, the more I understood why everyone respected her.
She wasn't just beautiful she was brilliant. Every decision she made had purpose. Every detail, from flower types to seating plans, was backed by logic and empathy.
Still, she never asked about me. Never smiled. Never showed the slightest hint of emotion beyond work.
But I couldn't help but want to know more.
One night, while we were finalizing a design mock-up together in the quiet office, I gathered the courage to speak.
"Hinose-san… why did you become a wedding planner?"
She paused.
For a moment, I thought she might ignore me. But then she answered softly.
"Because… I believed in happy endings."
I looked at her. Her eyes were fixed on the monitor.
"But not anymore?" I asked.
She didn't respond. Instead, she stood up and gathered her things.
"Meeting's over. See you tomorrow."
And just like that, the conversation ended.
But for some reason, her words stayed with me all night.