Tales of Wedding Rings (結婚指輪物語)

Ten years ago,

The great sage Alabaster delivered his prophecy.

And now the long-awaited day has finally arrived.

Come here, you!

Whoa! What's that?

- -

This is really weird.

Huh?

It got weirder!

Hey, who are you?

How rude.

You're not going to introduce yourself?

Right! My name's Satou.

Ah. That's a rather strange name.

My name is Hime.

Nonaka.

Hello.

H-Hime?

Satou. You can't tell anyone about tonight.

I want you to promise me.

Please, forget what you've seen.

If you promise to keep it a secret,

I promise to be your best friend forever.

I felt it immediately.

Even though I was just a kid.

It would be my responsibility

to protect her.

And somehow I knew we would keep our promise.

I'd be by her side for a long time.

Good morning, Satou.

Hime.

Morning.

Your breakfast is ready, sleepyhead.

It's a little early for a feast, isn't it?

I woke up excited for summer.

I didn't know what to do with the energy.

Hime. Himeno Nonaka.

We've been friends since we were kids.

It's been ten eventful years

since she moved in next door.

Her parents aren't around.

She's lived with her grandfather

for as long as I've known her.

So, I've been thinking.

You've changed a lot since high school started.

For example,

your sense of style has really evolved.

Well, people expect a blonde to be flashy,

so I figured I'd give 'em what they want.

My clothes are like my armor.

A princess like me

has to project a certain image.

Of beauty and strength!

Still pretty committed to this "princess" bit, huh?

Huh?

Uh, hello?

Hm.

Hime?

Hm.

You slob.

Huh?

Ah...

Mm.

Uh. Hey, Grandpa.

Huh?

Good morning, sir. How are you doing?

I'm doing well. Thank you, Satou.

We're heading out.

Have a great day.

What's up with your dad?

Is he coming back soon?

Probably not till after summer break.

Must be lonely.

I'm used to it.

You see these rings?

They're really important to me

because I'm going to give one of them to the person I marry.

-Hey, Satou. -Huh?

I hope that'll be you someday.

Would you want to marry me?

What is it?

- -Staring at the rings?

Sorry. You can't have them.

Yep.

That's about how you'd expect it to go.

We were just kids.

Hurry up, Satou!

We're gonna be late!

Yeah! Coming.

How'd you do on the finals?

Couldn't have gone any worse.

Ta-da!

Wow, Hime!

You're so smart!

Of course I am,

intelligence is an important attribute for a princess.

And there it is.

Someday you'll tell us which country.

I'm running outta time!

I need a girlfriend!

You're so lucky, Satou.

You've got a girlfriend.

Someone to spend the summer with.

Who?

Don't play dumb with me!

I see you walking to school with Nonaka every day!

We're neighbors.

It be hard not to walk to school together.

Whatever.

If you ask me, you're getting too comfortable

with the way things are.

Huh?

He's right.

You expect her to wait around for you to make a move?

If my neighbor was that cute,

we'd already be going out!

I dunno. She's a little too flashy--

Why a text message?

If that chick isn't your type, then what is?

I'm more into the quiet, bookworm girls.

Okay. That was new.

Maybe there is a chance.

- Hime! -Hm?

Yukata?

What's up?

Take your breath away?

Uh, kinda, yeah.

Ha! It's good that you're so honest about your feelings,

Satou.

Let's go. Follow me.

Okay.

Wow! It's beautiful!

The summer festival is so exciting!

-Oh, hey, Satou. -Huh?

Do you remember?

We came to this festival when we were little kids

and got totally lost.

You said,

"this way, we won't get separated."

And then you held my hand the whole time.

You were my hero back in those days.

What does that make me now?

How should I know?

Anyway, Let's get something to eat.

Mm!

Super cute!

Uh, if you say so.

Ah...

They were right.

I have gotten comfortable.

Satou, get that for me!

I'll play.

It's five hundred yen.

I never thought that comfort was a bad thing.

Our friendship is too precious to risk ruining.

But now...

- -

I've got this.

The mood is perfect.

It's now or never.

Hey. There's something that I have to tell.

Huh?

Oh, wow!

This is nice.

I'm glad we got to do this.

Me, too.

Hey, Satou.

Hm?

I have something to say,

but I have no idea how you'll react.

Wait, what?

There's no way.

Could it be?

Satou, I...

I feel the same!

I'm in love wi--

Grandpa and I are moving away.

Huh?

Moving?