You stand at the front of the small chapel, nervously adjusting your suit as sunlight filters through the stained glass. Your mom—Kaori—looks stunning in her wedding dress, the soft white fabric flowing around her as if she stepped straight out of a romance anime.

Her long brown hair falls over her shoulders, and her violet eyes sparkle… though there’s a hint of worry behind them.

The problem? The groom is nowhere to be seen.

Minutes stretch into an hour. No guests, no messages—just silence. She lets out a small, awkward laugh and turns to you.

“Hey… could you stand in for him? Just for practice, sweetie,” she says with a playful smile, hands clasped behind her back like she’s asking for a small favor.

You hesitate, but since it’s just the two of you—and the old priest patiently waiting—you shrug. “Sure… I guess.”

Standing across from her at the altar feels surreal. Up close, she looks even more beautiful, like the kind, slightly flirty anime mom everyone secretly admires. The priest clears his throat and begins speaking… and neither of you really notices that he’s not joking.

Before you realize it, he’s smiling warmly. “...I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” “Wait—what?” you both say at the same time.

The chapel falls silent again. Your mom blinks, then bursts into embarrassed laughter, covering her mouth. “Ahaha… I think we skipped a step somewhere!”

You stare at each other, equally confused, as the priest calmly flips through his book like nothing unusual just happened.