The morning sun filtered through the white curtains of their rented Kyoto home, casting soft golden hues on the walls. It was a quiet, solemn morning—unlike the usual cheerful banter that often filled the air between Phuby and Hana. Today marked a sacred milestone. This was the day of their akad nikah, the Islamic marriage contract ceremony, held on foreign soil yet carrying the weight of tradition, faith, and love.
The setting was simple yet dignified. A modest hall had been rented near Kyoto Mosque, adorned with white drapes, floral arrangements, and low tables. On one side sat Phuby Soewandi, dressed in a clean white koko shirt, black slacks, and a smooth peci atop his head. Across from him sat the wali nikah—the appointed guardian acting on behalf of Hana's family for the ceremony—along with the imam from Kyoto Mosque.
Though technically still in Japan, the event held all the ceremonial nuances of an Indonesian Islamic wedding. Phuby's hands trembled slightly as he held them over his knees. His heart raced—not from nerves over marriage itself, but from the gravity of what this moment meant. Beside him sat Om Luky, his stepfather, and just behind, Mrs. Wulan beamed with restrained pride. On the women's side, Hana sat beside her mother, Aiko-san, clad in a soft ivory-colored modern kimono-style dress with a delicate hijab wrapped neatly around her head.
Though her name had legally changed, to most—especially Phuby—she was still Hana. The name Zahra Yamamoto had been chosen for religious reasons, a beautiful name to mark a spiritual transition. Yet in daily life, Hana was still Hana. The two identities now harmonized within her like two melodies played in sync.
"Relax," whispered Om Luky to Phuby. "You've done livestreams with thousands watching. This is only a few dozen people... and one lifetime commitment."
Phuby smirked nervously. "Yeah, no pressure."
The akad began with a short sermon by the imam, reminding everyone of the sanctity of marriage in Islam. Then came the time for the ijab qabul—the sacred declaration.
The imam looked at Phuby and spoke with measured clarity.
"Phuby Soewandi, do you accept Zahra Yamamoto binti Haruki Yamamoto as your wife, with the dowry of one set of gold rings and a recitation of Surah Ar-Rahman as agreed upon?"
Phuby took a deep breath. "Saya terima nikahnya Zahra Yamamoto binti Haruki Yamamoto dengan mas kawin tersebut, tunai."
A brief silence followed—then the room erupted into quiet takbir and applause. Some guests shed tears, including Hana's mother, who discreetly dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. Mrs. Wulan held her own emotion with grace, though her smile trembled from how wide it had become.
Hana and Phuby exchanged smiles from across the room. There was no need for words in that moment. Everything they'd been through—the obstacles, the culture, the faith, the dreams—they had all led to this: a union built on understanding and love.
After the ceremony, Hana's father, Haruki Yamamoto, approached Phuby. "You are now family," he said in English, his voice thick with emotion. "You take care of our Hana… I mean, Zahra." Then, quickly correcting himself with a chuckle, "No, no. She is still Hana to me."
Phuby laughed warmly. "I wouldn't dare call her anything else."
As the guests enjoyed the post-ceremony refreshments—light Japanese sweets and Indonesian treats brought all the way from Cirebon—the couple was led aside to finalize the legal marriage registration according to Japanese law. In a quiet municipal building in Kyoto, the formality was simple but satisfying. With signatures from both parties and their witnesses—Om Luky and Haruki—the marriage was now recognized not just spiritually but legally by the Japanese government.
"Welcome to married life, husband," Hana teased as she nudged Phuby with her shoulder.
Phuby grinned. "We still need to do the Indonesian legal process once we're home."
"One down, one to go," she smiled. "But this one… this one is the most important."
They left the building hand-in-hand, with their families waiting outside. The sky was overcast but warm, the soft spring breeze whispering through the cherry blossoms lining the street. Despite being in a foreign country, nothing felt more familiar than walking beside Hana now as his wife.
Later that night, after all the ceremonies, legal processes, and hugs, the two finally found a moment alone. Sitting on the porch of their Kyoto house, Phuby leaned back against the wooden railing and looked up at the stars.
"Do you feel different?" he asked.
Hana, resting her head on his shoulder, replied, "A little. Like I've stepped into a new chapter… one where I know I'll never be alone."
Phuby reached into his pocket and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Me too."
As they sat in silence, enjoying their first night as husband and wife, a gentle alert popped up in Phuby's system screen, tucked inside his mind:
> [System Notice]
Wedding Ring Purchase – Rp 150.000.000
Cashback Activated! +Rp 300.000.000
New Balance: Rp 12.995.000.000
Phuby smiled. Not just because of the cashback—but because every bit of that money now meant something deeper. It wasn't just about building a future. It was about building one with Hana by his side.