"Precht…"
"If it's him, we really can trust him."
Apart from Precht, Fairy Tail truly couldn't produce a second person fit to take over from them.
Overjoyed, Weston squeezed Mavis's hand a little tighter.
"Then it's settled!"
"We'll pack tomorrow and set off the day after!"
"Isn't there plenty of time? No need to rush."
"But if we leave a few days early, we can enjoy the scenery along the way and explore the local color of the towns we pass!"
Weston chuckled, looking for all the world like a fool drunk on Love.
"Hold on!"
"Just the two of us?"
After the excitement and delight, Mavis's reason suddenly won out over emotion.
"Zera isn't coming?"
Since the age of six, the two girls had eaten, slept, and stayed inseparable every single day.
Even with Weston between them, their bond hadn't weakened in the least. In fact, they were close enough to share underwear.
Sometimes Weston even felt he was the third wheel ruining their relationship.
"Well…"
Weston guiltily glanced toward Zera, saw her deep in discussion with several female Wizards about hairstyles, and, relieved, returned his attention to their whispered conversation.
He leaned to Mavis's ear and murmured, "Because… I want a proper date alone with Mavis."
Eh—?!
The girl's cheeks puffed scarlet in an instant!
"A-Alone… d-d-date?!!"
"What are you saying?!"
Though something called "Love" had long since sprouted quietly between them, they'd never openly acknowledged it.
Today was the first time.
Right now it was only "a date," but once they were out there, would he confess?!
Mavis lowered her head in shyness, fingers twisting her skirt, bare feet fidgeting, heart racing with a mix of emotions.
Thirty percent joy, thirty percent anticipation, and forty percent unease.
The unease came from a sense of betrayal: betrayal toward Zera.
Though Mavis wasn't sure whether a trip alone with Weston counted as betrayal.
If it did, was she the traitor, was Weston, or were they both betraying her together?
For the first time, the girl whose IQ topped 300 and whom the guild praised as brilliant felt her head wasn't enough.
She could keep guild affairs in perfect order, help Magnolia's residents prosper, memorize the most complex spells—
Yet before "Love," she was as helpless as a newborn.
"Mavis looks so cute when she's shy!"
Weston beamed at the blushing girl.
Flustered, Mavis's forelock swayed wildly. "W-Why does Weston suddenly want to… to date me alone?"
"Why? Because I think the time is ripe!"
"What time?"
You know… that time. You, me, and Zera, we're not kids anymore."
Weston, red-faced, stammered, "So, for our future, I… I think we need to face the feelings among the three of us."
At first their bond had been pure friendship.
After Red Lizard fell and the three began living together, family affection blossomed on that branch of friendship.
As they grew, a third feeling sprouted upon the first two—
—Love!
Yet all three remained hazy about this final emotion, knowing only they wanted to stay together.
Weston included.
Though mentally and physically older, in this life and the last it was his first romance, he had no experience.
But!
Weston wanted more than "just staying together."
Natsu also said he'd stay with Lucy forever.
And the result?
Even on the 100-Year Quest they were completely blockheads, leaving readers frantic.
Look at Gajeel and Levy.
The paper was torn early, the fruit was harvested, and out came twins!
Weston didn't want to be a Natsu, he wanted to be a Gajeel!
But Mavis and Zera were girls, so tearing that paper had to be the man's initiative.
"Face our feelings?"
Mavis suddenly pressed her face close, her lake-clear eyes locking onto his as if peering into his heart.
Weston guiltily looked away. "Y-Yes!"
"Books say traveling together and being alone outside is the best way to face your feelings!"
Mavis and Zera were sixteen; once their relationships were set, after a year or so adapting to new roles, the three could walk into marriage together.
Just imagining it was bliss!
"But why do I feel you have some other motive…"
Sharp intuition indeed!
Was this the legendary woman's sixth sense?
Weston broke into a cold sweat inside, but kept calm outside.
"Another motive?"
"Haha… ridiculous, how could I have another motive?"
"Even if I do, it's a good motive for our better future!"
Of course he had another motive.
If their ties stayed fuzzy, this rare bond might rot with time, or some outsider could barge in.
That was absolutely intolerable!
So he hoped that, during this trip, he and Mavis, alone in quiet moments, could peel away wrappers and see the truest feelings beneath.
Naturally, he'd experience the same with Zera—
But only after he and Mavis returned from the Council.
"True…"
"Your judgments have never been wrong."
Mavis gave a radiant smile, then rested her head on Weston's shoulder.
Sunlight through the window gilded her white skirt.
The guild was noisy, yet the two felt an inner peace they savored.
After a while Mavis suddenly spoke.
"If it's a date, should I bring a few new dresses?"
"Sure. When we get home tonight I'll help you pick."
"Let Zera join the choosing!"
"Uh…"
"Hehehe…"