— — — — — —
Outside the Magic Council building, Makarov sat chatting with Yajima.
"Old man," Yajima said, waving a newspaper, "your kid works fast. Something happens yesterday and it's already splashed across today's paper."
He tapped the Big News magazine and chuckled.
"Hahaha, I've got no idea what you're talking about," Makarov laughed it off. "Must be my age. My hearing's gone."
He glanced at the paper anyway, pointed at a line with his thick finger, and said, "Honestly, that 'kind-hearted citizen' sure had too much time on their hands. Reporting something like this. Despicable."
"Kind-hearted citizen?" Yajima snorted. "Come on, old man, spare me. The Tower of Heaven incident was only known to the Council and those two brats from your guild."
"And then look at how many people backed you in this selection. Don't tell me you didn't tip them off beforehand. You're a sly one."
Yajima laughed. "Still, it's a good thing you got the seat. Once you're in, I can finally retire. I won't have to worry about your guild getting into trouble without me watching your back."
"Politics never suited me anyway," Yajima went on. "After I retire, I'm thinking of opening a magic cuisine restaurant. You'd better come support my business."
"I'll definitely come," Makarov said cheerfully. "I'll bring all the kids from the guild. We'll eat and drink our fill, then leave without paying."
"You old bastard," Yajima shot back. "If you pull that, don't blame me for cracking your head with a frying pan."
The two old friends traded jabs and laughter until noon, when the meeting finally ended. Even though the Council hadn't officially announced the new members yet, Makarov already knew the outcome. His position was secured.
"Damn brat," he muttered to himself, gazing up at the clear blue sky. "I've really worn myself out for you kids. I'd love to retire and live easy like Yajima."
He sighed. He was tired, but rest would have to wait. These old bones still needed to hold out a while longer.
Until the kids in the guild truly grew up, until they were mature enough, he would keep standing in front of them, shielding them from the wind and rain.
---
At that moment, outside Kazuma's house, Juvia returned from a mission. She happily opened the door, then froze the very next second.
"M-Mira-san?" Juvia blinked. "Why are you at Juvia's house?"
The moment she opened the door, she saw Mirajane about to leave. Confusion filled Juvia's eyes.
"We drank together here last night," Mira said casually. "I might've had a little too much."
"Anyway, Juju, I don't have time to chat. I need to get to the guild. If I'm any later, I'll be in trouble."
Mira hurried off. She'd overslept thanks to the alcohol, and there was still a mountain of work waiting for her.
"Good morning, Juvia."
Erza walked over next, greeted her naturally, and then just… left, as if nothing was strange at all.
"E-Erza-san! What on earth is going on?!"
Hearing movement inside, Juvia rushed in. The first thing she saw was a neatly arranged set of bowls and chopsticks on the table.
Then she saw Kazuma sitting on the sofa, smiling as he read the newspaper.
"Good morning, Juvia."
Kazuma looked very pleased. Yakoda and the others might be adorably scatterbrained, but the newspaper's efficiency was no joke. They'd finished the interview yesterday, and it was already in circulation this morning. He really had to give them credit.
"Kazuma! You're back!" Juvia cried, her eyes shining. "Juvia missed you so much!"
Seeing him safe and sound, Juvia lunged forward in excitement and kissed him without hesitation.
Absence made the heart grow fonder. For Juvia, it had only been a few days, but the loneliness felt like years. Now that they were together again, her feelings overflowed, and she kissed him fiercely.
"I missed you too," Kazuma said gently.
He patted her head and eased her off him just as Lucy stepped out of the bathroom.
Lucy froze at the sight. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Oh, Lucy-san, you're here too," Juvia said brightly.
Instead of feeling shy, she wrapped her arms around Kazuma proudly, as if declaring victory. This was Juvia's beloved.
"Um… I just wanted to ask where the comb is," Lucy said awkwardly. "Never mind. I-I won't disturb you. Bye."
She fled without even brushing her hair. Once outside, it felt like something had clenched her heart tight.
Her expression grew complicated as she lowered her head and wandered aimlessly down the street.
...
Back in the room, Juvia was still clinging to Kazuma, acting spoiled.
"Oh, right," Kazuma said after a moment's thought. "There's something I need to tell you. I… have someone else outside."
He decided it was better to be upfront about Tohru. Hiding it would just be more trouble.
Since he'd done it, he wouldn't regret it. No impulsive half-measures.
"C-Cheating?!"
Juvia collapsed onto the floor. A tiny rain cloud formed above her head, thunder rumbling as rain poured down.
"Waaah… Juvia's been abandoned!"
She sobbed dramatically, shoulders shaking.
"This scene feels way too familiar," Kazuma muttered.
It felt like he'd seen this exact setup somewhere before. Then it clicked. One of those over-the-top soap operas Hilda liked to watch.
Whenever a plot like this happened, it was always during a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning. The heartbroken heroine would run off in tears. The male lead wouldn't chase after her right away, hesitating for no reason. Even though they were practically right next to each other, they'd act like blind idiots who couldn't see one another.
"Juvia… Juvia doesn't want to leave, but if this is your decision, Kazuma, then Juvia is willing—"
She got to her feet and turned to run.
But Kazuma reached out and stopped her.
"Hey, knock it off. What kind of drama are you pulling? Keep this up and I'll punch that rain cloud to pieces, believe it or not."
He waved at the dark cloud above her head. The moment he finished speaking, it dispersed.
(The rain cloud: "I was just helping set the mood! Humans are so violent. I'm hurt. I'm never coming back again.")
"Juvia, stop crying," Kazuma said patiently. "I'm not abandoning you. I'm just telling you the truth. I figured hiding it would hurt you more in the long run."
"Of course, if you can't accept it, that's understandable too."
"…Mm… Juvia accepts it."
She nodded. Just like that, she was back to normal.
She did look a little jealous, but compared to being abandoned outright, this was… acceptable.
"You accept it?" Kazuma blinked. He honestly hadn't expected it to be this easy. He'd been bracing himself for a nightmare.
"Because Juvia really, really likes Kazuma," she said seriously. "If Kazuma likes that person too, Juvia won't force you to choose."
"Even if it's the three of us together, that's fine. Juvia is confident she can love you more than anyone else."
Juvia could be absent-minded and clumsy at times, but at moments like this, she was clearer and more honest than most people.
"…You're being so good that I don't even know what to say anymore," Kazuma sighed softly.
"Right now, all I can give you is a promise. A promise that I'll never leave you. Ever."
"A promise to grow old with you, to stay by your side for this lifetime."
With that, Kazuma pushed Juvia down onto the couch. At this point, there was no reason to drag things out. Doing the important stuff came first.
"Mm… be gentle," Juvia murmured, her face flushed. "L-Let's go to the bedroom, okay?"
She'd been looking forward to this for a long time, but now that it was actually happening, she was still nervous. Especially since it was broad daylight.
"Alright," Kazuma said softly. "Don't worry. I'll make it somewhere you can relax."
Darkness spread instantly, enveloping the entire house. In an environment like this, it was easier to feel safe and at ease.
At the same time, rain began to fall outside.
But this time, it wasn't because of sadness.
...
"Huh? Why is it suddenly raining?" Natsu muttered as he stopped in front of Kazuma's house. "I was thinking of sparring with Kazuma."
He'd come partly to thank Kazuma for saving Happy, and partly because he felt stronger and wanted to challenge him.
But before he could knock, a shadow soldier blocked his path.
"Natsu. I'm busy with something important. Get lost. Or I'll kill you."
The shadow soldier held up a cardboard sign covered in Kazuma's barely contained resentment. The next second, a blade was resting against Natsu's neck.
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving, okay?" Natsu said quickly. "Man, why's Kazuma so grumpy today?"
He turned and left, scratching his head in confusion. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out why Kazuma was in such a bad mood. Maybe he didn't sleep well last night.
---
In the blink of an eye, three days passed. The atmosphere of the Harvest Festival grew stronger by the day. Colorful decorations hung all over the streets.
Fairy Tail was preparing to hold the Miss Fairy Tail beauty contest, and today was the guild's preliminary round.
The contestants were Erza, Mira, Levy, Cana, and Juvia.
Lucy didn't participate.
She wasn't short on money. The Miss Fairy Tail event didn't really mean much to her.
Lucy had originally planned to enter, but after everything that had happened these past few days, her mood hadn't been great, so she decided not to.
The contest went smoothly overall. Aside from Mira messing around and transforming into Happy midway through, everything was fine.
The girls were all cute and beautiful in their own ways. Just as the event was coming to an end, the Thunder God Tribe returned.
When no one was prepared, Evergreen attacked, turning the contestants to stone.
"Big sis Mira!"
"Erza!"
"Everyone!"
The guild members surrounding the stage immediately tensed up, glaring at Evergreen.
"Damn it!"
Veins bulged on Makarov's forehead. He didn't need to think to know who was behind this, or what their goal was.
"Let's play a little game…"
As Evergreen spoke, the other two members of the Thunder God Tribe appeared, ready to begin.
She barely got the words out before a calm voice interrupted her. The tone was even, but impossible to ignore.
"Jokes are jokes, games are games. Don't mess with our companions. Evergreen, release the spell."
Kazuma sat on a chair, calmly looking up at Evergreen on the stage. An invisible pressure spread across the entire guild hall.
Evergreen met his gaze, cold sweat instantly breaking out on her forehead.
.
.
.