Chapter 6: The courier.
Two weeks had passed since the entrance exam, a period of time that felt like an eternity of silence. The spring air had grown warmer, and the cherry blossoms were beginning to scatter, carpeting the streets of Musutafu in pale pink.
It was late evening. The streetlights flickered on, casting long, amber shadows across the quiet residential neighborhood.
A delivery truck, marked with the logo of a high-priority courier service, pulled up to the curb with a soft hum of an electric engine. The driver, a middle-aged man in a crisp blue uniform and a cap pulled low over his eyes, stepped out. He checked his handheld device, then looked up at the house numbers.
"Dragneel..." he muttered, squinting at the nameplate on the gate. "This should be the place."
He reached into the back of the truck and retrieved a heavy, thick envelope. It wasn't just any mail. It was sealed with heavy wax, and the letters U.A. were stamped in shimmering gold on the front. Even the paper felt expensive.
The courier held it with a sense of reverence. He looked at the modest house and smiled to himself. "Another hopeful," he whispered. "Who knows? The kid living here might be a top hero in the future. Just delivering this could be a highlight of my career."
He walked up the path and pressed the doorbell. Ding-dong.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a high-pitched, cheerful voice echoed from inside.
"I'll get it!"
The door handle turned, and the heavy door swung open.
The courier prepared his professional smile. "Good evenin—"
The words died in his throat.
Standing in the doorway—or rather, hovering at eye level—was a blue cat. It had white wings flapping softly from its back, keeping it suspended in mid-air.
"Aye!" the cat chirped, raising a paw in greeting.
The courier stood frozen. His brain tried to process the image. A cat. Blue. Floating. Talking. He blinked once. Twice.
Happy's smile faded into a frown. He crossed his small arms. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
The courier shook his head, snapping back to reality. "E-excuse me... Is this the Dragneel residence? And... specifically, are you a talking cat?"
Before Happy could answer, a blur of pink rushed down the hallway.
"Out of the way!"
Natsu Dragneel slid into the entryway in his socks. He reached out and placed his hand firmly on top of Happy's head.
"Down you go!"
With a playful shove, Natsu pushed Happy down to the floor. The cat landed on his feet with a soft thud, looking indignant.
"Don't race me to the door, Happy!" Natsu said, leaning against the doorframe. "Answering the door is my only job in this house! Don't steal it!"
"You're just mean!" Happy complained, rubbing his head. "I was being polite!"
The courier watched the interaction with wide eyes. He cleared his throat. "Uh... are you Natsu Dragneel?"
Natsu turned, his grin wide and easy. "That's me!"
His eyes dropped to the package in the man's hands. He saw the gold U.A. letters. "Oh! It finally came!"
"Yes," the courier said, regaining his composure. He held out a digital pad and a stylus. "I just need a signature here, please."
"Sure thing!"
Natsu grabbed the stylus. He didn't write his name. Instead, with rapid, jerky movements, he drew a circle, added a jagged line for a horn, and two dots for eyes. It looked like a very rudimentary, very silly dragon.
He handed it back. "There!"
The courier looked at the screen. He looked at Natsu. "Is... is this your official signature?"
"Is there a problem?" Natsu asked, tilting his head innocently.
"No... no problem at all," the courier said, sweating slightly. He handed over the package. "Good luck. I hope it's good news."
"Thanks, mister!"
Natsu closed the door.
He stood in the genkan, holding the heavy package. Happy flew up again, circling Natsu's head like a blue satellite.
"That's from the Academy, right?" Happy asked, his tail twitching with excitement. "The one you said you'd go to if you passed? Aren't you nervous?"
"Nervous?" Natsu scoffed. He walked into the living room and threw the package onto the table. "Why should I be nervous?"
He ripped the seal open.
Inside was a holographic projector disc and a folded letter. Natsu ignored the disc. He pulled out the letter first. It was thick, formal stationery.
EXAM RESULTS: NATSU DRAGNEEL.
Natsu glanced at it for exactly one second. His eyes glazed over at the sight of small text.
"Boring," he muttered, tossing the letter over his shoulder. It fluttered through the air and landed on the floor behind him.
"Hey!" Happy cried, diving to catch it but missing. "Isn't that the most important part?!"
"Nope!" Natsu dug his hand back into the box. "This is the important part!"
He pulled out a plastic-wrapped bundle. He ripped the plastic open and shook out the fabric. It was the U.A. standard male uniform: a grey blazer with green trimmings and dark green trousers.
Natsu held the pants up against his legs, inspecting them critically.
"It looks... eh, it's okay, I guess," Natsu said, frowning slightly. "But dark green? Seriously? Can't I request a color that looks more like fire? Or maybe orange? Green doesn't really scream 'Dragon', does it?"
While Natsu critiqued the fashion choices of the most prestigious school in the country, Happy had landed on the floor and picked up the discarded letter. His large eyes scanned the text.
"Natsu..." Happy whispered. Then he grinned, holding the paper up. "Natsu! It says you're accepted! You got in!"
"Huh?" Natsu looked over, still holding the blazer. "Of course they accepted me. I beat those robots into scrap metal! Well... except for that giant one. Wait can you really read??"
"Your confidence is completely overboard," Happy deadpanned. Then, a soft smile spread across his face. "But... I think that's awesome."
Creak.
The door to the master bedroom opened slowly. Natsu's mother stepped out, wearing a soft robe. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, blinking in the hallway light.
"What is all this noise?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. "Natsu? Happy? It's already ten o'clock. It's time for bed."
"Only chickens sleep at this hour!" Happy declared boldly, floating over to her.
He hovered near her face, drool suddenly forming at the corner of his mouth. "Speaking of chickens... since Natsu passed, shouldn't we have a feast? Maybe some roast chicken? Or fish? Or chicken and fish?"
"You only think with your stomach, don't you?" Natsu teased.
"Natsu..." his mother said softly.
She looked at the uniform on his hands, then at the letter in Happy's paw. The sleepiness vanished from her eyes, replaced by a warm, shimmering light. Her lips curved into a proud, gentle smile.
"You passed," she whispered.
Natsu looked at her. Seeing that look on her face—the pure, unadulterated pride—made him pause. The arrogance faded, replaced by a softer, more genuine expression. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah," Natsu said, grinning. "I did it. The exam wasn't that hard after all."
"Your father is going to be so happy," she said, clutching her hands to her chest. "I'll tell him first thing in the morning."
Click.
The bedroom door opened wider one more time.
Natsu's father stepped out. He was wearing mismatched striped pajamas and his hair was a mess, standing up in every direction. He yawned loudly, stretching his arms.
"Why wait until I wake up?" he grumbled playfully, walking toward them. "This is a big day for my son."
He looked at Natsu, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.
"Let's celebrate properly," his father announced, clapping his hands. "I think Happy has the right idea. Let's have that feast!"
Happy's jaw dropped. Tears of joy instantly welled up in his big eyes. He vibrated in the air.
"POPS!!" Happy screamed.
He flew across the room like a blue bullet and slammed into Natsu's father, hugging his face.
"You're the best, Pops!"
Natsu and his mother burst into laughter as the father tried to peel the emotional, crying cat off his face.
"Okay, okay! Get off me.." the father laughed, though he hugged Happy back. "Let's eat!"
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