Chapter 08: How Many Jellals Do You Want?
Fanfic by: Geraint(Erza's POV)
Inside the Fairy Tail guild hall, I sat with Natsu, Gray, Levy, and Cana, waiting for Nero to bring out the cake he'd been baking. He claimed it was a brand-new recipe—a strawberry cake he'd "upgraded." My mouth was practically watering already. Strawberries. My favorite. And it was made by him.
A few minutes later—
"Thanks for waiting! It's ready!"
Nero emerged proudly from the kitchen, carrying a large, beautifully decorated cake, layered thick with strawberries and other berries, glistening like jewels.
Just seeing it made me drool.
"Yay!" Everyone at the table cheered excitedly at the sight.
Then, Nero looked over at Lisanna and Elfman, seated nearby at another table. He smiled warmly.
"Lisanna and Elfman, right? You two should try it too. I'd love to hear your opinions on the taste."
"Really? Is it okay if we join you?" Lisanna asked shyly.
Elfman nodded beside her.
"Of course! Nero already said it's fine." I smiled at them.
"That's right! Nero's cakes are amazing!" Natsu grinned.
"Don't worry. It's Nero's treat," Gray said, still somehow shirtless.
"We'd be happy to have you join us," Levy added kindly.
"Umm… thank you for letting us join," Lisanna said with a glance toward her brother.
"Thanks a lot." Elfman gave a respectful nod.
The two siblings joined us at the table.
Nero was just about to set the cake down—
"NERO!!" a shout rang through the guild.
We all turned toward the voice.
It was Mirajane.
She stomped toward Nero, rage in her eyes.
"Huh?" Nero blinked, confused.
She stopped in front of him and pointed accusingly. "Come and fight me, you jerk! No magic this time!"
The entire guild went silent.
Everyone stared at Mira with squinted eyes, except for Lisanna and Elfman, who looked visibly worried.
Yesterday… Nero punished Mirajane. He made her cry like a little girl. Spanked her, too. I told her revenge was a terrible idea. Trust me—I tried, and it only made things worse. Much worse.
"I'm kind of busy right now," Nero replied, completely unfazed. "Can we do this later? I'm focusing on this new recipe."
"Oh? Are you scared to fight me barehanded? If you're really a man, show me your manliness, you shameless jerk!" Mira yelled.
Nero sighed and gently placed the cake on the table.
"You guys go ahead and eat. I'd love your feedback."
"Yaaay!!" Everyone immediately forgot about the drama and dug in.
I began slicing a piece for myself, keeping an eye on the two.
Nero stepped toward Mira. "You want to see my manliness, right?"
"Come at me, jerk!" Mira readied a fighting stance.
"Okay, but just so we're clear… you're totally fine with what's about to happen?"
"…Fine!" she snapped.
Suddenly—
Unzip.
My eyes widened in horror.
Nero unbuttoned, unzipped, and pulled down his pants.
"What the—!?"
Mira's eyes went wide, her face turning crimson.
Below Nero's waist… was something definitely not small… and definitely angry-looking.
"You asked for manliness—so here! Feast your eyes!" Nero declared proudly.
Mira shrieked, covering her face with both hands—but clearly peeking through her fingers.
"Waaaah!" she wailed, flustered beyond belief. "When I said 'manliness,' I didn't mean this!!"
Gray choked on his drink. "Holy crap…"
"What?" I asked.
"It's bigger than mine!"
Smack! I hit Gray square on the head.
"Ow!" he toppled off his chair.
"Hahaha! You lose, Gray!" Natsu laughed, pointing at him.
"Shut up!" Gray grabbed a plate of cake and slammed it into Natsu's face. "Yours isn't even close!"
"You wanna go!?" Natsu stood up, cake sliding down his cheek.
Meanwhile, Nero casually pulled his pants back up, walked to our table, and sat beside me as if nothing had happened. He picked up a fork and calmly tasted the cake.
"Not bad. Needs a bit more balance. Maybe swap the blackberries for raspberries."
Chaos exploded around us.
Crash!Boom!Thud!Splat!
Tables flew. Plates shattered. Mages brawled like maniacs. But nobody went near Nero. It was like there was a sacred circle around him. No one dared enter.
I stopped fighting. I just sat beside him, scooting a little closer.
He sipped his tea as if the world weren't crumbling around him.
Looking at him again, I couldn't help but think… he looked exactly like Jellal. That same face. That same deep gaze. But his personality… totally different. Shameless. Chaotic. Calm in the middle of a storm.
And yet… my heart pounded.
Even now, I couldn't forgive the real Jellal—not after what he did to us. But with Nero… I didn't know what I felt anymore. Was it wrong?
"Erza?" Nero turned to me. "Is the cake not to your liking? If it's off, I can adjust the berries, maybe lower the sweetness—"
"No… Nero. It's perfect."
Before I knew it, my hand was touching his face.
His eyes blinked. "Huh?"
Why was I doing this? I didn't understand. But something about him… it pulled at me.
Even if he wasn't Jellal… even if he was a clone…
My heart was betraying me.
I leaned in.
My eyes on his lips.
I was embarrassed. But my body moved on its own.
I could hear my heart say, "This might be your last chance. If he rejects you, so be it. Just try."
He didn't flinch. He didn't pull away. Just sat there.
I was about to kiss him—
SPLAT!
"AH! I MISSED! Huh?" someone yelled.
A slice of cake had landed squarely on both our faces.
…
Gulp.
"This is bad…" Gray muttered.
Everyone stared in horror.
Nero stood, calmly took a tissue, and wiped off the frosting.
He turned to me.
"Erza. Are you still seeing me as Jellal?"
"No! I know you're not Jellal! It's just… I don't understand myself…"
"I see…" he said quietly. "Then let me ask you—how many Jellals do you want, Erza?"
"…Huh?"
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them, they had changed—concentric circles now replaced his pupils.
I froze.
"N-Nero? What is that—?"
"Six Paths of Pain," he whispered.
[Play: Naruto Shippuden – Girei (Pain's Theme)]
Poof!Poof!Poof!Poof!Poof!
A line of explosions erupted behind him, cloaking the area in smoke.
As it cleared… my jaw dropped.
Five more Neros stood behind him. All identical. All staring.
Now—there were six of him.
SIX.
JELLALS.
My brain short-circuited.
"How many Jellals do I have to meet in this lifetime!?" I screamed internally.
"It seems like you people haven't learned your lesson," Nero said coldly. "Very well. I'll join the chaos. It's time you all know… pain."
The six Neros scattered, diving into the brawls, wrecking everyone with perfect synchronization.
As for me?
I collapsed backward.
Thud.
And passed out.
Everything faded to black.
(To be continued…)