"Lisanna... isn't dead?"
Mirajane repeated blankly, then her eyes slowly widened as she looked up at him in disbelief.
He's joking—no, Roland's personality would never allow him to joke about something like this!
He had just taken that strange pill, which meant that in Roland's own mind, those words weren't a lie, but the sincere truth.
"How is that possible? I clearly saw Lisanna die right in front of my eyes..."
The absurdity of it all made Mirajane stumble back a step, her heel bumping against the hard stone of the tombstone.
Although a year had passed, the memory of that day, filled with grief and sorrow, was forever branded in her mind.
At the time, Lisanna had been trying to awaken Elfman's consciousness after he went berserk from absorbing the Beast Soul, and she was killed by his attack.
But now... Roland was telling her that her sister wasn't dead?!
"That's why I took the honesty pill beforehand, mainly to make you believe I'm not lying, so that we can talk about what comes next."
Roland tossed the bottle of pills in his hand as he explained.
For a matter like this, where he couldn't produce any evidence, this was the only method he could use. After all, he couldn't just go to the world of Edolas and bring Lisanna back.
"...If Lisanna isn't dead, then why didn't she come find me?"
Catching the bottle of pills, Mirajane asked with a complicated expression.
A person who had taken the pill couldn't lie; she had experienced that firsthand.
Because of this, her mind was now a complete mess. Surprise, fear, and shock flooded her heart.
If what he said was true...
At this thought, Mirajane's breathing grew rapid, and a glistening light shone in her sky-blue eyes.
"The world of Edolas."
Under Mirajane's unwavering gaze, Roland spoke a name she had never heard before.
"Your sister, Lisanna, is currently in that parallel world. That's also why she hasn't been able to return."
Parallel world, Edolas—
The literal meaning wasn't hard to understand. Mirajane quickly came back to her senses, taking a deep breath to force herself to calm down.
Then came the question: if her sister was in another world, how would Roland, a newcomer, know about it?
"You're wondering how I know about your sister, right?"
Roland slowly stepped forward, reached out a fingertip to lift her fair chin, and met her sky-blue eyes that were as clear as a lake.
Mirajane nodded lightly.
"I'm sorry, but for certain reasons, I can't tell you the source of my information. In short—I wouldn't lie to you."
"...Don't say things like you're sorry."
Mirajane was stunned for a moment, then comforted him in a soft, gentle voice.
The fact that he could say those words so smoothly proved that he wasn't lying; he truly had reasons he couldn't speak of.
—
"For you to tell me this... really... really..."
Before she could finish, the long-suppressed emotions surged out like a bursting dam. Mirajane's voice trembled slightly, and tears began to fall uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.
She had already accepted the despair of Lisanna's passing, but now Roland had suddenly given her a hope that was within reach.
A stream of uncontrollable tears blurred her vision.
The next moment, she was gently pulled into an embrace, and the girl's suppressed sobs echoed in the silent cemetery.
...
The cemetery was quiet and empty, and a warm breeze blew petals as white as snow.
"I'm sorry, I lost my composure."
As her emotions gradually stabilized, Mirajane looked at the jacket that had been soaked by her tears and lowered her head slightly in embarrassment.
"When we get back, I'll wash it for you after you change."
"It's just a piece of clothing, no big deal."
Roland ruffled her smooth, silver hair and chuckled nonchalantly.
Although he looked to be only fourteen or fifteen, Mirajane was eighteen. Standing together, they would undoubtedly be mistaken for brother and sister.
But at this moment—facing a young man younger than her own brother, Mirajane couldn't help but blush.
He's comforting me.
"Rather than that, let's talk about what comes next."
As he spoke, Mirajane also looked up seriously, her moist, red eyes meeting his.
"Do you know how to get to that parallel world?"
"Yes, I just recently found out."
Under her tense and anxious gaze, Roland smiled and nodded.
"That's, that's great!"
Mirajane's eyes widened, a joyful expression on her face. She then threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you—Roland!"
Imagining the scene of seeing her sister soon, she couldn't help but laugh, completely immersed in a sweet, honey-like joy.
"There's no need for such words between us, is there?"
Roland wrapped his arms around her slender, graceful waist and said in a feigned tone.
The relationship between us...
Mirajane subconsciously thought of what happened last night, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.
"I haven't agreed to be your girlfriend, you know, Mr. Roland who likes to have it both ways!"
"It's alright, you'll agree eventually."
Roland looked around the cemetery. There had been two or three people earlier, but now only the two of them remained.
"How about we find another place to talk? I happen to know a nice cafe."
"A cafe? Did Levy tell you about it?"
Mirajane tilted her head slightly and asked thoughtfully.
"...Why couldn't it be that I found it myself?"
Roland flicked her fair forehead speechlessly. Watching Mirajane cry out in pain as she held her forehead, he couldn't help but let out a cheerful laugh.
He had wanted to do that the moment he saw her.
...
Magnolia's commercial district.
Soft, melodious piano music gradually filled the air, and the rich aroma of coffee permeated the cafe.
Some people sat on comfortable sofas, chatting with smiles; others were engrossed in the books in their hands. The atmosphere was very comfortable and peaceful.
Roland and Mirajane found a seat by the window and, under the envious gaze of the waiter, ordered two caramel coffees and a slice of strawberry cake.
Because of Mirajane, people around them would cast glances their way from time to time.
"As expected of the number one on the girlfriend ranking, Mirajane. You're so eye-catching wherever you go."
"Oh my~ That was a long time ago. The number one now is Miss Jenny from Blue Pegasus."
Although she said that, Mirajane squinted her eyes contentedly and took a sip of the hot coffee.
"Can you tell me about Edo... um, that parallel world now?"
"Edolas."
Roland reminded her, then propped his chin on his hand and began to explain the situation in that world.
"A world where humans can't use magic? And there's also a guild called 'Fairy Tail'..."
After hearing the brief summary, Mirajane's crimson lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Yes, the guild members there are basically the same as ours, except their personalities are the opposite. Their appearances and relationships are no different."
"I get it!"
Mirajane unconsciously tapped her palm, her face showing sudden realization.
"According to what you're saying, in the Edolas guild, there's another Roland who is very faithful!"
"...Leaving aside whether there's a me there or not, why would you assume my counterpart's personality would be faithful?"
Roland half-closed his eyes, wondering what his image was in her mind.
"Well, it was just a joke~"
Mirajane stuck a piece of strawberry with a silver fork and held it out to him, saying with a gentle smile, "Take this as an apology."
Why does this feel like a mother feeding her son?
Staring at the strawberry for a moment, Roland's expression was a bit strange, but he eventually bit into it.
Might as well eat it...
"As for the Lisanna we're looking for, she's in that world's guild."
After swallowing the strawberry, Roland continued.
"So, you're saying there are two Lisannas in the parallel world's guild?"
Mirajane tilted her head inadvertently, a very cute expression on her face.
"To be precise, one."
"Eh—then what about the parallel world's Lisanna?"
"...It seems she fell off a cliff and passed away."
Under Mirajane's curious gaze, Roland was silent for a moment before speaking somewhat unnaturally.
"Is, is that so..."
Hearing this unfortunate news, the smile on Mirajane's face became strained, and she fell silent.
Why did Lisanna in both worlds have to suffer such a fate...
"Actually, there are a few members in our guild who are from Edolas. Want to guess who?"
Seeing Mirajane's spirits sinking, Roland sighed lightly.
"...In our guild? From Edolas?"
Hearing his question, Mirajane blinked in confusion, and a figure unconsciously appeared in her mind.
"Is it Mystogan?" she asked tentatively.
Most of the people in the guild had known each other since childhood. Even if they didn't know everything about each other, they were still familiar.
Not like Mystogan... He had been in the guild for a long time, but he had never shown his face.
If he didn't take on mission requests from time to time, probably not many people would even remember him.
"Correct. And there are two others."
Roland said with a light laugh.
"Who else?"
"How about you kiss me and I'll tell you?"
"No way!"
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]