Fairy Tail – Magnolia Town
"Kana, I know I was wrong! I promise next time, I'll run together with you, no excuses!"
"Hmph. Next time you make a decision on your own, watch out!"
After the events at the Tower of Paradise, Erza and Kael's group bid farewell to Hugh, Milliana, Wooly, and Raymon. Following Kael's suggestion, they leisurely toured the town before returning to Fairy Tail.
Kael was carefully coaxing Kana, repeatedly giving his assurances and even drafting a written promise. Only now would she speak to him.
Juvia watched from the side, eyes full of quiet envy. She stole a glance at Gray, who was goofing around with Natsu, and blushed.
"This time, I win! Hahaha."
"Childish!"
Natsu ignored her, racing ahead into the town, only to turn and boast to Gray. Gray, however, didn't even glance at him. When passing Natsu, he suddenly challenged him again: "First one to the guild!" Without waiting, Gray sprinted off.
"Damn it, Gray! You're slacking!"
Natsu, infuriated, chased him, legs spinning like a blur. And so, the two raced toward the guild, teasing and dodging each other.
"Lord Gray, wait for Juvia!"
Juvia had changed her look—a fresh short hairstyle paired with a blue-and-white dress, youthful and bright.
"Ahh~" Lucy sighed, watching the scene. Natsu and Gray were like children—barely reliable when it came to work or missions.
"Huh? What are those two running for?"
Kael and Kana, now reconciled and holding hands, approached Erza, who was smiling.
"Well… youth is like that! Totally normal."
"Exactly!" Happy raised his hand in agreement.
...
"Wow! Wow!"
"Wow! Wow!"
As Erza and the others stood before the newly rebuilt Fairy Tail guild, their expressions mirrored Natsu and Gray's stunned faces—mouths forming perfect "O" shapes.
"Incredible…"
"It's finally completed…"
"Haha! Okay, everyone, put your mouths back together. Let's go in and see."
Kael pushed open the grand doors. Before them was a spacious open-air café. The sheer luxury of the rebuilt guild left everyone speechless.
"They even built a café here?"
"And a general store, too!"
Lucy's eyes widened as she scanned the hall and spotted a Fairy Tail-exclusive shop. Her mouth practically dropped to the floor.
"Welcome!"
"Oh! It's you guys! Welcome back!"
Marcus, seeing Natsu's group, greeted them enthusiastically.
"Wow! Marcus is working here? It's been ages since we last saw you!"
Happy buzzed happily toward the shop. It had been a long time since he'd seen Marcus, who had apparently been sent by the guild master to learn shopkeeping.
"Haha, yes, Happy. Following the master's orders, I've been learning how to run the store."
"Ah! Marcus Arowell—the one featured in Weekly Sosara!" Lucy's eyes sparkled as she rushed to the counter, clearly smitten.
Note: Weekly Sosara is a widely popular magazine featuring top guild news, fashion trends, and eye-catching handsome men and beautiful women.
"Nice to meet you, Lucy. I've already heard about you. What's available here?"
"Everything! And our best-selling item is… this… a removable-clothes Lucy figurine!"
"Ahhh! What?!" Lucy screamed, frantically trying to hide it. In her panic, she accidentally triggered a mechanism, revealing the figure completely.
"AHHHHH!"
Even louder screams followed.
...
Entering the interior of the guild, the group was again struck by the grandeur. The hall was vast, lively, and as bustling as ever.
"So beautiful!"
"Yes, really well rebuilt!"
Lucy, Erza, Kana, and Juvia admired the guild's new splendor.
"Hey, Natsu, what's wrong?" Gray noticed Natsu sulking.
"Things are… different now!" Natsu grumbled, a hint of melancholy in his tone.
"Welcome back, Lucy, Erza, Kana!" Levy shouted excitedly, ushering everyone to explore the new guild amenities: swimming pool, playground, and more.
Finally, she pointed to the second floor. "And most importantly, anyone can go upstairs now! But S-rank missions still require S-rank mages to accompany them."
Despite all this, Natsu still pouted. Kael approached quietly.
"What's wrong? The guild looks amazing… why aren't you happy?" he asked.
Natsu froze at the question, then averted his gaze, trying not to admit it. Memories surged—training with Gray and Kael, being teased, enjoying BBQ together, hatching Happy, laughing endlessly… so many memories.
"Ouch, Kael! Why'd you hit my head?"
"Dummy, just look around. See everyone laughing? They're happy and safe here in Fairy Tail. And there will be even more wonderful memories for you to create."
Looking around at the joyful chaos and Erza's group playing with everyone, Natsu finally understood. A wide grin spread across his face—he was happy again.
"You're back, you bunch of little troublemakers!"
The Guild Master stood with hands behind his back, a constant smile on his face.
"Master, this is Juvia. She's always wanted to join Fairy Tail and helped us a lot during the Arcana incident!" Kael introduced the nervous Juvia.
"Master… h-hello. I… I want to join Fairy Tail!"
"Of course!" The Guild Master immediately agreed without hesitation.
"Yay! Gray, I'm finally one step closer to you!" Juvia leaped in excitement, running to Gray with pure joy.
"Oh, and there's another new member joining too!"
"You're not going to greet everyone?" The Master turned to someone sitting nearby.
"Huh? Another person?"
All eyes followed.
"Gajeel!"
"No way…"