The golden blossoms with emerald cups bring the chill of spring, among the yellow flowers are a few varieties.
In late March, the Magnolia South Gate Park is covered with vast expanses of blooming forsythia, like a golden ocean.
Besides that, this city is named after magnolias, so naturally, magnolias are everywhere. In the park, the white magnolias are in full bloom, and the purple magnolias are budding, their subtle fragrance refreshing the soul.
Many visitors take advantage of this season to come to the park for flower viewing and picnicking.
Many elderly couples stroll in the park, middle-aged couples walk hand in hand, and children run around and play among the flowering trees.
Of course, there are also some young couples whispering sweet nothings on benches and under magnolia trees.
Like Rhode and Mira, they stroll and admire the flowers, then find a place to lay out the picnic cloth, set up dishes, fruits, and snacks, and start chatting, not standing out much in the park.
Actually, when everything was prepared and ready to sit down, Rhode hesitated for a few seconds about where to sit.
Sitting across from her would allow him to admire an outfit rarely seen, while sitting beside her would offer more closeness.
At times like this, Rhode wishes he could clone himself or bring a large mirror.
Eventually, Rhode chose to sit across from her, figuring he could subtly move closer later.
Mira observed his expression, "I feel like you're planning something sneaky."
"How could I?" Rhode sat cross-legged, using a toothpick to pick up a strawberry and offer it to her, "Come on, punish me by making me feed you."
Mira hesitated for half a second, brushed her hair aside, and opened her mouth to take the strawberry.
When she picked up a small piece of pineapple, she immediately felt the expectant gaze from across.
Mira held the pineapple forward a bit and then withdrew it before Rhode could laugh, tucking it into her mouth.
Then she covered her mouth and looked at him, her charming eyes curving into crescents.
As they ate and chatted, their conversation inevitably drifted toward the guild, this time turning to Qico.
"Using such distinctive magic, but she doesn't seem very noticeable. She's about the same age as Laxus, right?"
"Yes, Qico is three years older than us, Laxus is four years older." Mira said mysteriously, "Qico seems to care a lot about Laxus."
Since she lowered her voice mysteriously, Rhode leaned in closer: "Care about?"
Mira said eagerly, "Perhaps she likes him."
"With Laxus's personality, liking him would be tough, wouldn't it?"
"Laxus wasn't always like this," Mira recalled, "The old Laxus... though somewhat unapproachable, had a good relationship with everyone."
Mira shared some past events, small anecdotes not mentioned while flipping through photo albums before, hoping to give him a bit more understanding of the past.
Rhode tried to remember, but his impression of Laxus was just an arrogant and obnoxious person.
Perhaps he was just unlucky to encounter Laxus during his rebellious phase.
Who knows, maybe when Laxus grows older, he might feel embarrassed recalling his current self.
"By the way, I think I saw that green-haired person yesterday, was it Fried?"
"Yeah, he hasn't shown up for a while." Mira thought for a moment and said,
"Not just Fried, Biguslo and Ibarglin also only appear at the guild once every few months, and have few friends..."
She laughed, "They might not even know you by now."
"..." Rhode didn't know what to say.
He's somewhat of a 'celebrity' in the guild, initially working as a waiter, recently helping Mira with task-related matters, and for other reasons, not many in the guild don't know him.
But that group calling themselves Laxus's Personal Guard, the Thunder God Tribe, has only crossed paths twice.
By the way, their group's name is pretty juvenile.
"Mira, get me a piece of pizza." Rhode pointed to the lunchbox that was originally close to him but now far away.
"Okay." Mira reached out to fetch it but paused briefly.
When did he move in so close?
She shoved the pizza straight into Rhode's mouth, using slightly more force, seemingly trying to choke him.
This wasn't the feeding Rhode imagined, but it didn't matter, he got to eat it.
The two chatted about other trivialities and soon found themselves snuggled together.
Mira kept a 'mermaid sit' posture, perfect for leaning against someone beside her.
The spring breeze still carried a slight chill, but neither felt cold.
Rhode occasionally spotted some white magnolia petals drifting with the wind and immediately pointed them out to Mira.
He only felt that such a scene matched the beauty of the person beside him, perhaps the person was even more beautiful.
...
"Time to go." After who knows how long, Mira said.
"Mm." Rhode released the arm wrapped around her.
They both felt a bit reluctant, but there's a long future ahead.
Efficiently cleaning up the dishes, folding the picnic cloth, carefully checking nothing was left behind, they prepared to leave the park.
Before they left the park, Mira saw a familiar figure: "Is that Reby?"
Beneath the large central tree in the park, Reby wandered uncertainly, looking somewhat troubled.
Rhode said: "Seems like her, should we say hello?"
"No." Mira rejected his suggestion, eagerly saying, "How about we hide and see who she's waiting for?"
"You really love gossip, huh..." Rhode, dragged by Mira gripping his arm, directly felt her strength was indeed considerable.
But before they found a suitable hiding spot, Reby already noticed them.
"Sister Mira! Rhode!" Reby waved at them.
Mira puffed her cheeks slightly at Rhode, implying it was his fault for walking too slowly.
Rhode gave her an innocent look.
Since they were already discovered, they had no choice but to go over and greet her.
Reby had an expression of discovering a secret: "No wonder I couldn't find you at the guild, you sneaked here for a date!"
"Yes, we planned early on to come here and look at flowers." Mira openly admitted since it was obvious.
"Ah~~~~" Reby elongated her voice; Mira's frankness left her unsure of what to say.
Seeing their faces full of smiles, Reby was a bit suspicious, wondering if these two might suddenly announce their wedding in a while.
Rhode asked: "Enough about us. What are you doing here alone?"
"Can't I come to look at the flowers alone?" Reby said defiantly, "The magnolias here are so beautiful, what's strange about that?"
"Yes, yes." Mira looked up at the large tree in front of her, which had just sprouted some buds, hiding her amused smile, "This magnolia is indeed gorgeous."
"Mi~ra~sis~ter~" Reby stomped her foot and grumbled.