Macao didn't catch up, perhaps because the date wasn't over yet, and he didn't mind his companions knowing.
For most people, this kind of thing is just for fun, otherwise Loki would surely always dominate the headlines at Fairy Tail.
But there are those who take the matter quite seriously, like... Wakaba.
"That guy Macao, turns out he's not just talk, he really dares to do it!" Wakaba was a little envious, but more worried about Romeo's situation.
If Macao is serious, can Romeo accept having a stepmom? The kid is only six.
Most people who are close to Macao are concerned about this.
Natsu, however, is different; he doesn't care much since Macao's concern for Romeo won't change.
If he has that much free time, he might as well worry about Rhode, especially considering he's dating Mira just when Mira has fully recovered.
Is that guy... being coerced by Mira?
"Rhode."
"Hapi? Are you looking for Warm? It's in the kitchen."
"No, Natsu sent me to quietly ask you if Mira is forcing you."
"Is that your idea of asking quietly?"
"Ai! Because Rhode is being forced... pff!" Hapi suppressed a laugh.
Rhode chuckled as well, because Mira was already behind Hapi.
"Ha~pi~?" Mira tilted her head, showing Hapi a friendly smile.
"Ai?" Hapi felt a bit panicked, but he brought out a piece of paper, "Mira, look, look!"
On it was a chibi drawing of Rhode and Mira, with Rhode tied up on the ground crying, Mira in her Satan's Soul form, holding a whip.
A claw grabbed Hapi's tail, swinging him like a blue pinwheel through the air, crashing into Natsu's head who was attempting to escape.
The reputation of his girlfriend seems to be developing in a strange direction.
Rhode asked with a grin, "If I said I was kidnapped by you, would they come to rescue me?"
Mira put her hands on her hips, "Why just say it? I'll actually kidnap you right now!"
"Oh well, I can't resist anyway, go ahead." Rhode stretched out his arms.
Mira swatted his hands away, sure that he wasn't thinking anything good.
"Mira, beer."
"Okay~" Mira poured a glass of beer and handed it to Kana.
Kana pointed inside, "Not this one, that barrel."
Rhode brought over the barrel of beer, "Weren't you trying to control your drinking?"
"I feel like drinking today because I won yesterday!" Kana slammed a few bills onto the counter, snatching the beer barrel from Rhode's arms, "Today I'm going to drink to my heart's content, spend it all!"
Mira signaled to Rhode not to worry, it's just a barrel of beer, Kana often drinks like this.
But this time it's clearly different, the barrel was swiftly emptied by Kana, who called for another.
"You've already had enough today, you'll end up in the hospital if you keep going." Rhode couldn't figure out where all the beer went, a whole barrel without any noticeable bulge.
Mira also advised, "Rhode's right, Kana."
But Kana in her current state was beyond advice, "Why just because he tells me to drink less, do I have to? I can drink another barrel!"
Rhode frowned, sensing that 'he' wasn't referring to him.
Mira leaned closer to Rhode's ear, "Let her have it, I'll go find some hangover pills."
"Alright." Rhode nodded, realizing something was off with Kana today.
He thought for a moment and prepared some food.
And got a trash can ready.
"Why? Rhode, you tell me why? Hic~"
Rhode waved his hand to dispel the alcohol breath, "What why?"
"For @#%*…doesn't know me?"
"What doesn't know you?" Rhode couldn't make any sense of what she was saying.
"@#%*… I…" Kana mumbled incomprehensibly, clutching the barrel.
By the time Mira returned, Kana was already asleep on the counter.
Rhode gave Mira a helpless look, "There's no communicating, let alone advising."
"There's nothing we can do, she must have encountered something." Mira reached out to Rhode, "Blanket."
"Requip." Rhode handed the blanket to Mira.
Mira carefully covered Kana, wrapping her back, waist, and abdomen securely.
With Kana's bold fashion sense, falling asleep like this could easily catch a chill.
Mira weighed the two empty barrels, "Her alcohol tolerance has doubled."
At this rate, the tavern's revenue will go up a lot this month, but neither of them could feel happy.
It's a terrible feeling knowing a companion is troubled, yet unable to help.
Rhode pondered over any unusual incidents recently; perhaps the clash between Mira and Erza pressured Kana?
Perhaps some people's public displays of affection are getting on everyone's nerves?
And then there's today's rumor about Macao…
Rhode recalled when Mira jokingly suggested Kana might like Macao…
It can't be that; it's too far-fetched.
Even Mira didn't believe it when she mentioned it back then.
Mira suddenly said, "I want to go shopping tomorrow."
Rhode nodded, "Sure."
"Not with you." Mira winked mischievously, "I want to go with Kana."
Rhode knew she wanted to help Kana relax, "One more of me won't hurt, I can carry your bags."
"Hmm... still no. We might chat about some girl talk."
Kana? Girl?
Oh, right, even though she's a buddy, she's still female.
...
Mira's words seemed to have had some effect.
After that day, while Kana still drinks often and increasingly more, at least she's not as downcast as she was that day.
Yet Rhode noticed Mira started acting a bit strange instead.
He sensed she wanted to tell him something several times but always held back.
During training one day, seeing her hesitating, Rhode finally couldn't hold back, "What is it you want to tell me?"
Mira had a pained expression, "I can't say."
Rhode embraced her, attempting the charm tactic, "What could it be that you can't even tell me?"
The charm tactic worked slightly, but ultimately failed.
Mira hesitated for a moment, then covered her ears, "Stop asking, it's a secret between girls."
Now it was over; this made Rhode even more curious.
Rhode used tickling to try and coax her.
Mira laughed uncontrollably at first, then began retaliating, devolving into playful chaos.
In the end, they both lay on the ground, exhausted from laughter, catching their breath.
Rhode's hand instinctively found Mira's, finally confirming, "Really can't say?"
"Really." Mira looked pained.
Despite normally loving to share gossip, having learned a big secret but bound by promise to Kana not to share, it was an uncomfortable feeling.
Yet, it's been twelve years; Kana truly is pitiful.