"Do you think it's true this time?" Mira brought over the grilled fish that Hapi ordered for Warm.
"It's a bit cruel to say this about Natsu, but... it's probably fake, right? If it were true, it would have been on the papers long ago, without needing Nicky to spread the rumors."
Rhode reached out to tear off a piece of fish to try it. It tasted pretty good; no wonder Hapi loved it.
He extended his hand again, but Mira slapped it away: "Dinner's about to start, don't steal from Warm, and you're getting your hands all greasy."
"Purr~" Warm rubbed his head against Mira's palm. This mistress is so nice.
"Are you guys talking about me?" Nicky came over to turn in a task after chatting with the others for a while.
Nicky watched as Rhode extended his greasy hand to Mira, asking her to wipe it, then looked at Warm munching away, and thought they seemed like a family of three.
Twisted with envy.
Rhode took his task sheet, remarking while reading it: "We were saying you're passing fake news, be careful you don't get punched."
Nicky didn't understand: "Why would anyone punch me? I only heard it from others."
Mira carefully cleaned Rhode's fingers, smiling at Nicky: "Consider Natsu's personality?"
"... He'd definitely think I tricked him." Nicky felt a bit guilty. "No worries, I can explain it to him as soon as he gets back."
Mira encouraged him: "Good luck."
Nicky felt even less secure: "Maybe I should take on another task?"
Rhode sensed that Mira wanted to see a fight, so he added fuel to the fire: "Are you that afraid of Natsu? If it were me, I'd just fight him, be a man."
"Why are you imitating Elfman?" Nicky stiffened his neck, "Besides, who's afraid of him? I'll wait for him right here in the guild!"
Rhode sighed, if everyone were this straightforward, this messed-up guild would fall apart sooner or later.
"When Natsu gets back, shall we go to the Cat Transformation Inn to visit Wendy?"
"Why'd you suddenly think of Wendy?"
"I promised her before that I'd tell her once I could summon dragons, and also promised to visit when I had the time."
"Sigh~ Rhode sure loves making promises with girls." Mira cupped her cheeks, saying sadly, "Poor me."
Rhode replied helplessly: "Stop kidding, Wendy's just a child..."
Mira laughed, trying to act jealous, but the target wasn't right: "Let's wait a few more days, at least until after the start of the month."
"Alright, then we can take a peek at the Mountain Sub-Dragon with Natsu, then ditch him."
"Okay~"
Visiting Wendy would count as a trip, and of course, it's best with just two people on a journey.
On their one-year anniversary, Rhode gave a bouquet of pink roses.
To commemorate their meeting and celebrate their romance.
Mira was surprised, spending the entire day together and not realizing when Rhode snuck off to buy flowers.
How would she catch him hiding money if he did?
So to warn Rhode, Mira gave him a long, lingering kiss.
They only separated when they were both out of breath.
...
July 2nd was an ordinary day.
If anything was special about it, it was that it was a Wednesday, the release day of the new issue of Wizard Weekly.
But this issue's cover shocked many.
What was thought to be just an ordinary swimsuit model with red hair, upon closer inspection, had a striking face, an emblem on her arm, and impactful text beside it…
Fairy Queen — Erza!
The famous Fairy Queen released swimsuit photos!
This excited the old gentlemen who hadn't seen Mirajane's swimsuit photos in a long time.
The magazine's sales experienced a staggering increase.
Newspaper stands and bookstores were nearly overwhelmed by crowds.
This also led to a certain Fairy Tail fan in Harujion being unable to get the new issue immediately.
Even when she used a 'seduction operation,' no one would give up their spot for her.
"Ahh… What's with these people here!" A blonde girl flailed her limbs wildly while lying on a roadside bench, venting,
"The store owner only gave a 1000J discount, and those buying magazines wouldn't even give up their spots! Is my sexiness that worthless?"
After sulking by herself for a while, Lucy rested her right forearm on her forehead:
"I really want to see the new issue of Wizard Weekly. I heard the Fairy Queen is in it… Damn, I'll try another bookstore, I have to get it this time!"
At this moment, a few girls ran by her:
"The Fire Dragon is in Harujion!"
"The Fire Dragon! The famous mage!"
"Let's go get an autograph!"
"Fire Dragon? Isn't that from Fairy Tail..." Lucy, a bit thrilled, followed the girls.
At this moment, Natsu and Hapi were also drawn by the words 'Fire Dragon' and chased over to the crowd's gathering place.
...
Over the next two days, the troublesome kids from the guild returned from outside.
Including Kana, Reby, Elfman, and others.
Whenever any of them turned in their task sheets, they acted as though they'd completed their tasks well and caused no trouble whatsoever.
But from Makarov's experience, they probably just didn't make any blatantly obvious mistakes this time.
Since the guild was bustling, he lazily overlooked these things, planning to address them later.
In his view, the changing ways of causing trouble also represented the children's growth.
Makarov felt many children had grown rapidly over the past year.
He cherishingly savored the fine wine Mira and Rhode had given him, feeling increasingly joyful inside.
How rare, Mira, who usually limited his drinking, actually brought him alcohol.
Is this Rhode's doing?
Sipping from his small cup, a flush gradually spread over Makarov's face.
He watched the flirty banter between the busy couple, giving a tipsy burp: "You two… hiccup~"
Rhode and Mira looked at him.
Makarov continued: "… When are you getting married?"
Mira turned beet red, snatching the wine bottle from Makarov: "President, you've drunk too much again!"
"Far from it... Why take my wine, is it because you don't want to be with Rhode…"
"Of course I want to…" Mira snatched away Makarov's wine cup this time, "No drinking for you this month!"
Makarov sobered slightly: "No, don't..."
Rhode sneakily gave the president a thumbs-up, showing approval.
As for proposing, he only needed a little more money, and… a clean win over her once.
"You're not allowed to laugh!"
"Okay, I won't laugh."
Can't stop, really can't stop.
While the elderly man watched the young couple with joy, a mailman arrived with a thick package.
The words 'For President Makarov' written boldly on it struck the elderly man like a bolt of lightning.
He knew this package too well, but its thickness was just too much!
Mira, seeing the package, also found it familiar, smiling warmly as she asked: "President, not opening it?"
Rhode waved a hand in front of Makarov's eyes: "President, are you alright?"
"N-No issue."
Makarov tucked the package under his arm, jumped off the counter, and walked heavily towards the stairs, needing some mental preparation before slowly opening it.
Before the old man reached the stairs, Marcus, the loudmouth, burst in excitedly:
"Did you hear? This morning's news said Natsu wrecked half of Harujion's port!"
"Seriously?"
"That guy, Natsu, really knows how to cause trouble!"
Makarov's vision darkened, but he made it up the stairs steadily.
"Oh dear... another mess."
"Should you check on the president?" Rhode suggested, "I'm worried he might get too upset."
He couldn't go upstairs himself, so Mira had to go.
"I think the president wouldn't want anyone seeing him like this now." Seeing Rhode's concern, Mira added, "I'll quietly check on him later."