The boys started having fun immediately upon arrival, while the girls had to apply sunscreen, sunbathe, and eat ice cream before they really started playing.
Swimming, water fights, watermelon smashing... The most thrilling of all was beach volleyball.
Natsu performed the best among the boys because he only had winning on his mind at the start of the game.
Meanwhile, Gray and Rhode were a bit distracted at first, unsure whether to watch the ball or watch something else.
It was only after they got used to it that they began to really get into the game.
"You two are so lame! Hahaha..." Natsu mocked mercilessly.
Rhode and Gray both ignored him.
After a fun and lively day, everyone felt a bit hungry and returned to the hotel for a shower, food, and a rest.
But the day wasn't over, as the hotel also had an underground entertainment city (casino), and everyone decided to take a short nap before heading over.
"What are you doing here?" Mira accidentally let Rhode slip into her room.
Rhode hugged her: "Because it's a rare opportunity to be alone together."
Mira snuggled in his arms: "But I want to take a nap."
Rhode said casually: "Let's nap together."
Mira looked at him without saying anything.
Rhode raised a hand: "I promise I won't do anything."
In broad daylight, it wouldn't leave a good impression, and those rude folks might barging in anytime without notice.
Even if it wasn't intentional, they might suddenly crash in by breaking a wall during a fight; nothing strange about that.
This is the only downside of going out with everyone—it's inconvenient to do some things.
No choice, cuddling with a soft, human-shaped pillow for a nice nap isn't so bad.
However, Rhode soon discovered he was wrong after lying down.
When Mira fell asleep, she treated him as a hugging pillow, wrapping her hands and feet around him.
If she weren't so gentle, Rhode might even suspect it was some advanced locking technique.
So the question arose: what should a boyfriend do when his girlfriend falls asleep?
Should he lightly slap her and ask if she had a nightmare when she wakes up?
Rhode preferred to keep living.
He merely watched Mira sleep quietly, wondering if he could sneak a kiss without her noticing.
While he could kiss her when she's awake, there's a different feeling when it's done while she's asleep.
Mira seemed to sleep soundly, not waking even when lightly poked or pinched.
Rhode smugly thought that she slept so peacefully because she was in his arms. He gently held Mira, closing his own eyes.
When he woke up, Mira was lying on the bed, supporting her chin with one hand, her big eyes intently watching him.
Rhode looked into her eyes and asked, "Am I good-looking?"
"Hmm..." Mira thought for a moment, then smiled, "Not really."
Yet she stared so eagerly, this deceitful woman. Rhode's eyes drifted downward for a moment before returning, "What time is it?"
"We've overslept. Erza and the others should have already gone out to play," Mira said, pulling Rhode's hand as she sat up at the edge of the bed, "Let's change clothes and go down."
"Okay." Rhode was pulled up by her, his clothes switching with a swoosh, though his Requip Magic had become increasingly proficient, without any mishaps.
Mira opened her suitcase and rummaged for suitable clothes, casually saying, "Should I also learn Requip Magic?"
"Sure, I'll teach you," Rhode said, "Though Transformation Magic is pretty convenient too; you can even transform into clothes you don't have."
"But you have to constantly maintain it with Magic Power; even if it's not much, it's still tiring," Mira said, "I can't transform into a beautiful outfit and then have you add Crown of Insight for me."
Rhode laughed: "That wouldn't be bad either; a stunning evening dress, with red and blue lights swirling around you, making you the center of attention."
"Changing into an evening dress just to go to a casino is something Erza would do."
Mira ultimately chose only a casual outfit, turning Rhode around to prevent him from peeking.
Usually, he'd be kicked out or she'd go to the bathroom to change, and Rhode struggled to find a focus in front of him, unfortunately without a mirror.
"All done."
When Rhode turned back, Mira had changed into a simple black T-shirt paired with light blue denim shorts and a pair of black high-heeled sandals.
She was about to tie up her hair but then let go, turning around: "Help me with it."
Rhode chuckled: "Alright."
However, just as he stepped forward, darkness suddenly enveloped them.
It was absolute darkness; he couldn't even see Mira right in front of him.
"Hoot-hoot~"
"Ah!"
Almost instantly, Rhode heard an odd bird call, followed by Mira's startled cry as she collided into his arms.
The tremendous force knocked Rhode back, breaking down the door and sending them sprawling onto the hallway floor.
The darkness quickly dissipated, and as they stood up, they found themselves surrounded by three bizarre figures.
Mira clutched her stomach, standing back-to-back with Rhode. Before he could ask, she spoke up: "I'm fine, be careful."
"Got it." Now wasn't the time for talking. Rhode cautiously examined the trio's appearances, pondering their origins.
The sudden darkness and silent assault confirmed they were enemies, with their target clearly them.
These people seemed familiar from somewhere...
One was a woman in a kimono, wielding a red samurai sword with her pink hair styled into two loops like the Chureomaji knot.
Another was a burly, shirtless man with the head of an owl, carrying a rocket backpack, probably some kind of thruster device.
The third had long black hair trailing on the floor, with dark lip makeup and an electric guitar, dressed in a heavy metal death style.
"Skull Society?" Mira identified the insignias on their bodies and clothes, "It's the Dark Guild."
Rhode said, "Specifically, the Assassination Guild, and one of the best, the special guerrilla unit, the Three-Plumed Crow."
These were the notorious figures who, with just three of them, assassinated all the officers of the enemy army in a war.
Countless bloodstains marked their hands.
The long-haired man struck a chord on his guitar, producing a jarring sound. He flicked his long hair, commenting, "As expected of the Fairy Tail Strategist, impressive intelligence."
The owl-headed man emerged from the room with a bizarre call: "Hoot-hoot~ We are warriors of justice, purging evil with our actions."
Mira incredulously remarked, "Claiming justice while being paid killers."
"There's no point in pointless debates." The pink-haired woman stepped forward with a butterfly-like gait, the Courtesan Wooden Clogs clacking beneath her feet.
"I am known as Pigeon, ordered to visit the two of you, pleased to make your acquaintance."