Given the situation, Rhode and Mira couldn't possibly be unreasonable.
With Lisana helping in the tavern, it's more than enough. If it really doesn't work, they can just buy two sets of different uniforms to fool Erza.
So Lucy easily gained her freedom.
"Rhode, we've finished, here's the next task." Alzack and Bisca handed over two task sheets one after the other.
Rhode took them: "Working hard this year too?"
"This year, I must be selected." Alzack said confidently, then stole a glance at Bisca beside him, "And... taking the chance to save a bit more money isn't bad either."
Bisca blushed and looked away: "It's just... ordinary saving up."
No one asked you two... Rhode really admired them; after dating for so long, they could still talk like it was an underground relationship.
He was also a bit envious of them.
Because this period was the most interesting, often getting heart-pounding from a small movement of the other person.
Rhode and Mira were past that ambiguous stage, now much calmer. Whenever they're together, they always feel like doing something a little cheeky.
That time could also be called heart-pounding, but it was a different feeling.
"Alright." Rhode handed the task sheet back to Alzack, "Wish you both safety and a happy family soon."
"Thank you..."
The two didn't react at first, but after taking a few steps, their faces suddenly turned red, almost steaming from the top of their heads, a-a happy family soon?
Did he know something?
Alzack and Bisca hurriedly left the guild as if escaping.
Jubia, squatting in the corner, had just barely recovered, but then put on a gloomy expression again.
So envious, really want to follow Gray-sama, but it seems Gray-sama has something important to do, can't bother him...
Erza took three task sheets alone: "Mira, give these all to me at once."
"Erza?" Mira said doubtfully, "Why are you joining the fun too?"
"Ordering new armor cost quite a lot." Erza said, "Don't worry, I chose tasks that aren't very popular."
"Alright." Mira pursed her lips, registering each one for Erza.
Erza picked all the themed date projects between her and Rhode, a bit heartbreaking.
As compensation, next time there's free time, plan a prank on Erza with Rhode to make up for the three lost dates.
Mira thought for a moment and finally decided she should invite Erza to be her bridesmaid.
Haha, standing next to the bride during a wedding, it might just freeze Erza's brain for a month.
But the risk is there might be too much projection, and she might imagine herself as the bride, then...
Then she'd snatch the ring exchange with Rhode and have the vow kiss or something...
If that happens, just kill them all.
Mira's aura suddenly turned extremely terrifying.
The entire guild felt a chill down their spines, like the guild suddenly entered winter, making it hard for everyone to breathe.
"Mira?" Rhode called softly.
"Hmm, what's up?" Mira looked at Rhode, giving a bright smile.
In the guild, winter passed, and spring came, ice and snow melted.
"December is coming soon. Time to bring out the heater again. Are there new models this year?"
Mira thought for a moment and said: "Seems like not, but since the guild's space has expanded, we need to buy a few more."
Rhode nodded: "Hmm, I'll add that to tomorrow's shopping list. Anything else to buy?"
Mira thought for a moment and said: "Not much else, hmm, ask Lisana to accompany you tomorrow since you promised to treat her to something."
"Ah? Oh, yes, there was that." Rhode suddenly remembered when he was in Edolas, he seemed to have stripped Lucy's clothes in front of Lisana...
At that time, he promised to treat Lisana to something tasty, but later he felt it was okay to just tell Mira about it.
It was just looking at Lucy, after all, recently, the two had been stuck together looking at swimsuit models in magazines.
And Lisana probably isn't boring enough to specifically expose this. In fact, in a while, Lisana would realize that those things weren't really his problem but Lucy's.
Anyway, Rhode figured he might as well flatter his little sister-in-law a bit too, just to pass the time.
"..." Mira stared at Rhode for a few seconds, "Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Rhode replied straightforwardly: "Yes."
Mira gave him a sidelong glance, knowing it couldn't be anything important since he admitted so bluntly.
Yet he put on an attitude as if saying 'come on, ask me.'
If he didn't want to share, then never mind.
She wouldn't ask.
Rhode watched Lisana walk a little farther, then leaned into Mira's ear and whispered: "Actually, it's about something with Lucy."
Mira's eyelashes fluttered, oh no, if it's about Lucy, it must be interesting!
Although her face showed indifference, her ears were keenly listening to Rhode speak.
However, after saying that, Rhode shamelessly, with the worst intentions, cliff-hanged the conversation.
Mira acted as if she was seriously working, and Rhode did the same.
Both were secretly watching each other, waiting for the other to come over and continue talking, or to come over and ask first.
Neither moved closer first.
After a minute, Mira lightly gritted her teeth, and Rhode held back his laughter.
She stepped to the side with her foot, and he dodged to the side.
Mira glared at Rhode, deciding not to ask, planning to ask Lisana at home instead.
But still so curious.
What exactly did Lucy do?
Another minute passed.
Mira couldn't hold back anymore, tugged at Rhode's sleeve, and said in a half-complaining, half-coquettish tone: "Hurry up and tell me."
Victory! Rhode childishly made a celebratory gesture, then told the whole story under Mira's urging gaze.
"..."
Mira was disappointed: "That's all?"
Tearing off another woman's clothes: deserve to die!
Tearing off Lucy's clothes: oh, it's just Lucy again.
Rhode helplessly said: "What more do you want?"
"Of course something more exciting, like you in a moment of quick thinking, throwing Lucy into a crowd to initiate a Seduction Operation, then successfully drawing the enemy's attention, making the battle easier or something..."
"Am I that terrible?" Rhode thought for a bit and said, "Even Natsu doesn't do that nowadays."
Mira noticed the keyword: "What do you mean 'nowadays doesn't'?"
Rhode said: "Literally, Natsu told me that Lucy's Seduction Operations have never worked. He must have done it before."
Mira looked at Rhode with eyes that seemed to say 'tell me more, tell me more!'