Chapter 20: A Girl's Thoughts
Watching the town ahead spring into action with great fanfare, Lucy looked completely baffled. "Dino mode? What's Dino mode?"
Dino's face darkened. He'd just been complaining about how timid his hometown was, but it turned out this was how Magnolia welcomed him back—treating him like some kind of natural disaster about to strike.
Happy floated beside them, grinning ear to ear. "Aye! In the past, Dino always caused earthquakes whenever he used his magic, so the entire town of Magnolia got upgraded with shock-absorbing foundations to handle the tremors!"
"That was a long time ago!" Dino protested, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "I haven't caused an earthquake in Magnolia in ages!"
"But everyone still worries when you come back," Happy said cheerfully. "Otherwise they can't sleep peacefully at night!"
Lucy's jaw dropped. "Dino's that dangerous?! Why is he barely mentioned in the reports?" She'd been an avid reader of the Sorcerer Magazine for years, and while there were plenty of stories about Natsu's destruction and other guild members' antics, Dino Maxim's name rarely appeared.
"Aye~~~! Dino was blacklisted by the Magic Council," Happy explained, tail swishing. "He almost destroyed their headquarters once, so newspapers aren't allowed to report on him. But he's super famous among the mage guilds, especially with the higher-ups!"
Dino's eye twitched. "Happy! You know way too many secrets…"
CRASH!
Natsu kicked the guild doors wide open, flames dancing around his fists. "WE'RE BACK!"
"Oh! It's Dino!"
"It's been over half a year! You're finally back!"
"Welcome home, Dino!"
"Man, I haven't seen you in forever!"
The guild erupted as members swarmed toward them. Dino greeted everyone one by one, his irritation melting into genuine warmth. Even the newer members crowded closer, eyes sparkling with admiration as they got their first look at the legendary S-Class mage they'd heard so much about. After all, whenever debates about Fairy Tail's strongest wizard came up, the veterans always dropped one name: Dino Maxim.
Lucy leaned toward Happy, whispering, "Is Dino really this popular in the guild?"
"Aye~! He's like an idol here!"
"An idol?" Lucy pictured pop stars singing and dancing on stage. Dino didn't exactly fit that image.
"He disappears for half a year, then shows up and destroys half of Hargeon Town!" someone laughed nearby. "That's our Dino—always goes big!"
A sweatdrop appeared on Lucy's head. "Hey! There's something seriously wrong with what they admire about him!"
"HEY! You bastards!" Natsu's voice cut through the celebration, flames spurting from his mouth. "Didn't you see that I'M back too?!"
Gray smirked, already stripping off his shirt. "You've only been gone a few days. We barely noticed."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, ICE PRINCESS?! YOU WANNA GO?!"
"BRING IT ON, FIRE BREATH!"
They immediately crashed together, fists flying. Within seconds, the entire guild erupted into chaos—chairs flying, magic blazing, guild members brawling left and right.
Lucy's eyes went wide as saucers, her hands flying to her head. "A-A BRAWL?! THEY'RE JUST GOING TO START FIGHTING LIKE THAT?!"
"Aye~~~! Lucy, you don't have to react to everything. I'm getting tired of explaining," Happy said with a lazy yawn.
While chaos consumed the guild hall, Dino made his way to the bar and settled onto a stool. He flashed Mirajane his most charming smile. "Long time no see, Mira. You're looking more beautiful than ever."
Ever since Lisanna's "death" two years ago, Mirajane had transformed completely—her fierce, combative personality replaced by the gentle, kindhearted woman she was now. Dino remembered that day with painful clarity. He'd been away on a mission when it happened, and though he knew the truth—that Lisanna was alive in Edolas—he couldn't say anything. Revealing that knowledge might cause unforeseen complications when the time came to bring her home.
His feelings toward Mirajane were… complicated. They'd fought constantly as kids, rivals in everything. Seeing her like this—softened by grief—made his heart ache even as he appreciated the gentle smile she now wore.
Mirajane's eyes sparkled as she poured him a beer, though her sweet smile had a dangerous edge. "My, my~ It's been so long you've learned to sweet-talk girls now? You must have met quite the beauty out there for Fairy Tail's strongest S-Class mage to stay away for half a year."
Her words were honey-sweet, but each one felt like it had tiny thorns attached.
Dino felt a chill run down his spine and waved his hands frantically. "N-No way! I've been training in the mountains and forests! No beauties involved whatsoever!"
"Oh really?" Mirajane leaned forward on the bar, her smile never wavering. "Because I heard that your so-called 'training' involves dating multiple beautiful women after every mission."
"WHO?! Who's spreading these lies?!"
Mirajane's eyes narrowed playfully. "Is that so? Then I suppose it's also a lie that you destroyed half of Hargeon for the sake of a cute blonde girl and brought her back to the guild?"
"Those guys were kidnapping girls and selling them while pretending to be from Fairy Tail!" Dino protested. "Lucy was one of their victims! I only brought her back because she wanted to join the guild!"
"Really?" Mirajane leaned even closer, her face inches from his, ocean-blue eyes staring directly into his as if trying to read his very soul.
Dino raised his hand in a solemn oath, face completely serious. "I swear! It's the absolute truth!"
For a moment, their faces were so close Dino could feel her breath. Pink suddenly dusted Mirajane's cheeks and she quickly pulled back, turning to wipe down the already-clean bar. "Hmph! Even if you're telling the truth this time… how long are you planning to stay?"
"I'll be sticking around for a while," Dino said, taking a long drink of his beer. "I haven't been home in ages, so I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."
Mirajane's hands stilled on the glass she was polishing. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest, though she kept her expression neutral.
In truth, Mirajane had always been particular about men. Her standards were impossibly high—strength, character, someone who could stand as her equal. Dino was one of the few who'd ever matched her when she was still the Demon Mirajane. Even now, with his obsessive dedication to training and growing stronger, he remained someone she couldn't help but admire.
When she'd heard he was coming back today, she'd spent extra time on her appearance, carefully choosing her outfit and making sure everything was perfect. Her heart had genuinely fluttered when he called her beautiful.
Not that she'd ever admit it.