That evening, after a satisfying feast, the Fairy Tail party began trickling back to the hotel—tomorrow's matches awaited.
"I'm stuffed!" Natsu slumped against the wall.
"You eat too much," Lucy chided, rubbing her belly.
"Yeah, but you were incredible today!" Happy patted his own stomach in agreement.
Su Yan smiled. "Lucy was outstanding… though you did stir up a bit of drama."
Lucy groaned. "Juvia cornered me when we got back—interrogating me about Gray!"
At that moment, Leon of Lamia Scale arrived, cutting off Juvia's questions and freeing Lucy from her friends' gossip.
Outside the hotel lobby, Natsu spotted a lone figure.
"Hey—who's that?"
Su Yan's eyes narrowed. "Yukino."
Yukino Aguria—Sabertooth's fallen champion—stepped inside. Sting and Happy recognized her at once.
"You asked to see me?" Lucy rose to meet her.
Yukino nodded and laid two Zodiac keys—Pisces and Libra—on the table.
"I'd like to entrust these to you, Miss Heartfilia."
Lucy recoiled. "Those are priceless! I refused your bet—how could I accept them?"
Yukino's gaze was solemn. "From the moment I saw you, I knew the keys should either be unified or placed with someone capable of gathering all twelve. After the tournament, whether by risk or by right, they belong with the strongest Spirit Mage."
Natsu folded his arms. "The tournament's not over—why give them away now?"
Yukino sighed. "My part in these Games is done. I step down here, and Minerva will replace me in Sabertooth's ranks. When the five greatest warriors gather next, the guild will need a true Spirit Mage."
Happy tilted his head. "But why let go of your own spirits—your most precious partners?"
Yukino's voice trembled. "Because they deserve to belong to someone who loves them fully. If I cannot honor that bond under your guidance, I choose to let them go."
Lucy's eyes softened as she listened. "Celestial Spirit Magic isn't ownership—it's trust. I cannot take that from you."
A gentle smile passed Su Yan's lips. Though only months had passed for some, everyone here had grown up as if seven years had flowed by.
Yukino stood and pocketed her keys. "Then the time isn't right. But mark my words: one day the twelve keys will be reunited under a worthy hand." She turned and left without looking back.
Natsu and Happy hurried after her.
"Natsu—Happy," Yukino paused, tears glinting in her eyes.
Natsu stammered, "I… I'm sorry if I was rude."
Happy winced. "We didn't mean to treat you like an enemy."
Yukino shook her head, voice soft. "Thank you… both of you."
Natsu and Happy exchanged relieved smiles as they escorted her down the corridor—united not by competition, but by respect.