"When are you two getting married?" Mira asked, glancing playfully between Alzack and Bisca.
Predictably, her words turned both their faces bright red.
"Th-that's still a bit early to talk about…" Alzack mumbled, quickly turning his head away as if the wooden beam behind him was suddenly fascinating.
Though he and Bisca had been dating for almost two months, he was nowhere near as relaxed about it as Mira and Rhodes were. The moment anyone brought it up, especially Mira, his face turned crimson.
Bisca hurried to change the topic. "What about you and Rhodes, then?"
Mira smiled with ease, her tone confident. "Soon. Definitely within two months."
She glanced over at Rhodes, who was nearby balancing the guild's ledger like it was just another casual day. Compared to the two blushing lovebirds in front of her, he looked utterly composed.
"That's wonderful…" Bisca said softly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Mira handed them a task slip with a warm smile. "Be careful out there. And cheer up, missions are more fun when you're smiling."
"Thanks!"
"See you!"
The two waved and walked off together, falling into an easy side-by-side stride as they headed out of the guild.
Mira rested her chin on her hand as she watched them go, a serene look in her eyes. No one could quite tell what she was thinking, but there was a quiet gentleness in her expression.
Click.
Rhodes set his pen down and leaned back with a stretch. "Alright, that's it for now. I'll finish the last bit of the math after we close. We're on track to get paid tomorrow."
Mira turned to look at him and smiled. "Thanks for your hard work."
Rhodes raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Just 'thanks for your hard work'?"
"Big sister Mira, beer over here!" Laki's voice called from across the room.
"I'm coming!" Mira called back, giving Rhodes a mischievous grin before slipping away. "Yep, that's all."
She giggled as she darted off.
Just then, Cana walked through the doors, completely sober this time.
"I'm back," she said, slapping a mission request onto the counter with a sigh. "Mission complete. That bandit group was more troublesome than I expected. Their leader even dug escape tunnels, I nearly lost him."
"Glad it's sorted. No surprises, right?" Rhodes asked, already pulling up the paperwork.
Everyone in the guild knew that any mission described as having a 'small' accident usually meant the Master had to draft an apology letter to some town council.
"Nope. All smooth," Cana said, cracking her neck. "Caught the whole lot, didn't break anything we weren't supposed to, and I didn't drink until after the job was done."
"Oh? So you do know that drinking causes trouble and unnecessary damage." Rhodes raised an eyebrow as he jotted down her completion notes.
Cana grinned. "Hey, don't get smart with me. What're you pouring today?"
"Your usual?"
"Anything's fine," she replied, leaning on the bar and glancing around the guild. She seemed to be searching for someone.
But whoever it was, they weren't there.
When she turned around, Cana found a tall glass of juice waiting for her on the counter.
"..."
Her brow twitched. "Rhodes, seriously?"
He kept his usual smile. "You said 'Anything,' right?"
"I meant wine! W-I-N-E!" she emphasized each letter, pointing accusingly at the drink.
Rhodes leaned on the counter and shrugged. "Alright, alright. But humor me, this one's on the house. Finish it, and I'll pour your beer."
Grumbling, Cana accepted defeat. She picked up the glass and took small sips, as if protesting with every swallow.
To her surprise, it wasn't bad. But she didn't want to admit that.
After about half the glass, she leaned back and casually mentioned, "On my way back, I heard someone say… Gildarts is back?"
"Yeah," Rhodes replied while tallying receipts. "Came back yesterday morning. He hasn't shown up today, probably still resting at home."
She downed the rest of the juice in one gulp and set the glass down with a soft clink. "Give me the usual. Just a normal beer. I'm not drinking to get drunk today."
Rhodes raised an eyebrow, watching her more carefully now. She wasn't tipsy, wasn't loud, just quiet. Something was on her mind.
Still, he said nothing and poured the drink.
Just then, Mira returned with a tray of empty glasses, smiling warmly. "Cana, welcome back. How did the mission go?"
"All good," Cana replied. "What about you guys?"
Mira brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "A few hiccups. Still house-hunting."
They had already agreed, if no house turned up in the next two weeks, they'd just go pick out rings and dresses. Renting would do for now. Or they could stay at her place.
Before Mira could say more, Cana cut in, "Yeah, I heard."
She stood up, beer in hand, and waved them off. "Alright, I'll leave you lovebirds alone. I'm gonna sit over there for a bit."
Rhodes watched her retreating back.
"Cana's acting a little strange," he muttered.
"Really?" Mira blinked.
He looked at her knowingly. "You're acting a little strange too."
"Nonsense," Mira huffed, lifting a tray. Before walking off, she called over her shoulder, "Don't forget to buy chicken later!"
"Got it."
That afternoon, Gildarts walked into the guild.
He'd only been back a day, but his arrival already had people buzzing. The room filled with greetings as Macao, Wakaba, and others swarmed him.
With a big grin, Gildarts waved them off. "I'll tell you all about the Northern Continent later! Wait till you hear the bathhouse story—!"
Natsu glanced at him once and looked away grumpily.
Happy, however, flew up excitedly and landed on Gildarts' shoulder. After a cheerful exchange, he zipped off again to chat with Carla.
Gray walked up to say hello, casual as always, while Juvia stood beside him like a bashful bride meeting her in-laws. She fidgeted with her sleeves and peeked at Gildarts from behind Gray.
Gildarts, of course, noticed immediately.
With a knowing smirk, he elbowed Gray. "Well, well. The stripping kid's grown up. Now even the shy ones are head over heels, huh?"
"Who you calling a stripping kid?" Gray snapped, shirtless, hands on hips.
Juvia melted where she stood. "M-Mr. Gray… clothes…"
Max pushed his way forward, eyes wide with curiosity. "Gildarts! What was that mission really about? The hundred-year one?"
"The mission details are top secret," Gildarts replied with a grin. "Once you make it to S-Class, head up to the second floor and see for yourself."
The younger guild members clearly adored him, more and more gathered around, eager to hear his stories.
Even Levy, Jet, and Droy came over, their curiosity overflowing as they asked about his adventures from the past three years.
Cana sat quietly at a nearby table, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. She stood halfway, wanting to greet him, but then hesitated and sat back down. Instead, she raised her glass and finished it in one go.
"Oi, Cana! Still drinking like a fish, huh?" Gildarts called out casually with a wave. His tone was warm, but no different than with anyone else.
"..." Cana had so much she wanted to say, but it all stuck in her throat. After a long pause, she forced out the only words she could muster, "Want a drink?"
The second she said it, she winced inwardly. 'What the hell was that?' she cursed herself.
"Haha! I'm starving. Let me grab some food first, then I'll come back for a drink." Gildarts laughed heartily and was soon whisked away again by guild members with more questions.
Rhodes watched from behind the counter and let out a small sigh. "That guy really is something. He's got the whole guild wrapped around his finger."
Mira smiled, hugging his arm. "He's like a father figure to everyone here."
Just as she was about to formally introduce Rhodes as her fiancé, Gildarts approached the counter, and said something that made Mira's entire expression twitch.
"So, you're Rhodes, huh? The guy engaged to Mira?" Gildarts threw a casual arm around Rhodes's shoulders, pulling him close like an old friend. With a mischievous grin, he leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Be honest, did you propose because you couldn't beat her in a fight?"
Now, as a good fiancé, Rhodes should've helped uphold Mira's reputation.
Rhodes couldn't help but laugh.
Apparently, her "terrifying" image was burned pretty deep into people's memories.
After the laugh, Rhodes finally answered, "Mira's kind and gentle. I didn't stand a chance, so I gave in and proposed."
At those words, Mira's scowl turned into a beaming smile.
But Gildarts wasn't done. "Oh yeah? So you're into girls like that?" He pulled a ridiculous face and made devil horn gestures above his head, teasing relentlessly.
Mira stomped forward, hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks in mock anger. "Gildarts!"
Anyone else might've backed off at that tone, but Gildarts? He just laughed, pointed at her smugly, then patted Rhodes on the back again and roared, "Haha! See!"