When Macao returned, Romeo was happy, and naturally, in front of his son, he started to show off that he had defeated 19 Vulcans, which had troubled the Mountain Hakobe. This time, Romeo would be proud of him as his father, right? Such a thought was the reason why he decided to do this dangerous mission alone.
As a man, Macao couldn't be said to be good, but even so, as a father, he wanted to become one who could be looked up to by his son.
Still, while Romeo is speechless, he is also happy that his father has returned and shown his success. While he wanted to hear the story of how his father defeated those Vulcans at home as soon as possible, he came to Kira and thanked him. "Thank you, Kira-nii."
If there was a reason why his father could appear all okay and healthy, he knew it was due to Kira, who was the only healing magic user and also a wannabe doctor.
"Thank you, Kira."
Naturally, Macao also joined since he knew that if there was a reason why he could appear handsome, all the credit was due to Kira. He might have thanked Kira before, but it wouldn't hurt to thank him again since having a good relationship with Kira would be better than not, right?
Lastly, Macao wasn't an ungrateful person.
"It's fine. Moreover, you should also thank Natsu and Happy."
Compared to him, who just wanted to have a chance to fill the gauge of his gacha, it was better for the two to thank Natsu and Happy.
"Natsu-nii! Happy! Thank you!"
"Thank you, Natsu. Happy."
The father and son thanked the two, which made Natsu and Happy feel quite embarrassed.
"Are you embarrassed, Natsu? Happy?" Kira asked with a teasing smile
"W-Who is embarrassed?! The sun is too hot!"
"A-Aye! The sun is too hot!"
"....."
Watching the starry night outside, they decided to keep quiet, but then again, was it their first time to receive such a sincere thank you?
Yet, when Kira thought about how often Natsu messed up and caused much damage during his mission, he felt that this was normal. Still, watching the four who left as they planned to go home, he couldn't help but look at Macao and Romeo, thinking that being a mage in the guild definitely couldn't make him wealthy. Moreover, it wasn't sustainable; as he grew older, he would likely become weaker, and if he were hurt, his career might be as good as over.
If he wasn't there, he was afraid that Macao's career would be over, and by then, he would be unable to work, which would leave his family so impoverished that they might not be able to live.
Fairy Tail might be a story filled with naivety and smiles, as long as they had a comrade, they could do anything; yet Kira knew well that reality couldn't work that way.
'Let's search for another job.'
It wouldn't hurt to take one or two quests, but Kira had to say, the money that came from a quest wasn't much, and sometimes, depending on the result of the quest, the reward would be reduced, then not only a tax, they also had a certain percentage to the guild.
Unless one became an S-Rank Mage, who could be rewarded with several million jewels after completing their mission, it was impossible for them to live well.
Or rather, if Kira remembered correctly, many strong mages in this story lived in tiny, dilapidated houses.
'Even if you are strong, you will still be poor, huh?'
Kira definitely couldn't live such a modest life as he wanted to enjoy his life; he knew that he had to work harder.
"Anyway, see you later, Kira!"
"Thanks!"
As the four left, Kira was left alone at the guild headquarters while everyone else went home. Still, as he sat near the counter, he couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman before him. Despite her angelic and gentle face, her body was lewd and so womanly.
When Lucy showed him Mirajane's bikini picture in the magazine, it was hard for him to remain calm, and he wanted to look more.
Fortunately, his goal was more important than a woman's, so he could look away despite his unwillingness.
However, as Mirajane stood before him, Kira couldn't help but recall that photo, where he could see her body, which appeared so lascivious that it made any man's specific part on their body react.
Still, Kira wasn't a pervert, and it was impolite to show such a gaze toward Mirajane, who had clearly waited for them to go back till quite late.
"You are not going home, Mira?"
"I am going to go home now."
"By the way, thanks for waiting for us."
"No problem." Mirajane smiled and said, "I also have to thank you for helping them. You must be tired from your trip and fight, but you still help them. You are really gentle, Kira."
"I am not gentle. If something similar happens in another part of the world, in a place I can't see, then I might not care, but as it is happening in front of me, it will leave a bad taste in my mouth, so I just help for my own selfishness."
"Hmm... a tsundere?"
"..." Kira.
"But you don't know how much your help meant to them." Showing a gentle, happy smile at Kira, Mirajane said, "I am glad to have you join Fairy Tail."
"..."
Kira felt embarrassed since his purpose of joining the Fairy Tail wasn't as pure as Mirajane thought it to be, but it was impossible for him to tell everything about himself, so he tried to change the topic of their conversation.
"By the way, where is Lucy?"
"....."
Kira knew that he had messed up, especially Mirajane, who showed a sad expression as she put her palm on her cheek with a sigh. "I guess I am unattractive in your eyes, huh? Despite having me in front of you, you are still thinking about another girl."
"...."
Kira was helpless, wondering why a woman loved to create drama. "You are beautiful, Mira, but I am afraid that your boyfriend might misunderstand me."
"I don't have a boyfriend, so it's okay to be misunderstood."
Watching her teasing smile, Kira was even more speechless, but he knew well that if he backed down, he might be teased again, so instead of moving back, he stepped forward by teasing her. "I see. I still have a chance, then."
"What kind of a chance?"
"The one that is okay to be misunderstood."
"Hmph~! It isn't so easy to get me~!" Mirajane smiled as if teasing him.
"Okay, okay. It's already late. Shouldn't you go back?"
The more Kira talked, the more he was afraid that his heart might be swayed. The smile and the kindness of a beautiful woman were too lethal for a single man like him. He would be lying if he didn't have an interest in Mirajane, but he knew himself that this woman wasn't someone that he could toy around with, and despite her gentle appearance, she had this darkness in her heart, especially when her magic was the devil version of the "Take Over" magic.
Moreover, while he knew that he shouldn't have to think too much when he approached a woman, he wanted to have a stable foundation first since instead of having so many women swoon toward him, he felt that one was enough, especially one that could be sincere and one that could become his future wife.
Mirajane might be beautiful and gentle, yet it would be too hasty to make such a decision to marry her just because she was beautiful and because of their brief exchanges.
"I will go back after this." Smiling as usual, Mirajane asked, "But what about you? Are you going to sleep at the guild?"
"Hmm..."
Looking at the empty guild for a moment, Kira knew that he had lost his chance to ask about Lucy, but then again, considering that silly girl's nature, she must have bonded with the other members, and probably, she should have stayed at the place of the female guild member.
"Do you know a good hotel around here?"
"I know, and I will guide you, but wait for a bit. I will clean up a bit."
Mirajane could tell that Kira was relatively well-off, so she didn't feel surprised by his decision.
"Let me help. It's faster for two people to do it, right?"
"There won't be any remuneration even if you help me, though."
"If I can get a good impression of you, isn't that a good remuneration?"
"...you must be good at seducing girls, Kira."
"I am not. I'm feeling a bit awkward about this."
"Really~?"
"Yup, I might appear calm, having a cute girl like you by my side, but I am pretty nervous inwardly."
"Fufufu..." Mirajane chuckled and made a scary expression, yet she appeared even cuter. "I am going to eat you~!"
"....."
What did those words mean?
Was she going to eat him literally or figuratively?
"Don't continue to tease me, okay?"
"You are so fun to tease, after all."
Probably, the only one who acted this way and talked like this was Kira, especially in a world where popular men relied solely on their faces to attract women, despite their unusual personalities.
Or rather, it was hard to search for a normal man in this world!
Still, with Kira's help, the two quickly finished and went out to go to the hotel where Mirajane recommended him as they talked about the mission when he, Natsu, and Happy went to save Macao until they arrived at the hotel.
"This is the hotel."
"Thanks."
"No problem." Mirajane smiled and said, "This hotel is quite pricey, though."
"Is it?"
"Yup, it can cost you 15,000 jewels. There is a cheaper option if you prefer it.
"No, this is fine."
"Okay..." Mirane gave such an answer, but a strange pause somehow appeared between her words as she stared into his eyes before she said, "Then, I will go back now." She was about to leave, which somehow made him feel a bit reluctant.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
Taking a deep breath, Kira made an excuse. "Do you know a good restaurant, Mira? I am a bit hungry."
"A good restaurant?"
"If you don't mind... let me treat you too as my thanks for the previous food that you packed for me." His heart was beating fast, and the thought of being rejected made it even worse.
Yet, Mirajane's smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower as she agreed.
"Sure."
---
2/2