That evening, Marco stayed overnight at Laxus's new home.
Although Laxus kept insisting that Marco shouldn't get the wrong idea, the truth was that apart from Marco, hardly anyone else would come to stay in this guest room.
This was different from the guest room at Mira's place, where girls occasionally stayed over.
****
Early the next morning, Marco went out to continue his daily training.
By the time he returned to Laxus's house, Laxus had already finished his morning workout and was preparing to head to the guild.
"Want to go to Mira's place for breakfast together?"
Just one glance at the kitchen told Marco that Laxus hadn't eaten breakfast either, so he casually asked.
"No, I'm going to the guild." Laxus refused outright.
Although Mira's house was on the way to the guild, there was no way he would go to someone else's home for breakfast.
Only someone like Marco would do something like that.
"Alright then, I'm off."
Marco didn't press the matter—he hadn't expected Laxus to agree in the first place.
Leaving the house, Marco jogged all the way to Mira's place.
Although both he and Laxus had already finished their morning training, it was still quite early.
Mira's family was probably still preparing breakfast.
This was normal—not everyone could train like Marco.
Seeing Magnolia at 4 a.m. every day required talent.
An ordinary person training like Marco would burn themselves out in no time.
Even Laxus could only keep up with Marco's intensity after becoming a Dragon Slayer.
His body couldn't handle it before.
"This guy..."
Watching Marco dash off, Laxus shook his head helplessly.
There was nothing he could do about this younger brother.
...
Outside the small yard of Mira's house, Marco opened the gate and stepped inside.
The aroma of food already wafted through the air—Mira was clearly making breakfast.
"Marco!"
Seeing Marco enter, Elfman and Lisanna, who had been diligently watering the flowers and plants in the yard, lit up with excitement.
Yesterday, when Marco and Hisui returned, their family had been out on a mission and missed them.
By the time they returned to the guild, Marco and Hisui had already left.
So although they knew Marco had returned to the guild, they hadn't seen him yet.
Spotting him at their house first thing in the morning, the two kids were overjoyed, immediately dropping their watering cans and rushing over.
"Mira-nee! Marco is here!"
After crowding around Marco, Lisanna even called out to the house, alerting her sister, who was busy making breakfast.
"Got it! Come in and eat!" Mira responded loudly, sounding completely unsurprised—which immediately tipped Lisanna off.
"Did Mira-nee already know Marco was coming?" Lisanna asked quietly.
Though young, the girl was smart—just not when it came to studying.
At least compared to the oblivious Elfman beside her, Lisanna had a quick wit.
Elfman hadn't noticed anything unusual.
"I came by once already while you two were still sleeping in." Marco said with a laugh, ruffling Lisanna's hair.
He couldn't help but admire the girl's perceptiveness.
Of course, he wouldn't be so presumptuous as to show up at mealtime uninvited to freeload a meal.
When he came out for training, he had already stopped by Mira's house and happened to run into her as she was washing up early in the morning and preparing breakfast.
After exchanging a few casual words, Mira proactively invited Marco to join them for breakfast.
Since she was about to make breakfast anyway, the invitation came naturally, and Marco smoothly accepted.
Entering the room, Marco's gaze fell on the busy Mira.
Wearing an apron, she brought the breakfast to the table—this time, it was the apron he had bought for her.
Satisfied, Marco nodded slightly.
It wasn't in vain that he had specially gifted her one for everyday use.
"Come sit down and eat."
Mira, with her hair tied in a ponytail, looked neat and efficient.
She smiled at Marco, gestured for the three of them to sit and eat, then headed back into the kitchen.
This domestic, nurturing side of Mira, though slightly weird, had to be admitted—it carried its own unique charm.
Most importantly, Mira genuinely had the skills.
Being a good cook wasn't something just anyone could pull off.
Her culinary skills were remarkably refined, entirely self-taught without any formal instruction.
When it came to cooking, talent truly defied logic.
Those who couldn't cook would never grasp what "to taste" really meant, resorting to measuring cups for seasoning, precise down to the milligram. But those who could cook handled it effortlessly.
Marco was one of those who couldn't cook.
Well, not entirely incapable—he could manage something barely edible, but it was still a far cry from delicious.
Because of this, Marco had always enjoyed befriending people who cooked well.
Good cooking was something that particularly attracted him.
It couldn't be helped—people were like that.
They always admired what they lacked and were drawn to those who could do what they couldn't.
In this regard, Mira had a natural advantage.
Marco, Lisanna, and Elfman all sat at the dining table, but none of them started eating, waiting for Mira to join them.
"No need to wait for me, go ahead and eat," Mira said as she took off her apron, washed her hands, and came to the table.
Seeing the three of them sitting there awkwardly, she couldn't help but chide them lightly.
"How could we? We have to wait for the chef before we start. Otherwise, we'd feel guilty," Marco teased, earning him an eye-roll from Mira.
"Let's eat," Mira said as she took her seat.
This time, they didn't wait any longer and began their meal.
Marco, of course, showered Mira with compliments, making her beam with delight.
The mood was lively, and breakfast passed harmoniously with laughter and chatter.
"Come to think of it, today's breakfast seems a bit more lavish than usual," Elfman muttered under his breath afterward.
But before he could finish, Mira's gaze landed on him.
Under his sister's stare, Elfman gulped and swallowed his words.
"Of course it's because Marco's here!"
Elfman didn't dare speak up, but Lisanna, sitting beside him, piped up as if oblivious to Mira's look.
"Marco, could you come over for breakfast every morning from now on? That way, we can eat this well every day!"
Clasping her hands together, Lisanna looked at Marco with an innocent, earnest expression, making her request with utmost sincerity.
"Hahaha, this is so embarrassing. It's about time, let's all help clean up, and then we should head to the guild."
Marco glanced at Mira and noticed the girl was already getting a bit flushed.
He quickly laughed it off, trying to steer the conversation away.
"Lisanna! What do you mean by that?! Have I ever mistreated you guys? Have I ever fed you poorly?!"
However, Marco's attempt to change the subject clearly failed.
With her hands on her hips, Mira angrily questioned Lisanna.
"Eh? N-no! That's not what I meant!"
Faced with Mira's interrogation, Lisanna froze for a moment before hurriedly explaining.
She realized her earlier words had been problematic, almost as if she was deliberately accusing Mira.
"I-I just wanted Marco to come over more often... Marco, Mira-nee, me, and Elf-nii, we're like a family. So I wanted Marco to come over for meals more..."
Under Mira's angry gaze, Lisanna explained in a small voice.
"And it really is more lavish than usual..."
Seeing Mira's expression soften slightly, her flush turning into a healthy glow, Lisanna quietly defended herself once more.
"Thunk!"
"Oww~!"
Lisanna clutched her forehead, looking helplessly at Marco.
"Don't say unnecessary things when apologizing."
After flicking Lisanna on the forehead, Marco winked at her, reminding the little one not to provoke Mira further.