[Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
"..."
This woman… what is she doing?
Taking the glasses handed back to him, Roland looked at her, puzzled.
But since she'd woken up, there was no need to keep holding her.
Feeling the lovely barmaid in his arms, he drew a slow breath and released the hand around her waist.
"Eh—wait!"
Not ready at all, Mira blinked blankly. Losing her support, she toppled toward the floor with a small cry and, on instinct, grabbed Roland's hem.
Result: the two of them went down together.
Thud!
"Ow!"
Her head met the wooden floor with a dull knock, tears springing to Mira's eyes.
Roland—dragged with her—landed on top. Lucky him: no head-smacking.
But the soft press at his cheek and the faint scent of shampoo made his expression… complicated.
So big, and so soft—well, she had been a professional model, after all.
"I'm very sorry—I wasn't paying attention and—" Mira started to apologize, but the pressure at her chest made her voice trail off, her beautiful eyes slowly widening.
Hearing the suddenly racing heartbeat right by his ear, Roland pushed himself up at once, bracing both palms on the floor. He then offered a hand to the beet-red Mira.
"Let's get you up first."
"Th-thanks…"
Once steady on her feet, Mira lowered her head. After that mortifying moment, she didn't dare meet Roland's eyes.
"It's fine. As long as you're okay," Roland said with a reassuring smile.
Seeing the boy's calm face, Mira pressed a hand to her chest, the tension leaving her shoulders.
But just as she thought it was over, Roland's next line froze the smile she had just regained.
"And… thanks for the treat, Mira-neesan."
"…I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Mira backed up half a step. Flustered inside, she kept her tone forcibly calm.
No worries. You'll understand later.
Roland chuckled softly. He hadn't forgotten there was still a "quest" involving Mira-neesan.
At this rate, he'd probably be in the guild till closing time.
"My head hurts… This annoying feeling—did Mystogan come by?"
Levy, holding her reddened forehead, slowly woke from the sleep.
Among the guild's S-class mages, other than Mira-neesan, there wasn't a single normal one!
She couldn't help grumbling in her heart.
Too bad Mira-neesan, for special reasons, couldn't use her own magic anymore.
Thinking that, Levy lifted her gaze to the bar where Mira was wiping glasses—and immediately noticed something off.
Why is Mira-neesan's face so red…
Does she have a fever?
Levy couldn't help guessing.
——
Noon's sunlight was warm and gentle. Roland sat by the window, lazily sipping wine.
Fish-scale clouds drifted across a blue sky; a mild breeze lifted the black bangs at his brow.
Beside him, Levy wore pink-rimmed glasses, happily poring over the books spread on the table.
"..."
Those two were living in a different mood from everyone else.
Mira glanced at the increasingly rowdy hall and thought so.
"Little Mira, a beer for me!" Wakaba called.
"Been wondering since earlier—who are all these pitch-black guys!?"
Natsu pointed at the black shadow-nin moving crisply between tables with trays and shouted.
He'd only gone on one job—why were there suddenly so many strangers in the guild?
"They're Roland's Kage Mahō (Shadow Magic), here helping out," Mira explained.
But mentioning Roland made her recall what had happened half an hour ago.
So strange. It's already been thirty minutes.
Why do I still blush the moment I think of it?
And my heart won't slow down…
By now, Mira had pieced it together.
Those odd changes in body and mood whenever she faced Roland—weren't they just like being in love?
She'd never dated, not once, but that didn't stop her from judging it.
The problem was—
What should she do with these feelings?
If Roland didn't have a girlfriend, she might try—after all, for the first time in years, she'd met a boy who made her heart flutter.
But Levy liked Roland too—and she'd gotten there first…
Mira looked up at the blue-haired girl reading, propped her snow-pale chin on a hand, and after a long while, sighed softly.
Right… better to let it go.
Press the flutter down and keep it there—there's nothing wrong with that. It might even be the right choice.
"Yo, Roland—want to team up for a quest?"
Natsu strode over waving a request slip, extending a boisterous invitation.
"If we team with Roland, we can eat grilled fish all the time!"
Happy hovered in midair hugging a grilled fish, nodding hard.
That kind of "let's party up" request… he'll refuse it, right…
Mira thought.
"Sorry, I already promised Levy we'd take a job tomorrow."
Roland shrugged and declined without hesitation.
"Darn it, plan ruined!" Natsu grumbled, unwilling.
"Aye… looks like we're starving for the next two days…"
Watching the drooping Natsu and Happy leave, the corners of Levy's lips lifted.
——
Night arrived on cue.
A bright full moon hung on the black curtain of sky; hazy moonlight fell across the town as streetlamps glowed warm orange.
The guild had emptied out, leaving only three staff on duty.
Levy didn't really want to go, but Roland coaxed her into heading home with a "we're getting up early tomorrow."
"Let me handle it."
Ordering the Kage Heitai (Shadow Corps) to take the brooms and chairs from Laki and Mira, Roland smiled.
"No matter how many times I see it, your magic is enviable—like a king's, truly!"
The purple-haired, glasses-wearing girl in a white uniform sighed in admiration.
Laki Olietta—she loved odd, metaphor-heavy turns of phrase. That was Roland's impression after two days.
"Thanks for the help," Mira said with a gentle, welcoming smile, hands folded at her stomach.
"It's nothing. Hardly trouble at all," Roland waved it off. "I'll leave the Kage Heitai (Shadow Corps) to tidy the guild; we can head straight home."
"Once they're done, they'll vanish on their own."
"I see…"
Mira pondered a moment, then chose not to refuse.
Outside the guild.
The three stopped at the crossroads to part ways. Laki lived in the women's dorms to the left, while Roland and Mira would head right.
"See you tomorrow, Laki-senpai."
Roland waved politely.
"See you. But… are you two walking together?"
Laki replied, then asked curiously.
"Ah, Mira-neesan and I live on the same street."
"Eh, that close—"
At his words, not only Laki but even Mira blinked before it sank in.
Wait—so she and Roland would be walking home together?
Mira took a deep breath, trying her best not to show anything odd.
"Then I'll be going. Good… good night, Mi—Mira-neesan."
Laki pushed up her glasses and offered a calm farewell before turning away.
But in the instant she turned, shock flashed across her face.
That Mira-neesan… a-actually blushing!?
(End of Chapter)
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