"..."
This woman... what is she doing?
Taking the proffered glasses, Roland stared at her, not understanding.
But since she was awake, there was no need to keep holding her.
Looking at the barmaid's cute posture in his arms, he took a deep breath and released his hands from her waist.
"Eh—wait!"
Unprepared, Mirajane blinked blankly. Without support, she started to fall towards the floor. She let out an involuntary cry and instinctively grabbed onto Roland's clothes.
As a result, they both fell to the floor together.
Thud!
"Ouch!"
As her head hit the wooden floor with a dull thud, tears welled up in Mirajane's eyes.
Roland, who had been pulled down, landed on top of her. Luckily, he didn't hit the floor.
But feeling the softness pressed against the side of his face and the pleasant smell of shampoo, his expression became peculiar.
So big, so soft—as expected of Miss Mirajane, who works as a professional model.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention..." Mirajane, having come to her senses, subconsciously apologized. However, the feeling of pressure on her chest made her voice grow softer, and her beautiful eyes slowly widened.
Hearing the instantly accelerated heartbeat in his ear, Roland quickly raised his head, pushed himself up with his hands on the floor, and then extended a hand to the blushing Mirajane.
"Let's get up first."
"Thank you..."
As she stood up steadily, Mirajane lowered her head slightly. Because of the embarrassing scene just now, she didn't dare to meet Roland's eyes.
"It's fine, as long as you're not hurt."
Roland said with a reassuring smile on his lips.
Looking at the boy's calm expression, Mirajane clutched her chest, and her tense body relaxed.
But just when she thought it was over, Roland's next words made her newly recovered smile freeze.
"Also, thank you for the treat, Mira."
"...I don't know what you're talking about!"
Mirajane took a small step back. Although she was flustered, she forced a calm tone.
It's okay, you'll understand in the future.
Roland chuckled, not forgetting that he had a quest involving Mira.
At the current rate of progress, he would probably have to stay in the guild until it closed at night.
"My head hurts. Is this annoying feeling because of Mystogan?"
Levy rubbed her reddened forehead as she slowly woke up from her sleep.
Except for Mira, none of the S-Class Mages in the guild are normal!
She couldn't help but complain in her heart.
Unfortunately, Mira couldn't use her own magic due to special reasons.
At this, Levy looked up at Mirajane, who was wiping a cup, but she soon noticed something was wrong.
Why is Mira's face so red...
Does she have a fever?
Levy couldn't help but wonder.
————
The afternoon sun was warm and comfortable. Roland sat by the window, slowly sipping his wine.
Fish-scale clouds floated in the azure sky, and a gentle, warm breeze blew softly, rustling the black hair on his forehead.
Levy, sitting beside him, wore a pair of pink glasses and was looking at the books on the table with great interest.
"..."
The atmosphere between the two of them was completely different from everyone else.
Mirajane turned to look at the increasingly noisy hall and couldn't help but think.
"Little Mira, a beer, please!" Wakaba shouted.
"I've been meaning to ask, who are these dark guys!?"
Natsu pointed at the Shadowkhan ninjas who were carrying trays and moving deftly between the tables, and couldn't help but shout loudly.
He had only been out on one quest, and the guild suddenly had so many strangers?
"That's Roland's shadow magic. He's using them to work part-time at the guild," Mirajane explained.
But putting Roland aside for a moment, she thought about what had happened half an hour ago.
"How strange. It's already been half an hour."
Why is it that whenever I think of it, I can't help but blush?
My heart is beating fast too...
By now, Mirajane had more or less figured it out.
The strange changes in her body and emotions when she was around Roland—weren't they the same as when other people were in love!
Although she had never been in love before, it didn't affect Mirajane's judgment.
But the problem was—
How should she handle these feelings?
Mirajane thought with distress.
If Roland didn't have a girlfriend, she might have tried, after all, it had been so many years since she had met a boy who made her heart flutter.
But Levy also likes Roland, right? And she was a step ahead...
Mirajane looked up at the blue-haired girl who was reading, rested her chin on her hand, and after a long time, she sighed softly.
As expected... I should give up.
Suppressing this feeling of infatuation deep in her heart wasn't a bad thing—in fact, it was the most correct choice.
"Yo, Roland, want to go on a quest together?"
Natsu walked up to Roland with a quest flyer he had chosen and casually invited him.
"If we can team up with Roland, we can eat grilled fish all the time!"
Happy flew in mid-air, holding a grilled fish, and said in agreement.
A team-up request like that will probably be rejected...
Mirajane thought.
"Sorry, I've already promised Levy that we'll go on a quest together tomorrow."
Roland shrugged and decisively refused.
"Damn it, the plan is ruined!" Natsu had a look of frustration on his face.
"Aye, looks like we'll have to go hungry for the next two days..."
Seeing the dejected Natsu and Happy leave, a slight smile appeared on Levy's lips.
————
Night arrived as scheduled.
A bright, full moon hung high in the dark curtain of the sky. The hazy, thin moonlight shone down on the town, and the streetlights lit up with an orange-yellow glow.
Many people had left the guild, leaving only the three servers on duty.
As for Levy, although she didn't want to leave, Roland persuaded her to go back, using the excuse of getting up early tomorrow.
"Let me do it."
Ordering the Shadowkhan to take the brooms and stools from Laki and Mirajane, Roland said with a light laugh.
"No matter how many times I see your magic, it's enviable—it's like being a king!"
A girl with purple hair and glasses, wearing a white uniform, exclaimed.
Laki Olietta, a girl who liked to use strange figures of speech—that was Roland's impression of her after two days.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Mirajane folded her hands in front of her stomach and said with a friendly smile.
"It's nothing, no trouble at all," Roland waved his hand and continued, "I'll just leave the Shadowkhan here to clean up. I'll head home."
"They'll disappear after they've tidied up the guild."
"Is that so..."
Mirajane pondered for a moment and didn't refuse.
Outside the guild gate.
The three of them stood at the intersection and said their goodbyes. Laki lived in the girls' dormitory, so she had to go left, while Roland and Mirajane went right.
"See you tomorrow then, Laki-senpai."
Roland waved his hand and said a polite goodbye.
"See you tomorrow. Are you two going together?"
Laki replied, then asked with some curiosity.
"Yes, because Mira and I live on the same street."
"Eh, so close—"
As his voice fell, not only was Laki stunned, but even Mirajane beside him was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
Wait, do I have to go back with Roland alone?
At this, Mirajane took a deep breath, trying her best not to act strangely.
"Then I'll be going. See you, Mi... Mira."
Laki pushed up her glasses, said a calm goodbye, and turned to leave.
But the moment she turned around, a look of shock appeared on her face.
That Mira... she... she's blushing!?
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