Hidden behind the trees, Juvia stared fixedly at Aurel's profile—more strikingly handsome than she'd imagined.
Especially that beauty mark at the corner of his eye; for a girl who had never dated, it sent her heart fluttering. Her grip weakened and the parasol slipped to the ground.
Her heartbeat thumped like a skittish fawn; heat rushed through her blood. Secretly watching the smiling boy, a look of infatuation flashed in Juvia's eyes.
Not just his magic—his looks and personality were exactly her type!
She wanted to claim him, make him her private treasure… to wake up every day and squeeze him in her arms like a favorite toy.
The only flaw was the very annoying woman at his side.
"Fairy Tail… that woman—could she be Juvia's love rival?!"
A sudden stab of jealousy made her claw into the bark, gaze dark as she glared at the blue-haired girl with the guild mark on her back.
Fairy Tail was a constant target of her own guild; of course Juvia knew them.
Damn it, she wanted to wipe her out right here!
…
"Brr… so cold…"
A chill out of nowhere made Levy fold her arms and edge closer to Aurel.
Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt like something in the forest was watching her.
She peered into the distant brush for a while and saw nothing.
A mistake, then…
Letting it go, Levy turned to the lobster fish roasting red over the fire, eyes bright with anticipation.
She didn't know how it would taste, but judging from the ingredients, it looked promising.
"Here—try it. See how it tastes."
Aurel tugged off the giant crab claws on either side of the blue fish and passed one to the girl waiting beside him.
He cracked the ruby-red shell. Snow-white, silky meat gleamed within, and a rich aroma spilled into the air.
"…It's really good!"
Levy took a small bite—then widened her eyes in disbelief.
The firm white meat melted on her tongue; a clear sweetness welled up like a tide and wrapped her taste buds in gentle waves…
So strange—no seasonings at all, and the ingredient alone could reach this flavor?
"Mm… delicious!"
Unable to help herself, she took another nibble. Cheeks puffed, she chewed lightly and cupped her face, smiling with bliss.
Aurel chuckled at her adorable look, then cracked his own claw and savored it slowly.
As expected of an ingredient from the Gourmet world.
Meanwhile—
Watching the two be so close ignited a fierce jealousy. Juvia grit her teeth in frustrated unwillingness.
A love rival!
If she'd had doubts a moment ago, now she was certain.
They hadn't even formally met yet, but she'd already decided that unknown boy was hers—and she would never allow another woman to lay a finger on him!
With her emotions spiking, the thin drizzle swelled into a pounding downpour. Raindrops hammered the leaves in a dense, rattling roar.
"Why did it start pouring all of a sudden!?"
Even with the Shadow Corps holding umbrellas, the splashback drenched Levy's pale yellow dress and black boots.
Hiking up the soaked hem, Levy muttered with exasperation.
"This rain is the worst…"
"When the weather won't behave, there's no helping it. Let's get in the tent."
After ordering the ninjas to pitch it, Aurel glanced toward the forest. Through the thickening curtain of rain, he could just make out a blur of blue curls.
"You go in first. I'm going to hit the bushes—be right back."
"Okay!"
Levy nodded sweetly and ducked into the tent.
Four ninjas remained in the rain, kneeling like retainers, awaiting their master's orders.
"Guard this place. Don't let anything foolish get close."
With that, Aurel took a parasol and walked toward where Juvia hid.
"Unforgivable, unforgivable… that person belongs to Juvia…"
Even before he reached her, he caught the hazy whisper.
Another beauty-mark victim…
Aurel couldn't believe his personal charm alone would drive a girl he'd never met to this level of possessiveness.
He opened the parasol and stepped to the side of the oblivious girl, sheltering her from the lashing rain.
Shhh—
The sound of rain drumming on the canopy made Juvia look up, dazed. First she saw the white, translucent parasol.
Her gaze slid down—and when she met that face that made her heart leap, her eyes widened. She froze like a child caught misbehaving.
"—"
"This rain—you caused it, didn't you."
It was phrased as a question, but his tone was certain.
"…Yes."
After a beat of silence, Juvia turned her head aside and nodded, face heavy.
Was he going to hate her? Was he going to hate Juvia?
She'd finally met a man who liked rainy days—and who could even show her sunshine. Anything but that!
"I'm sorry… Juvia didn't know you hated rain this heavy…"
Noticing the sheets of rain outside, she could guess why he'd come.
"Hate it? I actually like rain of any kind," Aurel said, shaking his head, a gentle smile on his fine features. "Drizzle or downpour."
"…"
Juvia pressed a hand to her chest. Even through the racket of rain, she could clearly hear her own pounding heart.
"Your ability is fascinating. May I have your name? I'm Aurel—"
"Juvia!"
She cut him off in a burst of excitement. "My name is Juvia. Nice to meet you!"
He blinked—then smiled.
"Then, Juvia… do you like rainy days?"
Like them?
Juvia hesitated, then slowly shook her head.
"Because I've troubled others since I was little… I hate my power."
She looked to Aurel, anxious.
He'd just said he liked rainy days… but she couldn't lie to herself.
"I understand. If it rained every day from childhood, I'd hate it too."
Aurel took a white Sunny Doll with a smiling face from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Here. For you."
"This is—"
Juvia drew a breath, a blush climbing her cheeks as she stared at it.
"A Sunny Doll. It can make the rain—"
"Is it… a token of love!?"
(End of Chapter)
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