"Dora-la."
The swaying Mini-Dora toppled onto the suitcase, closed its eyes, and slipped straight back into dreams.
Even the cats he'd raised before weren't this lazy…
Warm light filled the slightly cramped bedroom. By the time Levy came in, her off-shoulder dress had been swapped for a long-sleeved jacket, and she was hugging a hefty stack of books.
Look closely and you could see Mirajane's photo printed on the cover of the one on top…
"This one's an old issue of Sorcerer Weekly—back when Mira-nee was still modeling. Well? Interested, aren't you?"
Catching his gaze, Levy lifted the magazine high, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
He had no idea why she'd bring this sort of magazine at night, but Aurel couldn't shake the feeling the girl was plotting something mischievous.
Seven or eight books thumped down onto the table. Levy set a hand on her hip and wiped the sweat from her brow with the other.
"You're not planning to read all of these tonight, are you?"
Aurel cocked a brow, picked up the Sorcerer Weekly on top, and flipped to the table of contents with interest.
"The Future of the Magic World; Guild Visit—Blue Pegasus; Mage Interviews; Most Popular Boyfriend/Girlfriend Rankings…"
One glance was enough—this was clearly an entertainment mag.
"Like I could finish in one night. This is, like, a three-to-four-day load."
Levy rubbed her aching shoulder, then flopped onto the soft bed and shut her eyes in contentment.
Mm… smells like Aurel.
If only the room weren't so small—she'd have moved her entire dorm bookshelf here too.
"..."
Aurel didn't answer; her meaning was obvious. Not just tonight—she was probably planning to stay here for a while.
After all, after doing something that intimate, living together didn't feel improper at all.
No, it would be weirder not to live together!
And if things kept developing like this—confession, dating, marriage, then a family and kids…
Thinking that far, Levy hugged a pillow, buried her face in it, and let a cute little groan escape her throat.
"..."
What's she doing now?
Hearing those tempting little sounds, Aurel sighed inwardly and kept reading the magazine.
"The Most Popular Girlfriend Rankings."
Top of the list, unsurprisingly, was the very familiar Mirajane. Even after retiring from modeling, her popularity was still through the roof.
His gaze moved down from Mira-nee's gentle smile to number two: Blue Pegasus's Jenny Realite.
Golden wavy hair, a knockout figure, and an elegant violet evening dress—judging by looks alone, she was on par with Mirajane.
Judging by the ranking, maybe the pure type just wins more votes.
Off to the side, a blushing Levy lowered the pillow and squinted at Aurel, who was propping his chin and reading.
This guy… last night he was the one being so forward.
She stood, tiptoed behind him, and craned her pale neck to see what had him so absorbed.
"Aren't those Loke and a few of the Blue Pegasus guys?"
By the time she got close, Aurel had flipped to the later pages—the boyfriend rankings.
"Wow, have you gotten this bored?" Levy puffed her cheeks like a pufferfish, voice dripping with mock resentment as she leaned over his shoulder.
Blue locks spilled across his shoulder; her warm breath tickled his cheek, and that pleasant shampoo scent teased his nose.
"I wanted to get a better read on Fiore in general. Also—didn't expect to find you on the list."
Aurel tilted his head left; their temples touched lightly, and the air between them turned warm and intimate.
"My rank's way down there. Can't compare with Erza-san or Mira-nee…"
Levy muttered under her breath.
She sat somewhere past the top few dozen, while Mirajane and Erza both sat in the top ten.
"It's just a subjective popularity poll. And to me, Levy-chan is in no way inferior to those two."
Aurel smiled as he said it.
"Hehe~"
Levy's lips curled up—clearly pleased.
Skimming the page, the top of the boyfriend rankings was dominated by Blue Pegasus members, with Loke sitting at number eight.
Worth noting… above Loke was one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Siegrain—Jellal's thought-projection.
Seeing Jellal made him think of Mystogan, and then of the parallel world called Edolas.
If he could visit there someday…
He closed the magazine and stretched lazily. Levy squeaked as Aurel swept her up and carried her onto the bed.
"Be my hug pillow tonight."
"Just… a hug pillow? We're not doing anything else?" Levy pressed her hands to his chest, pink lips glossy, clear eyes fixed on him.
He knew exactly what she wanted. Instead of answering, he kissed her deftly, one hand sliding up to comb her soft blue hair.
The room lights dimmed. Moonlight spilled through the window—thin and gauzy, like a veil draped lightly over them both.
滴答—
Tiny raindrops tapped at the sill. Outside, a fine misty rain began to fall, like a gentle lullaby for sleepy hearts.
"Slow down, dummy!"
...
The next morning.
Hazy fog rose over the town. The light rain from last night lingered on, drumming crisply against the windowpane.
"So cold…"
Awakened by the sound, Levy frowned and murmured, nestling instinctively into the warm embrace beside her, a satisfied smile blooming on her face.
They hadn't gone all the way, but even so, the happiness lingering now made her not want to let go.
"I need to get breakfast started," Aurel said, feeling her arms snake back around his neck. He poked her cheek.
"It's still early. Sleep a little longer… and we still have the Gourmet Napkin, don't we?"
(End of Chapter)
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