The unlucky President often draws tasks with low pay but high difficulty, and he can't handle everything himself, so he has to leave it to the kids.
Originally, the ideal choice was Laxus, but dealing with his personality is really difficult.
So Erza, who has a strong sense of responsibility and enough strength, often steps up to solve these issues for the President.
Rhode thought for a moment, maybe Erza's influence in the Guild isn't solely because of her strength.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Rhode suddenly noticed a blind spot, "What did Erza mean when she said she finished the task ahead of time... Was it what I'm imagining?"
Erza nodded, "I just took on the whole guild single-handedly, it's no big deal."
"..." Rhode was silent, really it's no big deal.
Could it be that the outside world isn't as dangerous as I imagined?
Rhode hesitated, "Isn't it unsafe to do things this way?"
"Hmm, the decision made in haste this time was a bit rash." Erza reflected seriously for a moment, but then said,
"I was just too eager to try the strawberry cake from this shop, I couldn't wait for reinforcements. Next time, I'll be more careful."
"..."
Great, it makes perfect sense to take down an entire Dark Guild just to rush home for some cake.
Mira wasn't surprised at all; this was indeed Erza's style.
Plus, she had reviewed Scorpion's Tail's information, and Erza could handle it no problem.
The waiter soon brought what Erza ordered, filling the table with small dishes.
Erza was immersed in the world of desserts, occasionally showing a cute expression completely different from her usual self.
Rhode calculated silently:
'Erza defeated an entire Dark Guild, and I've been defeated by Erza.
So my strength equates to an entire Dark Guild, logically rigorous.
Hahaha, keeping low-key, keeping low-key.'
After finishing the desserts, Rhode entertained himself.
Erza pushed several portions of strawberry cake towards Mira and Rhode, "Let's eat together."
Rhode asked, "Don't you like strawberry cake the most?"
"That's why I want to share it. Sharing with companions makes it taste even better." Erza said with a transfixed face, sounding almost like she was reading from a script.
"Since it's from Erza, we'll eat a little more." Mira cut a small cake in half and shared it with Rhode.
Then Erza started feeling something was off, "Speaking of which, why are you two here together... Is it a... a date?"
Before Rhode could react, Erza's face turned red, and she started stuttering, "You, you guys... When are you getting married?"
"Pff..." Rhode covered his mouth, almost spraying coffee on her face, "You're thinking way too far ahead!"
"No, not at all?"
"It's just that Wakaba's wife gave us two guest coupons." Mira explained, then gently rested her chin on her hand, with a playful smile,
"Well... but considering it as a date seems possible too."
"Da-da-da-da-date..." Erza continued stuttering.
Mira laughed even more joyfully, "A shy Erza is really interesting, too bad Rhode isn't blushing; it would've been more fun before."
Rhode took a deep breath; a month's practice made him thicker-skinned, or perhaps more adaptable.
Most importantly... when they left the house today, it was as if they treated it like a date from the start.
Now that Mira said it in a teasing tone, it didn't make him shy at all.
Rhode then realized that Erza was a bit naive.
When he and Mira were already onto the next topic, Erza was still asking Mira if she was joking.
They finally explained it to Erza properly, and after waiting for her to finish the desserts, the three left together.
"Please take your time, come again next time!"
The service staff bowed politely at the door, but suddenly Erza stopped and said to Mira and Rhode, "Wait for me."
Rhode asked, "What's up?"
Mira thought for a bit, "Maybe she wants to pack some cake to take back. Perhaps."
A few minutes later, Erza returned, but her clothes had already changed to the uniform of the store's staff.
Rhode was entirely confused about the situation; the heroic lady knight went in and came out a gentle waitress?
A magic trick?
"Welcome, dear guests, is there anything you'd like to order?" Erza slightly bent over, made a gesture of invitation, then stood up and asked, "How do I look?"
The girl in charge of welcoming was already charmed by Erza.
"Ver..." The word 'very beautiful' got stuck in Rhode's throat and forcibly changed to, "It really suits you."
Mira clapped and smiled, "Very beautiful, why did you suddenly change into this?"
"Because I found this uniform really cute and asked the owner if I could buy it." Erza tugged at the collar,
"Then she said it's not for sale, but if I work half a day here, I can have it."
Rhode was a bit stunned, "... so you agreed?"
Erza nodded as if it was obvious, "That's right, so I'm going to start working. Can I trouble you to bring my luggage back to the Guild?"
"But..." Rhode felt his head buzzing.
You're an S-Class Mage, a task worth millions, and you 'sold' yourself for a regular uniform?
Mira had no intention to stop Erza, even encouraging her, "Go for it, we'll take care of your luggage."
...
The River Crab ends up carrying everything, not only hauling the luggage cart but also carrying Rhode and Mira.
"You don't understand, do you? Erza's actions."
Mira sat sideways, legs together, skirt tightly wrapped like a Mermaid.
"Only a little. Is that her character? Feels a bit scattered and naive."
Rhode recalled Erza's expression, it seemed she was really enjoying herself.
Mira said, "I prefer to call it freedom and acting on whims. Erza just likes all sorts of distinctive clothes and enjoys trying intriguing professions.
The amount of reward doesn't matter at all to her; you might say that as long as it makes her happy, that's the greatest reward.
Compared to Erza, no, not just Erza, compared to most of the people in the Guild, Rhode, you seem overly worried and tense.
I don't know what you've been through, what burdens and pressures you're carrying, so I'm not in a position to advise you to relax like everyone else.
But at least today, at least for those moments in the dessert shop, I hope you were happy."
With the same bright smile as when they first met, the same gentle words as when they first spoke, each word flowed like a gentle stream into Rhode's heart.
Soft, warm.
Rhode knew now what made his heart skip.
"Thank you, I... am really happy."
"Every day in Fairy Tail has been joyful."
"Today is especially delightful."