"Your acting was already very good," Mira said with a smile. "That's why I knew I was winning."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Because if I had lost, you'd be teasing me instead. If I lost, you'd definitely be chuckling and comforting me... hmph, you might even try to take advantage."
"Why are you so clever..." Rhode held her close and whispered into her ear, "Plus, I can take advantage with my thick skin, no need for a 'chance'."
"It's not because I'm clever." Mira muttered under her breath and pushed Rhode's face away, "Come on, let's get to work. We have to go out in a few days."
"Alright." Hearing this, Rhode was motivated to work.
With a 500,000 J reward coming in, they're one step closer to their marital home, even though it feels like he unintentionally began living off her.
"Sigh..." Rhode sighed. "Rich lady, how about I give you a foot massage tonight?"
Mira gave him a reproachful look, wondering what nonsense he was spouting.
No way she'd let him in the house tonight.
...
The next morning, Rhode showed up at Mira's house right on time for breakfast.
Today was a rare occasion where both siblings were busy in the kitchen, and when Rhode tried to join, he was promptly shooed away.
"Go read your newspaper, or play with Warm."
"My cooking skills have improved."
"We don't need your help; Elfman's already big enough not to take up more space in the kitchen."
"Oh, wait." Rhode was pushed out by Mira but he ducked slightly and leaned his face closer to hers.
"Why are you acting like a child that needs pampering?" Mira gave him a peck on the cheek, finally managing to shoo him away.
Elfman busied himself with his work, pretending not to see anything.
Rhode settled back onto the sofa and read through yesterday's newspaper.
The headlines featured the Fairy Tail's Magical Parade, with the next piece spotlighting the Thunder God Tribe trio's photo separately.
At first glance, Rhode thought their internal conflict had made the news too.
But upon closer inspection, it turned out the article was about the Thunder God Tribe having single-handedly wiped out the Dark Guild 'Corpse Soul'.
Apparently, this happened before their return to Magnolia.
The trio wiped out an entire guild without a scratch; that's impressive.
Considering Ibarglin's Petrifying Eye and Fried's technique, it makes sense they could pull it off.
Rhode hadn't personally witnessed Biguslo's magic in action, though.
I heard his Celestial Spirit Magic control five puppets similar to the functionality of his Azure Floating Cannon that can launch medium-to-long-range magical attacks, or just directly crash into or smash opponents.
There's also the Styling Eye that can control the body of those who meet his gaze, though the specific effects aren't clear.
It's said Erza relied on the prosthetic right eye to resist it, and others have to wear glasses or close their eyes as a precaution.
(The prosthetic eye is immune to Pupil Magic, giving Erza a natural 50% resistance to such spells.)
Rhode thought he should get a pair of plano glasses to wear on long trips, just in case he needed to ward off sudden attacks when he didn't have sunglasses ready.
He should prepare a pair for Mira too—Mira looks great in glasses.
Mira waved a hand in front of Rhode's eyes: "Dinner is ready, what were you daydreaming about?"
"Thinking about you," Rhode replied honestly.
Mira's cheeks turned slightly red. Even though they were almost married, unexpected sweet talk still tugged at her heartstrings.
"Smooth talker first thing in the morning," Mira snatched his newspaper, folded it, and put it away. The man doesn't know when to stop with the sweet talk, even in front of her brother.
Elfman silently set the table, pretending to be invisible.
"Why is breakfast so lavish this morning?" Rhode noticed today's breakfast was about twice the usual amount.
Could it be meant for Warm?
"We have extra portions to bring to the Thunder God Tribe," Elfman explained. "I made a meal for them yesterday, and it seems they liked it. Besides, they probably don't have much money right now, so..."
"Oh... it's good to look after them a bit more."
As long as they're willing to change, they're still good comrades.
Rhode considered casting Crown of Embers on them today, speeding up their recovery so they can start working to pay back their debt sooner.
Mira fetched the meal boxes: "In that case, let's pack it up and bring it to them. Elfman can eat with them too."
"...Alright." Thinking it over, Elfman wondered if his sister was trying to get rid of him.
Mira watched her brother leave with the meal boxes, smiling all the while. She swore to the skies it wasn't her intention.
She just had a bold idea.
"Did you know? Did you know?" Elfman's been taking care of Ibarglin these past few days."
Once Elfman was out the door, Mira eagerly clung to Rhode's arm, excitedly sharing the gossip.
Rhode nodded at the unexpected gossip about her own brother: "Of course I knew. After we took down Ibarglin, I told him to carry her back. He actually carried her."
Mira wanted to say thanks, even wanted to give him a kiss. Knocking out a pretty woman and letting your brother-in-law carry her back—what a perfect brother-in-law!
Though, Rhode and Elfman surely didn't have that idea at the time, it's these situations of caring for the wounded that lead to...
Well, it's easy to lose yourself in it.
Mira playfully smacked Rhode, then grabbed her chopsticks and started eating.
He had no idea why, but suddenly she was hitting him for no reason.
Rhode picked up his chopsticks and watched what she was about to grab, trying to take it first.
Once, Mira believed it was a coincidence; a second time, she attributed it to chance; but by the third time... she was about to flip.
Rhode promptly offered the dish he'd taken to Mira's lips: "Ah..."
Mira bit into it, puffing her cheeks, and glared at him.
Rhode thought for a moment before returning to the topic Mira was interested in: "Are you suggesting that Elfman and Ibarglin might..."
"Yes, yes!" Talking about this, Mira couldn't stay upset. She cupped her face, lost in blissful imagination: "I think they'd make quite a pair. Elfman's so outstanding..."
Elfman... outstanding... there's no flaw in that.
Although he seems a bit dense, Elfman is actually someone who takes great care of others, is strong outside and gentle inside, very powerful, and capable in household chores...
In some ways, Elfman might make a better husband than Rhode.
At least he cooks better.
Rhode suggested, "Shall we playfully tease Ibarglin later?"
"Why?"
"And then see Elfman step up to defend her."
"Great idea!" Mira agreed with a mischievous smile.
But after a moment's thought, she asked, "Did you come up with such mischievous plans to deal with me too?"
"..." Fickle woman, a moment ago it was a great idea, now it's a mischievous one.
Rhode denied it: "Absolutely not, also, who in the guild dares bully you?"
"That's hard to say. I was so weak back then; if I got bullied, you would've had to protect me."
Rhode refused to explain and cupped Mira's face, kissing her deeply on the lips, his eyes burning with intensity as he gazed at her: "No matter if you're strong or weak, I will always protect you—before, now, in the future, forever and always."
That's unfair.
Mira's eyes shimmered with a captivating glow. She turned her head away, avoiding Rhode's gaze, dismissively saying: "Disgusting, kissing me right after eating..."
"Oh, I can be even more disgusting."
Mira laughed while evading him: "No, stay away!"
"I won't!"
The two played around the house for quite a while before heading out to work.
Today's weather was gloomy, but it wasn't stuffy.
As soon as they stepped into the guild, it started to rain outside—not a heavy rain, nor a fierce one, but the wind made it feel a bit cold.
The Harvest Festival is an autumn event, but only now did Rhode realize that autumn had returned.