The mayor was a decisive person and immediately began preparations for the celebration.
The people surrounding the guild quickly dispersed to their respective duties.
If Fairy Tail was the protagonist of the Magical Parade during the Harvest Festival, then this time, it's the citizens themselves who want to express their gratitude that are the stars of the Gratitude Festival.
Rhode and Mira finally managed to enter the guild.
As expected, it was noisy inside.
No sooner had they returned than someone was already clamoring for something to eat, even urging Rhode and Mira to hurry and start working upon seeing them.
Of course, there were a few little episodes.
"Lisana!"
"Is that Lisana?"
"No way! Why is Lisana here?!"
Led by Macao and Wakaba, a group of people shouted at Lisana.
Lisana, puzzled, said, "Didn't we already meet in Edolas?"
"No, because we initially heard there was another Fairy Tail there and mistook you for the Lisana from there…"
Macao explained, while the group surrounded Lisana, examining her closely.
Elfman was torn on whether he should protect his sister from these oddities, but after thinking it over, he decided he couldn't ruin the normal welcoming.
Once they confirmed it really was Lisana, cheers erupted in the guild: "Welcome back, Lisana!"
Lisana smilingly acknowledged them, and everyone immediately gathered around her, asking her all sorts of questions.
Mira stood outside the crowd, watching with a smile for a moment, then pulled Rhode away.
They needed to bring out more food and drinks, though the mayor already organized people to prepare the festival, it was uncertain how long that would take.
They decided to celebrate first within the guild.
The two of them stopped at a corner and embraced each other.
Rhode lowered his head and kissed her hair.
Mira buried her face in his chest, taking in his scent.
"I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you're okay."
...
"Look, look! This is my daughter, Kana!" (Grabbing at her arm)
"Did you know? I'm Kana's dad!" (Holding her close)
...
"Look, my daughter, isn't she adorable?" (Cradling her like a baby)
When Rhode and Mira returned with trays, Kildas was eagerly showing off Kana to everyone.
Although everyone more or less already knew about it, it didn't dampen the proud father's spirits.
As for Kana, though she was initially happy about Kildas being proud of her, after hearing the same thing multiple times, her smile gradually faded.
Eventually, she impatiently pushed Kildas' face away with her hand: "Enough with that expression already?!"
"Because I'm so happy…"
"Get lost, I want to drink!"
"I'll pay!"
No matter how much Kana protested, Kildas clung to her like a piece of gum, accompanying her everywhere, boasting at every opportunity.
Kildas never imagined that a 45-year-old middle-aged man like him would suddenly have an 18-year-old daughter.
"Here's your drink." Rhode set down the glasses, but just as he was about to leave, he was pulled back by Kildas.
"Look, my daughter, Kana!"
"Ah, congratulations." Rhode replied perfunctorily but then added after a thought, "Loving your daughter requires more than just words, she probably likes dolls, remember to buy her one."
"Hey, Rhode!" Kana slammed the table, her face flushed with anger. What's with the dolls? She's eighteen, not eight!
However, Kildas had a moment of realization: "Oh~~~ I'll get one right away!"
Kana grabbed Kildas' cloak, making him run in place: "You sit right back down!"
Rhode chuckled as he took the empty tray back.
Mira commented, "Kana seems quite troubled."
"Yeah, perhaps she's struggling to adjust to sudden paternal affection." Rhode whispered in Mira's ear, "Just now I…"
"You troublemaker." Mira laughed, gently patting Rhode, but then immediately said, "I'll deliver the dishes they ordered."
Soon after, Rhode saw Mira talking to Kildas, who instantly stood up to leave.
Kana continued holding onto Kildas' cloak, and angrily chastised Mira.
Rhode looked at Mira returning and asked, "What did you say this time?"
Mira grinned, "I told Kildas to go buy a pacifier."
"…You're worse than I am."
The two laughed heartily at the counter, while Kana, after finally calming Kildas down, glared angrily at the mischievous couple.
The two waved apologetically at Kana, then exchanged another glance, bursting into even more laughter.
Lisana finally got some peace and sat beside Elfman: "Sister Mira has really changed a lot, she's becoming just like Sister Mira from the other world."
"..." Elfman pondered thoughtfully, feeling he had nothing to hide from his sister, "Actually, that's just outwardly, especially when she's with Rhode. Normally at home..."
Elfman forlornly recounted the 'warm' little stories of his sister's special training sessions at home.
"Wow~~~" Lisana found it unbelievable; such a gentle smile combined with beating someone up, how could it sound even scarier than before?
Elfman sighed: "Since you've just returned, it should be fine, but remember not to anger sister afterwards, or it might get scary."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah… huh?" Elfman nodded instinctively but then realized something was off with the voice.
He looked over, and there was his beloved sister, looking at him kindly.
"Sister, let me explain!"
...
Mira was in a good mood today, so there were no sibling squabbles in the guild.
With Rhode, Mira, and a bunch of servers bustling about, everyone drank until half drunk, and the guild grew more and more lively.
The President led the charge, jumping onto the table, downing a drink, and breaking into an awkward dance.
Then it was time for everyone to showcase their talents.
Of course, Bigda, who loved dancing, wouldn't miss this, and Marcus, who loved a lively atmosphere, constantly encouraged others to perform on stage with the microphone.
Li Li, not yet accustomed to this place, was carried off by Gajeel to challenge Hapi.
——It seemed that due to physical incompatibility with Aslan's environment, the once mighty Li Li had turned into an adorable little black cat.
It was only during the performance segment that Gajeel reluctantly let go of Li Li, grabbing a guitar and stepping onto the stage: "Now enjoy the new song I wrote for Li Li——'Best Partners: Iron Dragon and Cat'!"
"Cut it out, Gajeel!"
"Come down already!"
"Who wants to hear you sing? Let Mira perform instead!"
"What Iron Dragon and Cat? It should be Fire Dragon and Cat!"
Ignoring everyone else's objections, Gajeel strummed the guitar heavily, producing noise from both the guitar and his mouth simultaneously:
"Shoo-be-doo-bah!"
A heap of random objects flew onto the stage, and laughter and chat echoed throughout the entire guild.