The Guild resiliently endured the trial and didn't collapse.
Rhode and Mira left a house full of drunkards to take a walk at the door and get some fresh air.
The weather tonight was just right, with a full moon hanging in the night sky.
Even without streetlights, it didn't feel dark.
However, the temperature was still quite cold. As soon as the door opened, Mira shivered.
Rhode helped Mira put on a coat, but she didn't put her arms through the sleeves; instead, she held onto the lapels and leaned into Rhode's embrace.
The two of them nestled together, bathed in moonlight, strolling on the empty street, engaging in idle chatter.
"When are you planning to go to the Council?"
"Tomorrow, if I hurry, I can be back the same day."
"Why the rush?"
"Because being away from you for too long makes me miss you?"
Mira smiled slightly at the corners of her mouth and nudged him lightly with her elbow: "Be serious."
"Alright, they only said I should go for a test, they didn't guarantee a title for me, so it's better to go and come back quickly."
"I don't know how the President will arrange things for you," Mira laughed, "If you get the Ten Wizard Saints title, he might exempt you from the S-Class exams and promote you directly."
"Not necessarily, look at Gajeel and Jubia, they were practically S-Class at Ghost, but in our Guild, they still have to go through exams step by step for a promotion."
Mira pondered: "Hmm... in some ways, the President is quite old-fashioned."
"So, who knows, I might have to come back and continue preparing for the exam."
"Those in your generation would cry," Mira laughed.
She felt a bit grateful for Kana now.
If she hadn't recognized Kildas by now, Kana's psychological pressure would have exploded.
Rhode pouted: "You're acting like you didn't make your peers cry during your S-Class exam."
Mira remembered the scene: "Ah, at that time I was so young, didn't know any better."
"That was just three years ago... was 16 really that young?"
"Very young," Mira insisted, "I'm still very young now."
Rhode looked down at Mira, and with a hint of implication, said: "I think you're not that young anymore."
Mira turned her head to look at him, then looked down at where his gaze landed, and pinched Rhode's waist through his coat.
"Ow, ow!" In reality, it didn't hurt, but Rhode exaggeratedly threatened, "If you keep pinching, I'll retaliate!"
She ignored his threat, so he started to tickle her.
Mira burst into laughter from the sudden attack and began to run away.
The two chased each other, laughing and running for a while before calming down.
"It's already December," Mira suddenly said, staring at their two connected shadows on the ground.
"Yeah." Rhode understood what she meant.
The wedding was approaching.
Mira puffed her cheeks: "But we still haven't found a suitable house."
Rhode laughed, "It's okay."
"Hmm?" Mira looked at him in surprise. Wasn't he the one who insisted on buying a house first?
"The past is the past..." Rhode thought for a moment and said, "Actually, a few days ago, I had a nightmare about what happened when we were in Edolas."
Mira blinked; she seemed to know what Rhode wanted to say.
"The dream didn't end well, and when I woke up, I was still a bit scared. If Gajeel hadn't arrived at the Royal Capital in time, if your and Elfman's Magic Crystals had been shattered by someone else, if...
"Just thinking about almost losing you forever that day, I felt terrified. Then I thought about what you said to Kana and realized it applies to us too. I..."
Rhode had figured it all out; whether it's a house or savings, none of that matters. Since Mira didn't care about those things, why should he? Being together with her was the most important.
Even if he didn't say it, Mira understood, but she was keen to hear Rhode say it.
The annoying guy actually stopped at such a crucial moment.
Mira wrinkled her nose and playfully said, "You figured it out too late."
"Yes, yes." Rhode expressed his apologies by holding her tighter.
After walking a little further, Rhode, remembering the mess back at the Guild, felt a headache coming on: "We've got a lot to deal with tomorrow morning."
"Yeah," Mira showed a helpless smile, "We've gotten used to it. Just leave it to us when the time comes, and you can focus on what you need to do..."
Mira slowed down her pace, looking around: "How did we end up here?"
Rhode looked up; they were at his home: "I guess it's a habit."
The two of them stood at the door, falling into silence together.
They had been out long enough, sobering up from the alcohol. Logically, they should return to the Guild now.
But Rhode felt like his legs were filled with lead, making it impossible to move. His mouth also seemed glued shut, unsure of what to say.
Mira seemed to be in the same situation as him, standing still and unable to speak.
Rhode's heartbeat started to accelerate, and Mira's cheeks began to flush with red.
"Why don't we..."
Rhode bit his lip, "Since we're here, why not come up for a bit?"
"..." Mira turned her face to the other side and said, "Okay."
Rhode felt like his heart skipped a beat, his breathing becoming cautious.
In awkward silence, they held hands and went upstairs.
Opening the door, closing the door.
Mira hung up her coat, and as she turned around, she fell into a warm embrace.
No words needed, everything was expressed in a long kiss.
Swaying and stumbling, they seemed to be moving, the scenes around them shifting, but they didn't care.
From the door to the bedroom, until Rhode stumbled over the bed, briefly separating, with Mira also falling on his chest.
She held his shoulders, wanting to lean in again.
But he wrapped his arms around her and turned over.
The two of them gradually rolled into a corner out of the moonlight shining through the window.
The bedroom was so quiet they could hear each other's quickened breathing, almost as if they could hear each other's heartbeat.
Their eyes locked together, each feeling the growing attraction toward the other.
Rustling sounds arose.
A long dress lay on the floor.
Followed by a top, a pair of pants.
And smaller items scattered by the bed.
"Mmm..."
A soft moan, the bedroom filled with noises that made one's cheeks flush crimson.
The happy time flowed amidst their somewhat awkward coordination.
No one knew how long it took, but Rhode let out a long breath, lowering his head into Mira's embrace.
Mira's cheeks were burning red, draping her arm over Rhode's back.
They stayed quietly together for a while.
"Let's sleep," Rhode actually wanted to say "Let's go again," but felt it wasn't appropriate.
Mira's shyness hadn't faded yet, she softly said: "I think we should clean up first."
Usually knowledgeable about physiological hygiene, Rhode appeared a bit stunned: "You're right..."
...
Mira had a rather messy sleeping position.
Rhode confirmed this the next morning.
He felt something heavy on him, like being locked into place by advanced combat techniques, blinded, and unable to breathe.
Soon the darkness turned into the soft white of skin, Mira groggily sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking serene.
When she saw Rhode and realized their current posture, Mira's face turned red again, but she didn't panic too much.
"Good morning." She forced herself to stay calm, kneeling next to Rhode and winking playfully, "Hubby."
Had her face not been flushed all the way through, Rhode almost would have been fooled by her.
But when he heard Mira call him "hubby," his heart couldn't help but skip twice.
"Good morning, wifey." He responded this way.