After work, Rhode's training continued as usual.
He mused that once his Magic Power caught up with the President's and Kildas', he could slack off a bit more.
After dropping Wendy and Carla off at the dormitory after training, Rhode nonchalantly took Mira back to his place.
Mira was a bit shy; although she managed to brush it off last night, not coming home tonight would definitely not escape Elfman and Lisana's notice.
But she couldn't bring herself to refuse and just followed him without thinking.
If they're going to find out, they're going to find out; it's not like we can hide it forever.
Love conquered shyness.
Thus, the two of them discussed some profound philosophical questions late into the night.
As a result, the next morning, they were up late again and missed breakfast at home.
When they got to the Guild, they were under the scrutinizing eyes of Elfman and Lisana.
Rhode was thick-skinned and didn't mind, but when Mira pouted at him, he had to take Elfman outside for a friendly chat.
Lisana got the special treatment from Mira, and the two sisters took advantage of the quiet tavern to sit together and chat.
"Did you really stay at brother-in-law's house last night?"
"Yes." Mira's cheeks were burning.
"Wasn't it the night before too..."
"Yes." Mira nodded with a flushed face.
It was fun while it lasted, not giving much thought to anything else. But being directly asked by her younger sister was indeed a bit embarrassing.
Lisana covered her mouth, thinking her sister was so bold.
But come to think of it, her sister should be bold like that, considering she's about to get married. It wouldn't be like her to be so bashful all the time.
It was just so sudden, it shocked her a bit.
A few days ago, she was still gossiping about Alzack and Bisca, and today it suddenly involved her dear sister.
No wonder she's wearing clothes Lisana had never seen before these past two days. No wonder she was so weird yesterday.
Her sister is really going to get married...
Only then did Lisana feel the true reality of it, her emotions were mixed.
Seeing the look in her sister's eyes, Mira felt her little sister also needed some educating. What was with that 'I can't believe my sister can actually get married' look?
Lisana suddenly felt a sense of crisis and quickly pulled her sister aside to whisper a few private questions in her ear.
The two sisters whispered for a while, their faces both turning red.
Feeling they had talked enough, Lisana finally brought up a practical issue: "So, when is brother-in-law moving into our house?"
Mira hesitated for a while and said, "Wouldn't it be awkward to suddenly move over?"
Moving 'over' doesn't make any sense! Which side is your home anyway?
Lisana felt there was something wrong with her sister's wording: "Then is Sister Mira moving into brother-in-law's house?"
"Hmm... That doesn't seem right either." The suddenness of the situation left Mira without a plan.
"Huh~~" Lisana leaned on the table, propping her chin with her arms, tilting her head to look at her sister, "What's so hard to decide? Isn't it nice for everyone to live together?"
"..." Mira didn't say anything. Of course, it's inconvenient unless some soundproofing renovations are done at home.
...
By the pool in the Guild's backyard were tables, chairs, and parasols.
When the weather was nice, people often treated the backyard as a beach, swimming, and watching others swim.
But now it was winter, and the ladies of the Guild had no interest in winter swimming, so no enthusiastic spectators gathered to watch.
Rhode and Elfman sat across from one another, with bottles and small cups on the table.
"Cheers!"
The two clinked their glasses and drained them in one go.
Rhode continued to pour drinks for his brother-in-law.
There wasn't much to say between these future brothers-in-law, as they had already had their fill of fighting before Rhode and Mira officially started dating.
So, despite instinctively glaring at Rhode a couple of times today, there was no real animosity in Elfman's heart.
If there was any bother, it was the reluctance of letting his sister move out or moving out with Lisana.
But it was bound to happen sooner or later, since even if his sister didn't get married, one day he... and Lisana too would meet someone they wanted to marry.
Thinking it over, Elfman felt Rhode was right: "It's all in the drink!"
Gulp, gulp, gulp...
Watching Elfman down one cup after another, not waiting for him, Rhode was a bit dumbfounded.
This didn't seem like he was angry at him, but rather a bit joyful.
Rhode quickly stopped him and asked, "Don't just drink, how are things going with you?"
"Ah?" Elfman drank too much, and was already a bit dazed, "Preparing all out, I'm definitely going to shine in this exam!"
"I'm not asking about that; I'm asking about you and Ibarglin."
"Ibarglin..." Elfman's brain was a bit foggy, "Nothing's happened."
"Tch~" Rhode didn't believe it.
In Edolas, Ibarglin acted as if seeing a deadly snake and beast when she saw him, but like she found a savior when she saw Elfman.
After coming back for the banquet, Ibarglin mostly stuck with her two teammates, but whenever Elfman shouted 'Manly,' she would turn her head to look at him.
Is it really just because he has a loud voice?
"Forget it, cheers."
"Manly!"
In the end, Rhode half-carried and half-supported Elfman back.
Mira quickly came over to help: "Elfman? Elfman?"
"Let him lie down in the infirmary," Lisana said, "Don't worry, Brother Elf isn't planning to go out to work today."
Rhode felt Lisana's focus seemed a bit off.
But it was also quite reasonable.
After all, even someone like Kana who drank heavily wasn't often worried about her health, only about causing trouble outside from drinking too much.
The three of them took Elfman to the infirmary, Lisana stayed back to take care of him, and Rhode and Mira returned to their duties.
There were many people coming to turn in quests today, but few taking them up.
Many who missed the medal ceremony were surrounding the notice board, examining it closely.
The President had hung two medals at the most prominent position on the notice board to ensure everyone could see them easily.
But those who hadn't witnessed the ceremony couldn't believe the Guild had such honors.
Once people heard about what happened with Rhode, the Guild naturally became lively again.
Tomorrow was the official announcement of the exam qualifications; many like Elfman, after completing the previous task, didn't plan on heading back out.
Even Mest came by to make his presence felt.
However, to minimize the risk of exposure, the clever Mest, apart from chatting with Lucy to confirm she hadn't changed her mind, merely hid in a corner silently drinking.
Every opportunity to infiltrate Fairy Tail was precious, and although in such chaotic settings there was unlikely anything valuable to learn, observing more was always worthwhile.
For some reason, the longer Mest stayed here, the more relaxed he felt, even having a strange sense of comfort.
The evil Fairy Tail, just watching could corrupt you!
No, he must stay alert!