He looked at Kai, and in that instant he felt that handing the future position of guild master to Kai one day would not be bad at all. The kid really was reliable.
"Later there might be people coming to question you as guild master. When that happens, help explain things for me."
"You little brat, a dozen or so is not even that many. And could you not just let them drag you in and then talk it out. Did you really have to start swinging."
Makarov grumbled.
"Surrendering quietly is not my style."
Kai gave Makarov a thumbs up.
"Besides, compared to the damage Natsu and the others cause to towns, this is nothing."
Makarov had also had a long day and headed off to sleep. Before going, he still muttered a few complaints at Kai.
He might grumble like that, but he had no intention of dodging the responsibility. The kids caused trouble outside.
As the adult in charge, he would lecture them, of course. Yet once the scolding was over and the storm blew in, he would be the one standing out front to take it for them.
Lucy was exhausted too. So much had happened in one day. She had been frozen half to death, hunted by monsters.
In the end even Kai's power had shaken her heart to its core. She was tired to the bone.
After saying goodbye to Kai, she left. She still had not rented a room and planned to spend the night at an inn.
"You came back so late. You definitely have not eaten yet. What would you like. I will make something for you. Special service this time, my treat, no charge."
Mirajane flashed a playful smile and asked.
"Anything is fine. Just throw together whatever ingredients are left in the kitchen. As long as you do not put in chili peppers."
Kai replied.
"All right, it will be ready soon."
Mira headed into the kitchen.
[Ping. Mission complete. Mana Buff effect increased by 10 percent.]
Kai glanced outside.
"This rain looks like it will last all night. And I am starving. When is that food going to be ready."
"It is almost done, do not rush. There is juice and some snacks behind the bar. If you are hungry, grab something first."
"Juice and snacks, behind the bar. So that is what you usually sneak when you sit here."
Kai leaned halfway over the counter and rummaged around until he found a half eaten bag of snacks and an unopened bottle of juice.
"Is our guild really okay. The barmaid eats snacks while working, and the members spend every day breaking things."
"Fairy Tail has completely taken the wrong medicine. I really do need to get that old man Makarov to step down early and put myself in charge."
"That is the only way to guarantee Fairy Tail's future. Yes, heaven has sent me down for that. First I need to fix the packaging."
Kai decided he was the one destined to fix things. He popped snacks into his mouth, washed them down with juice, and before long Mirajane came out carrying the food.
She put the dishes down in front of him with a smile, then sat beside him, resting her hands on the bar as she watched him with her eyes curved in delight.
"Just now I said I was treating you, but I have not managed to treat you at all. You are the one treating me."
Kai took a bite, then gave her a thumbs up. To be honest, before coming to Fairy Tail.
He had thought Mira was the type of girl completely hopeless in the kitchen. White hair, cute, a bit airheaded.
Those things practically guaranteed she would not be good at cooking. But unexpectedly, her food was amazing.
On top of that, Mira genuinely enjoyed cooking and was always trying out new dishes. They all tasted great.
"Heh heh, are you feeling a little shy."
Mira teased.
Normally Kai was either out on a job or on the road to one. Even though she had plenty of chances to interact with him.
She had always been a bit curious what he would look like embarrassed. Would he, unexpectedly, be kind of cute.
"Not at all. It is just a meal. What is there to be shy about. At worst, I will treat you twice next time."
Kai did not feel shy in the slightest. What good was being shy. Could it fill his stomach. No. The food in front of him, on the other hand, absolutely could.
"Your skin is unexpectedly thick."
Mira said.
"Thick skin means I have high defense and high survivability. That way I am less likely to get hurt on jobs."
"Once I finish eating, I am going to lie on the counter and nap for a bit, refill my energy, then head out on another mission."
Even now, Kai was thinking about his quests. Every minute he wasted slowed down how fast he could grow stronger.
"Sigh, I really do not understand why you work so hard."
"I know you are strong, but no matter how strong someone is, there will always be a day they face danger."
Just like her. She had become an S class wizard at a young age and had been arrogant in her youth. In the end, what had it brought.
She had lost the family she treasured most. She did not want Kai to follow the same path she had.