"Buy a house? The guild has dorms..."
Most mages in the guild either rented a place or lived in the dorms. Very few people actually bought their own house.
"No, I don't like dorms. I want my own house."
Since he had crossed into this world, he was putting down roots. He wanted a home of his own.
"Um... do you have any requirements for the house?"
"No special requirements. It can be a bit far from other people. I don't want to bother anyone when I train. Just as long as it's clean."
When Mirajane heard this, her eyes lit up. "Now that you say that, I know the perfect place. Wait a minute."
Mirajane ran to Makarov to ask for time off, saying she was taking Kael Vane to look at a house. Makarov agreed immediately. Buying a house was a big deal. If Kael was buying a house here, it meant he was settling down.
Mirajane quickly returned. "Okay, I've got the time off. Let's go."
Mirajane led Kael Vane along the river.
"Near where I live, there's a middle-aged couple. The husband was transferred to Onibus for a government job, and the family is moving. They're planning to sell their house. When you listed your requirements, I thought of them first."
Just then, a boat passed by on the river. The boatman saw Mirajane and Kael walking by the river and teased, "Hey! Are you two a young couple on a date?"
Mirajane blushed. "We are not!"
"Don't be shy! Young people should enjoy love while they're young. It's too late when you get old!"
The boatman drifted away down the river as he spoke.
"Kael Vane, don't listen to him. He's just talking nonsense."
Kael smiled. "I know. He was just joking. But you denied it so fast, it kind of hurts."
"Ah! I didn't mean it like that!"
"Okay, I'm just teasing you. I was joking too."
He liked Mirajane, but he wouldn't call it love at first sight. He just liked her, partly because he had seen her in the anime. In reality, this was only the second time they had met.
Mirajane pouted. "Mph! Mr. Kael Vane, you're so mean."
After saying that, she laughed. Even though they had only met twice, she felt very comfortable and natural around him.
Soon, they arrived at a house.
A carriage was in front, loaded with bags and furniture.
"Mr. Santos! Ms. Bella! Are you leaving already?" Mirajane asked.
"Oh, it's Miss Mira! Yes, everything is ready over there, so it's time to go," Ms. Bella said with a smile. She had watched Mira grow from a little girl into a beautiful woman.
"And who is this... your boyfriend? Little Mira is all grown up."
Mirajane's face turned red. "No, he's a colleague from my guild."
"Oh? A guild romance?"
"No! Just a normal colleague."
"Well, I've never seen you out with a male colleague before."
"Ms. Bella~!"
"Haha! I'm just joking. If I don't tease you now, I'm afraid I won't get another chance."
"By the way, Ms. Bella, what are you doing with the house? Is it sold?"
Ms. Bella shook her head. "Not yet. We're out of time, so we were just going to leave it with an agency."
"Oh, that's perfect! My colleague here is looking for a house, and I recommended yours. Can we look around?"
"Of course! Please, look around!"
Mirajane and Kael toured the house. It wasn't too big or too small, with two floors. The house and yard were very clean; the owners had clearly taken good care of it. It had all the basic furniture, so he could move in right away.
The area was beautiful, and the house was by itself, so he wouldn't have to worry about bothering neighbors. Kael Vane was very satisfied.
After some bargaining from Mirajane, the 4,000,000 J price was lowered. Bella and her husband sold it to Kael Vane for 3,000,000 J. Kael was impressed.
"And you say you're not a couple, but you're already saving him money."
"We're not~!"
"Alright, I really have to go. Young man, I've watched little Mira grow up. She's a good girl. You'd better treasure her!"
"Ms. Bella~!"
Kael Vane said with a serious face, "Don't worry, Ms. Bella. I will treasure her."
Ms. Bella paused, then burst out laughing. She clapped Kael on the shoulder. "Kid, I like you!"
"Kael Vane~!"
Even though she knew they were just joking, she was still embarrassed.
Soon, the carriage pulled away. Mirajane said goodbye to Ms. Bella. This might be the last time they ever saw each other.
"Kael, you should get settled in. I'm going back to the guild."
"Wait. You helped me so much. Let me buy you dinner."
"No! If people see us, who knows what they'll say." Mirajane had lived in Magnolia for years; almost everyone knew her. She had already been teased several times just on this short walk.
"Uh..."
"Hehe! Just kidding. I have a lot of work to do at the guild. Maybe some other time. I'm going now."
Mirajane turned to leave.
Kael Vane suddenly remembered something. "Wait! Mira!"
"Hm? What is it?"
"I almost forgot the most important part. Mira, can you wish me good luck, just like last time?"
"???"
Mirajane was confused, but she smiled beautifully. "Mr. Kael Vane, I wish you good luck today, too!"
[Ding! Received the Goddess's Blessing! Luck +100!]
As Kael looked at Mirajane, he almost thought he heard a system alert.
When Kael snapped out of it, Mirajane was already far down the street.
He immediately opened the system.
[Use Ten-Pull?]
"Confirm!"
The screen flashed with starlight again, gathering in the sky.
Kael prayed. "Gold! Gold! Gold!"
Just then, a bright, golden light flashed.
Kael was overjoyed. "It's really gold!!"