Chapter 4: First Spar, What Did You Even Come Here For
At dawn, as the sun rose, Ren opened his eyes, snapped up from bed in one smooth motion, quickly got dressed, and strapped on the tool pouch he'd prepared before sleeping. He glanced at the mirror.
"Still handsome as always today. But it feels like something's missing. When I have time, I should get a few Hokage cloaks tailored and fully cosplay Minato."
Washing up and breakfast
With the signature flash of Flying Thunder God, Ren appeared at the guild entrance. A crowd had already gathered outside, and Gray was waiting in the open space by the door.
"You're slow, Ren. Don't tell me you got scared," Gray provoked, casually taking off his shirt.
"It's only 9 a.m., you never said what time. Also, please mind your appearance." Ren raised one hand to cover his eyes, wearing a I can't even look expression as he replied.
"When did I—!" Gray hurriedly put his clothes back on. "Is this your strategy? Using clothes to mess with my emotions! How shameless, Ren!"
"I really… forget it." Ren stopped mid-sentence, sighed, and gave up arguing. He switched to stretching and warming up. After finishing, he rolled his wrists, clearly ready. "Alright, you ready to start?"
"Oh, not started yet. I made it, I made it!" A pink-haired boy pushed through the crowd.
"Don't shove, Natsu!" Cana and Levy protested after being squeezed aside.
"Yeah, seriously!"
"Aye! Natsu heard Gray was going to duel the newbie, so he rushed back overnight!" A small blue cat walked out from between Natsu's legs and spoke to the two girls.
"You're back, bug-eyes. How'd the mission go? Didn't get bullied to tears by a monster, did you?" Gray immediately started provoking Natsu like Tom seeing Jerry.
Natsu bristled like an enraged cat and charged right up to Gray. The two pressed their foreheads together and started pushing.
"Huh? What are you talking about, you droopy-eyed idiot? That kind of mission is nothing. But you? Don't tell me you're gonna get flattened by the newbie. It's fine. After you lose, I'll duel the newbie and avenge you getting knocked down."
Gray's forehead popped with a vein.
"You flame bastard, you got a death wish? After I beat the newbie, I'll wipe the floor with you in seconds and show you who's stronger!"
"Try it if you can, ice-brain! Or forget the newbie duel. Right here. Right now. Let's go. Winner gets to fight the newbie!"
As they argued and strained against each other, the match that hadn't even started took a bizarre turn.
"Don't mess with a duel that's already been scheduled."
Bang.
With a sharp scolding and a crisp impact, a red-haired girl in armor slammed a fist down and instantly suppressed Natsu, who had still been trying to stir things up.
"Erza! You're here too!" Gray's whole body jolted. He immediately stood up straight, legs together, arms at his sides, rigid as a soldier at attention.
"I heard you were dueling the newcomer, so we've been waiting nearby," Erza said, dragging Natsu back into the crowd and pointing toward the side. "And it's not just Natsu. After hearing about the duel, that belly-button girl rushed back too."
"You armor freak, who are you calling—!"
"Big sis, calm down!" Ren looked where Erza pointed and saw a long white-haired girl in black midriff-baring clothes being tightly hugged from behind by a short white-haired girl. Next to them stood a burly white-haired boy with a timid face, quietly trying to persuade them too.
So beautiful.
Ren's eyes seemed to contain nothing but the furious Mirajane. Her face was perfect, flawless. Her features were bright and vivid, like the word beauty had finally taken a real shape. Delicate brows, clear eyes, lips like a small cherry, skin fair with a healthy blush like a ripe peach. And that figure, full and graceful, swaying like a willow in the breeze, so stunning he couldn't look away. Too much would be excessive, too little would be thin. And that long white hair hit Ren's exact weakness.
Without even thinking, Ren walked straight toward her.
"Ren! Where are you going?" Gray stared, confused, as Ren headed into the crowd.
"Hello! I'm Ren, a new wizard who just joined Fairy Tail!" Ren rushed up to Mirajane. "You're Mirajane Strauss, right!"
Ren grabbed her left hand with both of his hands.
"I know this is sudden, but I fell in love with you at first sight. Please give me a chance to pursue you!"
"Whaaaaa!"
The people around them gasped.
"Confessing on the spot the first time they meet… that's so bold…" Levy and Cana were too shocked to know what to say.
"W-what… wait… you…!" Mirajane froze like her brain had crashed, words stuck. Then the anger blasted through the embarrassment. "Are you messing with me!"
She yanked her hand back, seized Ren by the collar, and shouted with a flushed, furious face.
"No. I'm serious," Ren said, completely earnest. "And I'm not using this as an excuse to confess. I'm expressing my feelings and asking for a chance to pursue you. Real sincerity or a prank becomes obvious after some time."
"Big sis… should you give him a chance?" Lisanna recovered from the shock and started teasing her sister. "He looks pretty serious. Maybe later he could…"
"T-this… is this manly…?" Elfman still looked like he hadn't processed what was happening.
"Lisanna! Whose side are you on!" Mirajane was so embarrassed she was breaking down, complaining to her little sister like she'd been betrayed. "Is this about whether he's serious! I only just learned his name! Stop adding fuel to the fire!"
"A belly-button girl getting love at first sight…" Erza looked like she'd taken emotional damage.
"Hm?" Mirajane sensed something, looked up, and saw Erza's expression. A strange feeling clicked.
"Wait… he confessed to me. Doesn't that mean I'm way more charming than Erza the armor freak?" Mirajane found the weak point and immediately went on the offensive. "Armor freak with no one who wants you!"
"What! You damned belly-button girl! Skinny freak! Idiot! Baka!" Erza fired back without thinking, words spilling out.
"I have a pursuer. You don't," Mirajane said like she'd found the ultimate cheat code.
"Y-you… just you wait!!" Erza retreated.
Mirajane had won a head-on clash with Erza for the first time, but the reason felt oddly complicated.
Off to the side, completely forgotten, Gray roared, "Ren! What the hell did you even come here for!"
Ren suddenly remembered. "Oh, right. You too. Come on. I've been ready."
Ren walked back to the center of the space, pulled out a kunai, and took a fighting stance.