Magnolia had welcomed the harvest season. The trees lining the streets were dyed in shades of golden-yellow and orange-red, and fallen leaves spun down in the gentle breeze, blanketing the ground in warm colors.
The sweet aroma of ripe fruit filled the air. Market vendors displayed this year's newly harvested apples, grapes, and pumpkins, immersing the entire city in the joy of the harvest.
The Fairy Tail Guild planned to host an event on the eve of the Harvest Festival.
They would set up food stalls in the guild's courtyard and invite the residents of Magnolia to come and sample the food for free.
The courtyard outside the guild's entrance was spacious enough to easily accommodate dozens of stalls. Decorated with colorful lights and banners, it would be lively and bustling—the perfect warm-up for the Harvest Festival.
At the same time, every resident would get one vote to cast for whichever stall they found the most delicious.
The top three stalls would be decided, and they would win a cash prize!
The prize money was allocated by Makarov from the guild's funds. Although it wasn't a huge amount, it was enough to make these usually spendthrift Mages turn green with envy.
Riyao also raised the stakes.
"First place will also get a Dark History Crystal Ball~ It can be your own, or someone else's."
Makarov stood on the bar counter, waving a flyer with the event details in his hand. Stepping on a wine barrel with his short legs, he cleared his throat and announced in a booming voice,
"That's the gist of it! Form your own groups, choose your own food stalls, and we start tomorrow afternoon. Good luck!"
Below the stage, Lucy's eyes lit up, and she clenched her fists as if she had just spotted a lifesaver.
"My rent is saved! If I don't pay this month, the landlord is going to kick me out!"
Riyao sat on a bench with his legs crossed, peeling grapes and tossing them into his mouth as he complained speechlessly,
"Lucy, your rent is a never-ending cycle. Even if you get the prize money this time, won't it be the same next month?"
Lucy covered her face and slumped onto the table in despair, her voice muffled.
"Every single mission is just 'boom, boom, boom.' Houses collapse, roads get blown up, bridges break, and then all the reward money goes toward paying compensation. I work so hard on these missions, but the money I actually get isn't even enough to repair a door."
Riyao grinned, tossed another grape into his mouth, chewed twice, and offered advice like a seasoned veteran.
"Let me tell you a secret: just look for requests in the middle of nowhere. Even if you turn the wilderness upside down, no one will ask you for compensation. Back then, Mira also used to destroy things every day..."
As he spoke, he suddenly shuddered, feeling a chill run down his spine, as if he were being targeted by some fierce beast.
Mirajane had appeared behind him at some point. She leaned down to his ear, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, but the words were anything but gentle.
"Darling, what were you saying?"
Riyao broke out in a cold sweat. He turned his head stiffly to see Mirajane smiling down at him, a smile so bright it made his heart skip a beat in terror.
Happy appeared out of nowhere, pointing his small paw at Riyao and stabbing him in the back without mercy.
"Riyao said you're violent! Aye!"
Even more cold sweat poured from Riyao's forehead. He shook his head frantically, waving his hands like a windmill, his words firing off like a machine gun.
"Happy is talking nonsense! You know me, how could I ever say something like that! Mira is the gentlest! The cutest! The least violent!"
Mirajane gently hugged Riyao, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her voice was soft, but every word felt like a tiny knife stabbing into him.
"I heard you, you know. Saying I destroy things every day. But then again, it's true."
She paused, turning her head to look at Happy. The smile on her face was still gentle, but a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
"Happy is being a bad boy."
Before Happy could react, Mirajane grabbed him by the tail, lifted him up, and swung him around twice in the air.
Then, with a whoosh, he was launched, drawing a beautiful arc in the sky before disappearing into the horizon.
"Aye! I'll definitely be back!"
Happy's voice grew more and more distant, until he finally became a tiny black speck.
Riyao stared in the direction Happy had flown, swallowing hard. He figured he probably wouldn't escape his fate either.
Sure enough, Mirajane bent down and scooped Riyao up in a bridal carry. Her movements were gentle but brooked no refusal.
Riyao's feet left the ground, and he huddled in Mirajane's arms like a captured small animal.
"Let's go home and discuss setting up the stall."
Mirajane said with a smile, walking out while carrying Riyao.
Lisanna followed behind, giggling with her hand over her mouth, catching up with quick, short steps.
Elfman also walked over from the other side of the hall, taking large strides to follow them.
Riyao was carried through the guild hall in a bridal carry, leaving all the members along the way staring in a daze.
Natsu's mouth fell wide open. "Riyao got carried away by Mira again?"
Gray shook his head. "You get used to it."
Lucy lamented, "Just what kind of relationship dynamic do those two have..."
Cana raised her bottle in a toast. "To freedom."
On the other side, Natsu clapped his hands as a brilliant idea popped into his head. He jumped up from his chair, his face flushed with excitement.
"Lucy! Summon Virgo and wear maid outfits to draw in customers, while Happy and I grill meat and fish! It'll definitely be a huge hit!"
Lucy's face instantly turned bright red, and she slapped the table in embarrassment and anger.
"Maid outfits again! Can't you think of anything else besides maid outfits?! Last time we went to the Duke's mansion to find that book, it was maid outfits too! And..."
Natsu scratched his head, looking completely innocent.
"But maid outfits make a lot of money. Last time at that restaurant..."
"Don't mention that time!" Lucy covered her ears.
Happy had flown back at some point, his little wings fluttering. Though his tail was still a bit dizzy, his mouth wasn't idle at all.
"Fish girls work too!"
Lucy rolled her eyes.
"I know about bunny girls, but what on earth is a fish girl?! What are you even thinking!"
"It's just a girl wearing a fish costume."
"That's called a mermaid! Not a fish girl!"
"Aye! Mermaid girl!"
Lucy pressed her hand to her forehead, completely giving up on communicating with this cat.
The guild members began looking for partners to team up and set up stalls. The hall was filled with chatter and the sound of discussions everywhere.
Levy pulled Jet and Droy over to discuss what to make, while Jet and Droy scrambled to declare that they would take charge of whatever Levy came up with.
Erza sat alone in a corner, studying recipes with a serious expression. Several cookbooks lay open on the table beside her.
Gajeel chewed on a piece of iron with a look of disdain, but his ears were perked up high, clearly listening in.
Back at the villa, Riyao slumped on the living room sofa like a dried fish, wondering what would be good to make but not wanting to go to too much trouble.
He rolled over, burying his face in a cushion, his voice muffled.
"What should we make... I don't want to do anything too troublesome, but something too simple won't win the prize money..."
Mirajane sat beside him, gently running her fingers through Riyao's hair. She was quick to think of an idea, her tone cheerful.
"Let's make cupcakes tomorrow. I'm good at making desserts, and they're quick to make. We can also do various flavors."
Lisanna sat on the other side, her chin resting in her hands, her wing-like hair swaying back and forth.
"Then I'll make the drinks! Freshly squeezed juice and milk tea will pair perfectly with the cupcakes!"
Elfman stood in the center of the living room, striking a bodybuilding pose and flexing his muscles with a serious expression.
"A real man makes cupcakes and drinks! Use a man's spirit to make the ultimate desserts!"
Riyao raised his head from the cushion, looked at the three of them, and offered a small suggestion for convenience.
"How about we make some steamed buns? It's simple and hassle-free. Just steam a batch and we're done, plus we can make them with all kinds of fillings."
The three of them looked at Riyao in unison, their eyes filled with utter speechlessness.
Mirajane reached out and pinched Riyao's cheeks, pulling them to both sides until his face was stretched flat like a pancake. Her tone was gentle but left no room for argument.
"Steamed buns? Are you serious? You're going to sell steamed buns at the Harvest Festival?"
With his face stretched out of shape, Riyao spoke indistinctly.
"What's wrong with steamed buns... they're easy to make and filling..."
Mirajane let go, and Riyao's cheeks snapped back, flushed red. She patted his head, stood up, and looked down at him.
"Then we're not playing with you anymore."
Lisanna added to the blow, putting her hands on her hips and mimicking her sister's tone.
"Exactly! Brother-in-law, if you make steamed buns and we make cupcakes, don't cry when nobody comes to your stall."
Elfman also nodded, looking serious.
"A real man can't be this lazy!"
Riyao snorted softly.
"Fine, I'll set up my own stall. I'm going to secretly blow you all away!"