Chapter 66: The Clashing Heart of Mirajane (2)
In the northwestern streets of Magnolia stood the restaurant "Scent of the Sea."
Specializing in seafood dishes, it was famous for serving fresh catches brought in daily from the port town of Hargeon. It was known as one of the three must-try restaurants in Magnolia.
Seeing the line that stretched all the way out the door early in the morning, Mirajane gave a wry smile.
"Oh wow… there are more people than I expected…"
She had picked this restaurant for breakfast, thinking Ciel—who enjoyed delicate fish dishes—would like it. Levy had even recommended it to her. But what she hadn't known was that, since the restaurant had recently been featured in Weekly Sorcerer as one of Magnolia's "Top 3 Eateries," people were now flocking from neighboring towns as well.
Their very first stop had already gone awry. Feeling awkward, Mirajane glanced at Ciel.
"Um… Ciel, should we wait?"
"If we do, breakfast will probably turn into lunch."
Ciel smiled faintly at her apologetic, restless expression.
"If you don't mind, I know another place. It's not as fancy, but…"
This time, it was he who took her hand and gently led the way.
Mirajane blushed at the reversal, but followed happily, letting him guide her through the streets.
Hidden nearby, Lucy's group exchanged sharp looks at Levy.
Levy scratched her head with an awkward laugh.
"Er… it wasn't always like this! That place wasn't that popular until recently…"
"The info must've been outdated. About a week ago, Weekly Sorcerer featured it as one of Magnolia's top three. Now people even come from other towns."
"Ohhh… so that's why."
"Anyway! Ciel held her hand first, so isn't that good enough?!"
"Right, let's follow them!"
"W-wait—don't leave me behind!"
…
Following Ciel's suggestion, the two enjoyed a simple breakfast at a small, cozy shop instead.
Afterward, they strolled leisurely through town, enjoying each other's company—while Lucy and the others continued their not-so-subtle tailing from a distance.
"They've got about an hour before the show starts. Just walking around like this and looking for something fun is the best use of time."
"But wow, those two are really drawing everyone's eyes."
"Of course they are—one of the continent's most beautiful women, and Ciel, who's trusted deeply by the townsfolk."
"I thought we guild members were all seen as troublemakers for breaking things so often?"
"That's more about Natsu and the guys. Ciel's different—he's even trusted by the Council. Thanks to that, when we cause small incidents, the Council looks the other way, and the townspeople still think well of the guild."
Lucy began to realize why Fairy Tail so strongly supported Ciel, and why everyone wanted him to be happy.
Part of it was girlish sympathy for Mirajane's long love, but another part was simply wishing that Ciel himself could find happiness in love. Seeing two people you admire become a couple—it was a picture-perfect scene.
As they walked, townsfolk handed little gifts to Ciel, and Mirajane, watching him with a bright smile, looked happier than anyone.
"Ahh, if only I had a destined man like Mirajane does~"
"Don't tell me you mean Natsu?"
"Why would you say something so scary?!"
"Ah—look! They're going into the theater!"
"Let's go too!"
"Seriously, don't leave me behind!"
And so, as Ciel and Mirajane entered the theater, their little "shadow squad" slipped inside as well.
...
On stage, the performance began—
"That's right! Just like a transformation—be a kindhearted, reincarnated human! So! So! Sooo! Like watching Rowly, the MC of National Singing Contest! Bwoooom!!! You like slimy sea cucumbers?! Don't tell me I'm the only one! Kill them all!"
"All burnt out!"
"Ugh♥ It's fried chicken! Crispy fried chicken! Nya★ It's the crunchy trap laid to grab my ankle★!"
"Right-on!"
"I'm pissed! Fry the ones with meat! …Bwooooom!!! Idiot!!! Who are you even shooting at?!"
"You shoved Father into the kitchen…! You're going to blame it on ramen?! Noodles! Noodles noodles noodles!!"
"Mikuni! What are you doing?! Write them down! Quadratics (ax²+bx+c=0, a≠0)!!"
"I went with the fried chicken era!"
"Nya★ My Chun-Li♥!"
"I went with the cooling era instead!"
"Idiooooot!! Power-level, useless trash!! …Where's Mijeon?! My cutie pie!!"
The actors' strange lines and bizarre delivery sent the audience into fits of laughter.
I, however, couldn't figure out what part was supposed to be funny.
Beside me, though, Mirajane—dressed up and radiant—clutched her stomach, laughing along with the crowd.
To match her mood, I let a small smile slip onto my face as well.
"Kyahaha~ Look at that actor's acting!"
"Kufufufu…"
The strange lines and awkward pronunciation brought a little amusement, but it wasn't the play itself that made me smile.
It was the girl beside me—Mirajane—laughing so wholeheartedly.
I couldn't tell whether I should be glad that something so small could make her laugh so brightly…
Or whether it was my own heart, moved simply by watching her laugh, that I couldn't quite understand.
....
"Oh no! I don't know that woman!"
"Earlier you called her your Chun-Li. That's as good as a confession."
By the time the play ended, the sky outside was painted in crimson hues.
We had shared a simple breakfast in the morning, strolled the town together, and enjoyed shopping.
At noon we found a specialty dessert shop, savoring cake and tea. Later, we wandered the merchant stalls before finally watching the theater performance.
Throughout the day, I realized something stirring in my chest. Watching Mirajane's happiness—her genuine joy—sparked something deep inside me.
....
"Ciel~ today was so much fun."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"There's one last place I'd like to go… if that's okay?"
"…A place you want to go?"
Her face, which had been lit with smiles all day, now flushed red as she looked up at me with embarrassment. She wanted to end today by taking me somewhere special.
Feeling guilty that I hadn't truly been there for her during those three long years, I nodded without hesitation.
She led me south, to a park in Magnolia.
Her steps slowed, as if weighed down by the resolve she was building.
By the time we arrived at the great tree in the park, the sun had already set, and stars dotted the night sky.
This place—famous in Magnolia as the spot where lovers confessed their feelings.
After spending the day with Mirajane, I already knew what it was she wanted here.
....
"Ciel… thank you for spending the day with me."
"So, this is the place you wanted to come?"
Beneath the night sky, she shone as if glowing with her own light.
I gazed down at her as we continued speaking.
"Y-yeah… I always wanted to come here with you. Remember? We used to visit this place often when we were kids."
"That's true. Back then, Elfman and Lisanna would come with us and rest beneath this tree too."
"…Lisanna…"
When I mentioned her sister's name, Mirajane lowered her head and clenched her fists tightly.
I realized I had spoken carelessly and stopped, letting silence settle between us.
That silence felt longer than any passing hour.
Then, with eyes filled with determination, Mirajane lifted her gaze to me and spoke.
"Lisanna's gone now."
"…Yes… she is."
"That day… after reading your letter, I thought about it. Why was I always so prickly toward you back then? Why didn't I ever just step closer to you? And it hit me… it wasn't that you grew distant from me… it was that I was too embarrassed, too shy to approach you."
"…"
"I thought you would always be there for me… always by my side…"
Because of Mirajane's tear-filled eyes, my heart ached with guilt.
I lifted my hand and gently wiped her tears away, wearing a bitter smile.
Even though I had returned alive, I could never erase the painful memories I had left behind in her heart. That regret was always there.
Mirajane gripped the pendant around her neck—the very pendant I had once crafted, intending to give to her.
Though I had never managed to hand it to her myself, I had often seen it hanging from her neck when she visited my grave.
"It feels like a dream, having you here beside me, Ciel. I'm happy just like this… but these past three years, I've kept thinking about the words I wanted to say back then…"
"Ciel! I… I lo—"
Before she could finish, I placed my hands on her shoulders and pushed her back.
I already understood exactly what she wanted to say, and how much courage it had taken to say it.
But… I…
"Ciel…?"
"You don't need to say it."
"What…?"
"I already know what's in your heart."
"…Then, does that mean—"
"But I can't give you an answer right now."
That was the conclusion I had come to.
I could not accept Mirajane's feelings—not yet.
She had always been the girl I cherished as family.
I couldn't ignore her affection… but I couldn't accept it either.
Love between man and woman was something different.
It frightened me.
I could love and protect others as family—that much I could do.
But the thought of being loved… truly loved… terrified me.
I had already suffered enough during those three years apart from Mirajane, Elfman, and Lisanna.
And if I were to take that step—if Mirajane and I were to become something more than family—
What would happen if I vanished again? Or if she were ever taken from me?
I wouldn't be able to endure it. Something inside me would break beyond repair.
"I'm sorry, Mira. I just…"
"…So you don't love me?"
Without answering, I gently stroked her back, only repeating my apologies.
I knew how she felt. I knew why she had stood before my grave every day, whispering her love to me.
But I had cut her words short—because I was afraid of losing her.
"No. I do love you. I always have… and I still do. That hasn't changed."
"…But I don't want to be loved as just family anymore. I want to be with you as something more."
"Mira… That can't be."
When I rejected her, she pushed me back, grabbed me by the collar, and shouted through her tears:
"I'm not a child anymore! And this isn't some passing whim or grief twisting into something else! I've loved you for seven years—ever since the day we were driven out of the village!"
Her words only deepened my torment.
How could I accept her feelings, when I still didn't even understand my own?
If I kept seeing her only as family while she gave me her heart as a woman…
I would only scar her more deeply. And that was the one thing I could never allow.
Mirajane's face fell, her voice weak, as she lowered her head.
I didn't even know what expression I wore anymore.
I had spent so long deceiving others, hiding truths, concealing my thoughts and feelings even from myself…
And now, even I no longer understood my own heart.
What answer could I possibly give her?
As I wrestled with my thoughts, Mirajane suddenly kicked me in the shin.
"Ugh—?!"
"…Let's go back."
"…Huh?"
"It's late. Elfman will be waiting at home. Let's stop here for today."
As if nothing had happened, Mirajane forced a smile and tugged gently at my arm.
But watching her act like everything was fine only tightened the ache in my chest.
I could only wear a bitter expression and remain silent.
If I said any more here, I knew she would break down in tears.
"Yes… let's go back."
"Mm."
And so, without another word, I ended up wounding her heart yet again.
....
At the same time, hidden in the bushes of the park, Lucy and the others held their breath, their hearts racing as they watched Ciel embrace Mirajane.
"Huh?"
"Wait… something feels off here."
"Shhh! I can't hear if you keep talking!"
"Ah—hey, stop moving so much! If we make noise, they'll notice us!"
"Lucy, you're too tall, I can't hide properly!"
"I am not!"
But then—suddenly, sleep overcame them all. They rubbed their eyes, fighting it, but within moments they collapsed right there in the grass.
Even Erza, who had managed to hold out for a few seconds longer, eventually toppled forward, landing right on top of Lucy.
And with that, the entire group of would-be stalkers fell fast asleep in the bushes.
"...Haa… even covering up a foolish master's weakness is part of a disciple's duty, I suppose."
Appearing amidst a swirl of mist, Mystogan sighed, shaking his head as he looked at the unconscious group.
"Spying on others, really… If they put half this effort into finding their own love instead of meddling in someone else's, they'd be better off."
He turned his gaze toward Ciel, who was being led away by Mirajane, and struck his chest twice with his fist, unable to hide his frustration.
"Haa… so, this version of Ciel doesn't even realize his own feelings yet… or maybe he's just too afraid to admit them. The man I knew was the complete opposite—always honest with his heart. …Well, I suppose it makes sense."
After glancing one last time at the retreating Ciel and Mirajane, and then at Erza's sleeping face, Mystogan allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.
"This isn't the world I belonged to, after all…"
With that final murmur, Mystogan vanished silently into the night.
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