Chapter 253: The Promise
When Erza and Sorano returned home, they saw the lights on in the lab, but neither of them went to see Noah. They both needed time to cool down. After exchanging a glance, they retreated to their own rooms.
Later, Wendy-kun and the others returned. Yukino-kun went to her sister, while Wendy-kun and Meredy, after a silent exchange, decided not to bother Erza and went to their rooms as well.
In the evening, Noah emerged from his lab and started preparing dinner.
Not long after, Sorano walked into the kitchen, intending to cook, only to find Noah already there. They both blushed slightly upon seeing each other.
However, Sorano didn't leave. Instead, she started helping him, just like always. Her blush faded a little as they worked.
They didn't speak, but their coordination was flawless. A glance, a gesture, and the other knew exactly what to do. It was quiet, but the atmosphere was comfortable and unique.
Then, Erza walked in. Seeing the silent, seamless teamwork, she blushed too, but she didn't leave. She joined them.
Her presence didn't disrupt the flow at all; instead, she blended right in. The three of them moved with a perfect, rhythmic coordination.
Soon, a magnificent dinner was ready. Wendy-kun and the others came out of their rooms. Seeing the three of them bringing out the food, the younger girls blushed and stared in amazement.
"Go wash your hands and sit down," Sorano said, her face reddening again under their scrutiny. She shot them a sharp look.
Wendy-kun and the others scurried off to wash their hands, then obediently sat at the table. They kept stealing glances at Noah and the older girls, quickly looking away whenever they were caught, only to peek again a moment later.
Noah and the others noticed but didn't say anything, though their faces were a little pink.
Once all the food was served, they sat down to eat.
It seemed like a normal dinner... but not quite.
"This is good. Try some," Sorano said, putting a piece of food in Noah's bowl.
"Th-This is good too. Try it," Erza stammered, doing the same.
"Thanks. I think this is good too, you should try it," Noah replied, putting food in their bowls in return. They both smiled and accepted it.
Erza and Sorano kept piling food into Noah's bowl, but he ate it all. Fortunately, his constitution was robust enough to handle the extra volume.
"Wow!" Wendy-kun and the others gasped softly, watching the scene. Realizing they were staring, they quickly lowered their heads and pretended to focus on their food.
Dinner passed quickly amidst the exchanging of food. Noah went to wash the dishes, while Erza and Sorano sat in the living room, chatting as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Wendy-kun opened it to find Ultear and Mirajane.
"What are you doing here?" Sorano asked.
"Coming back to live here, of course. We can't trust you two alone," Ultear said matter-of-factly.
"Hmph!" Sorano pouted but didn't object.
"Your room is still there; no one's used it," Erza said, blushing slightly. "There's another room on the second floor. Follow me."
Ultear nodded and went to her old room. Mirajane followed Erza upstairs to a room right next to Erza's, opposite Ultear and Sorano's room.
By the time Noah finished the dishes, Ultear and Mirajane had unpacked and come downstairs.
"Ara, we're moving back in. Do you welcome us?" Mirajane asked Noah with a sweet smile.
"Of course, you're always welcome," Noah smiled back.
Sorano, knowing she couldn't change anything but still annoyed, reached out and pinched the soft flesh at Noah's waist, twisting hard. It didn't hurt Noah at all, but he pretended to wince in pain and covered her hand with his. Sorano twisted twice more before letting go.
The others watched silently, smiles on their faces. Wendy-kun and the others watched from a distance, whispering and giggling behind their hands.
"By the way," Noah said, rubbing his side and turning serious, "if the plan works, Jose will likely attack. You all need to be careful. Don't go anywhere alone. I'm worried he might snap and target you."
"Understood," Ultear said, her smile vanishing. "We'll stick together. And we'll stay with Lucy to protect her."
"Are you going to handle Jose?" Erza asked about the most dangerous opponent.
Noah nodded, then shook his head. "I want you all to try fighting him first. Then I'll take over. It'll be good training for you, and it will be a huge blow to his ego."
"Psychological warfare?" Mirajane guessed immediately. "Being beaten by the 'kids,' without the Master even having to lift a finger... that would crush him."
Noah nodded. If they were enemies, they should inflict maximum damage.
With the serious talk done, everyone settled into their usual routines. It was a little awkward at first, but they quickly found their rhythm. Ultear and Mirajane fit right back in as if they had never left. The atmosphere felt... right.
Soon, it was time for bed. They said their goodnights and went to their rooms.
Noah lay in bed, more exhausted than he'd been after any mission or research session. He should have fallen asleep instantly, but his mind kept racing about the future. He didn't sleep until very late.
The next morning, Noah woke up early. Unable to sleep, he got up and made breakfast.
Ultear, Wendy-kun, and the others slowly emerged from their rooms. Everyone, adults and children alike, looked sleep-deprived. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Clearly, everyone had been up late thinking.
After laughing, the mood lightened considerably. They ate breakfast and headed to the guild together.
"Whoa! Here they come!"
As soon as they entered, the guild erupted. Noah and the others had expected this and simply ignored the teasing.
"Damn, I'm so jealous!" Macao groaned.
"Seriously," Wakaba agreed. "How does Noah manage to not explode?"
Loke watched them enter, his eyes gleaming. He started to move forward but then saw Erza and the others and quickly stopped in his tracks.
Suddenly, Elfman charged up to Noah, with Lisanna and Lisana right behind him.
"Noah! I'm entrusting my sister to you! Treat her well!"
The guild exploded into chaos. Everyone stared.
"Mhm! Please take good care of Big Sis!" Lisanna added with a smile.
Elfman probably hadn't thought too deeply about it; he just wanted to support his sister. Mirajane had told them she was moving into Noah's house last night, so she clearly wasn't giving up. As her brother, he had to help. And Noah—strong, simple lifestyle, someone they knew well—was a great match. Most importantly, his sister liked him. So they were going to give her a push.
"Family approval?!"
"Whoa, this is big!"
"That's amazing!"
The guild members teased mercilessly.
"Ah... well... I will protect Mira, no matter what," Noah said, blushing a little but speaking seriously.
"You guys clearly haven't been training enough! Come with me!"
Mirajane, recovering from the shock of Elfman's outburst and delighted by Noah's answer, turned bright red. Without waiting for a reply, she activated her Satan Soul, grabbed Elfman and the Lisannas, and flew out of the guild.
"Brother Noah," Yukino-kun said, walking up to him seriously. "I'm entrusting my sister to you, too. Protect her well."
"Sister! What are you saying?!" Sorano shrieked, her face crimson as she grabbed Yukino-kun and started vigorously rubbing her cheeks.
"I will," Noah replied softly.
Sorano froze for a second, then started rubbing Yukino-kun's face even harder, her own face burning.
"Sis... ter... st... op..." Yukino-kun mumbled, trying to bat her hands away.
Unable to stand the stares any longer, Sorano scooped up Yukino-kun and ran out of the guild.
"I think you're a good guy, Noah. I'm comfortable with this," Gray said seriously. "Noah, protect Ultear."
He wasn't stupid. Seeing Elfman and Yukino-kun speak up, and knowing Ultear liked Noah and had moved back in, he knew where things stood. With his master and senior disciple gone, he was the only one qualified to say this.
"I will," Noah answered seriously.
"I think you're lacking training, too. Come on," Ultear said, beaming. But she also couldn't handle the stares, so she grabbed Gray by the collar and dragged him out of the guild.
Erza stood alone, looking a little lonely as the other three had family speak for them.
"Brother Noah," Wendy-kun said, stepping forward. "Please take good care of Big Sister Erza."
"Wendy..." Erza looked at her, touched.
"Of course," Noah said, crouching down to look Wendy-kun in the eye. "I will protect Erza."
Hearing this, Erza turned bright red, her eyes spinning. "H-Ha... haha... I... I'll be fine..." she stammered incoherently.
"Noah," Makarov called out from the bar, his voice serious. "I don't know how this will end, but... don't let them down. Try not to let them get hurt."
Matters of the heart were difficult to control, and he couldn't solve this for them. He could only hope they wouldn't get hurt too badly.
"I will, Gramps," Noah said, meeting his gaze.
"Good. I trust you can handle it. When are Lucy's parents arriving?" Makarov asked, switching to business.
"In two or three days," Noah replied, glancing at the dizzy Erza being tended to by Wendy-kun. "They're preparing gifts, so they'll be a little later."
"Good." Makarov nodded.
Lucy's parents' arrival signaled the start of the plan. Even though Noah said he didn't need to fight, Makarov would still prepare. He wouldn't be caught off guard if something went wrong.
Noah saw Makarov's expression and didn't try to stop him. It was better for him to feel prepared.
Noah then quickly finished the guild paperwork, enduring the relentless teasing. Once done, he teleported to the second floor, grabbed Laxus, and dumped him behind the counter on the first floor.
"You handle the rest," Noah said. Before Laxus could protest, Noah flashed over to Erza and the girls and teleported them all to the training grounds.
When they arrived, they saw the other groups already "training." Or rather, being beaten up. Aside from Sorano and Yukino-kun, whose training looked relatively normal, Gray and the Strauss siblings were being chased all over the field.
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