The Fairy Tail guild was as loud and bustling as ever. Mugs clinked, tables rattled, and laughter echoed off the rafters in waves. It was the kind of chaos that only Fairy Tail could call "normal."
Team Natsu had just returned from their first mission together, and despite it not being the easy job they'd imagined, their mood was light. Natsu was already laughing with Happy about how he'd sent Duke Everlue flying through his own library. Lucy sat beside them, sipping juice and trying not to look too embarrassed every time Natsu grinned at her. Kael leaned against the edge of the table, his usual relaxed smirk in place, watching the scene unfold like a spectator at his favorite show.
At that same moment, the guild doors swung open again. Lisanna Strauss stepped inside, brushing dust off her clothes and stretching with a tired smile. "I'm back!" she called cheerfully.
"Lisanna!" Mira's face lit up from behind the bar. She hurried over, pulling her little sister into a hug. "You're back safe. How was the quest?"
"Not bad," Lisanna laughed, hugging her back. "A little rough, but it went fine."
As the sisters chatted warmly, Cana sauntered over, mug in hand and cheeks already faintly pink. She dropped into her usual seat with a lazy grin. "Look who finally decided to show up. Took you long enough, Lisanna."
Lisanna giggled. "Hello to you too, Cana. You don't look any different from when I left. Still drinking?"
Cana tipped her mug toward her. "Naturally. Someone has to keep the barrels from going bad." Then, with a mischievous smirk, she leaned in. "Though while you were gone, something interesting happened."
Lisanna tilted her head. "Interesting?"
"Mmhm." Cana swirled her drink lazily before pointing her mug toward the corner where Lucy, Natsu, Happy, and Kael sat. "That blonde over there? Her name's Lucy. She's new. And she's also got a little crush on Natsu."
Lisanna blinked, eyes widening. "Eh? Really?"
"Yep." Cana's grin widened at Lisanna's surprised reaction. "I thought you should know, since, well…" She nudged her lightly with her elbow. "Looks like you've got yourself a love rival now."
Lisanna's cheeks flushed faintly, though she laughed it off, waving her hand. "Cana, it's not like that…"
"Sure, sure," Cana chuckled, taking another sip. "But I know how you look at him, Lisanna. I've been around long enough to recognize it." Her tone softened, almost kind. "Don't let it scare you, though. Sometimes a little rivalry makes things more fun."
Lisanna pursed her lips thoughtfully, glancing again at the table Cana had pointed out. She could see Lucy laughing awkwardly as Natsu animatedly described the "super awesome punch" he'd landed on Everlue. Kael said something that made Happy giggle, and Lucy tried to hide a blush when Natsu leaned too close.
Lisanna's heart gave a small, unexpected tug. So Cana was right… she does like him.
She straightened, smiling politely. "I think I'll go say hello."
Cana grinned knowingly and raised her mug. "Go on then, little lisa. Let's see how this plays out."
Lisanna walked across the guild hall, weaving between the tables until she reached the one where Natsu and Lucy sat.
"Welcome back, Lisanna!" Happy chirped, flying up to greet her.
"Lisanna!" Natsu jumped up, grinning wide. "When'd you get back?!"
"Just now," Lisanna answered warmly, returning his smile. She turned her attention to Lucy, offering a gentle hand. "And you must be Lucy, right? I've heard a little about you. I'm Lisanna Strauss."
Lucy blinked, surprised by the sudden introduction, but quickly smiled and shook her hand. "Yes! I'm Lucy. It's nice to meet you."
There was a natural ease in Lisanna's voice, but Lucy noticed the way she leaned comfortably close to Natsu, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Natsu, for his part, didn't even seem to notice—he was too busy grinning and telling Lisanna about the mission in loud, exaggerated detail.
Lucy forced a laugh, though inside her thoughts whirled. So this is Lisanna… she's really close to Natsu, isn't she?
Lisanna, meanwhile, stole a glance at Lucy every time Natsu leaned toward her. She noticed the way Lucy's cheeks flushed, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him, and the little smile that tugged at her lips despite herself. Lisanna's own chest tightened. So Cana was right… she really does like him.
The realization didn't bring anger or dislike. Instead, it sparked something else—a quiet determination.
The conversation carried on, light and cheerful, but beneath the laughter there was an unspoken awareness between the two girls. Neither said it out loud, but both knew it.
They were rivals now. Friendly ones, yes, but rivals nonetheless.
While that small storm brewed quietly at the table, Kael had already slipped away. He stood at the bar, finishing his report with his usual easy grin, recounting the mission to Mira. She listened carefully, nodding along, her expression softening when he mentioned Lucy is contracted with Virgo.
When the last details were shared, Mira hesitated, then looked at him with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Kael… can we talk privately?"
Kael raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Of course."
They stepped into a quieter corner of the guild, away from the noise. Mira folded her hands in front of her, her eyes thoughtful.
"Do you remember that day… the accident with Lisanna?" Her voice was gentle, but the weight of memory hung heavy in it.
Kael's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a calmer expression. "Of course I remember. How could I forget?"
Mira looked down for a moment, then back at him, her cheeks faintly pink. "That day… you saved us. You saved Lisanna. And you made a joke after, do you remember? You said I should be your girlfriend as 'compensation.'"( author note: he wasn't joking 😁)
Kael chuckled softly at the memory. "I didn't think you'd still remember that."
"I did," Mira admitted, smiling now, though her voice carried a quiet tremor. "At the time, I didn't know how to answer. I was too shaken. But afterward… I thought about it. A lot. And over the years, I realized something."
She stepped closer, her blue eyes steady on his. "I realized I was already in love with you back then. And even though I know your heart also belongs to Erza and Cana… I've had plenty of time to think about it. And I'm okay with that. Because it means I get to be part of something bigger—a family."
Her smile softened, playful now as she added with a small laugh, "So, about that 'compensation'… I think I've finally decided to accept it."
Kael's eyes widened slightly, then his grin returned, sharper and warmer all at once. "You took your time, Mira."
"Better late than never," she teased lightly.
Without another word, Kael leaned down and kissed her softly. Mira closed her eyes, leaning into it, her heart racing. When they pulled back, her cheeks glowed pink, but her smile was radiant.
"Looks like I'm your first girlfriend after all," she whispered.
Kael chuckled. "That you are."
When they returned to the guild floor, Mira's smile lingered as she slipped back behind the bar. Kael leaned casually against a post, his eyes flicking toward Lucy and Lisanna's table.
There, Lucy and Lisanna were still laughing with Natsu and Happy, but every so often their eyes met—soft smiles masking the spark of rivalry.
Kael smirked to himself, muttering under his breath, "This guild just keeps getting more interesting."
And so, amidst laughter, teasing, and new bonds, the guild carried on—unaware that small seeds of rivalry and love had just been planted, ready to grow into something far more complicated.