Morning. Gentle sunlight, like strands of golden gauze, spilled softly in through the opened window, bringing a touch of warmth to the room.
"..."
Her whole body was sore, and her lips felt a little numb.
Levy half-opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying last night on its own.
She'd been bold yesterday...
"Mm—"
Instinctively covering her eyes with the back of her hand, Levy let out a mortified little cry.
Yet even as embarrassment flooded her, she couldn't help thinking of Roland.
Why did that guy know so much, acting so practiced...
With mixed feelings, Levy turned her head; her amber eyes reflected the boy's face beside her.
Roland opened his eyes and quickly met the gaze of Miss Levy, who was staring without blinking.
"Morning."
"Mm..."
She wanted to ask what was on her mind, but only managed a blushing nod before quietly burrowing under the covers.
No, if I look at Roland, the scenes from last night will—
Unable to voice the question she'd cared so much about, Levy peeked out with just her eyes and stared at him.
"What is it?"
"You were so skilled last night... you must have had women before!"
"...What nonsense are you talking?" Roland sat up cross-legged and flicked her smooth forehead. "I've just read a lot of books on that side, don't make things up!"
"Ow!"
Clutching her forehead, Levy yelped, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes.
"Sorry, I forgot the sun's up... it's a little hard to control my strength."
Seeing the red mark, Roland looked away, chuckling awkwardly.
He wasn't that practiced at controlling his power; it kept growing as the sun climbed...
"But those techniques... why didn't I see them in the books I read?"
Watching him suspiciously, Levy tugged the quilt around herself and sat up cross-legged too, her pale shoulders striking in the sunlight.
"Maybe different places have different levels of openness, so the physiology books vary too?"
"R-really?"
"If we keep talking about this, it'll be afternoon soon."
Roland patted her head and spoke helplessly.
They still hadn't gone to Mira to turn in the job.
"Let's head to the guild, little Levy."
"Wait a sec, I haven't brushed my teeth—"
At noon the guild was at its most crowded. By the time the two arrived, raucous clamor was already echoing inside.
"Fight me, you clothesless pervert!"
"Hah!? Who are you calling a pervert!"
"—Be a man!"
"You jerks, my brand-new booze!"
"..."
"As lively as ever."
Under Levy's weary gaze, Roland sighed and pushed open the guild doors.
The next instant, a familiar figure came flying out and hurtled straight toward them.
"Good morning, Marcus-senpai!"
"Roland? Great, pull me—"
Seeing the blond, middle-parted young man, Roland greeted him politely and, at the same time, pulled the unreactive Levy aside.
With the obstacle gone, Marcus didn't even finish his words before crashing into the fruit shop across the way.
Inside, the guild was already a mess. Tables and chairs went flying; Elfman even blasted out like a cannonball.
"Oh my, you two are back?"
Smiling, Mirajane handed them two glasses of orange juice, her voice as gentle as ever.
"Thanks, Mira."
Taking the juice, Roland nodded with a smile.
"Mira's the best!"
Levy clung to her arm and praised her brightly.
It wasn't just the men—women couldn't escape Mira's charm either.
The three sat quietly, chatting idly while watching the chaos in the hall with interest.
"That one without clothes is Gray. His magic is Ice-Make. Worth noting, he gets along well with Natsu~"
Mirajane tapped a finger to her lips and thoughtfully supplied the info.
"And that blond hottie surrounded by beauties is Loke. Rumor says he's dating several girlfriends at once."
She tilted her head and glanced toward the back.
For some reason, Mira felt Roland and Loke were similar in a way—both drew girls in.
"Wood-Make: Surging Waves of Love!"
With a shout from the distance, the wooden floor heaved like a storming sea, slamming the guild members in the center and sending them flying.
"Laki's magic is pretty good—though the names are a bit odd."
"Damn you—Laki!!"
A familiar figure came flying again, crying out in frustration midair.
Seeing that same silhouette headed their way, Roland sighed and casually caught her.
"You okay, Cana-senpai?"
"Ah, thanks."
Cana tossed the thanks over her shoulder as she landed and started to charge back into the fray—then stopped halfway.
That voice just now... Roland?
She turned back to check, fell silent a moment, then returned to them.
"Mira, two beers!"
Sitting beside Roland, Cana rested her cheek on one hand.
"No problem."
Mira smiled with a nod and quickly set two beers on the bar.
"Isn't that a bit little? Don't you usually drink straight from a barrel?"
Levy tilted her head, puzzled.
When it came to capacity, no one in the guild could match Cana, who'd been drinking since thirteen.
"...I'm broke."
Cana waved it off, then silently pushed one of the beers to Roland.
"A drink on me. You're not refusing this time, right?"
"I don't mind... In fact, being able to drink with Cana-senpai is my honor."
"Haah, 'an honor,' huh—what a cheesy guy!"
Cana looked away with a faint blush and a show of disdain, but the corners of her mouth crept up.
Not far away, Loke, who had noticed the scene, pushed up his glasses and stroked his chin.
"Looks like that newbie is the same type as me!"
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