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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5 - A Song Shared

The days passed quietly in Magnolia. Each evening, Wendy slipped away with Carla close behind, finding the small riverside spot where Ryuji practiced. His music had started as lonely and raw, but little by little, Wendy's persistence chipped away at his silence.

Tonight, the air felt different—cool river breeze, reeds whispering, lantern light flickering across the water. Wendy's fingers moved smoothly across the strings of the small instrument Ryuji had been teaching her. Her notes no longer wavered or tripped; they flowed, steady and sure.

Ryuji, sitting beside her with his own instrument, glanced over with a faintly raised eyebrow.

Ryuji (murmuring): "Not bad. You don't sound like a beginner anymore."

Wendy smiled, cheeks warming.

Wendy: "See? I told you I'd get better if I kept practicing."

Carla, perched on a nearby rock, flicked her tail but allowed herself a tiny smirk of approval.

Ryuji strummed his part, their melodies slowly overlapping. At first the blend was uneven, but then—like a quiet click—everything aligned. The song shifted into something fuller, deeper. Their voices rose softly together, Wendy's gentle tone weaving through the sadness of Ryuji's melody and warming it from within.

He caught himself almost smiling. Almost.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Ryuji's song wasn't just his own. It wasn't only pain echoing in the strings—it was hope, carried by Wendy's voice.

Across the river path, the other Fairy Tail members had gathered again—not too close, but watching.

Lucy leaned against a fence, whispering.

Lucy (softly): "They... sound amazing together."

Gray crossed his arms, eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to read the boy.

Gray: "He's opening up... bit by bit."

Erza's gaze lingered, thoughtful.

Erza: "It's strange. He pushes us away, but with Wendy... he's different."

Natsu, restless as always, leaned forward with a grin.

Natsu: "Heh. Guess Wendy's the only one who can crack that ice."

Happy clapped his paws, whisper-shouting.

Happy: "Aye! It's like a duet of friendship!"

Carla rolled her eyes at the outburst, but even she didn't break the moment.

As the last notes drifted into the night, Wendy let out a shy laugh and looked at Ryuji.

Wendy: "That was really nice."

Ryuji stared at his hands for a beat—calluses, trembling just a little—then let his shoulders ease.

Ryuji (quietly): "Yeah. It was."

And though neither of them would say it aloud yet, they both felt it—that fragile thread of connection slowly weaving between them, stronger with every note they shared.

Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.

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