— — — — — —
Kazuma watched silently, face calm, as Juvia's excitement slowly curdled into embarrassment—until she finally squatted in the corner with her hands over her face.
He walked over, patted her head, and said, "Maybe… read a little less romance. No normal person asks things like that first thing in the morning."
"And next time, I might not be able to control myself and eat you."
Kazuma shook his head. Romance novels were a menace. With that thought, he turned and headed to the bathroom.
For a second, he wondered if Juvia was Albedo's reincarnation in this world.
...
"So embarrassing…!"
Juvia made up her mind: once she got home, she was throwing out all her novels. Reality was nothing like the stories.
...
While washing up, Kazuma suddenly noticed the skin on his hands starting to peel.
"…Shedding?"
He tugged at the loose layer, revealing fresher, tougher skin underneath. It surprised him.
It felt like he'd been wrapped in a plastic bag his whole life and was finally touching the world with his real skin.
His new skin sensed external energy with much greater precision—its conductivity and defense had also clearly improved.
"Natural energy's really something. At this rate… my skin will probably be fully transformed after my bath tonight."
---
After finishing up, Kazuma headed out to eat.
Juvia watched him with shining, expectant eyes—like she was waiting for him to praise her cooking.
"Tastes good. Just… a little small in portion."
He still wasn't full when he finished, but at least he wasn't starving like yesterday. Today it was just normal hunger.
He guessed he had already replenished all the energy he burned yesterday, so his body was back to normal. His appetite would probably keep growing as his physique improved, but nothing as extreme as yesterday.
"Juvia will work harder and make more next time!" She said it quickly, almost panicking.
"You don't need to just sit there and stare. Come eat too," Kazuma said, noticing she hadn't taken a single bite.
"Mm."
Juvia nodded and began nibbling at her food—then paused. The taste seemed different today.
"I usually eat alone… eating together like this feels weirdly tense…" Only now did she realize food tasted completely different when someone else was sitting with you.
But slowly, she relaxed. The atmosphere became pleasant, even cozy.
"It was awkward at first, but… this is actually pretty nice."
She smiled warmly. Sitting across from Kazuma like this made her feel like they were an ordinary married couple—quiet morning, simple breakfast, somehow very happy.
After a while, Juvia was full.
"Let's go. I promised yesterday I'd spend the whole day on a date with you today," Kazuma said, opening the door and glancing back at her.
"Mm!"
She hurried over and wrapped herself around his arm.
"…Is this okay?" She looked up at him, hopeful. Couples always held hands on the street, right?
She slowly let go...
"It's fine. We're not on a mission, so holding hands won't kill us." Kazuma smiled and reached out to grab her hand. Thanks to her constitution, her hand was cool to the touch.
"If something dangerous happens, Juvia will definitely protect Kazuma-Sama!" She beamed, intertwining their fingers and hugging his arm as they officially started their date.
"And stop adding titles. Just call me Kazuma."
He'd noticed she tacked on "Sama" whenever addressing him. Polite with strangers, sure, but it created distance with people she knew.
Probably a habit formed from being avoided all her life.
"K… Kazuma."
She looked at him, feeling a warmth in her chest. Someone was caring about her boundaries. Her smile was sweet and soft.
"Kazuma, I know a really good restaurant. You said you weren't full earlier—let's go eat there!"
After wandering around for a bit, she finally gathered the courage to suggest their first date spot.
"Alright."
To be honest, he'd been single too long—he had absolutely no idea how to "date." Give him a mission—no matter how complicated—he could handle it. But a date? First time ever.
Shouldn't be too hard, right? Walk around, eat something, maybe a movie. Easy.
Juvia happily led him to the restaurant she'd researched in advance… only for her smile to freeze the moment she saw the sign on the door.
A wooden board hung at the entrance:
{Due to all ingredients being consumed yesterday, the chef, staff, and owner have all collapsed from exhaustion.}
{We are closed today. We deeply apologize to all customers who planned to visit.}
"…It's closed," she whispered, crushed. She'd worked so hard finding a good spot.
Why today of all days? Why only today? Could her luck be any worse?
"Wait… this is the place I ate at yesterday," Kazuma said, recognizing the sign. He read the explanation and realized… the closure was basically his fault.
"Juvia, the food here is really good. And the staff were very… committed. Hmm...! They're only a bit theatrical, but everything else is perfect. You researched well."
He smiled, genuinely complimenting her. "So… it's fine. If we can't eat today, we'll just come back tomorrow."
Juvia pressed her lips together, heart fluttering again. Why did he choose now to say something that made her fall for him even more?
"Where to next?" Kazuma asked.
"You like magic tools, right? There's a really good magic-item shop nearby. Let's go check it out!"
Juvia straightened herself, energized again. This time she had to make the date perfect.
"Sure."
Kazuma did like magic tools—but he didn't need to buy any. Seeing one was enough; he could just find the same thing in his Treasury later. Why spend money when you could get it for free?
Though, honestly, he wasn't exactly strapped for cash. Sometimes, he would buy things and then throw them away.
---
Inside the magic-tool shop…
"This one lets you freely change the color of your clothes," the shopkeeper said, holding up a palette.
"And this telescope helps you see long distances."
He worked hard to introduce every tool, but no matter what he said, Kazuma's response was always the same. "I've already got one. And mine's a higher-grade version, so I'm not buying."
The shopkeeper froze, then snapped, "Sir! You can look down on me, but don't you dare look down on my merchandise. I handpicked everything in this store!"
"I won't claim they're one-of-a-kind, but they're high-tier gear. I refuse to believe you have anything better!"
Seeing the man's temper flare, Kazuma found it amusing. Anyone bold enough to open a magic-tool shop near Fairy Tail had to be confident in their stock. Maybe not number one in the country, but definitely notable.
"You don't believe me? Give me a second."
Kazuma reached into his treasury and pulled out a magic telescope.
"This is the advanced version, with ten layers of stacked Eagle Eye magic. It can magnify up to a hundred times."
Then he grabbed a magic palette.
"This one changes not only color but clothing styles. Here, take it. A little gift." He handed it to Juvia, smiling.
"Any other questions, boss?"
Juvia cradled the palette in both hands like a priceless treasure. She looked like she'd decided to protect it forever.
"You… you win! I admit defeat!"
The shopkeeper dropped to his knees, devastated. Losing a battle of merchandise in his own store—unthinkable.
Just then, someone else walked in.
"Morning, Kazuma. Morning, Juvia."
Erza stepped inside, then glanced at the kneeling owner. "And don't bother competing with him, boss. No one knows how many magic tools Kazuma actually owns."
"He has enough gear to supply an entire guild. Probably several."
"Erza, you're here to shop?" Kazuma asked.
"Good morning, Miss Erza," Juvia added politely.
"Mm. My armor broke during the last fight, so I'm ordering a new set."
Erza said that while looking directly at Kazuma. Technically her armor was destroyed in battle… but it wasn't the enemy who broke it. It was a certain teammate's sudden magic outburst.
"Ordering armor, huh? What type this time? We'll help you brainstorm." Kazuma quickly shifted the topic.
"I want a defensive set. Preferably something with high magic resistance. I already have my adamantine armor for physical defense, but I'm lacking in magical protection."
Erza fell into thought, taking the question seriously.
"And have you decided on the design, Miss Erza?" the shopkeeper asked this time.
"Not yet."
"Then let's think about it together," Kazuma suggested.
The three of them discussed armor styles for a while. After settling on the general idea, Kazuma and Juvia prepared to continue their date.
"Thanks for the help," Erza said.
"No problem."
They waved goodbye and walked out.
...
After a few minutes on the street, Juvia suddenly stiffened.
"Wait… I was supposed to buy a gift for Kazuma. So why did I end up helping Miss Erza pick armor instead…?! You idiot, Juvia! You messed up again!"
She looked miserable. The date had barely started, and she'd already failed twice. Kazuma was definitely bored by now—how could he not be?
She snuck a look at his face. Calm. Way too calm. Didn't that mean he found this date dull?
Her shoulders drooped. Worst date ever. It couldn't possibly get worse.
He was probably disappointed. She'd ruined everything.
As her mood sank, the little sunshine charm Kazuma had given her dimmed as well. Clouds gathered overhead, and within minutes a light drizzle began to fall.
"It's always like this… nothing ever goes right. Even the sun hates Juvia. I really am a rain-girl who brings misfortune…"
Cold droplets fell on her skin, mixing with the tears she couldn't hold back anymore. Kazuma would hate her too, just like everyone else. He'd leave her eventually—they all did.
"Juvia… why are you crying?"
Kazuma looked at her, then at the sky. Honestly, her emotions were easy to read. She was obviously hurt. But why? Today had been pretty good, hadn't it?
"It… it's raining. It's Juvia's fault. Juvia ruined everything…"
She sobbed harder, words breaking apart.
"It's just rain. What does it matter?" Kazuma said softly. "If you don't like it, then let's make it stop."
He lifted his hand toward the sky. Natural energy surged outward, spreading like invisible giants' hands across the clouds.
A moment later, he clenched his fingers.
The thick clouds shattered like crushed charcoal. Sunlight broke through at once.
Juvia stared at Kazuma's smiling face, at the scattered clouds, at the warm sunlight returning overhead.
Just like that moment back then.
She reached up to touch the light. Sunlight warmed her palm, slipped between her fingers, and vanished again.
But the next second, a warm hand caught hers. Something cool and smooth settled onto her palm—a ring.
"That sunshine charm was a bit too weak. So take this instead. A ring infused with the light of the sun. Same effect, just stronger."
He placed it gently in her hand.
"Um… c-could you… put it on for Juvia?" she whispered.
"Sure."
He picked up the ring and slid it onto her left middle finger. Perfect fit.
Juvia looked at the ring, then at him. She rose on her toes and kissed him.
This time, she really felt it—the softness, the warmth, the trembling sweetness.
When love spills over, hand-holding and hugging stop being enough. The heart wants deeper closeness. When that moment comes, a kiss becomes the natural answer.
They parted after a long time.
"I love you the most, Kazuma," Juvia said with a bright, renewed smile. She squeezed his hand tightly. "Juvia knows she can't do anything right. Sometimes she's even annoying."
"Juvia won't ask you to love her back, but… please don't hate me."
Her eyes were pleading.
"Hate you?" Kazuma said. "Why would you think I'd hate you? You're cute, beautiful, and you care about me. Why would I hate someone like that?"
"Then… then what did you think of today's date? Was it boring?" Juvia asked, heart pounding.
"It was amazing. Thanks, Juvia."
"Dates don't have to be dramatic. Love isn't about fancy vows. It's in the everyday things. A routine made of countless small miracles. In a few decades…"
"If we're still holding hands, that's real love."
He finished speaking, and Juvia leaned in again, kissing him once more. She suddenly realized kissing was something that, once started, was very hard to stop.
Kazuma felt the same. Once he got a taste, he couldn't stop craving more.
.
.
.