"That's 'person'," Lucy corrected, "Cancer Constellation's Kyansa, he really likes helping people with haircuts."
"Great!" Laki lifted a strand of her purple long hair, "I've been wanting to change my look lately, could I ask him to help cut my hair and make it a bit shorter?"
"It's 'cut', right?" Lucy wasn't quite used to Laki's way of speaking, "Yes, you can."
"Thank you! Drinks are on me today." Laki was very much looking forward to the Star Spirit hairstylist.
"Laki, bill settled here."
"Coming right away!"
Seeing how busy she was, Lucy said, "Find me when you take a break."
"It's a deal!" Laki hurried off.
"Why suddenly cut perfectly good hair?" Rhode didn't understand, looking at Mira's long hair flowing in the distance, thinking long hair always looked nice.
"Maybe because it's hot, cutting it might be cooler." Lucy brushed her own hair, as hers draped down; her neck easily got sweaty.
"Oh... I'll help tie Mira's hair up then." Rhode took what Lucy and Erza ordered from the serving hatch, placed it down, and walked out of the counter area.
Lucy rested her chin in her hand, teasing, "Such a loving couple..."
Unfortunately, someone could only secretly enjoy it, not embarrassed at all.
Just as Rhode was busy, a female voice suddenly echoed in the guild, firm yet seemingly shy: "Please go out with me!"
Again?
Erza's movements stiffened; the fork in her hand slipped, clattering onto the plate.
She turned her head and saw Bisca with green long hair, holding a bouquet of flowers, confessing to Alzack.
"Oh my oh my..." Mira covered her mouth, whispering in shock, "So bold."
"Shouldn't that be you saying?" Rhode whispered in Mira's ear, quickly tying her hair into a ponytail.
Looking at his handiwork, he felt he was getting better and better, maybe next time try twin tails or something.
Others who heard the voice also stopped their actions and looked over.
Bisca's face turned bright red, regretting those words the moment she spoke them—she should've found a quiet place to talk to Alzack alone.
But seeing Rhode and Mira sweetly together, thinking of Mira's decisiveness when she confessed, Bisca couldn't hold back.
Now her heart was pounding uncontrollably, eyes neither daring to look at Alzack nor anyone else.
Why choose the guild's busiest time to confess? Bisca wanted to scold herself.
So impulsive.
But since she had already spoken, she could only anxiously wait for Alzack's reply.
However, Alzack's situation was hardly better than hers.
Happiness came too fast and too suddenly, the young man felt somewhat at a loss.
He had tried many times to muster the courage to confess but failed each time. He had often imagined Bisca initiating such words, but when surprise came suddenly, it felt unbelievable.
So Alzack just stood there like a block of wood, his face as red as Bisca's, stammering for a long while before squeezing out a response: "I-I-I... I do!"
A simple confession turned into something akin to answering a marriage proposal.
The onlookers laughed out loud, giving applause and whistles.
These two had exchanged glances for just as long as Rhode and Mira, but with skin thinner than paper. Despite frequently teaming up for work, they returned to the guild uneasy even sitting together for meals, making everyone anxious watching.
And Alzack was utterly useless, actually waiting for the girl to initiate.
Looking back, Mira was one example, Bisca another; the girls in the guild were truly remarkable.
Who will be next?
Someone seemed to give a push from behind, and the two extremely shy individuals hugged each other.
As everyone cheered, Alzack and Bisca smiled with faces almost steaming.
Erza couldn't even focus on her strawberry cake today.
The recent excitement was quite overwhelming.
Although she once encouraged Bisca to confess proactively, when the moment arrived, she was shyer than Bisca.
"Erza, Erza?" Lucy called several times.
With Alzack and Bisca off for a date, the group excitedly discussed for a while then went back to their business.
Lucy even finished her own steak, yet found Erza still in a frozen state.
After several calls, she said, "We should..."
Erza reluctantly emerged from standby mode, stammering, "Uh, thank you for your care, I'll head back first."
She stood up, striding out, her body swaying, and walking in a clumsy manner.
"...Should pick a new task…" Lucy's latter half floated in Erza's left ear, out the right, leaving no echo, nor entering her mind.
The new task could only be postponed, Lucy worriedly asked, "Will she be okay?"
"She'll be fine, she gets this quirky whenever Mira confessed to me."
"Oh... huh? Miss Mira confessed to you?!" Lucy was eager for gossip.
"Couldn't help it, personal charm is just too strong." With Mira not around, Rhode felt it harmless to brag a little.
...
That night, Natsu was dragged outside the city by Rhode.
Mira didn't come along; she arranged with Lucy to visit the girls' dormitory.
—Apparently Jubia wanted to strengthen bonds with her companions and planned to move into the dormitory, and they intended to help her move.
(Jubia: Jubia wants Gray to help with the move.
Gray: Boys are not allowed near the girls' dormitory.)
Mira mentioned they were organizing a pajama party to celebrate Jubia's move and Bisca's successful confession.
Reby, Laki, Mickey, Qico, and all the girls were joining in; if the fun continues, they might even stay the night.
When Rhode asked if she wanted the River Crab to shuttle them, he received a particularly gentle smile from Mira.
So the River Crab didn't make it; Rhode and Natsu rode out instead.
"Why all the secrecy? Can't people know about dragons?" Natsu asked, "I wanted to introduce Igneru to everyone once I find him."
"I just don't want to cause chaos in the town, besides the new acquaintance loves to fight, I'm afraid he'd tear the town apart and I couldn't afford the costs."
"Loves to fight, then he's awesome!" Natsu bumped his fist, excitedly said, "Perfect, I'll fight him!"
"That's all the more reason not in town."
"Yeah, I think Rhode has a point."
Natsu found himself always the minority when hanging out with Rhode.
Seeing they were nearing the place, Rhode didn't waste words: "Summoning, Purgatory Sub-Dragon!"
The air turned hot, Purgatory Sub-Dragon immediately responded to the summoning, its voice appearing from the Magic Array before its form:
"Here here! Already got a job this quick? Tell me brother, whose butt does big bro need to kick?"
Seeing the surroundings, it quickly added: "This is still the same place from last time... hey, young dragonling, where'd you find it?"
Purgatory Sub-Dragon sniffed hard at Natsu excitedly, "It's really a young dragonling, and it's our fire element Sub-Dragon! Whose family?"
Feeling a kinship with this dragon looking like flowing lava, Natsu shouted eagerly, "I'm Natsu, Igneru's child, do you recognize Igneru?"
Although Rhode had said his dragon had nothing to do with Igneru, maybe this fire dragon would know?
"Igneru, never heard, who's that?"
"Fire Dragon King, Igneru!"
"Damn, Fire Dragon King? Who's badass enough to claim that title? Bring him here, I can high or low take him in a fight!"