Fairy Tail: Kyoka Suigetsu

**No title**

[Through the Veil of Emotion]

Clap!

The sound of my hands breaking the stillness echoed across the clearing, a sharp call that drew the attention of the group. They turned toward me, their faces filled with anticipation. With a subtle gesture, I raised my index finger, pointing skyward as if summoning the very heavens themselves to listen.

"Gather round, everyone," I said, my voice carrying authority, yet laced with an undercurrent of something deeper—something that felt as inevitable as the rising sun. "Today, we hunt wild boars." The words were simple, but they hung in the air, as if they too understood the weight of the task ahead.

I paused, allowing the gravity of the moment to settle. The wild boars were no ordinary prey; they were swift and tenacious, much like the world we lived in. "These creatures are roughly the same height as us, about half the size of an average adult. They aren't particularly dangerous, but they're remarkably fast and resilient." 

I could see their eyes sharpening, the flicker of curiosity rising in them. I continued, my voice low and measured. "Though they occasionally attack humans, they're far more preoccupied with pestering farms. That's our mission today—eliminate them."

A pause. A breath. Then, I spoke again, my tone taking on a different edge, one that carried a certain coldness—a quiet challenge. "But today... today, I won't be participating directly. This is your hunt. You will track them, corner them, and take them down. If the situation grows too dangerous, I'll intervene. But until then, this is your test."

They exchanged silent glances. The weight of responsibility was clear, but it only seemed to ignite something deeper within them—a hunger, a need to prove themselves.

"You must work together," I said, my voice growing sharper. "Form a strategy. Support one another. If you falter, it will be your downfall. Do you understand?"

They nodded in unison, their resolve solidifying with every passing second. Despite the lack of words, I could feel the pulse of excitement radiating from them—especially from Gray, whose impatience buzzed in the air like an electric charge. 

With that, they moved off toward the orchard, their figures becoming silhouettes against the vast expanse of the land. There, they began to form their plan, observing the wild boar from a distance, their eyes calculating, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

And as they whispered among themselves, formulating a strategy, I couldn't help but feel the weight of their potential. Today, they would either rise or fall together—only time would tell which path they chose.

"That's a good start."

I leaned against a nearby tree, maintaining my promise to observe from the sidelines, allowing them the spotlight. Their words floated over to me, fleeting and unsure, as they huddled together, deliberating on their next move. After several tense minutes, they suddenly surged forward, charging at the wild boar with reckless energy.

The boar, for all its brutish strength, seemed entirely uninterested. It continued munching on the grass, oblivious to the encroaching duo. Gray's expression darkened, his patience thinning in the face of the boar's nonchalance.

"Bastard!" He spat, his frustration boiling over. With a fluid motion, he dropped into a fighting stance, his palm open as his fingers began to trace the familiar patterns of ice. His magic flared to life, a flickering glow surrounding his hand as he prepared his attack.

"Ice Make: Lancer!"

A magic circle burst into existence, and from it, an ice lance materialized, streaking toward the boar with lethal precision. But the wild creature barely lifted its gaze, uninterested, as the ice shard pierced its side. It glanced at the lance with an almost dismissive air, then returned to its meal. The ice made no mark, no impact—nothing. 

"What's going on?" Gray muttered, confusion clouding his features. His eyes widened in shock, and his breath caught as he surveyed the scene. I simply shook my head in response, my gaze cold and unyielding. He should have known better. The boar's toughness wasn't just physical—its resilience came from a deeper, more formidable source: a balance of both magic and sheer durability.

As Gray reeled from his failed attempt, Cana stepped forward, her eyes narrowed with determination. She drew a card from her waist pocket, her fingers nimbly pinching the edges before she summoned a spark of electricity. The crackling energy hummed around her hand.

'Just as I suspected—card magic. But... this power won't be enough.'

With a swift flick of her wrist, she hurled the card toward the boar. The card flew through the air, glowing with an electric charge. The boar didn't even flinch. It turned its head slightly, acknowledging the attack, but it simply resumed its grazing, unaffected. 

'Pathetic,' I thought, the slight disappointment gnawing at me. 

Gray, not one to be outdone, clenched his fists again, his breath coming faster as he prepared his next attack. "Ice Make: Battle Axe!" The air thickened as the magical construct took shape in his hands—an enormous battle axe formed entirely of ice. He rushed forward, charging at the boar with newfound resolve. 

This time, he leapt, swinging the massive axe down at the boar with all his might. But it was just as futile. The axe collided with the boar's thick hide with a dull thud, and the creature barely acknowledged the assault, continuing its indignant snacking.

'Is this really their battle plan?' I mused internally, watching the chaotic dance unfold. It was as if they thought charging headfirst would solve everything. How naive. How utterly... ineffective.

The wild boar, now tired of the ineffective attacks, swung its head violently. Gray, unable to avoid the mighty swine's retaliation, was sent sprawling through the air, crashing into the dirt with a pained grunt.

I could feel the frustration mounting within me, my patience thinning. 

Just as Cana prepared to make her next move, I acted. Without a word, I drew my katana from its sheath, the cold steel gleaming in the sunlight. I took a single, practiced step forward and tossed it with a fluid motion. 

"Fiore dei Liberi: Sword Throw!"

Time seemed to stretch, the world falling silent for the briefest of moments. The boar froze mid-chew, sensing the death that loomed for it. It attempted to flee, but the strike was already in motion. My blade, imbued with precision and intent, soared through the air like an arrow of doom. It landed squarely in the boar's forehead with an audible thud, the force of the impact snapping the creature's head back. 

The wild boar crumpled to the ground, lifeless before it even knew what had hit it.

"String: PULL!"

I called the sword back to me with a simple flick of my wrist, the blade returning to my hand as if it were tethered by an invisible string. My gaze swept over Gray and Cana, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion. I couldn't help but feel the sting of disappointment settle in my chest.

I studied them in silence for a moment, the weight of my judgment heavy between us. My tone was quiet, yet it cut through the air with precision. "I thought you two would have come up with a strategy. What was this? I charge, then you charge? No thought, no coordination—just brute force and blind rush?"

I didn't need to say more; my disapproval echoed in my words, and the weight of the unspoken disappointment pressed down on them. They lowered their gazes to the ground, unable to meet my eyes. Not a word passed between us as they silently acknowledged their failure.

'The path to strength isn't just about raw power,' I thought, shaking my head inwardly. 'It's about understanding, about teamwork. Something they still have yet to grasp.'

They said nothing, and the silence between us was palpable, as if the weight of my words had become a burden they were unwilling to carry.

Here's the refined and purple prose version of your passage:

---

"Follow me!"

Any further words could potentially shatter the fragile confidence they still held, so I kept it short, my tone sharp but measured. This was a test—an opportunity to see if they could sharpen their observation skills, though honestly, I expected little more than disappointment. Yet, even I hadn't anticipated this level of ineptitude.

I pointed toward the boar, munching nearby, a smaller one than before, its dark eyes half-closed in contentment. "Do you see that boar?" I asked, my voice steady. "Examine its body. Do you notice anything?" My words hung in the air as they both stared at it, their expressions vacuous, searching for answers that simply weren't there.

They exchanged confused glances, before their eyes returned to the boar. They scrutinized it carefully, inspecting its features as though trying to decode some hidden mystery, but they found nothing. Silence stretched, and they both turned to face me, their expressions questioning, but still without understanding.

"Observation isn't just about what you see!" I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut through the air. "Can you see sound? Of course not—you use your ears! So why are you just staring at it like fools?"

I could see the shock flicker in their eyes, and I could tell I had struck a chord. The truth was, their approach was fundamentally wrong. They were too focused on the obvious, missing the deeper, more subtle signs. "Use magic detection! That's the foundation!" I barked at them, my frustration barely contained. "You can't be a mage if you can't even detect the magic around you. It's the first step in awakening your powers. Without it, you're just another lost fool."

Their eyes widened, a flash of realization crossing their faces. Embarrassment followed closely behind, their cheeks burning as they quickly activated their magic sensing abilities. It wasn't long before their expressions shifted from confusion to shock.

"Could it be…?" Cana whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes, you idiots!" I snapped, more irritated by their slow understanding than by their failure. "The head has the weakest magical resistance! You've been attacking the parts with the strongest resistance this whole time!"

Their faces turned crimson, each of them resembling overripe tomatoes—red, flustered, and utterly embarrassed. If there had been a hole in the ground, I'm certain they would have crawled right into it.

"Okay, this time it should work!" Gray said, steeling himself for another attempt. But before he could take another step, I grabbed him by the collar and, with a light smack to the back of his head, pulled him back.

"You fool, do you know how to think at all? Haven't you realized how slow your attacks are?" My words cut through his resolve like a cold wind.

"Ugh..." Gray mumbled, his shoulders sagging as he fell into an embarrassed silence, his earlier confidence completely evaporating.

I saw the perfect opportunity to press further. "Then what will you do if your opponent is faster than you?" I asked, my voice cutting through the tense air.

Cana paused for a moment, deep in thought, her brow furrowing as the wheels of her mind finally began to turn. A flicker of realization crossed her face, and she spoke with a sudden surge of pride. "If the beast is fast, then let's disable its mobility!" she proclaimed, waiting for my praise.

I didn't offer it. Instead, I feigned a smack to the back of her head, a gesture as much for her own growth as it was a silent message. "Without me spelling it out, you wouldn't have thought of it on your own, would you?" I raised an eyebrow, my unspoken judgment clear.

Gray, now fully understanding, nodded as he and Cana exchanged glances, their strategy beginning to take form.

Without further hesitation, Gray took the lead. "Ice Make: Rampart!" he called, his magic filling the air with icy chill as he summoned a barrier of thick ice around the boar, enclosing it within an arena-like structure. But the wild boar, ever cunning, wasn't about to fall for such a basic trap. It turned to face the two of them, eyes narrowed with defiance.

That's where Cana came in. She darted around the boar, throwing a flurry of distractions its way to buy Gray enough time. Her movements were fluid, precise—just enough to keep the boar's attention divided.

Once the boar was momentarily distracted, Gray moved swiftly. With an expert flick of his wrist, he summoned another spell. "Ice Make: Floor!" The ground beneath the boar's hooves turned slick with ice, and the creature, though fast, slipped and stumbled, its feet unable to maintain their usual traction. It fell, crashing down with a grunt, its previous confidence shattered.

Gray seized the opportunity. "Ice Make: Lance!" He cast the spell, and the ice spear shot forward, piercing the boar's skull with deadly precision.

The boar collapsed, its life snuffed out in an instant. 

"Yes, we succeeded!" Gray shouted, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. Cana, equally pleased, slapped him a high-five. They turned to me, expecting praise.

I couldn't hold back my thoughts, but I managed to bite my tongue. 'Bragging about a small victory? Seriously? I could have taken down hundreds of these beasts with my bare hands…'

I forced a small smile, tempered by my usual calm. "That wasn't bad," I said, keeping my voice level. "But next time, you should have used the ice floor while it was chasing after Cana, and then finished it off with the lance. It would have been quicker."

Their faces lit up as new ideas began to form in their minds.

"Let's go, then. Find another," Gray declared eagerly, as they both looked to me, their confidence once again reignited.

Though the battle had been a small one, it marked the first spark of true teamwork between them. And for now, that was enough.

Here's your refined and purple prose version of the passage:

---

"They learned faster than I expected," I muttered to myself as I surveyed the last remaining boar, its defeated body lying in the grass. It hadn't even taken them half a day to wipe out every wild boar that had been causing trouble. I nodded in approval, the first real test passed. "Take a quick break. We'll head back to the guild later."

As the sun began to sink lower, I unpacked the provisions I'd brought—easy-to-eat food and drinks to replenish their energy. I offered most of it to Gray and Cana, seeing how hard they had worked. The reward was shared evenly, as it should be.

When we returned to the guild, Gray wasted no time in boasting about their successful mission. His excitement bubbled over as he recounted every detail, proudly declaring his first mission a success. The veterans of the guild listened, humoring him—after all, it was his first mission, and he had done well, even if it was just a simple D-Rank quest.

I, on the other hand, didn't pay much attention. I had already returned to the forest for my own training. I had given them the fundamentals they needed; surely, that would be enough for now. I was confident in my teachings—now, it was up to them to improve.

Day after day, I trained, pushing myself further. I wasn't sure if they would improve as quickly as I hoped, but I knew they'd continue to team up and tackle more D-Rank missions together. They had the foundation now. Cana, too, began her own training, pushing herself harder, studying more. Oddly, she stopped drinking as much... for reasons I couldn't quite place.

Perhaps it was because of her rejection by Gray? Though, considering how much she seemed to rely on alcohol before, that might have been a personal choice rather than a consequence.

The thought lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of irony. It was already past the New Year, and I hadn't even noticed the passage of time. 'Time... What does it mean to someone like me? I'm essentially immortal. Why would I care about such things?'

I realized, with a jolt, that I didn't even remember if Fairy Tail celebrated Christmas or New Year. I was almost certain they did, but I had never really participated. For me, those were just ordinary days. My birthday? It was nothing more than another day, like any other.

As my training grew more intense, I adjusted my routine. I was confident that Gray and Cana wouldn't be bothering me for now—at least, not for the basics. So, I pushed myself harder, increasing the intensity of my regimen.

Before I focused on strengthening my body, I worked on my flexibility. It was excruciatingly painful, but over time, I could feel my body becoming more limber. I could split into the air now, twisting and contorting in ways that would be impossible for most. This would be invaluable for my unorthodox fighting style, the one I intended to perfect.

As I ran along the outskirts of Magnolia, something caught my eye—a small boat bobbing on the shore nearby. It looked battered, as though it had been through a great deal of trouble before reaching its destination.

What intrigued me even more, however, was the faint magical presence I could sense emanating from the boat. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was noticeably stronger than Gray and Cana—probably around three-star level. 

The magic felt unfamiliar, distant, but powerful enough to capture my attention. The boat had clearly traveled far to reach this point, and the energy it carried intrigued me. Without thinking much further, I approached it, curiosity piqued.

I retrieved my sword from my spatial storage, its familiar weight grounding me. With a swift motion, I unleashed a barrage of sword ki, the sharp energy cutting through the air. My intent wasn't to harm or kill; rather, I simply aimed to expedite the boat's arrival at shore. A slight disturbance rippled across the sea as my ki lashed out, but there was no one nearby to witness the small commotion.

Soon enough, the boat reached the shore, and I made my way toward it, my steps deliberate and calm.

"This is..." 

I froze for a moment as I recognized the figure on the boat—none other than Erza Scarlet. A faint pulse of surprise stirred within me, but I quickly squashed it. I approached her with quiet caution, placing my palm over her mouth, feeling the warmth of her breath beneath my touch. Normally, I would have checked her pulse, but something about the situation made me hesitate. Touching her any further... felt unnecessary.

Would you eat a kid? Not my thing. And besides, I was allergic to goat.

The thought of goats, however, brought an unpleasant image to my mind. Baphomet. The disgusting, twisted creature... Ugh.

I shook off the thought and gently lifted her unconscious body, cradling her in my arms as I moved her to a secluded area. It was second nature to me; I was accustomed to camping in the wild. Setting up a tent was no trouble, and there was no need for any unnecessary delay. With a simple flick of my wrist, I summoned my shelter.

*Bam!*

The tent materialized instantly, and I carefully placed Erza inside, leaving her to rest as I stepped away, giving her space. I just ram her inside and left.

Slash!

Slash!

The night eventually settled in, and with it, the little one began to stir. I was still practicing, swinging my sword through the night air, but I made sure to keep my distance from her slumbering form. I didn't want to disturb her rest, though I remained close enough to keep my focus sharp. I had little memory of Erza beyond her tender moments with that imitation of Mystogan—Jellal—and the fact that she was Irene's daughter.

I had watched the anime, but never completed it. Her tragic past in the Tower of Heaven was something I was unaware of, a story still veiled in shadows for me.

Then, I felt it—a gaze, unfamiliar and curious, fixed upon me. I halted mid-swing and turned toward her.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, my voice low but steady.

She didn't respond immediately. Instead, her eyes were cast downward, avoiding my gaze. There was no food around, nothing even resembling a cooked meal. I glanced at her again, noting her hunger—a quiet, unspoken thing that lingered in the air.

I sheathed my sword with a practiced motion and walked slowly toward the campfire.

"If you're wondering, the food here is scarce," I said, my tone casual, as I dug into my pocket. Her eyes followed my hand, wide with surprise. I grinned.

From a seemingly impossible small pocket, I pulled out a large fish, perfectly cooked, and handed it to her. "You can have this," I offered, my voice soft yet resolute. "By the way, my name is Kyoka Suigetsu. What's yours?"

A slight pause. Her eyes studied the fish, then returned to me, hesitant at first. "Thank you... My name is... Erza. Erza Scarlet."

'Well, at least she didn't say Eluza Chucarlet…' I mused inwardly, an amused smirk tugging at my lips. If she had, I might have seriously reconsidered the conversation.

We didn't speak much after that. To prevent her from feeling guilty for eating my food, I casually pulled another fish from my palm, just as effortlessly as the first. She watched with awe in her eyes, clearly curious, and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

"Are you curious how I did that?" I asked, my voice teasing.

"It's magic, right?" she answered confidently, her gaze sparkling with excitement.

I almost sighed, caught off guard by her answer. In the previous world, such an act might have made me seem impressive, but here? Magic was common. "Yes, it is," I replied, realizing my oversight. "But do you know much about magic?"

Her eyes never left my face, studying me with an intensity that made me feel... uncomfortable. "Uh-huh," she nodded slowly, though her eyes lingered.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask my growing unease. "What's wrong? Are you allergic to fish? Why are you staring at me like that?"

She blinked, clearly taken aback by my sudden question, and a blush crept across her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze. "I... I was just trying to remember what you look like," she murmured, "but... I couldn't see you clearly."

A realization hit me. I had noticed the eye patch over her left eye, but it hadn't occurred to me that she might be struggling with more than just sight. Perhaps she thought my face was blurry because of her own vision.

A subtle smile crossed my face as I removed my Kyoka Suigetsu illusion, the mist around my face dissipating to reveal my black mask. "Can you see me clearly now?" I asked, my voice softer.

Erza's head snapped around, her blush deepening. "Y-yes..." She stuttered, seemingly a little embarrassed.

I gave a small, reassuring nod. "Don't worry. It's not your eyes. It's just my magic," I explained, watching her sigh with relief.

"Suigetsu... are you a wizard, too?" she asked cautiously, her curiosity piqued.

I removed my mask and took a casual bite of the grilled fish, savoring the tender texture. "Well, I suppose I might be considered one," I answered, though I didn't elaborate further. The fish, oddly enough, was boneless, as I had prepared it in my usual way, threading it with a thin wire to make it more convenient to eat.

Erza didn't stare at my face too much, understanding it would be rude, and instead shifted her attention to the fish in her hands. After a moment of hesitation, she too took a bite. Silence stretched between us, save for the sound of the crackling fire.

I found myself gazing at the night sky, lost in the stars for a moment. Erza's voice broke through the stillness, tentative yet hopeful.

"Suigetsu... Have you ever heard of Fairy Tail?"

Without taking my eyes off the sky, I replied, "Fairy Tail? Yes, I've heard of it before..." I had already anticipated where this conversation might lead, and I was determined to guide it there. "I know some wizards from Fairy Tail. Do you want to join the guild?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and determination.

I smiled softly, a flicker of something—pity or perhaps understanding—passing through me. "Then sleep first," I instructed. "We'll head to the Fairy Tail guild tomorrow."

Erza stood, about to head to the tent, but paused. She glanced back at me, uncertainty in her eyes. "What about you? Are you going to rest?"

I sighed inwardly, unable to stop the helpless smile from tugging at my lips. *Does she feel guilty for eating my food and taking my tent?* I wondered.

I could have explained that I had more than one tent, but it was far simpler to tell the truth. "I came here to train," I said calmly, not looking at her. "So you can rest. I'll keep training."

Before she could protest, I gently but firmly nudged her toward the tent. "Now go," I urged. "You need rest."

As she crawled inside, I returned to my sword practice, the sound of the blade slicing through the air a familiar and soothing rhythm. Though she was near, and the night felt quiet, my focus remained unwavering.

The morning light broke the silence, its rays spilling across the horizon. The mist around my face and the black mask returned, but Erza didn't question it this time. She had seen my face already, and she seemed content with the mystery for now. Why I kept the mask on was something I hadn't really thought through. At first, it had been a choice for intrigue, something to add to the persona I had crafted. Over time, though, it became habit, and now I found myself almost enjoying the anonymity it provided.

"We're here… the Fairy Tail guild," I said, my voice carrying a certain finality as I pointed toward the massive guild building ahead. The emblem, bold and striking, stood as a testament to the guild's reputation.

Erza didn't respond immediately, her gaze fixed on the guild. She merely followed me quietly, her posture stiff, as if unsure of how to proceed. I noticed how she hesitated, like a shadow caught in the bright light of a foreign world. *She's nervous,* I thought. It was understandable; Fairy Tail was a chaotic, boisterous place, full of loud personalities and unpredictable events.

Without a word, I pushed open the guild's door. Instantly, the noise hit us—shouts, laughter, and the unmistakable clash of clinking mugs. The lively, almost rowdy atmosphere filled the space, and I could see Erza tense, her eyes darting around, unsure if she could blend into such a vibrant storm of energy. She had probably never been in a place like this, not where strangers were so... uninhibited.

I could tell she was worried, uncertain if she would fit in with these people. The thought made me smirk under my mask. *She'll be fine,* I told myself. *They all eventually find their place.*

I walked deeper into the guild hall without a second glance. Erza continued to follow like a silent shadow, her movements slightly hesitant. My thoughts were already elsewhere—specifically on Makarov. I had contacted him the night before while she was asleep, informing him of my plans. Unfortunately, he was still caught up in a council meeting, meaning I had to take the reins for a little while longer.

It didn't matter. I would just leave her to him when he returned. In the meantime, she would have to fend for herself until then.

As I walked further in, the familiar faces of Fairy Tail's eccentric members passed by—some too busy to notice, others too loud to care. None of it fazed me. But for Erza? It was all new, a cacophony of voices and movements that had to feel overwhelming.

I could already see the future in my mind's eye. She would fit in, eventually. It might take some time, but she'd find her place. After all, everyone in Fairy Tail found their place eventually, even the ones who had no idea where they were headed at first.

Makarov would have her in hand soon enough. As for me, well... it was time to disappear into the background once more. The guild might be her new home, but for now, I was just another figure in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to step back into the light.

As I walked into the guild, a familiar figure caught my attention—Gray, who immediately stood up from his table and rushed over, likely eager to brag about his latest mission.

"Yo, Suigetsu, you're back already? And who is this? Is she your girlfriend?" he asked, his eyes darting to Erza, who was hiding nervously behind me. She seemed a bit unsettled by his sudden approach.

*Strong on the outside, fragile on the inside.* I didn't comment on Erza's unease, but Gray's question drew the attention of everyone around. Of course, rumors about me started to spread like wildfire.

"Look, Suigetsu's back!"

"Who's the woman beside him? His lover?"

"Another girl?"

"Didn't he already have six girlfriends?"

"You fool, it's eight!"

"They say he sleeps with at least four women a day..."

"Is that his daily quota?"

"Hello, girl, my name is..."

One by one, the guild members introduced themselves to Erza, each person trying to make a joke at my expense. The barrage of introductions left Erza staring at me in disbelief. She raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting some kind of explanation.

"What do you want me to say?" I thought to myself, sighing.

"It's just a rumor. You don't need to worry about it," I said nonchalantly, waving off their teasing as if it were nothing. She should know me better than that, but if she didn't, then I suppose she was being a bit naïve.

"By the way, this is Erza Scarlet. She plans to join the Guild," I added, introducing her.

"Hello, hello, hello!" came the cheerful greetings, one after another. It was a bit much for the timid Erza, and she seemed overwhelmed by the attention. As everyone finished their introductions, Gray finally stepped forward.

"Hello, Erza!" he said with a wide grin. "I'm Gray Fullbuster, your senior. I've completed countless missions and even beaten wild boars! If you ever need help, you can count on this master!"

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly. *Seriously? You think bragging about boar hunting is impressive?*

Erza said nothing, simply clutching my clothes and hiding behind me. She looked somewhat uncomfortable by Gray's antics.

"By the way, Gray, where's Cana?" I asked, wanting to steer the conversation away from Gray's never-ending self-promotion.

Gray blinked, finally snapped out of his bragging, and scratched the back of his head. "Cana's still at the dorm. She might come by later."

"I see. Well, I'll head off first," I said, waving as I started toward the reserve table. Erza followed, though I could tell she was still processing the whole situation.

I had already eaten breakfast before leaving, so I planned on having a dessert while waiting for the president or Cana to arrive and help with Erza's affairs.

As if on cue, the guild door swung open, and Cana stormed in. She must have sensed something was up and decided to make an entrance. I didn't pay her much attention, instead returning to Erza, who was still clinging to my side.

Cana noticed me sitting with another woman, and it was clear she didn't like it. Her expression darkened, her mind racing.

*Is he going to become a scumbag like their father?* she thought, though she didn't say it aloud. She had heard my earlier words, but seeing me with another woman triggered something. *He's giving her dessert? Courting her? Being intimate?*

Without a word, Cana slammed her hand down on the table—hard enough to show her frustration, but not enough to make a scene.

"What?" I asked, genuinely confused. I wasn't pretending to understand what was bothering her.

Erza stared at Cana, her gaze shifting between us as if trying to decipher the tension. Cana didn't hesitate, her voice sharp and accusatory. "Who is this girl? Are you planning to make her your girlfriend? Is she the one you like? What are you doing with her?"

*Woah, slow down there, buckaroo. You're jumping to conclusions.* I thought but didn't say aloud. "She wants to join the guild, and I'm just temporarily handling her affairs."

"Oh?" Cana raised an eyebrow, sizing us both up. She looked me over, deep in thought. Then, in a flash of determination, she declared, "In that case, I'll take over. You don't mind, do you?" Her tone was sharp, and she shot me a glare that reminded me of... well, other times in my life.

This was not the first time I'd been misunderstood. Back in school, when I brought a classmate home for a project, the women in my life misinterpreted everything. They assumed I was bringing a girlfriend home, and the slander followed. *Lazy. Disobedient. Bad son.*

It wasn't true. But they didn't care to ask.

*Far-fetched, indeed!*

"Seriously, waking me up in the middle of the night just to heat up instant ramen?" I grumbled silently. *How hard is it to boil water?*

But for now, I just nodded at Cana, letting her take over. Hopefully, Erza would get used to all this chaos soon.

You only need to plug in the outlet, then flick the switch. The water inside the electric kettle will begin to boil on its own, as if by magic, a simple marvel of technology. Even a child of five could do this effortlessly—so how is it possible for anyone to mess it up?

But, of course, should you dare to refuse, they pull out their trump card—*the authority* of being the older sibling. An authority that feels more like an absurdity, a nonsensical claim to power that echoes through every corner of family life.

And don't even get me started on my mother, that paragon of strictness. Every night, like clockwork, she would visit my room at precisely 10 PM. She would wake me up—*yes, wake me up*—and ask, in that eerie, disembodied tone: "Are you asleep yet?"

*Why would you wake someone up only to ask them if they are asleep? When it's blatantly obvious that they are, in fact, sleeping, peacefully and soundly?*

And when I tried to counter with reason, she would simply respond, *"Quit making excuses. If you were truly asleep, you wouldn't have woken up!"*

At this point, I was utterly speechless, caught in the paradox of her logic. It was, of course, technically reasonable. But the way she went about it—shaking me awake violently as if I were an inanimate object—was so far beyond the realm of reason that I felt the sheer absurdity of it weigh on me. *Who, in their right mind, could sleep through that?* Even the heaviest sleeper, the one who could sleep through a hurricane, would snap to attention under such force.

*A/N: Maybe this is just their peculiar way of showing affection. Probably.*

I sighed, letting the weight of my past sufferings roll off my shoulders, and gave in to Cana's request. She seemed so eager to save me from the headache ahead, and who was I to refuse? "Alright, then," I murmured, acquiescing.

Rising from my seat, I searched for a suitable task to occupy my time. Cana's eyes followed me as I moved, but she quickly turned her attention back to Erza, her smile gleaming like sunlight on water.

"My name is Cana Alberona," she said warmly, her voice smooth as honey. "And you are?"

Erza, usually the epitome of unease in such situations, felt strangely at home here. Perhaps it was the shared connection she felt with Suigetsu—after all, they bore such a striking resemblance to one another. It made her feel less like a stranger in this space, more like someone who belonged. "I'm Erza Scarlet," she answered, her tone shy but open.

Cana settled into her seat, her curiosity piqued. "By the way, Erza," she began, her voice tinged with gentle teasing. "You keep staring at my face. Is there something wrong?"

Erza immediately shook her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, her voice full of sincerity. "It's just that... you look so much like someone I know. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." She offered a delicate bow, a gesture of apology wrapped in politeness.

*Look like someone she knows?* Cana mused, her thoughts whirling as she took in Erza's words. Her gaze shifted to Kyoka Suigetsu, who was now searching for a task to take on. Cana already knew—*or at least, she believed*—he was her brother. It had yet to be confirmed, but the way he carried himself, the quiet aura of something familiar, was unmistakable. She imagined a younger version of Gildarts, a vision of the past, yet there was something deeper at play. To think they looked alike? Perhaps, but then again... *he's probably just a male version of me.*

*At least he inherited our mother's looks,* Cana thought inwardly, a small, private smile tugging at her lips as she let the thought settle in her mind.

Meanwhile, Kyoka Suigetsu, blissfully unaware of the swirling thoughts around him, picked up an A-rank task—*Bandit Slaying*—with the kind of self-assurance that only a fool or a foolhardy soul could muster.

*I smell a conspiracy brewing,* he thought darkly to himself, feeling the familiar tug of caution and curiosity. His feet carried him toward the receptionist, but the air around him seemed charged with an unspoken tension, as though something much larger was at play.