"So why are you keep interfering in my business?!"
Mirajane raised her head, glaring at Erza as she voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind these past days.
She wasn't even close to this person!
"Marco told me to do this."
Caught off guard by Mirajane's question, Erza paused before answering honestly, immediately throwing Marco under the bus.
"Marco..." Mirajane was also taken aback; this answer was clearly not what she had expected.
"He already anticipated you would leave." Erza continued speaking, not seeing any reason to withhold this information.
After all, Marco hadn't specifically told her to keep it a secret.
"He's meddling in others' business." Mirajane felt somewhat disheartened.
So her thoughts had been seen through long ago.
Though she stubbornly called it meddling, deep down, the feeling of being noticed and cared for moved her deeply.
Marco had truly helped their family in countless ways.
In Mirajane's mind, Marco's words from before seemed to echo once more.
'Once you join the guild, we become family.'
It sounded like a casual, polite remark, but Marco clearly hadn't said it lightly.
Mirajane's expression grew complicated.
Marco's care and guidance for Lisanna and Elfman, as well as his attention towards her...
"Mira-nee!" 2x
The familiar voices reached Mirajane's ears as she stood there with mixed emotions.
She let out a soft sigh.
As expected, Lisanna and Elfman had come after all.
Mirajane turned to face her younger siblings.
Elfman and Lisanna ran towards her with smiles on their faces, not appearing particularly anxious—as if they didn't know she was about to leave.
"Mira-nee, look, look! We prepared a surprise for you!"
Standing before Mirajane, Lisanna, dressed in a pink dress, spoke excitedly.
"It'll definitely shock you!"
Elfman, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and a red bowtie chimed in with a grin.
Both of them firmly remembered Marco's words.
Don't overthink it.
Just express your feelings sincerely—that's enough!
"1, 2, 3! Take Over!"
Elfman and Lisanna simultaneously activated their magic.
As their energy surged, their bodies rapidly began to change.
"Animal Soul: Cat!"
Lisanna, undergoing a full-body Take Over, underwent a more dramatic transformation.
Cat ears sprouted from her head and a black-and-white-striped tail grew behind her.
Her hands and feet morphed into soft cat paws, turning her into an adorable catgirl—a white-furred one at that.
"Beast Soul: Bear! Though only my hand can change, heh."
As for Elfman, only his right arm transformed.
It became a thick, furry black bear limb, with powerful muscles and sharp claws.
"See, Mira-nee! We can use Take Over Magic too!"
After casting their spells, Elfman and Lisanna proudly showed off their transformations to Mirajane.
"How...?" Mirajane was shocked.
Her expression was one of utter disbelief—this was something she had never imagined possible.
"Marco-nii taught us! The same magic as yours, Mira-nee!"
Lisanna happily explained, mentioning Marco's name once again.
Even if Lisanna hadn't said it, Mirajane could have guessed.
After all, the two had been learning under Marco all this time.
Looking at her grinning younger siblings, tears welled up in Mirajane's eyes.
But she fought hard to hold them back.
As the eldest sister, who had raised her siblings alone, she never let them see her cry.
She always put on a strong front—because only by appearing unshakable could she ensure no one dared to bully them.
"Why." Mirajane held back her tears, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"Because Mira-nee has always been lonely, so this way you won't be alone anymore!"
"We're family, and we'll always be together! We'll even use the same magic!"
Lisanna and Elfman expressed their feelings—their purest emotions, the kind that could move anyone's heart.
"Nee-san, it's okay if you don't want to use your demon power. Just like how you used that power to protect us before, now we'll use our magic to protect you! I'll protect you and Lisanna like a real man!" Elfman spoke with utmost seriousness.
He wasn't usually good at sentimental words, but he knew he couldn't afford to be shy now.
He had to voice his thoughts—Marco's encouragement was firmly etched in his heart.
"Yeah! Lisanna will protect big sis too!"
Lisanna nodded in agreement, her cat ears twitching adorably.
"Elfman… Lisanna…"
Looking at her younger siblings, Mirajane could no longer hold back her tears.
Her heart was changing.
She stretched out her arms—including the demonic one—and wrapped them tightly around Elfman and Lisanna.
The three of them held each other close, tears glistening in their eyes.
Erza watched from the side, smiling, though a hint of envy flickered in her gaze—envy for the bond of Mirajane's family.
"Looks like we succeeded." A voice broke Erza's thoughts.
She turned in surprise to see Marco's smiling face.
"When did you get here?" Erza was startled.
She had been so absorbed in watching the siblings that she hadn't noticed Marco approaching.
"Just now."
Marco walked over and stood beside Erza, his gaze settling on the tearful embrace of Strauss siblings.
Though he had thought following them here wouldn't make a difference, he couldn't help but come.
Thankfully, Elfman and Lisanna hadn't disappointed him.
Their heartfelt words were more convincing than anything else.
Mirajane's current state made it clear—her heart was undergoing a profound change.
"Marco-nii!"
Lisanna noticed Marco's presence and called out happily, her face filled with gratitude.
It was Marco's idea that had helped them change Mira.
Hearing Lisanna call Marco's name, Mirajane loosened her hold on her siblings and quickly wiped her tears.
She stood up and looked at Marco and Erza.
Her expression was complicated as she gazed at Marco.
Though he was the same age as her, he gave her a warm feeling—a feeling of being cared for and protected, something she had never experienced before.
"Marco… thank you. For everything." Mirajane bowed deeply to him.
After receiving such kindness, she couldn't stay silent.
"It's fi—" Marco reached out, trying to stop her from thanking him so formally.
"But!"
Before Marco could finish speaking, Mirajane abruptly straightened up, her voice suddenly rising with a sharp turn.
"Your constant stalking is really pissing me off!"
Mirajane clenched her teeth and fists, looking like she had endured enough and wasn't going to take it anymore.
She pointed directly at a bewildered Erza and declared bluntly.
"Erza, right? Let's fight!"
"..."
Watching Mirajane's suddenly become aggressive with almost delinquent demeanor, Marco's mouth hung open.
Is this your true self, Mira?!
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