Chapter 43: Erza's Secret
Faced with Erza's genuine concern, Wendy found it impossible to stay silent.
"I'm not feeling unwell,"
she mumbled in a tiny voice. Lying didn't come naturally to her—her entire face turned red like a boiled duck, and steam practically started rising from her head.
"Erza, is something wrong?"
Seeing how distressed Wendy looked, Moen quickly stepped in, trying to shift Erza's attention away and ease the pressure on the girl.
Erza turned her gaze to Moen. Her expression was conflicted. Truth be told, she didn't want to talk about that either. She'd much rather bury it deep inside, never to be spoken of again.
"…You just mentioned Jellal, didn't you?"
Though she hesitated, Erza couldn't help but ask. The name stirred too many emotions.
"Yes, we did. Why?"
Moen answered calmly, nodding without hesitation.
This caused Wendy and Mystogan to both look at him in stunned disbelief.
Weren't we keeping Mystogan's identity a secret?!
Then, as if completely flipping the situation around, Moen turned to Erza and asked,
"You know Jellal? How did you meet him? What's your relationship?"
Under the scrutiny of Wendy and Mystogan's stunned stares, Moen wore a curious expression—completely reversing the pressure back onto Erza.
"…Jellal is a friend of mine."
After a brief pause, Erza finally answered, her voice firm but tinged with unease.
Moen could tell right away—there was a story there. That much was obvious from her expression alone.
And Mystogan certainly noticed too. His scalp tingled at how complicated this was becoming.
As if fate were playing a joke, it wasn't just Erza who knew a Jellal—Mystogan also knew the Erza of Edolas.
Seriously? Of all people, it had to be her?
"The Jellal we were talking about probably isn't the same one," Moen said with a shake of his head, dropping a curveball that left all three of them stunned.
"Huh?"
Erza blinked, confused, turning her gaze toward Mystogan. She clearly hadn't expected that and wasn't sure if she believed it.
"That's right,"
Mystogan followed Moen's lead quickly, replying with a few soft, cautious words. His voice was kept deliberately low—he knew that even his voice could give him away.
"In Mystogan's homeland," Moen continued smoothly, "there's a long-standing tradition—when traveling, one must always conceal their face. They're not supposed to let others see their appearance. Erza, the Jellal you knew didn't have any such practice, right?"
Before Erza could respond, Moen delivered the decisive blow, boxing her in completely.
"…"
Erza fell silent. She couldn't exactly demand that someone abandon their cultural tradition just so she could satisfy her curiosity.
"…No, he wasn't like that,"
she admitted softly.
Now she really began to question herself. Mystogan did give off a strange sense of familiarity—but aside from that, there were plenty of differences too.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going,"
Mystogan said abruptly. Seeing that Erza was starting to believe Moen's story, he decided it was best to leave while he still could.
I should really keep my distance from her. I've got more important things to do—like stopping Anima before it harms this world,
he thought, already resolving to avoid returning to the guild unless absolutely necessary.
"Erza, would you mind telling us a bit about this Jellal? About your past—we still don't really know much about what you've been through."
After Mystogan left, Moen didn't let Erza off the hook so easily. He continued to probe, intent on uncovering more about her past.
Today was the perfect moment to bring it up—only under the right atmosphere could such conversations naturally flow. Normally, he wouldn't push like this.
Everyone carries stories. Forcing someone to open up at the wrong time only leads to awkwardness and discomfort.
"There's nothing worth talking about. It's all in the past,"
Erza said with a shake of her head, putting on an air of calm detachment, as though the past no longer mattered.
"…"
Moen wasn't fooled—and even Wendy, young as she was, saw through it.
That whole "it's in the past" act? It clearly meant "I haven't gotten over it at all."
Erza was lying to herself, plain and simple.
"Alright, we won't talk about the past,"
Moen nodded, choosing not to expose her facade. The Erza standing before them now was already doing so much better than when she had first arrived a year ago. Back then, she was a closed-off girl who sat silently in corners, completely withdrawn. Moen didn't want to push her back into that shell.
"Right now, we're your comrades—your family. If anything ever bothers you, you can always come to me. I am your big brother, after all,"
he said with a warm smile, reaching out to gently ruffle Erza's crimson hair. It was soft to the touch, and the gesture was filled with affection.
For once, Erza didn't swat his hand away.
"You say you're my 'big brother,' but you're barely a few days older than me,"
she replied with a gentle smile, her tone carrying just a hint of teasing.
"Speaking of which,"
a voice suddenly chimed in behind Erza,
"isn't your birthday coming up, Moen?"
Gray's head popped out from behind her, joining the conversation.
Among the kids here, Gray had been around the longest after Moen. He knew Moen well—well enough to remember his birthday, which was just a couple of days away.
"Yup,"
Moen confirmed with a grin, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"I'm looking forward to your gifts."
It was a lighthearted joke, a playful way of asking for presents. Because their bond was strong, no one took offense—instead, it brought smiles all around.
"Just wait, Moen! I'll find you the coolest gift ever!"
Gray clenched his fist with determination. He'd received countless gifts from Moen over the years, so he took this responsibility seriously.
Back when he was younger and short on money, Gray could only give Moen odd little trinkets. But now that he'd saved up some money, he could afford to get something truly special.
"Well then, I'll give him an even cooler gift!"
Not to be outdone, Natsu jumped in immediately, picking a fight with Gray like always. Even this became a competition.
Although Natsu had only been part of Fairy Tail for just over a month, and hadn't known Moen for very long, their relationship had grown fast. Moen had that kind of warmth—like a little sun, lighting up everyone around him. He cared, he nurtured, and people naturally gravitated toward him.
"There's no need to spend a lot,"
Moen said with a chuckle, watching as Gray and Natsu argued over who'd give the better gift.
"As long as it's thoughtful, that's all that matters. Like that ice sculpture you gave me last year, Gray. I've still got it sitting in my freezer."
His eyes curved with joy—this was genuine happiness. This was the feeling of being loved in return after giving so much.