Chapter 59: So This Is the Real You, Mirajane?!
"It was Moen who asked me to do this."
Faced with Mirajane's sharp question, Erza blinked—then answered bluntly, giving up Moen without hesitation.
"Moen…?"
Mirajane paused, clearly not expecting that answer.
"He figured you'd try to leave a long time ago."
Erza added without hesitation. She didn't think it was something worth hiding. After all, Moen never told her to keep it a secret.
"…That busybody."
Mirajane muttered, clearly shaken.
So he'd seen through her all along.
Still, though she complained out loud, her heart felt something different.
It was… warmth.
That feeling of being noticed and cared for—it hit her deeply.
Moen really had done so much for her and her siblings.
His words echoed in her mind—
"Once you've joined the guild, we're family now."
At the time, it sounded like a line meant to comfort.
But Moen… hadn't been joking. He truly meant it.
His care for Lisanna and Elfman… the way he looked out for her…
"Big sis! Mira-nee!"
Just then, familiar voices rang out, cutting through Mirajane's storm of thoughts.
She let out a long sigh.
Of course they'd come.
She turned to see her siblings—Elfman and Lisanna—running toward her with bright smiles on their faces.
They didn't seem nervous. In fact, they looked excited. As if they had no idea she was planning to leave.
"Look, Mira-nee! We've got a surprise for you!"
Lisanna beamed in her cute pink dress.
"Totally gonna knock your socks off!"
Elfman, dressed in a neatly buttoned navy-blue suit and red bowtie, added with a grin.
Their eyes sparkled, just like Moen said they would.
Don't overthink it. Just show her your hearts—that's more than enough.
Moen's words echoed within them both.
"1, 2, 3—Transform!"
With a shout, the siblings summoned their magic.
Energy surged, and in an instant, their bodies began to change.
"Animal Soul: Cat!"
Lisanna's transformation was more complete—her full Take Over caused cat ears to sprout from her head, a striped black-and-white tail to unfurl behind her, and her hands and feet turned into soft but clawed paws.
She became a white-furred cat girl in a blink.
"Beast Soul: Bear! …Well, just my arm for now, hehe."
Elfman, on the other hand, only partially transformed.
His right arm turned into a massive, fur-covered bear paw—thick, strong, and tipped with razor claws.
"Look, Mira-nee! We can use Take Over too now!"
They beamed proudly, showing off their transformations to their stunned sister.
"W-What?!"
Mirajane was truly shocked. Her eyes widened.
This was… completely unexpected.
"Moen-nii taught us! It's the same magic as you, Mira-nee!"
Lisanna said happily, once again mentioning Moen.
But even if she hadn't, Mirajane would've guessed.
The two of them had been training with Moen for weeks now.
Staring at her little brother and sister's silly, smiling faces—Mirajane felt her vision blur.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
But she bit her lip and forced them down.
As the eldest, she'd always borne the weight of protecting her siblings.
She'd never cried in front of them.
She had to be strong—so no one could push them around.
"Why…"
Her voice trembled.
Her shoulders shook slightly as she tried to hold herself together.
"Because you were always so lonely, Mira-nee! But now… you won't be alone anymore!"
"We're family—we should always be together! Even our magic should match!"
Lisanna and Elfman spoke from their hearts, their words raw and pure.
That kind of sincerity… cuts deeper than anything else.
"It's okay if you don't want to use that demon power anymore, big sis. Just like you used it to protect us back then, now it's our turn to protect you!"
Elfman's voice was steady, serious.
He wasn't good at emotional speeches—normally, he'd get tongue-tied.
But today, he didn't hold back.
Moen's encouragement echoed in his mind.
"I'll protect you and Lisanna—like a real man!"
"Mm! I'll protect you too, Mira-nee!"
Lisanna nodded vigorously, her soft cat ears twitching adorably.
"Elfman… Lisanna…"
Mirajane's voice broke as she looked at her younger siblings.
She couldn't hold back any longer.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
For so long, she'd kept them in.
As their big sister, she always had to be strong—always had to put on a fearless front.
But now… with these two standing before her, transformed by the very magic she once feared… she could finally let it go.
She opened her arms—yes, even the demon one.
Then she pulled both of them into a tight embrace: Elfman with his giant bear paw, Lisanna in full cat-girl form.
The three of them stood there, huddled together, eyes glistening.
From nearby, Erza watched with a faint smile… but a trace of envy flickered in her gaze.
She admired the deep, unshakable bond between the siblings.
She couldn't help but wish… she had something like that too.
"…Looks like we did it."
A familiar voice jolted Erza from her thoughts.
She turned in surprise—and found Moen standing next to her, smiling.
"When did you get here?!"
She blinked—genuinely startled. She'd been so engrossed in the scene, she hadn't noticed his approach.
"Just now."
Moen stepped beside her, eyes on the hugging trio ahead.
A soft warmth lingered in his expression.
Even though he'd told himself it wouldn't matter if he came or not… he still couldn't help but follow.
He had to see it with his own eyes.
And he was glad he did.
Elfman and Lisanna had done better than he ever imagined.
That wasn't just magic—it was heart. And that was what Mirajane needed.
"Moen-nii!"
Lisanna spotted him first and lit up with joy.
Her face shone with gratitude. It was all thanks to him… everything had changed.
Hearing her call out to Moen, Mirajane finally let go of her siblings.
She quickly wiped her tears and turned to face him.
Her expression was… complicated.
Moen was the same age as her, yet he always felt like an older brother—someone dependable, warm, someone who looked out for her.
It was something she'd never had.
Something she didn't even know she needed.
"…Thank you, Moen. For everything."
She bowed deeply.
After everything he'd done—she couldn't stay silent anymore.
"Nah, you don't ha—"
Moen started to wave it off, but—
"But!"
Mirajane's voice suddenly shot up in volume, cutting him off.
She straightened with a fierce look on her face.
"All that following and spying these past days? It was seriously annoying!"
She clenched her fists, glaring with the rage of someone who'd finally snapped.
Then she pointed her finger directly at a stunned Erza.
"You! You're Erza, right?! I challenge you to a duel!!"
"…"
Moen opened his mouth, speechless.
He stared at this firecracker of a girl, who just five minutes ago had been crying in his arms…
Wait a minute. So this is the real Mirajane?!