Chapter 82: The Welcome Party
After joining the guild, the first problem was: where would they live? The guild had a girls' dormitory, but it required a monthly rent, and the two sisters didn't have that kind of money.
Just as Ultear was about to say something, Noah, having just finished sorting out the brawling guild members, walked over. He saw them standing there with conflicted expressions. "Congratulations on joining the guild. What are you thinking about that's making you look so troubled?"
"We're thinking about where we should live," Sorano said to Noah, Ultear, and the others with a serious expression. "I was thinking of borrowing some money from you to rent a room in the girls' dormitory. I'll pay it back slowly after I start working."
Without a second thought, Noah replied, "You can just stay at my place for now. There's no problem with moving out later when you have the money."
Ultear, standing beside him, couldn't help but sigh. She said to Sorano, "I knew he would say that. But it's just as he said; you can stay at his house for now. It won't be too late to move out when you're on your feet."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you, Noah? You've already helped us so much," Sorano said. She was very tempted by the offer but was afraid of imposing.
"Don't worry about it. There are a lot of people living at my house right now who don't have a place to stay. Two more won't be a problem."
Hearing this, Sorano was relieved, but also curious. Who else was living at Noah's house?
"Me, my mother, Erza, Kagura, Simon, Gray, Lyon, and Noah. Eight of us in total," Ultear counted, only now realizing just how many people had been living together at his house for so long.
Sorano was astonished. "You all live at Noah's house?!"
"A lot has happened. We'll tell you about it slowly when we have the chance. For now, let's take you to buy some daily necessities," Ultear said.
"Right," Noah interjected, "here are the things I brought back from their house. You can see what's still usable. I still have something to discuss with Gramps." He took out the magic card containing the items he had salvaged from Sorano's home and handed it to Ultear.
She took it. "Then come back early. We'll have a welcome party for Sorano and Yukino later."
"Sounds good. Take this money to buy whatever you need. If there's any left over, buy a couple more sets of clothes for Sorano and Yukino." Noah took out some money and gave it to her. Sorano was about to say something, but Ultear took the money, put it away, and then took Sorano and Yukino by the hand. Together with Erza and Kagura, they started to walk out.
"Don't be so formal," Ultear said as they left. "We all help each other. In the future, when we need help, you can just help us."
"Mhm, I understand."
After they had left, Noah returned to Makarov. "Gramps, is there any news from the Council?"
"Nothing. The Council interrogated the members of those dark guilds you destroyed, but they didn't get any useful information."
"So the trail is cold again. Who knew Brain would be so cautious, setting up magic items to scout ahead. Shouldn't he be proud of his own strength and just show up in person?"
Makarov gave him a look. "What kind of thinking is that? Brain didn't become the director of the Magic Development Bureau by being a fool. The bounty on his head isn't small. It would be very troublesome for him if a dark guild tried to ambush him. If he were the kind of person you're describing, he wouldn't have been able to hide his actions from everyone for so long."
Noah had to admit he had oversimplified things. He told Makarov to notify him if any news came up, and then he went into the guild's library. He made copies of some of the books he had collected, sorted them, and after estimating the time, he left the guild.
The sun was setting in the west, and the evening clouds were painted with brilliant colors. Accompanied by the beautiful scenery, Noah strolled down the road towards home. He felt the cool breeze on his face, and it seemed to blow away his frustrations, leaving him with a sense of peace and contentment.
Bathed in the last rays of the setting sun, Noah arrived at his front door. The lights were already on inside, and the sound of happy laughter drifted out. He smiled, opened the door, and was hit with a wave of cheerful noise.
"Your timing is perfect. Did you plan this?" Ultear saw him the moment he walked in and looked at him with suspicion.
Noah quickly waved his hands. "I still had things to do at the guild."
He changed his shoes and walked into the living room, where his eyes were immediately drawn to a giant, five-layer cake on the dining table. Many delicious-looking dishes were already set out beside it. A banner hung on the wall that read, "Welcome, Sorano and Yukino!", and sparkling decorations were hung all around.
Gray and Lyon were hanging more decorations on the walls, while Simon and Kagura were helping to bring the finished dishes to the table. Sorano and Yukino, however, were nowhere to be seen.
"Noah, come and help us!" Erza's voice came from the kitchen.
"I seem to remember you used to call me 'Big Brother Noah.' Why did you stop?" Noah asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"I just feel like calling you this is better now. Is that a problem?"
"No, whatever you like is fine. I don't mind what you call me."
He entered the kitchen and saw Ur and Ultear stir-frying, while Erza was making dessert. Noah went up to help, and they made a few more of his specialty dishes.
When they returned to the living room, everything was more or less ready, but Sorano and Yukino still hadn't come down. "I'll go up and get them," Ultear said.
As everyone was arranging the last of the dishes, a voice came from the second floor. "Introducing the stars of the show!"
Ultear appeared, pushing Sorano and Yukino in front of her. Both of them were wearing light blue princess dresses that matched their hair, making them look even more lively and adorable. Ultear took a hesitant Sorano by one hand and Yukino by the other and led them downstairs. Seeing them, Noah stood up.
"The welcome party for Sorano and Yukino now officially begins!" He started to clap, and everyone else joined in.
Tears welled up in Sorano's and Yukino's eyes. Sorano said in a choked voice, "Thank you... thank you, everyone!"
"Alright, hurry and sit down so we can eat. Then we can have cake!" Ur said to them.
Sorano wiped her tears and sat down with Yukino. Ultear sat down next to Yukino.
After they started eating, Sorano couldn't help but say, "This food is so delicious! I've never eaten anything like it." Yukino nodded continuously beside her.
"Of course! Noah came up with a lot of these recipes. His cooking is amazing," Erza said proudly.
Sorano noticed something strange. "So you're saying Noah is the best cook here? Isn't it usually the girls who are better cooks?"
A silence fell over the table. Gray, who was in the middle of eating, was about to say something when Lyon clapped a hand over his mouth, making him cough. Once Gray had caught his breath, he grabbed Lyon's shirt, ready to start something, but Ur landed a punch on each of their heads. THUMP! THUMP! Instant silence.
Everyone quickly moved past the topic and continued eating.
After they had finished the last of the cake, the girls were all discussing how much extra training they would have to do tomorrow to burn it off. Noah, however, called Sorano and Yukino over.
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