"No! My sister isn't like that at all!" Lisanna cried, throwing herself into Mirajane's arms, her big, teary eyes turning to Phoenix. Lisanna huffed, "I don't like you! I'll never, ever like you again!"
"Heh, while those words are sad, they are your truest feelings at this moment."
Looking at the tear-streaked Lisanna, Phoenix instead chuckled softly.
"Big... Brother..."
Lisanna stared blankly at Phoenix. He wasn't angry at her words; instead, he showed an emotion she couldn't understand.
"Don't worry, Lisanna. I'm nullifying the bet with your sister this time."
"Wh-what?"
Seemingly disbelieving her ears, Lisanna stared blankly at Phoenix, but Phoenix paid her no mind. Instead, he turned around, took Mavis's hand, and returned the way they came.
"Let's go, Mavis. The Church's demon incident has already been resolved by someone else. This trip was for nothing, so let's just consider it a failure."
"That's another stain on your mission record."
"It doesn't matter. It's just some insignificant reputation anyway..."
When Phoenix and Mavis's figures completely vanished on the horizon, Lisanna, realizing they had truly left, clutched her chest tightly, her heart empty. An unspeakable sadness filled her heart, and the tears that had just stopped now uncontrollably welled up again.
"I... I'm sorry... I really... really like Big Brother!"
"..."
Looking at the trembling, sorrowful Lisanna, and then back at the horizon where no one could be seen, Mirajane frowned deeply. Finally, she gritted her teeth and made a decision...
On Phoenix's side, after the two left Lisanna, they returned to the village, informing them that the demon had already been eliminated and that the so-called demon girl they spoke of was merely a type of magic. This mission also ended in failure, and then the two decisively left. Although Mavis preferred to stay and explain in detail, Phoenix believed that if they believed them, not much needed to be said; if they didn't, no amount of talking would help.
The journey back to Fairy Tail was somewhat gloomy. Phoenix's expression wasn't very good, and Mavis tried to find some topics, but Phoenix merely responded with noncommittal hums.
"Stop!"
Mavis stopped walking and pulled Phoenix to a halt.
"Hm?"
"I think we need to have a good talk."
"..."
Looking at the serious-faced Mavis, Phoenix gazed at her for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"Wh-what are you laughing at?"
Although Mavis looked exasperated, seeing Phoenix show an expression other than gloom made her relax.
"Don't worry, Mavis. I apologize for my dismissive attitude just now."
"So you knew you were being dismissive! Then are you still bothered by Mirajane's matter?"
"Sort of."
"What do you mean 'sort of'! A man who nitpicks is truly undignified!"
"It's not her. What I'm mainly concerned about is Lisanna."
"B-loli-con!" Mavis gave Phoenix a disdainful look without reservation. "Hey, you haven't actually fallen for that girl, have you?"
"What nonsense are you saying?"
Phoenix reached out, pulled Mavis into his arms, and wrapped his hands tightly around Mavis's slender waist.
"No matter what happens, you are the only one I love in my heart. But, a jealous Mavis is also very cute!"
"Hmph, I'm not jealous at all. If I were truly jealous, wouldn't I be jealous to death over Wendy's matter?"
"Ahaha... Is that how it is? It seems I was being presumptuous."
Looking at Phoenix playing dumb again, Mavis was powerless to say anything more to him.
"Enough with the nonsense. You're worried about Lisanna because of her sister?"
"As expected of Mavis. Exactly!" The playful smile on Phoenix's face instantly vanished, and his eyes fell into deep thought. "Although I can't see it... I inexplicably have an ominous premonition in my heart. Given Mirajane's arrogant and condescending personality, she will surely pay a heavy price for it in the future. Lisanna is too gentle, or rather, such a child by Mirajane's side is simply too dangerous."
"So that's why you were so angry just now?"
Mavis's eyes lit up. Her previously somewhat gloomy mood from earlier instantly vanished.
"Ah, I was too impulsive, but I really couldn't stand her actions."
"Well, well, don't worry about it. It's all in the past anyway. Let's hurry back to the guild."
Mavis wrapped her arms around Phoenix's neck, a happy smile on her face.
"Carry me. I don't want to walk anymore."
"Aye aye, how dare I disobey the Big Sister's command."
Phoenix picked Mavis up by the waist, chatting softly with her as he walked, leaving a string of bell-like laughter in their wake... Half a day later, night fell.
A bonfire was lit in the forest. Mavis was responsible for adding firewood, while Phoenix went to hunt two wild boars and four wild chickens. After cleaning the prey, he skewered them on branches and roasted them over the fire. With years of grilling experience, the two were truly adept at it.
After half an hour, two roasted chickens were ready first. Phoenix and Mavis each took a skewer and ate with relish, but before they had taken two bites, Phoenix's expression changed, and his gaze went straight to the dark grass on the left. Releasing Kenbunshoku Haki to investigate, the results that came back made Phoenix look strange.
"What's wrong, Fini-chan? Is there an enemy?"
Mavis, however, continued to munch on her roasted chicken without showing any signs of tension. With Phoenix by her side, Mavis felt very safe.
"Sort of." Phoenix nodded, his tone immediately rising a few notches. "Come out! Since you're here, how long are you going to hide?"
A few rustling sounds came from the forest, and then three somewhat disheveled figures emerged from the grass.
"Lisanna? You all..."
Seeing that it was Lisanna and the other two, Mavis blinked, then showed a genuine smile.
"Whatever the reason, the food is almost ready anyway. Everyone, come and eat together."
"Mavis is right. Let's have dinner together. I imagine you're all very hungry."
But none of the three moved. Lisanna and Elfman stared intently at Mirajane.
"Sister!"
Seeing Mirajane glare at Phoenix with a deeply resentful expression, Lisanna sighed and tugged at Mirajane's clothes.
"Cough, cough~"
Clearing her throat, Mirajane walked awkwardly in front of Phoenix.
"..."
Looking at Mirajane, who was clearly hostile but still approached him, Phoenix was puzzled.
Mirajane took a deep breath, seemingly mustering her courage, and said indignantly, "I'm here to fulfill my promise!"
"Promise?"
"Didn't I lose to you? So state your conditions!"
"I've already given up on that. Don't take it to heart."
After saying that, Phoenix continued to lower his head and gnaw on his roasted chicken.
"You fellow..."
Mirajane was about to flare up, but then she thought of something and forcefully suppressed her anger.
"A bet is a bet. I'm not an unreasonable person. Just state your conditions!"
"..."
Phoenix looked up, staring at Mirajane with a surprised expression.
"You're a reasonable person?"
"You—!"
Don't be angry, don't be angry, don't be angry... Mirajane chanted the incantation in her heart again and again. After her anger was suppressed again, Mirajane lifted her face and said disdainfully, "Hurry up and state your conditions! What, are you afraid to state your dirty desires?"
"..."
Phoenix instantly had a black line on his forehead, waved his hand dismissively, and sighed helplessly.
"Either stay and eat, or leave. If you don't want to make me angry, then shut up."
"You... you..."
Mirajane was almost driven to death by Phoenix. She wanted to get angry, but in the end, she painfully suppressed it. Seeing Mirajane forcefully suppressing her anger, Phoenix also felt it wasn't good to push her too far. He cleared his throat, and when Mirajane looked over with an unfriendly expression, Phoenix's mouth curved into a sly smile.
"Are you truly conceding and willing to fulfill any condition I set?"
Phoenix specifically emphasized the word "any."
"Yes! As long as it doesn't involve Lisanna and Elfman, I'll agree to any condition!"
Mirajane's eyes revealed a hint of grievance, but her stubborn nature kept everything deeply hidden.