Chapter 10: Festivals, Fireworks, and Friendship
The streets of Magnolia were alive with color and laughter. Lanterns swayed gently in the summer breeze, music from street performers drifted through the air, and the smell of sweet treats and sizzling foods made even Menma's usually stoic expression soften.
"It's… chaotic," he muttered, adjusting the cloak over his shoulders.
Mirajane's eyes sparkled as she linked her arm with his. "That's the point, silly. Festivals are for fun!"
"Fun…" Menma repeated, tone flat, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "…I'll try."
Natsu and Gray were already running ahead, dragging Elfman behind them toward some game booth. Cana called out from a stall, waving a mug in greeting. The guild was in full festival mode.
First stop: a ring toss game. Natsu insisted Menma try it.
"Come on, Uzumaki!" Natsu shouted. "If you win, I'll admit you're better than me!"
Menma raised an eyebrow. "…Why would I care about that?"
"Because it's fun! And everyone will laugh if you lose!"
He sighed, taking a ring. Concentrating, he extended a chain, threading it through the air like a ghostly finger, and looped it perfectly around the tallest bottle in one smooth motion.
Natsu's jaw dropped. "What the—?!"
Elfman groaned. "That's cheating!"
Menma shrugged. "…Control, not cheating."
Mirajane laughed, clapping her hands. "See? Not only skilled, but clever too!"
Next, the guild moved to a relay game. Menma tried to politely decline, but Mirajane tugged him into the line with a grin.
"Don't worry," she whispered, "I'll make sure you don't trip."
He glared at her but allowed himself to be pulled forward. The game began—Natsu running wild, Gray strategically plotting, Elfman trying to use Beast Take Over for speed, and Menma quietly using subtle Chain Magic to guide his teammates without anyone noticing.
At one point, Natsu tripped over a misplaced obstacle. Menma flicked a chain, catching him mid-fall. Natsu yelped. "…Whoa! That was—"
Mirajane giggled. "See? You're helpful even when you don't want to be!"
Menma muttered under his breath, "…I'm just doing my job."
By evening, lanterns floated into the night sky, and the guild settled near a small clearing for fireworks. Menma and Mirajane sat side by side on a bench, the faint glow of lanterns reflecting in their eyes.
"You've really become part of the guild, Menma," Mirajane said softly. "Even Natsu and Gray… they respect you now. And Elfman actually listens sometimes."
He gave a small shrug. "…I just try to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Mirajane smiled, nudging him lightly. "…Trouble seems to follow you anyway."
Menma allowed a quiet chuckle. "Perhaps."
The first firework exploded in the sky, casting brilliant colors across their faces. Menma found himself watching Mirajane more than the display. Her hair shimmered in the light, her smile bright, her eyes full of warmth.
"…Beautiful," he murmured.
She glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "…The fireworks or me?"
He paused, caught off guard. "…Both," he said quietly.
Mirajane laughed softly, nudging him again. "Smooth, Menma. Very smooth."
Natsu and Gray shouted from across the clearing, pointing at the sky. "Biggest firework ever!"
Menma and Mirajane watched in silence, letting the colors wash over them. For Menma, it wasn't just the festival or the lights. It was the guild, the laughter, and the small, quiet moments—Moments where he could just… exist.
Later, as the festival wound down, the guild gathered for a final group photo. Mirajane leaned toward Menma. "Come on, you have to be in the picture."
"…I don't like group photos," he muttered.
"Too late," she replied, linking arms with him. "Besides, everyone's waiting for you."
Menma sighed but allowed himself to step forward. The guild members crowded in, laughing, teasing, and shoving each other into place. Menma's chains wrapped subtly around a few loose props, keeping them from toppling over without anyone noticing.
"Perfect!" Mirajane whispered, giving him a small, approving smile.
The camera clicked. In that single frame, Menma Uzumaki was no longer just an outsider. He was part of Fairy Tail, part of the laughter, part of Mirajane's world.
And as fireworks lit the night sky one final time, Menma realized something he hadn't before: he wasn't just protecting this guild. He belonged here. With them. And maybe… just maybe… with her.
Word Count: ~1,880