The streets of Magnolia were alive with the bustle of evening—merchants closing their shops, lanterns flickering to life, and laughter spilling from taverns. Ryuji walked quickly, clutching the strap of his worn satchel. His steps were silent, but his thoughts were loud.
Ryuji (inner thoughts): I can't let anyone in... Not again. If I keep walking, maybe they'll just leave me alone.
But Fairy Tail wasn't the kind of guild to give up so easily.
Natsu's voice cut through the crowd, loud and impatient as ever.
Natsu: "Oi! Hey, music kid! Wait up!"
Ryuji stiffened but didn't turn.
Gray shoved his hands into his pockets, keeping pace beside Natsu.
Gray: "Seriously, Natsu? He's not exactly looking for company."
Lucy hurried after them, waving slightly, her tone gentler.
Lucy: "We just want to talk! You were amazing back there... your music was beautiful."
Ryuji's steps faltered—just for a second—before he pulled his hood lower over his face.
Ryuji (quietly, to himself): Beautiful? Hn... what does she know...
Carla fluttered close to Wendy, whispering cautiously.
Carla (suspicious): "Be careful. There's more to this boy than meets the eye."
But Wendy's wide eyes lingered on Ryuji's back, her voice soft, almost pleading.
Wendy: "Wait! Please... we just want to be friends."
That stopped him. For a heartbeat, his chest ached at her words. A flash of memory—blood, a bridge, voices silenced forever—seared his mind. He clenched his fists, shoulders trembling, before forcing his voice out.
Ryuji (harsh, without turning): "Friends? You don't know what you're asking. People who get close to me... they only get hurt."
The group fell silent at the sharpness of his tone.
Natsu scowled, clearly not ready to back down.
Natsu: "Tch. What kind of dumb excuse is that? Fairy Tail doesn't abandon people. If you're a Dragon Slayer, then you're one of us, whether you like it or not!"
Ryuji spun around at that, eyes narrowing.
Ryuji: "I never said I was a Dragon Slayer."
Natsu grinned, flames flickering faintly around his fists.
Natsu: "Heh. Don't need to say it. I can smell it."
Ryuji's heart sank. He turned on his heel again and walked faster, vanishing into a narrower side street. His voice carried faintly back to them.
Ryuji (muttering): "...I'm not letting anyone get close. Not them. Not anyone."
The team exchanged uneasy glances. Wendy's expression, though, was different—saddened but determined.
Wendy (softly, to herself): "He's hurting... I can feel it."
The scene closed with Fairy Tail's team standing together in the dimming light, watching the boy disappear into the maze of Magnolia's streets—already certain this wasn't the last they'd see of him.
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.