Night fell, and Magnolia's streets lit up under warm yellow lamps.
Following the message their sister had sent through someone else, Elfman and Lisanna carried a box of delicate pastries and made their way to a wooden house in the south end of the city.
"Is this… the place?" Elfman stared up at the brand-new house in disbelief.
"It should be. This is the address she gave us," Lisanna said, double-checking the note in her hand.
They exchanged a look, both a little confused.
Everyone in the guild had been incredibly warm—older brothers and sisters pressing snacks into their hands as welcome gifts—but Mira hadn't come to the guild herself. Instead, she'd told them to come here.
"She's probably busy setting up the new place," Elfman thought, a warm feeling rising in his chest. Mira was always like that—trying to handle everything on her own.
"Ding-dong—"
He rang the bell and shouted excitedly, "Mira! We're back!"
They'd made so many new friends today, tried learning magic for the first time—there were a million happy things they wanted to tell her.
Click.
The door wasn't locked—just left ajar.
They pushed it open and, before seeing anyone, launched into excited chatter.
"Mira, you have no idea—everyone in the guild is so nice!"
"They're super loud, but they're really friendly!"
"And—and! Master Makarov himself taught us basic magic! That thing called 'Take Over Magic' is so amazing!"
"I want to learn it fast and get strong—strong like you, Mira!"
But as they talked, their voices gradually faded.
The main ceiling light wasn't on. Only a warm-yellow floor lamp glowed in the corner.
In the dim light, Mira sat on the couch with her back to the door.
Her shirt had slipped halfway off, hanging loosely around her elbows, exposing most of her smooth back.
Except… that back wasn't smooth.
Two dark purple, blood-bruised gashes cut across her skin—so vivid they were hard to look at.
Shane was holding a cotton swab soaked in medicine, gently pressing it to one of the wounds.
Even though he was being careful, Mira still jerked from the sting.
"Mmh… ngh…"
A sweet, breathy sound—clearly forced down, but warped by pain—slipped out through her clenched teeth.
"Stop moving."
Shane's face stayed blank as he reached out, clamped one hand on her slim shoulder, and pinned her back down when she instinctively twisted away.
"This stuff stings, but it's the best for bruising and circulation. If you don't want tomorrow's training delayed, then grit your teeth and take it."
"I— I don't need medicine!"
Tears shimmered at the corners of Mira's eyes. The deep aching burn made even her toes curl.
"It's just a small injury… I can sleep it off… ngh…"
"So what, you're scared it hurts?"
Shane didn't indulge her for a second—he went straight for the jugular.
"W-What are you talking about?"
Stung right where it hurt, Mira snapped her head around and shot him a watery glare, trying to act casual.
"I just… ngh… don't want the hassle!"
But the way her voice trembled at the end made it sound more like she was sulking—or even… pouting.
"Mira…?"
Lisanna and Elfman froze in the doorway, staring. Now they understood why she hadn't come to the guild.
And in their memories, Mira was always strong, always composed.
When had she ever looked like this—like she'd been bullied half to death?
"Mira, what happened to you?"
Lisanna hurried over. Seeing not just the cuts on her back but bruises all over, her face fell with worry.
Elfman panicked and ran to the window, peering out. His mind instantly jumped to the scene they'd witnessed when entering the city.
Just like that street that had been smashed for no reason… Mira had gotten hurt for no reason.
So the big city really was terrifying. Danger everywhere.
Hearing her sister's voice, Mira stiffened. She fumbled to pull her shirt up to hide the wounds—
and immediately hissed in pain when the movement tugged at them.
"I-I'm fine!"
"It's just… when we rented the place, I tripped. That's all."
"Tripped? You don't get hurt like that from tripping."
Even usually slow-to-catch-on Elfman scratched his head and looked around.
"And… where'd you even get the money to rent this kind of house? Did Shane lend it to you?"
He took in the place—three bedrooms, a living room, fully furnished.
Not only was it in the city, it was spacious—better than their old village shack by a hundred miles.
"And these injuries…" Elfman asked bluntly. "These are obviously from getting beat up, aren't they?"
…
The living room fell dead silent.
Shane watched Mira with open amusement, clearly eager to see how she'd explain where the money came from—and how she'd earned these "glorious battle scars."
Mira didn't explain.
She simply gave Elfman a flat look.
"Food's in the kitchen. Cook."
…
"Yes, ma'am!"
The sheer oppressive aura of Big Sister Mira snapped Elfman straight to attention. Every question died in his throat as he ducked his head and fled into the kitchen.
"Tch."
Shane clicked his tongue, disappointed, and looked away.
So this was what people meant by "bloodline suppression."
No logic needed. One look was enough.
By now, the medicine was basically done.
"All right. The rest is on you."
His fingers brushed across the wounded skin one last time. Then he tugged her shirt back up over her shoulders.
He stood, walked to the door, and slipped on his shoes.
"I'm heading back. Tomorrow at eight a.m.—don't forget our deal."
"Our deal?"
Lisanna, tidying the medicine bottles, looked up curiously.
"Shane… what deal do you and Mira have?"
"Yeah."
Shane flashed a mischievous grin.
"Guess I'll be… occupying your sister for quite a while. Don't miss her too much, okay?"
And with that, he swaggered out the door.
"O-Occupying… Mira?"
Lisanna's mind instantly fired off a thousand wild interpretations.
Her big eyes swiveled toward Mira—pure gossip fuel.
That guy… what kind of nonsense is he spouting now?!
Mira's hand slipped on a button. She ground her teeth and snapped:
"It's nothing. I'm just… going to learn from that idiot how to control demon form."
"And while we train, we'll probably take some jobs on the side and earn living money."
"Oh… can we help you?"
Disappointed the gossip wasn't juicier, Lisanna returned to her usual sweet, dutiful self.
Mira walked over and patted her sister's head affectionately.
"You and Elfman focus on learning magic at the guild."
"Leave these things to me for now. When you get stronger, then you can help me—okay?"
"Mm!" Lisanna nodded hard.
But inside, she couldn't help thinking—
Mira wasn't the kind of person who liked relying on others. So why was she suddenly doing this?
Lisanna stole a look at her sister—covered in injuries, but stubbornness blazing in her eyes.
That look… was exactly the same as when Mira got competitive and refused to lose.
Lightning struck.
She got it.
Mira definitely picked a fight and lost.
She was biding her time and sharpening her blade.
…
Meanwhile—
When Shane got home, Erza was sitting at the table, waiting to eat.
"You're back?" The red-haired girl lifted her head. In the lamplight, the lines of her silk sleepwear were faintly visible—healthy, strong, and dignified.
"Yeah." Shane poured a glass of water and casually mentioned the "master-and-student" deal he'd made with Mira.
"You mean… you're going to teach her personally?"
Erza rested a finger lightly against her lips, thinking, then nodded.
"That's a good idea."
"That girl's potential is incredible. If you draw it out, she'll absolutely become one of the guild's pillars."
Then she leaned forward a little, clearly tempted.
"If it's for getting stronger… do you want me to help too? For practical combat skills, I should be able to—"
"No! No need!"
Shane almost sprayed water everywhere. He waved both hands frantically.
"I've got it. I really do!"
Inside, he was screaming:
Are you kidding? Mira's entire motivation is beating you. If you "help train" her, you two will be at each other's throats every day.
To kill Erza's idea once and for all, Shane's brain spun and he tossed out a new topic immediately.
"Oh, right—Erza."
He put on a pained, earnest look.
"You were gone for two days and the guild went completely off the rails."
"You have no idea—Natsu and Gray were practically trying to overthrow the place!"
"When I went in today, tables and chairs were flying everywhere. Even the Master couldn't control it!"
"What?!"
Erza's eyes sharpened instantly.
"I've told them so many times…"
Smack!
Her slim palm slammed down on the wooden table, leaving a clear handprint.
"Those idiots… really can't be left alone for even a moment!"
Watching the poor table get executed, Shane's heart skipped. He quietly made the sign of the cross.
Sorry, Natsu. Sorry, Gray…
I'll make it up to you later… probably.
~~~
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