Month: August
Year: X775
Ages:
Kaito / Erza / Mirajane / Juvia — 10
Elfman — 9
Lysanna — 8
---
The road out of the village was still wet.
Not from rain—
from memory.
Juvia walked a half-step behind the group at first, hood pulled low, fingers nervously clutching her cloak. Each step away from the village felt unreal. No whispers. No stones thrown. No doors slammed shut.
She was leaving.
Mirajane noticed immediately and hooked an arm around her shoulders. "Relax, Rain Girl. If anyone throws rocks, I'll throw them back harder."
Juvia squeaked. "J-Juvia thanks you!"
Erza glanced back. "You don't walk behind us. You walk with us."
Juvia blinked.
"…Yes."
She moved forward.
And just like that—she belonged.
---
Kaito stretched his arms lazily as they walked. "You know, traveling with three beautiful girls is dangerous."
Mirajane smirked instantly. "Oh? For you or for everyone else?"
"For me," he replied smoothly. "Hard to stay focused when Mira's confidence, Erza's intensity, and Juvia's mystery are attacking from all sides."
Mirajane laughed loud and unapologetic. "Careful, pretty boy. Compliment me like that and I might start charging rent."
Erza shot him a look—but the corner of her mouth lifted. "You're distracted because you lack discipline."
He leaned closer to her. "Funny. You didn't complain when I distracted you during training."
Erza didn't look away. "That's because I won."
"Barely."
Their eyes locked.
Mirajane clicked her tongue. "Wow. You two flirt like you're dueling. It's cute."
Erza snapped her head toward Mira. "You're one to talk. You were practically sitting in his lap yesterday."
Mira grinned wider. "And? You jealous?"
"I don't get jealous."
"Liar."
Word fight engaged.
---
A few steps behind them—
Juvia's brain was melting.
Kaito is smiling.
He talked to Juvia.
He said Juvia has mystery.
Her face burned.
Does Kaito like confident girls…? Strong girls…? Loud girls…?
Juvia is quiet… but water is deep…
She hugged her cloak tighter, heart pounding.
Juvia will work harder.
Lysanna noticed everything.
She leaned toward Elfman and whispered, "This is better than a play."
Elfman nodded seriously. "Scary."
---
The road narrowed. Trees closed in.
Mirajane bumped Erza's shoulder on purpose. "So, Knight Girl. Still think you're the strongest?"
Erza didn't break stride. "Still am."
"Oh please. I'm catching up."
"You're noisy. That's not the same thing."
"At least I don't need twenty armors to decide who I am."
Erza stopped walking.
Mirajane stopped too.
The air tightened.
Kaito sighed. "Do I need to referee again?"
They spoke at the same time.
"Stay out of it."
"Don't interrupt."
Lysanna clapped softly. "Encore."
Juvia blinked. "They… argue like sisters."
Kaito smiled. "Yeah. Dangerous ones."
Erza finally turned away first. "We'll settle it later."
Mirajane cracked her knuckles. "Can't wait."
---
As the sun dipped lower, they kept walking.
Six kids on a road with no map.
One former outcast.
Two rivals sharpening each other.
One boy flirting like it was a survival skill.
And above them, the clouds moved calmly—
No rain chasing them.
Only the promise of what came next.