Month: September
Year: X775
Location: Magnolia · Fairy Tail Guild & Outskirts
Ages:
Kaito / Erza / Mirajane / Juvia — 10
Elfman — 9
Lysanna — 8
---
The job board never stayed full.
Requests vanished as fast as they were pinned—sometimes torn down mid-argument.
"Mine!"
"You took the last escort!"
"That one's got a bonus—HEY!"
Fairy Tail mornings were loud by default.
Kaito skimmed the board with an easy calm. Solo courier. Low risk. Good pay. He pulled the slip free.
Across the hall, Erza and Mirajane argued over a joint extermination request.
"I'll take point," Erza said.
"You always take point," Mira shot back. "I want first hit."
"You lack discipline."
"You lack imagination."
Makarov rubbed his temples. "Take the job or take it outside."
They grinned at each other and grabbed the paper together.
---
Solo and teamed missions filled the week.
Kaito returned first—every time. Clean clothes. No injuries. Coin pouch heavier. He dropped half into the guild's repair jar without comment.
Macao stared. "Kid's bad for my self-esteem."
Wakaba nodded. "Same."
Juvia escorted merchants along the river roads. The rain followed her steps—never touching the clients, never flooding the path. Control came easier now. Kaito believes in Juvia, she thought, warmth blooming in her chest.
Gray teamed with Cana and learned—again—what it meant to be outpaced. He laughed it off this time.
Erza and Mirajane came back battered and grinning, arguing about who finished the last monster. The argument continued through dinner.
---
Training never stopped.
In the yard, Erza practiced Sword Magic—steel lifting, rotating, snapping into formation. Telekinesis hummed under her focus.
"Pentagram Sword."
Five blades carved perfect lines into the air, converging in a precise star. She exhaled, satisfied—and glanced at Kaito.
"Your spacing was clean," he said. "Try a tighter arc next time."
Her lips curved. "Watching me again?"
"Always."
Mirajane laughed from the fence. "Get a room."
"Jealous?" Erza shot back.
"Maybe."
They collided a second later—sparring, laughing, the guild cheering.
---
Juvia trained nearby, steam rising softly as Sierra pulsed with controlled emotion. She molded water into shields and lances, the forms smoother than yesterday.
Kaito stopped beside her. "You're holding back."
She froze. "…Juvia is afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of liking someone too much."
He met her eyes. "You can be brave about that too."
Her heart thundered. Then—quietly, carefully—she smiled.
"Then… Juvia will try."
She leaned closer. "Kaito… your hair looks nice today."
The yard went silent.
Mirajane's jaw dropped. Erza blinked.
Then chaos.
"OHHH?"
"SHE DID IT!"
"WRITE THAT DOWN!"
Juvia's face turned crimson. Steam burst around her. "J-Juvia apologizes!"
Kaito chuckled, gentle. "Don't. I liked it."
She hid behind a curtain of mist—smiling the whole time.
---
Evenings were worse.
The guild hall filled with laughter, cards, and overturned chairs. Cana dragged Kaito into a game he didn't agree to.
Mirajane leaned across the table. "Winner gets a date."
Erza slammed a mug down. "Define 'date.'"
Juvia raised a hand. "J-Juvia would like clarification…"
Kaito raised his own mug. "I accept all terms."
Groans echoed—especially from the men.
"Unfair!"
"He's ten!"
"WHY IS HE CALM?"
Makarov cackled. "Because he belongs here!"
---
Between the noise, bonds formed quietly.
Gray trained with Kaito one night—no words, just movement. "Thanks," Gray muttered afterward.
Lysanna practiced Animal Soul shifts, cheering when Kaito adjusted her stance just right. Elfman lifted stones until his arms shook, pride burning brighter than pain.
Mirajane lounged beside Kaito on the steps. "You collect people."
"I collect moments," he said.
Erza joined them, arms folded, eyes soft. "You make this place feel… steady."
He smiled. "So do you."
She looked away—pleased.
---
As the week closed, Fairy Tail roared on.
Missions completed. Training advanced. Flirting escalated. Jealousy simmered. Laughter drowned it all.
Kaito stood at the doorway that night, watching the hall—family in motion.
This is good, Great Sage murmured.
He agreed.
Not every day needed to be legendary.
Some days just needed to be together.