Month: Early December
Year: X775
Ages:
Kaito – 10 | Erza – 10 | Mirajane – 10 | Juvia – 10
Lysanna – 8 | Elfman – 9
Location: Fairy Tail Guild / Magnolia Town
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If Fairy Tail had learned anything over the years, it was this:
When Mirajane Strauss, Erza Scarlet, and Juvia Lockser stood together—
someone was about to suffer.
Kaito felt it the moment he stepped into the guild hall.
The noise didn't stop.
The chaos didn't pause.
But the focus shifted.
Three pairs of eyes locked onto him at once.
Mirajane leaned casually against a table, arms crossed, smile far too calm.
Erza stood straight, hands on her hips, posture radiating authority.
Juvia stood between them—hands clasped, expression determined, rain magic unnaturally still.
Kaito slowed. "…Why do I feel like I just walked into a trial."
Cana whispered loudly, "Because you did."
Gray leaned over. "They're synchronized."
Laxus, half-asleep in a chair, cracked one eye open. "…Oh. This'll be fun."
Erza stepped forward. "Kaito."
Mirajane joined her. "We've discussed your recent behavior."
Juvia nodded firmly. "…Extensively."
Kaito raised a brow. "I'm honored."
They moved together.
Perfect spacing.
Perfect timing.
A united front.
"You've been teasing too much," Erza said.
"Flirting recklessly," Mirajane added.
"Making Juvia's heart race unfairly," Juvia finished—voice soft, but resolute.
The guild collectively leaned in.
Kaito stared at them.
Then—
He smiled.
A bright, unapologetic smile.
"…That's it?"
The trio stiffened.
Mirajane frowned. "That reaction was incorrect."
Kaito stepped forward.
"One," he said calmly, pointing at Erza, "you've been smiling more lately."
Erza blinked.
He leaned in slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Not lingering.
Not dramatic.
Just warm.
Erza froze.
Steam might as well have come out of her ears.
Kaito moved immediately.
"Two," he said, turning to Mirajane, "you like confidence."
She scoffed—then stopped as he wrapped his arms around her in a quick, friendly hug, chin resting briefly against her hair.
Mirajane's grin vanished.
"…That was illegal," she muttered, cheeks pink.
Before either could react—
Kaito faced Juvia.
She was already red.
He crouched slightly to meet her eyes. "And three—"
Juvia barely breathed.
"You've been really brave."
He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
Juvia short-circuited.
Her rain magic sputtered—then vanished completely.
She swayed.
Mirajane caught her automatically. "Juvia down!"
The guild exploded.
"HE'S UNSTOPPABLE—" "THIS IS WAR CRIMES—" "PAY UP, I BET TEN JEWELS—"
Erza turned away sharply, hands over her face. "…Unfair."
Mirajane laughed weakly. "I hate that this works."
Juvia, still flustered, whispered, "…Juvia… does not regret this."
Kaito straightened, hands in pockets.
"Meeting adjourned?"
Silence.
Then Cana raised her mug. "Winner: Kaito."
---
Aftermath: Absolute Chaos
The rest of the day spiraled.
Erza avoided eye contact—but stood closer than usual.
Mirajane resumed teasing—but softer, more deliberate.
Juvia stayed quiet—but every glance toward Kaito lingered longer.
Lysanna whispered to Elfman, "Is he… collecting victories?"
Elfman nodded solemnly. "Manly menace."
Training that afternoon was useless.
Erza missed a parry.
Mirajane overcommitted.
Juvia froze mid-cast—thinking too much.
Kaito watched, arms crossed.
"Alright," he said, clapping once. "Break."
They stopped instantly.
"…You're distracted," he continued. "All of you."
Erza crossed her arms. "You're the cause."
He shrugged. "Then focus."
Mirajane smirked. "Bossy."
"Effective," he corrected.
Juvia nodded vigorously.
That earned her a look from Erza.
"…You're siding with him now?"
Juvia hesitated. "…Maybe."
Erza stared.
Mirajane burst out laughing.
---
Quiet Victory
Evening fell.
Lights warmed the guild hall. Noise softened into conversation.
Kaito sat at a table, working through notes—Great Sage quietly refining training efficiencies in the background.
Someone sat beside him.
Then another.
Then another.
Erza on his right.
Mirajane on his left.
Juvia across from him.
No plotting.
No alliance.
Just presence.
Erza broke the silence. "…Don't think this means you win forever."
Mirajane nodded. "We'll adapt."
Juvia added softly, "…Juvia will too."
Kaito smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
They stayed like that for a while.
Not victorious.
Not defeated.
Just closer.
And somewhere in Fairy Tail, the betting pool quietly doubled.
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