Chapter 34: Expectations and Actions
Early the next morning, Dino Maxim actually woke up early for once. Normally when he had nothing to do, he'd sleep until close to noon. After getting ready and checking his appearance in the mirror, he said very narcissistically: "Looking good!" He glanced at the clock—still early, but better to arrive ten minutes ahead of time. He immediately headed out.
When Dino arrived at Southgate Park, he saw Mirajane already standing under a tree, wearing a pink dress. Her beautiful, delicate face needed no makeup to captivate anyone who saw her. Even just standing there quietly, she was the most stunning sight in the park, drawing everyone's attention.
As the premier park in Magnolia, Southgate Park had beautiful scenery and was the most popular spot for couples on dates. The early-morning lovebirds passing by couldn't help but stare at Mirajane.
"Mirajane! When did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"
Mirajane smiled brightly. "No, I just arrived."
"Mirajane, you look beautiful today."
After Mirajane blushed slightly, she looked at Dino with a playful expression. "Oh? So I'm beautiful today? What about yesterday?"
"??" Dino's mind raced through possible answers. "Just as beautiful."
Mirajane pretended to pout. "You mean a whole day passed and I haven't gotten any prettier?"
"Beautiful today."
"So yesterday I wasn't beautiful?"
"Beautiful every day! More beautiful every day! The most beautiful in the world!" Dino was genuinely impressed with his own survival instincts right now.
"Hmph! At least you know what's good for you."
Dino's expression brightened. "Mirajane, you're wearing the necklace I gave you."
Mirajane's cheeks flushed. "I just happened to grab it this morning. I didn't wear it on purpose."
"You should wear it all the time. This is a protective charm I worked hard to get. It'll keep you safe when I'm not around." Dino said seriously.
"How do I know you didn't just buy it from some street vendor? A protective charm? You've loved teasing people since we were kids, especially girls. I'd be crazy to believe everything you say."
Dino protested his innocence. Sure, he'd teased plenty of girls when they were younger, but that was just childish pranking—nothing serious.
"Okay, let's go. You're carrying that." Mirajane pointed at something nearby.
Dino looked where she was pointing and saw a rickshaw—one of those two-wheeled carts pulled by hand. "Um, Mirajane, aren't we supposed to be on a date today?"
Mirajane smiled mischievously. "I never said it was a date! I said we're going shopping! If you don't want to come, I won't force you."
"I'm coming!" Dino immediately grabbed the cart handles and followed behind Mirajane.
She seemed to be in an excellent mood, walking with a spring in her step and humming a tune. Whenever she spotted something she liked, she'd bargain it down to a good price—her beauty giving her serious negotiating power—then toss it in the cart for Dino to haul. Before he knew it, the cart was nearly overflowing.
Shopping seemed to be every woman's superpower, regardless of what world you were in. As long as they were buying things, they had limitless energy. Men, on the other hand? Buying one outfit was exhausting enough. Honestly, an hour of shopping was more draining than completing an S-Class mission.
"Miss Mirajane! You're as beautiful as an angel! Please marry me!" A man knelt on the busy street, holding out a bouquet of flowers.
Mirajane smiled politely and declined. "I'm sorry! I have no plans to get married yet!"
Dino watched with a bored expression, yawning. "That's the twentieth one today, right? They don't even have new pickup lines. And here I was looking forward to it."
This had been happening nonstop since they hit the streets. As a cover model, Mirajane was famous throughout the entire Fiore Kingdom. In Magnolia especially, practically everyone—men, women, young and old—knew who she was. Her charm was unstoppable, causing a sensation wherever she went. That's why she rarely went out shopping.
Even kids under ten would run up and confess to her, saying they wanted her to be their bride when they grew up. Just kids, Dino thought with a sweatdrop. They've got some nerve.
"What are you looking forward to? They all say the same thing anyway." Mirajane shot back. "It's not like I was expecting much."
Dino felt a sting of embarrassment. He wasn't exactly a smooth talker to begin with.
"At least they have the courage to try, unlike someone who doesn't even dare to make a move." Mirajane said, as if venting, but the moment the words left her mouth, she realized what she'd said. Her face instantly turned bright red.
Dino froze. Mirajane had basically just given him an opening. If he hesitated now, could he even call himself a man? He reached out and took her hand. Mirajane gave a slight, token resistance before going still, just turning her head away, face crimson, not daring to look at him. "Mirajane…"
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Dino! Dino!"
Hearing someone shout his name, Mirajane quickly pulled her hand from Dino's grasp, as if afraid of being caught.
A figure came running up—it was Jet from Team Shadow Gear, his High Speed magic making him incredibly fast.
Dino groaned internally. What terrible timing! That was the perfect moment!
"Dino! Oh! Miss Mirajane, you're here too! Are you two on a date?"
Mirajane immediately turned red and shook her head. "N-No! I just needed him to help carry things while shopping since he had free time. What's wrong, Jet?"
"It's the Master. Master Makarov wants Dino back at the guild right away."
Mirajane nodded. "Well, I've already bought everything I wanted anyway. If the Master's calling for Dino, it must be important. Let's head back."