Magnolia's Heart Festival had officially begun.
The city glowed with light. Colorful banners swayed in the air, and magic lanterns floated in the sky like tiny stars that had descended to earth. The streets were filled with the scent of sweets, children's laughter, and the soft rhythm of a live band playing somewhere nearby, blending into a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
Tonight, Magnolia didn't feel like just a city.
It felt like a memory waiting to be born.
The Fairy Tail guild hall was decorated in a way no one had expected. Heart-shaped streamers covered the walls, fresh flowers rested on every table, and magic crystals hung from the chandeliers, casting a soft golden glow.
And surprisingly…
No tables were breaking.
"I'm giving a warning," Seraphina Noctis said with a sweet smile that somehow felt terrifying. "Anyone who starts a fight today gets cleanup duty."
Ignar Draven immediately sat up straight.
Zephyr Frost quietly put his shirt back on, like a man correcting a serious mistake.
Raizen Voltaris sat in the corner with his arms folded, observing everything with an unreadable expression.
And at the center, wrapped in a gentle golden light…
Mavis Vermillion.
She looked genuinely excited.
"The purpose of this festival is simple," Mavis said cheerfully. "A guild isn't built only on missions and battles… it's built on memories too."
Her eyes briefly drifted toward the balcony.
Thorn stood there.
Hands in his pockets.
Watching the crowd below.
Expression unreadable.
Below him—cheers, laughter, teasing.
Above them—quiet gravity.
Levy lifted a decorated box. "For the festival, partners will be selected randomly. For games, lanterns, and the evening dance."
The guild erupted in cheers.
Thorn subtly began moving toward a side exit.
Seraphina stepped directly into his path.
"Leaving already?"
"Checking the noise level."
"The noise hasn't even started yet."
A brief silence.
Thorn stopped.
Names were drawn.
Zephyr Frost – Rainelle.
Ignar Draven – Lyra.
Bram Ironheart – Sylpha.
Laughter, arguments, dramatic protests.
Then the final slip.
Levy paused for effect.
"…Thorn."
A soft hush fell.
"…and Mavis."
For two seconds, the hall froze.
Then the entire guild reacted at once.
"OHHHHHH!"
Thorn's reaction was minimal. A single blink—like the information had simply been processed.
Mavis looked mildly surprised… then smiled.
"Interesting."
The lantern workshop began. Tables were filled with paper lantern kits.
Thorn sat quietly. Mavis took the seat across from him.
She folded paper with an easy smile. Thorn followed the instructions with unnecessary precision—every crease aligned, every fold measured.
"You're folding it perfectly," Mavis said softly.
"Symmetry is stable."
"There's no symmetry in romance."
"…Noted."
She laughed lightly.
For just a second, Thorn's fingers paused.
At that moment, the guild doors opened.
A tall, composed mage entered, wearing a royal-blue coat and a confident smile.
Aurelius.
The mood in the room subtly shifted.
"Ah… Fairy Tail. It's been a while."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
Aurelius looked directly at Mavis. "Guild Master. Still as radiant as ever."
Mavis smiled politely. "Aurelius. Here to enjoy the festival?"
"Of course. And perhaps… to find a dance partner."
His gaze deliberately slid toward Thorn.
Thorn's expression didn't change.
But the lantern in his hands gained a slight, unintended crease.
Aurelius stepped closer to Mavis. "What are you writing on your lantern?"
"A wish," Mavis replied thoughtfully.
"May I?"
Thorn's pen stopped moving.
Without looking up, he said calmly, "Lanterns are fragile. Please maintain distance."
Aurelius smirked. "Protective?"
Thorn finally looked up.
"Precautionary."
In the background, Zephyr elbowed Ignar. "See the tension?"
Ignar had somehow obtained popcorn.
Night fell. It was time to release the lanterns.
The guild gathered in the open courtyard as golden lights rose into the sky.
Aurelius deliberately stood close to Mavis. "Allow me."
Together, they lifted the lantern.
Thorn stood to the side. Hands in pockets. Silent.
The lantern floated upward.
"Some lights deserve admiration," Aurelius said softly.
Mavis gave a polite nod.
Thorn looked at the sky.
"Annoying," he muttered.
One lantern nearby became unstable and began to fall.
Without changing expression, Thorn moved a finger slightly. Gravity adjusted. The lantern steadied and drifted upward again.
Mavis noticed.
Soon, the music softened. The dance was about to begin.
Lights dimmed.
Aurelius extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"
The guild gasped.
Thorn remained still.
Mavis paused briefly.
"Thank you," she said gently, "but I already have a partner."
She looked at Thorn.
The entire hall went silent.
It took Thorn two seconds to process.
Then he stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Shall we."
Aurelius smiled faintly and stepped back. "Of course."
The dance began.
Thorn started stiff—controlled, calculated movements.
"Relax," Mavis whispered.
"The crowd is loud."
"Just look at me."
He did.
And suddenly, the background blurred.
His steps smoothed out. His grip was steady—careful, not possessive. Confident, not hesitant.
"Jealous?" Mavis asked softly.
"…No."
"A little."
"…Maybe."
She smiled. "I chose you."
A simple sentence.
Thorn's heartbeat grew heavy.
The music slowed. The distance between them shortened.
"How long will you stay silent?" Mavis asked.
Silence.
"Words are unreliable," Thorn finally said.
"Then actions?"
"They're clear."
She met his gaze.
"Then I understand."
Suddenly, Ignar slipped and knocked over the punch bowl. Zephyr caught him mid-fall. Seraphina laughed. Raizen facepalmed.
The moment lightened.
Later, on the rooftop, the air was cool.
Thorn stood alone.
Mavis quietly appeared beside him.
"You get uncomfortable when people tease you."
"…Yes."
"Then why do you stay?"
A long pause.
"…Because you were happy."
Silence again.
The wind passed gently.
Mavis floated a little closer.
"Thorn…"
He finally spoke. "I don't like others standing that close."
"Why?"
"…Because you're not 'others' to me."
The golden particles around them grew slightly brighter.
"Then what am I?" Mavis asked softly.
Thorn looked away.
"…Important."
"How important?"
A long silence.
"…Enough."
She smiled.
"By the next festival," she said gently, "finish your sentence."
Thorn gave a faint smile.
"…I will."
Below them, laughter echoed from the guild hall. The lanterns in the sky slowly faded.
And a quiet gravity mage—
weak with words,
but not with feelings.