บท 29: You don't need to repay me
"Thank you, Mirajane," I said, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. "I really appreciate it."
She smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting the flickering lights of the guild hall. "It's no trouble at all, Jade. We're family, remember?"
Her words soothed the lingering tension from the earlier chaos. We mingled with our guildmates, sharing laughter and stories, the warmth of camaraderie wrapping around us like a comforting blanket. Despite the mess, this was what I had been longing for—a sense of belonging, a family.
As the evening wore on, I found myself stealing glances at Mirajane. Her laughter, her kindness, and the way she seemed to effortlessly brighten any room she was in captivated me. Each look, each shared moment, felt like a small step toward something deeper, something unspoken but undeniably present.
"Hey, Jade," Natsu called out, breaking my reverie. "How about a friendly duel? Just to end the night with a bang!"
I laughed, shaking my head. "I think I've had enough excitement for one day, Natsu."
"Aww, come on!" Happy chimed in, flitting around us. "It'll be fun!"
I was about to protest when Mirajane gently placed her hand on my arm. "Maybe another time, Natsu. Jade's had quite the day already."
Natsu pouted but eventually nodded, conceding. "Alright, alright. But I'm holding you to that duel, Jade!"
I smiled, feeling grateful for Mirajane's intervention. "I'll be ready, Natsu."
As the party began to wind down, I noticed Juvia and Gajeel approaching, their expressions a mix of concern and guilt.
"Jade, we're really sorry about your apartment," Juvia said, her eyes downcast. "We didn't mean for things to get so out of hand."
Gajeel nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we owe you one. Big time."
I sighed, my frustration from earlier melting away in the face of their sincerity. "It's alright, guys. I know you didn't mean any harm. Let's just... make sure next time you plan a surprise, it doesn't involve property damage, okay?"
They both laughed, relief evident on their faces. "Deal," Gajeel said, clapping me on the shoulder.
Mirajane and I eventually made our way out of the guild hall, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth inside. We walked in comfortable silence, the stars above twinkling brightly.
As we reached her home, Mirajane turned to me, her expression serious yet gentle. "Jade, I want you to know that you're always welcome here. No matter what."
"Thank you, Mirajane," I replied, feeling a lump in my throat. "You've been so kind to me. I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't need to repay me," she said softly. "Just be yourself. That's more than enough."
We entered her home, the cozy interior instantly putting me at ease. Elfman was already waiting for us, his tall frame filling the doorway.
"Hey, Elfman," Mirajane greeted her brother. "Jade will be staying with us for a while."
Elfman nodded, his expression serious. "A man always helps his friends. Welcome, Jade."
"Thank you, Elfman," I said, feeling a bit nervous.
He gave a small smile. "Make yourself at home. I'm heading to bed."
We watched as Elfman disappeared down the hallway, leaving us alone. Mirajane turned to me, her smile returning. "Let me show you around."
The tour of her home was comforting. It was a warm and inviting place, filled with personal touches that made it clear this was a place of love and care. Mirajane led me to the room where I would be staying. It was cozy, with a large bed covered in soft blankets and pillows.
"This is your room," she said, looking pleased. "I hope it's okay."
"It's perfect," I assured her, genuinely touched by the effort she had put in. "Thank you."
As I set my things down, my eyes caught sight of a photo in the corner. It showed a younger Mirajane, Elfman, and another girl who looked remarkably like Mirajane but younger. Mirajane looked like a rebellious teenager in the photo, a stark contrast to her current serene demeanor.
Mirajane followed my gaze and her expression shifted to one of sadness. "That's Lisanna," she said quietly. "Our younger sister."
I knew all too well about Lisanna and her fate, or at least what everyone in Fairy Tail believed. She wasn't dead, but trapped in Edolas. I felt a pang of sorrow for Mirajane and Elfman, who had suffered so much believing their sister was gone.
"I'm sorry, Mirajane," I said softly, reaching out to touch her arm.
She nodded, her eyes misty. "Thank you, Jade. It's just... sometimes it's hard, you know?"
I squeezed her hand, offering silent support. We stood there for a moment, sharing the weight of her grief. Mirajane took a deep breath and gave me a small smile. "Let's not dwell on the past too much. Come on, I'll show you the rest of the house."
We continued the tour, eventually ending up in the living room. We chatted about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing easily. I felt a growing connection with her, a bond that seemed to deepen with each passing moment.
"Would you like some tea?" Mirajane offered, heading to the kitchen.
"That sounds great," I replied, following her.
As she prepared the tea, I couldn't help but admire her. The way she moved, her gentle smile—it all captivated me. I found myself drawn to her in a way that was both exciting and terrifying.
"Here you go," she said, handing me a cup of tea.
"Thanks," I said, taking a sip. The warmth of the tea spread through me, mirroring the warmth I felt from her presence.
We sat on the couch, sipping our tea and talking about the guild, our friends, and our hopes for the future. The conversation flowed naturally, and I felt a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the kitchen. Startled, we both jumped up and ran to see what had happened. To our relief, it was just Elfman, who had apparently knocked over a stack of dishes in his sleep-deprived state.
"Sorry about that," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"It's okay, Elfman," Mirajane said, laughing. "Go back to bed. We've got it under control."
He nodded, giving us a sheepish grin before heading back to his room.
As we cleaned up the mess, I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that was unexpected."
"Never a dull moment in this house," Mirajane said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
We finished cleaning up and returned to the living room, the earlier tension replaced by a sense of ease and familiarity. I sank into the couch, feeling the fatigue of the day begin to wash over me.
"Thank you for everything, Mirajane," I said, looking at her with gratitude. "I really appreciate your kindness and hospitality."
She smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with affection. "It's my pleasure, Jade. I'm just glad you're here."
There was a softness in her gaze, a tenderness that tugged at my heartstrings. In that moment, I felt a surge of emotion, a longing to express the depth of my feelings for her. But the words caught in my throat, and I found myself unable to voice them.
Instead, I reached out and took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. It was a silent gesture, a wordless acknowledgment of the connection that was blossoming between us. Mirajane's fingers intertwined with mine, her touch sending a jolt of warmth coursing through me.
We sat there in comfortable silence, our hands clasped together, the only sound the soft hum of the night outside. It was a moment suspended in time, a fleeting yet profound expression of the bond that was forming between us.
Eventually, Mirajane broke the silence, her voice soft and hesitant. "Jade, I... I'm glad you're here. I feel like... like I can be myself around you."
Her words echoed the sentiment that had been swirling in my own heart. I looked into her eyes, seeing a vulnerability that mirrored my own. In that shared moment of honesty, I felt a sense of closeness that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"I feel the same way, Mirajane," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Being with you... it just feels right."
There was a flicker of something in her eyes, a depth of emotion that I couldn't quite decipher. But before I could dwell on it, a mischievous glint appeared in her gaze, and she grinned impishly.
"Hey, want to hear a funny story?" she asked, her tone playful.
I chuckled, relieved by the change in mood. "Sure, I could use a good laugh."
And just like that, the moment of vulnerability passed, replaced by light-hearted banter and shared laughter. As we exchanged stories and jokes, I couldn't help but marvel at the ease with which Mirajane could lift my spirits, turning even the most somber moments into moments of joy.
As the night wore on, fatigue finally caught up with us, and we bid each other goodnight. I retreated to my room, feeling a sense of contentment settle over me. Despite the chaos and uncertainty that had brought me to Fairy Tail, I had found a home here—a place where I belonged, surrounded by people who cared for me.
And in Mirajane, I had found something more—a kindred spirit, a confidante, and perhaps, in time, something even deeper. But for now, I was content to let things unfold naturally, to savor each moment as it came, and to cherish the budding connection between us. With a smile on my face and a heart full of hope, I drifted off to sleep, looking forward to the adventures that awaited me in this new chapter of my life.
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