Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 302: Don’t Move Your Hands

"Because I have a summoned beast that helps heal my injuries, an amazing pharmacist to keep me in check, and Mira to take care of me," Rhodes said matter-of-factly, "I'm still alive and kicking."

That said, he remembered how every visit to Grandma Porlyusica during his intense training days had come with a fierce scolding.

"She even told me she'd never treat me again," he added with a nostalgic sigh.

Things had gotten better recently, mostly because he'd shifted some of his time from brutal physical training to deeper magical meditation.

Even so, Lucy still looked unconvinced as she reread the training schedule. "This is just... insane."

"If you ever watch Natsu train, you'd stop thinking that. Sometimes, he works even harder than I do," Rhodes said, sipping from his cup. "Honestly, there's no shortcut to power. Unless, of course, you're up for dark alternatives."

He leaned back and said in a more serious tone, "There used to be a place called the Magic Development Bureau. They ran horrible experiments on kids, modified their bodies to try and force power into them."

Lucy's eyes widened.

"It's been banned now," Rhodes continued. "But if you're in a hurry, I could always sign you up for something like that."

"Absolutely not!" Lucy blurted, appalled.

Rhodes chuckled. "Exactly. That's why the only real way is to train. That's it. I'm not saying you need to do what I do. Our magic types are different. I told you before—my summoning isn't Celestial Spirit Magic, so don't measure yourself by my results. Find your own path."

Lucy gave a genuine nod. "Thanks, Mr. Rhodes... I get it."

Finishing her drink, she stood up. "Anyway, I better start looking for another job. I need to pay next month's rent."

Rhodes offered an alternative. "You know, if it's just about rent, the tavern here pays decently. Want to try being a waitress?"

"I thought you had enough people?"

"Well, if it's to help a newcomer," he said with a sly smile, "we'll make space. Mira and I were planning to go on a trip soon. If you're working here, we can leave without guilt."

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "That sounds more like you're trying to free up your schedule for a date with Miss Mira."

Rhodes gave up pretending. "Correct. So, does that count as 'taking care' of you?"

"I guess it does." Lucy sighed. "But I still want to do more... you know, wizard-like things."

Happy popped his head out. "Actually, Lucy just wants to be famous."

"No way!" Lucy shouted. But her voice faltered, "I mean... maybe just a little..."

Mira's eyes sparkled. "Ohh~ Like how Gray can't stop stripping, Lucy's addicted to fame?"

"Please don't compare me to a compulsive exhibitionist."

"She's right," Natsu chimed in, grinning. "Lucy's nowhere near as fast at stripping."

"WHY WOULD I EVEN TRY TO COMPETE IN THAT?!" Lucy yelled. "And why are you pushing me to choose a job?!"

"Because last time Happy and I picked," Natsu explained cheerfully, "this time, it's your turn. Don't worry, we'll tag along."

Lucy huffed. "Oh, so we're a team now? I'm not getting tricked into any more maid outfits!"

"Anyway, it sounds like you were just looking for a blonde girl—any blonde girl would've done, right?"

"That's right," Natsu said with his usual bluntness. "But hey, we found Lucy, didn't we? We think you're a good person."

Lucy blushed slightly. Was this... acceptance? Did that mean she was officially one of them?

Watching from the counter, Rhodes leaned closer to Mira and teasingly whispered, "Looks like Natsu's pretty good at winning girls over."

Mira raised an eyebrow and gave his hand a sharp pinch. "Aren't you one to talk?"

Rhodes raised his hands in mock innocence. "Me? I've never used tricks to win a girl's heart."

"I don't believe you."

"I swear, on Gray's clothes!"

...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the guild settled into its final round of tavern chatter for the day. After a few busy hours of banter, beer, and bounty-hunting tales, the crowd thinned out and the laughter quieted.

Lucy hadn't found a mission that suited her, so she decided to try again tomorrow.

Just before she left, Makarov called out to Rhodes. "Be ready. We leave first thing in the morning."

Rhodes gave him a nod, then returned to his usual evening routine with Mira. After wrapping up their daily training, they both went to change.

When Mira stepped back into the room, Rhodes nearly forgot how to breathe.

"Whoa," he said, blinking. "New outfit?"

Mira had swapped her usual attire for a sleeveless white crop top and a pair of snug hot pants that revealed the Fairy Tail guild mark on her upper thigh. Though the weather was warm, she still looked cooler than a summer breeze, and much more dangerous.

Her legs... they deserved their own calendar.

"Felt like trying a different style," she said, twirling slightly. "Does it look okay?"

"My heart's racing."

She tapped a finger to her chin, pretending to think. "Hmm... I think there might be a word missing in that sentence."

Rhode smirked. "Since when do I mess up my words? Let me rephrase: You look beautiful, dazzling, and utterly enchanting. You've got me head over heels, and—wait." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "You're baiting me into complimenting you more, aren't you?"

Mira grinned. "Caught me."

"So did I pass?"

"Just barely." She stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "This help your score?"

Rhode leaned in and echoed with a smile, "You barely passed."

The two of them laughed, standing close under the soft glow of the hallway lanterns.

Eventually, Mira sobered slightly, asking, "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Everything's packed and prepped," Rhode replied. "Except one thing."

"What's missing?"

"You."

Mira chuckled. "If I went with you, master would probably send you back in the first five minutes."

"Maybe we should just stage a coup and let the Master retire. From now on, we'll attend all the meetings together."

"Sounds tempting... but being Guild Master means spending your days writing self-reflection reports."

"You're right. Let's just let him keep doing the hard work."

As they approached Mira's doorstep, Rhodes pulled her into an embrace, his hand gently trailing down her back.

"Starting tomorrow, we'll be apart for three... maybe even five days," he said, his voice full of reluctant affection.

Mira tightened her hug. Even a single day apart felt too long when you were in love.

"So..."

The moment the word left his lips, Mira could already tell he was up to no good.

And sure enough—

Rhodes asked with a playful gleam in his eye, "Before we say goodbye... how about making a memory we'll never forget?"

"Something unforgettable?" Mira pretended to think deeply. "Oh, you mean like Sparring?"

Rhodes blinked. There was no way she wasn't teasing him.

As she tried to play innocent, he leaned in closer, his intentions obvious.

Mira, anticipating it, closed her eyes.

After a long moment, their lips parted. Mira's cheeks were flushed as she quickly grabbed his wrist, flustered.

"Don't move your hand!" she scolded, half-embarrassed, half-laughing. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Oh. Then I won't move," Rhodes replied smoothly.

Mira let go of his hand... only to wrap her arms around his neck again.

...

Bonus