"Everyone's worried about you, you know?"

Lucy jumped a little when a familiar voice startled her. She turned back and saw Rey, who had his arms crossed with a very unimpressed look on his face. His arms are wrapped with bandages and his face also has a few plasters stuck on it to cover the cuts that he received in their war with Phantom Lord.

It's all her fault.

Everything did turn out well in the end. They crushed Phantom Lord and their entire guild building as revenge. Master Makarov did reassure her time and time again that the fault does not lie with her, but she still cannot help but feel guilty about it. People were hurt because of her. Her nakama were hurt because of her. Levy, Jet, Droy, Master, had all suffered serious wounds. Her entire guild are also all sporting injuries of their own.

And it is all her fault.

"Ow!"

Lucy rubbed the top of her head in pain on reflex when Rey enlarged his arm a little to chop on it.

"Stop with the pity party. That's the last thing anyone needs. If you really feel sorry about what happened, then make yourself useful with rebuilding the guild building."

Lucy puffed up her cheeks and glared at the little boy. She is the adult here! Why is she getting reprimanded by a child?!

Rey turned around without another word and started to walk back towards the destroyed guild building. Lucy followed, a little annoyed but she cannot deny that her mood had lifted a little. That was probably Rey's attempt in helping her feel better. Not the best way to console a damsel wallowing in guilt, but it had helped.

Who knew that the antisocial boy had such a side?

Lucy put on a smile on her face when she saw her other guild mates waving at her happily when they spotted her. Every one of them are helping out in rebuilding the guild.

Well, there are some whose help have the opposite effect…

"S-See…T-Take that…"

Lucy facepalmed as Gray and Natsu competed in an impromptu contest to see who could carry the greatest number of wooden pillars. Gray visibly strained under the load that he is carrying, and Lucy counted at least thirty pillars that the Ice Mage is carrying with pure physical strength alone.

"Oof!"

And in true Fairy Tail fashion, the entire stack of wooden pillars came tumbling down a few seconds later. Great, now someone has to clean up this mess.

Natsu and Happy have no such considerations, choosing to openly laugh at Gray and mock him for his failure. Gray responded with another taunt. Natsu and Gray would have come to blows if it wasn't for Erza stepping in.

"If you've got time to play around, then hurry up and-"

Erza's words were ignored as a huge stack of at least fifty wooden pillars moved at the edge of the construction site. Most of the guild members who spotted it have their jaws dropped in shock, hers included.

"Hey Master, where do you want me to put these?"

"Rey, is that you? Just put them at the corner over there."

Rey walked past them nonchalantly, as if holding up such an impossibly huge stack of wooden pillars only held together by a thick length of rope is a normal occurrence. Then again, she had heard that Rey was the one responsible for demolishing a large part of Phantom's guild building by himself during their war with them. She just didn't know how he did it. Rey didn't even notice how silent the area turned when the rest of the guild spotted how easily he lifted the heavy load, unlike what Gray and Natsu struggled with earlier. They could barely see his small frame beneath all that wood.

"Pfft. The both of you got beaten by a kid."

Cana was the first one to recover and openly laughed at Gray and Natsu. The rest of the guild followed as they guffawed. Natsu and Gray actually had their faces flushed with embarrassment.

"What's so funny?"

The guild laughed even louder when Rey made his reappearance with a confused look on his face, having already deposited the load he was carrying somewhere. Lucy can already imagine the figurative question marks hovering above his head.

"Rey! Fight me!"

"Go fight Gray." Rey snorted as he dusted his hands and turned away from Natsu. Still, Lucy cannot help but wonder a little how a boy only slightly over half of Natsu's age can do something the Dragon Slayer can't.

"Rey's magic gives him innate physical strength." As if reading her mind, Erza explained to the perplexed Lucy. "His senses are also enhanced thanks to his magic. He also trains diligently, so I'm not that surprised that he beat Gray and Natsu in the strength department. At this rate, he might be S Class one day. He's talented."

"Must be one powerful magic."

"It is, but it is also a very dangerous one to the caster. Rey was nearly consumed by his own magic about a year ago on a mission gone wrong. We almost thought we lost him. If that happened, it would have really broken Mira and Elfman."

"What magic does he have?"

"Beast Transformation. It is different from a Take Over even if the visible results look the same. He never did share the more detailed aspects of it, although we all know that overdoing it can cause him to lose his mind and his mental state will descend into a mindless rage, like those of a feral beast. His full transformation right now can only last about a minute before he is forced to cancel it. Even then, Master strictly forbade him from using a full transformation unless it is a life or death situation. It's just that dangerous for him to attempt it at his age."

"You said everyone thought they almost lost him, then…"

"He overused his magic when he was not prepared for it, although we cannot fault him for doing something so reckless. His mission took a turn for the worst and he was forced to undergo a full transformation or die." Erza shrugged. "But everything turned out for the better, so it's fine."

Rey had disappeared by now, presumably going back to shifting whatever heavy load that is required to be moved. Natsu had run after the boy, loudly proclaiming that he will not lose to someone so much younger than him.

"Is he always so quiet?"

A brief period of silence followed, and Lucy seriously thought that she had spoken out of line when a look of sorrow briefly crossed Erza's face upon her question.

"Rey had always been a quiet boy, but he only got this quiet after Lisanna passed away. He had never been the same after her death."

"Lisanna?"

"… She's a member of the Strauss siblings too. Third oldest among them. She passed away two years ago on a mission gone wrong. Let's not bring this up again, Lucy, especially in front of Natsu and the Strauss siblings."

Erza went back to help in the reconstruction efforts after that. Lucy stood rooted to the ground, not knowing how to react.

She and her stupid mouth.

"W-Was it scary?"

"Not really." I shrugged as Wendy and I communicated with each other through the lacrima orbs. It's night. The guild is still in the process of rebuilding the building into something better. I am in my room lying on my bed as I continue to talk to Wendy. The door is closed in case Mira pokes her head in to tease us and scare Wendy off.

"I heard you demolished half of Phantom's guild building."

"Would have been more if Master didn't appear." I snorted at the memory. While I didn't undergo a full transformation, it was close. That day was the day my inner beast and I had a complete agreement on everything as we sow chaos on the battlefield. I like to think that our relationship had strengthened after that incident. At least my inner beast is not that disagreeable all the time now.

It is also about time to remind my guild mates to stop treating me like a goddamn child. I can pull my own weight thank you very much.

"If only I can do the same…"

"Your magic lies in supporting, not destruction." I helpfully remind the girl who is my best friend. "Besides, violence doesn't suit you."

"But I am a Dragon Slayer."

"Are there any dragons for you to slay in this day and age?"

"No, but…"

"You did learn an offensive spell or two from Natsu, right? That's good. You are strong, Wendy. Not in the conventional way, but still strong regardless. Have more confidence in yourself."

"R-Right! Say, we should go out on another mission soon! It's your turn to pick the location! Where do you want to go this time?"

"I'm pretty much indifferent to anything." I admitted. "You can let Carla pick it if you want."

"Rey~ Just pick the location for once! You always let me pick it!"

"Fine, fine." I grumbled, which earned a laugh from Wendy. Where would be good?

"Say, we never got to see the sea before, haven't we?" I mused. "We should take a job that allows us to see how big the sea is."

"Oh, oh! Yes! That will be fun!" Wendy literally jumped in joy at the suggestion. "I remembered that our guild has a job whose location is somewhere near Akane Beach! We can go there after we finish our jobs!"

Akane Beach? I've never been there before but it sure rings a bell.

"Sounds fun. It's settled then. Meet you there two days later?"

"Okay!" Wendy beamed. "I've gotten stronger too! My Dragon Roar has really gotten powerful!"

"Looking forward to it." I replied with a smile on my own. "Blow me off my feet, oh mighty Sky Dragon."

"Rey~ Stop teasing me!"

"You make it too easy."

"Hmph!" Wendy pouted in mock anger. "Keep teasing me and I will blow you away with a hurricane! Laugh some more! I double dare you!"

"Har har har. I am laughing right now. What you gonna do?"

"Y-You-! REY!"

"I'm still laughing~"

"Mou~ Stop it! Stop laughing or I… I…"

"Yes?" I questioned dryly. "You will?"

"I… I will make all your food extra spicy! S-So spicy that it will make you cry!"

"You do know that I can eat really spicy food, right?"

"Then… Then even more spicy!"

"Good luck with that."

"Just watch me!" Wendy declared with a cross look on her face before her facial expression went back to normal. "You didn't overdo it during your guild's war with Phantom, right? Did your inner beast…"

"We came to some sort of agreement. We agreed that if I let him out more, he listens to me more. I'm still not ready to sustain a Full Body Transformation in battle, at least not long enough to be of any use, but I think I'm getting there."

"It will be a different story if I'm with you, right?" Wendy clasped her hands excitedly at the thought. "My magic can protect your mind when you transform fully and you can simply fight without restraint! Think about it! The things we can do!"

"That… actually sounds viable." I spoke out after giving it some thought. "Your magic was what brought me back after all when I fully transformed the first time. Stupid lizard."

"Stupid lizard." Wendy agreed with a nod of her head before she went back to her excitable self once more. "I'm curious though! Imagine if I cast Arms on you while fully transformed, how powerful can you be?! Imagine it! Then if I cast Armor… you will be so strong!"

"Unstoppable." I agreed with a laugh. Wendy's enchantments are nothing to joke about despite her young age. They are potent and she's a natural at this branch of magic. "How could I lose with the mighty Sky Dragon supporting me?"

"Rey, stop teasing me already!"

"You are really making it too easy, you know that?"

"Hmph! I won't talk to you anymore!"

"Really?"

"R-Really!"

"Really?"

"... Rey~ Just stop it!"

I only laughed even more.

"Fairy Tail's brand of crazy is starting to infect you too." Carla pointed at Wendy before casting me an accusing glare. I simply shrugged. Right behind us is the destruction which we helped create. A smoking crater lies where the hideout of a bandit group was supposed to be. The bandits have been all tied up and we are about to start making our journey to hand them in to the nearest group of Rune Knights stationed in the area.

"I-It's not my fault this time!" Wendy waved her arms wildly while trying to defend herself. "That bandit really startled me and then… and then I just used a Dragon Roar on reflex! I-I didn't expect it to do so much damage!"

"Wendy's the mighty Sky Dragon, what do you expect?" I gave Carla a wry smile. "Natsu taught her all her offensive spells. She's going to be the next Natsu."

"N-No! I'm not going to be the next Natsu-san!"

Carla shivered a little at the thought of Wendy becoming the next Natsu.

"I really regret not stopping that pyro from corrupting Wendy."

"Carla! I-I am n-not corrupted!"

"At least we don't need to take a pay cut this time because we technically did not destroy any public property." I decided to give Wendy a little help as I towed the pile of unconscious bandits behind us. "Something good came out from all of this."

"You were the reason for the pay cut the last time." Carla pointed at me as she huffed. "We didn't even have enough to buy the ticket back home to Cait Shelter!"

"Hey, I gave you guys money to make the trip home, right?"

"But we shouldn't have needed to take the pay cut in the first place if you weren't so adamant on trying to blast everything with that stupid arm cannon!"

"I needed field practice-"

"Not an excuse!"

"Can we just hurry with it?" Wendy whined. "I want to hurry and go to Akane Beach and see the sea!"

"How can we refuse when the mighty Sky Dragon has spoken? Right, Carla?"

"Rey!" Wendy huffed as she put her hands on her hips. "Stop calling me that already! I'm not mighty!"

"You will one day." I snorted. "You are the dragon that rules the skies. There's no reason why you wouldn't grow to be powerful."

Carla simply tuned out whatever we say with practiced ease.

"I didn't even manage to learn half the things Grandeeney knew!"

"Then create your own spells. Surely you can do that? You are a natural born genius in enchantments, you said so yourself. In that case, create your own spells that even Grandeeny can be proud of."

"For once, this idiot is right." Carla agreed. "You need to have more confidence in yourself, Wendy. You are not weak by any means but you keep giving people that very impression because of your personality."

"You guys make it sound so easy." Wendy muttered under her breath. "How can I even surpass Grandeeney when I barely scraped the surface of my magic?"

"You have to believe that you can. If you don't, then you would have already lost the battle even before it began." I chided my friend as the outpost of the Rune Knights came into view. "Well, we are here. We can drop the bandits off and then we can finally go see the sea."

Wendy perked up at those words as her eyes shone in delight.

"The sea! The sea!"

She's too innocent for the world, really.

"They are all so good looking! Which one should I pick? Ahh! I don't know!"

The first thing Wendy did when we arrived at the nearest town after our mission is to drag me along with her to buy some swimwear. It's more than just awkward not only because of the gender difference when we are in a shop that sells only ladies swimwear, but also because she's asking for my opinion on which ones look best on her.

I'm not sure if she's really that innocent or unaware of the awkwardness her actions bring about, or that she simply doesn't care.

"Ah, this one! Let's try this one!" Wendy picked out a sky blue two piece swimsuit before turning around excitedly in my direction and held it in front of me. "How about this one, Rey?"

"It looks nice." I admitted. "As long as you like it then just buy it."

"Okay!" She chirped back happily before skipping away and dragged me along as well. "You should pick one too! Or I can pick for you!"

"Firstly, this place only sells ladies swimwear. Secondly, I already bought one at Magnolia and it is now sitting in my bag."

"Awww~ And here I thought I can help you pick out your swimsuit!" Wendy lamented before turning to Carla. "Carla! You picked out yours already?"

"Since long ago." Carla scowled. "You took an hour, Wendy. One hour!"

"Eh?" Wendy looked shocked at the statement. "I took that long?"

"Let's just pay up and go." I gently pushed the ladies forward from behind. "At this rate we wouldn't even have a place to stay at Akane Beach. It is a pretty popular tourist attraction after all."

"I-I haven't tried it on yet!" Wendy said immediately as she held up the article of clothing in her hands. "What if it doesn't fit?!"

"For goodness sake, Wendy. Just hurry." Carla facepalmed as she said that. "We've been here for far too long."

"Eep! Okay, okay! I will hurry! Just don't get angry Carla!"

"You can be a little nicer to her, you know?" I glanced at Carla as Wendy scurried off to the fitting room. "She was genuinely enjoying herself."

"It was one hour."

"It's not like we are in a real rush for time."

"You spoil her too much sometimes." Carla crossed her arms with a scowl on her face. "She will never grow up and be independent at this rate. She relies on us too much and there's no saying that we can always be there for her."

"She's already plenty independent in my book. You just don't see it because you refuse to see how much she had really grown. You keep seeing her as the same weak little girl that needs your protection when you first befriend her. You are the one that needs to change your view of her."

Carla's scowl deepened.

"She's a Sky Dragon Slayer, Carla." I reasoned. "Grandeeney picked her out of the many children in this world she could have picked as her apprentice. She must have seen something in Wendy that we didn't see, a sort of strength that nobody else possesses. We shouldn't put her down or discourage her from doing anything she likes to do. If you want to help build up her confidence, what we should be doing is encouraging her in a way that does not seem condescending."

"I am not condescending-"

"Yes, you are. Sometimes." I cut Carla off. "You just don't realise it yourself when you become like that so I am telling you now because we are friends. I know you are protective of Wendy but have a little faith in her. She is strong. She just needs some time to grow. There will be a day when she can stretch her own wings and fly without our support. We just have to give her a little push here and there when she needs it."

Carla looked away with her arms still crossed. I'm not sure if she is mad at me for my honest words, but those are my heartfelt thoughts. Wendy cannot grow if Carla keeps hovering around her like a mother hen.

"I'm done!" Wendy made her reappearance as she skipped over to us in the swimsuit she picked out. She twirled on the spot before stretching her arms out and looked at us expectantly. "How do I look?"

"What can I say? You look like a mighty Sky Dragon."

"Rey!"

"Okay, fine." I decided to let up on the teasing for a change. "Cute. Happy?"

"C-Cute?" Wendy squeaked as she looked down at herself before looking back up.

"I still think that you should pick something that covers more skin." Carla let her opinion known rather bluntly. "But I guess this is okay."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now can we finally make our way to Akane Beach?"

"Okay!"

Night had fallen by the time we reached our destination. So, we grabbed a quick meal before trying to look for a place to stay for the next few days where we will be enjoying ourselves here. Every inn or resort we know is packed. It was after another two hours of wandering around that we finally managed to find ourselves a room for the duration of our stay here.

"You are not to cross this line." Carla said very sternly as she drew an imaginary line along the middle of the large bed of the room where the three of us are staying at. It was the last room left and the only bed in this room is a king-sized one.

This is so damn awkward. However, Wendy doesn't seem to know what awkwardness is when it comes to gender differences.

"Eh? Why, Carla?"

"What do you mean why?!" Carla snapped back comically. "You are a girl and he is a boy! That's why!"

"Eh…?" Wendy tilted her head to a side with a confused look on her face. "But this is Rey though. He's nice."

"WENDY! STOP BEING SO TRUSTING!"

"Carla's right." I sighed out loud, not knowing what to do in the face of this kind of innocence. How can someone be so pure? "There are times when you shouldn't be so trusting. I should just take the floor."

"No!" Wendy adamantly refused in a rare show of courage. She turned back to Carla. "Carla, don't be mean!"

"Mean? I'm helping you here, Wendy! You are always too trusting! What if you get taken advantage of?!"

This went on back and forth between the girls and only ended when Carla decided to place herself in between Wendy and I on the bed, glaring at me the entire time as all three of us lay down on the bed to sleep.

Seriously, this is one overprotective cat.

But at least she has Wendy's best interests in mind. I like that.

"Mine's bigger!"

"Mine's better looking."

"How is that better looking? Carla! Which one is better?"

"Your sandcastles are both equally ugly."

"C-Carla!"

It's the second day we are at Akane Beach. Wendy really loves coming to the beach everyday, be it to learn how to swim or building sandcastles. Carla and I obliged her. As long as she enjoys herself, we are fine with whatever she wants to do.

"Surfing?"

"We should try it!"

"No offence, Wendy, but you regularly trip yourself even while walking on a flat road. I don't think surfing is that good of an idea."

"R-Rey!"

I was proven right when she didn't manage to balance herself on a surfboard for any longer than ten seconds.

"Shaved ice! We can't claim to have visited a beach without eating some shaved ice!"

"Wendy, you shouldn't take such a big bite-"

"COLD!"

"... That's what I was trying to warn you."

Her brain freeze lasted for quite a while. Carla scolded her for that stupid action for a whole ten minutes.

"This is fun!" Wendy exclaimed as we returned back to our room. The day's going to be over soon and we will be leaving this place tomorrow morning.

"It's a nice change of pace." I agreed. "At least I don't have to put up with my guild's antics."

"Your guild's crazy." Carla deadpanned. "Wendy and I wouldn't survive a day in there."

"You will live. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You should try it sometime."

"No thanks."

"Carla and I will be using the bath first, Rey." Wendy called out as she took a towel and a change of clothes from her bag.

"Yeah, sure." I replied as I took out a lacrima orb. "I will be calling Mira-nee in the meantime. Take your time."

With that said, Wendy and Carla entered the bathroom as I called my older sister. Hopefully my guild mates didn't tear down whatever we built up during their guild brawls.

"Mira-nee?"

"Oh, Rey! How's it at Akane Beach?" My sister greeted me with a smile.

"Had fun." I told her truthfully. "It's relaxing for a change. Trying to constantly prevent the idiots from destroying the construction work was stressful."

"I'm sure that's not the only reason." Mira said with a sly look on her face. "It must be relaxing for you because a certain blue-haired girl is with you, am I right? Have you guys kissed yet? I can't wait to be an aunt!"

"Mira-nee." I sighed in exasperation. "We're only twelve."

"A few more years later and you will be an adult!" My sister said with a clap of her hands. "Time flies, you know? I've already picked out a few names for your future kids-"

"Mira-nee."

"Fine, fine. You are no fun at all." My sister let out an insufferable dramatic sigh. "How's Wendy?"

"She clearly enjoyed herself. It was worth coming here. The sea is nice. When Elf-nii gets back maybe the three of us should come here sometime. As a family outing or something. We've never been to the beach before, all three of us together."

"It's a good idea." My sister nodded in agreement. "Elfman should be back from his mission around the same time as you. It will take awhile for me to clear my photoshoot schedule, but it shouldn't take too long! We can go on a family outing! You should bring Wendy and Carla along as well!"

"Mira-nee."

"I'm serious!"

"Instead of me, you should focus on Elfman. He's the adult."

"Ah! You're right!" Mira did a shocked gasp and I rolled my eyes. She's really a drama queen. "What kind of girls do you think Elfman is into?! Are there any girls from our guild that he likes? Oh no we need to grill everything out of him when he returns!"

"Please do." I said in amusement. Sorry, Elf-nii, but your sacrifice will be remembered. At least this way our older sister wouldn't bug me as much about her imaginations of me getting together with Wendy.

"I've got to go, Rey. I have a photoshoot tomorrow and I need to wake up really early for that. Stay safe and have fun, okay? See you back home!"

"You stay safe too." I replied. "See you back home."

With that, our call ended. If only Mira still has her magic, Elfman and I wouldn't need to worry about her as much when she travels around to do her photoshoot. We know better than to dwell on what could have been, but sometimes your thoughts just wander. Fiore is not a safe place. Far from that. Dark guilds, bandits, magical creatures. All of those are problems that have been and will continue to infest Fiore.

I know Mira's strong even without her magic, but sometimes I just can't help but be worried about her when she travels around on her own like that.

I put the lacrima orb back into my bag. Wendy and Carla don't seem like they would be finished with their bath anytime soon. Might as well do something to pass the time. Draw something, perhaps? I'm not an accomplished artist like Reedus, but I'm good enough. Drawing helps to take my mind off things.

I kind of miss Lisanna too. It doesn't hurt as much anymore when I think about her, but I still miss her.

I should draw her while waiting for Wendy. I really miss Lisanna's smile.

"Sorry for making you wait!"

"It's fine." Wendy watched as Rey gave her a gentle smile, a sketchpad and pencil in hand from where he was sitting on the bed. What's he drawing this time?

She leaned her head closer to her best friend, spotting the sketch of a woman drawn on the sketchpad. She looks a lot like Mirajane, just that with short hair.

"Is that…?"

"Lisanna-nee." Rey replied with a soft smile. "I miss her smile. I'm so afraid that one day I will forget how she looks like so I draw images of her from time to time. Lisanna-nee is always smiling. I want to capture that moment."

"I… I miss Grandeeney too." She whispered as she sat down on the bed beside him, Carla floating behind them. "It's been seven years."

"I can draw her for you as best as I can." She perked up when she heard that. "No promises about the quality though."

"R-Really? You can draw her?"

"I'm not that good of an artist, but I can try."

So, she told him how Grandeeney looks like. Her gentle smile. Her large wings. How she has feathers instead of scales but that doesn't mean they are any less tough than scales. How her feet resemble talons. Her motherly appearance and that kind gaze. How she looks like when she takes her soaring into the skies.

The finished product is not as accurate as what she remembered Grandeeney to be, but it is close.

"Can I have it?" She asked him softly from where the three of them are huddled together on the bed and share the huge blanket. It's been a long time since she can talk about Grandeeney like that. She really misses her.

"I meant to give it to you anyway. That is, if you don't mind my subpar drawing skills."

"Your drawing is pretty accurate already!" She quickly reassured Reydell. "Really!"

"Well, in that case, here you go. One picture of a mighty Sky Dragon for another mighty Sky Dragon."

"R-Rey!"

She carefully kept the sketch of Grandeeney in her bag, wondering what her foster mother would say if she could see her now. What would she think of Rey?

Drawing done, Rey quickly showered as she took this time to dry her hair with a hairdryer and also helped Carla to dry her fur. It's a short vacation, but this is a fun one.

"Ne, Carla, we should have such vacations some other time."

"Just so that you can meet Rey? I told you, Wendy! No dating until-"

"W-We're not d-d-dating! What are you thinking about?!"

"What are you thinking about?"

"I just thought we should enjoy ourselves from time to time, that's all! The guild is nice, but… it can get a little boring in there."

"Tch." Carla clicked her tongue and crossed her arms. "You just want an excuse to see Rey. Like you two don't meet up often enough already from all your missions that you two took together."

"Carla~"

"Urgh." Carla facepalmed. Screw her soft heart. This is a lost cause. "Do whatever you want."

"Yay! Thanks!"

That innocent smile. That should be illegal.

But that's why she will protect that smile as Wendy's best friend. She will protect her innocence no matter the cost.

Because they are partners.

"Huh? Natsu and guys went to Akane Beach?"

"They just left." Mira stated as she wiped the mugs dry with a cloth. "Wonder why you didn't spot them when you returned."

"Bad timing, maybe? Anyway, I'm going back to help in the rebuilding efforts. It's good physical training anyway."

"It's always training for you." My older sister chided with a frown. "Learn how to take a break. You are still young. Enjoy your life! Live a little!"

"I already took a break. Is Elf-nii not back yet?"

"He should be back by dinner today. I plan to cook up a feast." Mira said with a laugh. "You mind getting the groceries later?"

"Sure. What do you need?"

"The usual. Or you can just pick whatever you like. We are running out of soy sauce if I remember correctly, so do help to buy a bottle on the way back."

"And then remember to grill Elf-nii about the type of girl he likes later after dinner."

"Oh, yes! That! You pin him down, Rey, and I'll do the questioning! Oh, wait! We should start listing down the questions we want to ask him later!"

"Why does this feel like an interrogation?"

"Because it is!"

"What kind of guys do you like?" I asked back. "So that Elf-nii and I know what and who to look out for to beat into a pulp."

"Hmm…" Mira put a finger to her chin in thought. "I never thought that much about it, to be honest. Nobody really caught my eye… hmm..."

"Should Elf-nii and I set you up on a blind date?" I said with a suggestive wag of my eyebrows. It's not everyday I have this opportunity to tease my sister.

"No. I don't trust the both of you when it comes to things like this."

"Have some faith in us, would you?"

"This is where we part ways, my dear little brother." Mira tapped a finger on my nose like how she likes to do all the time. "You and Elfman, I swear, are denser than woodblocks. No, steel blocks. You guys are hopeless in the romance department. It's a wonder how you managed to snag Wendy as your own."

"Mira-nee."

"Give it a few more years and you will see that I'm right." Mira crossed her arms with a smug look on her face. "Never estimate a woman's sixth sense when it comes to love. We are scarily accurate in this department."

"I'm too lazy to argue with you." I sighed as I stood up from where I was sitting at the makeshift bar. "I'm going back to help the guys out."

I turned to leave, and it was then my older sister suddenly exclaimed her words out loud enough for the entire guild to hear.

"Wendy's a nice girl, Rey! Start thinking of what kind of ring you would put on her finger!"

"Mira-nee!"