I Get It, I Get It

On her first night as a member, Lucy, with the help of Levy and Lisanna, found a private room by the river.

As I pushed open the door, moonlight streamed through the blinds and fell onto the wooden floor.

She touched the green ivy by the window, the scent of freshly dried sheets lingering in her nostrils. This was her first home in Magnolia.

After a long day, Lucy enjoyed a relaxing rose petal bath. The hot water washed over her shoulders as she hummed a little tune she had learned from the guild, drawing circles on the water's surface with her fingertips.

She didn't emerge until her fingers were wrinkled from being soaked in water, wrapped in a cream-colored bath towel, water dripping from her hair, leaving a trail of wet footprints on the floor.

"Hmm~ What kind of job should I take on tomorrow?"

She dried her hair and walked to the bedside, but froze the moment she pushed open the door.

Natsu was lying on her pink sheets doing sit-ups, sweat dripping from his chin onto the pillow.

Happy squatted in front of the open wardrobe, pawing at her panties while muttering something.

Lucy's panties have a strawberry pattern~

"Hey, Lucy, good evening!"

Natsu waved his sweaty hand, his cherry-pink hair bouncing merrily in the air, his smile still carefree.

Happy is holding up his panties, his paws hooking the edges of them.

"Look, Lucy likes pink."

Lucy's brain exploded with a "buzz," and the towel almost slipped off her shoulders.

First, her eyes widened, then her face turned as red as a ripe tomato, and then she let out a deafening roar.

"Ah!! How did you get in? This is trespassing! I'm calling the police! Calling the police!"

"You stupid cat, put my panties away right now!"

She shouted as she rushed forward barefoot, grabbed Natsu by the back of his collar, and tried to drag him off the bed.

Just then, the window clicked softly, and the wooden frame was slightly deformed by the pressure.

Riyao was clinging to the windowsill, one hand supporting himself on the window frame, half his body leaning inside.

He was wearing a black shirt with the collar open. Upon seeing the scene inside, he immediately raised an eyebrow, gave a sly smile that said, "I know everything," and whistled.

"Not bad, Natsu, you're fast enough!"

He pulled a quill pen from his pocket; the penholder was made of laurel wood and wrapped with a golden ribbon, and the feathers at the tip were snow-white.

"This is a housewarming gift from Mira and me. As long as there's magic, there's always ink, perfect for someone as poor... thrifty as you. I won't bother you any longer~"

Lucy was currently on top of Natsu, her towel had slipped down to her elbows, and her eyes were red with worry.

"No, Riyao! Let me explain! They broke in without permission!"

Natsu, however, clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.

"Haha, Lucy, your face is so red!"

Lucy instantly bristled, shoving Natsu aside and launching a flying kick. Wearing slippers, the kick landed on Natsu's back with a "smack."

Natsu and Happy rolled around in a ball, falling off the bed onto the floor, with Happy still holding his panties in his hand.

Riyao suppressed a laugh, jumped off the windowsill, and turned to walk towards his family's manor.

When we returned to the manor, the aroma of food already filled the living room.

Mirajane, wearing an apron, was carrying a pot of stew to the table. Lisanna was setting out the bowls and chopsticks, while Elfman sat at the table, holding a chicken leg bigger than his face, gnawing on it with gusto.

You're back?

Mirajane smiled and handed him a hot towel, her fingertips brushing against the back of his hand.

Wash your hands and eat. I've made your favorite mushroom soup.

After washing his hands, Riyao sat down next to Mirajane and picked up the shrimp plate to start peeling shrimp.

His fingers deftly pried open the shrimp shells, the peeled shrimp meat piled up in a small dish, and then he picked one up and fed it to Mirajane.

"Try it, the shrimp are fresh today."

Mirajane opened her mouth to catch it, her eyes curving into crescents.

Mmm~ Delicious.

"Oh, by the way, I just went to Lucy's house to deliver a housewarming gift and saw Natsu in her room."

As Riyao peeled shrimp, he said casually.

Lucy had just come out of the bath and was startled.

Natsu gotten into trouble again?

Lisanna put down her chopsticks, frowning.

"Why is he always so tactless!"

Elfman slammed his hand on the table, and the chicken leg bone snapped with a "crack".

"That bastard, he's such a jerk!"

Riyao peeled another shrimp and fed it to Mirajane, who ate it with great relish.

Mirajane scooped the carrots from her bowl and gave them to him.

Eat more vegetables.

"Lisanna, your childhood sweetheart is about to be snatched away by a newcomer!"

Riyao suddenly teased, his eyes sparkling.

"Lucy's a real beauty, Natsu might just fall for her~"

Lisanna's face flushed red. She poked at the rice in her bowl, her cheeks puffed out in anger.

"Brother-in-law, you're talking nonsense again! Natsu and I are just friends!"

Mirajane also joined in the banter.

"To use Riyao's words, it's like the childhood sweetheart can't beat the newcomer, right?"

Riyao and Mirajane gave each other a high five.

Lisanna, betrayed by her own sister, lunged at Elfman and shook his arm.

"Brother Elfman! Look what they're doing to me!"

Elfman is no longer the shy boy he used to be.

After half a year of "special training" by Riyao, he was dragged to sing in Magnolia's largest square every day, or he had to wear women's clothing.

He chose singing over singing, which Riyao regretted for a while.

He has now grown into a real man, and his singing voice is comparable to that of Gian. Every time he sings, Riyao silently pokes his own ears until they go deaf.

Faced with his sister's plea for help, Elfman was at a loss and decided to learn from Riyao's dramatic flair and revert to his former shy demeanor.

"Hmm, your brother will be on your side."

Riyao chuckled to himself, realizing he had successfully infiltrated and assimilated the Strauss family; the four of them together could make a short film.

"How about brother-in-law also take the Strauss surname, like Riyao Strauss?"

To change the subject, Lisanna gave a slight retort, her eyes sparkling.

"Now we're truly a family!"

Just as Mirajane was about to bite the shrimp in Riyao's hand, Riyao suddenly pulled the shrimp back and ate it himself.

"A rare find, imported shrimp!"

He pretended to ponder, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Mira, you'll have to take care of me from now on, since I'm practically marrying into your family."

But in his heart he was thinking: The Dragon King's son-in-law? He grinned crookedly, his fate uncertain, a classic case of first suppressing then elevating, a resounding slap in the face.

Mirajane lifted his chin, lightly tracing his face with her fingertips, a smile in her eyes.

"Call me 'My Lady' and I'll consider giving you a raise."

Lisanna rolled her eyes and slumped onto the table.

"I'm full, I'm stuffed with dog food."

Elfman lowered his head and ate heartily, thinking to himself: I'll lift some dumbbells later to help with digestion.

Riyao suddenly leaned closer to Mirajane, his voice as sweet as honey.

My dear wife~

Mirajane smiled and nudged him, but secretly scooped all the carrots from her bowl into his.

"Sweetie, eat more. You have to come with me to help the chairman with his official business tomorrow."

Riyao put his arm around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Whatever my wife says goes~

Lisanna and Elfman both made the sound "yue" at the same time.