Frosch Thinks So Too

Riyao bursts forth from the sea, stepping onto the undulating surface.

She stood steadily on the water, tossed the two fish into the air, and then used her free hands to hug Mirajane in a princess carry.

Water droplets slowly dripped from Mirajane's hair, shimmering like scattered gold in the afterglow of the setting sun.

She wrapped her arms naturally around Riyao's neck, her face still flushed with the excitement from their underwater swim.

Mira ~ Was it fun?

Riyao looked down at her, his tone carrying a smug air of "What I arranged will definitely be fun."

Mirajane tapped the tip of his nose with her fingertip, a smile spreading from the corners of her mouth to the corners of her eyes, making her look refreshed and radiant, as if she had been washed by seawater.

"It's so much fun! The underwater scenery is so dreamy, and those little fish are so slippery; it's so interesting to touch them."

As she spoke, she gestured to Riyao's chest as if reliving the feeling of slacking off earlier, her fingertips touching the emblem on Riyao's chest and lingering for an extra second without her noticing.

With a flick of its tail, the Riyao Dragon coiled around two Dream Pearl Fish, which were still struggling desperately, their scales reflecting a soft, pearly light in the setting sun.

He glided towards the shore, creating ripples beneath his feet, making it seem as if he were walking on water with ease.

"I'll stew one tonight and treat myself."

He flicked the fish on his tail, speaking casually as if it were a trivial matter like what to eat for dinner.

"Uh-huh!"

Mirajane nodded repeatedly, nuzzling her head against his neck.

"The last time I had this was a year ago; it was steamed then, but this time we're having fish soup!"

The two returned to shore, their feet sinking into the soft, fine sand. The sand, warmed by the setting sun, felt fluffy underfoot.

The Riyao Dragon retracted its tail, its scales gradually disappearing beneath its skin. The two Dream Pearl Fish, one in each hand, were still struggling slightly as he held them.

On the beach, Lucy crouched near the waves, hugging her knees and curling up into a small ball.

His fingers drew circles in the sand, one after another, slowly and smoothly. His mouth was slightly pouting, and his cheeks were puffed out, like a little dog abandoned at the doorstep by its owner.

Looks like she didn't catch the Dream Pearl Fish, she's crying over there.

Lucy also saw Riyao and Mirajane. Her gaze first fell on the two fish Riyao was carrying, and then on the happy smile on Mirajane's face.

Finally, he looked down at his empty hands, his eyes filled with longing, his lips involuntarily drooping downwards, and a small whimper escaped his throat.

I was so envious I was practically drooling.

The others gradually returned to shore, with Gray carrying two fish in his hand and Juvia following behind Gray.

He walked with a nonchalant air, one hand in his pocket (under his shorts), looking like he was just catching a couple of fish, but the barely concealed smile on his lips betrayed him.

Wendy was holding a large, Dream Pearl Fish, which was bigger than Happy and almost as long as her upper body.

She managed to wrap her arms around the fish's body, its tail still swaying back and forth outside her arms, splashing water all over her face.

But her expression was full of Joy, her little face was rosy, and her eyes were squinted into slits as she laughed.

"I caught it! Carla, look, it's huge!"

She ran towards Carla, holding the fish in her arms, her steps faltering slightly as she kicked up sand.

Lucy looked at the Dream Pearl Fish in Wendy, which was thicker than her own thigh, and then at her own empty hands. Her shoulders slumped even more, and her fingers, which were drawing circles, slowed down.

He exuded an aura of despair, as if he had given up on life.

Natsu walked over without a care in the world and slapped Lucy on the back with considerable force, causing Lucy to stumble forward and almost fall face-first into the sand.

"Haha, I didn't catch any either."

Natsu laughed heartily, revealing a set of white teeth, his hands behind his head, looking completely unconcerned.

Lucy steadied herself by supporting herself on her knees, glanced at him sideways, and her expression was blank.

"I wasn't comforted at all..."

Riyao walked up to Lucy, squatted down, and waved the two Dream Pearl Fish he was carrying in front of her. A few drops of water from the fish's tails splashed onto Lucy's face, feeling cool and refreshing.

"Alright, stop squatting there. Come on, I'll treat you to fish soup tonight."

Lucy looked up at the two fish that shimmered like pearls in the sunset, stood up from the sand, patted the sand off her bottom, and muttered to herself.

Next time I'll definitely catch it myself.

The group returned to the camp and lit a campfire in a clearing in the woods, with sparks occasionally flying up.

Riyao set up the iron pot, poured water into it, and took out the prepared ingredients, adding them to the pot one by one.

No seasonings were added; high-end ingredients often only require simple cooking methods.

Moonlight scattered through the woods, filtering through the leaves and casting patches of silvery light on the ground, intertwining with the warm glow of the campfire, creating a play of light and shadow.

Gray also contributed a fish, and the rest of the fish were flash-frozen and neatly arranged in an ice block for easy storage.

The milky white fish soup bubbled and steamed, its delicious aroma wafting through the woods and drifting further and further away.

Erza returned from the forest path at that moment, a few blades of grass clinging to her armor, her steps steady.

Mirajane saw Erza, looked behind her, but didn't see anyone else.

"Huh? Aren't Millianna and the others coming?"

Erza sat down by the campfire, reaching out to stir the fire in front of her; the firelight reflected on her face.

"They've been here for three days, and they were planning to go back today, but they've already left."

Mirajane let out a slightly disappointed "Ah," nodding her chin slightly, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the aroma wafting from the pot.

The fish soup was finally ready. Riyao ladled it into everyone's bowl with a large spoon. The milky white broth was thick and rich, and the fish pieces were as tender and white as jade. Just looking at it made one's mouth water.

Everyone was enjoying the fish soup with relish, and the moment they took their first bite, they all fell silent.

Lucy held the bowl, her mouth still stuffed with half a piece of fish, reluctant to swallow. Her tongue savored the sweet and fresh taste repeatedly in her mouth, so delicious it made her eyebrows practically fly off.

Natsu took a couple of bites, then suddenly slowed down, his brow furrowing slightly before relaxing, as if trying to identify something. Then he abruptly looked up, his face filled with disbelief.

"Hmm, this Dream Pearl Fish smells like Igneel."

After he finished speaking, he quickly took another big bite, chewing until his cheeks were bulging, as if he wanted to remember that taste.

Riyao leaned against the tree trunk, half a bowl of soup remaining. He stirred it with a spoon and explained slowly.

"This is the magic of this fish; everyone tastes it differently, and you'll find the flavor you miss most in your heart."

Lucy chewed on the fish, her movements slowing down as she chewed, her eyes unconsciously reddening.

Wendy's eyes also reddened as she ate. She held her bowl in her little hands, her shoulders trembling slightly, tears welling up in her eyes but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Riyao and Mirajane exchanged a glance. Their bowls were empty, and happy smiles appeared on their faces. Riyao reached out and used his thumb to wipe away a little soup from the corner of Mirajane's mouth.

Juvia finished her last bite, put down her bowl, and looked at Gray with even more fervent eyes. She cupped her cheeks in her hands, her face flushed.

Gray felt a thorn in his side; the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He awkwardly shifted the bowl to the side.

Happy was completely mesmerized, holding the bowl with his little paws, mouth agape, broth dripping from the corners of his lips, eyes glazed over, grinning foolishly.

Hehehe... fish... delicious fish...

Carla's expression was complicated. Her gaze was fixed on the soup stains at the bottom of the bowl. She seemed lost in thought, her tail curled up at her feet, motionless.

After Erza finished eating, she put down her bowl and revealed a faint smile, a very light and gentle smile, as if she had been gently touched by some warm memory.

The pot of fish soup was quickly devoured by the group, leaving not a single drop of soup at the bottom, as clean as if it had been washed.

Several people patted their bellies, leaned against tree trunks or lay directly on the grass, savoring the taste of the Dream Pearl Fish, and sighs of satisfaction rose and fell.

The fragrance permeated the woods, drifting further and further away, carried by the night breeze through the trees to the other side of the forest.

This attracted two boys and two cats.

Wow, what smells so good?

A boy's voice came from behind the bushes, full of curiosity and craving, and footsteps followed.

"Let me see what smells so good."

The other voice carried a hint of arrogance and confidence, and the footsteps were heavier and more hurried, as if they couldn't wait a moment longer.

"Be careful, it might be a trap."

The first voice was lowered, tinged with caution.

"Frosch thinks so too."

A soft, sweet voice followed, its tone earnest and obedient.

The bushes parted, and the two groups of people faced each other.

Sting saw Natsu, his pupils dilated suddenly, and then he cried out in surprise.

"Oh, it's Fire Dragon!"

Rogue, who was standing next to him, also paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on Natsu for a few seconds.

"Is this Natsu, the Fire Dragon from Fairy Tail?"

Sting could no longer contain himself. He took a step forward, his nostrils flaring slightly as if he were checking for a scent, then nodded vigorously, his expression resolute.

"That's for sure, he smells of dragon."

Riyao's gaze fell on the two cats, first looking at Lector, then at Frosch, and a meaningful smile slowly appeared on his lips.

"Another perverted kitten that doesn't wear pants."

Lector bristled, his little paws on his hips, his whiskers trembling with anger, his tail standing upright like an antenna, and his voice rising eight octaves.

"Hey! I'm a cat, what does it matter to me whether I wear pants or not!"

Happy pulled out a pair of pants from somewhere, put them on quietly and quickly.

The entire camp fell silent for a second.

Then everyone looked at Happy, their eyes screaming, "Are you serious?"

Carla, holding a coconut, looked at Happy, who had already put on his pants, with a "Do I even know this idiot?" look. Her lips twitched, and she silently turned her face away.

Sting paid no attention to the commotion; he had already run to Natsu's side.

He was as excited as a puppy wagging its tail, his hands clasped to his chest, his face full of admiration, and his tone urgent and fervent.

"Mr. Natsu, I've heard so much about you! I even heard you defeated the Oración Seis!"

Natsu scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed by this sudden display of fanboy behavior, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his face and chuckled twice.

"Haha, yeah."

Rogue stood a little distance away, his hands in his pockets, his gaze shifting from Natsu to sweep around the camp, his brow furrowing slightly as if searching for someone.

"Didn't Mr. Gajeel come?"

Erza put down her bowl and responded in a calm tone.

"Gajeel didn't come. Do you know him?"

Rogue shook his head, but a barely perceptible glint of expectation flashed in his eyes, and his fingers clenched slightly in his pocket.

"No, no, I just heard he's also Dragon Slayer, and I'd like to see him for myself."

Frosch wobbled over to the iron pot, his little hands gripping the rim, he stood on tiptoe to look inside, his head almost touching the bottom, and scratched the bottom with his little paws.

Unfortunately, it was eaten completely, leaving not even a dreg of soup; all that remained was the lingering aroma.

Frosch pulled her head back, her little face full of regret, her lips slightly pouting, and a little soot still stuck to the tip of her nose, making her look pitiful yet adorable.