Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Gray pushed open the door and walked into the manor, but before he could even speak, he was stunned by the sight before him.

A copper hot pot was bubbling away on a long table under the Parasol Tree, steam rising and filling the air with a sweet and savory aroma.

Riyao was simmering fish slices in the pot, Mirajane was elegantly picking up food for him, Wendy was holding her bowl with both hands, her cheeks bulging, and Carla was leaning on the edge of the table, taking small bites of fish.

Even Lisanna and Elfman were there. Lisanna sat opposite Riyao, smiling as she waited for the meat in the pot to cook.

Elfman's mouth was already glistening with oil, and he mumbled something like, "This is how a real man eats," as he chewed.

"Weren't you guys back to prepare medicine?! What are you doing eating hot pot?!"

Gray pointed at the steaming hot pot, his expression shifting between shock and speechlessness.

Riyao blinked, his chopsticks still holding a piece of translucent fish, and slowly dipped it into the pot.

He turned to look at Gray at the door and Juvia, who was sneaking behind him, trying to hide herself.

"Oh, don't worry about the details. The medicine isn't urgent; food is the most important thing. Since we're already here, sit down and eat something. We can also get some ice and a cold drink."

As he spoke, he pushed an empty bowl and chopsticks in front of Gray, and then waved to Juvia.

"Juvia, sit down too. Don't hide by the door. There's a 99% chance you'll spawn wherever Gray is."

Juvia blushed, took small steps out from behind the door frame, and sat down at the dining table.

Gray stared blankly at Juvia, who had appeared out of nowhere, his chopsticks dangling in mid-air.

"Huh? When did Juvia arrive?"

He turned his head to look, then turned back, his expression blank.

Juvia had her hands folded on her knees, her head slightly bowed, and her cheeks flushed.

"Juvia has been following Lord Gray the whole time, right after we came out of the guild."

Gray's eye twitched, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately gave up.

Silently, he picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth, chewing it twice.

But his mind was clearly not on the food; he stirred the food in his bowl unconsciously with his chopsticks, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Riyao before quickly looking away.

Lisanna happily ate a piece of fish, her hand stroking her face, her eyes narrowed, a blissful smile on her face, her whole being radiant.

"These Dream Pearl Fish are so delicious! The meat is so tender and fresh. My brother-in-law really loves me!"

Mirajane reached out and gently poked Lisanna's forehead, a smile playing on her lips.

"Don't I care about you, your sister?"

Lisanna stuck out her tongue, leaned closer to Mirajane, and rubbed against her arm.

"Hehe, sister is good too, sister is the best."

Mirajane's lips curled up slightly as he reached out and ruffled Lisanna's hair, his eyes softening.

Elfman slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle, and shouted in a booming voice, "This is the love between family members! A real man should protect this warmth!"

Carla rolled her eyes, put her little hands on her hips, and mumbled a complaint while holding half a piece of fish in her mouth.

"Rushing back just to feed my younger siblings... This healing mage is truly a disappointment; he's more of a feeding mage."

Riyao shrugged, his tone flippant, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"These few fish aren't enough for everyone in the guild to have a taste. If they're divided among everyone, there'll only be the taste left. So, let's... let's have our own people enjoy them first."

Wendy, her mouth full of fish, nodded vaguely.

"Yes, Brother Riyao is right!"

Carla rolled her eyes again.

"You've been assimilated, huh?"

Gray ate absentmindedly, picking up fish with his chopsticks, bringing them to his mouth, then putting them down, then picking them up again, his eyes darting around, his chewing movements all carrying a perfunctory air of inattentiveness.

This bizarre scene piqued Riyao's interest.

While chewing on peanuts, Riyao glanced at Gray out of the corner of his eye.

Then he moved closer to Juvia and secretly handed her two childhood photos of Gray, his actions as discreet as if he were conducting some kind of clandestine transaction.

Juvia took the photo, looked down at it, and his eyes lit up instantly, his cheeks turned red, and his mouth almost stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

The little hand quickly stuffed the photo into the inside pocket of the clothes, the movement so practiced it seemed like she had done it a thousand times, and she even patted the pocket to make sure the photo was safe.

Riyao nodded in satisfaction and asked in a low voice.

"What's wrong with Gray? He looks so distracted."

Juvia tilted her head slightly, glanced at Gray, and lowered her voice.

"Lord Gray wants to learn magic from Riyao, but he's probably too shy to ask. He asked Lord Ur at the guild today, and Lord Ur told him to come and see Lord Riyao."

Riyao raised an eyebrow and paused in his peanut-chewing motion.

"You want to learn magic from me? Isn't Ur in the guild? Can't she teach you?"

"It was Lord Ur's suggestion. Lord Ur said that Lord Riyao's magical theories are superior to hers."

Riyao chewed on the peanut in his mouth, swallowed it, leaned back in his chair, and unconsciously tapped the table with his fingers. His mind started racing, thinking about how to mess with Gray.

You can't feed ice to Gray like you feed fire to Natsu.

Natsu is Dragon Slayer, so eating fire is instinctive for him, but Gray is a Shapeshifter Mage, so eating ice cubes doesn't really serve any purpose other than being refreshing.

And Gray's cheat code is still in Tartaros.

Demonic power—that's where Gray's true potential lies.

I wanted to get it for Gray ahead of time, but I can't find the Tartaros. That thing is floating somewhere high in the sky, and even the Magic Council can't track its location.

How about getting an Ice Dragon Magic Crystal?

No, that won't work either. The technique for implanting Dragon Slayer Lacrima has long been lost on the Continent of Ishgar. Forcibly implanting them would only cause Gray's body to collapse, which would be a losing proposition.

Riyao stopped typing, a lightbulb went off in his head—he'd got it!

He sat bolt upright, his gaze fixed on Gray. His nonchalant expression instantly transformed into a malicious, predatory look, like a hunter eyeing its prey. A dangerous smile slowly crept onto his lips.

Gray felt a chill run down his spine, shuddered, and instinctively shrank his neck.

But he quickly dismissed it, already used to such intense, furtive gazes, and continued to absentmindedly stir the soup in his bowl without even turning his head.

Seeing Riyao's blatant gaze, Juvia was about to call him her love rival when the words were already on the tip of her tongue.

Suddenly, I remembered that Mirajane was in Riyao, and Mirajane was sitting right next to me, smiling and watching us.

Feeling relieved, she swallowed the "love rival" that was about to be eaten and obediently lowered her head to eat the fish.

Riyao put down his chopsticks, turned around, placed his hands on the edge of the table, leaned forward, and approached Gray, speaking in an extremely irritating tone with a drawn-out ending.

"Gray ~ Do you want to improve?"

That sleazy voice slithered into Gray's ears like a slippery snake. Gray shuddered at the disgusting tone, but the desire to become stronger made him respond subconsciously.

"I want to... uh, I mean..."

Gray snapped back to reality, realizing what he had said. His ears instantly turned red, and he quickly straightened his face, clearing his throat in a pretentious manner.

"If you insist on giving me guidance, that's fine, I'll reluctantly give you a chance."

Riyao smirked, stood up, and slapped Gray on the shoulder with considerable force, causing Gray to stumble forward.

"Come with me to my Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!"

Gray steadied himself and looked at Riyao with a suspicious expression, his brows furrowing into a question mark.

What the hell?

"This is my experimental hut; I gave it a name."

Riyao gave a smug thumbs-up.

"I guarantee you'll feel wonderful all over when you come out of there."

Gray's lips twitched; he felt that this "wonderful" sounded rather unreliable.

Before he could refuse, Riyao had already pulled him by the arm and led him toward the backyard of the manor, their steps light as if they were going on a picnic.

"Hey, I haven't finished eating yet!"

"What are you eating? We can just reheat the hot pot if it gets cold. Your youth can't get cold! Let's go!"

Juvia watched the two figures disappear into the distance, cupping her face in her hands, her expression full of worry.

"Good luck, Lord Gray..."

Mirajane called out from behind.

Are you still eating?

Riyao waved without turning his head.

"I'm not eating anymore, you guys finish yours! Oh, and make me a few small cakes, I'll eat them when I get back!"

Mirajane tilted her head slightly, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Then strawberry and durian will do."

"Mmm, add more durian!"

Wendy asked Carla in a low voice.

What is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?

Carla shook her head, her expression indescribable.

"Judging from the name, it's not a respectable place."

Elfman thumped his chest, making a loud thud.

"No matter where you are, that's where you can become stronger—that's where real men are!"

Lisanna put a piece of meat into Elfman's bowl.

"Brother, just eat your food, don't get agitated."