Who's Washing the Dishes

The next morning, just as the sun was rising over the wall, Lucy rushed to the manor.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, she immediately saw Happy still hanging on the Parasol Tree, swaying back and forth, looking just like a dried salted fish being hung out to dry.

"Happy, you're still here, haha..."

Lucy covered her mouth and burst out laughing without any restraint.

How could they possibly let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ridicule them slip by?

Happy shed tears of regret, his eyes brimming with glistening tears.

"Lucy, please help me... I've been hanging here all night..."

"Okay, okay."

Lucy swung the River of Stars, the whip flashing silver as it precisely severed the ropes binding Happy.

Happy fell to the ground with a thud, wriggled a few times, and then stared longingly at Lucy.

Lucy reluctantly untied Happy regained his freedom and raised his two little paws.

"Throw a tile!"

At this moment, Riyao also came out of the house, yawning and stretching, his hair still a little sticky.

"Lucy? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home learning Star Dress?"

"I'm afraid of developing problems from practicing... so I thought I'd come here to train."

Lucy scratched her head sheepishly, her eyes darting around.

Mirajane emerged from behind Riyao, tilting her head to the side.

"But Riyao is going to the guild, why don't you just go to the guild and wait for him?"

"Uh... right."

Lucy's expression froze.

"He's obviously here to freeload breakfast."

Riyao crossed his arms, a knowing look on his face.

"No, that's not true!"

Gu~

Lucy's flat stomach rumbled, just the right time, deafeningly loud.

Riyao and Mirajane simultaneously revealed a smug look in their eyes, their lips curving into the exact same arc.

Happy lay on the ground, covering his mouth and chuckling, his fur trembling all over.

Lucy's face flushed red, from her cheeks all the way to her ears, and she wished she could dig a hole and bury herself on the spot.

Wendy and Carla happened to be walking over from the orchard. Wendy was carrying a small basket full of fruit and had a sweet smile on her face.

"Miss Lucy, would you like breakfast?"

Lucy's face turned even redder, so red it looked like it was about to smoke.

Riyao gave Wendy a thumbs up.

That was a precise strike; no wonder you're my little bodyguard.

Wendy tilted her head, blinking her big eyes, completely bewildered by the situation.

Carla shrugged, looking like she couldn't be bothered with these idiots.

Lisanna peeked out of the kitchen window.

"Wendy, over here, over here, have you picked the mangoes I wanted?"

"I've picked them! I'm coming right now!"

Wendy jogged over carrying a full basket of fruit, her scorpion braid swinging behind her.

Elfman walked out of the training field shirtless, his whole body radiating heat, sweat dripping down his muscular physique.

"A real man should exercise in the morning!!"

"Ugh, you smell like sweat. Brother-in-law, you should go wash up."

Riyao looked disgusted, waved at Elfman, pinched his nose, and took two steps back.

"This is a symbol of manhood!"

Elfman clenched his fist, his muscles tensing even more.

"Elfman? Hmm?"

Mirajane simply called her name softly, accompanied by a standard "sister smile."

Under the silent pressure from his older sister, Elfman's momentum instantly vanished, and he slunk off to the bathroom.

"I'll go wash up right now..."

Riyao gestured for Lucy to sit down.

"Since you're already here, have something to eat before you go."

"Oh well."

Lucy moved to the table and sat down, moving at least twice as fast as usual.

Mirajane patted Lucy on the shoulder.

Don't worry about that, you can come and eat three meals a day.

Is this really okay?

Lucy was somewhat tempted.

If I come here to eat every day, the money I save can cover the rent.

No, it's that the money saved on rent can be used to buy new clothes.

No, no... anyway, we made a profit.

Lisanna and Wendy brought in breakfast, which was laid out on the table with pies, toast, jam, fried eggs, and a large plate of fruit salad.

"Come on, the others just can't stand my sister and brother-in-law being so lovey-dovey, that's why they're not coming."

As Lisanna picked up a loaf of toast, cut it open, and poured jam into it, she explained this trivial little flaw to Lucy.

You'll get used to it.

Lucy's expression was complicated as she began to calculate rapidly in her mind.

On one hand, there are free, luxurious meals; on the other hand, there's being bombarded with PDA every day.

Is this a worthwhile investment?

Wendy forked a piece of pie and put it in her mouth, her cheeks bulging, making a muffled sound.

"Hmm, isn't Miss Lucy coming? The food here is delicious, and Sister Lisanna and Sister Mirajane are both amazing cooks."

Mirajane opened her mouth, Riyao forked a piece of mango sauce pie and fed it to her with practiced ease, clearly having done it countless times before.

Watching the two of them being all lovey-dovey, Lucy silently settled her score in her mind.

It doesn't seem like it's impossible.

"Then... I'll leave it to you."

"Pay your food bill!"

Riyao spoke in a cheeky tone, rubbing two fingers together.

Lucy's eyes widened, and she nearly dropped her fork on the table.

Seriously?! They lured people in to kill them?!

Lisanna burst out laughing.

"Haha, brother-in-law was just teasing you, Lucy, don't mind him."

"The inside of Riyao will definitely be black when cut open."

Lucy slashed a piece of pie hard, and as the knife fell, black blueberry jam oozed out, as black as the heart of the Riyao.

Riyao didn't mind, happily finished the last bite of his breakfast, and wiped his mouth.

Mira and I are heading to the guild first. You guys take your time eating.

Eat slowly, and remember to wash the dishes.

Mirajane stood up, took Riyao's arm, and the two left the manor together.

Lisanna popped two more mouthfuls into her mouth, then suddenly stood up.

"Sister and brother-in-law, wait for me!"

She grabbed her bag and chased after him, disappearing faster than a rabbit.

Lucy looked puzzled, still chewing on a pie.

Why are they in such a hurry?

"So I don't have to wash the dishes."

Carla gracefully finished her black tea, gently placed the cup on the table, and pulled Wendy along as they walked out of the manor.

Happy flapped his wings and followed, without looking back.

Lucy paused for a second, then her eyes widened suddenly.

The large dining table was filled with bowls and plates, but she was the only one left.

"No?! I'm the only one left?!"

She looked at the table full of plates, cups, cutlery, and jam jars.

Elfman came out after taking a shower, changed into clean clothes, his hair still dripping wet.

"Huh? Why is Lucy the only one left?"

"Great! And Elfman too!"

Lucy grabbed a piece of pie as if it were a lifeline and ran out so fast that her figure became a blur.

"I'm leaving now, you can take your time washing!"

Elfman scratched his head, looked at the mess on the table, and suddenly realized what had happened.

"Oh no, it's my turn to wash the dishes again."

He looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

"A real man... is supposed to wash the dishes!!"

In the end, he accepted his fate and went to wash the dishes after finishing breakfast.