Everyday Life: A Date with Mira

While the three old men, Makarov, were boasting and bragging, the person in question was in deep trouble.

The streets of Magnolia were bathed in sunshine and teeming with people.

Jiang Bai's hands were laden with colorful shopping bags, and he had several boxes of exquisite jewelry slung over his elbows, making him look like a walking shelf.

Erza and Mirajane, walking ahead, seemed relaxed and carefree, chatting and laughing as they strolled hand in hand through the shop window, browsing and selecting items.

If this scene were to fall into the eyes of the group of mages who had been thoroughly beaten by Jiang Bai, they would probably collectively question their existence.

The Ten Wizard Saints Mages, formidable figures who could withstand the Etherion, are now reduced to being mere porters.

"I said, these things aren't heavy, but they're really in the way when they're hanging on my body."

Jiang Bai quickly caught up with the two, and looking at the two graceful figures in front of him, he couldn't help but protest.

"Is that Space Pouch just for show? Why don't we just throw it in and be done with it? Why do I have to hold it up like this?"

He tentatively shook the bag in his hand, making a rustling sound.

Mirajane, who was walking on the left, stopped and turned around. Her cascading white hair shimmered softly in the sunlight.

She rested her chin on her hands, looking at Jiang Bai with a beaming smile, but her eyes held an undeniable mischievousness.

"Damn!"

Mirajane uttered those two words crisply, and then winked playfully.

"Xiao Bai, don't you understand?"

"The essence of shopping lies in the process. If all the items disappear, what's the point of the shopping experience?"

Jiang Bai's eye twitched, his heart filled with helplessness.

This doesn't feel like shopping; it feels like off-roading with a heavy load.

"I think you just want to torture me and deliberately see me make a fool of myself."

He muttered something under his breath, keeping his voice extremely low, thinking he wouldn't be heard.

"Xiao Bai, what were you just saying?"

Mirajane's ears twitched, and her face still wore that gentle, saintly smile, but that smile, when seen by Jiang Bai, inexplicably sent a chill down his spine.

In situations like this, the will to survive must be activated instantly.

"N-nothing! I was just complimenting how well this dress suits your style, it was such a great buy!"

Jiang Bai quickly changed his tune, making up a story without batting an eye.

"It's almost noon, and my stomach's starting to rumble. Shall we find a place to grab a bite to eat?"

He quickly brought up a new topic, trying to divert their attention and at least find a place to put the pile of things.

Before Mirajane could speak, Erza, who had been staring at the shop window next to her, suddenly had her eyes light up.

Speaking of food...

Erza turned her head, her usual imposing and authoritative aura completely gone, replaced by an almost obsessive desire.

She pointed to a shop on the street corner.

"I think I just smelled the aroma of the limited-edition strawberry cake. Shall we go check it out at that shop?"

Jiang Bai followed her finger and saw a cake shop decorated in pink and delicate colors, with a line of people of moderate length standing outside.

He simply couldn't refuse such a request.

After all, Erza's obsession with sweets is, in some ways, even more fervent than her pursuit of swordsmanship.

The three of them entered the cake shop, where the air was filled with the rich, sweet aroma of cream and fruit.

Erza stood in front of the display case, her eyes fixed on the extravagantly designed, layered cake adorned with large, fresh strawberries.

"I'll take this, and that one too, and one of that one as well."

Erza gestured deftly and nimbly.

When Jiang Bai resignedly went to the cashier to pay, Erza casually leaned close to Mirajane's ear.

"Mira, I've almost finished shopping."

Erza shook the small box she had just packed in her hand, then her expression turned serious.

"The rest of the time is entirely up to you and Jiang Bai. I won't get in the way here."

Before Mirajane could react, Erza demonstrated the efficient action required of Titania.

She picked up the cake box, and with a swift movement, disappeared into the crowd at the shop entrance, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.

After paying the bill, Jiang Bai returned with the remaining large cake, only to find that the crimson figure was gone.

"Where 'Erza? How did she disappear in the blink of an eye? Wasn't she just clamoring for a second one?"

Jiang Bai looked around, somewhat confused.

Erza said she had to go back to the guild first.

Mirajane smiled so hard her eyes curved into crescent moons, and she stepped forward to naturally take Jiang Bai's arm.

She said, "The rest of the time belongs to just the two of us, so make sure you do your best."

Jiang Bai was taken aback for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

Erza, who usually seems decisive and efficient, is surprisingly thoughtful at times like this.

"Alright, in that case, let's go get a proper meal first."

Jiang Bai casually tossed the various bags and the large cake into his invisible personal space.

This time, Mirajane didn't stop him. After all, they had seen everything they wanted to see, and they didn't need these extra burdens for their upcoming time alone.

He took Mirajane's soft, warm little hand in his, and the smooth touch made his heart flutter.

The two walked through several streets and arrived at a very upscale Western restaurant.

The restaurant was not crowded in the afternoon, and soothing classical music played.

After dinner, Mirajane looked at the posters outside the window and suggested, "Xiao Bai, I heard the town theater is having a new play today called 'The Singer Under the Moonlight.' Shall we go see it?"

Jiang Bai isn't really a fan of theatrical art forms.

Having traveled from that information-explosion era, and having grown accustomed to blockbuster movies packed with special effects and suspense dramas full of plot twists, watching the stage plays of this world always feels too slow-paced, and the dialogue seems somewhat exaggerated and pale.

But looking into Mirajane's expectant eyes, he simply couldn't bring himself to say no.

"I'll go anywhere with you, as long as you like."

The theater was dimly lit, and the heavy curtain was slowly drawn back.

On stage, actors are reciting poems about loyalty and betrayal with great emotion.

Jiang Bai sat in a comfortable chair, listening to the dialogue that sounded like recitation, and drowsiness quickly overwhelmed him.

His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and his head unconsciously tilted to one side.

Mirajane, however, was engrossed in watching, her hands folded on her knees, completely unaware that the man beside her had already fallen asleep.

I don't know how much time passed.

A clear, ethereal singing voice echoed through the theater.

Jiang Bai was pulled back from his dream by that penetrating voice. He opened his sleepy eyes and subconsciously looked around.

On stage, the female lead is at the climax of the play, singing loudly in front of a sky full of artificial starlight.

That singing was indeed excellent, melodious yet resilient.

Jiang Bai turned his head and looked at Mirajane's face beside him.

At this moment, Mirajane was tilting her head slightly, her expression focused and absorbed.

Her eyes, which usually held a gentle smile, shone unusually bright at this moment, as if they contained a sky full of starlight, and were filled with longing.

Jiang Bai's heart skipped a beat.

Mirajane is not only a mage, but she has also done photoshoots; those who appreciate artistic styles should really like them.

Seeing her completely absorbed in the moment, Jiang Bai made a decision instantly.

If your woman likes listening to music, why bother listening to someone else's performance here?

His mind raced through the classic songs that had swept the globe in his past life, and a slight smile curved his lips.

Whether it's folk or pop, rock or ballad, there's always something that this Fairy Tail's signature girl can fall in love with.

He reached out and gently enveloped Mirajane's cold little hand again, his fingers lightly scratching her palm.

Mirajane snapped out of her daze, turned to look at him, a glimmer of light still lingering in her eyes.

"Xiao Bai, you're awake?"

Mirajane lowered his voice, clearly knowing that he had just fallen asleep.

"I woke up and heard something very interesting."

Jiang Bai leaned closer, whispered in her ear, and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"I have a surprise for you tonight."

Mirajane paused, a slight blush creeping onto her face, and asked curiously, "What surprise? Can't you tell me now?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now."

Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin, already envisioning a romantic scene that would ignite the entire guild.

It's just singing, isn't it?

In a world where even electric guitars aren't commonplace, casually pulling out a few timeless classics—isn't that a game-changer?

At this point, the play was coming to a close, and the audience erupted in applause.

Jiang Bai wasn't in the mood to clap; he was already thinking about which song to choose for the first song.

Should you choose a tender and affectionate confession, or a rock song that ignites your very soul?

Looking at Mirajane's dreamlike profile, he felt that this girl would probably like any song he sang.

"Let's go, we should head back. The old man and the others have probably almost finished their drinks."

He stood up, and with a swagger, pulled Mirajane out, his steps becoming much lighter.