Lucy's "Birthday" (Part Two)

Mount Hakobe

"Whoosh, whoosh."

A bulky clock trudged across the snowy plain amid the biting wind.

"Weren't we supposed to hold a Cherry Blossom Festival? Why are we here... achoo!"

"That's what she said!"

Smack!

Staring blankly at the thick cotton coat in his hands, the clock asked softly, "This is...?"

"Make those three idiots put on their coats. If they catch a cold, they won't be able to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival!"

The clock nodded to the formidable brown-haired woman ahead, stuffed the coat into his belly, and relayed her words as he had just done.

"Boss, we're only gathering herbs and hunting Blizzard Magic Beasts. Did we really need this many people?"

Patting her little fangirl's shoulder, Boss Sonia said through tears, "Do you think I wanted this? The young master forced them on me!"

After crying, the boss turned and glared at the big clock. Only after seeing him draw a line across his mouth with his hand did she resume pouring out her grievances.

"To prepare for that, the young master took Erza and the others away. Before leaving, he dumped these few on me too, saying it had to stay secret!"

"Sigh... My idol really is so thoughtful. It's just too hard on you, Boss!"

"Boohoo..."

While the two beautiful girls outside leaned against each other and cried, the three spectators in the box were getting frantic, because their speaker—and letter display—had gone on strike.

"Hey, Horologium, what are they even saying? Why is Boss Sonia crying so miserably? (Golden Softie)"

"..."

"Horologium!!!"

Though Lucy tried her best to sound fierce, the Clock Spirit showed no reaction.

"Hey, hey... Rival, your big clock isn't broken, is it? (Rain Woman with black lines all over her face)"

"Please! Horologium may look like a clock,