Most of the members of Fairy Tail were outgoing and friendly. After Makarov introduced him and everyone shared the "feast" Ul had prepared, he quickly got along with the rest of the guild.
Taking the opportunity!
Makarov also held a belated welcome party for Ul.
And then!
The Little Old Man got drunk again!
Sometimes, Ul suspected that Makarov held a party for every new guild member purely as an excuse to drink.
......
The party was loud and lively......
After all, parties in this world were real parties, completely different from the "parties" in Ul's previous life, where a bunch of people gathered together to play on their phones.
Even though Ul wasn't the type to enjoy noisy environments!
He had to admit, though, that being among these people felt pretty nice......
The party lasted for most of the day. By the time everyone was tipsy and leaving in groups of two or three, night had fallen......
And then!
Another awkward problem cropped up for Ul.
He had nowhere to stay!
The guild did have a dormitory for its members, but staying there cost money......
There were plenty of inns outside, but they cost money too......
And right now, Ul was short on everything—especially money.
Besides!
Although Ul was "very familiar" with most of the guild members, it was the kind of "familiarity" where Ul knew them, but they didn't know him!
In that situation, he couldn't very well ask to "crash" at someone's place.
What's more!
Everyone from the guild had already left, so even if he wanted to ask, he had no chance!
......
Standing all alone in the street outside the guild hall.
The warm summer night breeze blew against him, yet Ul couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart......
"Haah! Looks like I'll have to shamelessly impose on someone again!"
Tilting his head back at a forty-five-degree angle to gaze at the stars, Ul let out a sigh.
Though he didn't have a single coin to his name, Ul wasn't about to end up sleeping on the street.
That place was just his last resort. Unless he absolutely had no other choice, he really didn't want to go there......
Because it was just too embarrassing!
......
......
After walking for three hours!
The little house that had left such a deep impression on Ul came into view once more......
Seeing the lights still on inside, Ul felt a little relieved.
He had stayed here for three days before, so he knew some of Granny Is's habits. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to come by in the middle of the night......
He stood at the gate, hesitating for a long while!
Finally.
Ul reached out and knocked on the gate.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Who is it?" Granny Is called from inside as soon as Ul knocked.
"Granny Is, it's me, Ul......"
Knocking on someone's door in the middle of the night was pretty scary. Worried that Granny Is might be startled, Ul quickly called out to her.
As soon as he finished speaking!
Ul heard the sound of footsteps shuffling around inside.
Soon.
The gate opened.
When Granny Is saw Ul, a smile first appeared on her face. Then, she asked in confusion, "Little Ul, what brings you here so late? Do you have another job?"
"No...... Granny Is, actually, I was hoping I could stay here for the night. Would that be all right?"
"Stay the night? Little Ul, aren't you going home?"
"Granny Is, I'm an orphan......"
Heaven knew Ul hadn't meant to play for sympathy when he said that. He'd simply stated it in a matter-of-fact tone.
But when Granny Is heard him, her expression changed, and her eyes filled with pity and compassion.
"I'm sorry, Little Ul. Granny shouldn't have said that...... But it's all right. You can think of my home as your own from now on. It's getting late, so come in and get some rest!"
Ul: "Uh......"
He couldn't help feeling a little shameless.
......
"Little Ul, have you eaten?" Granny Is suddenly asked as he followed her inside.
"I've already eaten......" Ul hurriedly replied, but before he could finish, Granny Is cut him off.
"I'll go make you something to eat!"
Ul: "......"
What a familiar conversation.
......
Ul had never worried that Granny Is might refuse to let him stay.
When he'd been here for a job before, Granny Is had hinted more than once that she wanted him to stay a little longer......
She was a very kind old woman, but she was also a lonely one!
Ul had walked three hours to come back here, and deep down, he might well have wanted to spend a little more time with her......
Truth be told!
Ever since Ul had come to this world.
The person he'd spent the most time with, and the one he knew best, was Granny Is.
......
Ul stuffed down a late-night meal of "nothing special" and finally went back to his room to rest, leaving Granny Is smiling with satisfaction!
The next morning.
After another breakfast of "nothing special," Ul said goodbye to Granny Is for the time being and returned to the guild to start work.
What?
Why "for the time being"?
Of course, it was because Granny Is had more or less insisted that he settle in with her for now.
......
......
By the time Ul returned to the guild!
The usual noisy bustle of daily life had already begun.
The first thing Makarov said when he saw Ul was, "Oh, right, Ul. I forgot to ask yesterday—do you have a place to stay right now? If not, I can arrange for you to stay in the guild dormitory for a while......"
Ul: "......"
There's something I want to say, but I don't know if I should.
Before you continue