The Girl Crying by the River

"Bang!"

Accompanied by a dull thud, a figure flew backward like a kite with a broken string, tracing an ungraceful arc through the air before slamming heavily into the guild wall.

Dust billowed, and rubble tumbled to the floor.

"Gray!"

Cana cried out in alarm, her tarot cards scattering across the floor.

In the human-shaped crater in the wall, Gray's eyes rolled back as he slowly slid down, a massive bump crowning his head and his soul drifting from his mouth.

Lu Chongwei retracted his fist, sighed helplessly, and blew off some non-existent dust.

"I told you, your hand-to-hand combat is still far from enough."

Lu Chongwei walked over to Gray, crouched down, and poked his cheek with a finger.

"Still alive? Make a sound if you are."

"Squeak..."

Gray let out a faint groan, his body twitched twice, and he passed out completely.

A roar of laughter erupted throughout the guild.

"Hahahaha! That guy Gray got one-shotted again!"

"How many times is this now? The kid really is persistent, isn't he?"

Wakaba puffed on his pipe, laughing until he doubled over.

Ever since he was taken down in a single blow by Lu Chongwei last time, Gray had been acting as if he'd been provoked, training like a madman. He even shamelessly pestered Lu Chongwei to teach him martial arts.

Lu Chongwei hadn't held back, teaching him some basic techniques for generating power.

But after learning just a little, the kid's confidence had skyrocketed, and he immediately turned around to challenge Erza.

As for the outcome...

Everyone glanced at the corner where a scarlet figure in armor was elegantly wiping down her blade, then looked back at Gray, who was lying on the floor like a corpse.

Tragic.

Truly tragic.

He'd been one-shotted again, and this time, Erza hadn't even drawn her sword; she'd knocked him out cold with the scabbard.

That day, Lu Chongwei wandered around the guild.

He shot the breeze with old-timers like Macao and Wakaba, listening to them recount the romantic escapades of their youth.

Occasionally, his gaze would drift toward Erza in the corner.

The girl remained wrapped in that heavy armor, like an isolated island, refusing to let anyone get close.

Lu Chongwei had tried to strike up a conversation a few times.

"Erza, want to grab a juice?"

"No."

"Erza, that sword is well-maintained."

"Mm."

"Erza..."

"I'm busy."

No matter what Lu Chongwei said, he always received a cold, one- or two-word reply.

Aside from Lu Chongwei, she barely interacted with anyone else. Even when Natsu, that overly familiar guy, tried to approach her, he would be glared back by her sharp, piercing gaze.

The sun set, painting all of Magnolia in shades of orange and red.

Lu Chongwei stretched, said goodbye to everyone in the guild, and walked out the door carrying an exquisite cake box.

It was a strawberry cake he had specially ordered from the most famous dessert shop in town.

He'd heard the pastry chef there used to be a royal chef, and the cakes were sweet without being cloying, with an excellent texture.

"I hope it's to her taste."

Lu Chongwei hummed a little tune as he strolled home along the river in the city.

The river water shimmered under the setting sun, and a breeze blew by, carrying a cool, watery mist.

Suddenly.

Lu Chongwei stopped in his tracks.

On the riverbank ahead, a familiar figure sat.

Scarlet hair fluttered gently in the wind, and silver armor reflected the afterglow of the sunset.

It was Erza.

She wasn't sitting upright as she did in the guild; instead, her legs were curled up, her head buried deep between her knees, her entire body shrunk into a small, tight ball.

She looked exceptionally lonely and helpless.

Lu Chongwei frowned slightly, lightened his footsteps, and slowly walked over.

As he drew closer, he faintly heard the sound of suppressed sobbing.

"Erza?"

Lu Chongwei called out softly.

The figure shuddered violently.

Erza looked up in a panic, frantically wiping her cheeks.

But no matter how fast she moved, Lu Chongwei still saw the tears brimming in her single eye and her reddened eye sockets.

What a look that was.

Lonely, helpless, fragile—a far cry from the cold, powerful warrior she usually was.

"Lu... Lu Chongwei?"

Erza's voice was thick with nasal congestion, and she turned her face away awkwardly, not wanting Lu Chongwei to see her in such a disheveled state.

"It's so late, why are you here?"

Lu Chongwei didn't answer, instead walking straight to her side and plopping down onto the grass.

He set the cake box aside, watched the flowing river, and said softly:

"Just passing by and happened to see you."

Erza fell silent.

She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the patterns on her armor, her voice as low as a mosquito's buzz:

"I... I just wanted to be alone for a while."

"Everyone in the guild is so enthusiastic, but... I don't know how to get along with them."

"Whenever I get close to others, I feel uneasy. Only by wearing this armor and hiding in a place where no one is around can I feel a shred of security."

As she said this, her tears fell uncontrollably once more.

Lu Chongwei turned his head to look at this girl, whose strength made one's heart ache.

He reached out and gently patted Erza's cold shoulder armor.

"If you want to cry, just let it all out. There's no one else here."

Lu Chongwei's voice was very gentle.

"Erza, do you know? Everyone in the guild actually likes you very much."

Erza froze for a moment, looking up at him with teary, blurred eyes.

"Like... me?"

"That's right."

Lu Chongwei nodded with a smile.

"Look at that kid Gray. Even though he gets beaten black and blue by you every time, he still challenges you again and again. Do you really think he's doing it to win?"

"Actually, he's just trying to use that clumsy method to help you integrate into the group sooner."

"In Fairy Tail, fighting is our way of communicating. We all get to know each other through our fists and bond through our brawls."

"Because we are family."

Lu Chongwei pointed in the direction of the guild.

"Between family, there's no need for so many reservations. We laugh together when happy, cry together when sad, and shoulder troubles together."

"That is what Fairy Tail is."

Listening to Lu Chongwei's words, Erza's mind filled with the image of Gray's bruised yet stubborn face, along with the sincere, smiling faces of everyone in the guild.

"That idiot..."

Erza sniffled, recalling the foolish look on Gray's face as he declared "I'll definitely win next time" right before she knocked him out with her scabbard, and she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

That smile dispelled the gloom on her face.

Watching her smile, Lu Chongwei laughed along with her.

He reached out to take the cake box nearby and opened the lid.

A rich aroma of strawberries instantly filled the air.

Inside sat two exquisite strawberry cakes, bright red strawberries adorning the snow-white cream, looking mouth-watering.

"Here."

Lu Chongwei picked up one and held it out to Erza.

"This was made by the best pastry chef in the kingdom; it used to be reserved exclusively for royalty. I had to wait in line for a long time to get it."

Erza looked at the cake before her, her throat bobbing slightly.

She carefully took the cake, picked up a fork, and gently scooped a small piece into her mouth.

The fragrance of the cream and the sweet-and-sour taste of the strawberry spread across her palate.

That sweet flavor flowed down her throat, seemingly transforming into a warm current that dispelled the chill in her heart.

"Is it good?"

Lu Chongwei asked.

Erza looked up.

A dab of cream clung to the corner of her mouth, and a heartfelt, sweet smile bloomed on her face.

"Mm! So sweet!"

In that moment, Erza let down all her defenses.

She was just an ordinary little girl who loved sweets.

Watching her smile, Lu Chongwei felt a weight lift from his heart.

He stood up and brushed the grass clippings from his trousers.

"As long as you like it."

Lu Chongwei did not linger; he knew that today's conversation had been enough. Some knots in the heart required time to slowly untangle.

"Try to reach out to everyone, Erza."

Lu Chongwei waved his hand with his back turned to her.

"See you tomorrow. I hope that tomorrow at the guild, I'll be able to see a new Erza who is willing to accept everyone."

With that, he carried the remaining cake and walked away with a light step, gradually disappearing into the night.

Erza held the cake, watching Lu Chongwei's retreating figure, unable to look away for a long time.

She lowered her head, looking at the sweet cake in her hands, then back at the cold armor on her body.

"Family... is it?"

She whispered softly, then scooped another large spoonful of cake into her mouth, her face glowing with a flush of happiness.