The bartender's face changed. "I don't—"
"Don't be shy!"
The next second, the bartender was forcibly dragged into the crowd by Cana, Macao, Wakaba, and the others.
The owner watched as his bartender was plied with drink until his face turned bright red. After two seconds of silence, he simply tossed aside his rag too.
"Fine, then. Not like I can stop it anyway."
He raised his glass and clinked it hard against Makarov's.
"To Fairy Tail!"
"Whoooooa—!"
Cheers erupted through the tavern all over again.
Lu Chongwei sat by the window, watching the familiar chaotic scene in front of him, so familiar it could not have been more so, and could not help laughing.
This was Fairy Tail.
If they won, they made a racket. If they lost, they made a racket too.
If they got hurt, they made a racket. Even after getting scolded, they still made a racket.
No matter how the outside world saw them, as long as everyone gathered together, this place would always be the loudest, messiest, and most reassuring place of all.
Just then, he suddenly noticed a tiny figure beside the bar.
Mavis was sitting on top of a large wine barrel, her two fair little feet swinging back and forth in midair as she hummed a lighthearted tune. One moment she watched Natsu and Gray fight, the next she watched Cana force drinks on people, and the smile on her face was brighter than anyone's.
She looked so lively, like a young girl who had just run out to play.
Lu Chongwei stared, momentarily stunned.
Who could have imagined that Fairy Tail's lofty first master, the guild strategist of legend, was privately such a little girl who loved joining in the fun?
Mavis sensed his gaze and tilted her head to