Warmth

Night, at home.

Qian Guang still did not get his way. Mirajane directly shielded Elfman behind her, while Lisanna smiled and clung to Qian Guang.

In the end, Lisanna won Qian Guang over by saying that someone was needed to clean the house.

Elfman felt terribly wronged. He had clearly done nothing, yet he had nearly been forced to begin his life of living alone.

"Ah, my head hurts, Mirajane~ I want some water." Qian Guang sprawled across the sofa like a dead fish.

At the banquet, he had turned down Natsu and Gray's invitation to fight, but he had accepted Cana's. After all, who did not like a cute little girl? Unfortunately, once that little girl came out carrying a whole barrel of alcohol, she was no longer cute.

Qian Guang had originally been able to hold his liquor, but then the two uncles, Macao and Wakaba, joined in as well. They even tried to sweet-talk Qian Guang with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, only to be sent flying one punch at a time by the guild master.

"Honestly, you can't even walk straight when you see someone else. Serves you right." Mirajane stood with her hands on her hips, clearly displeased. However, the obedient Lisanna poured Qian Guang a glass of water.

"Arigato."

Qian Guang took a sip of water and recovered a little, then used Healing Magic to clear his head.

Mirajane did not say anything else. Wearing an apron, she carried the ingredients they had bought on the way back into the kitchen.

When Qian Guang saw Mirajane slicing radishes with a knife, her face covered in a deranged smile, even the last traces of alcohol left his system.

"Lisanna, your sister can cook, right?"

Qian Guang had done all the cooking along the way, so he did not know whether Mirajane could cook. But looking at the purple aura radiating from her, he felt that the chances were slim.

"My sister's cooking is delicious! Um... but Brother Qian Guang's is even better." The little girl rubbed Qian Guang's head. She said the first sentence loudly, then muttered the latter into his ear.

Qian Guang nodded knowingly. Good, he had not spoiled this girl for nothing.

Looking at the little girl made Qian Guang think of Roundy. The two girls were about the same age.

That night, Roundy's family had been the only survivors. But Qian Guang did not know which city they had gone to, and he had not dared to stay in the village. They had lost contact by now.

But when they returned and saw what I left behind, they should know I'm alright, right?

Thinking of that, Qian Guang felt a little downcast. Lisanna noticed, but she merely continued gently rubbing his head.

But not everyone was so perceptive.

"Brother Qian Guang, what does this mean?"

And there he was—the future muscular big brother, utterly unaware that he was ruining a beautiful moment.

Looking at the spiky-haired boy before him, Qian Guang felt exhausted. Mirajane and the other two had ultimately chosen Take Over Magic, and all of them were quite talented. With the guild master's help, Mirajane could already retract her demon arm.

"Little Elfman, I want to teach you too, but I don't know how. Go ask your sister." Qian Guang lazily waved a hand.

Suddenly, a radish struck Qian Guang squarely between the brows.

Bang!

"They're all basic questions about magical principles! If you don't know them, how are you supposed to use magic? Teach him, now!" Mirajane's domineering voice rang out from the kitchen.

Qian Guang rubbed his head, feeling deeply wronged. See? She's a total trap. Look how obedient Lisanna is. And Mirajane, acting like that means no one will ever marry you. But who told you that you're my favorite heroine? All I can do is spoil you.

Qian Guang helplessly went to the dining table and began teaching the two of them. One sheep was still a flock; two sheep made no difference.

When Mirajane brought out dinner and saw the heartwarming scene of two little heads gathered in front of Qian Guang, the corners of her lips lifted tenderly. Her cheeks were flushed as well, and she thought that they really looked like a family.

Good thing Qian Guang's hair was not white, or outsiders would have thought he was the eldest brother of the family.

"Dinner's ready."

Mirajane brought out the dishes one by one. Seeing the plentiful and decent-looking food before him, Qian Guang finally relaxed.

"Yay, I haven't had Sister Mirajane's cooking in so long."

"It's delicious, Sister Mirajane."

"It's surprisingly good."

Mirajane was very happy as she looked at the three of them. The smile on her face never faded. Qian Guang watched as Mirajane's expression became more and more like the one she had at the beginning of the story.

But although Qian Guang hoped things would unfold as he knew they would, he did not want Mirajane to change. He was no longer just someone watching the story. He was Fairy Tail's companion.

He did not want Lisanna to die, even if it was the Lisanna of Edolas. He wanted Mirajane to forever remain this flamboyant little devil.

"What are you looking at me for? Eat!"

Mirajane grew embarrassed under Qian Guang's gaze and snapped fiercely.

"Ah, it's nothing. I just remembered that I still haven't given you the gift I prepared."

"A gift?" Mirajane asked in confusion.

"Yeah, a housewarming gift." As he spoke, Qian Guang took out the three gift boxes he had prepared.

"Eh, we have gifts too? Thank you, Brother Qian Guang."

"Thank you, Brother Qian Guang." Elfman took the gift box, feeling a little at a loss. He had thought Brother Qian Guang disliked him.

Qian Guang rubbed Elfman's head. After all, he would not be able to do so in the future. "It's fine. We're family."

"Ah, it's a little dress! A pink little dress! Look, Sister Mirajane!" Little Lisanna showed it off to Mirajane. Before even finishing her meal, she ran back to her room, unable to wait to put it on.

Elfman opened his gift as well. It was a red bow tie to go with his little blue suit.

Elfman loved it too, and he ran back to his room.

"Aren't you going to open yours?" Qian Guang asked gently when he saw Mirajane had not moved.

"Hmph, you're the one who told me to open it." Mirajane haughtily turned her head aside, pouting. But the blush on her face and the delight in her eyes gave her away.

"Alright, alright, I told you to open it." Qian Guang laughed. You really are a textbook tsundere. What else can I do but spoil you?

A purple bow hair tie lay quietly in the box. Mirajane's eyes widened. It looked like she was very pleased with the gift.

Qian Guang picked up the bow, and Mirajane's eyes followed his hand.

"Let me tie it on for you."

"Mhm."

This time, Mirajane did not refuse. She simply turned her head aside to make it easier for Qian Guang.

Qian Guang awkwardly tied her hair into a ponytail. Although he had secretly practiced before, this was his first time actually doing it.

"How is it? It's my first time." Qian Guang handed her a mirror.

Mirajane looked at herself in the mirror. A blush covered her fair cheeks, and paired with the purple bow, she looked like a porcelain doll. "Hmph, it's barely acceptable. Practice more in the future."

Such a tsundere. Why don't I remember her having this trait before? "Then I'll have to trouble Miss Mirajane to practice with me in the future." Qian Guang winked.

"That depends on how you behave." Mirajane did not refuse. After thinking for a moment, she looked into Qian Guang's eyes and said seriously, "Thank you!"

Qian Guang rubbed her head and said nothing.

This is so nice. In my previous life, if someone caught us doing this, we'd probably get a double beating from both sets of parents.

The temperature around them rose, and pink bubbles were about to fill the air.

But!

"Brother Elfman, stop squeezing me! I'm going to fall."

Qian Guang and Mirajane heard whispering from the staircase and looked over.

Two little heads were peeking at them. One girl's eyes were curved into crescents, while the other looked embarrassed, his face red.

"Sister Mirajane, how embarrassing." The crescent-eyed little girl continued recklessly teasing Mirajane, who was already starting to steam.

"You little brat, go die!"

The house instantly became lively again.

Honestly, they haven't even finished eating yet. But this feels so nice.