Noel Village

"Cicadas, cicadas, cicadas, cicadas~"

No matter where you went, the irritating chirping of cicadas was unavoidable in the sweltering summer.

"Hasn't the old man arrived yet? We've already been walking for two days."

"Damn it, how many times have I told you to call me Grandpa? Stop calling me old man!"

"Who do you think caused this? This old man went into the mountains to gather herbs, and then I ran into an unlucky brat like you."

"I didn't even get the chance to gather any herbs. I used up the little I had before to make you porridge, so I have to pick some along the way."

"I'm used to calling you that. I can't change it all at once. Besides, old man sounds pretty good. It's not like I called you an old geezer."

The figures of the grandfather and grandson slowly appeared along a winding trail.

The old man strolled along with his hands behind his back, constantly scanning the surroundings. From time to time, he stopped to pick an herb and toss it into the basket on the boy's back.

Watching the old man's leisurely figure, Qian Guang followed behind him with a face full of black lines. He was seriously beginning to suspect that the old man had taken him in just so he could have free labor.

His thoughts returned to that night. Faced with Grandpa Lei En's invitation, Qian Guang could hardly believe it. Were the villagers here really kind enough to casually take in an unknown child?

It reminded Qian Guang of Fairy Tail's number one child kidnapper—Makarov Dreyar. Their short statures and refined bald heads really did look rather alike.

"Ah, this may be a little sudden, but this old man gets lonely by himself too. How about it?"

"Kid, be my grandson."

Looking at the old man's hearty smile, Qian Guang once again felt as though the man before him was overlapping with his grandfather.

Qian Guang wiped at the corner of his eye, as if trying to hide something.

"I eat a lot! Be careful, or I'll eat you out of house and home!"

"Hahaha, it's fine, it's fine. Eat! Eat as much as you want. This old man can still afford to raise you. If it comes to it, I'll feed you grass. I guarantee one blade will fill you up."

"That's outright abuse!!!"

"Hahahaha!"

Sunset.

After walking for two days, the grandfather and grandson finally emerged from the forest just as the sun was about to set.

"Kid, look. That's our home, Noel Village."

Standing on the hillside, the old man pointed at the village in the distance, where cooking smoke rose into the air.

Qian Guang followed the direction of the old man's finger. It was a beautiful, peaceful village. Perhaps it was not as convenient or luxurious as some places in his previous life, but it felt warm.

"Home? I have a home again."

"Enough staring. Let's go. No matter how long you stare, you still have to walk there to get home."

"If we hurry back, we can still make it in time for dinner."

Seeing Qian Guang standing there in a daze, the old man patted his shoulder and took the lead in walking ahead.

"Oh, okay."

"Wait for me, old man!"

Coming back to his senses, Qian Guang called out as he watched the old man walk away.

"Yo, you're back, Grandpa Lei En. You were gone for quite a while this time."

"Grandpa Lei En, my hens laid eggs a few days ago, and I was going to bring some over, but you weren't home. I'll send you some later."

"Grandpa Lei En, Roundy missed you so much!"

As soon as they reached the village entrance, many people noticed Grandpa Lei En and greeted him with smiles.

The old man returned every greeting in turn.

"Haha, I went out for a trip and picked up a grandson."

"Alright, thank you, Buma. I haven't had eggs in a long time either."

"Oh, Grandpa's little Roundy, Grandpa missed you to death too." The old man scooped up the little girl hugging his waist and spun her around.

Looking at all those smiling faces, Qian Guang's gaze drifted again. His whole body tensed up, and he became somewhat at a loss.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump.

"Kid, are you the grandson the old man picked up? You look pretty healthy. Want to learn hunting from me? I'm really good at it."

A vigorous, booming voice came from behind Qian Guang.

He turned around and saw a lean, short-haired man in a black headscarf standing behind him, constantly striking poses to show off his abs and biceps.

"Alright, Daina, don't scare the child."

"Yeah, huff... yeah, Dad, don't scare him, huff huff huff."

Still being spun around, Roundy ignored the wind rushing into her mouth and chimed in.

The young woman who had mentioned the eggs spoke up to stop Daina's strange behavior.

She crouched down, rubbed Qian Guang's head, and said, "Don't be afraid. She just looks a little silly, but she's actually a very reliable man."

"Can I know your name?"

Looking at the gentle face of this woman who was only in her twenties, Qian Guang's face reddened without him realizing it.

"Qian... Guang."

He answered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Seeing his shy, flushed face, Buma's eyes curved into crescents. She took Roundy from the old man and said softly.

"What a good child. This is Roundy. She's four this year, so I'll be counting on you to look after her from now on."

"Hehe, my name is Mia Parnell. You can call me Roundy too. I'll take you out to play from now on."

Looking at the little girl with her face tilted up and stars sparkling in her eyes, Qian Guang's restless heart gradually settled.

He reached out and gently rubbed Roundy's head. Like a kitten, the little girl closed her eyes and rubbed against his hand with an expression of enjoyment, answering his promise.

"Alright, definitely."

"It's time to go, it's time to go. This old man is starving to death. We've barely had any meat these past few days, and the sun's about to set. Aren't we going home to cook?"

The more the old man looked, the stranger the atmosphere felt. It seemed as though his grandson had somehow been stolen away from him. Feeling that something was wrong, he spoke up and shattered the lovely scene.

Hearing the old man speak, Buma smiled and stood up, taking Roundy's little hand as she walked over to Daina.

"My, my, it's gotten so late. Dear, we should head back and make dinner too."

"Qian Guang, see you tomorrow."

"Big Brother Qian Guang, I'll come play with you tomorrow."

With that, they said goodbye to the old man and headed home arm in arm beneath the setting sun.

Qian Guang watched their departing backs, then slowly returned to the old child standing there with a sour expression.

"Hey, old man, are you jealous? I never saw you eat any less fish or meat these past few days. Saying you haven't seen meat—I'm almost embarrassed to expose you."

Qian Guang poked the old man with a mischievous grin. (͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧

"Jealous? How could that be? I'm afraid you'll lead Roundy astray. She's such a nice girl. Who knows what she'll become after meeting you."

"Come on, stop dawdling. I'll cook myself today. The smell alone will kill you, kid."

"Please don't, Grandpa. Let me do it, alright? The pot's too heavy for you to handle. Let me do it."

Not wanting to eat any more strange seasonings, Qian Guang decided to take charge of the kitchen.

"Cut it out. Everything I make is the healthiest and best. How old are you? What the hell do you know about cooking? Stay beside me and learn."

Under the setting sun, the other family also slowly made their way home.

Provided by Thousand Flavors: Fairy Tail: Starting with Double Kamui