New Year, Formal Wear

New Year

Home, noon

"This is so beautiful, so beautiful. This is what life is all about."

Dumb Dumb lay lazily in the soft nest Lisanna had made for him, able to turn his head and eat the food she had carefully prepared.

"Hmph. Next time, don't bring this thing into the house."

Mirajane got angry the moment she saw the scene.

Yesterday, no matter how much Mirajane hit Dumb Dumb, she hadn't been able to break his defense. She had only smashed the guild's front door and exhausted herself.

After that, the guild master finally made up his mind to replace the door.

When Lisanna learned that Dumb Dumb had come to protect her, she had been delighted. She kept hugging him and refused to let go, not allowing her sister to throw him out.

"Fine, fine. Mostly because he looked pitiful with nowhere to go."

Qian Guang glanced at the remaining egg yolk on his plate and secretly used spatial magic to teleport it beside Dumb Dumb.

Dumb Dumb rolled his eyes at him and opened his mouth to eat it. He never refused food, after all. He had never eaten so many delicious things before.

Mirajane seemed to sense something, but she said nothing. She patted Elfman's head and said to Qian Guang,

"Hurry up and eat. We're going shopping later."

Feeling the hand on his head, Elfman thought she was talking to him. He immediately stuffed bread into his mouth.

Qian Guang looked at this not-too-bright kid. He was already nearly as tall as Qian Guang, so why was he still this dumb? He really was a perfect match for that stupid turtle.

Well, when Qian Guang had watched the anime before, he had thought there was no New Year here. He hadn't expected it had always existed, just different from his previous life.

There wasn't red everywhere in the streets, but the joy and festivity remained unchanged. At night, there would be all sorts of game stalls and banquets organized by everyone.

Every year on this day, the taverns would be packed, while the guild would be livelier than ever.

Unfortunately, all Qian Guang had experienced last year was pain!

They had hit way too hard!

This time, Qian Guang, Mirajane, and the guild master had all promised that they wouldn't touch any potions today!

Otherwise, they might tie him up and drag him to the New Year banquet.

"Big Brother Qian Guang! Sister Mira! Big Brother Elfman! Do I look good in this?"

Little angel Lisanna ran down from upstairs. She had changed into a white dress. The little girl was already thirteen, and the dress showed off her gradually growing figure, making her look like a little elf.

"Oh, our little princess is down. Come on, let's go buy clothes and snacks first."

Qian Guang pulled over Elfman, who was already stuffed yet still cramming food into his mouth, then scooped up the turtle that could never seem to get full.

Lisanna happily linked arms with Mirajane.

"Let Turtle Grandpa go! Turtle Grandpa still wants to eat!"

"Stop yelling. If I tell you to go, you go!"

Mirajane fiercely flicked his head.

Dumb Dumb instantly looked aggrieved. ˃ʍ˂

"Hehe, don't be sad. We'll go outside and eat even tastier food."

Lisanna smiled and patted Dumb Dumb's head to comfort him.

The instant Dumb Dumb heard there would be tastier food, he was full of energy again. He shrank down and crawled onto Lisanna's shoulder, making Lisanna let out silvery laughter.

"Come take a look! Fresh fruit!"

"Candy! Buy some candy!"

"Finest fabrics!"

The streets were filled with vendors' cries. Every household had come out to buy new clothes and fresh food. Magnolia was much livelier than usual.

"Wow! I want that!"

Lisanna spotted a stall selling sugar figurines and charged forward with her turtle guardian.

"Wow, Dumb Dumb, look, it's you! Boss, I'll take one of those!"

Dumb Dumb stretched his neck to look. It was an ugly-cute turtle sugar figurine. He gave it a disgusted glance. "No! That isn't Turtle Grandpa."

But Lisanna didn't listen. She bought it directly and held it before his mouth to tempt the turtle.

＜(｀^′)＞

Turtle Grandpa was a turtle of principles. He absolutely wouldn't... emmmm, Turtle Grandpa would just have a little taste. Oh wow, it was delicious. Another little bite. Hey, hey, hey, don't take it away! Turtle Grandpa's neck can't reach it anymore.

"Giggle, giggle, giggle."

Not far away, Qian Guang felt comforted as he watched Lisanna get along with Turtle Grandpa. He just didn't know whether he could change what would happen later. Next time, he would tell Mira not to take the Beast King mission. If she had to go, she should take him with her.

Mirajane's expression softened as she watched her younger sister's cheerful smile.

She looked at Qian Guang and thought, This is wonderful. Everything from before has passed. It feels like everything has become better because of you. Meeting you was wonderful.

Qian Guang's thick skin was no joke. Seeing Mira gaze at him affectionately, he wasn't embarrassed in the slightest. He even wanted to lean his face closer so she could get a better look.

"Um, Sister, Big Brother Qian Guang, I want to go look over there."

Elfman, who couldn't read the atmosphere at all, popped up.

Qian Guang shot him a murderous look. Elfman pointed shakily at a fitness equipment shop in the distance, and under Qian Guang's gaze, he trembled even harder.

Qian Guang grabbed his shoulder, turned him around, and kicked him in the back!

"Get lost! Just go straight to the guild tonight. I don't want to see you right now!"

Elfman felt very wronged. He had specifically picked a quiet moment to ask. How had he still made Big Brother Qian Guang angry?

Mirajane smiled as she watched them fool around, though she couldn't help worrying whether this blockhead Elfman would ever find someone.

After kicking one person away, Qian Guang looked toward the sugar figurine stall again. Little angel was wonderful, but she still had to be sent away.

However, the sensible little angel had witnessed the entire tragedy and very consciously went to find Big Brother Elfman.

"Ahem. Looks like they both have things to do. Come on, I'll take you to buy clothes. It won't do to wear that little camisole all the time."

With the troublesome people gone, Qian Guang pretended this was fate's arrangement and tried to take Mira's hand as they walked toward the clothing shop.

Mirajane rolled her eyes at him and didn't let that greasy hand succeed. She crossed her arms and walked ahead.

"Wait. I want to look around first. I haven't bought gifts yet."

Hmph. What a pig-headed fool. He hadn't even confessed and he was already trying to hold hands. If he confessed, what then? Wouldn't he want to kiss her?

No, no. She couldn't let this scumbag get his way.

Qian Guang didn't mind and followed Mira.

Night

Qian Guang was already carrying countless bags. They were filled with gifts for the guild members, including one for Laxus, who was away and hadn't returned. (◦`~´◦)

Mirajane stared at the clothing shop before her with a face full of disbelief.

"This is the clothing shop you were talking about?"

She looked at the dazzling array of formal wear before her and didn't know what to say.

"Ah, this? Tonight's banquet is a formal affair, so of course we need formal wear. Yesterday, I even saw Erza buy a red gown here."

Mirajane simply couldn't imagine the people in the guild wearing formal clothes, but after hearing that Erza had bought one, she stopped hesitating and rushed inside.

Qian Guang sighed. As expected, you and Erza were true love. He had become the nameless third wheel.

(*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)

"Welcome, beautiful miss!"

The owner was a middle-aged, balding, plump old man with a small mustache.

The moment he saw Mirajane, he came forward to greet her, though he made a gesture at Qian Guang behind her.

Qian Guang nodded discreetly. He had visited this shop yesterday and reached an unspeakable deal with the owner.

╭☞(￣▽￣)╭☞

Mirajane felt that the owner was a little strange, but she didn't care and began looking around.

She was instantly drawn in by the beautiful clothes and jewelry around her. What young girl didn't like pretty clothes? Even Erza, who never bothered with her hair, liked them.

"Wow, this one is so pretty. This one too."

Mirajane looked left and right, at red for a while and then white for a while. In any case, she simply couldn't choose.

"Ahem, beautiful miss, when I look at you, it is as though I see a fairy. These are unworthy of you."

The owner appeared, rubbing his hands as he approached Mirajane.

!!!

"Where? Where?"

The owner pressed a button, and the cabinet behind him that stored tools began sliding open to both sides.

An elegant, magnificent black gown appeared before them.

The gown was adorned with understated yet luxurious jewelry, adding an air of nobility without making it look vulgar.

"Wow!!!"

Mirajane's eyes instantly lit up. Anyone seeing that gown for the first time would probably have the same expression.

This wasn't ready-made clothing. Qian Guang had commissioned the owner to make it before leaving on a mission. It had only been completed yesterday, and he had even worried it wouldn't be ready in time.

After all, Mira was only fourteen. A finished gown might not fit her properly, and the fabric was made from a special magical beast. It could change according to the wearer's body shape, so she could keep wearing it in the future.

What kind of development could you expect from a fourteen-year-old kid!!!

But nineteen-year-old Mira was truly beautiful!

"Can I really wear this?"

"Of course. It's made from Rouge Beast hide. It can fit any figure, especially one as lovely as yours, miss."

That struck right at Mira's heart. Exactly. Her figure was great. That idiot Qian Guang had even laughed at her. He had no taste at all.

Qian Guang secretly gave the owner a thumbs-up. As expected of a merchant. Even ghosts wouldn't believe such words.

The owner only continued rubbing his hands. He didn't examine Mira too closely, after all. She was the companion of an established big client. Customers who brought their own materials and paid extravagant processing fees were rare.

This dress had cost Qian Guang the funds from several missions. It really was a million for one dress.

"The fitting room is this way."

The owner activated a mechanism, and a luxurious fitting room appeared.

"Then I'll go in first?"

Mirajane looked at Qian Guang uncertainly, her eyes filled with an indescribable meaning.

"Go on, go on. I'm ready to take pictures."

Fourth-Dimensional Space activated!

"No pictures!"

Idiot!!!

After saying that, she turned around and went to change. The owner had a salesgirl go in with her to help.

"Hehehe, young man, if you need clothes or have good materials in the future, remember my shop."

Looking at the owner's fawning smile, Qian Guang rolled his eyes. This shop charged far too much, though the finished product was indeed stunning. No wonder Erza liked buying clothes here.

"Sure, sure. Next time, definitely."

"Um, I'm changed."

With the salesgirl's help, Mirajane had successfully changed clothes, but only her head was showing now.

The moment Qian Guang heard that, his eyes lit up. Who knew how long he had waited? Even the owner was sweating atop his head from waiting.

Mirajane's face was flushed. The dress was beautiful, but it was far too revealing! Her whole back was exposed!

Although she usually wore a little camisole, this... this was different!

Mirajane shyly stepped out.

The magnificent black gown wrapped around her body, revealing her graceful neck and clearly defined collarbones. The folds of the skirt spilled to the ground like moonlight, while her long black hair fell loose, concealing the blush on her cheeks.

Qian Guang was completely stunned. He had imagined that Mira would look beautiful in it, but he hadn't expected her to be this beautiful.

"Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

The owner was excited like a child. After all, what designer or tailor wouldn't want to find a fitting owner for a dress they had made?

Qian Guang decisively pulled out his camera, ready to snap a series of candid shots.

Mira crossed her arms over her chest and coquettishly said, "No pictures!"

Though she said that, she was very satisfied with Qian Guang's earlier reaction.

Qian Guang immediately put the camera away, walked up to Mira, bowed slightly before her, and extended his hand.

"My princess, please allow your knight to protect you at your side."

Mira found this knight dressed so casually rather amusing. If all knights were like this, the king would probably take back their swords.

"Okay, but I don't need a knight, Prince."

Mira didn't believe in knights and princesses. Princesses would eventually marry princes. She didn't need a knight's protection. She could stand beside her prince and face the dragon together.

Qian Guang smiled happily. This was the strong-willed Mira he knew.

"Wait, wait!"

Unfortunately, the ugly minister had appeared.

The owner didn't want Qian Guang to simply take Mirajane away. Her hair still hadn't been arranged, had it?

And this prince's clothes were far too improper. He needed to change! Fortunately, Qian Guang had also had clothes made for himself beforehand.

And so

Qian Guang underwent a grand transformation in the owner's chubby little hands.

The nighttime festivities had begun outside. The streets were full of laughing, playful people, drunken young men singing loudly, and passionate, uninhibited girls.

The handsome prince finally came to receive his princess.

Qian Guang, dressed in white formal wear, appeared at the entrance holding Mirajane's hand. She wore the black gown, while behind them, the owner and salesgirl looked on appreciatively at the pair.

Passersby on the street also exclaimed in admiration, cheering and teasing them.

Lisanna and Elfman, waiting at the entrance beside a carriage, stared blankly for a moment at their transformed sister and Big Brother Qian Guang. They were simply too beautiful!

Lisanna and Elfman had changed into formal attire as well, but their outfits were nowhere near as extravagant as Qian Guang's and Mirajane's.

Elfman was fine, since he was already quite burly. Lisanna, however, was too small to pull off the proper look of a formal dress. And who wore a turtle on their head with formal attire?! They had even tied a bow on the turtle!

Still, formalwear was not mandatory. It was merely a formal banquet Qian Guang had asked the guild master to arrange for his upcoming grand plan. Mira, however, knew nothing about it.

The moment Mirajane saw the carriage waiting at the entrance and Lisanna and Elfman standing there, she knew this had all been premeditated. Otherwise, why would those two be here?

Mira shot a glare at the shameless man holding her hand.

Qian Guang answered with a smile and slowly helped her into the carriage.

"Be careful."

"Hmph! You always keep things from me. I'd like to see what you're planning."

The carriage slowly headed toward the guild.

.

Fairy Tail: Starting with Dual Kamui, by Qian Wei