"Erza! Are you sure this is really okay?!"
Gray's expression was strange. Wasn't this basically exposing themselves?!
Even if they tried to hide seriously, Moen-nii would probably see through them.
Now they weren't even pretending anymore wasn't this equal to directly confessing?!
"If you still want to go back, then step on Natsu."
Erza didn't answer; she said this seriously.
Without a shred of hesitation, Gray, Lucy, and Happy all stepped on Natsu.
Hesitating even a little would be disrespecting Erza.
The unconscious Natsu lying on the ground indicated that he was currently in good condition. He had no objections.
"Moen, it's almost time. We're about to return."
Looking at Moen, Erza spoke, sounding a little wistful.
But she didn't hesitate.
Seeing the little Moen from her childhood again really was interesting, but she knew this was just a small interlude — something she could talk about with Moen when she returned.
"Huh?"
Only after thinking of this did Erza suddenly realize, she, Natsu, and the others…
might not remember any of this afterward.
But Moen…?
He would definitely still remember!
Once she realized that, Erza's gaze instantly sharpened.
She looked at the smiling little Moen and suddenly felt his smile was extremely hateful.
This guy really didn't reveal a single bit of information!
He actually hid it this well!
Of course, while she felt Moen was a little hateful… her admiration for him grew even more.
As expected of Moen — he could actually keep everything inside and not let out a single word.
"Go on back, return to your own time."
Moen smiled and waved goodbye to them.
He thought this experience was quite interesting.
Getting to meet companions who had traveled from the future, hearing a few bits about the world ahead — all of that felt novel, a rare fun moment in life.
Moen didn't want to change anything because of this, and he wouldn't change because of it.
He didn't ask about the future, because from Erza, Natsu, and Gray and even from Lucy and Happy, he didn't see any intent to desperately change the past.
Wasn't that a wonderful thing?
Such a beautiful future what needed to be changed?
"So go back without worry."
Moen spoke again. This was his promise.
He would keep silent about all of this, just as if they had never come.
Until they all grew up until Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy brought it up to him on their own one day.
He would protect this future — the one everyone was satisfied with.
"Vmm!"
A wave of magic erupted. Time and space shook violently.
"Moen-nii! Treat me better! You have to teach me Diamond Dust Fist! I really wanted to learn it! I just held it in!"
"Moen-nii! I still want to be called Happy!"
"Moen-nii! Don't kill Folmos off!"
"Moen! Catch this!"
"Huh? Moen-nii, what's going on?! Why are you all stepping on me?!"
In the violent magical turbulence, Erza and the others' figures gradually twisted and faded away, accompanied by loud, chaotic shouting.
Aside from that, a magic book was suddenly thrown out.
"Memory Time…"
Moen froze as he looked at the book in his hand.
"Erza… this is how you express your resolve?
Your resolve that the future is beautiful and absolutely does not need to be changed?"
Moen chuckled and patted the magic book in his hand.
This book was Erza's resolve, and also her unconditional trust in him.
Leaving this book behind meant that Erza and the others in the future could never come again.
They wouldn't be able to use this book to change the past.
Leaving this book behind also meant Erza believed he would never misuse it, never use it to change an earlier past.
"Don't worry, Erza. I won't betray this trust."
Moen made his decision.
He would safeguard this book properly and only bring it out at the right time.
"But Gray and Lucy will definitely be disappointed.
Since you all yelled it out already… there's no way I'm going to teach Diamond Dust Fist proactively. And Folmos absolutely still has to die once."
Thinking of Gray and Lucy's shouting before returning, Moen shook his head helplessly.
Honestly, even if he wanted to teach Diamond Dust Fist right now, he couldn't — he had barely scratched the surface himself.
Single-digit proficiency.
It'd be embarrassing to show it off.
As for Folmos, Moen still intended to follow his planned magic rewrite, the fake-death arc had to happen.
He wasn't afraid of anyone sending him razor blades or bullets.
What, did they think his Celestial Spirit-enhanced fists weren't hard enough?
"Moen-nii! I brought someone to help!"
Just as Moen was about to turn and go home, Natsu's voice came.
Moen looked in the direction of the shout.
Natsu was rushing over in a panic and behind him was a drunken old man.
The kid had dragged Makarov over.
"Wh-What's wrong? Moen, did you run into trouble?"
Makarov, reeking of alcohol and barely able to stand, still followed along with a bottle in hand.
"It's already fine. I handled everything."
Moen waved his hand, signaling there was no need to help.
His gaze then shifted to Natsu, the kid was covered in injuries.
"Natsu… what happened to you?"
Moen asked in confusion.
Why was the guy who went to get help beaten up instead?
"Uh…"
Natsu awkwardly scratched his head.
Moen noticed even his neck was injured — looked like he had fallen.
"Ton ton ton~"
"He was too anxious. He ended up doing this to himself."
Makarov took a swig and explained on Natsu's behalf.
Hearing the old man's explanation, Moen's expression grew complicated.
He reached out and ruffled Natsu's hair, speaking helplessly:
"You brat… have a little more confidence in your Moen-nii."
Seeing Natsu injure himself all over just to get help, Moen felt full of guilt.
He shouldn't have described things so dramatically, to the point he forgot Natsu's reckless, self-sacrificing nature for his companions.
"Those guys were too scary…"
Natsu scratched his head with a terrified expression.
He didn't think he was hurt badly.
He didn't even think it hurt.
These kinds of injuries were as normal as breathing for him.
If it was to save Moen-nii, he could take even heavier wounds.
What happened today left a deep, deep shadow in Natsu's heart.
Those two terrifying monsters…
and Moen-nii staying behind alone to cover their escape…
He would remember it forever.
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