"Ahhh~"
Mira opened her mouth and stretched her vocal cords. She truly had talent for singing, her voice was as crisp as a lark's, with strong plasticity. Even without professional training, she already sang very well. This was what it meant to truly be blessed by heaven.
Even if Mira didn't become a mage, she could still debut as a singer and become hugely popular.
However, Mira had no intention of directly changing careers to become a singer. She was very satisfied with her current life as a mage, confident in her own strength, and very satisfied with Fairy Tail. She had already regarded the guild as her new home.
So when Mira came to Moen to learn singing, it was only during times when she had no requests. Usually, most of her focus was still on practicing magic and going out on jobs. A hobby was, in the end, just a hobby, Mira was very clear about that distinction.
"Very good. Actually, it's already more or less there. This song doesn't require too many techniques, just sing out that momentum, sing out that feeling of charging forward bravely and chasing hope."
Looking at Mira, Moen gave his evaluation.
Every time Mira came to learn, she was extremely serious and hardworking. Work was work, but since she had agreed to learn singing from Moen, whenever she came, she would focus completely and study seriously, never wasting Moen's time.
And singing Masayume Chasing really didn't require any fancy techniques. For beginners, as long as they mastered breath control, it was basically enough.
At its core, singing was something that depended quite a bit on talent. Technique mostly served as assistance and as a way to raise one's upper limit, it helped singers better express their natural talent.
For someone like Mira, whose talent seemed as if she had been trained from birth, Moen really didn't need to teach her much at all.
"Then can we directly record now?"
Mira's eyes lit up. After studying for half a month, she had finally gained Moen's recognition, she could finally start singing!
"Yes, we can. It just so happens that we've already arranged the accompaniment these past few days."
Moen smiled and nodded. He hadn't been idle these days either, he enriched the accompaniment and let everyone in the guild participate. Relying solely on himself to play the lyre was indeed a bit exhausting.
Although Moen could produce many wonderful tones by relying on magic power and technique, and could complete the accompaniment alone with just one instrument, this kind of thing was obviously more meaningful when everyone participated together.
Moen had always liked a saying: "What can truly last forever are the memories created together with others."
The bonds of the guild were formed precisely through the shared memories everyone created together. That was why Moen often organized group activities, doing his best to take care of every guild companion.
That was what a little sun was like. Being with Moen felt like walking through a spring day when the sunlight was just slightly saturated, there was a gentle breeze, yet no chill. The sun felt fulfilling but not scorching or dazzling, warming people softly.
"Let's go, to the recording studio."
Moen took Mira and went together to a professional recording studio. Magnolia was prosperous enough that you could find any kind of shop you wanted.
But once Jude's concert hall was completed, they wouldn't need to go to outside recording studios anymore. The concert hall would have complete functions and all kinds of professional equipment. Jude naturally wouldn't skimp on this kind of thing.
Before going to the recording studio, Moen also called the other kids along. Erza, Lisanna, Juvia, Cana, Levy, Wendy, they could all come to provide backing vocals for Mira.
Moen truly wanted everyone to participate as much as possible. Even if it was just one line of harmony, it would still be a shared memory with everyone.
Of course, this was entirely voluntary. If someone didn't want to join in the fun, that was fine too. Forcing it would make it lose its meaning.
"After it's recorded, will it be released?"
Erza asked. Her expression was a bit serious, as if she took the upcoming vocal contribution very seriously, even though she only had two lines of harmony.
"Of course. Once it's recorded, it'll be released directly as the official version."
Moen nodded, finding Erza's reaction a bit strange.
"With your fame, Moen, once this song is released it will definitely cause a sensation. And since it's also a representative song of our guild, we absolutely cannot allow any flaws in it!"
Erza's small face was taut as she looked at everyone very seriously. Her gaze finally fell on Mira, who was full of confidence.
"Especially you, Mira. You can't make any mistakes!"
Looking at Mira, Erza emphasized sternly, putting heavy pressure on her. Erza's sense of responsibility was frightening, she had already somewhat evolved into the guild's little housekeeper and disciplinarian. Even many veteran guild members were sometimes lectured into stunned silence by her. When she put on that stern expression, it was really intimidating.
"I don't need you to tell me! Erza, just worry about yourself."
However, Mira didn't buy that at all. She immediately snapped back without hesitation. Expecting Mira to submit to Erza was naturally impossible. The two of them were now increasingly at odds, even more exaggerated than Natsu and Gray.
At least Natsu and Gray still had Moen and Erza suppressing them from above. Sometimes the two of them would even team up to challenge Moen and Erza together.
A common powerful enemy really could make people unite against a shared foe. The existence of Moen and Erza could be called the glue of Natsu and Gray's friendship.
But between Erza and Mira, things were much more complicated. The two had a strong sense of rivalry and always wanted to determine a winner.
Erza was highly responsible, somewhat straightforward and rigid, not very adept at social nuance, a disciplinarian who was strict with herself and with others.
Mira, on the other hand, was more unrestrained and impulsive, hot-tempered like a delinquent girl. She had always regarded Erza as a rival. It would be strange if they got along well.
In this situation, even Moen felt awkward being caught in the middle. What if the two of them asked him to judge who was right and who was wrong?
"Hiss~"
Moen sucked in a breath of cold air. Supporting either side would be wrong. As expected, he could only smooth things over. He had good relationships with both girls and didn't want things to become strained because of this.
Fortunately, the two girls seemed to think the same way. They argued and competed, but it was always rivalry without rupture. They never intended to drag Moen into it, and there was a sense that they used each other as motivation.
This kind of "paired nemesis combo" was actually quite common in Fairy Tail. Macao had Wakaba, Natsu had Gray, Erza had Mira, even Moen himself had a "partner," his big brother Laxus.
Of course, because there was an age gap and they had truly grown up together since they were "little," it wasn't as obvious. It was only in recent years, after Laxus began rebelling, that signs appeared.
"Alright, alright. With me overseeing things, you just need to perform well. I'll point out anything that needs improvement."
Seeing Erza and Mira start snapping at each other again, Moen quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Besides him, no one else dared to speak. Lisanna only softly tried to persuade Mira not to fight.
But Lisanna's persuasion naturally wasn't very effective. Fighting had a kind of path-dependence for Mira. She had fought since childhood, brawling with all kinds of kids and adults to support her younger siblings. Whenever trouble appeared, her first thought was to fight it out.
Lisanna and Elfman both disliked studying and learning, and Mira truly deserved most of the credit for that. Mira was the main beam of the house, crooked all the way to grandma's place. But because of Mira's protection, Lisanna and Elfman didn't turn into battle maniacs. That was a blessing in misfortune, and it was also what Mira hoped to see.
"Hmph! Just wait and watch, I'll get it in one take!"
Mira glared at Erza. She turned her head and spoke proudly, clearly very confident in the results of her learning.
"That would of course be the best. I hope you can clear it in one take."
Erza's expression was serious. She wasn't deliberately singing a different tune from Mira; she genuinely, very seriously hoped that Mira could clear it in one take.
Erza's personality of being strict with herself and also strict with others is, honestly speaking, very easy to offend people. Yet she can still earn everyone's respect and support, precisely because she truly hopes that everyone can become better, and everyone can feel that pure heart of hers.
"Hmph, that's only natural."
Sure enough, after Erza said this, Mirajane couldn't really flare up anymore, and the atmosphere between the two of them immediately eased.
"."
Moen helplessly wanted to scratch his head. You really shouldn't try to guess a girl's thoughts, one second they're at daggers drawn, and the next second they've already made up.
"Brother Moen, Sister Mira, I have something for you."
Seeing the brief conflict between Mirajane and Erza come to an end, Wendy came over and spoke softly. Carla stood at the side with an expression of hating iron for not becoming steel, having clearly already reminded Wendy to be a bit more open and generous.
"Huh? What is it?"
Moen and Mira exchanged a glance and both saw the surprise in the other's eyes. What kind of thing needed to be given to the two of them at the same time?
"It's throat lozenges. I asked Granny Polyusica to help make them."
Wendy took out two cute and delicate little boxes. Inside, there was a jingling sound from many candy pellets. She had specially gone to Granny Polyusica to have them prepared. Granny Polyusica seemed to be especially patient with her and actually went out of her way to formulate them for her.
Everyone in the guild said that Granny Polyusica was very fierce and often scolded people, and that every time you went to see a doctor you would be scolded until you couldn't lift your head. But Wendy felt that what everyone said was a bit too exaggerated.
Granny Polyusica was clearly a very nice person. Although she had a sharp tongue, she basically fulfilled all of Wendy's requests.
"This…"
Mira froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Wendy to prepare such a gift for her. This little one was only six years old, right? Yet she was already so considerate and so good at caring for others.
"Thank you, Wendy. This gift is really so thoughtful. I really like it."
Moen smiled as he squatted down, took the delicate little box, and then rubbed Wendy's hair, sincerely thanking the little girl.
Honestly, facing such a gentle and considerate Wendy, even someone with a heart of stone would be moved, right? This little one is just far too warm-hearted.
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