"This one's tasty, and this one, the one over there is okay too, but it might not suit your taste."
Mira finished her tasks and went out shopping, and also had Wolian contact Rhode for help.
So, Rhode became the tour guide.
Holding a few snacks in her hands, Mira asked with a smile, "I was thinking of taking you around the festival, so why are you the one showing me around now? You even know what every place's food tastes like."
"That's because I just went with Warm and tried almost everything on the street."
Rhode made a wry face. If he had known, he wouldn't have been so greedy. Sharing food with Mira now would be so much fun.
Darn Warm, making his wallet tight and his stomach full.
Mira looked out over the whole street, estimating the number of snacks, "You've really had a tough time."
"Who told me to promise to take care of it." Rhode had already sent the well-fed and well-watered Warm back to rest, "By the way, is there anything else to do at the guild?"
Mira said, "I just assigned everyone's tasks for the parade, and we still have to prepare for the celebration feast."
"Looks like there's nothing for me in the Magical Parade." Rhode felt a bit disappointed, but it seemed reasonable. After all, he's a newcomer.
Mira asked curiously, "Why do you think there's nothing for you?"
"Because no one told me I had to do anyth—" Rhode looked at Mira, "Oh, is this something you're in charge of?"
"Yes, so I'm here to tell you now." Mira grinned as she dug a large spoonful of icy slush from her cup and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Mmm~~~" She closed her eyes and lightly tapped her head, "It's so cold, so cold."
A little cute.
"So what do I need to do? Really releasing monsters?"
"Something like that." Mira explained Rhode's responsibilities in detail. It's not too difficult, but it could be a bit troublesome.
But since everyone else is putting in effort, Rhode didn't want to shirk his duties.
"You agreed surprisingly easily. As thanks, um… let me treat you to something." Mira took out a box of dumplings from the bag on her wrist and handed it to Rhode.
"I really want to eat too…" Rhode said with a bitter face, "Thanks to Warm, the most I can handle now is a bite or two of slush."
"Slush is fine too." Mira took back the box and scooped a spoonful of slush, "Ah…"
Mira, are you serious?
Rhode hesitated for 0.0001 seconds and prudently ate it, "Hmm, it's delicious."
Mira's ears turned a bit red, luckily her long hair covered it. She suddenly felt like something wasn't quite right.
She just did it without thinking…
Never mind, it's just feeding a bite.
No big deal, Erza used to bathe with Natsu and Gray when they were kids.
All minor things.
Mira quietly scooped a small spoonful of slush into her mouth and then thought about whether to change the spoon.
Forget it, it's already like this, changing it intentionally would be weird.
Besides, the last time at the café, they exchanged cups before, so it's no big deal.
This slush, this slush… is really tasty.
"It's Miss Mira!"
"That's Miss Mira!"
"So beautiful! Not only in a dress, but even in casual wear, she's beautiful!"
Mira waved gently at them with a smile, looking a bit like a star.
Rhode felt delighted, beautiful, right? I think so too.
"The earlier doesn't count." Mira suddenly said.
Rhode was taken aback, "What doesn't count?"
"The treat, just now doesn't count, I'll properly treat you in a few days."
"Alright." Rhode agreed to it first, "Why the sudden urge to treat me?"
"Because you've invited me several times, it's about time for a return treat." Mira thought for a moment and added, "Let's call it a celebration for winning the contest."
Last month Rhode had been learning Receiving Magic from Mira, occasionally using the excuse of thanking her to ask her out.
Sometimes it was for some dessert, sometimes a cup of coffee, sometimes maybe some ice cream before heading back.
So when he asked her out to enjoy the festival, it sounded very natural, without any special reason.
Alzack is such a noob.
Being invited by her in return now was a bit surprising. Moreover…
"Are the contest results already out?"
"Yep. Marcus hurriedly tallied the votes. Although the results are intended to be announced and the votes posted tomorrow, this kind of thing has always been pre-informed to me."
Mira playfully blinked, as if saying, having such privileges made her feel a bit guilty.
"Then congratulations, Miss Mira, the most beautiful mage of Fairy Tail."
A little rich lady now with a 500,000 J prize, becoming even richer, worth sticking to.
Mira chucklingly said, "That's because Erza didn't take it seriously."
"No, I think she was super serious."
So serious she almost sliced all the audience.
When Rhode thinks of Erza's expression back then, it's the same as when she punched him in their first sparring, with the eyes of someone who believed they'd inevitably win.
The two didn't spend much longer outside.
As Mira said, there were still matters concerning the Magical Parade, and preparations for the celebration banquet afterward.
Everyone would be returning later to listen for instructions from the President, but many things couldn't be done without Mira, the steward.
Actually, working alongside her isn't bad either.
...
"The fireworks, are the fireworks ready?"
"They've already been transported to the designated location, and the city hall has arranged staffing to help."
"How are the costumes?"
"They've been distributed, ready to be changed into before departure!"
"Is there any issue with the float?"
"It's already decorated, ready to go anytime!"
Mira methodically confirmed the preparations, the only dissonant voice came when mentioning the float:
"'I have a problem! I don't want to ride the float!' Ai, Natsu said that."
Mira said, "Hapi, take Natsu to find Rhode, coordinate with him."
"Ai!"
Mira initially wanted Natsu to rest, seeing him unwell, but he insisted that since every guild member participated, he couldn't be left out, no matter what, he had to join.
So Mira had to assign the guild's least reliable person as a partner to the most reliable one.
Actually, Rhode also had some concerns, but instead of bugging Mira with them, he approached the President:
"If everyone is attending the parade, what about security? Won't someone take the opportunity to cause trouble?"
"In such a time, if anyone dares cause trouble, there would be thunder sounded over Magnolia."
"Huh?" Rhode wanted to ask the President to speak more clearly.
Makarov sighed by himself:
"Don't worry, aside from the city's guard maintaining order, I've also arranged for Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe to handle security, Mystogan will also be watching over the parade throughout."
If this was a few years ago, he'd proudly introduce to Rhode Magnolia's common weather — sunny to Laxus.
Sadly, that child is growing less fond of attending the Magical Parades he loved as a child.
But since this parade concerns Fairy Tail's reputation, if only for face, Laxus wouldn't want anything happening to the Magical Parade.
So trusting him and the Thunder God Tribe with security is nothing to worry about.