The Magical Parade ended smoothly.
As soon as everyone returned to the guild, they immediately started the celebration feast.
Everyone gathered together to celebrate the grand success of the parade.
Some people, still not having enough fun, simply put on mascot costumes and started dancing bizarre dances.
Others continued wearing their parade costumes, grabbing instruments to sing a hearty song.
The whole scene was both lively and chaotic.
Makarov sat cross-legged on the counter, drinking to the children's laughter, and before he knew it, he was drunk.
Rhode, serving tea and pouring water, would be grabbed by his companions every few steps for a toast with various excuses.
This wasn't the typical 'give me face' drinking culture; it was simply everyone expressing their joy, so Rhode was happy to indulge.
Although he worried at first about getting drunk, seeing everyone else in that state, he felt being a drunkard wouldn't be too bad.
In the back-and-forth of glasses, Rhode gradually let loose.
He and Gray shoved a beer filled with ice cubes into Natsu's mouth, watching him jump from his sickly state and gagging.
He also shoved a scorching hot, chili-covered roast into Gray's mouth with Natsu, watching the Ice Mage almost breathe fire.
Of course, he wasn't exempt from being chased around the guild by Natsu and Gray with ice blocks and charred roast.
In a daze, Rhode seemed to clink glasses with someone's barrel, even trying to snatch it for a drink;
He seemed to crash into someone's embrace, hearing a clang, his already dizzy head spinning even more;
He seemed to conspire with a purple flame to snatch someone's pipe, then got blown up by a puff of smoke;
Seemingly...
Prudent and steady Rhode did many things he'd typically never do, releasing long-held stress recklessly in his stupor.
Those tiny gaps and a hint of distance with everyone gradually faded amid the laughter and chaos.
After making enough ruckus, an exhausted Rhode lay on the counter, watching the lively scene with a silly grin.
Finally, Mira's smiling face appeared before Rhode, pouring herself a glass of wine but handing him a glass of warm water.
Rhode looked at her, still just silly smiling.
Mira grabbed Rhode's hand holding the water glass, clinked it with her own glass.
She first downed the wine in her glass in one go, then wrapped one arm around Rhode, letting his head rest in her elbow, and with her other hand, fed him the warm water.
Before his eyes closed, Rhode saw her bright smile and heard her pleasant voice:
"Welcome to Fairy Tail!"
...
"I wasn't careful! I actually drank too much!"
The next morning, Rhode groggily woke up, then almost sprang to his feet.
But looking around, he found tables and chairs overturned everywhere, and the whole guild was filled with people lying around in various positions.
Some were slumped over tables, some sprawled on the floor, others with their bodies on the floor and legs on tables—every kind of twisted sleeping posture imaginable.
"Hiss~~" Rhode felt a headache, as if the hangover symptoms had come knocking.
"Rhode, you're awake?" Mira's voice came, "Wait a moment, drinking a cup of hot milk will feel better."
"Thank you." Rhode held the milk cup, a bit conflicted, "Um... Mira, did I do anything weird last night?"
"Weird things?" Mira thought for a moment, teasingly, "Did running around everywhere after stripping count?"
"What?" Rhode felt his brain explode, he incredulously looked down, "Aren't I clothed?"
"I meant Gray." Mira chuckled, "Rhode's expression just now was really interesting."
"..." She definitely did it on purpose, Rhode sullenly drank his hot milk.
"Speaking of weird things, everyone was pretty much the same; we clowned around fiercely all night, only fell asleep around five."
"Wasn't it already daylight at five?"
"Sure was, haah~" Mira yawned, "Today's going to be busy."
Rhode muttered softly: "Even her yawn is so pretty."
Mira didn't catch it: "What?"
"Nothing, I said maybe you should sleep a bit more, I'll watch over here."
Mira thought for a moment, then said: "Just a short while, call me if anyone wakes up."
"Alright, where's the President?"
"He left early; seems like he went to see Mr. Yajima and President Goldman off."
Mira yawned again, not even heading to the rest room, she just gently rested her head on the counter, using her arm as a pillow, "Good night, remember to wake me."
"Good night."
Rhode tiptoed a few steps; Natsu and Gray, in their sleep, were still tugging at each other's faces, Hapi holding the scarf's end in his mouth, probably dreaming of eating fish.
Kana hugged a beer barrel in her sleep, Reby carelessly used Laki's leg as a pillow, even Erza was sleeping soundly on the booze table.
The guild was quietly filled with only light snores, a rare sight.
Rhode sat down, watching Mira sleep, her delicate profile, gently quivering lashes, irresistibly made him want to...
Wanted to draw a little turtle on her face.
What nonsense, Rhode stood up, went to the rest room for a blanket, gently covering Mira.
Mornings in October already had a bit of chill.
After thinking it over, Rhode sneakily approached Lidas and pilfered his paint and brushes.
Idle hands are the devil's workshop; why not mess with Natsu a bit?
Creation done, Natsu was still snoozing away, then might as well give nearby Gray some attention too, Hapi can't be left out either.
Turns out pranks were such a thrilling thing!
Rhode glimpsed Erza slumped on the nearby table, involuntarily drawn to making a bold move.
Paintbrush slowly nearing Erza's cheek, Rhode's hand trembled.
"Who?" Suddenly, Erza's hand clasped his wrist, her eyes opening to fiercely stare at him.
"Hiss~" Rhode gasped, Erza's grip was really strong.
"Oh, it's Rhode, sorry." Erza's gaze softened, she let go of Rhode's wrist and stood up.
"Looks like everyone got drunk." Erza glanced around, her eyes lingered on Natsu and Gray's faces, finally resting on the paintbrush in Rhode's hand, she questioned, "You just now..."
"Ahem... I thought they were too relaxed like this, wanted to leave a reminder by..." I was just about to call you..."
A clumsy lie, completely full of holes, any sane person wouldn't believ…
"I see!"
"Huh?"
"Using pranks as a reminder, that even when drunk outside, one should never be careless."
Erza propped her chin, wisdom shining in her eyes, "Rhode, you are so thoughtful, always putting everyone first!"
Oh no, Erza sometimes was quite earnest and naturally foolish, occasionally not within normal people's scope.
Rhode's awkward laugh, "Hahahaha, you're right."