The two were quickly forced to temporarily separate because Mira was surrounded by a group of girls gossiping.
Rhode held that bouquet of white roses, feeling a bit awkward to approach.
Laki was one of the main forces: "Although it was touching just now, weren't you two already dating?"
"It's different, we're officially dating starting today." Mira touched her cheek, feeling the warmth on her face, "Well, you could also say starting from yesterday."
"Oh~~ What happened yesterday? How far did it progress? Just hugs? Or was there a kiss?"
Mira said with a smile, "That's a secret."
"Come on, tell us, Sister Mira~"
"Exactly!"
"And in your relationship, who's pursuing whom?"
The girls were dying of curiosity, chasing after Mira with questions.
After overcoming her initial shyness, Mira quickly reverted to her usual gentle and approachable self.
Under their questioning, Mira gracefully recounted the story of how she gradually developed feelings for Rhode.
Actually, the boys were also curious about how Rhode managed to win Mira's heart.
Those with a love interest had their own interpretations, like Alzack thinking it was because Rhode was excellent and understood girls well.
While Jet and Troy believed it was due to Rhode and Mira being together constantly, with the most important factors being long-term companionship and care.
Marcus was more direct, draping his arm over Rhode's shoulder, pulling him down to chat, asking whatever came to mind.
Initially, Rhode thought Marcus was purely gossiping, but then the topic veered to Wolian's embarrassing stories, and he switched to another conversation partner.
Only then did Rhode realize that Marcus was simply excited over a new topic, happy to chat, and even happier because he could chat.
There's a saying from the cattle:
"Too busy chatting, who knows what they were talking about."
"Too busy chatting, who knows with whom they were talking."
When Marcus got excited, he was that kind of person.
However, quite a few people directly directed a Death Gaze at Rhode.
Pretending to sniff the bouquet with an air of nonchalance, Rhode generously showed it to them, "Does it look nice? It's from my girlfriend."
"Damn it!"
"Bring a dozen beers! No, a barrel!"
"Drink, drink!"
Krof and Nicky were thrilled by the commotion and went to find Elfman:
"Elfman, didn't you used to say that no one could approach your sister if they couldn't beat you? Let's see some Beast King's Soul action and show him a thing or two!"
"But today it's my sister who's approaching him."
The thought of his sister demonstrating the Satan's Soul to him just days ago made Elfman so emotional he almost cried.
My sister is finally back!
Not only did Mira hope Elfman would move forward, but Elfman also hoped his sister could let go of her burdens.
"My sister is a true man!" Elfman actually shed tears.
Things are great now, my sister is pursuing her own happiness!
When talking to Elfman, as soon as it involved the term 'manly,' people usually ignored it automatically, but the previous sentence had already knocked Krof for a loop.
Nicky wanted to give it another try, "What does it matter, they're going to date Mira in the end. We must test if he's strong enough!"
Elfman refused, "If you want to, go ahead."
What fun is there in fighting with Rhode; losing means getting beaten by Rhode, and winning might mean getting beaten by my sister.
Anyhow, Elfman wasn't planning on fighting Rhode anytime soon.
He pondered for a moment and suddenly recalled that he had intended to go out for work today, and got up to check the bulletin board.
Krof and Nicky exchanged a glance, should we fight Rhode?
Might as well try turning into a goose again.
...
The lively atmosphere finally calmed down, yet there were still all sorts of glances sweeping over the two of them frequently.
Even though the two officially started dating in front of everyone, there wasn't much change.
They just sat closer while doing clerical work.
Sometimes, when Rhode got tired of writing, he would quietly hold her small hand under the counter and give it a gentle squeeze.
Most of the time, Mira liked this kind of contact, but sometimes she'd playfully turn into Satan's Hand and give his a tight squeeze.
Rhode would then change to some other kind of hand, and Mira might swap to Huitli's Hand…
Rhode suddenly felt that the current state between him and Mira was similar to those young couples secretly dating in middle school.
Rhode had seen them holding each other's hand secretly during classes while listening to lectures.
Does this make up for a bit of the regret from youth?
After playing around with the hand-changing game, the two naturally restored their hands back to normal, holding each other's hand ordinarily, feeling each other's warmth.
However, Rhode felt a strange sense of crisis; given the current power and magic power comparison, Rhode was completely at a disadvantage.
If this continued, one day Mira might truly overpower him.
Though Mira was usually gentle and soft, and recently often showed a shy and weak side, today's events showed that when necessary, Mira could be quite assertive.
This cannot be overlooked.
The Fairy Tail Strategist devised a comprehensive training plan for himself, but first, he needed to figure out Mira's current strength.
He found one more reason to strive, albeit a bit peculiar.
"Sister, I want this mission."
"Let me see." Mira put down her pen with her right hand and picked up the mission slip, "Going so far? Alone?"
"Yes, it's a trial for a true man!" Elfman felt he needed more training, "I might have to go for a few days, don't worry."
Rhode saw the title, and with his left hand, fished out a few pieces of information from under the counter, examining them seriously.
"Sketch it." Rhode pushed the information in front of Mira, gesturing for her to draw lines with the pen.
Mira gave him a sideways glance, where's your other hand?
Rhode met her gaze calmly, you don't know?
With their shoulders touching, Mira eventually drew lines on the spots he pointed to.
"Keep these in mind, be more careful when you're out. Plus, you've only just mastered the Beast King's Soul recently, remember to measure your magic power if you plan on using it."
Rhode said a bunch of stuff, finally advising Elfman to go to the warehouse and pick a magic book.
Elfman hesitated a bit but decided to follow Rhode's suggestion, like he said, better to be prepared.
Before leaving, Mira thoughtfully tidied Elfman's clothes, advising, "Be careful, don't push yourself."
"I know."
Elfman left the house with the mission slip, the gentle spring sunshine softly draped over him, making his whole body feel warm.
He touched the magic book tucked in his chest, feeling quite reassured.
Thinking back to Rhode's careful advice just now, there seemed to be a hint of 'kindness' in it.
He never noticed it before, but thinking about it now, his sister seems to have a bit of that too.
Elfman fell into self-doubt, do they treat me as a brother or a son?