The day the 'Strongest Squad' set off was the second day of the routine meeting.
Makarov comfortably took a nap during the meeting.
Anyway, if there's anything important, Rhode would note it down and give him a brief summary afterward.
If there's a situation where he needs to speak, Rhode would step in and say it's his opinion.
Bringing Rhode to the meeting was indeed the right choice. Even in his dreams, Makarov would praise his own decision.
The morning passed peacefully like this, and Makarov awaited his favorite lunchtime.
He thought he could drink and brag as usual, but today seemed a bit different.
At the liveliest time around noon, a little bird with a pointed hat flew into the venue, holding a letter in its talons.
"Chirp~ President, a letter from Miss Mirajane for you." The letter-delivering bird spoke.
"Huh?" Makarov was still in a daze, not fully processing.
Rhode waved it over: "Xiao Bi, come over and have some food."
This is Mickey's magic bird, which often turns into a microphone when Mira sings, so it has a good relationship with her.
Rhode was naturally familiar with it as well.
Xiao Bi didn't stand on ceremony with Rhode: "I want to eat nuts, chirp~"
"I don't have any nuts, but there are some crushed peanuts on this cake, just make do." Rhode shared his cake with it.
Magic birds like Xiao Bi can eat both human and bird food, it's just that like Hapi prefers fish, it prefers nuts.
"Thank you. Chirp~" Xiao Bi handed the envelope to Rhode.
Makarov's brain started functioning again: "Wasn't the letter for me?"
Xiao Bi pecked at the cake a few times, taking time to reply: "Miss Mirajane said if the President is drunk, just give it to Mr. Rhode, chirp~"
"..." Makarov was speechless. This arrangement seemed perfectly reasonable.
He began to ponder whether Mira specifically sent Xiao Bi for an urgent matter or if it was a love letter.
Rhode opened the envelope, and instead of handwriting, a small projection of Mira's bust appeared on the paper.
Like a cute little figurine.
Seeing her instantly dispelled Rhode's boredom and annoyance of the past two days, only intensifying his longing.
The tiny Mira had begun speaking: "President, and Rhode, thank you for attending the routine meeting."
Makarov boastfully showed off his guild's beautiful mage to everyone around: "Look, look, this is the signature beauty of our guild. Isn't she pretty?"
A few old-timers showed a lecherous expression.
"Gentlemen presidents, please show some respect. She's my girlfriend."
Rhode held this special letter like he was holding Mira in the palm of his hand.
Mira's projection was a magic applied to the letter; it couldn't hear what they were saying or respond.
She continued speaking according to the pre-recorded text:
"Actually, while the President was away, something wonderful happened—Erza, Natsu, and Gray teamed up and went out!"
Sweat started to appear on Makarov's face. What, what did she say? He felt like he couldn't understand the common language anymore.
"Because I think this might be the strongest team in the guild, I wanted to report this good news to you!"
Is this good news? Makarov's body began to tremble slightly.
"Everything is fine in the guild, and you guys should work hard too. That's it then!
Oh... right, there's one more thing I have to say to Rhode—I miss you a little, just a little bit!"
Every sentence from the tiny Mira was accompanied by exaggerated gestures and very cute expressions.
By the time she finished speaking, Rhode's heart was melted.
Even as her image disappeared, Rhode was a bit reluctant to let go.
Rhode decided to keep this letter well, so he could look at it whenever he missed her.
"Xiao Bi, can you help me deliver a reply letter later?"
"No problem, chirp~" Xiao Bi was focused on tackling the cake piece almost as big as itself.
Anyway, it had to go back, so carrying a letter wasn't a burden.
Rhode wanted to write a letter with a projection like this, but he didn't know how.
"President, teach me how to write this kind of letter, will you? President, president?"
Rhode waved his hand in front of Makarov's eyes, but he remained motionless like a statue.
A few seconds later, Makarov fell backward, eyes blank, staring at the ceiling: "How can this be, how can this be? If those people are together, they might really destroy the city!"
"President, are you alright?"
"There's still hope!" Makarov jumped up, "Rhode, you're our only hope, go stop them quickly!"
"Come on, President, we don't even know what they went out to do, where would I go to stop them?"
The last hope faded; indeed, they didn't even know what they went to do, how could they stop them?
The Fiore Kingdom is so big, they couldn't possibly do a carpet search.
Seeing the president's desolate expression, Rhode advised:
"It's just forming a team, you're being too pessimistic. Most of the time, Erza is quite reliable."
"You don't understand. The reaction when those three are together is frightening." Makarov paced anxiously, "We can return as soon as tomorrow, let's hope nothing happens."
As he said that, Makarov felt uneasy all afternoon, even dozing off during the meeting wasn't restful.
And by evening, the unexpected finally occurred.
"President, Rhode." Mira gracefully entered the banquet hall.
"Mira, you're really here!" Rhode happily rushed over and grasped her hands.
They both actually wanted to hug, but with so many people watching, they were too shy.
"Mira? Why are you here?" Makarov was shocked. Did the guild explode?
"Because it's after work, you know, and Rhode's letter said..." Mira touched her cheek, "In short, I came on a whim."
What Rhode wrote was too direct, and she was embarrassed to repeat it.
Rhode raised his hand and caressed her cheek, gently saying, "Thanks for coming all this way."
They looked at each other, and from his eyes, Mira read a sentence—'It's great to see you.'
"Mirajane, you really..."
"Jenny, you're here too?" Mira affectionately linked her arm with Rhode's as if showing off her boyfriend, "This time Rhode didn't use the magic crystal, right?"
"You..." Jenny pouted.
"Just kidding~"
"Let's put catching up aside for now." Makarov said urgently, "What's going on with Erza, Natsu, and them? Did they cause trouble?"
Mira's response made Makarov give up hope: "Yes, they did."
"Wh-what?"
"I initially took the train over, but the Oshibana station was already paralyzed, and the railroad bridge over the Kroba Grand Canyon suffered some damage..."
Mira chuckled, "I think it's very likely they did it, causing another big commotion."
It's over... Makarov felt like he had been struck by lightning; another big mess was made.
"By the way, how did you get here? And where are they now?"
Mira teasingly glanced at Rhode, saying, "I flew here in the end, but unfortunately, I didn't see them on the way."
"No, they've already been spotted." Rhode said, "Those guys are nearby, and there's an unexpected visitor with them."