Month: Early December
Year: X775
Ages:
Kaito – 10 | Erza – 10 | Mirajane – 10 | Juvia – 10
Lysanna – 8 | Elfman – 9
Location: Fairy Tail Guild / Magnolia Streets
---
Kaito knew it was over the moment Erza smiled politely.
That smile meant violence.
He was mid-sentence—explaining a basic mission route—when Erza stepped forward and straightened his collar.
Loudly.
"Your posture is bad," she said calmly.
Mirajane appeared on his other side immediately.
"And your hair is messy," she added, fixing it with exaggerated care.
The guild went silent.
Kaito froze. "…You're doing this on purpose."
Erza nodded. "Yes."
Mirajane leaned closer. "Publicly."
They continued.
Straightening his sleeves.
Adjusting his gloves.
Dusting imaginary dirt from his shoulders.
Erza tapped his chest once. "Stand still."
Mirajane giggled. "He's obedient today."
Kaito's ears burned.
Cana choked on her drink. "OH THIS IS REVENGE REVENGE."
Gray stared. "I'd rather fight Erza."
Lysanna whispered, "They're bullying him."
Elfman nodded. "Manly bullying."
Kaito exhaled slowly. "…You two are enjoying this too much."
Erza met his eyes. "You earned it."
Mirajane smiled sweetly. "Fair is fair."
---
Then—
Juvia stepped forward.
Quiet.
Calm.
She looked at Erza. Then Mirajane.
"…Juvia thinks," she said softly, "that teasing Kaito too much may cause… competition."
Silence.
Juvia tilted her head slightly.
"And," she continued, voice gentle but steady,
"Juvia does not believe either of you wants more competition."
Erza blinked.
Mirajane froze.
The guild collectively inhaled.
Cana whispered, "HOLY—"
Erza cleared her throat. "…That's irrelevant."
Mirajane crossed her arms. "…We're not worried."
Juvia smiled.
A small one.
"But," she added, "Juvia is improving."
Kaito stared.
That was a hit.
The betting pool board—previously erased—reappeared behind them.
Someone quietly adjusted the odds.
Juvia: 5:1 → 4:1
Erza turned sharply. "WHO PUT THAT BACK."
---
Makarov slammed his cane down. "ENOUGH."
Everyone snapped to attention.
"Escort mission," he said. "Simple. No fighting. No nonsense."
Erza nodded. Mirajane nodded. Juvia nodded.
Kaito nodded.
They stepped outside.
Five seconds later—
Gray shouted, "HEY KAITO—WHO YOU ROOTIN' FOR?"
Kaito didn't stop walking. "My survival."
The mission lasted twelve minutes.
Because—
Mirajane argued with Erza about formations.
Erza corrected Mirajane's footwork mid-walk.
Juvia calmly executed perfect water control.
And Cana followed them with a notebook.
"Data," she said. "For the pool."
The escorted client was confused. Terrified. Impressed.
"…Is this normal?"
"Yes," Kaito replied tiredly.
---
Back at the guild—
Makarov burned the betting board.
Literally.
"Anyone caught betting again," he growled, "is scrubbing floors for a week."
Groans erupted.
Cana sighed dramatically. "Worth it."
Erza exhaled in relief.
Mirajane smirked. "Spoilsport."
Juvia clasped her hands quietly.
"…Juvia did not bet."
Kaito looked at her. "Good."
She met his eyes. "…Juvia does not need numbers."
His smile was instant.
Erza saw it.
Mirajane saw it.
Both frowned.
---
That evening—
Kaito struck back.
He leaned casually against a table, eyes amused.
"Erza," he said lightly.
She turned. "What."
"You're glaring again."
"…I am not."
Mirajane snorted.
Kaito continued, calm and precise. "Mirajane, your tail's out."
Mirajane jolted. "IT IS NOT—"
Guild laughter exploded.
Then he turned to Juvia.
"…You did great today."
Juvia stiffened—then relaxed.
"…Thank you," she said softly.
Erza crossed her arms. Mirajane clicked her tongue.
Kaito smiled.
Check.
Above them, Fairy Tail roared—loud, jealous, amused, alive.
And the war of teasing?
It had only just begun.
---