In the quiet night, Ankh lay on the large bed in the inn, resting his head on his arms as he began to space out.
Everyone had enjoyed themselves greatly at the victory celebration that evening.
When Ankh and the others returned to the tavern, the guild members had already made their usual ruckus—those drunk or knocked out lay scattered throughout the tavern like dried fish.
The helpless Ankh, who hadn't even drunk much himself, had no choice but to start carrying his unconscious companions back to the inn one by one.
It was worth mentioning that Gray and Juvia seemed to have grown closer.
During the latter part of the celebration, Juvia appeared to have spoken many drunken truths, and it was Gray himself who carried her back.
As for Natsu and Lucy... well, that went without saying.
Lucy clung to Natsu—who had been knocked out with one slap during a duel—as if nursing a child.
Ankh couldn't bring himself to rescue the nearly suffocated Dragon Slayer.
And so... he just had to toss them both onto the bed together~
Surely... nothing would happen, right?
A faint smile played on Ankh's lips as he recalled Erik's blissful expression.
'Engaged, huh... I thought we were all still at the age of carefree fun, but it seems we've all grown up and reached the time for settling down.'
'Starting a family...'
For some reason, as he lay in bed, Mira's image surfaced in his mind.
"Why am I getting all melancholic in the middle of the night?" Ankh flipped over and sat up, throwing on his clothes to go out and sort through his emotions.
At this hour, everyone had long since fallen asleep from exhaustion, especially with the Grand Magic Games matches scheduled for tomorrow.
But for S-Class Mages with exceptionally strong physical and mental constitutions, this level of drowsiness meant little.
Laxus was currently out finding another tavern for round two, while Erza had finally recognized Millianna and Kagura and had been invited to visit.
And Ankh, taking a late-night stroll, unexpectedly spotted that familiar graceful figure.
Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, gently draping over her shoulders.
A loose, thin nightgown couldn't conceal her curvaceous figure, and her charming, lovely face was completely focused on something ahead.
She crouched on the ground, her envious gaze fixed on the gorgeous flowers of the capital.
Her blue eyes seemed to reveal a gentle affection.
"Mira?"
When Ankh saw Mirajane crouching on the ground admiring the flowers, his brain seemed to short-circuit for two seconds before he involuntarily called out her name.
Hearing the voice, Mirajane's eyes brightened, and she looked at Ankh with delight as he appeared before her.
"Ankh, you can't sleep either?"
Mirajane stood up, skipped over to him, and skillfully wrapped her arm around his.
Her adorable face beamed with a smile as she asked.
Ankh felt the softness against his arm, and his usually calm heart stirred with ripples.
It seemed... it was really time for a change.
The two strolled along the quiet, late-night streets.
Although the sky looked a bit terrifying, the atmosphere remained harmonious.
Mirajane tilted her small face upward, gazing at Ankh with the same adoring look as always.
Ankh felt a warmth burning in his chest. He turned to meet Mirajane's gaze and couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, I'm thinking about something very important."
Mirajane's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly grew uneasy. "Is it about Princess Hisui?"
"Huh?"
Ankh was taken aback, suppressing the emotions that had just surged within him.
After a moment of thought, he cautiously asked, "Princess Hisui... I haven't seen her in years. Did something happen?"
Mirajane puffed out her cheeks, pouting angrily. "The king summoned you tonight—it's obvious he hasn't given up! He's wanted to marry his daughter to you for years!"
"He didn't bring that up tonight, and besides, I didn't agree back then either," Ankh replied, looking at her with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Mirajane still wore a sulky expression, muttering, "But you didn't refuse either..."
"Besides, who knows if giving the guild special treatment was the princess's idea..."
Ankh scratched his head and thought it over—she had a point.
Someone like old Toma, who loved stirring up trouble, probably wouldn't call him to discuss bending the rules.
He'd just manipulate things behind the scenes to create an exciting match...
"Next time, when the king summons me, I'll tell him I already have someone I like."
Ankh raised a finger as he spoke.
Mirajane had let down the bangs she usually styled during the day.
Behind her silver-white hair, her watery eyes trembled unnaturally, though she pretended to sound curious as she asked:
"Who is it?"
Ankh took a deep breath, pulled Mirajane right in front of him, and firmly grasped her shoulders with both hands.
Mirajane's body trembled, her legs growing weak.
Her gaze grew dazed as she looked at Ankh, who had suddenly turned so serious.
Ankh met Mirajane's eyes, watching her flustered and panicked expression, and couldn't help but break into a grin as he said.
"Mira, let's get married."
Mirajane: ???
"W-wait... wait a minute!!"
Mirajane, who usually remained unfazed by all kinds of gossip and never blushed at overhearing risqué remarks, instantly turned as red as a freshly steamed crab the moment Ankh spoke.
Her entire face flushed like a sunset, the blush spreading down her originally snow-white neck and chest.
Ankh could feel the girl in his grasp heating up as if steaming.
When she realized Ankh wasn't joking, she stammered.
"Isn't... isn't this... a bit too fast? Shouldn't we be girlfriend and boyfriend first?"
"Oh~ alright then."
Ankh seemed to have anticipated her response long ago, letting out a regretful sigh.
Almost immediately, Ankh wiped the smile off his face and gazed earnestly into her misty eyes, speaking with deliberate sincerity.
"Then, will you be my girlfriend? The kind that might upgrade to a ceremony at any moment?"
Mirajane stood frozen in place for a long while, her blank and confused mind clearing as she stared directly into Ankh's eyes.
The rational voice in her head told her Ankh probably wasn't joking.
The impulsive voice screamed—who cares if it's a joke!
The words are already out, so even if it started fake, we'll make it real!
"Of course I will!"
Mirajane nodded without hesitation, then flew into Ankh's arms like a swallow returning to its nest.
'Finally... I can hold you without restraint with this identity...'
"I've been waiting for this day for so long, you jerk!"
In that dazed moment, Ankh seemed to see the rebellious young Mira from years ago again.
With tears in her eyes, she grabbed his collar, stood on her toes, and kissed him as if seeking revenge.
Ankh:...
After what felt like an eternity, the now fully-reverted Mirajane broke the kiss.
Ankh licked his lips and teased the flushed, panting girl.
"You're not very good at this either."
Mirajane:...
"Again!"
The night winds in the royal capital were particularly boisterous, the sky dark and gloomy with neither moonlight nor starlight... perhaps even they were too embarrassed to watch?
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