grow up

It was a rainy season, a day when the rain was particularly strong.

Hey, Natsu. I have a serious question for you."

It was after dinner in Lucy's room when she was washing the dishes. Lucy, who was not looking at me as
she asked me to listen, was wiping the washed dishes and Natsu urged her, "What is it?

Happy was not present and it was just the two of them in the room. He was having dinner with Wendy
and Charles.

I want you to stop coming into my room like this.

When she finished washing the last dish, she turned off the water and said as Lucy stared at the Natsu
guild symbol glimmering from the sleeve of her T-shirt. Then she looked up at him as if determined.

The seriousness of her expression made Natsu realize that she was serious, and he almost accidentally
dropped the glass he was about to put back on the shelf.

Hey! Watch out, will you?"

Oh, my bad...?"

Reflexively apologizing to Lucy, who complained as she removed her peach-colored apron, Natsu jerkily
finished wiping the dishes. After putting them away, he moves to the living room sofa to follow her out
of the kitchen. After sitting down next to each other as usual, Natsu looked up at the ceiling as if to rest
his head on the backrest.

Lucy, what did you eat that was so bad?"

I only ate the same thing you did today."

I heard he was drugged.

I don't think anyone but you and Happy would do that, do you remember?"
Natsu, who had thought about it for a while but could not remember, asked in a muffled voice, "...then
why?" feeling his lips drying out.

We are already over 20 years old, and it's time for us to get in love, get married, and have a family. It's
time for me to fall in love, get married, and start a family.

The Guild is a family.

Then let me rephrase. I want to start a family. I want to have children.

Natsu replied to her usual words in a flat voice, and Lucy was not intimidated. Still, she was nervous, her
hands clasped tightly in her lap. The hem of her khaki skirt crumpled.

Natsu raised his head heavily and looked at Lucy's face with a blank expression.

The guild members are indeed family. They are with you all the time, and they are irreplaceable. But you
can't make a family with them.

Natsu did not move his face when he saw Lucy's serious, even a little sad, expression. He just stared at
her blankly, trying not to miss Lucy's words.

Even Natsu knows that the 'family' of his friends is not the same as the 'family' of Arzak and Levy and the
others.

I know that much.

As she answered, Natsu remembered that Lucy had gone to Gajil and Levy's house last week to play. She
had been excited that night when she returned, saying that the twins, who were getting a little older,
were still cute.

I can't find a partner if I have to live like this with a man who is not my boyfriend. So, please don't come
to my house anymore. ...When you do come, bring someone else with you besides Happy and come visit
us normally."

No."
Lucy's serious words were easily rejected by Natsu. Her blood rushed to her head and she stood up
involuntarily as her request was easily rejected after much consideration.

"Oh, for heaven's sake! I'm not your plaything."

Lucy felt a twinge in the bridge of her nose as she said this, and she staggered to her feet. Unable to sit
next to Natsu, she slumped to the floor with her head down. The unknotted gold threads hid her
expression.

(I'm happy to be with Nutz and Happy all the time.)

For years now, Lucy has had a crush on Natsu. That's why she eventually forgave both the trespassing
and the sexual harassment. --She wonders if such naivete has paid off, and her mouth twists into a self-
mocking smile.

Natsu cares for Lucy as a friend, no, sometimes more than just a friend. But his repeated vacillations
have taught Lucy that these are not romantic feelings.

That's not good enough. With her unrequited love for Natsu, Lucy becomes a grandmother. She will no
longer be able to fulfill her dream of having a warm home, a husband who cares for her, and a mother
who loves and watches over her children as her mother had done for her.

The decisive gap between her and Natsu's physique, and the friends who were settling where they
should be settling. Lucy became impatient with her relationship, which had not changed with age, as if
to go against the flow, and decided to give up on her feelings for Natsu and be happy. It was a hard
decision for her.

Lucy was wearing a black blouse, and a few spilled tears were falling down her chest. Natsu, flustered by
this, seemed hesitant to touch her as usual, and although she raised her body from the backrest, she did
not reach out to touch her.

After looking away in the direction of the day after tomorrow, Natsu opens his mouth.

I don't think of her as a toy. Lucy is Lucy."

I'm not going to ask you to do something you don't want to do," he said. It's fine if you're still the same
in the guild.
Natsu looked at her, relieved that Lucy had responded immediately, even with her voice wet with tears.
Then he continued his words.

I mean, who in the world is going to marry Lucy?

I'm going to look for it now. I'm cute, I'll be fine. I'll find someone who understands the work of a mage.

I made a mistake. Who could marry Lucy?"

You're so rude!

Lucy, who had been wiping her eyes with a downcast look, looked up vigorously. Her tears scattered and
her eyes followed their path, then Natsu looked into Lucy's eyes and continued with a straight face.

So why don't you just marry me?"

Lucy, red around the eyes and nose, tilted her head with a seriously strange look on her face. The tears
had already stopped.

Who?"

Lucy is.

With... who?"

With me.

What are you talking about?

"Why don't Lucy and I get married?"

Lucy confirmed each word, and Natsu said in an impatient summation. Lucy's eyes rolled back in her
head and her mouth opened, her face slowly reddening, then she shook her head side to side as if to
cool the heat.

You don't like me as a woman, do you?

Lucy looked up at me in disgust with a sniffle, and Natsu instantly looked as if he was biting a bitter bug
and said, "I don't really understand that kind of thing.

But I want to be with Lucy forever. If Lucy is looking for someone to start a family with, why not me?

Natsu says, "It's called a ligai no itch," and a feeling of joy and guilt flooded Lucy's heart at the same
time.

-Then you can remain in love with Natsu. We can stay together forever.

--I'm going to tie up Natsu's future for me, who I don't like as a woman.

Trying not to let the movement of her heart show on her face, Lucy voiced her concerns.

What if one day you fall in love with someone else? I don't want a divorce or an affair.

I'd rather marry Lucy than have her go away, but I can't have anyone better than Lucy now.

Lucy was aware of the heat rising to her cheeks this time. She asked more questions, aware that her
heart was now leaning toward the idea of marrying Natsu.

We're going to be in the same household. I might take your money.

Lucy will be fine. She's in good hands.

I don't know if you're capable of being a good husband.

What do you mean by "typical?"

"Celebrate our wedding anniversary, help me if I'm being picked on, or do housework and childcare
together."

That's just the way it is."

When Natsu answered without a pause, Lucy's biggest concern came to mind and she squeezed her
hands, which were sweaty with nervousness. She let her gaze wander for a moment, then looked at
Natsu with a bright red face as if to glare at him. He cringed uncomfortably as he met her gaze.

"Can you... can you... hold me?"

"It's..."

Lucy said, "I told you I wanted to have a baby," to Natsu, whose face turned red with fish eyes wide
open. She, too, was burnt out.

You don't think the storks bring the babies, do you?"

I know how much you know!

You wouldn't say, "I'll raise you, but you're not going to go get it from somewhere else."

I'm not going to say it!"

"So, can you hold me? Do you have sexual desires? You seem to have stopped at the level of puberty,
don't you? Like, you're satisfied just by touching my breasts.

"I..."

After a few moments of observing Natsu's voice slurring back and forth, Lucy felt the heat on her face
recede. As if to release the heat and heightened expectations, she let out a long, thin sigh with her eyes
downcast. She felt the sound of the rain suddenly become stronger, but she knew herself that it was just
a matter of feeling.

I'm sorry, I can't do that. We're done talking about this today."

Lucy said with a depressed look on her face, and she found herself regretting that her 'marriage to
Natsu' would never happen due to the pain in her chest. Her mouth twitched sarcastically.

(Yes, I think I'll move to Fairy Hills. I'm sure Erza will cooperate with me if I tell her why...)

If we move in and ask Elsa to be careful, Natsu should not be able to bypass the house to visit and
trespass. Thanks to the royalties, Lucy has a little extra in her pocket, so moving expenses would not be
a problem. That way, it would be just as she had originally intended.

Lucy stood up, feeling a little better, as if her idea had shed some light on the future.

I'll make you some tea, and then you can go home."
Daring not to look at Natsu, Lucy turned herself around and fled into the kitchen. She produced a teapot
and cups, then stood tall over the tea leaves on the top shelf. Just before her white fingertips touched
the golden tin, Lucy was hugged from behind by the owner of a high body temperature.

Whoa, Natz, look out!"

If Natsu was really trying to get rid of her presence, there was no way Lucy would notice. And since she
was standing on tiptoe, there was no way she could balance. Lucy was caught by surprise and fell back
against Natsu's breastplate.

I always told him not to mess around in the kitchen because of the danger of knives and dishes and--"

Lucy's words were swallowed by Natsu's lips in mid-sentence as she turned to face him and tried to get
angry. Lucy's vision was filled with Natsu's eyelids drooping and a pained expression on his face.

（What? Am I being kissed by Natsu?)

Lucy's spine shivered at the raw sensation of a hot tongue invading her mouth while thinking about
something else. She tried to resist, but before she knew it, both her face and body were firmly held by
Natsu's arms. She involuntarily squeezed her eyes shut.

After a few moments of being sandwiched between the shelf and Natsu, Lucy felt a stream of saliva,
which she could not identify as either of theirs, running down from the edge of her mouth. Before she
knew it, Natsu opened her eyes and stared at Lucy's face, which had been flipped so that they were
facing each other, and she followed the trail of saliva with her tongue, deftly biting off the buttons of her
black blouse one by one. The faint smell of burning threads caught Lucy's nose, and she gently opened
her eyes.

Natsu's eyes met Lucy's at close range, and her face instantly turned red with embarrassment. They
looked at each other for a while as if they had forgotten how to move, and then Natsu lazily let go of the
black button he had been holding in his mouth, as if he had just remembered.

"I'm going to take you now..."

After saying this, Natsu lowered his eyelids. He took a deep breath, perhaps to calm down or to smell
Lucy's scent. Then he opened his eyes again and looked at her with sharp eyes.

I'm gonna hold you.

Lucy, who was barely standing supported by Natsu's arms and the shelf, looked at his sexy face for the
first time with a fluffy feeling of comfort. She felt a twinge of pain in the corner of her heart when she
saw the determined look in his eyes.

(You hold me in your arms even when I'm in pain just because you want to be with your friends...)

The sound of rain pounding on the window echoed all the way around, clinging to both of them.

Three days after that rainy day, the sky was overcast in Magnolia.

When Natsu and Lucy reported that they were engaged, the guild was filled with surprise, then an air of
"I knew it.

Tonight we feast!"

You finally got it together! You're taking forever!"

Such a cute and smart girl, and to have her be a Natsu...!

You son of a bitch, you did it so well!"

Despite the many drinks prepared, a brawl soon breaks out. At the center, Natsu is being jeered by
jealous men, and for some reason, even Kana is getting jostled.

Lucy, on the other hand, was stationed at the counter with the ladies.
Good for you, Lucy."

I didn't realize we were that far along until you told me..."

I certainly didn't understand."

But you told Happy before everyone else did.

"Ai..."

On Lucy's left hand as she patted Happy's dejected head, an engagement ring was shining.
Unexpectedly, Natsu had bought it for her. She was surprised that it was given to her out of the blue and
that it was the perfect size.

--He seemed to have asked Mirajane a lot of questions, trying to do her 'husband' properly in his own
way.

I've moved on, but until three days ago, Lucy and Natsu were just friends. They were just friends until
three days ago, and even now they are just a little bit out of the same category of friends. Lucy smiled
vaguely, not wanting to tell everyone about the delicate circumstances.

You're going to live in a nut house, aren't you?"

I'm talking about remodeling before we do that. That's no room for a bed or a writing desk.

It's certainly a bit cramped for the three of us."

'That's why I'm putting in a request to the guild!'

Happy, looking happy for a change, took out his wings and flew around Lucy before saying, "Well, you'll
have to apply for it later," while Mirajane washed her empty mug. Mirajane washes her empty mug and
says calmly, "Well, you'll have to apply for it properly later.

What about the ceremony?"

I thought, "I don't have to. I don't have that much money.

Lucy, too, was not without longing for a wedding. However, whether it is with God or with invited
guests, a wedding ceremony requires a pledge of love. She could not force Natsu to do so. She also felt
that it was wrong to ask so many people to come all the way to the wedding to congratulate them for
getting married under such circumstances.
Lucy, I think you look absolutely stunning in that dress."

Yes."

Juvia, I'd love to see Lucy in a dress."

Wow, I want to see it too!"

Pushed by the momentum of her friends, Lucy smiles a troubled smile.

Well, let's just take a picture of him, then.

At those words, "That's good, too! Lucy lightly stroked her engagement ring with her right hand as she
watched her friends happily talk about the ceremony.

(Me and Natsu are getting married with nothing but one-way love.)

Still, her long-held feelings seemed to be slightly rewarded, and Lucy smiled faintly with happiness.

Ahead of Lucy's gaze, Natsu, standing at the top of the pile of corpses, raised his battered fist in victory.

One month after that day.

On a summer morning after a rain, Lucy moved into Natsu and Happy's house, which had been
renovated by all the guild members, after moving out of her apartment. The furniture and kitchenware
have been updated to Lucy's taste.

Gently patting the new sign with Lucy's name on it, she looked at the one person and one dog who had
walked with her from her apartment with the last of her belongings.

"Good to see you today."

Oh!
Ai!"

The three of us smile at each other, then go inside the house to put our bags down.

I'm home."

"Just."

I'm home.

Tickled by the unfamiliar greeting, Lucy walked through the front door.

The moving process had been proceeding gradually with the help of guild members, so the interior of
the house was almost completely cleared.

In getting married, the two of them and one animal discussed and decided on only three things.

--Lucy manages the household finances.

-The housework will be shared properly.

- - We will share the schedule properly.

Then Lucy and Natsu discussed it together and decided to have physical intercourse several times a
month according to her body cycle until she became pregnant. To be honest, it seemed to her that life
was pretty much the same as before, except for a place to live and an attempt to have a child.

In fact, both at work and in their private life, they seemed to look no different than before, and no one
ever suspected anything. The only thing that had changed was that Lucy was still haunted by a sense of
guilt that she had tied up Natsu, which she did not mean to do, even though she was happy to do so.

I've got a few things I just brought with me, so I'm going to put them away.

Oh!

She looked around the room with a sense of wonder as she entered the study that had been made for
Lucy, its shelves crammed with books. A small sigh escaped her mouth as she took her writing utensils
out of her bag and placed them on the writing desk, thinking of the life she was about to lead.
I would have preferred a separate bedroom.

Thanks to Blue Cat's extraordinarily kindness, Lucy's insistence that she wanted a separate bedroom
because of Natsu's noisy snoring did not go through, and she will now sleep in the same double bed with
Natsu every day. Of course, Happy's bedroom is separate. Lucy is not really worried about the snoring,
but about Natsu's emotional state.

(Worst case scenario, I'll sleep on this couch... it's small, but I'll be fine on my own)

Until that rainy day, Natsu would not have cared if two people who were not in love slept in the same
bed. But now they had a physical relationship. Lucy still had no idea how he felt that day when he held
her in his arms. All she could recall was Natsu's pained but determined expression on his brow and his
clumsy hands as he worked on Lucy's aching body.

In fact, since then, Natsu has been sleeping on the sofa instead of the bed when he stays in Lucy's room,
unlike before.

(He left his own feelings behind just to be a family with me...)

Lucy was puzzled by the fact that she had arrived at this day without really knowing what was going
through her mind. Her chest tightened and she clutched the pen in her right hand, when there was a
knock at the door.

"Hey, Lucy. Let's go get the paperwork out of here."

Oh, sorry! I'm coming!"

Grabbing her small handbag with the hand where she had put down her pen, Lucy hurried out of the
room.

Now Natsu and Lucy are going to go to the marriage registry. Happy seemed to have been witty and
went to the guild alone.

＊
If you put this out there, there's no going back. Are you sure you want to do that?"

I'm sure you've come all this way just to be here. Let's get it out of here and go have lunch.

After submitting the marriage certificate to the municipal office with Natsu, who said this without any
hesitation, she became Lucy Dragnir and was sitting on the terrace of a café in the city, enjoying her
pasta. Lucy's half-up blonde hair was swaying in the early summer breeze.

"Mmm, this is delicious."

Give me a sip."

Oh. Your bite is too big! Oh, God."

Lucy took a slice of roast pork from Natsu's plate as a substitute. He watched it disappear into her
mouth without complaint and swallowed a large bite. They sat next to each other at a round table, and
there was still a large amount of food in front of them, most of it belonging to Natsu.

I'm hungry because I haven't had breakfast."

We had to move most of the cooking utensils and dispose of the food. After we moved, it was half the
time."

So why didn't you just move in yesterday?"

I've lived there my whole life and I wanted to spend one last night in that room!"

Then they ate, talking about the friends who had helped them with the house renovation work. No
matter how fast Natsu ate, Lucy ate far less than he did, so her plate was emptied first. She picked up
the menu, as if she had been caught up in his eating.

Now that it's our anniversary, let's have some cake.

You'll get fat."

Ugh!"
After a moment's pondering, Lucy grabs the waitress and orders a shortcake and a cup of herbal tea. It
arrives a short time later, and as she gazes at it, Natsu, his cheeks puffed out with a sandwich, stops
moving unnaturally.

What? I'm not giving you this."

"..."

Lucy, who lifted the plate of cake to shield it, brought him back to himself, and Natsu resumed chewing.
After swallowing the contents of his mouth with a loud clatter, he shoved his hands into his pants
pockets.

Lucy."

Lucy, who had put down the cake, reflexively held out her hands, palms up, to Natsu, who made a
gesture of trying to drop something, saying, "I forgot. Lucy put down the cake and reflexively held out
her hands, palms up, to Natsu, who made a gesture of dropping something, saying, "I forgot. They are
similar in design, but the smaller one has a stone on it and is more delicate. Lucy's eyes widened.

"Nuts, this..."

Lucy said she didn't need a wedding ring, but Mira said she had to wear one.

Natsu snatched the larger ring from Lucy's hand and placed it on the ring finger of his own left hand.
Then, taking the smaller ring from Lucy's hand, which seemed to have forgotten how to move, he turned
her left hand over and placed it on her ring finger.

"Oh yeah, I knew it would be perfect."

Natsu looked at Lucy's hand with the ring on it and smiled.

She placed her right hand awkwardly on the desk and looked at the ring stuck in her left hand. The ring
looked tailor-made for her slender white hand. It was designed to match her engagement ring.

...you're adorable."
You like that, don't you, Lucy?

Lucy, of course, wanted a wedding ring. She could proudly wear matching rings with Natsu. But she
didn't think it was a marriage that could grant such a wish, so she said no. For her, just getting an
engagement ring was more than enough. For her, just getting an engagement ring was more than
enough.

I told you when we got engaged, you could walk into a sparkling jewelry store by yourself and pick out a
ring..."

"Shut up. It's sturdy and has a non-flammable finish, so make sure you wear it properly."

Trying to laugh it off and failing, Lucy couldn't help the pang in the bridge of her nose. She felt tears
rolling down her cheeks, thankful in the corner of her mind that the terrace was empty because it was a
little early for lunch. Natsu, who had been startled by her silent tears, reached out to her in a hurry to
hide them with the back of his left hand.

"Wait a minute, don't cry! You didn't like it?

I'm so happy!"

When deciding on the layout of the house, when procuring furniture and accessories, and when moving
into the new house, Natsu was inconsiderate, but he gave Lucy the utmost consideration. He had
secretly bought not only an engagement ring, but also a wedding ring that Lucy had said she did not
want.

(Even though the form of their feelings are different, they are trying to take care of me in their own
way...)

As if determined, Natsu lightly stroked Lucy's head with the hand that had been wandering in the air.
The warmth of his touch brought her relief, and she closed her eyes completely. Behind her eyelids, the
sparkle of the wedding ring she had just received remained.

（I love Natsu after all. We are happy to be a family.)

Even if the feeling of regret had not completely disappeared, Lucy knew that they had settled into a
form that was uniquely their own, and she could finally feel her own feelings, which had been unstable
for the past month, calming down. When the tears had completely stopped, she opened her eyes.
Natsu, with a troubled look on his face, was looking down at Lucy.

I'm fine.

Oh!

Nuts, thank you. I'm glad. I'll take good care of it.

--and rings, and nuts.

For some reason, Natsu seemed upset with Lucy, who smiled wryly as she indicated the ring. He let his
gaze wander as he lowered the hand that had been patting her head and replied with a small, "Oh.

The tea and the food are getting cold. Let's eat."

Lucy picked up the fork and smiled very happily.

It was the height of the hot season, a month after Natsu and Lucy had started living together.

Although there were minor misunderstandings, they were always resolved through discussions, and
Lucy's presence was a natural part of Natsu and Happy's life. Since they had been semi-living together
since before their marriage, it was a matter of course.

But a fight broke out. -- not between Lucy, but somehow between Natsu and Happy.

I don't know anything about nuts anymore!"

Ahhhhhh, okay!"
It seemed to have happened while Lucy was out of the living room to wash her fashionable clothes. No
matter how much she asked them why, they wouldn't talk, and even though it was only mid-morning,
there was a heavy atmosphere in the house. Lucy, who has known them for a long time, had never seen
a fight between one person and one animal get so stubborn.

(It's a beautiful day, but...)

Outside the window was a crisp, sunny day, the opposite of what it felt like inside the house. Lucy was at
first annoyed, but as time went by, she became more and more angry, wondering why she was in such a
dreary place.

I'm going out. I won't come back until we make up, so please talk to me!"

At Lucy's declaration, one and one froze as if by evergreen magic, and she took the opportunity to grab
only her handbag and run out of the house.

I caught Elsa, who was just at the guild, complaining, and she took Lucy out for shopping and lunch.

After shopping and ordering a cake set at a café reputed for its delicious cakes, the girls had a meal
before the sweet treat. At a brightly lit table by the window, Lucy points to a paper bag beside Elsa.

I'm glad you got that cute dress."

It was a big help getting me seen to."

A little embarrassed, Elsa said, "I need something to wear on a date. ＜She has been taking care of her
hair and fashion since she was pardoned for her "witch crime," and she has become even more beautiful
with age.

(The story with Gerard is too complicated... I'll wait and not ask until you tell me.)

Even Lucy's mouth is agape with delight as she smiles prettily while chewing her tomato sauce pasta.

This risotto is delicious. I wonder why cream, salmon and mushrooms go so well together.
"Mmm, give me a bite."

Then give me a sip.

After happily sharing and finishing the meal, dessert and tea are brought in.

A sigh escapes Lucy's mouth as she sticks her fork into her blueberry tart. Looking out the window, she
saw a butterfly flying around a hedge as tall as the table.

Do you care about the house?"

That's right. I wonder if they'll ever make up.

Elsa swallowed the shortcake in her mouth and laughed a little.

'You said you wouldn't leave until they made up. I'm sure they're in a hurry to talk right now."

"I don't know. I don't think so.

Lucy looked down at the wedding ring shining on her left hand with a look of uneasiness, as if she could
have said it a little differently. Elsa saw this and raised one eyebrow.

That doesn't sound like you. Insecure?"

Just a little bit.

From the time they got married until this morning, Lucy had been happy with her situation, thinking that
they had married in their own way, even though their feelings for each other were different. But when
the situation becomes unstable like this, she can't help but feel an inexplicable unease that their feelings
are just a little bit out of sync.

Elsa observed Lucy in silence for a moment, then put down her fork and got into position to speak, "We
were all talking about this when we heard you guys got engaged.

That free-spirited nut--"

As she said this, Elsa glanced at the window as if she had noticed something, but immediately turned to
Lucy and continued speaking.

"- We didn't think we'd ever see the day when we'd marry someone, we'd known each other since we
were children. But ever since he brought Lucy to the guild, we knew it would happen sooner or later. It
was a little late for that, if anything."

Lucy looked at Erza, who laughed at her with indescribably mixed feelings, and lifted her cup from the
saucer. Then she sipped some of the still warm tea.

I've been so attached to you ever since Lucy came to the guild. I'm not going to let you go now."

I hope so."

I think you could use a little more confidence."

With that said, Elsa took up her fork again and began to wonder whether she should save the
strawberries for last or eat them now.

People often call me self-conscious."

She managed to laugh at that, and Lucy also picked up a fork. When she stuck her fork into the tart, the
base cracked oddly, and she felt that the snoring was just like them.

(Natsu, who looked like he would never get married to everyone else, should have never gotten married
after all.)

Even though the tart was supposed to be delicious, Lucy couldn't quite taste it in her mouth.

After chatting for a while, the girls paid the bill and left the restaurant. Elsa quickly paid the full amount
and walked out the door, and Lucy hurriedly followed her. They walked together along the path to the
exit of the property.

Hey, Elsa.
I'm thanking you for helping me pick out my clothes. You should indulge me once in a while."

The shopping trip with Elsa had started when Lucy had asked her to listen to her complaints, but the way
she said it seemed so cool that she couldn't help but stop and blurt it out.

If Erza had been a man, I might have fallen in love with her.

What she does is messed up, but she's beautiful, pretty, but strong, cool, and kind--and she's a good
person.

Lucy, who had been caught standing there, smiled shyly and indicated behind her with her finger as she
raised Elsa's good point with a snap of her fingers.

Don't say that. You'll make me squirm."

Shut up!"

"E."

There stood Natsu with leaves in his hair and at the end of his scarf. He looks at Lucy, who has a sultry
expression on her face and a dazed look on her face.

I'm stronger and cooler than Elsa and... whatever, Lucy.

Uh... yeah?"

"Law."

Lucy's head was not spinning from the surprise of Natsu's presence, and she was thinking, "Natsu,
you've grown much bigger than Erza," as if to escape from reality as she looked at the two, who were
now more than a head taller than each other.

Gugu. Play me, Elsa!"

I'm not impressed with your eavesdropping, Natz.

You definitely knew..."

As Natsu's shoulders slumped tiredly, Erza raised the edge of her mouth. She had noticed his presence
and deliberately chose words that teased him for his inability to speak.

So, have you and Happy made up?"

You're here because I did."

I can't believe you waited so quietly for over an hour after seeking out Lucy in this crowded city."

Shut up.

Natsu is being played by Erza, who is completely amused by the situation. Lucy was watching this in a
daze, but the conversation taking place in front of her made her rearrange the information in her head.

(I mean, you waited over an hour for Natsu to find me after he searched for me?)

Natsu may have found Lucy with his prized sense of smell, but that is not what surprised her. She could
not help but be surprised that he had come looking for her and that he seemed to have waited quietly
for her, even though he was not good at sitting still.

Perhaps thinking that he was at a disadvantage against Erza, Natsu broke off the conversation and
looked at Lucy. He then approached her, sandals clacking, and firmly grasped her slender left hand in his
martial right hand.

Let's go home."

Where's...Happy?"

I'll be waiting for you at home."

Lucy was dragged along in a daze, but as she left the café grounds, she looked back at Erza.

Elsa, thanks for today! Thanks for the food!"

Erza responded with a smile and a wave of her hand and turned on her heel in the direction of the guild.
As Lucy looked ahead to see her dignified back disappearing into the crowd, Natsu relaxed his hand
slightly, but did not let go.
I'm not running away.

I don't care if it's connected.

Since their marriage, Natsu and Lucy's light skinship has gradually increased. One of the things they do is
to hold hands when they walk outside sometimes. Natsu still tries to touch Lucy, but she no longer
refuses to do so.

However, the only acts beyond kissing were done only on days when it would be easier to have children,
as agreed.

As they walked along, Lucy looked up at Natsu's grumpy profile and saw him stop at the edge of town,
where the pavement had been cut off. She then turned to Lucy, who had stopped with her, body and all.

You know, there's no way Lucy should have to come back. Who would let her go?"

For a moment Lucy did not understand what was being said, but then she remembered the conversation
she had had with Elsa at the café and the fact that she looked out the window as if she had noticed
something. Immediately, what came out of Lucy's mouth was a misplaced impression.

You heard me? How could you hear me through the glass?"

My ears are better than ever.

Indeed, Natsu's magical powers have been increasingly refined in recent years. He scratched his head
with his free left hand and continued, "We were in a great hurry.

Happy cries, and I haven't pulled Happy's cheek or anything like that in a very long time."

You're an animal abuser, that's what you are.

I'd get scratched, and I'd get so uncomfortable that I couldn't fight anymore."

Listen to me.

Lucy looked closely and saw that Natsu's cheek had a faint scar that looked as if it had been scratched by
a cat. ＜Happy's claws are quite strong to scratch the skin of an exterminated dragon mage.
Natsu, who had continued talking regardless of Lucy's reaction, gripped her arms tightly with his left
hand while keeping his right hand clasped.

So I made up in a hurry because I wanted Lucy to come home, so come home."

Lucy felt a sweet, numbing sensation as if her heart had been grabbed by Natsu, who was looking at her
with a grim expression and clinging to her. At the same time, the uneasy feeling in her chest melted
away. Trying to hide the movement of her heart, she moved her gaze to the leaf still attached to his
head, as if to escape Natsu's eyes.

You said, "...hurry up and make up. Don't start a fight in the first place."

You know, every once in a while."

You don't get that kind of complication even if it happens once in a while. What caused it in the first
place?"

Lucy asked him to remove the restraints on his arms and reach out with her right hand to take each leaf.
Natsu's mouth dropped into a grimace, and then she began to speak slowly, as if she had given up.

Today is one month since Lucy came to our house.

Huh?

The unexpected words made Lucy involuntarily turn her gaze back to Natsu. Not caring to hear the bare
words coming out of her mouth, Natsu continued, "It's only been a month since we got married.

So I was discussing it with Happy while Lucy was gone.

Natsu said, "Let's go to a job that Lucy would like," and Happy said, "Since it's the anniversary of our
becoming a family, let's go out and treat her to dinner, not to work.

We were arguing about which one would make Lucy happier and she got all hot and bothered. She's not
happy."
Natsu looked away and scratched his head once more. Lucy felt her eyes burning as she looked at his
childishly slumped profile.

(Natsu and Happy were trying to please me... so seriously)

What is it about the different forms of feelings? Lucy's eyes filled with tears of joy and relief at the fact
that Natsu was thinking of her to the best of his ability, and that Natsu and Happy had accepted her as a
matter of course. She hugged Natsu vigorously to hide them.

Wow!

In recent years, Lucy rarely hugged Natsu. It was because Lucy was aware of her 'one-sided love', but
Natsu, who did not know what was going on, was so surprised that he had not seen her in a while that
he forgot to move for a while. He eventually noticed that she was crying and slowly put his hands
around her posterior and back.

Why are you crying, Lucy?"

I'm glad. Thank you for working so hard for me."

Natsu felt his face relax as he hugged Lucy. He did not realize that it was because he was delighted to be
in her embrace for the first time in a long time. He was glad that Lucy couldn't see him, and Natsu didn't
try to hide his expression, although he didn't know why.

After calming down, they returned home to find Happy waiting for them, having procured a cake. After
soothing Happy, who had jumped on Lucy's chest in tears, and eating it as a snack, they went out to
play. While eating, the three promised to go on a quest the next day to commemorate the occasion.

It was early autumn, when the household chores were being shared easily and Lucy was getting used to
sleeping in the same bed as Natsu.
"Party at the King's Castle!"

When they arrived at the guild, Lucy and the others were gathered by Makarov, and when they heard
what he had to say, they shouted in a frenzied voice.

Master, Jade...is it sponsored by His Majesty?"

"Mm-hmm. The guildmasters and contestants from the guilds that have won the Daimatu Enbu in the
past are invited.

Makarov, sitting at the counter with a headache on his face, continued, "We have two teams. In recent
years, the main guilds have not participated, and the Daimatu Demonstration has lost some of its former
excitement and has become more of a festival.

Maybe they want to invite strong guilds to participate in the Daimatu Demonstration. That trend has
been going on since we disbanded for a period of time.

It's a funny thing to say, but you can't just ignore the king's invitation, can you?"

Makarov nodded and continued at the words of Laxus, who crossed his arms.

It's not that I don't want to go out, it's just that I haven't been going out since then..."

The other guilds probably had similar reasons. Certainly, if only there was an opportunity, it was likely
that strong guilds would gather there again. In that sense, this event was an effective means.

Except for Gerard, who was participating as a mist gun, 11 members from <Fairy Tail> were participating
in the Daimajutsu Demonstration, using the alternate slots. So, with the exception of Kana, who had just
left for overnight work, the 10 members and Makarov were to participate.

It's been a long time since I've been to Crocus.

Maybe not since the last time the king asked me to do something for him."

I had a hard time with that nut of yours.

What?

Oh, um, Natsu-san, calm down..."

Jubia's Master Gray sensor was a big help!"

Makarov cleared his throat just as they were about to start reminiscing about their work in the Stella
Kingdom. Natsu and Gray, who were about to start a wrestling match, stopped moving unexpectedly.

We'll be leaving in the morning three days from now, so make sure you dress accordingly. And make
sure you don't have any rough spots... especially the nuts! Be quiet!

I know what I'm talking about!

When Makarov nailed Natsu, who had a previous conviction for taking the crown from the previous
king, Gray snickered at him.

Nonsense.

"Oh! Are you going to do it, Kora!"

Han-o!

Dear Mr. Gray! Good luck!"

For some reason, even Elfman got into the mix, and the three of them started fighting, and five seconds
later they were all on the floor together with Elsa's blow.

Ghazir's mumbled, "You're crazy...", Mirajane's laughter, and Laxus' sigh fell on the spot.

On the evening of the party, Lucy was getting ready in a room at an inn prepared by the kingdom.

It was a slightly higher grade hotel, larger and nicer than the 'Honeybourne' where I had stayed before.

Lucy finished dressing, fussing about turning the other way, and put on a pale blue dress. As she put her
hand on the key to the Gigantic Crab Palace to summon Cancer, Lucy suddenly looked at her left hand.
She sighed inwardly as she thought about tonight, seeing her engagement ring and wedding ring shining
there, overlapping.

You can stay with Natsu, we're a couple. The elder Master has a single room here.

The kingdom had generously provided six double rooms, but with five women and six men visiting, some
of them would inevitably be in single rooms. Erza decided on the room assignments without asking for
their opinions.

(That said, you didn't have to put Natsu and me in the same room...it was such a trip...)

Exceeds and others were not brought this time.

Lucy had grown accustomed to sleeping in the same bed with Natsu, but she felt somewhat apologetic
and embarrassed to be alone with him in a non-work travel situation.

The image of him struggling with his tie is reflected in the mirror stand in front of her.

I'm going to a party at the King's Castle today. Cancer, can you do my hair and makeup?"

OK Shrimp."

After thanking Cancer for quickly setting his hair up in an updo and applying his makeup, he stopped
moving and looked at Natsu as he was about to return to the star-spirit world.

When Lucy tilted her head and looked back, Cancer quickly adjusted Natsu's tie and disappeared into
the swirl of light as if to say, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

What the hell is that guy? He's so dexterous!"

I guess so.

Lucy agrees, and looks sullenly at Natsu, who is buttoning up his vest and looking cramped.

(He also wears this kind of clothes in a strange or cool way...)

Natsu noticed the look and half-glanced at Lucy, "What the hell? Without letting out a peep of what she
was thinking, she replied, "You're leaving now, so put on your jacket," and she crossed her legs. Her
white thighs peeked out through the large ruffled slit.

You look so good in those outfits, you should have worn them to my award ceremony."

It's a pain in the ass. Lucy prepared this too."

Yes, but..."

Natsu put on a black striped jacket with a pocket chief inserted. Lucy stood up with her mouth agape
and turned around in front of the mirror. The hem of her dress, which was not too tight, swayed softly.

"How do you like it? Isn't she pretty?"

"Uhhh..."

What an uninspiring response!"

Reassured by the usual exchange, Lucy grabbed Natsu's arm with her right hand and pulled him toward
the door, clenching her left fist tightly to get him fired up.

(We're just going to drink until late and then come home and go to bed anyway. We have separate beds.
I'll enjoy myself today!)

Lucy did not notice that Natsu was watching her sideways.

Lucy sighed as she admired the glittering décor and sumptuous cuisine in the high-ceilinged hall of the
royal castle. A band was waiting at the end of the hall, and there was even a dance space.

It's nice and quirky..."

Naturally, the "sword-biting tiger" was also invited to the party.

After the queen's greeting, while chatting with Mirajane with Yukino, Lucy noticed that the other guild
members were looking at them from a distance. Yukino was wearing a light purple fluffy dress that
looked great against her white skin. Mirajane, in a tight red dress, is the signature daughter of <Fairy
Tail>, and her beauty caught people's attention. The reason why no one approached them was not only
because the elfman was standing behind Mirajane like a guard dog.

（I guess it's a little hard to get close to the Fairy Tail and the Sword-Biting Tiger after all.)

Both are among the best in Fiore and have made a name for themselves even after they are no longer
participating in the Grand Magic Battle Demonstration. Moreover, both are mage guilds that have won
championships in a field of other strong guilds. For those guilds that have won the championship since
the strong guilds stopped competing, they must feel as if there is a wall between them and the rest of
the field.

(Well, they are strong, but they just like to celebrate, drink, eat, and make a lot of noise.)

Lucy chuckled as she thought back to her companions who had been with her earlier, who were not only
not uptight, but were behaving as they pleased. They were the same wherever they went as they had
been in the rag-tag saloon.

"--Oh, Lucy-sama. Is that ring...?"

Pulled back by Yukino's voice, Lucy lifted her left hand holding the glass slightly.

I said, "Oh, yeah. Didn't I tell you I got married in the summer?"

Congratulations! Is your partner Natsu-sama?"

I'm like, "Uh...yeah. How did you know?"

After Lucy's surprise at being able to guess who she was talking to, Mirajane smiles and talks to Yukino.
When it comes to who Lucy would marry, there's only one person she'd rather marry: Natsu.

Yes, I felt that the bond between the two of you was very strong. I have felt that the bond between the
two of you is very strong ever since we were together in the Daimatu Demonstration.

It was a relief to finally get it all together. It was a great party that day."

Lucy blushed as she watched Mirajane and Yukino talk about the day they reported their engagement.

(Not that Natsu has any romantic feelings for me, but... that's how it looks.)

Lucy was happy to be told that Natsu and Lucy's form of marriage was not wrong in the eyes of others.

As she fanned her face with her hand to deceive, she looked around and saw Natsu a little further away,
tangled up with Sting. Behind her, Elsa, Wendy, and Laxus stand around Makarov, who is in a
wheelchair. Juvia and Gray are nowhere to be seen.

Natsu was entangled with a drunken Sting, who was Buddhist, chewing his way through the meat.

Natsu, you got married! That's amazing! It's Lucy, isn't it?

Hey Sting, stop. I'm sorry, Natsu.

Beauty and the Beast! Natsu-san is a master!

Is that a compliment?"

Beside Rogue, who was desperately trying to pull Sting off Natsu, Ghazir said in disgust. Both of them
had black hair, and although the lengths were different, they looked identical.

Oh, yes, I have to congratulate you, too, Lucy."

Hey!"

Sting, with a quick movement for a drunk, disentangles himself from Natsu and runs to Lucy, slipping
between people.
Lucy!"

"Whoa, Sting!

As she turned around, Sting grabbed Lucy around the waist with both hands and lifted her up. Before
she has time to avoid him, a 'high high' is created.

Congratulations on your marriage, Lucy! And with Natsu-san--as a fellow blonde, I'm so happy for you!"

Thank you! I don't know what you're talking about, but I got it, put me down! You're drunk!"

As he said it, the tension rose, and Sting, still lifting Lucy, began to spin around on the spot.

Lucy turns bright red at the fact that she's being watched and lifted up by a man. She hears, "Lucy! Lady
Sting!" she hears the panicked voices of the women. She wanted to catch herself on something, but she
couldn't touch Sting's head, so she clenched her glass tightly in front of her chest.

(Good thing I drank most of it...)

After a few revolutions, Sting, who had turned extra liquor by moving too much, lost his balance.
Naturally, Lucy, who had been lifted up, was also dropped.

"～～～～～～～!!!!"

Sting collapsed into a sitting position as if folded over Lucy, who sat up to throw her legs over the edge.
Sting's breath fell on Lucy's left neck, who was wearing a dress that was roughly open at the chest, and
this time her face turned pale and she let out an inaudible scream.

Sti... whoa!"

At the moment a film of tears formed in Lucy's eyes as she stiffened while shielding the glass, Natsu,
swinging his fist, fell on top of her as if replacing Sting.

(--Nuts.)
A sense of relief came over her at once when she recognized the figure, and Lucy let out a small breath.
Natsu was surprised at the sudden change in scenery, but he instantly stood up and looked for Sting
with sharp eyes. About three meters away, in the same spot where Natsu had just been, Sting was lying
like a crushed frog, and Rogue was holding him down.

Sorry, fairy tail.

"Dear Minerva."

Minerva..."

Minerva noticed the commotion and switched the positions of Natsu and Sting in <absolute territory>.
Her deep blue dress suited her well as she approached. Lucy, sitting on the floor, looks up at her, and
Mirajane, crouching down, rubs her back.

I will come back later to apologize, so can we please put this behind us? We don't want our master to be
extinguished."

Natsu looked at Sting and Minerva alternately with sharp eyes, then exhaled to release his anger and
turned his face only to look at Lucy in a bored manner.

He says, "What do you want me to do? Can I ash him?"

Of course not! ...Minerva, thank you for saving me."

Lucy stood up with the help of Yukino and opened her mouth after looking a little lost.

I told Sting to bring me some delicious sweets because I was so embarrassed. And if you want to put
Natsu in a good mood, bring him some good meat.

I will bring you something to celebrate with me. I will bring you a gift to celebrate with me."

I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it."

Lucy hesitated at the word "celebration," but meekly nodded her head. She looked over at Minerva,
who was heading toward Sting with a faint aura of anger, and then she walked out of the hall as if to
escape the worried gazes of Mirajane and Yukino. and left the venue.

Moving almost as if running down a wide hallway, Lucy wandered into a place where the lights were not
even on before she knew it, and finally stopped at the end of the hall with a large window. She passed
by a large window and saw Gray and Juvia in the courtyard outside the window, but had no time to
notice her. In the moonlight, she leaned her back against the wall and crouched down so that she was
holding her knees, and took a conscious deep breath to catch her breath. Holding her left neck with a
handkerchief, Lucy was puzzled by the disgust inside her.

Sting is a <Dragon Mage> who is well-liked by Natsu. Lucy does not dislike him, in fact, she likes him.
Although they met at the worst possible time, they have fought together before, and even though they
belong to different guilds, they are now friends. Moreover, what happened earlier was an accident with
no other intention, he was drunk and there were many people around. And yet, his body and breath
that seemed to come at her even terrified her so much that she forgot to kick him off as soon as she
could.

（I hated it so much. I... if it's not Natsu, it's not good enough.)

-I thought I had made up my mind to stay away from Natsu and find another love to live for this rainy
season.

--The more time we spend together, and the more I love Natsu, the weaker I become.

Pressing her forehead against her left kneecap, which was peeking through the slit so as not to stain her
dress, Lucy quietly let her tears, a jumble of mixed emotions, fall. A drop of water was absorbed into her
handkerchief.

After a while, when the tears had calmed down, Lucy's ears picked up the sound of rough footsteps. It
was hard to tell because her shoes were different from usual, but it was definitely Natsu's.

(Perhaps you've been chasing me?)

Lucy could not look up and could only listen as the footsteps came in front of her. Natsu had run, tracing
the scent, and yet she was not out of breath.
Lucy, how far have you come?"

I'm a little lost.

Look at me.

Natsu, crouched down in front of Lucy, used both hands to lift her face. He saw in the moonlight that
there were traces of tears on her face, and Lucy's expression, which had turned pale earlier, came back
to Natsu's mind. He squinted his eyes into a swarthy smile.

Let's go back to the inn."

The party won't be over for a while.

I told Mila it's okay. She said it's okay because the king's greetings are over."

As it was, he forced Lucy to stand and, still holding her wrist, Natsu walked quickly to the castle exit. He
wasn't sure why he was so terribly irritated.

Back in the hotel room, as soon as the door was closed, without even turning on the light, Natsu
grabbed Lucy's waist from both sides. --He grabbed Lucy from both sides of the waist, just as Sting had
done to Lucy earlier.

What the hell?

Lifting her up as he did, he began to spin around. Perhaps he thought she was too small for the entrance
hallway, he wandered around and proceeded into the room. The curtains were left open, so she could
see well enough into the room with just the light from outside.

Hey! Watch out!"

Then hold on."

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Perhaps she was concerned about the difficulty of holding it, but eventually Natsu held it firmly with
both arms around the base of Lucy's legs. Her face turned bright red, but she clung to his head and
made a lot of noise as she colossally changed her expression in a joyful way. He was so pleased with
Lucy, who seemed to be enjoying herself even more than at the Royal Castle and was not afraid to cling
to Natsu's head, that he deliberately shook her up and down and changed the direction in which she
spun around.

The Fire Dragon Reverses!"

Don't talk about it like it's a technique! I mean, it makes me dizzy!"

"Ah."

Geez!"

Natsu, too engrossed and distracted, hits the bed on the window side and falls backward. The springs of
the bed screamed under the weight of the two of us.

Breathing on his shoulders from too much noise, Lucy hurriedly raised herself from the top of the nut. As
he lay on his bottom, he saw her neck exposed in front of him and remembered the earlier contact
between Sting and Lucy, which he had almost forgotten in his enjoyment. He felt a rush of blood to his
head, and he grabbed her arm, which was about to move away from him, and pulled her back, rolling
her onto the bed.

Heck."

Natsu's eyes turned sharp and he leaned over Lucy and rubbed the tip of his nose against her neck. Lucy
stiffened, unable to keep up with the change in Natsu, with whom she had just been joking and
laughing. Before she knew it, her right hand was sewn to his left hand, which was glistening with rings.

"Natsu...? What's wrong?"

Shut up."

When he said that much in a low voice, Natsu dropped his lips repeatedly on Lucy's left neck and gave
her one last big belching lick. Then he looks up to make sure her face is not as pale as it was when Sting
took it down.
--Lucy's cheeks were red with embarrassment, and she didn't look like she didn't want to. The sight of
her luminous eyes made the pit of his stomach itch, and Natsu impulsively covered her lips with his own.
She opened her wide eyes in surprise, but when he twisted the tip of his tongue in, she reflexively
clenched her eyes shut. At the same time, the connected fingertips are both tightened.

Natsu, who again began to drop his lips to Lucy's neck, crawled his right hand up her thigh, which was
peeking through the messy slit of her dress. Finally able to speak, she looked at Natsu with melted eyes,
feeling the heat against her cool skin comfortably.

Natsu...today is not the day to have a baby...?"

"Shut the fuck up!"

-Why am I terribly annoyed that a man who is not me touched Lucy?

-why would you be happy if she accepts only you?

-Why did I touch her in this way other than on the day I had decided?

Without knowing what to do, Natsu dishevels Lucy's dress.

She watched dreamily as Lucy's cherry-red hair mingled with the pale blue fabric she wore.

This was the first time they had physically met other than on 'The Promised Day'.

Three evenings after the party, Natsu was plopped down at a table in the guild.

His guild mates take turns teasing him, but he does not respond to any of their teasing.

He looked at Lucy's smiling face as she and Elsa and Wendy were opening the souvenirs that Sting had
brought earlier - apparently an apology for the other day and a wedding gift. Happy and Charles were
also at the desk.

As a side note, Sting, who visited <Fairy Tail> with Rogue and Minerva, showed a beautiful prostration
when he saw Lucy and Natsu. Frosh, amused, tried to imitate him, but Rogue and Lecter tried hard to
stop him, which drew laughter from those who were watching. They left only half an hour ago and are
no longer with us.

Sting, you don't need so many fancy puddings. Can you both take some?"

"I...can't you do this, Lucy! Such a wonderful thing!"

At Lucy's offer, Elsa, in her usual blouse, glinted in her eyes and then tried to refrain, seriously and
painfully. She was too easy to understand, and everyone in the room looked at her with a wry smile.

"Elsa, you're overreacting..."

But, Lucy, are you sure you want to do this? It's for the both of you."

Yes, why don't you take it?"

Wendy and Charles in their dresses tried to argue, but Lucy laughed and winked at them.

I'll bring back whatever I want," he said. Besides, we have a lot of stuff, and it would be more fun to
share it with everyone.

Sure, it looks like a bunch of Sabre guys got up to some shenanigans, but..."

I've got the meat for the nuts and the candy for Ila!"

As a follow-up, Happy said with his chest puffed out, to which Charles interrupted, "It's not addressed to
you, is it? Everyone laughed.

Declining Wendy's offer to have dinner with her as a thank-you, Lucy went home, saying that she
wanted to take what she had received with her.

Only Happy, who looked disappointed when Lucy refused, was taken by Wendy, and we promised to
have dinner together again later.

You should have gone with Happy, you know?"

I'll eat Lucy's food.

I'll cook some of the meat you gave me. I think I'll grill some of that meat you gave me."
Lucy, who had gone home to put away the gifts she had received, said something as if she had just
remembered, to which Natsu replied in a somewhat indignant tone. She brushed it off as appropriate
and checked the contents of the refrigerator.

(It was probably because of what happened at the hotel the day before yesterday anyway...)

The next morning, when Natsu woke up at the inn, there was something strange about him. He was
even less talkative this morning after waking up. Perhaps it was because he was feeling uncomfortable
with his partner that Happy told him he was going to stay at Wendy and Charles' house today.

Not knowing what Natsu was thinking, and hesitant to ask because of the topic, Lucy tried to be as close
to him as she normally would have been.

Natsu, leaning against the back of the sofa, looked at Lucy in the kitchen and felt the urge to hug her
small back. Part of him wanted to tell her what he had thought about with his unusually focused mind.
Deciding to follow his desire honestly, he approached the kitchen, killing the sound of his footsteps.

-- and just as I was about to take one more step, Lucy, who was about to check the condiments, turned
around, rolling up the sleeves of her cut-and-sew.

Surprised at each other, they stare at each other and a few seconds of silence passes.

What are you doing?

"Yea..."

I always tell you not to mess around in the kitchen. I always tell you not to mess around in the kitchen
because it's dangerous."

Natsu didn't react to Lucy's words as she closed the refrigerator door behind her. She peeked at him
with her hands on her hips, suspicious.

What's wrong?"

Lucy, turn that way. Turn around."

Who would listen to me if they knew they were being pranked?

Natsu, who felt that Lucy, who was completely on guard, was not going to let him get away with this,
decided to use force. He grabbed Lucy by both shoulders, flipped her around, and hugged her from
behind.

Nuts?"

Lucy, who had been bracing herself for the real prank to start here, was so disappointed when he just
hugged her tightly that she gently put her own hand on his arm. Lucy felt Natsu's hair tickling her neck,
and she winced a little.

Hey, why was Lucy so scared of Sting at that time? Why was Lucy so scared of Sting at that time?

Natsu could see that Lucy had choked up at being told, but for his part, he waited patiently for a reply.
When Lucy realized that he was referring to the time at the party, she kept quiet, not wanting to rehash
what had already happened. But when she realized that Natsu would not back down from the flowing
silence, she gave up and opened her mouth.

"...that's right, a guy you don't even like, like that..."

Natsu rubbed his own head against Lucy's neck, who stiffened as he remembered. He felt her body in his
arms relax a little, which made him feel better.

You don't want to be that close to someone who's breathing on you.

I'm good, aren't I?"

The corners of Natsu's mouth turned up, taking advantage of the fact that Lucy couldn't see him. Lucy
froze again at Natsu's confirming words, which came back to her without a pause. She wonders what to
say and chooses a roundabout way of saying it.

"If I didn't, I wouldn't be trying to have a baby."

So you like me as a man, right?"

Natsu's voice took on a serious tone. Lucy gasped as she was told.

They had been physically together and even married, but she had never told him how she felt about
him. It was a matter of mutual interest between Lucy, who was looking for a partner because she
wanted to get married, and Natsu, who wanted to be with Lucy. But then she thought back on the
conversation they had just had and realized that she had just as well have said "I love Natsu.

Even though Lucy gained confidence that Natsu cared about her as a life partner, she did not tell him
how she felt because she was afraid.

-What if romantic feelings become a burden to Natsu?

--What if they say they're going to quit the marriage after all?

Feeling this fear looming ahead of her, Lucy was unable to say anything. She stiffened when she sensed
that Natsu was about to open his mouth, regardless of Lucy's silence.

I like Lucy. --I just realized it, but I've liked her for a long time.

"...... what?"

It was the opposite of the words she was prepared to hear, and it took Lucy a moment to understand
what they meant. She couldn't swallow easily for the life of her, and she slowly opened her mouth as
she cowered in the hand that touched Natsu's arm.

Who?"

I'll do it.

Who?

Lucy, please."

What are you talking about?

I thought about it a lot and finally realized this morning that I've been in love with Lucy for a long time.

As Lucy confirmed each word, Natsu explained it to her carefully. She turned around with only her face
to look at him, trying to see his face without thinking about the words said. Lucy's eyes widened as a soft
kiss fell there, just a touch. She felt an uncontrollable thump in her chest as his face slowly moved away
from her, filling her field of vision.

That's... that's...

I'm talking about as a woman, not as a fellow human being.

Natsu, preempting Lucy's suspicions, gives her a half-glance. She looked awkward as she was taken for
what she was about to say.

And after the first time I had sex with Lucy, I wanted to kiss her all the time, and I wanted to fuck her.

The way you say it!"

Lucy, her face bright red, quickly butts in, but Natsu continues without taking it up.

But when I think about it, I've wanted to touch Lucy for a long time. I just didn't know it.

-I didn't know about kissing, so I didn't really want to kiss him.

-I didn't know about sex, so I didn't really want to have sex.

So after he and Lucy got to know each other, Natsu's desire to do things to her grew. He wondered if it
was just frustration based on the stories he had heard from the no-good adults at the bar, but Lucy was
the only one he could think of to do it to.

Natsu liked Lucy as a matter of course, and without knowing the form of his feelings, he had always
taken it too much for granted that they were next to each other, and only the physical distance between
them grew closer with the passage of time. One of the reasons he was unaware of his feelings was that
he was no longer moved by the mere touch of her breasts or the sight of her naked body.

In other words, he had put it all away, saying, "It's just me and Lucy, so it's only natural.

"When I was a kid..."

Lucy sensed that the conversation had returned to the day of the party. With his eyes fixed on her at
close range, Natsu continued his words.
I was so frustrated, but I was glad Lucy was okay with me."

Natsu could not allow anyone to get close to Lucy's skin without touching it, when he was the only one
who should have known. It was simply a possessive desire, something he was unaware of, but which had
been in him for a long time. He was annoyed when other guilds, clients, or even fellow members of the
Tail of the Fairy were close to Lucy, but not to him. It was a little better to be irritated with a woman, but
it was still hard for him to be at peace with himself. So, in an attempt to get her attention, Natsu played
tricks on her and tried to monopolize the spot next to her.

For a long time now... sometimes when I'm with Lucy, I get this itch in the pit of my stomach.

Saying this, Natsu patted Lucy's belly with his right hand. She reflexively tapped his hand with her
fingertips, but he did not care.

'That one finally made sense to me. I finally understood. I couldn't stop loving it. Sorry."

"I'm sorry..."

Lucy's face reddened again at Natsu's words. At the same time she felt her heart fill up. The warmth she
felt on her back and Natsu's slightly nervous voice told her that he was speaking as best he could.

Then Lucy suddenly realized, "What's 'wrong' with that?" I asked.

It wasn't the day we were supposed to have sex, and then I kissed her out of the blue, and then..."

Aaah! All right, all right!

Lucy interrupted Natsu's words in a flustered, nonchalant manner. He knew it was on the hotel bed, and
it was very embarrassing for her to be put into direct words, but he stopped short of saying, "What's the
point of asking?

'...Normal men and women, you know how you feel before you kiss or go beyond that."

I can't help it. I'm not a man or a woman, but I love Lucy. I don't care about the details.
Natsu was not embarrassed and replied as if it was natural. She felt that her feelings were about to be
punctured by his words. When she squeezed his hand, he released her, grabbed both of her shoulders,
and flipped her around. Unexpectedly, she blinked involuntarily, and he pursed his lips to say how he
felt, which he understood as he thought and untangled himself from the impulse he had felt three days
ago in an unusually serious way.

I like Lucy as a woman, too. I mean, I like you as a whole.

Lucy's tear gland finally collapsed at the sight of Natsu's straight eyes. Large drops of tears spilled from
her amber eyes.

Don't cry. I mean, when did Lucy start liking me as a man?

"Why... why do you assume that I mean... that I... that I... that I like you?

Because you love it.

Yeah... but..."

Natsu grabs Lucy's hands as she tries to rub her eyes and licks away the tears.

Lucy hugged Natsu with a broken smile and said, "I don't know how long it's been since I've seen you. He
clung to her and hugged her as hard as he could. His shirt soaked up her tears.

Lucy remembered that day when the rain was strong and she and Natsu were physically connected for
the first time.

On that rainy day, I tried my best to give up on Natsu and...well, I thought I was going to fall in love with
someone else..."

It was a wasted effort."

Then Natsu threw a huge curveball in the kitchen..."

I've been with Lucy for a long time, so it's kind of a straight shot.

Natsu's sultry tone was getting stranger and stranger, and Lucy felt the tears begin to recede. Then she
ventured to ask the question she had always wanted to ask.
Why did you hold me so... painfully?

The actuality that you can't get a lot of these things is that they're not going to decrease. You have to be
prepared for a lot of things.

(In Natsu's own way, he just took it seriously, it wasn't that he was in pain...)

Lucy seemed to have lost her grip on her chest and relaxed her unknowingly strong body. As if in
response, Natsu put even more strength into her arms.

I don't know how you can remember something that happened a few months ago.

I'm not going to forget anything important..."

Silence fell, then Natsu again dropped a kiss just to touch Lucy. As it was, they looked at each other at
close range, and he whispered to her.

"Hey, what do you care if it's a 'set date' or not anymore?"

It's not just about making a baby anymore.

Lucy said and slowly lowered her eyelids.

On a beautiful sunny day in early spring, Happy was in front of the cathedral.

He looks at Lucy in her wedding dress, who is being showered with colorful petals, and Natsu in his
tuxedo, who is smiling and hugging her shoulder.

Natsu and Lucy, since they got married...they just got more and more lovey-dovey."

That damn flame has changed a lot."

It was Gray, who was carrying him on his shoulders, who responded to Happy's emotional comment. He
was dressed neatly in his suit and was unquestionably good looking - as long as he didn't take it off.

'Lucy said the ceremony was fine, but Natsu insisted on doing it, didn't he?'

Elsa, dressed in a bright red dress, asked Happy from beside Gray for confirmation. Her hair was tied up
and glossy.

I was so sweet to Lucy that she ended up pushing me away. Lucy was so sweet, she ended up getting
pushed around."

It's just like them.

Gray said dismissively, and Erza gave a small laugh.

"...It's been a few months since they got married, and I for one am glad we made it to this day."

"Love."

Yes."

Natsu was smiling, showing his teeth as usual, but when he suddenly looked at Lucy beside him, he had
a mature, compassionate expression on his face.

I never thought he'd grow up to look like that.

'It's all thanks to Lucy, isn't it? And we've grown up--the nuts and all of us."

Ahead of the team members looking on, Natsu and Lucy, illuminated by the sunlight, are smiling happily
from the bottom of their hearts as they are congratulated by everyone.

Happy grabbed many petals in his tiny hands to celebrate his favorite couple.