After the match with Laxus, the guild was lively once again.
To celebrate the return of Rain and Mira, everyone threw a full-blown banquet.
Winners, losers — none of that mattered. Everyone drank like there was no tomorrow.
Well, it was free wine. If you didn't drink, it'd just go to waste anyway. And besides… when there's a big spender footing the bill, who'd say no?
"Honestly, they're all such kids," Rain muttered, shaking his head as he watched the chaos unfold around the guild hall.
Then his gaze drifted toward a quiet corner.
There, Laxus sat awake, a bottle of wine in hand, drinking with his Thunder God Tribe — Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen.
Seeing him, Rain couldn't help but smile. He grabbed a bottle and walked over.
"I said," Rain called out casually, "how boring is it to drink alone? Mind if I join you?"
He plopped down in front of Laxus with that easy grin.
Laxus was just about to say something when Freed spoke up first, frowning.
"What's that supposed to mean? Laxus already lost miserably — you here to rub it in or something?"
"…"
Laxus opened his mouth but went silent, the words dying out the moment Freed said that.
"I didn't mean anything like that," Rain said calmly. "Just thought it'd be nice to share a drink with him."
He knew Laxus's pride well enough not to turn this into an argument.
"Alright, Freed," Laxus finally said, setting down his bottle. "Enough. Losing once doesn't mean anything. A win or loss doesn't decide everything."
Freed wanted to protest, but seeing that expression, he fell silent.
"As expected of Laxus…"
"Still cool even after losing."
"Damn, he's so manly…"
The Thunder God Tribe practically sparkled with admiration.
"…"
Laxus sighed. Was this really how they saw him?
"You've got three very loyal followers."
Rain smiled at Laxus, raising his glass in a friendly toast.
"Isn't that obvious?"
Laxus smirked and clinked his glass against Rain's, looking relaxed for the first time that evening.
He really was proud of his Thunder God Tribe.
Hearing that, Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen all stood up at once — chests puffed out, faces brimming with confidence.
Rain couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
The celebration lasted until around nine that night and finally ended with Kana winning yet another drinking contest.
Though, by the end… not many people were still standing.
"Honestly… how could Sister Mira drink that much like a kid?" Lisanna sighed, supporting Mira on one side while Rain held her up from the other as they made their way to the rented apartment.
Mira's cheeks were bright red, a goofy smile plastered across her face as she mumbled incoherently.
Rain smiled. "Wasn't it a competition between her and Erza?"
He shook his head helplessly. Those two had been at it since day one — natural-born rivals who just couldn't coexist peacefully for more than five minutes.
Even after being apart for so long, the moment they saw each other again, it was like the rivalry picked up right where it left off.
Almost like destiny wanted them to fight.
"Sis is amazing, but… Erza's amazing too," Lisanna said softly, a trace of fondness in her eyes.
After all, over the past year, Erza had taken good care of her.
"In truth," Rain said thoughtfully, "Mira and Erza actually get along pretty well."
"Huh? Really?" Lisanna blinked, clearly unconvinced.
Rain nodded seriously. "They might act like enemies, but if something really happened, they'd have each other's backs without hesitation."
"...Is that so?" Lisanna tilted her head, still unsure.
"Trust me, Lisanna." Rain smiled confidently. "Mira and Erza are close friends."
"Well… if you say so, Brother Rain."
Lisanna gave a small nod, choosing to believe him.
Rain just smiled to himself. Close friends, huh?
If fists, wine bottles, and arguments counted as friendship, then yes… they were the best of friends.
--
After returning to the apartment, Rain and Lisanna carefully helped Mira into her room and laid her gently on the bed.
Once she was settled, the two quietly stepped out.
"Get some rest early, Lisanna," Rain said softly, his tone calm and gentle.
"Mm. You too, Brother Rain. See you tomorrow."
Lisanna smiled, waving lightly before disappearing into her room.
Rain stood by the door for a moment, watching her go, then let out a small sigh.
"…Feels like we're missing someone, doesn't it?" he muttered.
Of course — that "someone" was none other than Elfman.
Naturally, he was still lying on the floor of the guild hall.
There was no other possibility.
Unlike the girls, he was a man. Lying there overnight wouldn't kill him.
So Rain shrugged, turned off the lights, and headed for bed.
No worries at all.
--
Rain didn't know how much time had passed.
When he finally opened his eyes, the room was still wrapped in darkness.
He glanced at the clock — barely two in the morning.
"Guess I'll get some water," he murmured, sitting up and stretching a little.
But as he stepped into the living room, he paused.
Someone was sitting quietly on the balcony, their silhouette framed against the dim moonlight.
"It's so late," Rain said softly, walking closer. "Why aren't you resting?"
The girl turned around in surprise — it was Lisanna.
"Oh, it's just you, Brother Rain…"
She let out a visible sigh of relief before smiling faintly.
"Shouldn't you be asleep too? Don't tell me you haven't been back for so long that you can't get used to the bed?" she asked with a teasing lilt, though her tone carried genuine concern.
Rain shook his head. "No, it's not that I can't sleep. I just… don't feel tired."
And it was true — his body felt unnaturally alert, as if sleep simply wasn't something he needed right now.
Lisanna chuckled softly. "Me too. I couldn't sleep, so I came out here for a bit of air."
The night breeze brushed gently past them.
Then, without saying anything, Rain took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Lisanna blinked, startled for a moment, before her lips curved into a soft smile.
"The morning dew gets cold," Rain said quietly. "You should keep warm."
His eyes, as always, were calm — but there was a familiar warmth in them that made Lisanna's heart feel oddly peaceful.
She held the coat tighter, her gaze lifting to the starlit sky.
For a brief moment, the night felt still… and gentle.
Author's Note
A new fanfic novel has been released: Naruto: The Kizaru Template.
If you enjoy lazy but terrifying protagonists, light-speed power, and a bit of trolling in the ninja world, then I'm sure you would come to like it.
At least give me some face and read the first chapter… being a little supportive isn't that troublesome, right? Tagged below 👇