Watching Rain walk out of the house and disappear down the road, Lisanna felt a small, sinking disappointment inside her chest.
But then she remembered the promise Rain had made to her just moments ago — and suddenly her whole heart filled with fresh motivation.
Magnolia Town Entrance
Rain arrived at the city entrance and immediately noticed someone standing there.
"Huh? Is someone… waiting to go on a job with me?"
That thought flashed through his mind instinctively.
But when he approached far enough to see the person clearly… Rain stopped.
"Eh? Erza? What are you doing here? Are you here to see me off?"
He blinked, genuinely confused.
"No." Erza shook her head. A gentle smile curved on her lips as she faced him.
"I'm going to the Western Continent with you."
"…What?" Rain froze. He clearly hadn't expected that answer.
"You're coming with me? To the Western Continent?"
"Yes."
Rain honestly couldn't understand why.
"Why though? Why come with me of all people?"
Erza crossed her arms, her expression turning firm — the kind of seriousness she used when explaining battlefield strategy.
"I'm currently in a period of rapid growth. If I just take normal missions, my strength won't rise fast enough. Without you as a sparring partner, my progress will slow down."
She paused, then added:
"And if you leave for several months — maybe even half a year — I refuse to waste that time doing nothing. So coming with you is simply the best choice."
Her explanation was straightforward… and honestly flawless.
Rain couldn't find a single hole in her reasoning.
"So that's how it is…" He nodded slowly.
"…You don't welcome it?" Erza's eyes narrowed with quiet intensity.
"No, of course I welcome it," Rain replied quickly.
Then he hesitated before adding, more sincerely:
"Actually… I'm kind of looking forward to traveling with you, Erza."
"Good." Erza nodded, satisfied.
"Then let's go together."
Rain chuckled. "Alright, let's head out."
The two of them made their way to Magnolia Station, planning to take the next train to the nearest port city, then find a ship to cross the sea.
On the Train
"Ah—woo~! Ah—woo~~!"
Erza took a massive bite of strawberry cake, her entire face glowing with bliss.
Rain watched her… and the thought rose in his mind completely unfiltered:
I really want to reincarnate as that strawberry cake…
Erza suddenly froze mid-chew.
She turned her head slowly.
"…Why are you staring at me like that?"
Rain snapped back instantly.
"Ah—well—uh—"
Even Rain's shamelessness had limits. He absolutely couldn't say he wanted to become her dessert. That was too embarrassing. Maybe even social-death level.
"Oh. I see." Erza nodded to herself like she had solved the mystery.
"???"
Rain blinked. "What did you 'see'?"
"You want to eat my strawberry cake too, right?"
Erza spoke with absolute confidence.
"…Remove the word 'cake,' please."
Rain thought silently.
"Actually…"
Erza hesitated, cheeks faintly pink.
"…It's not like I can't give you a taste."
Rain raised a brow.
"Oh? Then I'll have a taste."
Erza really was too cute sometimes.
"…But only a small bite," she insisted.
Heart clearly aching, she scooped a tiny spoonful of cake and held it out for him.
Rain stared for half a second.
She didn't even change the spoon…?
If Erza wasn't embarrassed, then why should he be?
He leaned in — and ate it straight off the spoon.
"Ah—"
Erza froze completely.
Wait.
That was the spoon she just used.
…Indirect kiss?!
Pooooof!
Her face exploded into bright red, steam practically rising from the top of her head.
"I—I—what did I just do?!"
She stared at Rain like he had somehow tricked her, even though she was the one who offered it.
"And why didn't he refuse at all?!"
Rain licked his lips lightly.
"Very sweet," he said with a smile.
"I liked it."
Erza's face went from red to volcanic.
Does he mean the cake was sweet…?
Or… me??
"Can I have another taste?"
Rain leaned in a little, eyes full of clear mischief.
"N—No!"
Erza panicked, grabbed the plate, and inhaled the remaining cake in three lightning-fast bites.
Rain sighed.
"What a pity."
Erza heard that and instantly felt a bad omen crawl down her spine.
…Is following him on this trip actually a good idea?
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