Having watched the anime, Takeshi knew Lucy was a very talkative girl, but her chattiness still somewhat exceeded his expectations.
However, despite being quite talkative, she wasn't annoying. Instead, he found her somewhat cute.
At this moment, Lucy turned her head and said, "By the way, it looks like you guys are looking for someone."
Happy nodded and said, "That's right, we're looking for Igneel. We heard he came to this town, but when we arrived, we found out he didn't."
"That guy called Salamander clearly isn't him."
"I was so sure Igneel was here, sigh! Another wasted trip."
Takeshi said with a speechless expression, "You two really are idiots. How could Igneel possibly appear here? If he really appeared here, the whole city would have been in chaos long ago."
Lucy was slightly startled by this and asked, "Igneel would cause the entire city to fall into chaos? As a human..."
"Hmm? Not a human. Igneel is a real dragon."
"!!!"
Lucy was immediately dumbfounded by these words. "How could he possibly appear on the street?! Are you idiots?!"
"Hmph!"
Natsu and Happy suddenly looked like they had just realized something.
"Hey! Don't act like you're just figuring it out now!"
...
At this moment, the group arrived at the spot Takeshi had mentioned. The place was already quite full, so Takeshi and the others found a window seat, sat down, and ordered some food.
"Alright, I should go now. You guys enjoy your meal."
Lucy paid for her meal and stood up to leave. After all, they were just passing acquaintances, and she only wanted to express her gratitude.
"Thank you for treating us to a meal."
"Thanks!"
"No need to thank me. You guys helped me too, didn't you? It's just returning the favor. Alright, I'm off. Bye-bye." Lucy waved her hand and then turned to leave.
"What a nice person." Natsu looked at Lucy's retreating figure and sighed.
Just because of their unconscious help, she wanted to treat them to a meal. It was the first time they had met such a kind person.
"Aye!"
Takeshi pouted and said, "She treats you to one meal and she's a nice person? Then what about me, who treats you to so many meals?"
"Then you're a super nice person. Hehehe!"
"Aye!"
"Waiter! Order!"
Natsu reached out and called the waiter over, then picked up the menu and started ordering with Happy. Soon, a table full of food was ordered.
Takeshi was startled. "Hey!"
Natsu said with a grin, "After all, we're not familiar with her, so eating too much wouldn't feel right. We just ordered a little something to be polite. But with you, Takeshi, there's no problem. You just completed an S-Class Quest, so I'm going to feast."
"Aye!"
Happy excitedly agreed.
"Aye your head."
Takeshi lightly flicked Happy's head. Natsu seemed carefree and thoughtless, but occasionally he was quite considerate.
Then the three of them ate and chatted, but Takeshi's thoughts were with Lucy. Although he couldn't recall all the specific details of Fairy Tail, he still had some impression of how the story began.
He thought of the middle-aged man surrounded by girls, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Impersonating Fairy Tail.
Now, after more than half a year of transmigration, he considered Fairy Tail his other home. Anyone who tarnished Fairy Tail's reputation deserved to die. For now, he would let them enjoy their last moments of happiness.
Evening.
As night fell, the pure, warm moonlight shone upon the sea, and its reflection draped the entire Hargeon town in a glow, making it bright even at night. Coupled with the cool sea breeze, even though it was the hot summer, it gave off a very comfortable feeling.
Many people were out for a stroll along the coast at this time, not only to enjoy the beautiful seaside night view but also to help digest their food. Takeshi and his companions were among them.
"Ah! That was so satisfying." Natsu patted his round, full belly contentedly.
"Aye! It's been a long time since I've eaten so much." Happy nodded.
"You two certainly aren't shy. In the future, cause a little less trouble. If Erza finds out..." Takeshi shivered.
Natsu's face immediately turned pale. "Don't say such scary things at a time like this."
"Now you're scared, hahahaha!"
Teasing Natsu made Takeshi feel very Happy.
"Oh, right, Salamander said he was having a party on a ship. Is that the ship?"
At this moment, Happy, who was walking on the seaside railing, saw a ship sailing into the distance and remembered the man called Salamander saying he was having a party on a ship earlier that day.
"Ship... Ugh... I feel a little sick..."
Natsu immediately felt like vomiting at the sight of the ship.
Suddenly, a girl's voice sounded from nearby.
"Look! That's the ship, Salamander-sama's ship! Ah! I really want to go to the party too!"
"Salamander?"
The girl's best friend, who was with her, seemed unfamiliar with his name.
"Don't you know? A super powerful Mage came to our town, a Mage from the super famous Fairy Tail."
Natsu and Happy immediately froze, their eyes turning to Takeshi, who shook his head.
Natsu's expression instantly changed, veins bulging on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said, "That bastard... how dare he impersonate Fairy Tail!"
"Happy!"
"Aye!"
Happy immediately spread his wings, grabbed Natsu, and flew towards the departing ship.
"Hey!"
Takeshi didn't even have time to stop them.
"This idiot, did he forget he gets seasick?"
He had originally planned to wait until the other party was far away, then catch up and secretly deal with those guys. Now, he had no choice but to go.
"Full Body Take-Over: Ulquiorra Cifer."
A cyan light emanated around Takeshi's body, and his appearance rapidly transformed. In the blink of an eye, he had taken on Ulquiorra's form.
Takeshi stomped on the railing.
Bang!
The railing shattered, and his body rapidly flew towards the ship.
At this moment, on the ship, all the girls, dressed in their finest, were attending the party.
In the cabin, Lucy sat there in a black evening gown, wearing a fake smile.
She had met the man named Salamander again in the park. He promised he could help her join Fairy Tail, which she longed for, on the condition that she attend this party. To successfully join Fairy Tail, she agreed.
After dealing with this idiot and joining Fairy Tail, she would kick this annoying guy away.
"Is your name Lucy? What a beautiful name."
"Thank you."
"Let's have a toast first."
"It's not very nice to ignore the other girls, is it?"
She didn't want to spend a long time with this guy.
"It's fine. Right now, I only want to drink with you, just the two of us."
Snap!
Salamander snapped his fingers, and the wine in the glass slowly floated up, forming droplets.
"Please open your mouth, and the jewel of wine will slide into your throat."
Lucy wailed inwardly. 'So annoying.'
Such small tricks might work well on ordinary girls who couldn't use magic, but for her, such tactics only made her feel physically uncomfortable.
But there was no choice. Now she had to endure. Lucy closed her eyes and opened her mouth.
Swoosh! Splat!
Lucy suddenly stood up and waved her hand, knocking all the wine away.
She said with a disgusted expression, "What are you trying to do? There's a sleeping pill in the wine."