Hope only felt a soft, moist touch on his lips, mixed with the faint scent of alcohol from Cana. Before his mind could even process this sudden "thank you," a strong sense of crisis poured over him like ice water.
He saw Erza, who had just returned to the guild after finishing her business, grip the knight's sword at her waist without any hesitation. Although the sword was still in its sheath, the mere aura caused the surrounding temperature to drop by several degrees.
At the same time, Mirajane's smile remained gentle, but she openly put a small pinch of suspicious bright red powder into the freshly made fruit juice... The kiss came suddenly and ended quickly.
Before Hope could react, Cana let go of him, her eyes filled with a mischievous smile, gratitude, the smugness of a successful prank, and an indescribable shyness.
"Hope."
"Such a frivolous act in public damages the image of Fairy Tail."
"As the guild's Disciplinary Committee Member, I need an explanation from you."
Erza's voice was frighteningly calm, and the pressure instantly shifted to Hope as she approached step by step.
"That... uh..."
"It's because of me!"
Cana stepped in front of Hope. Although she was a bit intimidated by Erza's aura, she still bit the bullet and said, "I wanted to thank Hope, and I couldn't control my emotions. It has nothing to do with him."
"There are many ways to say thank you," Erza said, unmoved, her gaze sharp.
Just as Hope was about to explain, Cana threw caution to the wind, putting her hands on her hips. "That's right, there are many ways to say thank you, but I like him. What's wrong with kissing him?"
The commotion here had already attracted the attention of the entire guild.
The cheers surrounding Gildarts gradually subsided, replaced by whispered gossip and burning curiosity.
"Wow! That kid Hope, he's got guts!"
"He actually provoked Erza. He won't be able to leave the guild tonight, will he?"
"Speaking of which, Cana actually likes Hope's type."
"Did you guys notice that Erza seems a bit off? Her aura looks exactly like someone catching a cheating partner?"
"Could it be that even Erza..."
"…"
Gildarts, half-drunk, stroked his chin and looked at Cana. "Hahaha! As expected of my daughter! You must be decisive with the person you like!"
Makarov, on the other hand, had a worried expression. He had long noticed Erza's feelings for Hope, and he didn't expect Cana to feel the same, and even bravely make the first move.
With Erza's personality, she probably wouldn't allow herself to interfere with someone else's feelings, even if she also fell in love with that person... Erza didn't hear any of the whispers around her. Her mind was filled with Cana's resolute expression when she said she liked Hope.
Erza felt a bit regretful. If she had been so brave with the feelings hidden in her heart, would she have been the one to kiss Hope just now?
Twilight Town Ancient Ruins, Tower of Paradise.
Hope was present at two important events that represented Erza's identity and past. Their relationship was so close, yet why was she too timid to say those words... I like you, Hope.
Releasing the hilt of her sword, Erza suppressed the sadness in her heart and forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I was impulsive. The Disciplinary Committee Member only needs to manage discipline. I overstepped."
Seeing Erza's forced smile, Cana's body stiffened, as if she felt the bitterness in Erza's heart. She quickly explained, "Erza, please don't misunderstand. It was actually my own doing. Hope was forced. Mirajane can testify."
Cana turned to look at Mirajane behind the counter. Mirajane also let go of the unknown liquid in the glass and quickly said to Erza, "I can..."
"Erza."
A calm voice interrupted Mirajane. It was Hope. He walked directly in front of Erza, looked at her eyes that dared not meet his, cupped her face with both hands, and suddenly kissed her.
Feeling the warm touch on her lips, Erza's eyes instantly widened. She tried to push away the man in front of her with her hands, but it was as if she had lost all her strength and couldn't break free.
Hope didn't let go until she was almost out of breath.
Looking at Erza's suddenly crimson cheeks and the bewildered panic in her eyes, Hope smiled. "How about it? Do you feel better now?"
"You... you... what are you talking about!"
Erza instantly sobered up, almost instinctively wanting to step back, but Hope's hand had somehow wrapped around her waist, holding her quite tightly.
Hope stared at the flustered girl in his arms, looking at her rarely shy appearance, and said seriously, "Feelings are always mutual. I didn't dodge when Cana kissed me because I also have feelings for her deep down."
"And Erza, I kiss you because I also love you."
As soon as these words came out, the guild instantly erupted.
"Is this a confession? Is it?"
"Cana, and then Erza..."
"Is Hope really that brave?"
"Whose general is this! So fierce!"
"…"
"Damn it!"
Gildarts suddenly stood up. As someone who had dated many women, Hope's behavior was undoubtedly as much of a scumbag as his own.
But from a father's perspective, Hope, in Gildarts' eyes, had already transformed from a gentle and polite young man into a Delinquent.
Although it was somewhat ungrateful, Gildarts could no longer suppress his urge to punch Hope.
Just as Gildarts was considering whether to use "Crush" or "Crush," Makarov's giant palm pressed him to the ground.
"Calm down, Gildarts!"
Gildarts gritted his teeth, "Master, hold me down, or I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and smash Hope's dog head!"
Makarov's mouth twitched. I'm afraid you'll be beaten up by Hope instead... Hope let go of Erza, took her hand, and then took Cana's hand, looking serious. "As a man, one should face their feelings directly, Erza, Cana..."
"You are all my wings!"
Facing such outrageously scummy words, Erza and Cana, as two normal women, responded as any normal person would in that instant.
Eye poke, groin kick.
"Ouch!"
Looking at Hope, who was kneeling on the ground with his legs pressed together, Erza and Cana's moods finally returned to normal. They walked away hand in hand, chatting and laughing.
Mirajane smiled as she walked around the bar and handed a glass to Hope. "Hope, here, drink some water to recover."
"As expected, Mirajane is the gentlest."
Hope, whose eyes had been poked by Erza, didn't clearly see the bubbling unknown liquid in the glass. He raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
The next second, Hope clutched his throat, his face turning crimson, and then his vision blurred, as if he saw the deceased Grand Commander waving at him... Looking at Hope lying motionless on the ground, Mirajane curled her lip in disgust. "I only poured in a packet of Hell Chili Powder. What a useless man, with such little strength yet he's still two-timing..."
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