Year X779
Late Autumn Evening
Location: Fairy Tail Guild Hall
---
The doors of Fairy Tail didn't open.
They exploded.
The moment Makarov stepped inside, the guild hall erupted into cheers so loud the windows rattled. Tables were shoved aside, mugs flew through the air, and someone—Ren suspected it was Natsu—was already on a chair screaming incoherently.
"ERZA PASSED—!"
"REN TOO—!"
"S-CLASS! S-CLASS!"
Ren barely had time to react before his feet left the ground.
"HEY—WAIT—!"
He was lifted, spun, and almost dropped as half the guild crowded him at once.
"That was amazing!"
"You sliced lightning!"
"Do that again!"
Ren laughed, a little breathless. "I'd rather not inside the guild hall!"
Erza stood a short distance away, arms crossed—but she didn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips as the noise swelled around them.
Mira stood beside her.
She wasn't smiling.
No one noticed at first.
---
Chaos, the Fairy Tail Way
Barrels rolled. Someone started a fight over who bought the drinks. Someone else joined it without knowing why. The floor cracked slightly when Natsu tried to reenact Laxus' lightning punch—using Gray as the target.
"WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME—?!"
Ren slipped away from the crowd with practiced ease, carrying three mugs of juice. He handed one to Erza.
"For you."
She blinked. "…You remembered."
"You always forget to drink during celebrations."
"…Hmph."
She took it anyway.
Ren turned and held the third mug out.
"Mira."
She looked up, surprised. "…Oh. Thanks."
Their fingers brushed briefly.
Ren felt it immediately.
Her breathing is unstable.
Not shallow—but uneven. Like she was forcing it to behave.
"…You okay?" he asked gently.
Mira smiled—too fast. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
Ren didn't push. Not here.
But his eyes softened. "If you say so."
She looked away.
Erza watched the exchange quietly.
---
When the Noise Fades
The party lasted hours.
It always did.
By the time the guild hall settled into exhausted laughter and snoring bodies, Ren slipped outside. Cool night air washed over him as he leaned against the railing, staring up at the stars.
Sun Breathing. Constant.
Even at rest, his body hummed with warmth.
Footsteps approached.
"…You always run away from your own celebrations," Mira said, stopping beside him.
"I prefer to think of it as strategic retreat."
She snorted—then fell quiet.
The silence stretched.
"…I failed," she said suddenly.
Ren didn't respond right away.
"…You didn't," he said finally. "You were stopped."
She clenched her hands. "…Everyone else moved forward."
"You're still moving," he replied calmly. "You're just… carrying something heavy."
She looked at him sharply. "You noticed."
"I always do."
Her shoulders sagged.
"…I get angry," Mira admitted softly. "And when I do… I lose control. My breathing breaks. My magic spikes. It scares people."
Ren turned to face her fully.
"…Does it scare you?"
She hesitated.
"…Yes."
That was enough.
"…Come with me tomorrow morning," he said. "Before the guild wakes up."
"…Why."
"I'll help you."
Her eyes widened slightly. "…You would?"
He smiled. "Of course."
From behind them—
"…You better not overdo it."
Erza stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
Ren chuckled. "You're invited too, you know."
Erza scoffed. "…Someone needs to make sure you don't flirt your way into trouble."
Mira blinked. "…Flirt?"
Ren placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Me? Never."
Both girls stared at him.
"…Liar," they said in unison.
---
Dawn Training
The guild courtyard was quiet at dawn.
Ren sat cross-legged on the stone, posture relaxed, eyes closed. Mira mirrored him, restless energy barely contained. Erza stood nearby, arms folded, observing.
"…Breathing isn't about force," Ren said softly. "It's about acceptance."
Mira frowned. "…That's easy for you to say."
He opened one eye. "Then don't copy me. Listen to yourself."
She exhaled sharply.
"…Try this," Ren continued. "Inhale through the nose. Slow. Count four. Hold. Then exhale like you're letting go of something you don't want to carry anymore."
Mira tried.
Her shoulders trembled.
Again.
This time, steadier.
Erza's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Her magic is stabilizing."
Ren nodded. "She just needs rhythm."
Minutes passed.
Then—
"…I did it," Mira whispered.
Her breathing flowed—smooth, constant.
Not perfect.
But real.
Ren smiled. "That's Total Concentration."
Her eyes shimmered. "…Constant?"
"…Not yet," he said gently. "But you're closer than you think."
She laughed quietly—then, without warning, leaned forward and hugged him.
Ren stiffened for exactly half a second.
"…Mira?"
"…Thank you," she murmured. "…For not giving up on me."
He returned the hug carefully. "…Never."
Erza cleared her throat loudly.
Mira pulled back, cheeks pink. "S-Sorry!"
Ren grinned. "Don't be."
Erza narrowed her eyes. "…You're enjoying this."
"Only a little."
She stepped closer, armor faintly clinking. "…Careful, Ren."
He leaned slightly toward her, voice teasing but sincere. "…Jealous?"
"…No."
"…You answered too fast."
Mira covered her mouth, laughing.
The sun rose over Magnolia, bathing the guild in gold.
Ren inhaled.
Warmth. Bonds. Chaos. Growth.
This is Fairy Tail, he thought.
And this—this is worth protecting.
---
End of Chapter ☀️💔