Honey had only one shot at it—there weren't enough materials left for a top-tier upgrade.
But Teal's materials were still quite valuable.
Receiving this new blade, Ikuto was overjoyed. As a skilled swordsman who trained in kendo, how could she not long for a quality sword?
The difference between this new blade and her old one—
In One Piece terms, the old one was an average sword, while this one was a "Ryō Wazamono" equivalent.
"Momousagi"—that's what she named her new sword.
Jehfrit watched as Ikuto styled herself with long pink hair tied up into two bunny-like buns on top of her head—her mature figure contrasted amusingly with her youthful hairstyle.
She carefully cleaned and patched up the precious kimono left behind by her master, then tucked it away deep in her closet.
Then she bought some new clothes—for herself and Emily.
Emily loved wearing light-colored dresses, dressing up all cute and adorable. With her white hair and stylish children's fashion, she looked like a little angel fallen from heaven—kids stared in awe wherever she walked, and mothers couldn't help but coo and gush over how adorable she was, wanting to scoop her up in their arms.
Ikuto got herself a new kimono and even attached a small white rabbit plushie to her waist, which she would occasionally take out and squeeze.
This made Jehfrit puff out his chest proudly—
See that? That's my assistant!
And a pretty girl too!
I'm no cheap act!
"Tch." Macao muttered enviously.
"He looks like a rooster," Wakaba said. "Might start crowing any second."
Cana downed a swig of alcohol and glanced at Mirajane—who was smiling warmly as she greeted Jehfrit and Ikuto, showing no sign of displeasure.
Cana's eyes held both concern and confusion—Mirajane, aren't you worried at all? What exactly are you thinking?
"Good morning, Ikuto, Emily. Are you settling into the dorm okay?" Mirajane asked with a smile.
"Yeah, it's so much more comfortable than where I used to live—it feels safe here too." Ikuto replied happily.
Emily added, "The bed is super big and soft! I took a bath last night, lay down, and fell asleep right away!"
"That's good to hear." Mirajane nodded, then turned to Jehfrit, only to find him watching Gray.
Gray was sitting in just his shorts, playing chess with Juvia.
"Agh, I lost again to Gray-sama… I'm so dumb!" Juvia groaned, lightly hitting her own head.
"It's fine. You almost won this time." Gray smiled gently.
"Gray—let me have a go at you!" Natsu suddenly burst in, knocking Gray off his chair.
"You idiot!" Gray shouted, getting back up to fight.
*Swish-swish-swish—CRASH!*
A spinning glass flew through the air and slammed into the back of Evergreen's head without warning.
"You two again!" Before Evergreen could speak, Elfman across from her stood up angrily and joined the brawl.
"They're at it again…" Jehfrit mused, turning to Mirajane and whispering, "Your brother's got something going on?"
Mirajane chuckled. "Elfman and Evergreen have been teaming up a lot lately. She hasn't gone on many jobs with the Thunder God Tribe, and Laxus approved it."
"Damn it!" Jehfrit lightly punched the table, muttering, "Lucky Elfman!"
He glared slightly at Evergreen, who sat straight-backed on her stool, her posture highlighting her figure, before looking toward Elfman and whispering, "Go on, Natsu—kick him right there!"
Mirajane gave a helpless smile, leaned forward, rested her left elbow on the counter, extended her right hand, and flicked Jehfrit's ear lightly.
Ikuto blinked, watching Mirajane thoughtfully.
"Ah—" Jehfrit turned around. "What was that for?"
"Elfman is my brother. If you're going to badmouth him, at least don't let me hear it." Mirajane smiled sweetly.
"Hmph." Jehfrit huffed, crossing his arms. "Strawberry on the rocks, please."
The commotion with Natsu eventually died down—
Ending with Elfman being thrown and Natsu getting knocked out by Lucy's punch.
Fists lowered, they switched to verbal sparring.
Natsu and Gray resumed their chess game, while Lucy and Juvia sat beside them.
As soon as Natsu gained an advantage, he smugly slapped Lucy's shoulder and laughed loudly.
Lucy sighed but didn't want to ruin his mood, so she endured it quietly.
Meanwhile, Juvia cheered Gray on. "It's okay, Gray-sama! Just a temporary mistake."
"I won't lose to that idiot Natsu!" Gray declared.
"All set." Mirajane brought over drinks and asked Ikuto and Emily, "What would you two like?"
"The same as师父!" Emily chirped.
"Just milk for me, please." Ikuto requested. Truthfully, she preferred low-alcohol drinks, but after learning that Jehfrit wasn't great with alcohol, she'd decided to cut back and switch to milk instead.
"Sure thing." Mirajane nodded and went off to prepare.
*Glug-glug*
*Glug-glug*
Two sounds of drinking—one large, one small.
Mirajane smiled watching Jehfrit and Emily—
Emily was sitting on Jehfrit's lap, mimicking his habit of drinking, even copying the rhythm of her sips through the straw.
"Ahhh—" Jehfrit finished his drink with a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhh—hic!" Emily tried to copy him, but ended up letting out a hiccup, immediately blushing shyly.
Jehfrit chuckled and ruffled her hair before setting her down and heading toward Natsu.
The match was about to end—Gray's victory was already clear.
Natsu was sweating bullets, and Lucy handed him a handkerchief, though he was too focused on the board to notice anything else.
*Slap!*
The final move landed—Gray won.
"HAHAHAHA!" Gray laughed triumphantly.
"Way to go, Gray-sama!" Juvia cheered.
"Darn it!" Natsu grumbled in frustration.
Suddenly—
*Crash!*
A foot came down hard on the chessboard, scattering the pieces.
"Jehfrit?!" Gray and Natsu turned in shock.
"Let's go fishing!" Jehfrit announced.
"Let's go fishing!" Natsu echoed excitedly. "Gray, I won't lose to you again!"
"Bring it on!" Gray smirked.
"And me too!" Happy chimed in.
"Let's go—"
The three humans and one cat dashed out the door.
"Wait for us!" Lucy, Juvia, and Ikuto holding Emily's hand quickly followed.
Mirajane continued cheerfully wiping glasses.
"…"
After a long silence, Cana muttered, "Three idiots."
Evening came.
Cana saw Mirajane leaving the guild and hurried after her.
"Mirajane!" Cana called.
"What's wrong, Cana?" Mirajane paused, waiting for Cana to catch up.
They walked side by side.
"Mirajane… aren't you worried?" After a brief pause, Cana finally asked.
"Worried about what?" Mirajane tilted her head slightly.
"You know…" Cana hesitated. "About Ikuto."
Cana had been observing Mirajane's expression, but her face remained calm.
"She really is beautiful," Mirajane said with a smile. "Great figure too—very attractive, and strong."
"Not… not that." Cana frowned. "How can you be so nonchalant? We've been friends since we were kids—you know exactly what I mean!"
Mirajane still smiled. "So what?"
"Aren't you worried?" Cana pressed.
"Why should I worry?" Mirajane countered.
Cana stayed silent.
"Cana," Mirajane said gently. "What do you really think of Jehfrit? Deep down?"
Cana thought for a moment before answering, "Honestly… I envy him a bit. He never seems troubled by secrets inside him. He handles everything with ease, never shows sadness, always finds ways to cope, and has such strong beliefs. It's like nothing ever shakes him."
"He always walks the right path—"
"Because he's smart, strong, and powerful in every way."
"And he's easy to satisfy. A satisfied strong person must live a very comfortable life."
"In short—he's enviable."
Mirajane nodded. "Admiration?"
"Maybe." Cana agreed.
"A lot of people feel that way," Mirajane said. "Except maybe Natsu, Gray, Erza, Laxus…"
"Why them?" Cana asked curiously.
"Because they're like Jehfrit—strong and firm in themselves. Even if Laxus had his doubts before, he's still Laxus. They all possess a unique kind of strength—the heart of a true warrior."
"It feels like we drifted off-topic," Cana noted.
Mirajane's words had given her some insight, but what did this have to do with their original conversation?
"Everyone has their own charm," Mirajane explained. "Those with a warrior's heart naturally draw attention—and Jehfrit stands out among them. He's someone others easily trust, even though he's quite the trickster."
"That's true," Cana admitted.
"You think she can win over Jehfrit, Cana?"
"The very fact that you think that way shows how little you understand . Someone like Ikuto could never comprehend someone like Jehfrit."
"Ikuto..." Mirajane continued,
"Admiration, admiration—Ikuto sees Jehfrit that way. So—"
"What is there for me to worry about?"
"Huh?" Cana blinked, confused.
"Admiration," Mirajane explained, "is the emotion farthest from understanding. Without knowing his quirks, Jehfrit appears to be a truly excellent young man—exactly the type many girls would fall for."
"Smart, young, handsome, wealthy, noble—"
"No bad habits, good temper, funny, knows how to charm women, yet never plays around or hurts anyone's feelings."
"Though clumsy in love, he's sensitive to others' emotions, understands people's needs, and knows personal boundaries well."
"His values may differ a little, but at heart, he's kind—even gentle with kids."
"You idealize what you admire, and that is why you will never truly understand it."
"But he likes pranks," Cana interjected. "That alone was enough for me to write him off."
"Yes," Mirajane said. "Still, Jehfrit has never lacked admirers."
She looked into the distance, her expression serene. "Ikuto isn't special."
"But still… a boy and girl living together day and night…"
"but There is a wall. A wall, she can't comprehend and overcome yet."
"Oh look, fruit is on sale today."
Before Cana could continue, Mirajane skipped toward a fruit stand, cheerfully asking prices and picking out fruits.
"Fine…" Cana sighed. "If you say you're confident, I'll believe you."
She shook her head and walked away.
Only then did Mirajane lift her gaze to watch Cana leave, then returned to her shopping.
'Cana… There are just some things I won't tell even you.'
'A great magician stands on stage, under everyone's gaze—curiosity, surprise, longing, curiosity, shock, admiration, fascination... They stand in awe in front of his ability, but you don't comprehend it. An immature person might get lost in it all, but Jehfrit wouldn't.'
'But he isn't fully mature either. One day, he will grow, and from all those gazes, he will spot the one that matters most—the gaze filled with care.'
'That gaze will stir the magician's heart and pull him down from the stage.'
Mirajane picked her fruits, paid, and headed home with a light step and a warm, gentle smile.
"Yeah, three pounds!" Jehfrit's loud voice came from ahead.
Mirajane didn't quicken her pace, continuing at her usual speed.
"Mirajane-san!" When Jehfrit spotted her approaching, he ran over casually, "Buying some fruit, huh?"
"Yep," Mirajane smiled.
She looked at him—holding a fish weighing about three pounds, trying to appear calm but barely hiding his excitement and eagerness.
'Such a fool.'
Seeing his expression, Mirajane's smile deepened, but she said nothing.
"Jehfrit, wait for us!" Emily and Ikuto caught up from behind, both clearly trying to hold back smiles.
Natsu, Gray, and the others weren't with them.
Mirajane figured it out quickly—
Once they caught a fish, Jehfrit must've found an excuse to sneak off.
As for why…
Natsu and Gray, especially Happy, would probably catch many fish.
So Jehfrit definitely wouldn't return to town with them. Once he had his catch, he'd make a break for it.
Besides, Natsu and Gray weren't the types to show off their catches.
Only Jehfrit would get lost in town carrying a fish—after all, catching even one, and such a big one—three pounds!
"Mirajane-san." Ikuto and Emily greeted her.
"Hello, girls," Mirajane said.
"Hmm—" Jehfrit made a small sound, staring at Mirajane, lifting the fish slightly in his hand.
Mirajane simply smiled.
"Uh, Mirajane-san," Jehfrit began, "your fruit bag looks heavy. Must weigh about three pounds too."
"Nope," Mirajane smiled.
Jehfrit nearly choked on his next sentence—he was planning to follow up with, "Three pounds? Same weight as my fish! Look, I worked so hard to catch this—"
"Uh…" Jehfrit thought. "Those Fruits… tastes good, right?"
'C'mon, say it tastes good!'
'Then I can say my fish is fresh from the river—also delicious!'
"I'm not sure," Mirajane shrugged. "I just bought it because it was on sale."
"Was it half price?" Jehfrit asked hopefully.
"Nope," Mirajane shook her head. "Five percent off."
Jehfrit went quiet.
"Well then, I'll head back now, Mr. Jehfrit."
"Wait!" He grabbed her wrist.
"Something else?" Mirajane asked innocently.
"Ah—right! Where'd I leave my cane?" Jehfrit raised the fish in his right hand—the cane he usually carried was missing.
"Oh," Mirajane said, "if you lost it, that's a shame. But don't worry, just buy another one."
"Mirajane…" Jehfrit's voice dropped low, clearly annoyed. "You know better."
Mirajane finally gave him the reaction he wanted, dramatically exclaiming, "Wow, that's a huge fish! You must've worked hard to catch it, Mr. Jehfrit!"
"Yes! Three pounds!" Jehfrit lit up, launching into a long, exaggerated story.
Emily listened for a bit and whispered, "Was it really that intense? Sounds more exciting than his battles."
Ikuto nodded, puzzled—why was Jehfrit so calm during fights, yet so hyped up over catching a single fish?
She glanced at Mirajane—
"Wow, amazing!" Mirajane gasped, covering her mouth in mock surprise.
"Of course! At that moment, I—" And Jehfrit launched into another lengthy tale.