I woke up the next morning in a rather good mood, despite the fact that my apartment had been destroyed. It still felt strange to be living with Mirajane and Elfman, but their warmth and kindness made the adjustment easier. Stretching, I got out of bed and began my morning routine. After freshening up, I dressed quickly, choosing a simple outfit of a light blue shirt and comfortable black pants.
Stepping out of the bedroom, I nearly bumped into Elfman, who looked like he had just woken up. He was wearing a pair of striped pajamas that were a bit too short for his muscular frame, giving him a comically endearing appearance.
"Good morning, Jade," Elfman greeted me, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Good morning, Elfman. Did you sleep well?" I asked.
"Yeah, I did. How about you? Any problems adjusting?" he replied, genuine concern in his voice.
"No problems at all. I slept great," I assured him with a smile.
"That's good to hear. Let's head downstairs," Elfman said, motioning towards the staircase.
As we descended, the delicious aroma of food filled the air, making both our stomachs growl in unison. We exchanged amused looks and burst into laughter.
When we reached the kitchen, we found Mirajane cheerfully setting the table for breakfast. She turned to us with a bright smile. "Good morning, you two!"
"Morning, Mira," we both chimed in.
The breakfast spread was typical of Fairy Tail: a hearty and appetizing assortment of foods. There were fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits, and a selection of pastries. It was a feast for the senses.
"Wow, this looks amazing!" I exclaimed.
"Thank you, Mirajane," Elfman added.
"You're welcome. Dig in!" Mirajane encouraged, her smile never wavering.
We all sat down at the table, and I took my first bite. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy, the syrup sweet and sticky. "This is delicious," I said, savoring the flavors.
Mirajane's smile widened even more. "I'm glad you like it, Jade. If you want, I can cook for you every day," she said, looking at me with a serious expression.
Her words made me blush slightly, and I looked away, feeling a bit shy. "I'd love that, Mira. And if you ever need help, just let me know," I offered timidly.
Elfman, oblivious to the slight shift in atmosphere, continued eating heartily.
After a few minutes, we finished our breakfast. Feeling a bit guilty about staying in their home and not contributing, I offered to help clear the table. "Let me help with the dishes, Mira."
But Mirajane shook her head firmly. "No, Jade, you're our guest. You don't have to do that."
"Please, I insist," I started, but she was already calling Elfman to action.
"Elfman, clear the table, please," Mirajane instructed.
Elfman nodded and began gathering the dishes, and Mirajane gently pushed me away from the table with a playful grin. "Come on, Jade. You're here to relax and feel at home."
I smiled, appreciating her kindness. "Alright, but let me know if you need anything."
"Of course," she replied, her eyes twinkling.
As Elfman cleared the table and Mirajane tidied up the kitchen, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for their hospitality.
A quick twenty minutes later, we were all ready to head to the guild. The walk to Fairy Tail was pleasant, filled with light chatter and laughter. When we arrived, we went our separate ways. As I scanned the guild hall, I spotted Gajeel and Juvia talking near the bar. A smile spread across my face, and I decided to join them.
"Hey, Gajeel, Juvia!" I greeted, waving as I approached.
Gajeel turned towards me with his usual gruff demeanor. "Hey, Jade. Did you sleep alright? We're still sorry about your apartment."
I gave him a reassuring smile. "I slept fine, thanks. And don't worry about it. I need to find the landlord soon to discuss the repairs, but the ones responsible for the damage will cover the costs."
Gajeel grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I bet Natsu, Erza, and the rest won't be too happy about that."
We chatted for a few more minutes before Gajeel excused himself, leaving Juvia and me alone. Juvia's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer.
"So, Jade," she began with a teasing smile. "Anything interesting happening? Especially with Mirajane?" She emphasized Mirajane's name, making my cheeks flush instantly.
"N-no, nothing like that," I stammered, shaking my head vigorously. "Everything is normal."
Juvia's smile grew wider, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. "Are you sure? Nothing at all?"
I felt my face heat up even more. "Really, Juvia, nothing happened. We're just friends."
Juvia continued to press, her questions growing more insistent. Desperate to escape, I blurted out the first excuse that came to mind. "I-I need to see my landlord about the apartment repairs!"
Without waiting for her response, I turned and dashed out of the guild hall. I could hear Juvia's laughter behind me, which only made me run faster. The scene must have looked ridiculous, and I couldn't help but laugh at myself as I sprinted away.
After a few minutes, I slowed down, finally out of breath and outside the guild. I made my way towards my destroyed apartment, trying to calm my racing heart. As I approached, I saw the mailman making his rounds. He was a tall, lean man with a neatly trimmed mustache and a friendly demeanor, dressed in a blue uniform and cap.
"Morning," he greeted, stopping in front of me. "I've got a package for you, Jade."
"Thanks," I replied, signing quickly for the package.
Taking the parcel, I walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. The package was plain, with no indication of who had sent it. Curious, I carefully opened it to find a small letter and a beautiful necklace inside.
The necklace was exquisite. It featured a delicate silver chain with a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. The moon was adorned with tiny, shimmering sapphires that caught the light beautifully, making the whole piece sparkle.
I unfolded the letter, which was a simple card that read: "Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry I couldn't give this to you on the actual day. Hope you like it." There was no signature or name, adding to the mystery.
I turned the card over, hoping for a clue about the sender, but found nothing. As I looked at the necklace again, I couldn't help but wonder who had sent it. A secret admirer, perhaps? The thought made my heart flutter with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
I sat there for a while, the necklace resting in my palm, pondering the possibilities. Whoever had sent this gift had gone to great lengths to make it special. Slipping the necklace around my neck, I felt a sense of warmth and happiness wash over me.