You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide

Stepping out of the secluded room, Yukari stretched her arms behind her head, pretending nothing had just happened. Beside her, Mirajane walked stiffly, face still slightly flushed, trying very hard to look normal.

Yukari, of course, took great amusement in this.

Still, she didn't push her luck.

Not yet.

The guild was just as loud as ever Natsu and Gray were already fighting (as expected), Lucy was sighing in exasperation, and Happy was , Oh , right there still smirking.

Yukari's eyes narrowed slightly.

That little blue menace had definitely enjoyed making Mirajane jealous earlier.

Well it was only fair she returned the favor.

But first she turned toward the rest of the group.

"Before I go," she said, stretching lazily, "just so we're clear… you guys aren't escaping the Master's punishment."

The room went dead silent.

Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy all froze.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

Yukari smirked. "Oh yeah. He's definitely gonna hear about everything that happened."

Lucy paled. "B-But Mirajane said he's still at a meeting—"

Yukari tilted her head. "Yeah? And? He'll be back eventually."

Natsu groaned, collapsing onto the floor. "I'm so dead."

Gray crossed his arms. "We're so dead."

Happy just floated there, tail twitching.

...Still smirking.

Yukari gave him a pointed look.

"Oh," she said, grinning. "Speaking of being dead Happy, come with me."

The Exceed blinked. "Huh?"

Before he could react, Yukari grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

"HEY!" he squawked. "What are you—"

"Just borrowing you for a sec," Yukari said innocently.

She turned toward the others and gave a lazy wave.

"See ya later~"

Then, with a powerful flap of her wings she was gone.

Somewhere in the forest, Happy struggled in Yukari's grip.

"Lemme go!" he whined. "What are you even doing?!"

Yukari smirked. "Oh, just making sure you learn an important lesson, Happy."

Happy's ears twitched. "...What lesson?"

"Never mess with me."

Happy gulped.

Yukari tossed him into the air then, faster than lightning, vanished.

Happy's eyes widened. "Wha—?"

Then—

BOOM.

A pillar of heat shot up from the ground.

Not enough to burn just enough to blast him skyward.

"NYAAAAH!"

Happy soared straight up like a rocket.

Then the heat vanished.

And gravity took over.

"AAAAAAAAHHH—"

Yukari reappeared mid-air, casually catching him.

"Having fun?" she asked sweetly.

Happy whimpered. "I regret everything."

Yukari grinned. "Good. One more time, just to be sure—"

"NOOOOOOOOO—!"

After thoroughly making sure Happy understood his mistake (and dropping him very gently into a tree for good measure), Yukari finally headed home.

The familiar warmth of the house greeted her instantly.

And waiting inside Hinote.

The tall woman looked up as soon as Yukari entered. Her molten-gold eyes softened, and a rare, warm smile spread across her lips.

"Welcome back," Hinote murmured.

Then, without warning she hugged her.

Yukari barely had time to react before she was wrapped in warmth, strong arms pulling her close.

For a moment, she just blinked.

Hinote wasn't usually this… soft.

Not unless she really meant it.

"...Hey," Yukari mumbled, awkwardly patting her back.

Hinote chuckled and pulled away. "Hungry?"

Yukari opened her mouth and then she smelled it.

Her head snapped toward the table.

There , a full meal. Freshly made.

Her stomach rumbled.

Hinote smirked. "I take that as a yes."

Yukari huffed. "You could've warned me before ambushing me with a hug."

"I could have," Hinote said, sitting down. "But I didn't."

Yukari sighed and dropped into the seat across from her.

Her eyes flicked over the food grilled fish, miso soup, steamed rice, and some roasted vegetables on the side. Simple. Warm.

...Home.

She didn't say anything.

Just picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

Hinote did the same.

For a while, there was only the quiet sound of chopsticks tapping against bowls.

Then Hinote spoke.

"So," she said, voice casual. "When are you planning to confess to Mirajane?"

Yukari choked.

She slammed her chopsticks down, coughing violently.

Hinote just sipped her tea.

Yukari wheeze-laughed. "I—WHAT?!"

Hinote gave her a look. "You heard me."

Yukari gaped. "You— excuse me?"

Hinote arched an eyebrow. "You like her."

Yukari sputtered. "I—what—I do not!"

Hinote sipped her tea again.

Yukari pointed at her. "Stop that! Stop drinking like you're some wise old sage!"

Hinote hummed. "When are you telling her?"

"I just said I don't—"

"Mm-hmm."

Yukari groaned, slamming her forehead against the table.

Hinote smirked. "Look, kid. I'm just saying if you don't do something soon, someone else might."

Yukari froze.

Then, slowly, she lifted her head. "...What?"

Hinote shrugged. "You think you're the only one who notices her? She's beautiful. She's kind. She's Mirajane."

Yukari clenched her jaw.

Hinote leaned forward slightly.

"If you keep dragging your feet," she murmured, "someone else might swoop in first."

Yukari hated how much that got under her skin.

She shoved another bite of food into her mouth, scowling.

Hinote just smirked.

For once Yukari didn't have a good comeback.