A Mage’s Escape Plan

The laughter still echoed through the Fairy Tail guildhall, waves of amusement crashing over Yukari as she sat at the bar, forehead pressed firmly against the counter.

This was her life now.

Publicly branded as the couple of Fairy Tail, with Mirajane, of all people, as her girlfriend. It wasn't that she disliked the idea it was just the way it had happened. The entire kingdom now knew. The whole damn continent probably knew.

And the worst part? She couldn't even be mad at Mirajane. Because, somehow, Mirajane had turned the entire thing into an advantage.

"See?" Mirajane chimed sweetly, twirling a lock of silver hair between her fingers. "Now no one will try flirting with me anymore~"

Yukari twitched. "That was never a problem until you said it was a problem."

Across the counter, Cana smirked. "Nah, I think it was a problem. You just didn't notice how many people had a thing for Mira."

Yukari dragged her hand down her face, groaning. "I hate this guild."

"You love this guild," Cana corrected, raising her mug. "And this is just karma for acting all cool and untouchable. Turns out, you're just as mushy as the rest of us."

Mushy. Mushy.

Yukari seethed, but before she could snap back, someone else called out from across the guildhall.

"Oi, Yukari!" It was Wakaba again, the same man who had gleefully delivered the Sorcerer Magazine earlier. "Didn't know you had it in you, kid. Getting a beauty like Mirajane? Damn impressive."

Yukari lifted her head just enough to glare at him. "…I will set you on fire."

Wakaba laughed, completely unfazed. "Eh, not the first time someone's threatened that."

Macao, sitting next to him, grinned. "Yeah, but coming from her, it might actually happen."

Across the room, Gray and Natsu had also joined in, each of them holding a copy of the magazine now.

"Can't believe they're calling you two the strongest duo," Gray snickered. "Bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?"

Natsu blinked at him. "Wait, you don't think Yukari and Mirajane are strong?"

Gray shot him a look. "I mean, I do, but—"

"So what, you wanna fight them?"

Gray scoffed. "Obviously not."

"So you admit they're stronger than you?"

"That's not what I said!"

Yukari sighed. These idiots.

Mirajane, of course, just sipped her tea with the calm, serene smile of someone who was absolutely thriving in all this chaos.

Yukari, on the other hand, had had enough.

She needed to get out of here.

Now.

With a sudden movement, she stood up from the bar, startling Cana. "Alright. That's it. I need a job."

Cana raised an eyebrow. "What, you got too much free time now that you're Fairy Tail's sweetheart?"

Yukari twitched. "No. I just need to clear my head."

Mirajane giggled behind her hand. "Oh? Running away already?"

"Not running. Strategic retreat."

With that, Yukari spun on her heel and made her way toward the request board. It was past time she found something to do—preferably something not involving public humiliation.

The guild continued their chatter as she crossed the hall, but at least they weren't throwing more teasing comments at her—yet. She scanned the board quickly, eyes moving over the usual mission ranks.

D-Rank. No.C-Rank. No.B-Rank. Still too easy.

She needed something solid. Something that would keep her busy for at least a few days.

Finally, her gaze landed on the A-Rank section.

"Request: Bandits have been terrorizing merchant caravans in the northwest mountain routes. Last seen near the Twin Peaks Pass. Heavy resistance expected. High reward."

Yukari smirked.

Perfect.

She reached out to grab the flyer—only for another hand to grab it at the same time.

Her eye twitched.

Slowly, she turned her head to see who had dared to challenge her.

It was Laxus.

Of course it was Laxus.

He raised an eyebrow. "You looking at this one too?"

"Yeah. You got a problem with that?"

Laxus gave a half-smirk. "Nope. Just surprised you're going for an A-Rank when you're so busy being the guild's celebrity."

Yukari immediately wanted to punch him.

"I will fight you."

Laxus shrugged. "Wouldn't be much of a fight."

Yukari narrowed her eyes. "You're saying I'd win?"

He snorted. "I'm saying I wouldn't waste my time on a lovestruck mage."

Yukari saw red.

Lightning crackled faintly in Laxus's aura, while golden embers flared up around her fingertips. The tension was thick enough to cut with a sword until someone interrupted.

"Oooh, what's this? A fight?"

Yukari and Laxus both turned their heads.

Cana was watching with a grin. Gray and Natsu had both stopped their bickering to look on with interest. Even Mirajane had wandered over, clearly entertained.

Yukari groaned, pressing a hand against her forehead. "I hate all of you."

Laxus sighed, looking vaguely annoyed now. "You know what? Fine. Take the job."

Yukari blinked. "…What?"

He ripped the flyer off the board and shoved it into her hands. "You need the distraction more than I do."

Yukari looked at the paper, then back at him. "Wait, were you actually going to take this?"

Laxus shrugged. "I was thinking about it."

"And you're just giving it to me?"

He scoffed. "I don't need an A-Rank to keep me busy. You, on the other hand—" He smirked. "—look like you're about to combust from embarrassment."

Yukari scowled, but took the paper anyway. "Whatever. I'll be back in a few days."

Cana grinned. "Try not to die~"

Gray smirked. "Or cry yourself to sleep from all the teasing."

Natsu pumped a fist in the air. "Kick some ass, Yukari!"

Mirajane, of course, just smiled. "Be safe~"

Yukari sighed, shaking her head. "This is why I need to leave."

With that, she turned and marched toward the exit, determined to finally get some peace and quiet.

As she stepped outside, she inhaled deeply, letting the cool air soothe her frustration.

An A-Rank mission. Bandits in the mountains. That was exactly what she needed.

She was going to burn something, and for once, no one would stop her.

Now this was her idea of relaxation.