The Mission Becomes a Date

The crisp air outside the Fairy Tail guildhall was exactly what Yukari needed.

She exhaled, shoulders finally relaxing as she clutched the mission request in her hand. Just a few days away. That's all she needed. No teasing, no magazine covers, no smug grins or knowing glances just a job, a clear goal, and something she could actually punch.

Yes. This was the perfect plan.

Or so she thought.

Because before she could even take another step forward, a large shadow loomed over her.

"Oi, kid."

Yukari stiffened.

She didn't even need to turn around. She knew that voice.

Slowly, she turned her head and, sure enough, Hinote was standing there, arms crossed, an insufferable smirk already plastered on her face.

"…What do you want?" Yukari muttered, bracing herself for something.

Hinote tilted her head. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Yukari frowned. "No?"

Hinote's smirk widened. "Really? You're just going to walk off on a mission without saying goodbye to your girlfriend?"

Yukari's soul left her body.

She clenched her fists. "She's not my— I mean, she is, but—" She groaned, pressing a hand to her face. "That's not a thing people do."

Hinote raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're saying couples don't say goodbye before one of them heads off on a dangerous mission?"

"That's not what I said!"

Hinote tsked, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "Damn, kid. At this rate, your relationship won't even last a week."

Yukari visibly twitched.

"Are you trying to piss me off?"

Hinote grinned. "Maybe."

Yukari exhaled through her nose, forcing herself to stay calm. "Look, I'm just going on a mission. I don't need to make a big deal out of it."

Hinote gasped dramatically. "Oh, so Mirajane isn't important enough for a proper goodbye?"

Yukari's eye twitched harder. "That's not what I—"

"Wow." Hinote whistled. "You really are bad at this whole relationship thing."

Yukari groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Why are you like this?"

Hinote ignored her completely. "You know what? I think I have a solution."

Yukari blinked. "What?"

Before she could react, Hinote grabbed her by the back of her shirt.

"Oi—HEY—!"

With zero effort, Hinote turned back toward the guild and dragged Yukari with her.

She kicked and struggled, but it was pointless. Hinote was freakishly strong, and trying to resist only made her look more ridiculous.

"PUT ME DOWN, YOU OVERSIZED CHICKEN!"

Hinote just laughed. "Nah. You need a proper send-off."

The guild doors swung open, and every single member turned to stare as Yukari was unceremoniously hauled inside like a misbehaving cat.

For a few seconds, there was silence.

Then Cana burst out laughing.

"Oh my god."

Gray smirked. "Hoshizora, you get into the weirdest situations."

Mirajane blinked from her seat at the bar. "Oh? What's going on here?"

Hinote grinned, hoisting Yukari up a little for emphasis. "Your girlfriend was about to leave without saying goodbye. Shocking, isn't it?"

Yukari wanted to die.

Mirajane, to her credit, looked more amused than offended. "Oh dear. That would have been very sad."

"See?" Hinote said, dropping Yukari unceremoniously onto a barstool. "What kind of partner just runs off like that?"

Yukari shot her a glare. "I hate you."

Hinote shrugged. "You love me."

Mirajane giggled, resting her chin in her hand. "So, was there something you wanted to say before leaving, Yukari?"

Yukari seethed.

There was no escape.

With great reluctance, she muttered, "…Bye."

Mirajane tilted her head. "Hmm?"

Yukari gritted her teeth. "I said bye."

"That's it?" Hinote asked, unimpressed. "No 'I'll miss you'? No 'I'll come back safe'?"

"Do you want me to explode?" Yukari hissed.

Cana smirked, nudging Mirajane. "Y'know, Mira, for someone so dangerous, she's kinda bad at this whole romance thing."

Mirajane giggled. "I think it's cute."

Yukari groaned. "I am leaving."

But before she could get up, Hinote slammed a hand down on the mission flyer.

"Actually," she said, voice way too smug, "I had a better idea."

Yukari froze.

Oh no.

Mirajane blinked. "Oh?"

Hinote smirked. "This mission. Looks dangerous, doesn't it?"

Yukari narrowed her eyes. "…Yeah?"

"Wouldn't it be safer if two mages went instead of one?"

Yukari's stomach dropped. "You wouldn't—"

Hinote turned to Mirajane, completely ignoring her. "Mira, you should go with her."

Yukari's soul ascended to the heavens.

The guild erupted.

"OOOOH!"

"FAIRY TAIL'S STRONGEST COUPLE, TOGETHER ON A MISSION!"

"A DATE! IT'S A DATE!"

Yukari turned, eyes wide in horror. "Hinote."

Hinote grinned. "What? It's the perfect solution."

Mirajane tapped a finger to her lips, as if considering it. "A private mission, just the two of us?" She smiled. "That does sound fun."

Yukari slammed her head into the counter.

She could already hear the guild's collective excitement. Cana was cackling, Gray looked smug, Natsu was grinning like an idiot and Happy?

Happy was already drawing wedding invitations.

Yukari lifted her head, glaring daggers at Hinote. "I hate you so much."

Hinote just patted her head. "Love you too, kid."

Yukari wanted to combust on the spot.

Mirajane, meanwhile, clapped her hands together. "Alright then! I'll go pack my things~"

Yukari's soul left her body.

************

Hey everyone!

I want to sincerely apologize for the long wait since the last chapter. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to update for a while, but the good news is I finally got a new computer!

Starting today, I'll be updating chapters again. For now, there's no fixed schedule, but I'll do my best to post at least 1 or 2 chapters per day.

Thank you all for your patience and support! I really appreciate it. 

Enjoy the chapter!