Could It Be Some Kind of Plan?

Rhodes handed the task report and the IOU to Mira. "Mission complete, but… I didn't take any payment."

Mira looked surprised. "What happened?"

Rhodes explained the client's family situation in detail.

"If that's your judgment, then there's no problem," Mira said with a gentle smile. "Keep the IOU, just in case."

Rhodes waved his hand. "Better you keep it, or store it with the guild. I'm afraid I'll lose it if I take it home."

"Alright." Mira nodded. "Since the job's confirmed done, can you tell me the mission details?"

Elfman spoke up, "Sis, I'm gonna go home and rest first."

"Alright. I picked up some apples and persimmons yesterday—they're in the living room."

"Got it."

Mira watched her brother leave, then turned back to Rhodes. "You look pretty tired too. Want to rest a bit?"

"I'm fine." Rhodes hesitated. "But Elfman had his own reason. I thought I was taking him out to relax, but he came back looking more drained. I feel like I owe his big sister an explanation."

"Was he hurt?" Mira asked, her tone instantly full of concern.

"No," Rhodes said, shaking his head.

"Good." Mira's soft smile returned. "Whatever happened, you can tell me."

Just then, Natsu burst into the guild like a whirlwind. "Hey Mira! Mission complete!" He slapped a job sheet onto the counter.

Happy fluttered in with another one. "Aye! This is the next one!"

"Okay~" Mira registered the request with practiced ease.

Rhodes blinked. "You two aren't gonna take a break?"

"No time for that!" Natsu grinned, finally noticing Rhodes. "Huh? Rhodes! I won't lose to you in commission count!"

"I'm not even trying to compete with you…"

"Let's go, Happy!" With the paperwork done, Natsu dashed right back out the door.

"Aye, sir!"

Rhodes chuckled. "Well, at least someone's got energy to spare." Then his smile faded slightly. "He's not going to destroy anything again, is he?"

Mira tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Probably not? Even Natsu gets careful during exam season."

So… he's only reckless on purpose?

Just then, Master Makarov strolled down the stairs from the second floor.

"Ah, Rhodes. You're back. How'd it go?"

"Not bad," Rhodes replied. "There were a few hiccups, but in the end, the client was happy."

"Good work," Makarov nodded, clearly pleased. "You're always dependable."

"Oh, and one more thing," Rhodes added. "I brought back a few local herbs. Can you pass them along to Porlyusica?"

Recently, Rhodes had given up trying to pay Porlyusica in cash for her help. He had a strong hunch she'd just smack him upside the head if he tried again.

Bringing her rare herbs or seeds he picked up on missions was a much better strategy. Like that time he brought back a pouch of flower seeds from the Cait Shelter.

This way, he didn't have to deal with her rejections, could support her interests, and help build the guild's stockpile of healing supplies all at once.

The plan worked perfectly.

Mira finished the paperwork at hand and grabbed her coat. "Rhodes, can you come with me for a bit?"

"Huh? Sure... What about the stuff here?"

Mira turned to Makarov. "Master, we're heading out for a while. I'll leave things to you."

"Alright." Makarov hopped up onto the front counter and sat cross-legged, chin resting in his palm. Somehow, he had a feeling he shouldn't have come downstairs today.

With fewer people in the guild lately, the moment Mira and Rhodes stepped out together, it was hard not to attract attention.

Wakaba gave an exaggerated sigh of envy. "Mira, how about going on a date with me sometime, just once?"

Mira raised a playful hand. "Isn't your wife super sweet to you?"

"N-no, wait—" Wakaba's face turned pale as he realized what was coming. "Please don't transform!"

Mira stopped just short, smiling mischievously. She wasn't actually planning to shift forms this time.

Rhodes, watching their exchange, quietly made a note to find time to ask Wakaba for some one-on-one combat advice. The experience of seasoned mages like him was worth its weight in gold. Maybe Wakaba could help him fine-tune his usual tactic of "summon monsters to pin the enemy, then strike from behind."

Outside, the Magnolia air was growing noticeably colder. Winter was clearly on its way.

The coats they'd ordered from the tailor were still being made and would probably be ready in another week—just in time to start wearing them.

Mira had layered a short jacket over her usual dress as they headed out. Rhodes couldn't quite understand that kind of outfit. Did she have some kind of magic that kept her legs warm?

Then again, from their experience on Galantos Snow Mountain, it did seem that having enough magic power made you more resistant to the cold.

The streets were as lively as ever. Despite the chill, merchant stalls lined both sides of the road. In fact, there seemed to be even more vendors than usual, all hawking seasonal fruits, vegetables, and warm treats.

Clothing stores had their winter collections front and center. Some magic shops had even rolled out a fresh line of enchanted items—everything from heating charms to kettles that boiled water with a tap.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular products were the ones featured in this week's Sorcerer Weekly.

Rhodes remembered—it was Wednesday. The new issue would have just dropped. And now that he thought about it, it had been a while since Mira had done a photoshoot for the magazine.

Though he felt a hint of disappointment, Rhode was secretly a little pleased.

"Are we going shopping?" he asked. Honestly, he hadn't even asked what Mira was doing today before agreeing to come along.

"Yeah," Mira nodded. "One of the lights in the guild broke, and the heater from last year isn't working very well anymore. I want to try a new type this year. And then…"

She listed off a bunch of items one by one—most of them sounded like tiny details—but she remembered every single one. That focused look in her eyes made her seem especially capable.

As the assistant guild master who oversaw almost all of Fairy Tail's logistical needs, she was practically the guild's head caretaker. For a place as rowdy and chaotic as theirs to run so smoothly, a lot of it was clearly thanks to her.

Rhode found himself wondering: who had handled these things before her? Was it Master Makarov?

"There's always a lot to prepare before winter," Mira said.

"Of course." Mira came to a stop and pointed ahead. "Let's start here."

Rhode followed her gaze. Wait. Wasn't this a coffee shop?

"Didn't I say I'd treat you to coffee sometime?" Mira smiled. "Unless you want to save it for next time?"

"This time's good." Rhode didn't want to seem awkward. Since they were here, he might as well enjoy it.

The two of them found a cozy seat and ordered their favorite drinks and snacks.

They chatted for a bit about recent guild gossip. Eventually, Rhode brought up Elfman.

He had promised not to mention the whole crying incident… but did Mira count as an "outsider"? After mulling it over, Rhode decided to leave that part out. Better to spare Elfman some embarrassment.

"So that's what happened," Mira said, taking it all in. After thinking it over, she smiled. "I think it's a good thing. Thank you."

Rhode gave a sheepish grin. "I was worried about how to explain it to you."

"This is a really important step for him," Mira said sincerely. "Both Elfman and I owe you."

She had a sneaking suspicion that Rhode had planned this all along to help her brother.

But Rhode shook his head. "It really was just a coincidence this time."

Mira then asked, "By the way, you mentioned trying to earn a living. Since you didn't get paid this time… what's next?"

Rhode leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "I'll try picking up some local commissions within Magnolia. I think it's good to experience those kinds of jobs from time to time."

...

Thanks a ton for all the Power Stones you've been dropping! 💎 

If we can hit 1K Power Stones by the end of the week, I'll drop some extra bonus chapters as a thank you! Let's make it happen!