Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

Rhodes was telling the truth. He truly wasn't prepared this time; he hadn't even bought the most important thing, a ring.

He stood there, feeling slightly ashamed, clutching a small wooden ring in his hand, unsure if he should even bring it out. It had been hastily crafted using his magic from the Brambleback's wood.

Although he'd carefully carved intricate, delicate patterns onto it, at the end of the day, it was still just wood.

Looking at Rhodes now, Mira felt amused, thinking how wooden he could sometimes be.

He had pleaded, hugged, and kissed her. Did it really matter what he was holding in his hands at this moment?

Didn't she already know he'd been short on jewels lately?

Generously, Mira extended her left hand toward Rhodes, giving it a playful wave, her eyes sparkling with encouraging warmth.

Seeing this, Rhodes could only gently slide the wooden ring onto her middle finger, apologetically whispering, "This is just temporary; I'll get you something better soon."

Mira withdrew her hand, examining the ring closely, tracing the delicate carvings with a gentle touch.

Then, holding her hand to her heart as though she'd just received the most precious treasure, she softly shook her head, saying, "No, you've given this to me; it's mine now. I don't want anything else."

After all, what was truly more valuable, a gift bought from a store or one handmade with care?

Standing on her tiptoes, Mira leaned in and kissed Rhodes affectionately on the cheek, right in front of everyone.

Rhodes felt like he must have saved the entire world in a previous life. How else could he be so lucky to meet someone as wonderful as Mira?

The crowd erupted again into cheers and playful jeers. Shy guild members covered their eyes, though their fingers suspiciously remained spread wide.

Mira nestled comfortably into Rhodes' embrace and waved cheerfully at everyone alongside him. "Thank you all for your blessings and for being our witnesses!"

Makarov, smiling warmly, announced in his hearty voice, "To celebrate Rhodes successfully proposing and Mira accepting, let's throw a party!"

"Yeah! Party!" came the enthusiastic response.

The guild instantly buzzed with excitement. Usually, jealousy might have surfaced, but today everyone genuinely shared in their happiness.

The waitresses, led by Laki, exchanged triumphant smiles, feeling as though the couple they'd always rooted for had finally made it official.

Meanwhile, the older crowd, led by Macao, grumbled jokingly, "Just proposing now? Here we thought they'd been married forever!"

Gray, having finally caught up with events, looked stunned. "Wait, Rhodes actually proposed to Mira?"

Seriously? Proposing to Mirajane the She-Devil, was Rhodes fearless or just crazy?

Juvia flushed brightly, whispering shyly, "So… he proposed to her in front of everyone… He's so brave."

She glanced hopefully at Gray. "Gray, Juvia wishes she could also… maybe… someday…"

Her voice trailed off to barely a whisper, leaving Gray straining to hear. "Huh? What did you say?"

Imagining some happy future, Juvia was suddenly overcome with shyness, collapsing onto the floor and rolling around bashfully with her face buried in her hands, squealing softly, "Juviaaa~"

Gray sighed, wondering why Master Makarov ever assigned him to watch over such a troublesome woman. He discreetly stepped away from Juvia and happily joined in the festivities.

...

It had to be said, this was truly Fairy Tail. Once the party began, everything else was quickly forgotten.

Suddenly, reporters and interviews didn't seem important anymore. By the time Rhodes and Mira stepped down from the small stage, more than half the guild members had already forgotten the original reason for the celebration.

Even the two main characters had slipped their minds.

Rhodes seriously began to wonder if, when he and Mira eventually had their wedding at home, these people might forget why they had gathered and inadvertently demolish the house.

Indeed, he concluded, weddings were better held at the guild hall. The new guild building was solid and sturdy, capable of handling all their antics.

Rhodes approached Makarov as soon as he stepped down and apologized, "I'm sorry, Master. We had planned for Mira to perform for the interview, but I messed it up."

"Nonsense, isn't this better?" Makarov chuckled warmly, looking fondly at them both. "So, have you two set a date yet?"

They glanced at each other, Mira touching her cheek shyly. "We haven't had time to discuss that yet."

"Really?" Makarov sipped his wine with a contented sigh. "No rush, then."

He was genuinely happy, primarily because he loved seeing his children earnestly seeking their own happiness.

Of course, another reason for his happiness was that Mira was in such high spirits today, she didn't even bother lecturing him about his drinking.

Mira truly was overflowing with joy.

She'd always imagined Rhodes waiting until he had enough jewels, quietly buying a house and a proper ring, and then surprising her with a proposal and marriage all at once. He could be so stubborn, always insisting on everything being perfect.

She hadn't expected Master to arrange for her to perform today and for Rhodes' proposal to become the big surprise. If she'd known, she might've blocked his door and sung to him herself.

Her heart was bursting with happiness, so much that she wasn't even sure what to do next.

Wearing a blissful smile, she wandered around the guild hall with Rhodes, who had just upgraded from boyfriend to fiancé, feeling like a bride and groom greeting their guests.

"Big Sis, congratulations!" Elfman was bawling like a child.

"Honestly, why are you crying so hard when I'm the one who just got proposed to? Your sleeves are soaked," Mira teased gently, releasing Rhodes briefly to tug affectionately at Elfman's sleeve.

"I'm just so happy for you, Sis!" Elfman sobbed openly. "This… This is what a real man does!" With one sleeve held by Mira, he used his other sleeve to wipe his tears.

In truth, he and Lisanna had once worried their big sister might never find someone suitable, though they'd never dared voice that fear aloud, afraid Mira might clobber them.

At times, they'd even thought it wouldn't matter if Mira remained single; the three of them could just stay together forever, looking after each other.

But now Lisanna was gone, and Elfman often feared he couldn't care for Mira well enough on his own.

Seeing Mira finally find someone to share her life with was an immense relief.

"Rhodes," Elfman sobbed again, his voice earnest, "please take good care of my sister. This is a real man's request!"

"I promise I'll do everything I can to cherish her and make her happy," Rhodes replied sincerely.

Rhodes wrapped one arm around Mira's shoulders and attempted to include Elfman in the embrace. Mira fit easily, but Elfman...

His soon-to-be brother-in-law was just too big and awkward, not cooperating at all.

"Manly!" Elfman roared, unsure whether he was responding to Rhodes' gesture or simply carried away by his earlier sentiments.

Tears still streaming down his cheeks, Elfman enveloped both Rhodes and Mira in a hearty bear hug.

"Sister, Rhodes, congratulations! Manly!"

As expected from a man known as the Beast King, Elfman's hug was so powerful it felt as though he might crush the bones of the two people wrapped in his arms.

Fortunately, Rhodes and Mira weren't ordinary people, so being hugged by an overly emotional brother wasn't too troublesome.

Rhodes even found himself joking, "You still haven't called me brother-in-law."

"Sister... Brother-in-law!"

Rhodes smiled immediately, having waited a long time to hear that particular title.

Mira gently pulled her hand free, playfully patting Rhodes, and hugged both men.

Lucy, finally recovering from her emotional daze, noticed everyone was fully absorbed in the festive atmosphere, completely ignoring Jason, the reporter.

This was her chance!

Jason was kneeling and trembling slightly at the edge of the stage. He must be upset by the sudden interruption and everyone's indifference, right?

"Now is the perfect moment for me, Fairy Tail's top rookie candidate and strong contender for most beautiful female wizard, to step in!"

If she could successfully grab Jason's attention, provide him valuable news, and even charm away any dissatisfaction he might have toward the guild...

Then she'd become a key contributor, maybe even land a prominent feature in Weekly Sorcerer, and become a famous wizard known nationwide!

With her plan in motion, Lucy walked elegantly toward Jason, certain she'd find a furious expression awaiting her.

Choosing her words carefully, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice: "I'm really sorry for this rudeness, our guild—"

As Lucy spoke, she bent down slightly and extended her hand to help Jason up.

However...

"COOL! Cool! Cool! COOOOOL!" Jason shouted with excitement. His face wasn't red from anger but sheer exhilaration.

The Fairy strategist had proposed successfully and was now engaged to the renowned model and She-Devil, Mirajane! This was spectacular news!

He was so thrilled, he leapt up from the floor with fists pumping the air.

Unfortunately, Lucy was the unintended victim.

She was still leaning forward, so Jason's fist caught her squarely on the chin, sending her sprawling backward.

A small, ghostly white soul drifted comically from Lucy's mouth, tears streaming down her face. "Why does this always happen to me...?"