Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
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FAIRY ACADEMY EMERGED LIKE A growing wave in a sea of cherry blossoms as Juvia walked down the length of the sidewalk in the mid-April weather. Most of the students going the same way cleared a path when they saw her approach, clearly sensing the evil vibes she was giving out to anyone who dared look in her direction.
That's right, she thought. Don't you all dare talk to Juvia or else.
Weeks in and she still didn't understand why she had to transfer to Fairy Academy when Courage was literally in the same city. Juvia knew her new parents wanted her to feel like she was beginning a fresh life with them but she really didn't think changing high schools was necessary. Especially since Fairy Academy was full of crazy preps. Crazy, stupid preps who didn't understand the value of a swimming club entirely separate from the reigning sports club.
Even when a certain someone had been petitioning Headmaster Makarov for days. Days!
But it looked like karma was on a roll today. Despite the clear warning on her resting bitch face, someone was still relentlessly calling her name behind her. "Lockser-san! Lockser-san!"
And Juvia knew exactly who it was. She felt her sour mood grow worse. If she continued walking then maybe the meddling girl would change her mind and ignore Juvia entirely this time. Her morning was bad enough already: during breakfast, Mother had insisted she call her new foster brother oniisan so they could start getting comfortable with each other. Juvia guessed that could work if they were blessed with two kids who handled emotions well. But alas.
The oniisan in question walked out that dining room with her faster than she'd ever seen the both of them move. It almost felt a little like sibling bonding.
Sigh. Her strategy wasn't working though. "Lockser-san, I command you to stop!"
So maybe Juvia was quickening her pace just a little. Can anyone really blame her? The large gates of the school were already coming into view. One more push and she would lose her assailant in the body of students also entering the building. Juvia was so close. The air tasted like victory.
Except the assailant was faster. And stronger. And generally physically better than her (and Juvia was a swimmer). A hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to a stop.
"Scarlet-san," said Juvia in her best surprised tone. She hoped the permanently dead-eyed look on her face didn't give the lie away. "Were you… talking to Juvia?"
Erza Scarlet let go of her to adjust the fake glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. Her red armband gleamed a spotless PRESIDENT. "This is the fifth time I have to remind you of the school dress code, Lockser-san. Our skirt shouldn't fall to our ankles like that, it should be two inches above the knee. And your blouse is too short to cover your bellybutton, please tell your parents to buy you a new one. A button-up, long sleeved shirt this time. Moreover, your vest and blazer are missing. And your ribbon is the wrong color."
"Gomennasai," Juvia said. The ribbon was part of her sailor uniform back in Courage Academy and she liked it. "Juvia keeps forgetting."
Erza closed her eyes and then sighed deeply. "Well, I can't possibly demand you to change now. Please wear the proper uniform tomorrow or I will have to ask you to report to the Headmaster. Again."
"Of course, Scarlet-san," said Juvia. She thought to attempt a smile except it wouldn't reach her eyes. Erza probably hated liars.
The other girl nodded but she didn't start walking away as Juvia expected. Instead, she fidgeted as she stood, tugging at the hem of her school-mandated blazer and slowly going as red as her cherry hair. She opened her mouth and then closed it again like a fish out of water.
Juvia had a bad feeling.
"Scarlet-san," said Juvia. She stepped back, a little uncomfortable with the silence. "Are—Are you about to confess to Juvia?"
Erza's eyes widened and her mouth hung open to rasp a single word: "What?"
"Juvia doesn't like you that way, Scarlet-san," said Juvia with a shrug. Maybe she should be a lot nicer, but she knew from experience that rejection hurt no matter what.
Erza rapidly shook her head, figurative steam curling up from her cheeks as she flushed. "No—No! I would never do that to you! I mean, I'm not saying you're unattractive! Girls are generally the fairer sex, all things considered—though that doesn't mean I like girls that way! Dammit! Wait, don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with liking girls that way, either, it's just not my cup of tea! I just really wanted to ask about—about!" The poor girl looked like she was about to faint.
Juvia stared, awkwardly rocking on her heels as she waited for the President to finish her mental breakdown. Finally, she said, "You wanted to ask about what?" Juvia hoped she sounded understanding and not the least bit impatient (which she was).
That seemed to break an imaginary dam. Erza breathed in like she was getting ready for battle. Then she hurriedly managed out, "I just wanted to inquire as to why you and Jellal walk together every morning!"
Juvia cocked her head, caught off guard. Whatever it was she thought was going to happen, it certainly wasn't this. "Could it be that… you like Jellal-senpai?"
"No," said Erza forcefully, which didn't convince Juvia at all. She pushed up her glasses, avoiding Juvia's eyes. "It's just that Jellal is my friend, and I've never seen you two talk to each other at school before. I was just… curious. I thought maybe you were… that the both of you met and…"
Juvia felt the smile before she could stop it. "Don't worry, Scarlet-san," she said. "Jellal-senpai isn't my soulmate if that's what you're thinking. He's my aniki."
Erza gaped. "Aniki?"
"Hai," said Juvia humorlessly, walking away before the love-struck Student Council President asked any more questions.
She couldn't believe Erza thought the universe would give a girl as depressing as her a soulmate. They were better off just blessing some other ditz who already had everything handed to her on a silver platter. Like the rich blonde girl from the next room over.
Juvia sighed. What was the matter with her?
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When the gods tied a red cord around the little fingers of fated souls, it was fused by a melody that only the people strung together could hear. This way they knew that destiny had blessed them, since the heavens sung in celebration with their union.
But soulmates were few and far between. These days, people considered themselves lucky if they found someone who loved them just because they could. Everyone had grown tired of the tragedies that came with waiting or wanting the soulmates. In fact, loving for love was all the rage with the kids now.
Juvia didn't need a soulmate to weigh her pinky down. It wasn't like she deserved it. But she really, really wanted someone who loved her just because.
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It started like this: an unknown girl came up to her during lunch. "Ne, Lockser-san!"
"Can Juvia help you?" said Juvia with an eyebrow raised. She really didn't talk to her classmates much. They were weird about her being a transfer from Courage Academy.
The girl smiled, oblivious to her snub. "You're always alone. You should eat with us!"
She should—what? Juvia blushed. She thought everyone in the class had collectively decided to avoid her on Day 1. Her mood had improved significantly during the morning schedule and now she didn't have her au naturel look-at-me-or-die-a-painful-death aura to save her from being embarrassed. Or from actually looking pleased. Juvia peered behind the girl and saw two other girls holding their bento boxes. They waved at her.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, right?
She looked away. "Juvia doesn't think that's a good idea," Juvia said, visibly settling into her seat to further display her unwillingness.
"C'mon, Lockser-san!" The girl clasped her hands to her lips, pleading. "You're so cool, we want to get to know you!"
Juvia paused. The regret would probably come later. "W-Where will you eat?"
"Hooray," the girl cheered.
Juvia went with them to the benches behind the main building. Most of the tables were already filled with pockets of students from different classes and years, enjoying the sunny day as they jostled around and laughed. Juvia held her bento and bottled water closer, following the three girls slowly.
She still didn't know their names.
"I gotta say, Lockser-san," said the girl with pink hair who talked her into this. "We thought it'd be harder to get you to sit with us!"
The black-haired girl clutching at Juvia's arm perked up. "But you're actually really nice, Juvia-san!"
"Not that we didn't think you were," hastily corrected the one with the glasses lagging behind them. "But we heard you were in a gang! Is that true?"
"Juvia doesn't think she should say," Juvia trailed off. These girls were persistent.
They found a table relatively in the middle of the hubbub. She tugged at her short blouse, trying to get it to cover her belly. All the noise was making Juvia self-conscious. She desperately wished she was wearing the proper school uniform just like Erza told her to. Juvia had always eaten her lunch in the classroom before.
The three girls didn't notice her discomfort.
"Hey, what did you get today?"
"My mom made me croquettes!"
"Ohh, can we switch?"
"No way! We already did yesterday!"
Juvia unwrapped her bento as the girls chattered mindlessly beside her. It was her new Father who cooked in their household and today he made grilled fish, which Juvia deduced was Mother's favorite from the countless times they all had it for lunch now. She was beginning to dislike fish.
"Lockser-san," the perky black-haired girl said, pointing at her. "What's that?"
"Eh?" Juvia looked at her phone, resting with the small doll she made and tied as a keychain.
The bespectacled girl responded, "It's a teru teru bozu, right?"
"Yes," said Juvia, flustered. She shouldn't have taken out her phone.
"I saw my neighbor hang one of those once," the pink-haired girl shared as she opened her own lunch.
The girl with the glasses nodded. "Does it really bring sunshine?"
"Juvia thinks so," she mumbled, getting a little overwhelmed.
The pink-haired girl hummed. "Did any of you sing its warabe uta when you were kids or was it just me?"
"Oh!" The ravenette looked even more delighted than usual. "I remember! I always thought it was a little creepy…"
Juvia stopped. Suddenly she couldn't breathe. The regret came sooner than she expected.
"Isn't it the song where they cut a man's head off," quipped The One with Glasses.
"Yes," responded Juvia immediately, going numb. She thought about her old orphanage, her old life. How no one ever talked to her because she sewed the dolls almost obsessively when she was admitted. Juvia-san is a little creepy, isn't she?
"Hehe! The teru teru bozu looks like a ghost, doesn't it?" Pinky made an ominous ohh sound.
Ameonna! Ameonna! Juvia-chan is bad luck!
Perky Girl laughed. "Stop it! You're giving me the heebie-jeebies!"
Juvia stood up, her heart pounding. She knew it. She knew it. This wasn't a good idea at all. Juvia hated people and they hated her.
The three girls fell silent.
It was Pinky who spoke first, cautious. "Lockser-san, are you okay?"
Juvia gathered her belongings, trying not to cry. Bad luck! Bad luck! The childish chants rang in her ear. "…Juvia made this doll."
Perky Girl followed her to her feet, looking guilty. "Gomennasai, Lockser-san! We meant nothing by it!"
"We were only kidding," offered The One with Glasses, wringing her hands.
Juvia glared at them, her throat burning. Any minute now—any minute and she was going to burst into tears. She had to get away. "Juvia was in a gang. And she still is. If you know what's good for you, you won't talk to her. Ever. Again."
She stormed off before they could answer, breathing hard through her nose. Her shoulders were starting to shake. Juvia whimpered out a slight sob to relieve the difficulty. She had to stop. Nobody could see her cry. Not here. Not now.
Juvia, honey. We're so sorry.
"Oof!"
Juvia stumbled back, stunned. The rich blonde from Class 2 – 2 had bumped into her. Juvia's mind whirred, her anger at the pathetic sob she let out in public spilling over. She couldn't believe this.
The girl bowed hastily, sputtering out, "G-Gomennasai! It's my fault! I wasn't looking!"
Juvia didn't think. Everything went by in a haze of hurt and memories and rain. Ameonna. We're sorry. Bad luck. You survived.
She uncapped her bottle and tipped the contents over the blonde's head, satisfaction curling at the pit of her stomach. The gasp that came was a disbelieving volume of quiet. "No," she said nastily, her tears drying away as she blinked down at the other girl. "Juvia is sorry."
The girl straightened, eyes wide as water dribbled down her face. "W-What—"
"Hey." A hand slapped Juvia's still outstretched hand away. "She said it was her fault."
The hit didn't sting. But as Juvia looked, the clock hands slowed. The air around them stilled and the lights brightened, trickling through the crisscrossing slats of leaves in sunbeams. Juvia could hear it—a slow, faint piano like the melody her real mother used to play when she was little. Her stomach churned home.
"Well?" The boy said, frowning at her with dark eyes. "What'd you do that for? Apologize to Lucy."
Juvia strained her ears but the music was gone like it never happened. Even the boy showed no signs of hearing it. Maybe it was just her imagination. Maybe she was just confused by the onslaught of her painful childhood memories.
But Juvia knew in her heart of hearts that it did happen. It did. The universe had outdone itself when it came to balancing out her misfortunes. She never thought she'd actually hear the music! Juvia swallowed. "L-Lucy?"
"Yeah," he answered, growing annoyed. Against all odds, Juvia was blushing under the angry weight of his gaze. And why wouldn't she? She always thought no one would ever love her again. This boy was her miracle! Juvia was transfixed as he gestured to the dripping blonde she had already forgotten. "Lucy. The girl you doused with water for no damn reason."
"It's—It's really no big deal," said the girl sheepishly, waving her hands around and spraying droplets of water on Juvia and the boy. "The bottle wasn't full, anyway."
Juvia stared, uncomprehending. "Juvia—Juvia… didn't…" She'd forgotten why she was so upset that she had to take it out on a nobody. Her argument with the three already faceless girls seemed meaningless now.
Juvia heard the heavens sing.
The boy tch'ed. "Forget it," he interrupted, grabbing the girl—Lucy from Class 2 – 2. Lucy, who looked very much chagrined and very much his. "Let's just go, Lucy."
"W-Wait," Juvia called, heart going doki doki so fast her chest felt like a cage. Was her face red-hot? She never really talked to anyone first before. Was this how they did it? Was it too straightforward? How did anyone introduce themselves to new people? How did they date? Was there some sort of rule for love at first sight? Of course, there was also the matter of Juvia antagonizing his friend for a first impression, but it was just half a bottle of water! No big deal, right? Lucy was just his friend, right? That she could be anything more would be resolved by the fact that Juvia and this boy heard music unique to them, right?
Erza had set the pace. Now Juvia was having a mental breakdown herself. She had to calm down!
He tilted his head around to look at her, eyebrows scrunched. Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. Juvia could not calm down! "What?"
"Juvia. Um." She gulped, nervous. What was Juvia doing? She was so bad at people already, how was she going to act around him? Her mind conjured up images upon images of his arms wrapped around her, his voice saying her name like a caress, firework hearts in the background as they kissed. Juvia-chan, you are so cute. In the distance, a kettle popped and whistled. She was on fire. "Juvia wants to know your name!"
The boy faltered, his face smoothing into surprise before he resumed glaring at her dubiously. Was she imagining things or was there a dusting of pink on his pale cheeks? Juvia was over the moon. Did he hear it now? He must've! The gods had blessed them!
"Gray," he said curtly, turning away with Lucy in hand.
Gray-sama, Juvia thought, raising her pinky finger in wonder. Juvia was made for you.
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Author's Note: Ah, the High School AU—with a touch of Soulmate AU. I don't live in Japan, so forgive me if I get things wrong.
In case anyone was wondering:
oniisan – formal way of saying "big brother"; pretty popular in anime
gomennasai – formal way of apologizing
aniki – informal, rather rude way of saying "big brother"; kinda like "bro"
warabe uta – folk song/nursery rhyme
Thanks for reading! Reviews are much appreciated.