Chapter 1 The Beginning of Love and Adventures

(Mira's PoV)

I smirked inwardly. I honestly don't know how much longer they can keep this up. It was so obvious. They weren't even hiding it.

"U-uh…h-hi E-erza," Jellal stammered, his blush making his tattoo almost unnoticeable.

"H-h-hel-lo, J-jel-lal," Erza replied, her own blush rivaling her scarlet hair.

The entire cafeteria groaned. This happened every day. Erza and Jellal would make awkward small talk and then get angry at anyone who said that they liked each other, because they themselves were too nervous to admit it. And they both became very scary when they were angry.

Jellal and Erza got into the line for the food and the people in a 10-foot radius from them were careful to keep their mouths shut. Jellal and Erza both stood as close to each other as they possibly could without touching. And neither of them had the courage to had the courage to break the barrier that had been set around them since they had reunited a little over two years ago.

But they didn't need to find that courage, as someone was finding it for them. Or should I say some people.

I nodded to Laxas, who gave me an almost imperceptible nod in return. I giggled, yes, I was giddy with excitement. Everything was in place. But, that wasn't why I was giggling. Laxas was sitting across the cafeteria while trying to look inconspicuous. It wasn't really working. People were still giving him plenty of room. But, it worked on the two people it needed to, Jellal and Erza. They were too absorbed in getting their food while still trying not to touch the other.

Both of their plates now loaded with food, they headed over to the desert station. A sly smile grew across my face. It was almost time. I saw both of their faces light up as they say the last piece of strawberry cake left. Then their countenances darkened as they realized that only one of them could have the slice. Unless they shared it.

I barely held in my laugh as they both came to that conclusion. Their faces simultaneously started to heat up even more, as if their blushes were battling for first place.

'And this isn't even the best part,' I thought.

Jellal reached out and took the slice and then held it out to Erza. I could hear the entire cafeteria hold their breath. "Take it," Jellal when Erza hesitated, "I know that you like it even more than I do." Erza tentatively reached her hands over to the plate and gripped. Because of the unnatural silence in the cafeteria I could hear Erza whisper thank you to Jellal. I saw him smile at her, not his usual nervous smile but a heartfelt smile. And through her blush I saw her return the smile with her own, just as heartfelt. Then they realized that when Erza had gripped the plate she had also gripped Jellal's hands. They went rigid and there smiles went into surprised little o's, before both of their gazes dropped to the floor.

The entire cafeteria sighed in defeat, this escapade would go on. Phrases such as typical and of course seemed to ripple through the air. The, above it all, one of my acquaintances, I think her name is Kinana, said, "Wait a minute, there's something written on the cake. What does it say?" I will have to remember to thank her later.

Both Jellal and Erza cast a curious glance at the cake, their embarrassment forgotten for the moment before it all game rushing back. Because, on the cake slice I had o-so carefully written.

It's obvious that you two like each other.

Just get together already! 3

And then, both of them did something unexpected. They both fainted.

I heard Laxas say from across the room, "I think we overdid it this time, Mira."

And I thought, 'You think!'

(Laxas's PoV)

I have no idea why I let Mira keep dragging me into these schemes of hers. I mean, they always end up with either Jellal or Erza yelling their heads off at us and the occasional punch to the face. This time they literally just fainted. By the way, both of the first two situations hurt, I men those two can be loud.

I sigh as I head over to Jellal and pick him up, motioning for Mira to grab Erza.

As we walked down the hallway to the infirmary, I knew we were getting a lot of stares courtesy of the unconscious Jellal and Erza but, honestly, I didn't care. It would just be another rumor that floated around about me for a few weeks before dying off. I was just that kind of kid. I didn't do anything bad, except quite the opposite. I am just really tall and have a few muscles from the bullies picking fistfights with me all the time. My mom had always taught me to have the manner of a gentleman before she died. So, I honor her by doing just that. I behave all the time and always treat elders, girls and women with respect.

Speaking of girls, I peeked over at Mira to see how she was handling the stares. She is skipping (as well as she could while carrying Erza), humming, and smiling as wide as a certain pink-haired idiot I know. I should've known she would still be in high spirits after that matchmaking scene she pulled. They are her favorite pastime after all. Well, that and cooking.

As soon as we reached the infirmary, I knocked on the door loud enough to make Mira junp, but it was necessary. The nurse often takes naps during the day, but only a few people know this as not many people visit her (fistfights, remember, I have to take the people who challenged me here). After a few seconds the door opened to reveal an aging woman with dull, pink hair and a bitter expression, probably from me waking her up from her nap.

"What do you wa-?" she started before her eyes landed on the unconscious Jellal and Erza we were carrying. Her expression quickly changed from bitter to worried. "Oh my Gosh! What happened to them?!" she all but screamed at us.

"Don't worry," I said, "They're fine." She visibly relaxed. I continued, "Mirajane just got carried away with her latest matchmaking scene and they both fainted at the 'revelation' that their feelings for each other were returned." I used extra emphasis on revelation. It was clear that the entire school knew they liked each other. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire world knew. Mira waved shyly at Porlyusica. "She doesn't know," I thought. I leaned over and whispered in Mira's ear, "Porlyusica is actually really nice, and the rumor floating around school that she hates people is false. In fact, she really likes messing with people, just like you." As I leaned back up she smiled at me in thanks and turned to greet Porlyusica.

I idly listened to their conversation until one thing stood out for me. "So, what did you two do this time to poor Erza and Jellal," Porlyusica asked Mira. I blinked a few time. "How did you know that I was involved?" I squeaked out.

"Well, let's see," she started, listing out her reasons for knowing that both of us were involved, "first, if you got them to faint it must have been pretty big, she would've needed help. And, second," she lowered her voice to a whisper, "you are the only one who would help her in her crazy schemes as you have a pretty big soft spot for her."

"No, I don't!" I screamed out, completely forgetting that Mira was right next to me.

"You don't what?" Mira asked 'innocently', batting her eyelashes at me.

"Nothing!" I quickly snapped back. I wasn't going to fall for that trick a second time.

"Okay," she said her tone implying that she would be pressing me for answers later.

"Great," I sighed, "Thanks Porlyusica." My voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"You're very much welcome," she replied, not an inch of sarcasm in her voice.

"Now," she said, her tone instantly business-like, "Let's see what I can do for the lovebirds."

'I can't believe that she said that with a straight face,' I thought while carrying Jellal over to the second closest bed. I left the closest for Erza so that Mira wouldn't have to carry her as far. I laid Jellal down and looked back to see Mira struggling with Erza, probably because of all that strawberry cake that Erza eats. I sighed and went over to her. I took Erza from her arms and was about to set her on the closest bed when Mira stopped me. I set Erza down and looked over at her with a question on my lips to see her eyes shining with excitement. 'Uh-oh,' I thought, 'that face is extremely cute, wait what am I thinking, this can only spell trouble.'

"Let's put them on the same bed," she said excitedly.

"Why in the world would I do that?" I said back. I sure didn't want a furious Erza or, God forbid, Jellal on my back.

"Come on," she begged, "Pleeaase."

I was about to say no when I saw her face. She has made her already big eyes bigger and had jutted her bottom lip out a bit. 'Crap,' I thought, 'she knows just how to pull my strings. That is the cutest face I have ever seen her pull.'

I looked over at Porlyusica for help but I saw in her eyes that there would be no help coming from her. Her eyes held playful amusment and excitement with knowing mixed in with the other emotions.

Just perfect.

Why can't I have normal teachers?

"Fine," I said.

"Yay!" she exclaimed.

"But if they wake up and start yelling, you have to take the blame," I told her.

"Why shouldn't I?" she retorted, "I'm not scared of them."

But one look at her slightly trembling hands told me otherwise. I looked into her eyes and saw all of the determination in there covering up a small pocket of fear. Something stirred within me. Confusion? No. Pride? Maybe. Admiration? Likely. Probably it was a mix of the last two. 'Oh man,' I thought, 'this is going to be all kinds of trouble. I think I'm falling for Mira, the matchmaking she-demon of the school.'

"How about this?" I proposed, picking Erza back up, "I'll take Jellal and you take Erza." I set her down next to Jellal and turned to face Mira. I was still on one knee from setting Erza down and I had a clear view of her eyes.

They were a sea of disbelief, but even the immense waves of it could not conceal the raw relief and gratitude I saw in there. "Then it's settled," I said. I knew I had made the right choice.

(Mira's PoV)

I couldn't believe my ears. Did Laxas, the center of more rumors than I would care to count that run around our school, just offer to take a tongue-lashing from Jellal so I wouldn't have to for my idea. Erza may have a short fuse but her anger comes in short spurts. Jellal on the other hand, is more laid back but when he gets angry I swear the entire school trembles. Laxas is turning out to quite the soft-spoken kind young gentleman. Maybe we can be good friends.

I'll just have to wait and see.