I'm so sorry for the late update… I'm worried about my school marks and it seems like the examination week doesn't have any end. My graduation exam is coming sooooooooooooo damn close. I'll give you 2 chapters in a row, how's that sound? If this chapter has more than 4K words, you wouldn't mind, right? Kkk~


Juvia walks quickly — slightly running to her place. Juvia invited Levy to come, so she has to look neat — at least her place should look neat. Well, during her day-offs she never did any activity that makes her room clean. She was too lazy to do anything and moreover, she had sooooo many things in her mind, which made her head spin.

"Right. It's all Gray-sama's fault that Juvia didn't tidy up her room…" She mumbles while walking. She's just few steps away from her place. "It's her fault too though, why did such little thing like that would bother Juv—" She gasped right before she steps on gorgeous creature in front of the door.

WHAT THE HECK?

Her widened eyes cannot blink, due to her surprised-condition. She stares at the creature, curious. She looked at the sleeping young man closely, admiring his calm look. He looked even more handsome this way. Streaks of warm lightning shot through her cheeks, leaving light pink stains. She unconsciously bent down, looking at his face closer.

What the hell is he doing here? He even fell asleep! Doesn't he know this is not a place to sleep? Juvia investigated the angelic face of him, trying to reveal what's his reason for falling asleep on her doorstep. But anger and curiosity doesn't linger on her anymore. She's softened, feeling sorry for him, though she doesn't know why.

Doesn't it feel cold here? Juvia thought, she's concerned, and long silence appears. What has this angel done that made Juvia hurt? Juvia is so wrong for blaming this gorgeous man. She giggles between her thought, and then falls in relaxing silence with him. Her face turned sad, her eyes still staring at his face.

"Juvia is so sorry… for her feelings towards you." She whispers. "Juvia is sure that you were bothered."

Her hands move upwards, unconsciously. Her delicate and cold fingers caress his cheek slightly. His eyes slowly opened, he's gaining his consciousness.

"Lucy?"

His low and husky voice said, making her heart sink. But Juvia realized and smile. What did Juvia expect him to say? Her name? Why would a coupled-up man saying her name in his sleep? She giggles awkwardly, tapping on his cheek.

"No, Gray-sama. This is Juvia." She says, standing up. "Now, you should be going. It's awkward to see a young man in front of Juvia's place at this time." She smiles, pulling him up and pushing him away.

"Juvia, I've been trying to talk to you so many times today!" Gray says in his sleepy look. "I slept here because I know that you will be here anytime soon. And when you're finally here, you told me to go away?!" his voice hitched, which made Juvia feel guilty. She was opening the door, but she stopped and turned around.

"Sorry. What do you need?"

He smiled, making Juvia wants to squeal. "Come with me tomorrow, to the boutique in the town." Juvia almost jumped, but something pulled her back to reality. There it is again. He's asking Juvia out again. And Juvia will hurt again tomorrow. She frowns, cringed. Juvia never wants to be hurt by him again.

"Juvia? What do you say?" He shows his mesmerizing smile again.

"Is this another dare? Juvia would never come if it is." She said, frightened. Her hands grips on the door knob tightly.

"Of course not! You know, Lucy's birthday is coming up. And- I- I think it'll be awkward if I ask Erza for advices." Juvia's grip tightened. Don't you think it'll be more awkward if you ask Juvia? "And… I know that you're going to be a big help."

"But, Gray-sama, Juvia thinks she cannot—"

"Unfortunately, I don't take any 'no's." he grins, and once again, Juvia's heart almost jumps out of her chest. "And I believe you don't have any plans tomorrow." Juvia opens her mouth to say an excuse. She thinks that it's better for her to stay away from him for a while. "But- but- this is too sudden that Juv—"

"Sorry… Did I interrupt something here?" a bluenette popped out of nowhere, carrying her beloved book. "I think… I should leave…" Levy says, turning around.

"NO!" Juvia yelled, and her voice startled Gray. "You see, Gray-sama?! Because of you, Juvia forgot about Levy-san." She pouts rather cutely, and she leaves chasing Levy. "You should be going, Gray-sama! You're not welcomed anymore!" She shouted, sounded a bit joking. Gray just shook his head, puts his arms into the pocket. "Okay, but I'll be waiting for you tomorrow! If you don't come, I'll bother you as many times as I want!"

"What a meanie!" Juvia yelled, getting further and further.

"Okay, so… what really happened?" Levy asked, a bit curious. "Ugh, Levy-san…Juvia is really hoping she'd die tomorrow and back to life the day after." Juvia replies, as she prepares tea for both of them.

"He asked Juvia to accompany him picking a present for his beloved Lucy." She puts the cup on the table angrily. "What?!" Levy's mouth formed a perfect 'o'. "He's such a jerk! And then? You agree?!" Levy says angrily, a bit carried away.

"Yeah. He doesn't accept any 'no's and Juvia hates it." Juvia sips her tea. "By the way, that's not what Juvia wanted to tell you." She suddenly grins and grabs a piece of paper and a pen.

She draws many circles on the paper, and she gives them names. "You see, here. This is Juvia." She pointed at her circle. "And she likes Gray-sama so much." She draws a line with arrow at the end to Gray's circle. And for complements, she adds some hearts. Levy giggles. Juvia is surprisingly cute.

"But, Gray-sama has Lucy-san" she draws another line to Lucy's circle, a bit too hard. She almost ripped the paper apart. "And you know what? Natsu-san also likes Lucy-san." She draws another line, which made Levy's eyes widened.

"You say what?!" Levy asks, still trying to believe her words. "Yeah. And he made that dare because he was jealous…" Juvia explained. "Are you serious? This love story is so complicated!" Levy says, but she stopped when she sees her name on a circle.

"What am I doing here?" Levy points at the circle and frowns. "Hm? Oh, yeah! You didn't have any relation with the main scheme, except being Juvia's best friend." Juvia says, grinning widely. She draws another circle beside Levy's. "But you have another scheme, alone with Gajeel-kun!" She squeals and draws a heart between them. Levy's cheek grew warm and she shakes her hand. "N-No way! Why would I? Wh—"

"Oh, shut up, Levy-san. You guys look cute!" Juvia claps her hand. "Oh, Levy-san… I think you should take a sleepover… It's getting too late." Juvia frowns, looking at the dark scenery outside her window. "Juvia is sorry for bringing you to her place at this time. … Juvia has a lot of pajamas! You can use one if you want…" Juvia fidgets, searching her pajama. "It's okay! I think I'm a bit excited about sleeping over!" Levy chuckles, she's excited about her idea. "Come on, lend me the pajama and let me take a bath first~" Levy said, asking for her pajama.

Juvia sits down on her bed, waiting for Levy to finish her bath. She holds her doll, which has similar look with Gray. "What should Juvia do tomorrow? Should Juvia act normally?" She asked the doll, while it only stares at her, emotionless. She groaned and hit her back of her head to the bed desperately. Levy comes out from the bathroom, approaching the extra bed which is already prepared by Juvia.

"Levy-san… What should Juvia do tomorrow?" Juvia asks for her suggestion. "hm? Let your heart tell you what to do tomorrow. Just play along, let it flow!" Levy smiles, before taking off her hair band. "Really? Juvia will take that advice. Juvia hopes it'll help." Juvia grins, and then lies down on her bed. "Thanks, Levy-san... Good night" she pulls her blanket, closing her eyes. "Yeah. Good night."

After 10 minutes of thinking, Levy finally opens her mouth. "Juvia, I think it's better if you be yourself. About playing along, it's not good enough." Levy glances at her, waiting for her to say something or move to face her. But Juvia doesn't react on her words, and that means she already slept. Levy sighed and she hopes she won't do anything stupid tomorrow.

Gray leans on the wall beside the door. He waits for the door to open. And when it happens, two blunettes walk outside while giggling. "I think we should grab a bite, what do you th—" Levy stops in the middle of talking when she sees Gray stares at them. "Maybe I'll have breakfast at the guild. Have a nice day, Juvia… and Gray." She grins to both of them and leaves. Juvia glares at the young man, pouting. "You shouldn't come early." Juvia complains while walking, leaving him behind. God. Gray-sama is coming so early! Juvia feels so happy that he picks her up!

"But it's better to go early, so it'll be done early too." He grins, following Juvia. Yeah, Gray-sama. Juvia thinks so too.

"You can meet Juvia at the guild." Juvia says coldly. Oh no, Juvia's mouth… why do you have different intentions with Juvia's mind?!

"Really? Well, just forget it. It doesn't matter though." Gray walks pass her, grabs her arm and pulls her. "Come on. I'm excited." He said, chuckled.

Juvia stays silent, doesn't know what to say. He's excited about giving Lucy a present. Juvia wonders if he ever felt like that towards Juvia. Juvia smiles at her dream. But the smile soon disappears. Juvia… You're expecting way too much.

"You're giving her a cloth for her birthday, huh?" Juvia asks, just to confirm. "Yeah. Why? I think she'll be happy." Gray answers, opening the boutique's door. Yeah. IF it's Juvia, she'll be happy too!

"You're such an idiot." Juvia says, and laughs mockingly.

Her words surprise him, and even herself. Dammit.

"What? I thought you always support me in any condition." Gray asks, still surprised.

"Tch. Don't expect too much. An idiot is always an idiot." No, Gray-sama. Don't believe Juvia, she's crazy! Juvia really wants to cry! Her words were so mean! "Why would you give Lucy-san something that she can have anytime she wants from Virgo? Lucy-san always gets amazing clothes which are not sold in any boutique in this world." Yeah, that's right! Juvia really envies her. She can amaze Gray-sama in few seconds. And for the first time, her mind agrees with her stupid mouth.

Gray stands dumbfounded in front of the boutique. His mouth parted, wants to say something, but he just couldn't. Juvia stares at him, really really expressionless, just like a cold and scary pale porcelain doll. But she soon smiles. "So, what are you waiting for? Let's search nice, cute, sexy and amazing clothes for Lucy-san." She walks through the shelves and starts investigating every single cloth, and she even interrogates the sales clerk.

Gray just follows her, nodding and shakes his head, to agree or not agree to her suggestions. He actually pays attentions on her giggles, her smiles, grins, movements. And he founds that she's actually interesting. But he thinks that her cute and beautiful look would never win against his Lucy's.

"You've got a really nice choice, Juvia." The cashier praises her while they're purchasing. Juvia often goes to the boutique. Because of that, the old cashier knows and likes her. "I don't know you have a boy with you all this time." She grins, teasing Juvia. "Is your boyfriend paying? Or you?" She asks, smiling softly at her. Juvia blinks, she's a bit taken aback by the cashier's word.

Juvia starts to fidget, playing with her fingers. "Juvia is… not… his girlfriend." She speaks softly, a bit too soft, that the cashier could barely hear. "Pardon?" the cashier asks her to repeat her words.

"Juvia will never be his girlfriend, Ma'am. He's taken and Juvia's here to help him shop." She says loudly, making the cashier blinks few times and almost all of the sales clerks, which are mostly girl, look at them curiously and intensely. She then looks at Gray who's blushing because his status is revealed in front of public. Well, he was quite famous around the town, and now Juvia is telling an anonymous about his relationship. He's sure that gossips will spread in few hours. "Well, young man. You missed someone great. After this, celebrate your loss." She giggles, counting the money. Juvia blushes really hard; she thinks that the cashier had praised her too much. She doesn't want to blush, but she can't help it. She hopes all of her acts before are not ruined because of this.

"You shouldn't praise Juvia like this, she doesn't deserve it." Juvia whispers to the cashier, shaking her hands nervously. "She doesn't even deserve to have this man's love, ma'am…" she whispers softer, making sure that Gray doesn't hear it. The cashier makes a little 'o' with her wrinkly lips, and nodding slowly.

"Sorry, I know unrequited love hurts." The cashier whispers back, feeling sympathy for her. "Cheer up, honey. There are many boys out there who can love you from head to toe, inside and outside." She winks, giving her the change.

Juvia nods, feeling encouraged. "Thanks. Juvia will be going then, ma'am. Have a nice day." She smiles, getting outside, followed by curious Gray.

"You know the cashier? How often did you come to that boutique?" Gray asks, starting a conversation. The walk has been awkward from the beginning. And the silence did not help either. "Yeah. Few times." Juvia answers, not wanting to make the conversation lasts long. "What did you guys talk about? You didn't let me hear." Gray investigates, making Juvia a bit pissed. She doesn't want to talk. Especially about the 'unrequited love' thing that she just discussed with the old lady. Juvia gives the shopping bag along with the change to his chest, slightly pushing him.

"It's not your business." Juvia glares, and leaves him alone on the street. Gray just stand there, he doesn't bother to follow her. He's a bit surprised by her acts from this morning. She didn't even greet him good morning today. She didn't call his name either. The greetings, overactive, possessive side of her and even the 'Gray-sama' had gone since this morning. He doesn't want to be bothered by them, but he couldn't help it. But that doesn't matter now. He really needs to thank her for the help.

"Thanks!" he yelled, so Juvia can hear them clearly.

Gray waits for her exaggerating reaction. But Juvia doesn't turn around, or reply him with any movements or word. And it's far away from what he's expecting. Juvia bites her lip, preventing her mouth from squealing. Her acts should be smooth, no mistakes. She's already at this point, so she can't just go back. Her acts should last longer, or he will know and mock her that she cannot get over him. This is going to be a hard time for Juvia. Her life was miserable, but she felt happier when she joins the most amazing guild in the world. But now it's going to be complicated. She'll be suffering from acting in front of Gray, and she has to pretend that nothing had made her suffer in front of her guild mates. Juvia doesn't want this. A life full of lies… Juvia has never thought of lying in front of anyone. But this condition forced her to lie. So everyone's not going to worry, everyone's going to be happy, even though she herself has to suffer from all of it.

Well, it's all her fault that she fell in love with Gray in the first place.

It's all her fault that she cannot be attractive enough for Gray to notice her.

It's all her fault that she doesn't have any strong point to win against Lucy…

It's all her fault… that today and so on should be miserable…

Juvia turns around to see Gray after walking for few meters and found nothing but empty road. Her eyes are sad, like she doesn't have any hope. She grips on her arm tightly as rain began to fall. Gray-sama… Juvia is so sorry.


Okay… what do you think? It's long for a chap, huh? But it doesn't reach 4K. On second thought, maybe 2 chapters in a row is not a good idea. I should grow your curiosity higher and bigger. Kkk~

Please review~ I don't care if it's a compliment, a constructive critic, or a destructive one. Anything would do. Because of them, I will be more encouraged to write better than before. Thank you~~ *Kissu readers one by one*