HOT N' COLD
Chapter 4

I do not own Fairy Tail.

- O – O – O – O – O –

"Mira, did you see where they went?"
Lucy walked to her friend.
Mirajane pointed the way.
"Right into the kitchen. They were carrying a tray…"

"Help me stop them." Lucy sighed. "I'm going to lose my job here."
"Well, it's just how Cancer foretold it." Mirajane winked.
"Just help me here…" And the two hurried inside the kitchen.

X

They immediately saw the surprised faces of the chefs and dishwashers.

"What are you doing?!" Natsu spluttered.
"Applying some soap!" Gray yelled.
"You put some dishwashing soap! How do you want the utensils to taste? Like your freaking armpit?!" Natsu spat.
"Whatever! You don't even use the sponge!" Gray retorted.

"What kind of a mess have they done?" Lucy asked no one in particular.
"Lucy-chan! These strangers just entered," a chef said. "Now, they're…"
"Now, they're what?"
"Look!"

What Lucy saw shocked her.
The dishes were shining with cleanliness!
But the floor…

"Moron! Check it out! I've got 50 plates done!" Natsu boasted.
"I've got a hundred!" Gray smirked.
"Now, you only have 20!" Natsu pushed Gray's cleaned plates.
And they shattered on the floor below.
"What the! You'll get nothing!"
Gray pushed Natsu against his plates.

The floor was full of shattered plates!

Natsu was cursing his friend. "That bloody hurt cold brain!"
"You're the crappy flame nose!"

"You two! Stop acting like kids!" Lucy yelled.
The two boys looked at her and began to put the blame on each other.
"You're the customers! All you need to do in this restaurant is eat!"

"Tch," the two boys muttered at the same time.
Lucy glared at them.
"We're sorry," they apologized at the same time once again.
They gave each other an angry look before grunting in disgust.

"I'll clean this up," Gray said.
"I'll do it first," Natsu argued.
"Bah! You've got heavy hands! You'll just break them more!"
"As if you know where to put them!"

Mirajane patted Lucy on the shoulder.
"I think they can handle themselves here."
Lucy can't help but smile.
"But hey. I was angry at them. Perhaps not one of them is the one."

"Hey, you cut my finger!" Natsu complained.
"You cut my hand!" Gray gritted his teeth.
"You don't pick up the shattered pieces with just your hand! You use this!"
Natsu made a sweeping motion with the object he was holding.
"Let me show you how…" Gray took the thing and swept Natsu's face.
"Bit-"

"I have good senses! I know one of them is for you." Mirajane chuckled.
And while they were fixing their own mess, the chefs and workers slowly came back to their own jobs, with a few mutterings and irritated looks.

Then there came a deep voice.
"Lucy, come to the main office. We have to talk."

The two boys quickly threw the waitress an apologetic look.
Lucy was both nervous and excited.
Cancer's fortune telling was coming true.
She believed that there will be something good coming out of this one.
She believed as she looked closely at the two boys one more time.

Before she went to where the voice of her came from.

X

"Hey, I'm out of job because of you.

Let's talk about it in this table.
Later."

That was what Lucy carefully wrote on two thin tissues.

She also folded the tissues carefully.

Behind her, Mirajane hid a smile as Lucy followed her suggestion.

X

"We've caused you much trouble, Lucy-chan," Lisanna said.
"She's right," Erza grunted. "These two boys shall be punished accordingly."

"That was a tiring work." Natsu sighed, quite ignoring them.
"Natsu, you wouldn't want your future wife to get tired if she does all the work," Lisanna stated.
There was a faint hue of pink in Natsu's cheeks.
"Whatever."
"Vain as ever, Natsu." Lisanna laughed lightly.

Gray exhaled deeply. "Do I really have to pay for this?"
Erza gave him an intimidating look. "Of course. Are you objecting?"
Gray turned around to roll his eyes. "I'm tired. Lisanna, hurry up wit your food."
"Gray, I kindly waited for you two. And I had to keep Erza from eating your share."

"Let me get you all some water," Lucy offered as she stood up.
"Thanks," Gray and Natsu said at the same time, which made them stare at each other.

And as Lucy gave everyone their own glass of water, Lucy added some tissues for each person.
"What is the tissue for?" Erza inquired.
"That would be for your meal," Lucy replied.
Lisanna shrugged. "I could use it." Then she wiped her lips with her tissue.

Gray eyed his tissue then grunted. "Well, I had a greasy meal."
Natsu sneezed on his tissue, quite impolitely. "Thanks, Lucy! Ahahaha!"

"I'm really sorry for the mess we made." Lisanna bowed her head.
"It's Gray's fault, Lisanna," Natsu said.
"Whatever, punk," Gray insulted. "If only you had manners."
"What did you say, bastard?!"

"We'll be going, then!" Erza said firmly. "Gray. Natsu. Give Lucy a tip."
"What?!"
"You've caused so much trouble. Would you refuse to do so?"
"Ehh…"
They laid some coins on the table.

"Thank you, Lucy!" Natsu waved a hand.
Gray grunted once more as he gestured farewell.
Lisanna sighed.
Erza showed no more reaction.

They proceeded to the exit.
And Lucy couldn't help but long for something more.
Something was still missing.

Hopefully, the day would be complete.
Later.

- O – O – O – O – O –

The end is near.
But I'm thinking of a possible sequel.

Leave a review for now! ; )