Chapter 11 - A Single, Loving Kiss
10:58 am
Gray blinked at himself in the mirror. Casual tucked-collar shirt, long beige dress pants, brand new sneakers... combed my hair... this should do.
He looked at the navy and black striped tie in his hand. Should I? Nah it'd be too formal. Well... yeah okay, girls like to dress up so I should at least wear a tie.
Then he frowned. You dimwit, tying ties are too much of a nuisance!
So? If it seems like I put in an effort to look good, then won't she be impressed?
Nah, girls don't care.
Gray scowled and turned to walk out. As he was locking the door of his home he sighed. "Stop talking to yourself, stupid!" he muttered angrily to himself, then shook his head and walked down the street, rather peaceful for the late morning.
As he passed an alley between two buildings on his way to Sushihausu, he heard some noises and turned to see what was going on.
A shady looking girl with long black bangs hiding her face and the rest of her sleek jet-black hair resting over her back was sitting there, reaching into a red suitcase. She looked up and smiled at the confused ice mage.
"Gray Fullbuster. I've been expecting you." She lifted her bangs and revealed a familiar face.
Gray tried to hide his shocked expression. "Daphne! You? I thought you..."
"Oh phooey like I'd die from a minor explosion like that!" She pulled out a Metamo stick and began sucking happily on it.
"No, not that. You were arrested weren't you?" Gray felt flustered. This girl is dangerous...
"Meh, they let me go but on one restriction - they told me I had to go to some guy called Mastah Makaroof and work in his business guild thingy for a year," she explained when she momentarily took out her Metamo stick.
"Mastah Makaroof? Hey that's Gramps! He's the master of our guild Fairy Tail! Natsu is in it, he's the guy you tried to use to power your fake dragonoid. And I'm in it, and Lucy and Erza."
"Oh! They probably won't care for me then... I know!" Daphne exclaimed, her glasses brightening in a white glow. "I'll give them free Metamo and they'll definitely be nice to me! And if not, well, this Fairy Tail is known for having a lot of inter-guild fights or something right?" She gave Gray a wicked smile and her glasses gleamed deviously.
"Eh, yeah..."
"So, Gray, mind showing me the guild?" She asked, getting up and taking a big red suitcase with the word "Metamo" engraved in a gold cursive style. "Which way to it?" she yelled, clutching his arm with her free hand.
"But I've got an appointment, so just ask someone. Everyone in Magnolia knows," Gray explained, tugging away. Crazy girl, clutching me that way. Tch.
"Aww, an appointment with your girlfriend?" Daphne said teasingly.
"What does it matter?"
Daphne ignored him. "Is she in Fairy Tail?"
"Yeah."
She gave him a triumphant punch. "Hah! So it is your girlfriend! Hm? Whaddya say to telling her about my Metamo? If she wants to have some I'll give her a discount!" She winked at him. "As much as the super pretty, awesome girl mage I am, I'm also a business girl at heart, Gray. Don't forget that!"
Gray shrugged. "What time is it?" he asked.
"A few minutes past eleven. Why, you're gonna be late or something?"
"Yes! I'm supposed to be at Sushihausu at eleven thirty!" Gray ran off, leaving Daphne pouting as she watched him go.
11:18 am
Cana frowned as she looked down the street. "No Gray... gotta keep looking."
She ran down the street, turned a corner and bumped into - Gray!
"Gray! Big news - Mest is gonna meet up with Bora and we're going to Master Bob's mansion as eye-witnesses! I tried finding Juvia but I can't and we hafta go now!" Before Gray could protest, Cana waved down a taxi-carriage and they rode off towards the mansion, which was about twenty minutes away.
11:34 am
Juvia took out her pocket mirror, observed herself carefully, then tucked it back in her pocket and took a deep breath. She was standing in front of Sushihausu, in front of the big welcoming entrance. She gathered up all her courage and pushed open the doors.
Scanning the wonderful-smelling restaurant she saw that there were a few little parties seated here and there, enjoying their time at the restaurant.
Where is Gray-sama? Where is Juvia's Gray-sama? Did he not come yet?
A waitress came up to her. "Welcome - a table for yourself?"
"Juvia would like a table for two," the water mage politely requested.
As she was seated she looked for Gray but couldn't spot him anywhere in the restaurant. The waitress gave her the menu and left for a while.
Where is Gray-sama? Why is he late? Does he not love Juvia? Gray-sama come soon... Juvia does not want to be alone!
"Gray-sama..." she whispered.
"Pardon? Nigiri?"
Juvia looked up and saw the waitress waiting to take her order. Blushing, she realized what had happened and shook her head.
"Please give Juvia some more time," she said.
"Of course." The waitress left.
Ring! The bells on the entrance door sounded and Juvia looked eagerly towards the entrance expecting the ice mage she was so in love with but instead a mother with two little girls came in.
Gray-sama, when will you come?
12:32 pm
Juvia picked up some sushi with her chopsticks. She had heard from Levy that Sushihausu was famous for its sushi but she didn't feel like trying.
She had already given up hope. Everytime the bells at the entrance sounded, she had turned to look but was disappointed.
Gray-sama, your Juvia is waiting. Why will you not come for her? Do you not care? Gray-sama... Juvia has loved you ever since she laid eyes on you on the roof of Phantom Lord guild.
When she did missions with you, she did everything to protect and care for you. Yet you do not show you care for her...
That unison raid you did with her, was a memory well kept, cared for, cherished. Have you forgotten? Why are you not with her now? Gray-sama...
She began crying. She didn't bother to wipe the tears from her eyes.
Ring! Ring!
She didn't bother to look up. Time and time again she had been disappointed. Waiting for a full hour but to no avail. She might as well go home.
Footsteps - a waitress coming to greet the new customer. "Would you like a table?"
She rested her head on the booth she was seated at, tears in her eyes. Some ran down her cheeks; others dripped onto the table.
Drip. Drop. Patter-patter-patter-patter-pound!-pound!-pound!-pound!...
Outside it had begun raining, pouring, pounding on the Sushihausu roof. Inside the mood was as dismal as outside.
"No, thank you. I already have one." Footsteps - coming closer.
A gentle hand rested on her shoulder.
She looked up, blinking away the tears, and was met by a warm smile, gentle eyes and a loving, familiar face.
"Gray-sama... you came..."
"Yes, my love. I'm sorry I was kept back. I have good news - Bora has been arrested. The last remnants of him and Titan Nose are erased from your life. Now, my Juvia... if you will accept this, I would love to ask if you would allow me to accompany you for the rest of your future."
With this the beloved ice mage presented a silver ring, with a heart shaped diamond, resting in an open, small velvet-cushioned case.
"Gray-sama..." She looked up at her love. "Yes, Gray-sama..."
He wiped away the last remains of her tears. "I love you, Juvia."
Outside, the rain stopped, replaced by a glistening, beautiful rainbow. And inside Sushihausu on Sakura Street, Gray slid the ring on Juvia's left ring finger and gave her a single, loving kiss.