Hello, everyone !
I'm back with the twenty-first chapter !
Enjoy !
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima !
This story belongs to me !
Lisanna wailed for ten minutes straight but Lucy didn't loosen her warm hug at all. Even when Lisanna's wail finally became weak sobs, Lucy was still hugging her tight. She didn't say a word because she knew Lisanna didn't need to hear any words right now.
All she needed was shoulders to cry on.
"I hate you…" Lisanna sobbed. "I love Natsu-sensei…"
"I know." Lucy gently whispered back. "I'm so sorry, Lisanna…"
After another ten minutes, Lisanna's sobs died down. Lucy released her hug, placing a bit space between them. Lisanna's eyes were so red and puffy, her cheeks were glistening due to her tears.
Lucy gently wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. "You're very kind and tough, Lisanna."
"I hate you…" Lisanna weakly said, her throat hurt from crying for so long and so hard.
"I know." Lucy let out a little smile.
"But… I know I can't hate you for too long…" Lisanna sniffled. "Even though you knew I love your husband, you encouraged me to do what my heart wants… Even if Natsu-sensei will always reject me out loud, you encouraged me to keep trying rather than just giving up so easily… You want me to be strong, so I wouldn't crumble down that easy when I knew he's your husband…"
"Lisanna," Lucy gripped her arms gently but firmly. "I know feelings can't be forced. That's why I encouraged you to do what your heart wants, to find your path by your own. This isn't how I want you to know about me and Natsu, though. I'm so sorry for bombing down the fact on you like this."
Lisanna weakly let out a small nod. No matter how much she hated Lucy, she knew her teacher never meant any harm. If Lisanna was in Lucy's position, she probably would just shout right at any women's face for placing their eyes on her husband. Doesn't matter if the other woman was a student or because of that stupid rule—
Lisanna suddenly widened her eyes and lifted her head to face Lucy. "The rule…" she mumbled. "What about the rule…?"
Lucy let out a small smile but instead of answering, she didn't say a word. Lisanna waited for another few seconds before letting out a small sigh. "Right… It's not my business…"
"Lisanna," Lucy called, bringing Lisanna's attention back on her face. "I'm sure we both can agree that we can't let that stupid rule harms Natsu, right?"
"Y—yeah?" Lisanna blinked in confusion.
Lucy's smile widened. "Both I and Natsu, along with Levy-chan and Gray, the four of us agreed to keep our marriage a secret until our one-year contract expires. I'm sure you can do that too, right? For Natsu's sake."
Lisanna firmly nodded her head. Even if she had a broken heart because of that pink-haired teacher, but Lisanna's feelings for him hadn't faded yet. Even if her feelings faded, Lisanna would always cherish Natsu for the rest of her life.
It's only known to Lisanna, but Natsu is her first love.
And he had a special place firmly planted in her heart.
If keeping his marriage a secret would protect him, then Lisanna would gladly do it. "And… After the contract expires…?"
"This is a secret and I'm only telling you." Lucy winked. "I'll submit my resignation."
Lisanna widened her eyes in disbelieve. "You'll quit your job as a teacher here?"
Lucy casually nodded back. "Natsu has always wanted to be a teacher in this school and now he has the job. I don't want him to sacrifice his dream because of our marriage, so I decided to resign after my contract expires and teach elsewhere. But, don't tell him or anyone else about this. It's our secret."
"But… Isn't it your dream too to teach here?" Lisanna asked.
"Well… My dream is to be a teacher Lisanna, but I never specify where." Lucy chuckled. "So, as long as I can teach, then… Any school is okay for me."
"I see…" Lisanna mumbled.
Lucy let out a small smile and patted Lisanna's head gently. "Now, now, you have a festival to enjoy. Why don't you wash your face and return to your class? I'm sure your friends are getting worried about you."
Lisanna nodded a little. She lifted her head and looked straight at Lucy. "Thank you for trusting me with your marriage's secrecy, Lucy-sensei. For lending your shoulders to me, and… And for our secret."
"My pleasure." Lucy smiled back.
Lisanna then quickly bowed down and walked away. She followed Lucy's suggestion to wash her face before returning to her class. She had cried so much her tears were dry right now and the water felt really refreshing on her face. Her mind was also becoming clearer. Lisanna knew that she had to talk to Natsu about her feelings and her decision to stop pursuing him, but she decided not to be hasty. She wasn't ready to see him yet either. Besides, she spared herself from any unnecessary pain if she asked Natsu for tonight's dance and got rejected. So, Lisanna decided to take her time by enjoying the festival first.
The highlight of the festival was of course the dance which would be held inside the gymnasium. It was also an event where many more couples were formed. Students were allowed to go home after finished cleaning up the festival to change their attires and return to the school at seven o'clock. Unlike the students, the teachers would have to change their attires at school. Together with the principal and the school board, they would have a banquet first then the dance to close the night and officially marked the start of the summer holiday.
Lucy was enjoying herself by standing at a corner while staring at Levy and Gray who were dancing with their respective partners on the floor. She inwardly envied them as she couldn't dance with Natsu. Come to think of it, where is that husband of hers?
"Luce."
Lucy quickly turned her head as she heard that familiar voice whispering her name. Natsu was standing not far from her, waving his hand and beckoning her to come closer.
"What is it?" Lucy whispered back when she was near him, eyes glancing to left and right to make sure no one noticed them.
"Come with me." Natsu said and gently pulled her hand. Natsu quickly took her outside of the gymnasium, exploited the huge attention on the dance floor to sneak away.
"Natsu." Lucy giggled as they were already away from the gymnasium. "Where are you taking me?"
"Just follow me."
To Lucy's surprise, Natsu took her back to the school's main building. Their shoes clacked on the stairs and echoed to the entire silent building as Natsu took her upstairs.
"Natsu." Lucy hissed. "What if we get caught?"
"We won't." Natsu's voice echoed. "Everyone's busy in that gymnasium."
Lucy followed Natsu as he took her to the rooftop.
"Why are we here?" Lucy asked.
"Didn't you say you want to see the starry sky from this school's rooftop?" Natsu grinned as he opened the door and pulled themselves out. "Now you get to see it to your heart's content!"
"Wow!" Lucy's eyes glinted as the starry sky came into her view. "It's so beautiful!"
"You like it?" Natsu stood beside her.
"Totally!" Lucy's smile beamed. "Thank you, Natsu!"
Natsu smiled back. Now, under the bright moon, Natsu could finally have his share of staring at his wife. He could stare at her mesmerizing curves to his heart's content. She was wearing a bright red strapless long dress, with frills around her shoulders. Lucy's bright blond hair was up in a bun, adorned with a pretty pink ribbon. A pair of small diamond earrings adorned her ears.
She looked so gorgeously beautiful to Natsu.
Natsu instinctively reached out his hand and brushed it against Lucy's cheek. "You're so beautiful today."
Lucy smiled as she also turned her head and faced her husband. Natsu was only wearing a black tuxedo set with a dark red shirt behind, but he looked so deadly handsome to her. "You're handsome as well, Natsu."
Natsu put an arm around Lucy's waist and pulled her into his hold in one swift pull. He caressed her cheek with his other hand as their eyes met. They stayed that way for a while before Natsu broke out a grin.
"I can't take you to dance down there on that floor, but," He quickly stepped away and bowed down while offering a hand to Lucy. "can I have this dance, Luce?"
Lucy giggled as she took Natsu's hand. "Of course."
The two of them started to dance without any music, but neither minded. The chilly night wind blew, but Lucy didn't feel any cold since she was basking herself in Natsu's warmth.
"I talked to Lisanna about us this afternoon." Lucy said. "We got busted by her."
Natsu blinked in confusion. "How so?"
Lucy told Natsu everything, except the part where she decided to resign after their one-year contract expired. Natsu chuckled a bit after Lucy finished her story. "Oops. Sorry, my bad. But she's pretty chill about this, isn't she?"
"She's a kind child, Natsu." Lucy smiled. "And tough. I know she'll get over you."
"Well, she has to." Natsu said. "I'm sure she'll find someone who loves her first before she loves them."
"Yeah."
"So… I can stop rejecting her?"
"I guess."
"Finally! I don't like breaking her heart over and over." Natsu let out a relieved sigh. "You saved me, Luce."
"Didn't I always?" Lucy laughed.
"Yep." Natsu grinned. "Ain't complaining about that either."
Lucy smiled as she took her hands from Natsu's and from his shoulder, then wrapped them around his neck. Natsu responded by placing his hands on her slim waist. Their new position allowed them to dance closer and more intimately than before.
Lucy softly rubbed Natsu's hair from behind. "I love you, Natsu."
"And I love you." Natsu smiled back and dipped down to kiss his wife.
Done !
Wow, it took me three days to write this one *grimace*
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